The rolling hills, the crisp air, the smells of saddle leather and sawdust. Northern Virginia is horse country. And when you are visiting Fauquier County, you don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to participate in one of the coolest activities in the area.
“Twilight Polo is such a fun event for the whole family,” local resident Kelly Malloy said. “The kids can run around and play, you can bring a picnic and wine, and the polo matches are something most people don’t get a chance to see very often. I highly recommend putting this on your schedule.”
On Saturdays from May to September, Great Meadow Polo Club – also home to the Virginia Gold Cup – hosts three polo matches as the sun goes down. Families can enjoy tailgating, picnicking, giant tug of war and dancing in addition to polo.
Arena polo started at Great Meadow in 2003 with the construction of a topflight polo arena. The arena version of the game is a bit different from traditional match play. It is played with a miniature soccer ball and three players on each team. It is the intercollegiate form of the game and is more affordable and easier to learn. It is a big hit with spectators!
Over the years, as polo became more accessible to players and fans in the Virginia hunt country, the sport grew in popularity. Played in a stadium on Saturday nights, Great Meadow Polo has become a sought-after summer venue for charity events, tailgate parties and family fun.
In 2001, Great Meadow, through local contributions, was able to build a world-class polo field next to the arena. Grass polo is the traditional form of the game and is played with a smaller, hard ball and four players on each team.
Don’t miss out on this unique and affordable event when visiting Fauquier County. One pass gets a whole car load of friends and family into the event. From there, you will enjoy top-level horsemanship at a world-class venue, all while nestled in the beautiful countryside of Northern Virginia.
By: Elizabeth Denham
For more information visit www.twilightpolo.com or call (540) 253-9845.
