The Introductory Clinic

Our Introductory Coaching Clinics have been developed and refined over the years to maximize your enjoyment of the sport. The clinics are considered an essential tool in any aspiring polo players’ development; our goal by the end of the clinic is for you to have a solid foundation to spring board into your own polo career.

This amazing Introductory polo clinic with our professional and world renowned coaches will teach you the essentials of the game and leave you with a taste of the thrill and excitement of polo.
Although it is beneficial for participants to have riding experience, it is not essential.

Our first introductory clinic for 2010 will be held on 6/7^th February with an Intermediate Clinic being held on 13/14^th February.

• Start 9.30am finish 2.00pm both days – Saturday and Sunday.
• Maximum group size 10 people with 2 coaches.
• Cost $800.00 includes horses, equipment along with lunch and refreshments on both days.
• Additional dates are listed in our online events calendar.

by Tom Goodspeed

Ok.. so we don’t have sand traps, long grass, angled terrain, and water to contend with like a golf course..,..wait a minute, come to think of it……I have seen some sand traps toward the end of a playing season, and some pretty challenging lies, as well as standing water on a polo field….and I guess most arenas might look like one big sand trap to a golfer….so maybe golf courses and polo fields do have some things in common. I for one, would be in favor of having a “lady’s tee” for #5 penalties.

So why do golfers get around a dozen or so clubs to handle the various shot scenarios, while we only have one. As most of us are aware, their golf clubs have various angles and club sizes to address the particular needs of a shot, depending on lie and distance from the pin, and lets not forget weather conditions.

Does it make any sense to be using the same mallet 295 yards away from the gre….I mean goal, that we will use five feet from the uprights?

What about when our ball is lying in a sandy divot as opposed to sitting up nicely on some healthy blades of grass. Shouldn’t we be pulling out our wedge?

I guess it would be somewhat impractical to carry around a bag of clubs in some kind of modified saddle bag, and the field is cluttered enough without another eight caddies running around with us…..so we are left to the challenge of using the same club for a myriad of shot scenarios. Sure…. we may have a blanket full of mallets of varying lengths, but do any of us have mallets specifically for foul shots, long drives, or approaches on goal?

We as polo players, are forced to adapt our swings as opposed to the club for the desired result. However, it can be helpful to use the analogy of a bag of clubs when you are deciding on shot selection.

I understand that there are a great many players that are happy just to hit a ball and others who believe that the near-side is a side for other players to use, but for those of you that are beginning to hit more consistently, I offer the following thoughts.

When we are looking for distance or our full power shots, we want our drivers or our lower numbered irons. We want to use a full body swing that is hopefully assisted by the power that is generated by a horse in motion. We need good body rotation through the swing as well as making contact with the ball just as our mallet is beginning to start the upward phase of the swing. We are hopefully down under the centerline of the ball to assist in getting loft to help carry the ball.
Then as we get down to the offensive end of the field, we need to decide on more of an approach shot mentality, as the majority of us are looking to get up on the green, or in our case, in the vicinity of the goal.

I need to acknowledge that there are those players that can start looking for a shot on goal, 150 plus yards out, but they are the exception…or should I say exceptional players that we all love to watch.

Back to the rest of us, then we get “on the green” for the not so give me putting that can haunt us as the ball slices right or left of the goal posts while they are already hanging the presumptuous tally on the scoreboard.

We cannot change clubs, but we can change our attitude as they say. Distance requires more focus on full body rotation. Accuracy requires more focus on the position of your mallet head as the ball leaves your mallet. Why do so many of our attempts at a nearside fore hander carry to the right, under our horse’s neck? Why do so many offside fore handers go left? It is because with the natural rotation of our hand and wrist as we swing through the ball, we tend to turn our mallet head across the ball as we are making contact with the ball, causing the ball to go in that direction. We need to learn to be more aware of our follow through, as that is what determines the path or direction of the ball. I suggest you give a few weeks of focus to what a call the “little-little drill”.

