Page 13 - The Light Blue Volunteer 2019

CUOTC Polo Team
With the current CUOTC contingent containing a crowd of adrenaline- seeking equine enthusiasts, 2019 saw the re-birth of the “Game of Kings” at Cambridge UOTC with the formation of CUOTC Polo Team. With sights firmly set on wielding their mallets in the face of the obvious competition
- long-standing polo gurus Oxford UOTC - training was paramount. Despite perching upon a steed of some variety many times before, the majority of the newly-formed team had never held a polo mallet. The first training session included initial groundwork, understanding the rules, and practising
the basics of stick and ball, aboard a wooden horse.
3 additional training sessions followed before the team made their way to
their first Inter-OTC competition at Salisbury’s Druid’s Lodge. Being absolute novices compared to teams who have played together competitively, it could
be assumed that Cambridge were slightly out of their depth. However, with excitement and victory in our sights, we valiantly rode some excellent goals as well as defended successfully using the “ride-off” technique. This initial competition saw no placings for Cambridge, however, there were some
glimmers of excellent beginner play, and sheer grit and determination.
It was an excellent opportunity to
ride some talented (and patient) ponies, grasp the rules of the game and to network with those in the polo-sphere – certainly a fascinating realm in which to exist. It was thought-provoking to hear the instructor speak of the associations between polo and the military, particularly noting the importance of the winner of either war or a chukka being the side that could coolly make decisions under intense pressure.
SUO Russell
THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER 13