April 2018 - From No Polo to All Polo
As Polo continues to strive to bridge the gap between players and non-players. The Sport’s popularity continues to grow every year thanks to social media, accessibility and variations of the game being adapted to make it more crowd friendly, we thought we’d take a look at what it was like from the other side, to go from no polo to all polo.
Kelvin and Damian, had their first polo lesson with us at Ainsley Polo towards the end of our last season (February 2017), so we sat down with them to see what it was like from their side, and why they caught the bug so easily.
Kelvin Ovington
Age – 42
Occupation - Co-owner OFF & ON
“You might be surprised but a background in football has helped” says Kelvin, “polo came a long just as I was ready to hang up my football boots, and I have found that there are aspects that transfer. Being able to see the flow of the game, attacking and defending goals, reading the play, understanding the team dynamic has all helped me.”
What first attracted you to try the sport?
I grew up in the suburbs with no exposure to horses until my wife and I moved to the countryside about 12 years ago. Since then I have been surrounded by horses (my wife showjumps) and though I love being around them, the idea of road hacks or trail rides didn’t appeal, I needed an equestrian discipline with speed, purpose or goals (!), to enjoy the new world I was living in.
What hooked you in your first lesson?
I was warned that I would find it addictive, and they were right! The first lesson was equal parts fun and frustrating leaving me feeling like I had unfinished business. I couldn’t just walk away without having properly mastered hitting that ball. I’ve now learnt that however much I improve, there’s the next level of mastery to strive for. Pretty sure that constitutes addiction!
It also coincided with my need to permanently hang up my football boots. As an outsider polo felt like an elitist sport that was intimidating to break into. Ainsley Polo and the Taupiri Polo club have been so welcoming and supportive that it really has helped it fill that sporting and social gap.
What has surprised you and what was just as you expected?
As a polo layman, I had never appreciated the physicality of the game. I knew that riding wasn’t just a matter of sitting on pony, pushing a button and letting it do the work, but until you’ve played you can’t appreciate the strength and contact involved in marking and riding off opponents. I love it!
What do you think has been the hardest thing to get to grips with?
The rules! The principles are so clear and complete common sense, line of the ball, right of way, safety etc. - but there are numerous nuances that catch me out. In the heat of the chase, or those grey areas when the ball pops out of a ‘scrum’, I sometimes get paralysed with indecision about whether I’m allowed to hit the ball or not. Keeping a straight head is vital through the whole game, especially when starting out, I try not to overthink
Did you find some things came naturally - your personal skills helped your play?
Having played football all my life has been a definite benefit. The flow of the game - attacking or defending goals is similar, but moreover a general understanding of team dynamic and being able to read the play has been a good asset. It has its downfalls sometimes too, like when I find myself slipping back into zonal defence when I should be marking a player, but overall I believe it has provided a good background.
Which aspects have you had to work at?
Personally it has been the riding. My first lessons were mostly at a walking pace, I had never really ridden before and even found cantering daunting. It’s pretty hard to hit a ball if you can’t even get your pony close to it or you’re clinging on for dear life. Ainsley Polo have been amazing in helping me develop this, with hours of off season riding in the ring, on the beach or on the arena so that when the new season rolled around I was able to focus more on hitting and the game in general.
What advice would you give someone who was thinking of starting to play?
Do it now. The sooner you start the better. One beauty of the game is that you can have people from all ages on the field at the same time, it’s not ageist, there’s no restrictions while you’re still able. But the sooner you start the sooner you’ll be mastering it and enjoying many fun years of polo ahead.
What would you do differently?
I wish I hadn’t wasted the previous 12 years not riding. Polo was always an aspiration and even if it took me 12 years to get around to polo, developing my riding in the interim would have sped up my polo development. You often see other players transitioning from other equestrian disciplines which gives them an advantage on the riding side.
Do you admire any other players and if so why?
When Damian and I started out we ironically referred to ourselves as Nacho and Adolfo, the only famous polo players that we knew of, and the complete antithesis of where our play was at. Although I’m now aware of other famous high goal players, to be honest my admiration goes out to the low goal players I see at the grass roots tournaments I’m going to. I now have an appreciation of the work and dedication it takes to even get to that level on a part time amateur basis.
What is the worst experience you have had on the field or with polo people?
Touch wood, I haven’t really had any bad experiences yet. Certainly, I have found the polo community fantastic, always welcoming and supportive and thus far no major incidents on the pitch. The worst days are usually self-induced, when I have a bad day out on the field and everything goes wrong, I start to beat myself up and lose confidence. Luckily my coaches are always great at giving advice and words of encouragement.
