Calgary
POLO
ARY PO O
E CA
G
L
L
2018
TH
CLUB
EST 1890
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CONTENTS 7
PRODUCED BY: Western Performance Publishing Inc.
ART DIRECTOR: Kendra Roberts
AD SALES EXECUTIVE: Sally Bishop
CONTRIBUTORS: have-dog.com Kerri Kerley Kaylee Wroe Calgary Polo Club 24041- 306 Ave W, Okotoks AB T1S 1A2 403-938-0182 www.calgarypoloclub.com
Keeping 128 years of tradition alive at the Calgary Polo Club.
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WELCOME
8 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 9 MEET THE MANAGER 10 GET INVOLVED Get to know Mike Kerley.
There are numerous ways to take your polo excitement to the next level.
13 PLAYER PROFILES
Introducing some of the players of the 2018
CPC season.
18 KEY ELEMENTS
Staying safe on the field. Understand basic polo
plays and fouls.
20 YOUR NEWEST ADDICTION Once you try a lesson at the Calgary Polo &
Riding Academy, you’ll have a hard time staying away.
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Richard Coté, president
A Salute to Our Players and Spectators!
O
n behalf of the Calgary Polo Club (CPC), I would like to salute our cherished players and spectators for keeping the now, 128-year polo tradition alive and well at the CPC. To our players – even though you don’t have any expectation of recognition, you nevertheless deserve to be recognized for your level of courage, dedication and ability to play our great sport. Ultimately for you – win or lose – it’s about the ultimate thrill of the game where galloping at speeds upwards of 55 km/h, grabbing leather, bumping, hitting are all happening, all while attempting to work in unison with your horse and teammates to send a goal through the uprights. And after countless hours of practice for both horse and rider, when things
do come together on the field you may even see the glint of a shiny cup awarded in one of our historic, prestigious and hard-fought tournaments. What an amazing endeavor! And for this we salute you. To our spectators – your appreciation for our display of athleticism and horsepower at the CPC, and your desire to join us for tailgate picnics and field side festivities with family and friends is extremely valued. You understand that the excitement of watching fiery equines moving gracefully under the hand of their riders in a polo match should be a bucket-list item on anyone’s list. And for this we salute you. We look forward to welcoming everyone with open arms every Sunday during the summer. Games run at noon and 2:00 pm and admission is free!
If you desire to take your polo involvement to the next level, the Calgary Polo & Riding Academy offers instruction (and ponies and gear) for all levels of enthusiasm. If you’d like to be involved without stepping into the stirrups, we encourage you to explore our social membership program. This exclusive membership garners you access to all social events and our very popular, field side tent program throughout the summer. This is our salute to all of our players and spectators and we look forward to a great 2018 polo season this summer! Best of luck to all and I look forward to cheering you on and visiting with you field side. ~ Richard Coté President, Calgary Polo Club follow @calgarypoloclub
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2018
Tournaments & Social Events
1 Canada Day Match Games July 1 Fish Creek Junior Polo Tournament
6 - 15 7&8 12 & 14 19 & 21 20 & 29 26 & 28
August 2 & 4 3 - 10 6 9 & 11 18 16 & 18 17-26 22 & 25 8 www.calgarypoloclub.com
USPA Officer’s Cup Polo Canada Tournament Mike Francis Cup CP Air Cup J.C. Palmer Memorial Gilgit Cup
4 Goal 0 Goal 0 Goal 0 Goal 4 Goal 0 Goal
Heart Cup Calgary Cup Kimo Cup Big Rock Cup Canadian Open Hull Cup Roenisch Memorial Cup Rocky Mountain Cup
0 Goal 4 Goal 0 Goal 0 Goal 12 Goal 0 Goal 4 Goal 0 Goal
Ranch House Events
July 6 July 20 August 10 August 24
RBC Stampede Dinner Lobster Dinner After Eight Interiors Italian Dinner President’s Ball
Tournament and event dates are subject to change, please visit www.calgarypoloclub.com for daily tournament scheduling
M
ike Kerley is a second generation polo professional, a seasoned horse trainer and a winner of the Carlton Beal National Umpire of the Year award. Managing the Calgary Polo Club is the newest chapter of his polo career and one he handles with great care and pride. Working with young horses prompts a myriad of hallmark characteristics in the handler: the successful ones develop great organizational skills, patience and persistence. These are traits Mike Kerley of La Quinta, CA, carries over into everything he does. As his father was a polo player and his mother an accomplished show jumper, Kerley was born into the equestrian lifestyle. Born in Midland, TX and raised in Santa Barbara, CA, his earliest memories revolve around days at the barn. As such, Kerley is hard-pressed to recall an exact date when he inevitably became involved in polo as well. The days and years that followed saw Kerley achieve numerous tournament wins and awards, including a 12-goal victory in 1993 that garnered him a Rolex watch and the Carlton Beal National Umpire of the Year award in 2007.
