Polo Gift Guide

Only a few weeks left before Christmas to purchase gifts and get them in time. If you are interested in giving someone a polo or equine themed gift this season, allow us to point you in the right direction and recommend our top pics of places and brands for authentic polo gear and themed gifts...

Polo Performance Gear & Clothing

Casablanca Polo, La Martina, Ona Polo, PoloGear, Texas Polo and Gladiator Polo, USPA Pro

Polo & Equine Lifestyle & Home Goods

Stick & Ball, Dover Saddlery, Stylish Equestrian

Casablanca Polo Texas Polo La Martina United States Polo Association U.S. Polo Assn. (USPA Global) Stick & Ball Dover Saddlery Stylish Equestrian

TOP POLO HEADLINES

U.S. Open Arena Polo Championships Kicks Off This Week at the California Polo Club!

The U.S. Open Arena Polo Championship? - a premier 12- to 18-goal tournament that represents the highest level of arena polo competition in the United States. With a rich history dating back to 1926, this prestigious championship brings together top players from around the country for exhilarating matches, fast-paced action, and a celebration of the sport's finest talent. Join us for an unforgettable showcase of arena polo excellence at The U.S. Open Arena Polo Championship?! beginning Tuesday, December 12th - Sunday, December 17th.

Click here to learn more about the tournament.

Highly Anticipated St. Regis World Snow Polo Championships Kicks Off This Weekend in Aspen, CO!

The highly anticipated St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship is set to grace Rio Grande Park on December 16-17, heralding the commencement of Aspen's festive and social season. Last year's edition of the tournament achieved remarkable success, generating $100,000 through unprecedented ticket sales (doubled from 2021) and generous donations directed towards the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation and Calaway-Young Cancer Center.

Esteemed as one of the premier snow polo competitions globally, this event stands as the sole snow polo tournament in North America and marks the culminating point on the World Polo Tour. For the eleventh consecutive year, Melissa Ganzi and Marc Ganzi , proprietors of the Aspen Valley Polo Club , will play host to this world-class occasion. Having achieved recognition alongside St. Moritz as one of the foremost snow polo tournaments worldwide, it has solidified its status as one of Aspen's premier international sporting events.

Against the enchanting backdrop of snow-clad mountains in a holiday ambiance, the three-day tournament captivates a diverse audience, drawing enthusiasts from around the globe. It has become a significant attraction for the Aspen community and its environs, adding to the allure of this iconic event.

Click here to read more information about the event. Ticket information can be found at aspenvalleypoloclub.com.

TRAILBLAZING PLAYERS

BRITTANY HALSTEAD - FOR LOVE OF HORSES

Brittany Halstead founded Replay Polo in 2016 after her own, extraordinary experience with a polo pony. In 2014, while riding and training in Argentina with Olympic riders and high goal polo trainers, Halstead was in a near fatal car accident. She suffered a traumatic brain injury and was in a coma for two weeks. She miraculously recovered! A few months after she was discharged from the hospital, Luis Ansola, professional polo player/manager of Louisville Polo Club, gave her a retired polo pony to help her heal. This polo pony, named Fanta, became the first ReplayPolo pony and started Halstead on her journey to connect these amazing horses to people in need. Her assessment is that polo ponies have the best demeanor of them all – gentle ground manners, desensitized and very rideable (neck rein, direct/indirect rein and smooth transitions) – that makes them the most suitable option for new careers.

To learn more about her story and ReplayPolo, click here.

POLO INSIGHTS

Polo's age demographics closely align with the overall equestrian participation landscape, showing a predominant concentration of participants under the age of 24. This trend can be attributed to individuals of college age and below engaging in polo alongside their parents and siblings before embarking on their professional careers, at which point they may no longer possess the discretionary income necessary to sustain their involvement. This could explain the observed decline in participation within the age range of 25 to 44. Surprisingly, over 40% of all participants fall within the age bracket of 45 to 70+. A compelling avenue for exploration would be to analyze how these demographic patterns vary between male and female participants.

POLO DESTINATIONS

SARASOTA POLO CLUB

The Sarasota Polo Club is one of the largest, most dedicated and enthusiastic polo communities in the world. An estimated 50,000 spectators will visit the club during public polo events on Sunday afternoons and Thursday Sunset Polo Happy Hours during their 2024 Season, which runs from Sunday December 31st 2023 through Saturday April 13th 2024.

For decades the Club has been a popular destination and an important part of the Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch social scenes. In addition to polo, the Club’s spectacular grounds and venues are home to a variety of community and social events including concerts, festivals, theater, sporting events, charity fundraisers, corporate meetings and elegant weddings. For more information about the Club, and tickets to upcoming events, click the below links...

Sarasota Polo Club | Event Tickets

OTB? PODCAST EPISODE TO LISTEN

SEASON #1 | EPISODE #2 - KAREEM ROSSER

Kareem Rosser is an extraordinary individual who hails from the most unexpected of backgrounds and has become an outstanding ambassador for the world of polo.

Kareem's remarkable journey began in West Philadelphia, a story akin to Cinderella's, where his humble roots in the "Work to Ride" program led him to the world of polo. Through unwavering determination, he overcame adversity, shattered barriers, and emerged as a contemporary polo icon.

Within the polo community, Kareem is already a widely recognized figure, boasting a decorated youth career with victories in the 2011 Interscholastic Championships and the 2015 Intercollegiate Championships. Today, as a Colorado State University graduate, he has traversed the globe, representing the sport, and serves as a global ambassador for the Work to Ride organization. Furthermore, he has graced the pages as a model for Ralph Lauren Polo and is set to release his memoir, "Crossing The Line," scheduled to hit shelves this February.

Kareem's story is one that weaves together elements of heartbreak and triumph. From an early age, he shouldered responsibilities beyond his years, guided by the mentorship of Lezlie Hiner's "Work To Ride" program. It was through this program that Kareem discovered polo, a sport where he excelled, equipping him with the tools and inspiration to achieve success, both in the saddle and in life.

Click below to listen...

From Philly to Polo: The Kareem Rosser Story

THANK YOU & SUBSCRIBE

Thank you for taking the time to visit Beyond the Boards and subscribe. I am thrilled to take my friends, colleagues and industry professionals on a polo journey and showcasing the beautiful people, places and things that make this sport truly great. I cannot believe I have spent nearly a decade in this game and to see how it has flourished globally is incredible and there is so much opportunity out there. If you have news you would like to share or are interest in navigate this complex sport of kings, please do not hesitate to reach out - [email protected].