SKANEATELES, N.Y. — One of the few polo clubs in New York State can be found right here in Central New York in Skaneateles.
Club President Marty Craig said there are only about 4,500 players in the U.S., with roughly 50 to 70 players in each state.
The Skaneateles Polo Club was founded in the early 1960s. The club offers organized practices, spectator-friendly polo matches and tournaments.
The Skaneateles Polo Club hosts friendly matches, as well as prestigious tournaments. (Photo by CNY Central)
“The club is a unique experience for people to come and watch a sport they don’t see very often. You know, people talk about it like it’s in the movies, but they’ve never seen it before,” Craig said.
A modern game lasts roughly two hours and is divided into periods called chukkas.
Polo is played by two opposing teams with the objective of scoring using a long-handled wooden mallet to hit a small hard ball through the opposing team’s goal. (Photo by CNY Central)
After the matches, kids can visit the horses and learn more about the sport.
“It’s an enjoyable experience for a family, whether you do or don’t like the sport or you do or don’t like horses, or you do or don’t like people, or you do or don’t like being outside on a beautiful sunny day. Usually one of those four, we get you and it’s a nice place to come.”
The Skaneateles Polo Club hosts matches every Sunday through August. Admission is free.
The Skaneateles Polo Club is located just outside of the Village of Skaneateles and offers free admission. (Photo by CNY Central)