The latter is an award presented each year to a polo umpire who has provided the sport of polo with outstanding services. Polo is an obvious passion of Kerley’s and he’s the type to lend a hand wherever he’s needed. The Eldorado Club recently benefited from his big heart when he filled in for an injured sponsor and played for the month of March 2018 in the California club’s 12-goal league. (Subsequently, Kerley’s team won the annual Skins tournament amassing him another Rich Roenisch bronze to add to his collection). But more than that, Kerley can also be found running the Junior Polo program in the desert every winter, as he has done for the past four years. This entails the organization of 25-35 kids every Saturday and Sunday throughout the season. It’s no easy feat but it’s a task Kerley takes very seriously. After all, given the right experiences, junior riders often grow up with the same enthusiasm for the sport that has kept Kerley intrigued all this time. It was almost 22 years ago that Kerley began working for Triangle Bar Farms, charged with the training of the green horses. He has been traveling to the Calgary Polo Club since 1990 and has
KAYLEE WROE
KAYLEE WROE
Calgary Polo Club Manager
Mike Kerley, manager
meet the
played here for nearly 15 summers. The man can name many favourite ponies from over the years, but it’s his family who remain as his greatest legacy. Backed by his ever-supportive wife Kerri, and their two children Ryan and Hope, Mike’s passion for polo is being passed along to the next generation. Both Ryan and Hope have been playing since the tender age of three. With one year at the helm of the Calgary Polo Club, managing the facility is something Kerley takes great pride in and he works hard to make it an organized and fun environment. He’s looking forward to making the 2018 season in Calgary as successful as possible! follow @calgarypoloclub
9
SPECTATE
get involved Want more polo action? There are a variety of ways to get involved at the Calgary Polo Club.
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TAILGATE
Enhance your spectating experience with a sideline picnic! A bright tablecloths spread out on the car’s hood, displays of tempting foods and hungry guests mingling around make the day even more enjoyable. Just a few yards away, eight horses gallop down the field in pursuit of the ball and you’ll be able to feel the adrenaline, first hand.
FREE Sunday Polo
Please check our website for the most current schedule. All games are free to spectate. We suggest bringing lawn chairs, an umbrella for shade, sunscreen and bug spray. Weather is a huge factor with polo. The fields must be safe for horses and players. Games will be rescheduled if the field is unsafe to play.
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12:00 PM & 2:00 PM. Bring your own picnic! Throughout the months of July and August, everyone is invited to Sunday polo. Bring the family for a spectacular display of horsepower, speed and control.
Social Membership No need to set a foot in the stirrups to take part at the Calgary Polo Club, if exclusive access to polo events all summer long are what you’re craving. For only $250 a year, social members can take in all the field-side exhilaration and are invited to exclusive members-only events and our very popular field side tent program.
White Tent Program Reserve your priority sideline viewing, complete with a VIP tent and shelter from the sun, plus funky white leather furniture to entertain guests. Book in advance for your sideline experience which includes; 10 www.calgarypoloclub.com
two private tents for 20+ guests, table, chairs and a commercial BBQ at an additional cost. Pull out your charcuterie board and some refreshing beverages and it’ll be a Sunday Funday like no other!
