Wow.
I went to my first polo match this past weekend. I. Am. Hooked.
Is
there anything sexier than the perfect line of man, mallet and horse getting
ready to strike the polo ball?
Or thinking of all that power between a man’s
legs (his polo pony – get your mind back here!) as he thunders down a polo field? It
literally made me weak in the knees. Of course, now I’m dreaming up a story
that stars a gorgeous, arrogant, high-living polo player and the woman who
tames him. (Gee, I’m such a writer…)
I
mean, I’ve drooled over pictures of Argentine hottie polo player Nacho Figueras in Ralph Lauren ads as much
as the next girl. See?
But
actually watching the game being played is mesmerizing. It’s a rough, physical,
contact sport. These guys break their noses, wrists, and collarbones. It’s a
dangerous game for both horse and rider. But the sheer joy of playing seems to
make up for the risk of losing a few teeth.
From
what I've read, polo has been around for 2,500 years, and I can understand why.
The players love the testosterone rush and the physicality of the sport; the
women love to watch sweaty men on horseback. A no-brainer as to why this sport has
been around so long.
Add
in the perk of fans coming onto the field at half-time to stomp divots in
return for a glass of champagne as a ‘thank you’ and you have the perfect
sport!
Maybe
next weekend I’ll dress up like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman and try to catch
the eye of one of the players. Hmm… I’ve heard that a majority of polo players
are from South America and England. I’m a sucker for a foreign accent. Maybe
I’ll ask them to whisper sweet ‘chukkers’ into my ear and see what happens…
What
about you? Is there a sport you’re fanatical about? Tell me why!
Jenna