A little slower swing and a little more focus on the position of your mallet head as you finish your shot. Are you completing your shot properly? Are you staying with your swing long enough……….or like most of us, are you swinging back into your saddle….incorrectly finishing your swing back in the middle of the saddle? You should be finishing your swing in the follow through position of whichever shot you were attempting.

You, like golf, should be dropping your head a tad as you swing, to insure that you are keeping your body down throughout the swing. Too many of us come up with our head, like golf, and then our club pulls away from the ball at the crucial part of the swing, as the ball is being carried and directed by the mallet head. Our eyes should follow the cane and be looking to the completed shot from underneath the cane. Most player’s eyes and head are above the cane and ahead of the swing. As you finish your stroke, how was your mallet head faced…in the direction that you hoped to send the ball?? Did your ball go left, straight, or right ? How did it relate to the position of your mallet head ?

Try the little/little concept for a few weeks. I think you will find it will take your accuracy up considerably. Then, as you slowly break the old habit and begin to substitute the new approach in your muscle memory, you can then begin to add some additional power in your swing. Be careful though. Often times I will see the little/little exercise show results, but then with too little practice, the players revert right back in to the old swing that now feels comfortable to them.

Remember that definition of insanity? Making the same mistakes over and over, expecting different results. If we want to correct something with our swing, we need to understand that our swing, however broken, feels natural to us now, because it is. So when someone tries to get us to make a correction, it feels abnormal. You have to remind yourself that if it feels wrong, that is a good thing. That means you are making an unfamiliar adjustment. But when you execute that unfamiliar adjustment enough times, it will become the new familiar. Same concept applies to learning how to swing earlier at speed. You just have to start your swing earlier than what your mind and body is telling you.

Like golf, stay aware of your follow through and keep your head down. I promise you increased accuracy. So the next time you pick up a mallet…take a good look at it. You need to realize that in that one club, you are holding your drivers, your irons, and your putter. You need to make that one club do all those different things. When you start your next swing…which club are you using?? I wish you the best of luck in your club or rather………..mallet selection !

Riverlands A Team (4 Goal) win the Sydney Polo Club Gold Cup

(Hamish Kelly, John Francis, Adam Meally & Angus Campbell)

http://www.pbase.com/wrs864/sydney_polo_gold_cup__bentley_cup_team_14__15_november_2009

http://www.pbase.com/wrs864/riverlands_at_windsor_8th_november_2009

http://www.pbase.com/wrs864/riverlands_polo_club_19th_september_2009

Photos supplied by Rev. William A Stewart – Amateur Sports Photographer
Phone: 02 4722 6895
Email: wrs864@optusnet.com.au

William has kindly allowed members to download photos direct from his site and is more than happy to email  larger resolution pictures on request.

Emergency Dismount Off a Moving Horse
From Tom Goodspeed

Simply put, eject without a parachute. Bail. Get off quickly. This is the second thing that should be taught to everyone on horseback, right after learning how to get on one. I have saved a situation many a time with a simple dismount. You need to be comfortable with the quickest way off a horse and how to land in a manner to minimize the potential for injury.

Step 1 – Shorten your reins.

Step 2 - Kick your feet out of both stirrups (being dragged is not a good thing).

Step 3 - Discard any whip or mallet.

Step 4 – Pick which side is better to get off. Practice both sides.

Step 5 - Press against the horse’s neck with one or both hands.

Step 6 – Kick your leg over the horse in a vaulting motion.  It is important to clear the rump of your horse.

Step 7 – Land off to the side of the horse, with your legs bent to absorb shock. You should be facing the side of the horse as you land onto your feet.

Step 8  - If you are at speed, be prepared to roll when you hit the ground.

If you ever watch snowboarders when they fall, they usually roll right back onto their board. It is sudden stops that will increase the impact. Strangely enough, when we are going fast, we are usually thrown into a roll naturally. Then we go down slowly, we put out a hand, or lock our knees and the result is a more serious injury.

Step 9 -Try to hold onto your horse if you land on your feet.