PARTICIPATE
Mexico vs. Canada
July 15th, 16th & 17th Black Diamond Polo Club
CP Air Cup
July 19th & 21st Calgary Polo Club
Duncan Innes Memorial August 4th, 5th, 6th Okanagan Polo Club
Big Rock Cup
August 9th & 11th Calgary Polo Club
Rocky Mountain Cup
August 22nd & 25th Calgary Polo Club
Lieutenant Governors Cup
Calgary Polo & Riding Academy
September 1st & 2nd, Victoria Polo Club
Call Today!
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Gain professional instruction on the sport of polo from 3-goal professional player, Kyle Fargey. All ages and riding abilities of students are welcome at the Calgary Polo & Riding Academy. Here you can learn you new skills, rules, mechanics and strategies of the game and learn about the sport aboard the comfort a school pony! All lessons are customized to your riding experience, level of play and comfort level.
Club Chukker League Designed for those members who wish to play fun, recreational polo and are looking to advance from the Polo Academy into a competitive league. Teams will be formed on a weekly basis, with a coaching umpire on the field. Games on Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons.
Stick and Ball Membership The basic playing membership – includes use of the Stick and Ball field, track, arena, one practice per week and member rates for stabling.
4-Goal League This league is designed for members wishing to play more competitive polo. These teams may consist of one or more professional players, and at least one sponsoring player. Games on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. follow @calgarypoloclub
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PLAY ER PROFILES In one of the oldest team sports enjoyed around the globe, it’s passion for the game that keeps a player hooked. After all, the sport is physically and mentally demanding. Here’s what several of the players at the CPC enjoy most about polo.
By Jenn Webster
1
What drew you to the sport of polo? How did you get started?
2
What do you consider to be your greatest polo accomplishment thus far?
3
What has been the most challenging aspect of the sport?
4
Do you have a favorite pony?
Rob Foster is the owner of facility engineering company, Tekarra Projects. He is married to the lovely and aspiring polo player, Jennifer Foster.
1
I lived in Brazil for a few years and I went down and to watch a game in Argentina. There I bought a team Canada Polo Jersey. When I got back to Calgary, I contacted Kyle at the Polo Academy and started taking lessons.
2
Being able to travel with polo has been a lot of fun I have been lucky to have been able to travel and play in Barbados, South Africa, Ghana, Argentina and Mexico.
3
For me it was horsemanship. Becoming proficient enough in riding the horse, is so important to the game.
4
My favorite is my home-bred and raised mare, Sidera. She has so much try and gives you everything she’s got.
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QUESTIONS:
ROB FOSTER
Handicap: A
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GORDON ROSS
Handicap: A
Doug Byblow is a Saskatchewan kid who left the farm and seemed to find a lot of luck, adventure and fun at every turn. After working in Calgary, AB, for a while, he got an opportunity to move abroad – first to the Caribbean, then to London and then to Bogota, Colombia. After 18 years of travel and experiences, family drew him back to Calgary where he was fortunate to find a truly amazing role serving some wonderful people.
DOUG BYBLOW
Handicap: A
Originally from the small town of Humboldt, SK, Gordon Ross comes from a close family of six siblings and the matriarch Kathleen, who recently celebrated her 93rd birthday. His father inspired the values of hard work, integrity and loyalty. Gordon started riding at age six and bought his first pony at 11 – exchanging farm chores for board. He moved to Calgary in 2000 to pursue a career in real estate and was fortunate to be part of the Alberta Oil industry boom. During those years he achieved multiple recognitions as Canada’s top realtor in the #1 ReMax agency in the World. I met a member of the CPC at a casual dinner. I had no idea polo existed in Calgary and when she invited me out to watch her match, I saw the amazing facilities and fields. She then asked me to throw a leg over a pony and handed me a mallet. After the first solid crack of the ball (which I took to very quickly) I was hooked and started lessons with Kyle Fargey. In the winters I like to play in Indio, CA, for three months in the very competitive eight-goal league. I have played every summer in Calgary since 2006.
