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One of the most important rules for avoiding accidents is, "if you miss the ball, never stop immediately! The horses behind you might run right into you."
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Berenberg
Polo-Derby
Hamburg 2003
It's warm-up time for riders and horses in Germany. At the Hamburg Polo Club, eight polo teams
opened this year's polo season in front of a large audience.
Condition, coordination, safety in the saddle, accuracy with the stick and blind understanding between horse and rider are essential characteristics which both polo horses and players need to master the long, exhausting season. After 6 months in the paddocks the horses' owners are particularly interested in seeing how much work is going to be on the training plan for their steeds. For players with less routine the opening tournament in Hamburg is a welcome opportunity to test their own skills in competition against the professionals.
Speaking to Exclusive Life, Christopher Winter, handicap 3 player and member of the German national team, told us what you need to get off to a successful start in polo:
- a very firm seat in the saddle
- to start with, 250 Euro monthly fee for beginners' training at the Hamburg Polo Club
- later, at least three polo horses, at a cost of around Euro 30,000 per year (including equipment)
- if you have ambitions to become a pro you'll have to be prepared to leave Germany between October and May, which is when the important tournaments in southern Europe and South America take place.
The highlights of the German polo season are always Sylt and Hamburg. On the first two weekends in August the worldıs elite (handicap +8 - +12) meet for Polo at sea 2003 at the two last weekend the German Championchips will take place at the Hamburg Polo-Club.
In this context
more SELECTED SPECIALS & EVENTS
here.
Please also take a look at our TRAVEL & EVENT CONSULTING SERVICE
here.
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What seems impossible for the amateur photographer has to be a primary instinct of any polo player: tactical thinking, a good eye for the ball and the direction it's going in. And that's where the interaction between horse and rider plays a key role. Pros know that they can rely 100% on the routine of their four-legged friends.
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Practised polo horses, often called ponies due to their stature, keep their calm in a throng like this. The thoroughbred south American horses spend most of their life in a herd, which also makes them very easy to handle, unlike many jumping, racing or dressage horses.
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Although many participants concentrated on checking the condition of horse and rider, the top German players went into the match highly motivated. The upcoming German championships, and a number of international events with sizeable prizes, are on the agenda. Christopher Winter and his colleagues are also looking forward to an important match in England.
Text: Ralf Bernert
Photos: Ralf Bernert
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