The Ohio Polo Club in Springfield officially joined the U.S. Polo Association as a member club last month.
Founder Casey Koehler established the facility on his family farm to provide a local venue for the sport in the Miami Valley.
Before the development of this field, the nearest available polo arenas for area residents were located in Cincinnati and Indianapolis.
Preparing the horses for play involves wrapping their legs, braiding their tails, and applying fly spray before adding the saddles. Members of the club typically play multiple times per week.
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Gillian Young, a polo instructor at the club, said the program is designed for players of all skill levels.
Young has been involved with the sport for approximately 16 years and moved to the state from California to teach new players. “We actually cater to the very, very, very beginner,” Young said. “You don’t need to have any riding experience at all, although it definitely helps.”
While many active players at the facility may appear to be experienced, the club noted that most participants have only played two or three times.
Young emphasized that the curriculum covers all necessary skills for participants. “We will teach everything that you need to know,” Young said. “Casey is excellent at teaching the very beginner riding lessons all the way from kids up to adults.”
The facility sits on land developed by Keith Koehler and his wife decades ago. Koehler grew up riding horses on the property but did not start playing polo until later in life. “This is our family farm,” Koehler said.
“My dad, Keith Koehler, he built this place with my mom back in the 90’s.”Koehler previously played at the Springfield Polo Club, but that organization no longer maintains polo horses.
This change motivated him to establish a new venue on the family farm. “About 2024, I played at the Springfield Polo Club, which is a club over there, but they no longer have polo horses, and it was a little bit of a bummer to me,” Koehler said. He noted that despite the specialized equipment and preparation, “It’s so easy to get into it.”
The Ohio Polo Club will host a public clinic on Aug. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon. If you are interested in participating, Click Here.
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