The Prince George’s County Chapter of 100 Black Men is partnering with the Congressional Polo Club to offer a unique experience.
POOLESVILLE, Md. — This summer some of the best international polo instructors have made Poolesville, Maryland their home. The instructors are teaching the oldest team sport in history to a small group of local kids.
The program is a new partnership between the 100 Black Men of Prince George’s County, Designer Miguel Wilson and the Congressional Polo Club.
It’s an opportunity for the small group of young men to experience something new.
“We have a saying ‘what you see is what you will be.’ Our whole purpose is to really make young men and young women strong leaders,” said Walter Kirkland, who started the Prince George’s County Chapter of 100 Black Men.
For some of the students it was their first time on a horse and their first time hearing about polo. But after just a few lessons, they have formed a special bond with their horses.
“The horses can sense how you’re feeling so it’s important to be calm and they’ll be calm,” said Jonathan Jordan who is participating in the program.
The students meet with their trainers every Saturday. They started with the basics and will work their way up to becoming competitive on the field.
“I think it’s really amazing how he’s developed in just the past four lessons. Initially he did not want to enroll in polo, but as a mom, sometimes you have to expose your children that they aren’t aware of,” said Janelle Jordan, Jonathan’s mom.
The Congressional Polo Club, where the students train, is 300 acres of beautiful countryside, just a short drive from Washington, D.C.
“It really created a different attitude toward lie and about how peaceful it is when you take them out of the city. They’re exposed to different things. There’s a lot of stress and a lot of crime. Come out here and it’s very quiet, very serene, very peaceful,” said Kirkland.
It serves as a chance for these young men to escape the noise and learn to make connections in a different way.
“I think social media and the internet has its place, but connecting with nature and with animals is just the best thing. It just takes us back to our roots and where we should stay,” said Janelle Jordan.
The weekly polo training program wraps up at the end of the summer. The team will travel to Atlanta to compete in a polo tournament