Learn to Play Polo in Deauville

Today, I’m stepping onto one of the world’s most iconic polo fields in Deauville to try my hand at this captivating equestrian sport. With a prestigious history, the Deauville Polo Club hosts an international tournament each summer, attracting the world’s finest players. Evrard de Spa, founder of the polo school, is leading my introductory lesson, guiding me through the essential techniques of the game.

Evrard de Spa, Polo player and coach

With extensive experience as both a polo player and coach, Evrard de Spa is the ideal ambassador for this equestrian sport. As the founder of the Deauville Polo School, he provides training sessions, both indoors and outdoors, for riders of all skill levels.

The oldest recorded team sport in known history

Here I am, at the heart of the La Touques racecourse, walking across the vast, carefully maintained grass fields of the Deauville Polo Club. Picture five football pitches side by side—that’s the size of a polo field!It’s here that I’m greeted by Evrard, my instructor for the day. Beside him is Luna, a sweet-tempered polo pony “made in Argentina.” Together, they’re about to introduce me to one of the world’s oldest sports, born nearly 2,500 years ago on the steppes of Central Asia. It’s a team equestrian sport where two teams of four riders face off.

In Pursuit of the Perfect Swing

Getting started in polo begins with mastering the mallet. Made of bamboo and wood, and about 1.3 meters long, the mallet is to polo what the club is to golf. It’s all about technique – the right move makes the perfect shot, whether it’s a forehand or a backshot. My first attempts are on foot. “If I close my eyes, I’ll know by the sound if the shot is right,” Evrard smiles. I take a swing, then another, and another, fully focused. “Use the weight of the mallet to strike the ball, without rushing the motion!” he advises. The first sensations are promising. Now it’s time to put the technique into practice, this time on horseback.

Gesture, Direction, and Precision

I saddle up. Polo requires a completely new skill set compared to regular horseback riding, with the reins in my left hand and the mallet in my right. I need to gain some “stick and ball” experience while focusing on my technique, direction, and precision. What a challenge! The good news is that polo ponies are usually very well trained and tend to follow the ball automatically to some extent. “Keep the mallet close to your shoulder and extend it towards the ground,” advises Evrard. As I walk, trot, and gallop, I work on gauging the distance between the end of the mallet and the ground, trying to strike the ball at just the right moment and in the right spot. Swinging the mallet while riding is tricky, but my persistence pays off with a few solid hits and a perfect forehand. As the lesson comes to an end, I start to feel the weight of the mallet in my arm, so Evrard suggests we wrap it up for the day. Now, I can’t wait to try a real game with other players!

Useful Information

A unique place

Deauville, Land of Polo

Founded in 1907, the Deauville Polo Club is an institution. Every August, the Barrière Polo Cup gathers the polo elite for a series of tournaments. The Coupe d’Or is one of the most prestigious events, and it’s a dream for the world’s top players to win. European and Argentine players go head-to-head in this iconic competition.