Tomorrow, I'm having a polo taster lesson. 
Given I've never ridden a horse before, it should be interesting. 
Apparently this is OK 
and you start off on a wooden horse before progressing to a pony.
You never know, I may come back addicted. 
A game traditionally played with the head of one's most recently deceased enemy....
Good luck Mistress P.
Sounds great fun Patience Can't wait to hear how it goes.
Apparently Clyde was a dab hand, er hoof, at polo in his Younger Day so should you need a competitive mount once you graduate from the wooden horse...
Seriously, it does sound interesting and will probably be huge fun! 
I'll be happy to play against you providing I stay on the wooden one.
Oh and I almost forgot.... polo seems to be the reserve of wealthy, fit, young men - some of them royal - and wealthy, fit, older men... many of them single. Surely that can't be a consideration in your choice of pastime? 
S.
I'm back! In one piece and I didn't fall off.
It was absolutely brilliant. We each spent about 10 mins on a wooden horse holding the stick-thing and practicing swings. At first I wasn't happy as the wooden horse was quite high. However, I soon had stick swinging to take my mind off things.
Next we mounted our ponies. Ponies to me are little short things. Not polo ponies. 
Apparently pony is just a cute name, they are horses.
I went to make friends with my pony/horse whilst everyone else checked their tackle / bits / horsey stuff. Then I led pony-horse to the step and got on. At this stage, I felt very proud on me. Then they decided to fiddle around with the length of my stirrups.
If you have never ever sat on a horse before, you just want to sit there, not moving. Ideally you'd like to grip on for dear life, but there were two sets of reins, a neck thingy and no mane (polo ponies have their manes trimmed). Taking your foot out the stirrup, moving it around whilst sitting to the side whilst something at the side of the saddly is fiddled with, is a bit scary! 
At this point I was expecting someone to grab hold of the reins and walk me round. Oh no! 
Hold the reins in your left hand, lean forward, grip with your legs and off you go! Oh, and here's how you steer! It was a baptism of fire. Fortunately polo ponies are by necessity very obedient. 10 mins of walking and steering on the inside of the barn then we all go out to the arena.
Except me a "Dobbin" She wasn't keen on taking me out. Every time I "rode" to the door she just stopped. 
Once she was led over the threshhold she was happy and off we went to the arena.
Another 10 mins of walking and steering. As I'm not that familiar with horse instructions, I managed to give her the instruction to trot! 
A bit scary! After a few strides, she listened to my pleading, or rather my feet, and went back to walking.
We then got sticks and whips. I'm thinking I have 2 hands and I have to manage stick, whip and reins. Ooops.
A bit of walking around, practicing swings, then hitting some balls and we were all set for our first chukka.
It's quite a viscous sport. I have to confess I spent most of my time trying not to hit my horse or the other horses. It was really really good fun. As well as hitting a few balls and positioning "Dobbin" in the right place for the game,, I managed to barge another horge and player out the way so I could have the shot.
It really was good fun and something many people would probably enjoy.
(No young men or rich older men were there, sadly )
what a fantastic story, Patience. It sounds terrific fun and I think you were really brave - I had an hour long ride a few years ago and walked bow-legged for a week 
not to mention the sheer terror that prevented me ever going back for another go.
Can;t imagine how you ride and play but it sound slike you did brilliantly. Really enjoyed your tale and hope for some more 'Patience Does Polo' stories next week
PS maybe the men were gallantly letting you get a head start and will turn up next week
>>PS maybe the men were gallantly letting you get a head start
Maybe Mistress P.'s reputation precedes her and the men were negotiating commercial loans from Northern Rock
The wooden horse sounds about my level. Real horses are to be regarded suspiciously, preferrably from the other side of a fence. So I am in awe that you did all that in one session. 
Why has polo not been banned as it is cruel to whip the horses.
Patience is very brave.
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