1
After many years of playing I think my greatest accomplishment is that I now “see the game” clearly and this helps me be a better player. I attribute this to persistence, selection or good quality ponies and the calm, patient coaching of ReMax team manager Dayelle Fargey and coach Corky Linfoot. Of course the big wins are exciting and great to remember especially when it’s a come-from-behind win.
2
3
Good horses, by far is the biggest challenge. Sometimes we try 50 horses to find one that is the best fit for my style and skill. The other challenge is finding that right mix of team players who have love of the sport, passion and dedication to play the best they can. I have been very privileged to play with some very talented and dedicated polo players from around the world.
4
Yes, over the years there have been many favourites. Many of my horses that have played as my teammate were my favourites, but now it’s their turn for an easy retirement. There were mares Bella, Jappa, and geldings Almendro and Chinchito. Without question my best and favourite pony in my string is what we call a “machine,” an eight-year-old black mare named V-Power. She plays with a brave heart and an obedient mind. I look forward to every chukker with her. 14 www.calgarypoloclub.com
1
While living in London, England, I wanted to try something that seemed “quintessentially English.” I took a lesson from Peter Grace’s daughter, watched the Coronation Cup at Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park and was instantly hooked. I met an Argentine pro, booked a flight to Buenos Aires that winter, stayed at a small estancia playing from morning ‘til night and when my time was up, I changed my flight and stayed a little longer. Since then, I’ve had the good pleasure to play in a number of countries and when I returned to Canada a few years back (after some time away from the sport), the CPC was very welcoming and I became hooked again!
2
A few years back I was able to gain the confidence of a polo pro such that she was willing to let me exercise her top quality string. I’m probably most proud of that fact. I wasn’t scoring any goals on the exercise track but making progress with lead changes, rollbacks and all the small things that make such a difference, brought a lot of satisfaction.
3
The most challenging aspect of the sport is recognizing that someone will always have a faster string, better pros and luckier bounces. Gecko was a horse that Joe Henderson let me play for a couple of seasons. Powerful and good enough for Joe to play in high goal, it was a great challenge to learn to control his power and compete on him. And always fun to be the first one to the ball.
4
TIFFANY BURNS
Handicap: B
As a student at the University of Lethbridge, Cole Mackinnon is working towards a Bachelor of Management, Major in Finance through night classes. He is an analyst at a privately held oil and gas company by day. He has one sibling and his parents have become horse enthusiasts through their exposure to polo through Mackinnon’s passion.
COLE MACKINNON
Handicap: B
Tiffany Burns is a TV host, publicist and producer of Calgary, AB’s only entertainment show on YouTube, “BBTV Update with Tiffany Burns.” Originally from Vancouver, she’s lived in Calgary since 2012 and have been playing Club League at the CPC since 2013.
1
I’m not sure what first drew me to the sport, since none of my family or friends played polo and horses weren’t really a part of my life! When I was working for CityTV in Toronto, I took some polo lessons with a friend. I heard that special click the first time I hit the ball correctly, and even though it was just at a walk, I knew that one day I had to play this sport. When I lived briefly in Edmonton I was ready to do it, but the local club no longer existed. Someone told me there was a great coaching league in Calgary, and that it was worth the drive. It certainly was! I became a polo hobo for a summer, and I was hooked.
2
Last summer I leased one of Kyle Fargey’s pro string ponies, Dixie. Since Kyle taught me how to play in coaching league, I was quite honored that he would trust me with one of his top horses. Playing on Dixie is amazing. I remember one day, I hit the ball and told myself not to look back. And also not to worry about how fast we were going. In just two hits we covered half the field and with a final cut shot, I scored –right before the end of the chukker. When I finally looked back, no one was near me. We were going that fast!
3
I didn’t learn to ride until I was an adult, with a healthy fear of speed. So it’s taken me a while to gain the confidence to go faster. Plus, years of people yelling at me to speed up. In a friendly way, of course! He has gone on to that big polo field in the sky, but Simon was my first pony, so he’ll always be my favourite. He played polo until the ripe old age of 26, was featured in Polo Players Edition, counted a young Polito Pieres as one of his grooms and was very, very forgiving to me as I learned how to play.