What is your greatest polo moment so far?
My first tournament was a huge goal and milestone for me, to have gone from nothing to that in less than 12 months. I was terrified beforehand about being out of my depth and making a complete fool of myself on the competitive stage. Despite a spectacular fall in my first game, and losing the game…it went pretty well, I think I held my own and I came away with my pride intact. So happy to have got that monkey of my back.
Most embarrassing moment?
Where to start? So many! Every air swing in front of goal? Every fall? Probably more scary than embarrassing was in a practice chukka at the club. During a ride off, the top of my whip entangled the opposition player’s reins. While trying to work the top of my whip free, I was whipping both horses with the other end until they were galloping across the field with us still stuck together. Luckily, we were able to separate just before we piled over the boards!
Best thing you have ever seen anyone else do?
For me it’s not so much the big hits that impress me, I am in awe of the players with amazing ball control. To be able to slow the ball down, then dribble and weave between a number of players to create a new play is an art that I aspire to.
Kelvin and Damian, had their first polo lesson with us at Ainsley Polo towards the end of our last season (February 2017), so we sat down with them to see what it was like from their side, and why they caught the bug so easily.
Kelvin Ovington
Age – 42
Occupation - Co-owner OFF & ON
“You might be surprised but a background in football has helped” says Kelvin, “polo came a long just as I was ready to hang up my football boots, and I have found that there are aspects that transfer. Being able to see the flow of the game, attacking and defending goals, reading the play, understanding the team dynamic has all helped me.”
What first attracted you to try the sport?
I grew up in the suburbs with no exposure to horses until my wife and I moved to the countryside about 12 years ago. Since then I have been surrounded by horses (my wife showjumps) and though I love being around them, the idea of road hacks or trail rides didn’t appeal, I needed an equestrian discipline with speed, purpose or goals (!), to enjoy the new world I was living in.
What hooked you in your first lesson?
I was warned that I would find it addictive, and they were right! The first lesson was equal parts fun and frustrating leaving me feeling like I had unfinished business. I couldn’t just walk away without having properly mastered hitting that ball. I’ve now learnt that however much I improve, there’s the next level of mastery to strive for. Pretty sure that constitutes addiction!
It also coincided with my need to permanently hang up my football boots. As an outsider polo felt like an elitist sport that was intimidating to break into. Ainsley Polo and the Taupiri Polo club have been so welcoming and supportive that it really has helped it fill that sporting and social gap.
What has surprised you and what was just as you expected?
As a polo layman, I had never appreciated the physicality of the game. I knew that riding wasn’t just a matter of sitting on pony, pushing a button and letting it do the work, but until you’ve played you can’t appreciate the strength and contact involved in marking and riding off opponents. I love it!
What do you think has been the hardest thing to get to grips with?
The rules! The principles are so clear and complete common sense, line of the ball, right of way, safety etc. - but there are numerous nuances that catch me out. In the heat of the chase, or those grey areas when the ball pops out of a ‘scrum’, I sometimes get paralysed with indecision about whether I’m allowed to hit the ball or not. Keeping a straight head is vital through the whole game, especially when starting out, I try not to overthink
Did you find some things came naturally - your personal skills helped your play?
Having played football all my life has been a definite benefit. The flow of the game - attacking or defending goals is similar, but moreover a general understanding of team dynamic and being able to read the play has been a good asset. It has its downfalls sometimes too, like when I find myself slipping back into zonal defence when I should be marking a player, but overall I believe it has provided a good background.
Which aspects have you had to work at?
Personally it has been the riding. My first lessons were mostly at a walking pace, I had never really ridden before and even found cantering daunting. It’s pretty hard to hit a ball if you can’t even get your pony close to it or you’re clinging on for dear life. Ainsley Polo have been amazing in helping me develop this, with hours of off season riding in the ring, on the beach or on the arena so that when the new season rolled around I was able to focus more on hitting and the game in general.
What advice would you give someone who was thinking of starting to play?
Do it now. The sooner you start the better. One beauty of the game is that you can have people from all ages on the field at the same time, it’s not ageist, there’s no restrictions while you’re still able. But the sooner you start the sooner you’ll be mastering it and enjoying many fun years of polo ahead.
What would you do differently?
I wish I hadn’t wasted the previous 12 years not riding. Polo was always an aspiration and even if it took me 12 years to get around to polo, developing my riding in the interim would have sped up my polo development. You often see other players transitioning from other equestrian disciplines which gives them an advantage on the riding side.
Do you admire any other players and if so why?
