All the Pretty Horses

March 11, 2017


via GIPHY

When we first moved to Thailand, we drove around to various parts of the area with a realtor, looking for a place to live.  I made a note of the Thai Polo and Equestrian Club when we drove past;  I'd never seen a polo match in person, and thought it would be a cool thing to do sometime.

The opportunity finally presented itself when a friend posted a link to an event on Facebook - the Queen's Cup Pink Polo event.  This was a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness, and featured polo matches between all-female teams.  I arranged the forty-five minute ride out to the eastern side of the city. Very little information was available about the event, and I didn't really know what to expect, but I decided to take a flyer.

The Thai Polo & Equestrian Club is recognized as the largest multi-functional polo and equestrian facility in all of Asia.  The entrance, beautifully lined with palm trees, passes along the back of one of the three full-size, international-class polo fields.  A match was already in progress when I arrived.  The area on one side of the field was adorned with fancy white tents and lots of pink everywhere.  I purchased my ticket, which included the lunch buffet and lots of other freebies, and wandered into the predominantly pink crowd.

My goodies

Polo matches are divided into six seven-minute time periods called "chukkas" or "chukkers," with three-minute breaks between, and a fifteen-minute halftime.  Each team has only four players mounted on their extremely agile "ponies."  A chukker was ending as I came in, and I watched as assistants approached each player with a second horse.  The riders immediately transferred to the second horses, and the game horses were walked off to be pampered between play.  I was glad to see the special care they were given, especially in the ever-present Thailand heat.

I fixed myself a plate of food and started over to one of the areas set up with tables.  It looked pretty full, since I was arriving late, and thought I would just sit on the long steps of the clubhouse to watch, but a young lady working there insisted that she find me a seat.  Many of the tables were occupied by westerners, but two Thai women sitting nearby offered me an empty seat at their table.  Thais have such big hearts!

quite a spread!

"Macaroons, please!"

The polo play was difficult to follow, as the view was pretty restricted by the tables and tents.  It appeared that most people were there to socialize rather than to watch the match anyway.  Every now and then I would get a glimpse of the action - a crowd of horses thundering past, or a flash of white as the ball sailed down the field.

My table mates were quite entertaining.  After feeling a bit out of place, I was happy to learn that this was their first time attending an event here as well. One who spoke very good English was a magazine publisher.  She asked me if I drank or smoked cigarettes.  When I said I didn't smoke, she told me she only smokes cigars!  She also told me about the delicious "magarones" (macaroons) that would be served shortly with the afternoon tea.   I enjoyed trying to use my limited Thai, and was amused by my companions' views of the world.

Between matches a parade/fashion show (not sure which) took place along the side of the field.  A trio of powered hang gliders circled the field and entertained with their skills.  I don't believe I've ever seen a hang glider with an engine on the back.  It looked like they could stay up their all day.

The second match was won by the favored team (I don't remember who).  What I do remember is that both teams were made up of women from around the world, including Malaysia, UK and Argentina. "My chariot awaited," so I didn't stick around for the awards presentation, nor the "stomping of the divots," a tradition wherein the spectators are invited onto the field after the match to help stomp down the displaced bits of sod.

The trophies remind me of Bug's Bunny's steed from
"What's Opera, Doc?"

All in all a lovely, albiet sweaty afternoon, where I learned a little bit about polo and enjoyed some people watching and chatting with some delightful Thai ladies.