Step 10 - If you are on the ground, be aware of additional traffic and clear out of the way if possible.

Use safety girths (overgirths), keep your tack in good repair, and always use large stirrup irons, thick stirrup leathers (buffalo leathers are very popular). Practice your emergency dismounts at a stand still initially and then maybe at a moving walk or trot with professional supervision. The better you are at it, the more familiar it will be when the time calls for reacting as opposed to thinking.

Date: Saturday 21st November 2009

Venue: Centennial Park, Sydney

Time: 11.00am till 6.00pm

Tickets: $260.00 per person

Includes all food and beverage throughout the day. Prizes will be awarded for Best Dressed plus much much more….

Don’t Miss this celebration of Polo – Polo for the People!!!

Please email your details and guest names (each guest will receive a personalised VIP lanyard) along with payment details to mail@riverlandspolo.com as soon as possible.

After the the first match of the ladies squad and the NSWPA ladies coaching clinic on Friday afternoon with Andrew Williams the scene was set.

Saturday got off to a rocky start when Melissa McCarthy was injured in the first chukka of the ladies squad match breaking her wrist, Melissa was replaced with Stevey Murphy and play continued.

On Sunday the rain fell almost all day canceling the celebrity penalty shoot out however Rachel Ward and Jessica Fitzpatrick were still in attendance. Ian McDuie kept us all informed on the polo action.

The main game was almost cancelled as the heaviest rain fell prior to the game, however after a discussion with committee, grounds keepers and players, the clouds cleared and a tough match was fought out with Australia Gold taking home the trophy.

Results

B Grade – Riverlands B defeated Pol Painters

Riverlands B – Graham Birrell, Hadley Richardsopn, Ed Matties and Bruno Mascart

Pol Painters – Ray Bruce. Adam Buchert, Will Evans and Vic Lewis

A Grade – A & L Windows defeated Windsor

A & L Windows – Robert Ballard, Amanda Pearson, Mike King and Damien Caulfield

Windsor – Hamish McGregor, Graham McGregor, Mark Tolhurst and Richard Curran

UJ Meally Cup – JEMS defeated Sydney

JEMS – Earl Herbert, Jaye Allen, Sarah Martin and Marlene McFarlane

Sydney – Rob Ballard, Rebecca Higgins, Jo Reid and Billie Mascart.

Ladies International – Australia Gold defeated Australia Blue

Australia Gold – Julie McIntosh, Katie Grimmond, Amanda Tolhurst and Sadie Michell.

Australia Blue – Katie Edmeades, Victoria Roscoe, Whitney Warren and Stevey Murphy

Julie McIntosh was awarded as the Most Valuable Player.

Katie Grimmond won the Champion Pony Prize provided by Bluesky Pastoral Company. Katie rode Sadie Michell’s horses in the 3 days of polo and Jackpot won the pony prize.

Victoria Roscoe won the Most Improved Player.

Celebrity Shoot Out

The Riverlands Polo Club portable wooden horse (no riding experience necessary) will be placed on the field at 2 penalty hitting points and each member of the celebrity shot out will be asked to hit the ball through the goals. Pending the outcome the goals will be widened or the horses moved back until we achieve a winner.

Click here to enter the draw

Simply provide your full name, contact phone number and the answer to the following question:

Name one of the players in the Riverlands Australia Ladies Polo Squad.

How to Enter

Entries close on Friday 6th November at 8.00pm. The Winners will be notified on Saturday morning by phone and email. All entries must be over 15years.

Prize

One lucky male and One lucky female – Not only will be awarded with the chance to show off your polo skills against our celebrities – including Rachel Ward - Australian Ladies Polo Ambassador – you will also receive a complimentary Riverlands Polo Club Social Membership.

The Riverlands Polo Club Social Membership includes an exclusive RLPC  key ring, RLPC shirt and cap along with discounted rates and VIP invitations to polo and social events.

Click here for more detailed information.

Riverlands Polo Club is proud to announce this year’s Ladies Tournament will include a Showcase of the Top Female Polo Players in Australia.

