OCALA, FL (352today.com) – It’s the “Game of Kings,” and one with a rich history.
For many, the only exposure they’ve had to polo is through popular culture in movies like Pretty Woman, The Other Woman, and Pretty Persuasion, or through the activities of the British Royal Family, including King Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry.
It’s because of that perception that some think that the sport is only for the rich and famous, making it seem beyond the average person’s reach. But that’s not necessarily the case.
The Ocala Polo Club is making the sport accessible, creating an environment that’s entertaining and engaging. The fall season started Sept. 7 with the Margarita Classic.
Making the sport accessible
David Eldredge mentioned that it gives fans a chance to come out, watch the game, breathe fresh air, soak up the sun, and enjoy the lively atmosphere. He, along with Lauren Proctor-Brown, DVM, has helped bring back local interest in the sport as partners in Team Resolute, which runs the Ocala Polo Club at the Florida Horse Park. Eldredge plays and manages the players, coaching and giving lessons, while Proctor-Brown takes care of media, sideline operations, and most of the paperwork.
“We make an effort to go along and talk with people along the sidelines,” says Eldredge. “It’s that accessibility to show people that we’re friendly. We’re going out there to play because we enjoy it.”
A sense of community can be felt among the spectators and players who interact with each other before, during, and after the game.
“A lot of these people aren’t going to play polo,” says Eldredge. “They do come to enjoy it. They get to know the players, the habits of the players, what they do on the field. The accessibility of the players makes it far more interesting for them when coming to the game. They’re not just sitting there like they’re watching a movie, it’s an interactive thing.”
However, there have been a few spectators who are more than casual fans and want to actually become more involved with the sport, learning to play. Eldredge, the former head coach at Cornell University, led the program to 14 national titles for both men and women and is also a certified polo instructor.
“We’re trying to make people realize that this is accessible, it’s something that you can get into, do and enjoy,” says Eldredge.
Proctor-Brown is recognized for handling everything that Eldredge doesn’t manage at the club. She oversees the website, social media, coordinates player gatherings, organizes polo clinics, plans themes for weekly games, and collaborates with the booster club. She says she loves the vibe the club has with spectators getting to know one another and that the sport has brought people together on and off the field.
“I’ve been playing polo for nearly eight years,” says Proctor-Brown. “[Eldredge] taught me to play when I was finishing vet school. Pretty much everything I know about polo was taught to me by David with some other outside influences, who are nice people and great members of the club who’ve given me advice. But mostly David.”
Having fun on and off the field
Sportsmanship and camaraderie are large parts of the game. While every player on the field is out there to win, one week they might play together on the same team, and the next week they could be on opposite sides.
“From a club aspect when we put together teams, they’re not going to be together for the whole season,” says Eldredge. “We mix it up. We always try to make it competitive so the crowd can enjoy it. The players enjoy it when its competitive, too.”
The club also has a number of fun activities for fans to enjoy at halftime or after the game with some weeks offering a different theme.
Polo is growing exponentially in Marion County, and the players who’ve played in both Wellington and Ocala have shifted their base of operation to the Brick City.
“I love it here,” says Laura Willson, polo player. “The climate is better for the horses. You have more space and its horse friendlier. It’s still in Florida and you have all the benefits of living in Ocala with so much growth on the polo front.”
This year, the club changed its schedule to begin the spring and summer season in May due to the extreme heat and the heavy rain often seen in July.
“We’re adjusting our schedule. We added October, as well, this year,” says Eldredge. “We’re trying to make it that its continuous, so people don’t lose track of us. It’s not long stints in between.”
This October the club hosts Tailgate or Treat during Polo-ween, says Eldredge. The event is Oct. 26 at 5 p.m. at Florida Horse Park.
The club also features a series of fun names for the teams who play, and last winter it held the unique distinction of being the only polo club in the country sponsored by a glitter company for a certain duration.
Longtime United States Polo Association official Steve Lane announces the games for the Ocala Polo Club.
“They’ve done a great job,” Willson says, commends Eldredge and Proctor-Brown. “The sponsorship has grown. The fan base has grown. It’s not like [the spectators] saw Pretty Woman once. They know the rules and they know the players. It’s just a good, fun environment.”
For more information about the club, visit their website, or call 352.362.0282.