4
I was sitting on my computer one night watching the music video to a classic Billboard Top 40 Britney Spears song called Radar, which is where I first saw a polo match. I thought this was quite cool as I was a horse jumper at the time. After some research I reached out to Kyle Fargey. He was able to teach me some of his skills through lessons. Not many of his skills stuck with me, but the sport sure did.
1
It is hard to compete with many of the accomplishments many individuals at the CPC have. However, for me it would be in my first season where I won Rookie of the Year. This was my first major accomplishment in the sport of polo which fuelled the addiction even more.
2
3
The sport itself is quite challenging – it is a mixture of hockey, golf, and horseback riding. The most difficult part for me is trying to anticipate the next play in order to position yourself in the right place.
4
Picking a favourite horse is like picking a favourite child, it can’t be done. However, the most memorable horse of mine is the second horse that I purchased named Batman. He was originally brought into Canada by another CPC player from his home in Maryland. I bought him a couple of years ago and have played him in every game I have played since. follow @calgarypoloclub
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KIM ROSS
Handicap: B
The Keeper family immigrated to Alberta in 1896. Thomas grew up in Calgary, AB, and had lots of horse riding experience living on the ranch as a child. Later, his family moved to Vancouver, BC. He is the founder of Tink Real Estate International. Thomas has a wife, Maggie and two children Sophie and Nathan and all of them love spending time at the CPC in the summers.
THOMAS KEEPER
Handicap: B Born in Calgary, Kim Ross was raised mostly in Edmonton, AB, and North Vancouver, BC. She has been a horse nut for as long as she can remember – a fact that confused her very suburban city family and proof that the love of horses is a disease that does not discriminate. She received a BComm. from the University of Alberta and spent the next 15 years or so working for agencies and as a consultant in Marketing & Communications. Meanwhile, she was riding and showing American Saddlebreds, rode for the Canadian team in the Saddleseat Equitation World Championships, welcomed two daughters, and moonlighted some Interior Design work for friends and family. When her girls got older, she decided she wanted to start a full-fledged interior design company. She went back to school at the Interior Design Institute and now runs Kim Ross Interiors & Design. Trying polo was on my bucket list forever. In 2014 the universe intervened and I was seated next to a woman at a business function who was about to go to the Desert to “try polo.” Some space had just come up in the house where she was staying and she invited me to come. A month later I went to Kyle and Megan’s school at El Dorado Polo Club with seven women I barely knew. We played polo for three days and I was hooked! I sold my show horse a few months later and I’ve never looked back. Those women and I are now very close and we go on various polo riding adventures around the world every few years.
2
Last season (2017) I was awarded MVP - Club League from Calgary Polo Club and Most Improved Player from Polo Canada. As a relative new comer to polo, there are games/days when I am just happy I stay upright, so getting a bit of recognition that you are heading in the right direction is fantastic.
3
I am left-handed, so I think that developing my eye-hand coordination with my non-dominant hand has been the biggest source of frustration. But there are a never ending list of challenges, which is one of the reasons this sport becomes so addicting.
4
Big Love was my first polo pony, so she has my heart. She will do anything I ask and forgive me for all my mistakes. She’s not the fastest, nor the handiest out there – but she gives everything she’s got. A horse like her is priceless for a new polo player. 16 www.calgarypoloclub.com
Maggie Keeper
1
1
Polo is a sport that I can enjoy for the rest of my life – that was a big draw. Gordon, a friend of mine, introduced me to the game.
2
Taking a horse off the track and training it to play polo in one season.
3 4
Hitting the ball! Trixie, a nine-year-old race horse from Kentucky.
DAYELLE FARGEY
Handicap: 2
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Marcelo Abbiati has been playing polo around the world for over 25 years. His professional career started in France, then in the USA he served as Captain of Team Canada on a number of occasions including two World Cups, test matches in South Africa, and the Snow Polo World Cup held in China. As of 2005, he resides in Priddis, AB, with his wife Susan and two daughters, Sofia and Delfina.
