The Saratoga Polo Club Association is located at Bloomfield and Denton Roads in Saratoga Springs near Skidmore College.

Some fast Polo facts:

· Polo is one of the oldest team sports in history (2,500 years old)

· A Polo field is 3 U.S. sized football fields long and 3 U.S. size football fields wide. (approx. 10 acres )

· The only sport that you must play right-handed, left-handed play was ruled out in 1975 for safety reasons.

· The instruments used to hit the ball are called mallet canes which are made of a special bamboo and are not hollow.

· Polo is one of the fastest ball sports; the ball can travel up to 100 mph.

Some Polo Terms:

· Chukker: also known as a period, six chukkers in each game, each lasting seven minutes.

· Throw In: A chukker begins

· Bump: when a player is permitted to ride into another player to spoil his or her shot.

· Nearside: left side of horse

· Offside: Right side of horse

One of the most unique things about the sport of Polo is that there are no age, height, weight or age limitations, and believe it or not, amateurs play alongside with top players.

“Saratoga Polo Club is one of the five oldest active polo clubs in the United States,” Tony Coppola, Director of Saratoga Polo Club, said. Tony’s son, Matthew, is the youngest player at the club, he is 13 years old. The oldest player at the club is 77 years old.

When asked about appropriate dress code for the club, Tony admits that it’s varied, “A lot people will show up in shorts… men will show up in shorts or a sport coat, women will show up in shorts or dresses or slacks. It’s very casual and then people come on the edge of casual cocktail attire.”

Regarding the facility, Clubhouse seating is available for $25 per person. If you like, cocktail service is available and for a flat fee of $25, servers will bring an amazing assortment of tapas to you from the start of the match (which is 5:30 p.m.) for one whole hour. The Polo Club also offers general admission for those who prefer to tailgate which is $25 per car. You may bring your own food however, New York State law prohibits anyone from bringing any alcoholic beverages to the polo grounds.

As for dining at the Polo Club, a sumptuous $65 pre-fixe four course meal is available.

Reservations are recommended. Seating begins at 7:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. During racing season, dining hours will be from 6-9 p.m.

This marks the 110th year anniversary of the Saratoga Polo Club Association. World class Polo is played every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Gates to the Polo Field open at 4 p.m. During racing season, which begins this year on July 23, there will be additional Polo matches. Call 584-8108 for more information. Check out the website at www.saratogapolo.com.