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A number of polo clubs in South Africa have started offering coaching and playing facilities to overseas "polo" tourists. You can find details for some of these facilities below. We would welcome any feedback on your experiences at these polo facilities which can be sent to Sarah-Jane on sarahjane@sapolo.co.za.
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| Inanda Club |
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Johannesburg - Situated in the heart of Sandton is one of Johannesburg’s premier polo clubs, the Inanda Club. Location, convenience and top-class polo facilities – it has it all. Founded in 1934 with the amalgamation of the Johannesburg Polo Club and the Rand Hunt Club, the Inanda Club boasts an international-size 83 000 square metre polo field, a stick and ball practice area and stabling for 130 horses. It also has an excellent Novice and Youth Polo School, which is run by polo player and Inanda Polo Manager, Craig James. The aim of the school is to raise the awareness of polo and make polo more accessible to anyone with an interest in taking up the sport. The school is open to all riders and non riders, pre-teens and upwards, and takes place in a safe and controlled environment. Student’s riding abilities and capabilities are assessed and a curriculum set accordingly. Private and group lessons are available and include both practical and theoretical exercises on areas such as getting to know the horse and tacking, basic riding and safety and stick and balling, all the way through to beginner chukkas with coaching and intermediate and advanced chukkas. Ponies used are well schooled and suitable for riders of all abilities. The strong equestrian heritage is only a part of what the Inanda Club has to offer members of all ages. The club’s central location, secure environment, range of sporting, recreational and conference facilities make it ideal for families, active individuals and professionals.
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Val de Vie Polo School
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Cape Town – just 40 minutes from the Mother City, Val de Vie offers a unique opportunity to incorporate polo in your travel plans to South Africa. The world class facilities at Val de Vie, include 2 International standard Polo Fields, practice field, sand track, stick and ball practice horse, and stabling for 64 horses, all in the idyllic surroundings of the celebrated Paarl-Franschhoek valley. Polo Professional, Kevin Rixon, has a wealth of experience gained both locally and internationally and is a renowned horseman and coach. He is particularly passionate on the benefit of improved horsemanship. Kevin welcomes students of all levels, even non-riders. Riding lessons for non polo players can also be arranged. Club practices are held regularly from October to April, the ideal opportunity to put your skills into practice and meet some of the locals. Accommodation is available in the nearby towns of Franschhoek and Paarl if you’d prefer to enjoy a country break.
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| Blueberry Park Polo School |
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KwaZulu Natal - Blueberry Farm is situated in the scenic Southern Drakensberg mountains, a two hour drive due west from Durban. Individual and group training sessions are available and can be tailor-made to suit personal needs. Top quality ponies are available and can be hired or purchased. Rates available on request.
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Polo Professional:
Tel:
Cell:
Email:
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Russell & Sue Watson
+ (27) 33 702 0902
+ (27) 82 740 4419
rwatson@futurenet.co.za |
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| Poloafrica |
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Free State - Poloafrica brings you wonderful holidays on Uitgedacht Farm, set in the foothills of the spectacular Maluti mountains in the Eastern Free State of South Africa. The location is stunning, at the head of a picturesque valley, surrounded by mountains and fed by local springs. The farm offers guests an exhilarating polo experience whether you are a complete beginner or are looking to improve your skills. The polo facilities are second to none and your stay at the lovingly restored sandstone farmhouse or in one of the charming rustic cottages will be one to remember. We aim to give you a complete polo experience while you are with us and we tailor the programme to suit guests' requirements and skill levels.
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| Noodsberg Polo School Safari |
| KwaZulu Natal - Beginners and low goalers can benefit from coaching at the Noodsberg Polo School, only 1 hour from Durban, with former Springbok team captain Stephen Erskine imparting his years of experience, and 10 goal indoor international Joe Henderson rounding off the exercise, if desired. The rates for packages start from 650 Pounds for a week at Noodsberg, including full board, lessons and horses - crazy isn't it? Add to this, excursions on famous safaris, and the ultimate vacation turns into reality! |
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| Jurassic Park Polo School |
| East Griqualand - "The Side" and "Ubala" are two neighbouring farms set in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg of Kwa-Zulu Natal and are home to Selby and Jeanne Williamson and their family. These farms are also home to many antelope species including Blesbuck and Reedbuck as well as Zebra and other wild life. It is here that Jurassic Park Polo is located. We have the only full sized enclosed arena in Africa. We have a three quarter size boarded field and a "Stick and Ball" field. The construction of a second full sized field is planned. There are four stable blocks that accommodate up to 100 ponies at any given time. We have a video camera and editing facilities with trained personnel to further professionalize the coaching we offer. Coaching is done by Selby Williamson, the current captain of the SA Polo squad and Gavin Chaplin who has played and captained the SA national side and now owns a globally recognized polo stick business. A variety of accommodation options are offered and there is a swimming pool near Ubala Lodge. We offer scenic outrides through a timber plantation and grasslands and there is also a river with a great natural pool near the Polo Fields for cooling off after polo. You can visit our website for more info. |
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| Mashatu Horse Safari's |
| Botswana - The Tuli Block, home to Mashatu Game Reserve - "The Land of the Giants" - is an area of great diversity, magnificent vistas and land formations as ancient as time itself. It is also home to a multitude of wildlife species, and remains untouched by the invasion of man. Our riding trails are conducted in the vicinity of the Limpopo Valley, and cover both the riverine terrain, and the true African mopane bushveld, including the famous granite rock formations of the Tuli. How better to experience the breathtaking beauty of the area than on horseback! An unparalleled equine adventure will take you back to a time when man and his environment were one! |
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| Franshoek Polo School |
| Fresh air and mountain spring water; these are what we value most on Franshoek Farm. Fortunately, the farm has an abundance of both. If you are looking to improve you polo, while having a rejuvenating retreat in the mountains, book your polo holiday at Franshoek. Rodney Gutridge, coach and umpire for over 15 years, delivers excellent polo tuition and will personally ensure your game improves. Farm fresh produce, a bit of polo yoga, long afternoon poolside naps under the Zen willow, and afternoon instructional chukkas against the magnificent backdrop of the Witteberg Mountains, will transform your stay into an unforgettable holiday. Our 1500 hectares is home to an abundance of flora and fauna typical of the Eastern Free State. Mountain Reedbuck, Grey Rhebuck, Duiker, Steenbuck, Warthogs and Zebra are among the game species you might view on an outride through our mountains. Group bookings are encouraged and discounted. We also offer a “Work to Play” program aimed at those with more time, who would like to offset their polo and learn about holistic farm management by working with us on our farm |
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Absolute Polo
Absolute Polo is a very unique polo school based in Gauteng. We offer Polo Lessons, Riding Lessons, Polo Holidays, Coaching Courses and much more... World class standards in coaching, accommodation, horses and facilities, for an affordable rate. Our 2 full time coaches, Brett Watson and Lance Watson both 4 handicap professionals, have played professionally all over the world. We have access to more than 7 polo fields, several professionals, a wooden horse/polo pit, as well as a Floodlit Arena. We also draw our horses from a very large pool, making sure our clients get exactly what they want. What this means is that we can consistently provide polo of a high standard, whether it's practices or matches, of any level up to 10 goal. With our Wooden Horse and Sand Arena, we are not restricted by weather. Absolute Polo can plan and organize your entire holiday for you, from the polo and accommodation to your transport and additional holiday activities such as wildlife safaris. We can be found only 25 minutes from OR Tambo (Johannesburg) International Airport, and we have coaching facilities all over Gauteng, including Pretoria.
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