MARCELO ABBIATI
Handicap: 4
Growing up on the family farm in Manitoba, Dayelle Fargey learned to play polo from her Dad who started the Springfield Polo Club in 1973, the year she was born. She has many fond memories getting off the school bus and playing polo until homework and dinner beckoned. Brother Kyle Fargey also started this way, making polo an excellent way for the entire family to spend time together and travel the world playing. After University, Dayelle decided to make polo a career and since then, has been playing locally and all over the world. She recalls the great honor of representing Canada as a member of Team Canada with her brother, Kyle. I love the sport of polo, the horses, the speed and the adrenaline. Every game is different and you get to compete with and against family and friends, men and women and people of all ages.
1 2
Winning the Women’s US Open was definitely a career highlight. However, playing on a great team with friends, in a beautiful location and winning the silver creates a lifetime of memories, as well. Being a woman competing against predominantly men is always a tough challenge. Sometimes, being the only woman in an entire league means you have to be very prepared, have strong horses and be thinking all the time to maximize everything from your operation and team. Games can be won before you ever get to the field.
3
I have been extremely lucky to have many top horses. Currently, my best is Peace, a Thoroughbred from the Winnipeg race track, who I trained myself. She is a complete natural, outstanding athlete and a fierce competitor. Shortly, she will be retired to begin breeding in the hopes she passes on her genes to her offspring. I also love training and developing young horses every year.
4
It was definitely my father, Horacio, who had a passion for horses and a great eye not only for polo horses but horses of all breeds. He used to play polo, pato (a game played on horseback that combines elements of polo and basketball) and ride dressage recreationally. I took my first polo lesson from a friend of my father’s named Ivan Mianovich, and at age 12 played my first tournament called “Copa Potrillos” (under 14). The sport grew on me from that time on however my passion was rugby, which I played from the age of six until I was 18.
1
I have won a few polo tournaments around the world, however the lifetime friendships that the polo community created for me and my family is above winning any tournaments.
2 3
Having to build and consistently maintain a good string of horses.
It’s very hard to pick one. I’d have to say Pancha and Nona (both Canadian Thoroughbreds), are my all-time favourites. My current favourite is a gelding named Euro (an Argentine polo pony owned by Ron Mathison).
4
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Few people give up polo once they get a taste for it. Here are some key elements to better develop your understanding of the game.
A
By Jenn Webster
polo match has four to eight periods of play known as chukkers. The number of chukkers played is dependent upon the level of polo being played. In Calgary, the majority of games played for the 2018 season will be four chukkers long. One chukker is seven-and-a-half minutes long with breaks between each chukker, about three to five minutes. This is when players change ponies, except half-way
through the game when half-time is ten minutes. It is traditional for people to go out and stomp divots during half-time. This is when the players take a break. The direction of play changes every time a goal is scored. The clock will only stop if a whistle is blown for a foul or a tack malfunction, or an injured horse or player. At the CPC, safety of horse and rider are of paramount concern. A polo field is 300 yards long and 200
yards wide. Goal posts are positioned 8 yards apart and are collapsible for safety reasons. A goal is valid every time the ball goes through the posts, regardless of how high the ball is hit. Each player is individually ranked – similar to team penning or roping – on a handicap scale that ranges from -2 (C) to +10. There are only a handful of players worldwide with a 10-goal handicap. The team handicap is the aggregate of the players’ handicaps. If two teams are unevenly matched, the difference in goals (“handicap goals”) between them is awarded to the lower-rated team before play begins.
Four players per team
1 2
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The most offence-oriented position on the field. This position generally covers the opposing team’s #4.
This player has an important role in offence, either running through and scoring themselves, or passing to #1 and getting in behind them. Defensively, #2 will cover the opposing team’s #3, generally the other team’s best player. Given the difficulty of this position, it is not uncommon for the best player on the team to play #2 so long as another strong player is available to play #3.
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3
The quarterback and tactical leader. This player must be a long powerful hitter to feed balls to #2 and #1 as well as maintaining a solid defence. # The best player on the team is usually the #3 player, usually wielding the highest handicap. 18 www.calgarypoloclub.com
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4
The primary defence player. They can move anywhere on the field, but they usually try to prevent scoring. The emphasis on defence by the #4 allows the #3 to attempt more offensive plays, since they know they will be covered if they lose the ball.
