POLO LIVE!

So, you read my previous post regarding the World's Greatest Polo player - Cecil Smith.  Today, Jackson and I got to watch Matthew play.  It was very impressive.  It was a low-key round robin game, so they only played 4 chukkers, but it was fun to watch.

Matthew is a very good Polo player and I could tell he would also be a good teacher.  Before the match, he told me what position he would be playing and what he is supposed to be doing so I would understand more about the game.

Lots of equipment and lots of gear.  I am most amazed that he stayed in the saddle.  He has definitely inherited the Smith's horsemanship.

 I also learned today that a Polo field is 9 times larger than a football field and that Matthew played professionally for 5-6 years after he played for the University of Texas.  At one point, he had 24 polo ponies.  He said playing professionally was very hard.  7 days a week job as you always had the horses to tend to even if you weren't playing.

On another note, I did pet one of the horses today without loosing it (small personal victory), but mainly so that Jackson would pet one as well.  I do not want him to be afraid of horses, but I do want him to respect their size and the fact that they can kick the snot out of you.  Just ask Matthew.

Matthew also gave us a Polo ball.  Larger than a tennis ball, but smaller than a softball and solid plastic.  Matthew said they used to be made of wood and that the plastic ones hurt more.

I will, of course, never be a Polo player (that whole fear thing and the fact that I don't know how to ride a horse), but I can tell how this game can get under your skin.  Watching these horses work and their riders was truly amazing.