Ansty Polo Club played host to the University Polo Club first pre-season course. Polo- pro John Morton was on hand to teach the peculiarities of the game such as riding one handed while wielding a polo mallet in the other, horsemanship and the rules of the game. Seven newcomers to the sport, some of whom had little riding experience, were soon racing round a polo pitch usually reserved for the likes of Prince Charles. They learnt the skills of the game such as how to break their pony from a canter to a stand still and into a sharp turn, an invaluable skill in polo. Next to follow were stick skills, practising the swing to form a perfect elipse and then to strike a ball some 8cm in diameter and while riding at speed. A very difficult skill but by the end of the day everyone was regularly striking good shots towards the goalmouth. Day 2 saw a revision of the rules in the clubhouse while the ponies were taken to an indoor arena. Here the previous days skills were put into play, practising the varied shots as well as riding off other players in preparation for the final chukka match. The players were divided into two groups and saw both teams compete fiercely for the winners trophy. It was a good start to the new season and we hope to see more of you at our teaching sessions every wednesday afternoon and weekends from 3rd May. Come and have a go. See noticeboard Cornwall House or e-mail exeterpoloclub@hotmail.com.