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KEY ELEM EN TS & RU LE S
Polo plays & fouls
Crossing the Line: At a slow pace, Blue could cross Red and no foul would be called. However at full speed, the 20 feet would not be a safe distance and the cross would mean a penalty again Blue.
Bumping: It is important for Green to come parallel with Orange before bumping at a full gallop. If Green’s bump causes Orange’s horse to stagger, this is a foul. Despite the fact that the angle is slight, Blue cannot cross the line of the ball if the pace is fast.
In a bump or ride-off, Green would commit a foul if at the moment of contact Green’s horse were too far ahead of Orange’s horse.
Coming from behind and passing Red, Blue may not cross Red’s right of way at even the slightest angle if in crossing he comes close enough to Red to create a dangerous situation.
Foul Mallet Work: To hook legally, a player must be either directly behind his opponent’s horse or on the side on which the shot is being made. He or she may not reach over or under any part of the other player’s horse. Riding to Meet: Two player’s riding towards a ball must both give way to the left (so they come at each other at the rider’s right leg, to right leg) and take the ball on the right side.
Other Things to Note When you arrive at the Calgary Polo Club, the Ranch House features two elevated 30-feet berms lined with benches to allow for an unprecedented and unobstructed perspective of a match. Kerri Kerley
Games not held at the Ranch House fields encourage spectators to back their vehicles up to field, all the while maintaining a safe, 20-foot distance from the sideboards. At times, players may send their horses over the boards in pursuit of the ball – and you don’t want to be in their way. Please stay behind the white line.
All dogs must be on a leash. follow @calgarypoloclub
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You r N ew est
Maggie Keeper
A ddict ion
Armed with all the equipment one needs to play and a group of very forgiving horses, Kyle Fargey and Megan Kozminski are a machine for creating fresh polo enthusiasm. The Calgary Polo & Riding Academy offers professional instruction May through September.
By Jenn Webster “Show up in your jeans and we’ll dress you up in boots and a helmet. We’ll give you a mallet and away you’ll go. You can be as competitive as you want. Or you can do it just because you love horses. Either way, you’ll have fun. But be warned – the sport of polo is very addictive!” says Kyle Fargey, Polo Instructor at the Calgary Polo & Riding Academy for over 12 years. 20 www.calgarypoloclub.com
Offering an unparalleled opportunity with world-class facilities, the Calgary Polo & Riding Academy is situated only 20 minutes south of Calgary, AB. Whether you are searching for the perfect summer activity for your children, or you’re a determined athlete looking for a new challenge, or a seasoned player seeking expert advice, Kyle along with his partner, Megan Kozminski
can provide everything you’ll need for the experience. Fargey is a 3-goal professional player and instructor based out of Calgary, Alberta and Indio, California. He has played professionally for over 20 years, having grown up in a polo playing family with his father, Ross, and sister, Dayelle. Fargey has experienced the sport of polo at all different levels, from backyards in rural Manitoba, CA, to the Federation of International Polo (FIP) World Cup finals in Mexico. He played for Team Canada in 2008 in Mexico City, and has also played in England, China, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Africa, and across the western US and Canada. He is a United States Polo Association certified polo instructor
and has introduced hundreds of new students to the sport of polo. Kozminski is a B.5 rated player, playing polo for the past 10 years and has been an assistant polo and riding instructor for six years. She has been active in marketing and media for clubs and polo events in Canada and the U.S. for the past eight years. Armed with 10 polo school horses that accommodate all levels of students and all the equipment one needs to get started, Kozminski and Fargey are a machine for creating fresh polo enthusiasm. They pride themselves on instilling confidence in new riders and the fact that almost every student who walks into their vicinity, always comes back for more. “The most rewarding part about the role that we play is the transition that occurs