Share the adrenalin of the players as they gallop across the pitch riding each off and marvel at the grace and speed of the horses as they pirouette around the field.

DATE: Sunday 8th November 2009

TIME: 10.00am till 6.00pm (Heats on Saturday 7th November)

VENUE: Windsor Polo Club, Old Kurrajong Road, Richmond

The Riverlands Ladies Polo Tournament is proud to support the Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation. Entry to the Windsor Polo Club grounds on Sunday 8th November will incur a gold coin donation with all proceeds of the gate and raffle going direct to the SBCF.

A fun filled day of polo, prizes and a celebrity penalty shoot out…with Australian Ladies Polo Ambassador – Rachel Ward, along with market stalls and activities. Pack a picnic, load up the car and bring your family and friends to enjoy a sunny afternoon at the polo…

Main Game – Australia Gold vs Austalia Blue – 3.30pm

Hampers are available to purchase from the award winning Lochiel House – Click Here for details on how to order. BOOK NOW as all orders must be received by Monday 2nd November.

A full bar and food is also available to purchase from the Windsor Clubhouse.

Email mail@riverlandspolo.com for more information.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Riverlands Ladies Tournament and thank you for your support.

The Riverlands Polo Team.

Order your hamper now for the Riverlands Ladies Polo Tournament on Sunday 8th November. Orders are to be placed by Monday 2nd November so book now.

Gourmet Picnic Box                                     $95.00 for two people

Includes

• Taramasalata
• Chickpea Puree
• Marinated Olives
• Potato Bread & Crackers
• Gravlax ocean Trout
• Spanish Tortilla
• Little Cake of the Day

(inc plates, Cutlery, napkins)

Luxury Picnic Box                                     $150.00 for two people

Includes

• Taramasalata
• Marinated Olives
• Potato Bread & Crackers
• Chermoula Roasted Spatchcock
• Roasted Capsicum Salad
• Quinoa Tabouli
• Little cake of the day

(inc plates, cutlery, napkins)

Click here for details on hamper options and how to book….

Lochiel House, 1259 Bells Line of Road
Kurrajong Heights NSW 2758

Awarded One Chefs Hat – SMH Good Food Guide 2007-2010
Nestled amidst the hills and orchards of picturesque Kurrajong Heights, Lochiel House is a heritage inn that blends brilliant modern Australian restaurant cuisine with old fashioned charm and comfort.

• Katie Edmeades (handicap 1)
• Julie McIntosh (handicap 0)
• Amanda Tolhurst (handicap 0)
• Whitney Warren (handicap 0)
• Sadie Michell (handicap 0)
• Katie Grimmond (handicap -1)
• Victoria Roscoe (handicap -1)
• Melissa McCarthy (handicap -1)

Reserves

• Stevey Murphy (handicap -1)
• Billie Mascart (handicap -2)

Due to unforeseen circumstances the team from the USA has withdrawn from this years’ tournament, however have agreed to join us in 2010. Consequently the main game at the 2009 Riverlands Polo Club Ladies Tournament will showcase 8 of the top polo-playing ladies in Australia.

Australia Gold and Australia Blue will play 3 matches throughout the tournament with the grand finale on Sunday 8th November at 3.30pm.

Friday 6th November at 2.00pm – Australia Gold vs. Australia Blue (Australia Gold coached by Andrew Williams)

Followed by Ladies Coaching Clinic held at Windsor Polo Club available to all female players from 4.00 till 6.00pm. This is a complimentary clinic, please RSVP to mail@riverlandspolo.com if you would like to participate.

Saturday 7th November – Australia Gold vs. Australia Blue (Australia Blue coached by Andrew Williams)

Sunday 8th November – Grand Final - Australia Gold vs. Australia Blue

We thank all the ladies that nominated for the Australian squad…the response was very encouraging… Riverlands Polo Club is dedicated to enhancing ladies in polo and we look forward to another successful tournament.

Finest regards,

Adam Meally – CEO

Riverlands Polo Club