TRAVEL
L A G O LO NDRI N A THE HOME - F RO M- H O ME E S T A N CI A R E DE FI N I N G POL O L UX U R Y
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mere thirty-five minutes from Mar Del Plata airport, in the south east region of Buenos Aires province, the luxurious grounds of the La Golondrina estancia welcomes travelling polo aficionados with open arms. Near the Atlantic Ocean and beach resorts, even in the heat of Argentine summer the white and red buildings stay cool and the nearby beach is a welcome retreat, should one wish for a change from the still warmth of the farm. The serentity of the estancia is one of the reasons that owners Marlene and Paul Oberschneider acquired the property years ago, “I have always enjoyed being there because it’s just so peaceful,” Paul recalls. “With all the horses, dogs and thousands of birds migrating there in the summer, it’s really quite special. There is even a chapel near the river, which I enjoy going in to sit. We sometimes hold services there with the local priest on Sundays.”
54 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16
Now a prime holiday destination for those wanting to combine some serious polo with a relaxing vacation, La Golondrina is first and foremost a family home, as Paul explains. “The estancia, along with my family’s house in Tortugas, was our base for many years. We lived in Argentina, and then afterwards I was spending at least five or six months a year here playing medium and high goal polo, so La Golondrina is primarily our home, which is why it has been decorated and furnished in such a relaxed, though luxurious, way.” As well as an original working farm, the park and polo facilities were designed for the family’s own use and enjoyment. After the Oberschneiders bought the property, they added the beautiful stables, paddocks and three polo grounds, and started up a breeding programme, which continues to this day. The estancia is one of many traditional properties in the area, but it is the only one that offers a very particular type of holiday
– remote yet accessible, quiet yet full of activities, and above all providing intense polo under expert tuition all in the comfort of private grounds. Professional player Pedro Harrison, who Paul jokes has probably spent as much time at the estancia as he has, sings its praises, “The estancia is a home from home. An exceptional place which combines a real working estancia, extensive polo facilities, five star accommodation and the luxury of being beachside in five minutes. The facilities are remarkable with, most importantly, a top level breeding programme which provides the estancia with exceptional horses,” something that not many settings within Argentina can combine with only a 45 minute flight from Buenos Aires.” Top class polo is key to La Golondrina’s approach, as Pedro explains, “All players have the opportunity to improve every aspect of their game. Depending on your level and experience, games and practices are specifically targeted to the individual. Private one-to-one coaching is on offer around the clock and all levels of horses are provided.” However, the estancia boasts far more than this for the committed polo player. After the Open season finishes in Pilar and Buenos Aires, scores of top-class professionals decamp from their bases and return to their family homes in the area. As a result, La Golondrina hosts tournaments up to 18 goal, drawing on the numerous surrounding players for a challenging level of both coaching and matches, from which the estancia’s guests benefit enormously. Paul agrees, “I think what makes La Golondrina special for polo is the amount of good players that are there in the summer. In our region there are many families that have polo and players and we end up playing and inviting players over all the time. The level of games our guests play is good, but also super relaxed.”