within people who come to our school and have never tried polo, or even ridden a horse before,” says Kozminski. “Then to see those people go on to become players and members. The same can be said for the many people we help to acquire their very first horses too – it’s cool. They get really excited about it.” One of Fargey’s and Kozminski’s recent success stories is a student who began taking lessons with them at 18 years of age and later went on to play for the Texas A&M polo team in her post-secondary studies. They’ve also had numerous Canadian clients purchase their very first horses with their guidance and take their enthusiasm all the way to California, Mexico, Barbados and beyond. As Winston Churchill once stated, polo really is a “passport to the world.” “Kyle has always been passionate about polo, from a young age,” tells Kozminski. “Sharing the sport with others is something he’s keen about. His Dad did the same thing – he even started a cub and taught people how to play within it.” The Calgary Polo & Riding Academy is available for lessons six days a week, Tuesdays through Sundays. Students are grouped according to their skill level however, if you’re a first timer and a little apprehensive, private lesson are options as well. “Then once you realize how easy-going it is, and we’ll get you into a group lesson,” Kozminski chuckles. A typical lesson is about an hour-and-ahalf long. Students are first put into a hitting cage, where they can practice their swing on a wooden steed. Then, the adventure moves
to real horses and students ride for an hour. Pricing starts at $100 per session for adults and $40 per session for kids. Horses and equipment are provided. The experience is world-class. The enjoyment is real. And as mentioned, it’s rare that a person comes for only one session. Consider yourself warned. www.calgarypoloclub.com
For more information, please contact Megan Kozminski at 403.926.7260 or email: kyle.fargey@calgarypoloclub.com follow @calgarypoloclub
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O
L E CA
ARY PO
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TH
CLUB
EST 1890
EXPERIENCE
SUNDAY POLO!
Kerri Kerley Photos
July & August, Sundays at 12 pm & 2 pm
Spend Sunday afternoons at the Calgary Polo Club this July and August enjoying fast-paced, world-class polo matches! Admission is free – bring your family and friends for an afternoon of inspiring athleticism and horsemanship. Everyone is welcome!
For more information on tournaments and events at the Calgary Polo Club visit www.calgarypoloclub.com 22 www.calgarypoloclub.com
Healthy Investments
4615 Manhattan Road SE
Calgary, Alberta
403 243-6667
www.rmps.com
follow @calgarypoloclub
23
GORDON W. ROSS RE/MAX REAL ESTATE (CENTRAL)
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING SELLING, WE HAVE A CLIENT LOOKING FOR AN EQUESTRIAN FACILITY SW OF CALGARY.
200, 5051 HIGHWAY 549 W offered at $3,450,000
W
elcome to this scenic 159 acre parcel nestled along the north side of the Sheep River in the MD of Foothills, only 2 kms west of Okotoks with additional development potential! The southern portion, in the middle of a hay field, features a 3 acre artesian spring fed pond stocked with trout. This property is the remaining 1/4 section of a large dairy, farming & ranching operation. There are 2 barns including a 60’x30’ former race horse barn & paddock, perfect for an equestrian facility. Its proximity to Calgary makes it ideal for weekend getaways & just a short commute to the Calgary Polo Club. The current lovely family home offers over 3,341 sq ft of living space, 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms & overlooks the river valley & creek below the house.
3 STAGECOACH MEADOWS offered at $1,775,000
C
ountry living at its finest with all amenities within minutes! Magnificent family home situated on 2.2 acres, over 6922 sq. ft of living space on two levels & a total of 5 bedrooms. No expense was spared creating this masterpiece with top quality finishing throughout this spacious, fully developed walk-out bungalow. Open & bright floor plan flooded with natural light & 12’ ceilings. Gourmet kitchen with huge island & travertine countertops. Living room with impressive gas fireplace, nook provides access to the expansive deck with custom built BBQ & outdoor fireplace. The fully developed walkout lower has an enormous recreation room, bar area & wine cellar, media room, play room, gym & 2 additional bedrooms with 5 piece jack & jill bath & access to the large patio & firepit. Also enjoy 2 central ac units & triple attached garage with loft!
FOR EXCELLENT SERVICE & RESULTS CALL
GORDON W. ROSS 24 www.calgarypoloclub.com
403-216-1600
WWW.GORDONWROSS.COM • INFO@GORDONWROSS.COM