POLO & RIDING SCHOOL
Saratoga Polo School offers both riding and polo lessons for all levels under the careful tutelage of USPA-certified instructor Mario Dino. We pride ourselves in delivering safe, fun and enjoyable sessions that will have you falling in love with the sport before the end of your first lesson. We focus on polo riding skills, hitting techniques, gameplay strategy and horsemanship.
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No prior riding experience necessary.
PRIVATE LESSONS
Learn polo at your own pace and with a greater focus on your own personal development. Whether you’re a first time rider who wants to try out polo, or an experienced player looking to brush up on your skills, our bespoke private lessons cater to individual goals and objectives.
​Private & Semi-Private Lessons Available. Contact us.
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GROUP LESSONS
We run multiple group lessons to cater to all our members of varying abilities. Our lessons regularly include strategy, riding, hitting and scrimmages. Our open and friendly community loves welcoming new players into the sport. Come for the polo; stay for the people!
OTHER SERVICES
Saratoga Polo School is proud to offer bespoke events and activities such as corporate team building functions, birthday celebrations, and more.
To explore how we can make your special event a reality, contact us.
FAQs
What should I wear to my first polo lesson?
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Wear a pair of jeans with stretch, a comfortable shirt, and a pair of riding boots. If you don't have riding boots, you can wear a boot with a short heel. You will be required to wear a riding helmet, so bring your own if you have one. Otherwise, the school can provide you with a riding helmet for the duration of your session at no additional fee. You will likely want to use a glove for your right (mallet) hand or both hands.
What should I expect to learn in my first polo lesson?
During your first lesson, you will learn the fundamentals of hitting, receive an overview of the rules of polo, and be given some basic riding instruction. You will learn about the horse, be fitted for a mallet, and learn how to properly hold and swing the mallet. The majority of the first lesson will take place on the ground or using a wooden polo horse to ensure understanding of the basics before you get on a horse.
Do I need to know how to ride a horse?
​You don't need any riding experience to get started in polo. Many new players come into the sport with little to no experience. You can learn how to ride horses and play polo at the same time. Polo schools use seasoned polo ponies to ensure a safe and fun experience.
Do I need to have my own horse?
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No. If you have your own horse and you would like to use them for the lesson, let us know in advance so we can make sure they meet the requirements. The school has seasoned polo ponies for use during lessons. Additionally, we offer horse rentals for individual chukkers and full games. We also have horses available for monthly rental, full arena season and full grass season rentals. Click below for rates.
POLO BASICS
The sport of polo is a team sport unlike any other that showcases the powerful bond between the player and their equine partner. One of the oldest team sports, every game is an exhilarating display of horsepower, athleticism and control. The United States Polo Association® is the official governing body of the sport of polo in the United States. Founded in 1890, the USPA promotes the game of polo and coordinates the activities of its member clubs and registered players.
