USPA
Pacific Coast Circuit

Handy Hints - Beginners

1. How you practice is how you and your horse will play
2. Do not wear spurs
3. Learn to use your legs
4. Do not use the reins as a third stirrup
5. If tired or confused -stop reorganize (rider or horse)
6. Same for your horse -- The stop is a safe spot
7. Don't punish your horse for your mistakes -- The horse has to like it out there
8. Keep Checking reins to stay equal-mark them if necessary (tape)
9. Be under-mounted rather than over-mounted. This way you get to more plays.
10. High goal ponies don't make good beginners horses
11. In the beginning - sit & use your horse as a platform
12. Where the front or back of the elbow faces that's where the mallet head faces and the ball goes
13. No neck shots until very advanced
14. Don't rest the rein hand on the neck of the horse (reason: safety and control)
15. Do not take any shot that will hit a horse or rider
16. Rotate stirrup leathers
17. Off-side - (right or Polo side) - near-side (left)
18. Become as familiar with riding as possible
19. Do not let your temper rule hour riding
20. Command not demand of your horse
21. Use the horses abilities - not what you think he should be like
22. Establish lines of communication with a horse - your seat, legs hands, voice and patience.

 Table of Contents

1. Basic Manual - Interscholastic/Intercollegiate Polo
2. Handy Hints - Beginner Level
3. Handy Hints - Intermediate Level
4. Handy Hints - Advanced Level
5. Polo Drill
6. Polo Chart - Horse
8. Chart - the three lines
9. Offside Forehand Drill
10. Offside Backhand Drill
11. Near-side Push Drill
12. Offside Circling Left Drill

 

 

 

 




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