When Damian and I started out we ironically referred to ourselves as Nacho and Adolfo, the only famous polo players that we knew of, and the complete antithesis of where our play was at. Although I’m now aware of other famous high goal players, to be honest my admiration goes out to the low goal players I see at the grass roots tournaments I’m going to. I now have an appreciation of the work and dedication it takes to even get to that level on a part time amateur basis.
What is the worst experience you have had on the field or with polo people?
Touch wood, I haven’t really had any bad experiences yet. Certainly, I have found the polo community fantastic, always welcoming and supportive and thus far no major incidents on the pitch. The worst days are usually self-induced, when I have a bad day out on the field and everything goes wrong, I start to beat myself up and lose confidence. Luckily my coaches are always great at giving advice and words of encouragement.
What is your greatest polo moment so far?
My first tournament was a huge goal and milestone for me, to have gone from nothing to that in less than 12 months. I was terrified beforehand about being out of my depth and making a complete fool of myself on the competitive stage. Despite a spectacular fall in my first game, and losing the game…it went pretty well, I think I held my own and I came away with my pride intact. So happy to have got that monkey of my back.
Most embarrassing moment?
Where to start? So many! Every air swing in front of goal? Every fall? Probably more scary than embarrassing was in a practice chukka at the club. During a ride off, the top of my whip entangled the opposition player’s reins. While trying to work the top of my whip free, I was whipping both horses with the other end until they were galloping across the field with us still stuck together. Luckily, we were able to separate just before we piled over the boards!
Best thing you have ever seen anyone else do?
For me it’s not so much the big hits that impress me, I am in awe of the players with amazing ball control. To be able to slow the ball down, then dribble and weave between a number of players to create a new play is an art that I aspire to.
Damian Camp
Age – 45
Occupation – CEO Pacific Aerospace Ltd
“When it comes together and you get your eye in, polo is the perfect mix of speed adrenaline and competition” says Damian Camp
What sparked your interest in polo?
I had absolutely no idea what was involved but polo had been lingering in the back of my mind for a while and held a certain amount of intrigue. My wife and I went to Argentina a couple of years ago with another couple and we thought it would be a bit of a laugh to stay on a polo ranch and have a lesson. We had mixed results - it mostly involved barely getting out of a walk and missing the ball. No names mentioned but one horse (and rider on-board) spent most of the time grazing on the side line. But it was enough. After a bit of a demo from out host Marcos, an ex-pro player, I was in.
What was it that made you want to take it up (continue after the first lesson with us)?
One of NZ’s and Auckland’s appeals is how accessible things are. Things which, if you lived anywhere else in the world, you’d have almost no chance of experiencing. Polo is one of those things. With Ainsley Polo just up the road there were really no excuses but to give it a crack. The first lesson at Ainsley Polo was a bit daunting – there seemed so much to have to think about and do: keep you head down, just let the mallet drop, don’t force it, follow through, don’t gag the horse in the mouth etc. etc., all at walking speed but the first time you connect with the ball properly there is no looking back.
What has surprised you and what was just as you expected?
The most surprising thing for me has been that if you focus on getting the handful of basics right, everything else builds on that and falls into place and what seemed like the most complicated thing in the world starts to make sense. What I had suspected after that first outing in Argentina, and what had stated to show itself after the first few lessons, is that when it comes together and you get your eye in, polo is the perfect mix of speed, adrenaline and competition.
What do you think has been the hardest thing to get to grips with?
The biggest challenge has been when you take everything that you’ve learnt and supposed to concentrate on and then throw seven other players on horses, their mallets and one ball into a seven-minute time slot, it is the biggest mind-bend you can imagine but again, bringing it back to the basics and not trying too hard it starts to make sense.
What personal skills or talents of yours do you think helped your game?
Like all active pursuits, some degree of fitness, flexibility, hand-eye coordination and listening skills are all important and these can all be built on over time. If you feel you’re a bit short in a certain area it shouldn’t hold you back because you can work on it. The main thing is to not get frustrated with it.
Which aspects have you had to work at?
I want to hit the ball hard! It takes real discipline to not over-do it and let the timing of the mallet-drop do the work. This is especially hard when a bit of frustration sneaks in! Time in the saddle is also a big part of it and something I’ve had to work on. If the horse doesn’t know what you’re asking her to do and you start giving her mixed signals then it doesn’t matter how good your near-side back-hand is, you’re not going to get anywhere near the ball to even try.
What advice would you give someone who was thinking of starting to play?
Even if you’ve never been in a saddle before just give it a go and don’t be daunted by better players. Face it, you are a beginner and in the middle of the field there is no way of hiding it. All of the good players I’ve met at Ainsley Polo have been keen to help and encourage. They could’ve absolutely monstered me countless times but it’s obvious they want to see me improve as a new player.
