CURRAGHMORE Polo Club in Waterford has become the first to take part in what is expected to be a series of training events across Ireland, forming a springboard for anyone who has thought about getting involved in the polo lifestyle.

The inaugural event of three days coordinated last weekend by the Irish Polo Foundation’s Tina White involved Seahorse Polo founder Jamie McCarthy, Alejo Tagle of Bishopsland Polo Club and Polo Wicklow’s Siobhan Herbst. Herbst will line out later this year along with April Kent along and two Scottish players representing the Celtic Team at the Argentine Ladies Open.

“Polo is a lifestyle,” said April Kent when she spoke at the training event’s morning theory session last Friday. “I always wanted to do something in sport. When I tried polo I knew this was it, this is what I want to do.”

Following last summer’s inaugural training event there has keen interest expressed across polo clubs for a repeat this season. With support from some of the top players in Ireland who played in as polo playmakers for five beginner teams, the polo lifestyle has taken root and will be offered at clubs across the island for the summer.

“The training makes you think more,” said Jessica O’Mahoney, who was at the training event last weekend to improve basic skills. “Even for a beginner I need the obvious stated and to have three consecutive days it was so generous and I got a lot from it.”

Morning sessions included coaching on the wooden horse, practise stick-and-ball on foot, a Pilates session followed by skills-testing matches.

A tournament open to more advanced players formed part of the training event weekend.

The Irish Polo Foundation is on Facebook @theirishpolofoundation.