Day Trips
Horseback Riding and Introduction to Polo

Learn Polo from the Pros!

Imagine a ball hit so hard

that it comes at you at a speed of 110 miles per hour. So fast, you can hardly see it! Your job is to stay at a gallop, get your polo pony in line with the ball, and either pass it ahead to a teammate, or carry the ball down the field for an attempt at goal.

This wonderful day is designed to give us, the novices, a true appreciation for the skill and athleticism required to be a professional polo player. Nestled in the tranquil, rolling hills of Putnam County, Haviland Hollow Farm is New York’s premier equestrian and polo farm. In this idyllic setting, we will take a private tour of the grounds while learning terms like “pony goal” and “chukker”. After getting acquainted with the surroundings, it is time to saddle up and take a ride on our new, four-legged friends. First you will receive a lesson on horseback safety and riding techniques so you can relax and enjoy the experience. For an hour, we will walk, trot or perhaps even cantor through woods bordering the polo grounds.

The best part of the day has yet to come! After our ride, we will lay out our picnic blankets and watch a real polo game or scrimmage! You will be close enough to hear the thumping of the hooves and feel the energy from the exciting match. To top off the day, we will munch on an assortment of cheeses and breads while enjoying a glass or two of wine. (Please bring whatever picnic goodies you like, including beer or wine).

About Polo

Polo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Riders score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team’s goal using a long-handled mallet. The traditional sport of polo is played at speed on a large grass field up to 300 yards in length, and each polo team consists of four riders and their mounts.

History of Polo

A game of unclear origins, polo was first played in Persia (Iran, Afghanistan) at dates given from the 6th century BC to the 1st century AD. Polo was at first a training game for cavalry units, usually the king’s guard or other elite troops. To the warlike tribesmen, who played it with as many as 100 to a side, it was a miniature battle. In time polo became an Iranian national sport played extensively by the nobility. Women as well as men played the game, as indicated by references to the queen and her ladies engaging King Khosrow II Parviz and his courtiers in the 6th century AD. Valuable for training cavalry, the game was played from Constantinople to Japan by the Middle Ages. Known in the East as the Game of Kings. The name polo is said to have been derived from the Tibetan word “pulu”, meaning ball.

Event Details

Departure Time 9:00 AM (please arrive by 8:45 for check-in)
Departure Location 73rd and Broadway in front of Apple Bank
Wear Pants or jeans for riding; jacket or coat, comfortable shoes or boots; hat and gloves in spring or variable weather.
Bring Your lunch, water and camera, picnic goodies (food, beer, wine, blanket)
Return Approximately 5:00 PM

Want to share this event or trip?

Gunks Winter Hike & Whiskey Tasting

Experienced, Fun & Qualified Guides

From cycling across the United States to leading horse treks through New Zealand to scaling Nepalese peaks, Outdoor Bound guides have real-world outdoor experience. Collectively, they have hiked, biked, climbed and kayaked tens of thousands of miles around the globe.

Whether their professional backgrounds are as teachers, personal trainers, artists, environmentalists or business leaders, they all have an extensive knowledge of the natural world and local history. Each guide has also passed a rigorous guide certification program and is trained in wilderness first aid or as a Wilderness First Responder.

Diverse & Interesting Groups

There is no typical Outdoor Bound participant. While ages typically range from 20 to 50, those who come to experience outdoor adventure range from singles to couples, from lawyers to waiters. They are a mix of women and men. While the group is always diverse, you will certainly feel welcome. Our guides go the extra mile to make the atmosphere of each trip social and fun. Many people in the Outdoor Bound community have forged lasting friendships as a result of our trips.

New Experiences

Skydiving, ice-climbing, hot-air ballooning, skiing and hiking every weekend are just a few of Outdoor Bound’s year-round adventures. These trips are accessible to everyone, including the novice, who might feel a little uneasy, the young urban professional trying to get away and even the adrenaline junkie looking for a new rush.

Environmental Awareness

“Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures,” is the Leave No Trace motto embraced by Outdoor Bound. From purchasing bamboo T-shirts to printing with soy-based inks on recycled paper, Outdoor Bound strives to create the least environmental impact possible while on trips and in the office.

Indoor Rock Climbing

Other Trips in This Category

Bringing a Friend or Two?

Please be sure to enter the total number of people in the Qty box. In addition, be sure to include your friends’ names and cell-phone numbers on the final Checkout page. The final discount price is the price per person, multiplied by the Qty you enter.

Reminder about Winter Trip Conditions

We closely monitor snow, ice and related weather conditions before each trip. Lack of snow or similar, unsatisfactory weather/trail/river conditions may lead to changes to the trip or rescheduling or cancellation.

Please consult the individual trip description or Event Calendar for notice of any such changes. Refer to our full Policies page for more information about reservations and cancellations.

Event Categories

Day Trips
Horseback Riding and Introduction to Polo

Learn Polo from the Pros!

About Polo

History of Polo

Event Details

Experienced, Fun & Qualified Guides

Diverse & Interesting Groups

New Experiences

Environmental Awareness

Other Trips in This Category

Bringing a Friend or Two?

Reminder about Winter Trip Conditions

Register > Horseback Riding and Introduction to Polo

Base Price

Select Event Date

Connect

Trip Overview

Date(s)

Sign up
for our newsletter

Event Categories

Day TripsHorseback Riding and Introduction to Polo

Learn Polo from the Pros!

About Polo

History of Polo

Event Details

Experienced, Fun & Qualified Guides

Diverse & Interesting Groups

New Experiences

Environmental Awareness

Other Trips in This Category

Bringing a Friend or Two?

Reminder about Winter Trip Conditions

Register > Horseback Riding and Introduction to Polo

Base Price

Select Event Date

Connect

Trip Overview

Date(s)

Sign up for our newsletter

Day Trips
Horseback Riding and Introduction to Polo

Sign up
for our newsletter