Is there anything you would do differently looking back?
I tend not to have regrets but I wish I had taken up polo in my teens! But still, at 45 I’m 100% loving it and glad I have picked it up now.
Do you admire any other players and if so why?
I really have been blown away by how supportive the crew at Ainsley Polo has been. For world class players they could have been pretentious if they wanted to but their willingness to help us newbies come through is really inspirational.
What is your greatest polo moment so far?
Getting a goal in my first tournament!
Most embarrassing moment?
Missing a ‘gimme’ right in front of the goal in my first tournament!
Best thing you have ever seen anyone else do?
Plenty of moments on the field but this one goes to the grooms – they work their butts off. Without their early mornings and hard work behind the scenes, none of this would happen.
Age – 45
Occupation – CEO Pacific Aerospace Ltd
“When it comes together and you get your eye in, polo is the perfect mix of speed adrenaline and competition” says Damian Camp
What sparked your interest in polo?
I had absolutely no idea what was involved but polo had been lingering in the back of my mind for a while and held a certain amount of intrigue. My wife and I went to Argentina a couple of years ago with another couple and we thought it would be a bit of a laugh to stay on a polo ranch and have a lesson. We had mixed results - it mostly involved barely getting out of a walk and missing the ball. No names mentioned but one horse (and rider on-board) spent most of the time grazing on the side line. But it was enough. After a bit of a demo from out host Marcos, an ex-pro player, I was in.
What was it that made you want to take it up (continue after the first lesson with us)?
One of NZ’s and Auckland’s appeals is how accessible things are. Things which, if you lived anywhere else in the world, you’d have almost no chance of experiencing. Polo is one of those things. With Ainsley Polo just up the road there were really no excuses but to give it a crack. The first lesson at Ainsley Polo was a bit daunting – there seemed so much to have to think about and do: keep you head down, just let the mallet drop, don’t force it, follow through, don’t gag the horse in the mouth etc. etc., all at walking speed but the first time you connect with the ball properly there is no looking back.
What has surprised you and what was just as you expected?
The most surprising thing for me has been that if you focus on getting the handful of basics right, everything else builds on that and falls into place and what seemed like the most complicated thing in the world starts to make sense. What I had suspected after that first outing in Argentina, and what had stated to show itself after the first few lessons, is that when it comes together and you get your eye in, polo is the perfect mix of speed, adrenaline and competition.
What do you think has been the hardest thing to get to grips with?
The biggest challenge has been when you take everything that you’ve learnt and supposed to concentrate on and then throw seven other players on horses, their mallets and one ball into a seven-minute time slot, it is the biggest mind-bend you can imagine but again, bringing it back to the basics and not trying too hard it starts to make sense.
What personal skills or talents of yours do you think helped your game?
Like all active pursuits, some degree of fitness, flexibility, hand-eye coordination and listening skills are all important and these can all be built on over time. If you feel you’re a bit short in a certain area it shouldn’t hold you back because you can work on it. The main thing is to not get frustrated with it.
Which aspects have you had to work at?
I want to hit the ball hard! It takes real discipline to not over-do it and let the timing of the mallet-drop do the work. This is especially hard when a bit of frustration sneaks in! Time in the saddle is also a big part of it and something I’ve had to work on. If the horse doesn’t know what you’re asking her to do and you start giving her mixed signals then it doesn’t matter how good your near-side back-hand is, you’re not going to get anywhere near the ball to even try.
What advice would you give someone who was thinking of starting to play?
Even if you’ve never been in a saddle before just give it a go and don’t be daunted by better players. Face it, you are a beginner and in the middle of the field there is no way of hiding it. All of the good players I’ve met at Ainsley Polo have been keen to help and encourage. They could’ve absolutely monstered me countless times but it’s obvious they want to see me improve as a new player.
Is there anything you would do differently looking back?
I tend not to have regrets but I wish I had taken up polo in my teens! But still, at 45 I’m 100% loving it and glad I have picked it up now.
Do you admire any other players and if so why?
I really have been blown away by how supportive the crew at Ainsley Polo has been. For world class players they could have been pretentious if they wanted to but their willingness to help us newbies come through is really inspirational.
What is your greatest polo moment so far?
Getting a goal in my first tournament!
Most embarrassing moment?
Missing a ‘gimme’ right in front of the goal in my first tournament!
Best thing you have ever seen anyone else do?
Plenty of moments on the field but this one goes to the grooms – they work their butts off. Without their early mornings and hard work behind the scenes, none of this would happen.