Over the stable door: Divots fly as I take a swing at polo

Earlier this year, I was invited for a polo lesson by Paul Pollington who runs the Vale of York Polo Club at his yard near Bawtry. It was afternoon when I finally got to Paul's yard, kitted out in jockey skull cap and exercise breeches, having come straight from schooling a hurdler.

At least it didn't appear like I'd "all the gear no idea" I thought as I wandered into his office like a riding school beginner. The atmosphere was similar to a French aprs ski bar. A room full of jean-clad, polo-topped, blonde beauties sipped ros wine and smoked menthol cigarettes, having returned from knocking around a few chukkas. It certainly appeared more sociable than shivering in thin silks with a bowl of icy water to wash my mud-splattered face at a chilly February point to point.

Paul was keen to show me a few of his polo ponies. All were thoroughbreds, most had raced previously which he had since re-schooled.

Thirty ponies are stabled at Highwood, his converted dairy farm outside Doncaster. The land is chalky and never suffers from waterlogging.

He explained: "I couldn't believe it when I found this place, we can play on the pitches here all year round and the ground never gets too wet or too firm." The long barns are ideal for stabling and there is an indoor arena.

Paul proudly pointed to a photo of a skinny figure in silks collecting a trophy pinned on the stable wall. "This is the last race I won point to pointing. My style may have left something to be desired, though."

He laughed as I studied another of him in a grim-faced driving finish.

Paul is almost better known for his recent exploits in the TV programme Ladette to Lady.

His role of leading the trainee ladies astray while they entertained the Zetland hunt was a task he excelled at. Our polo players' raucous drinking games ended with the premature exit of one candidate.

The Vale of York has more than 50 members, from schoolchildren to 70 year olds. Chukkas are played regularly and tournaments most weekends, especially through the summer. Always popular with hen parties or groups of friends, teams can be made up of three or four players.

My pony was handed to me by a capable girl who swiftly arranged the equipment like someone well practised at dealing with muppets. My mount was one of the more experienced ponies on the yard.

He quickly worked out the mallet was swinging precariously close to his head after having me on his back for 10 minutes and henceforth distanced himself far enough from the ball to keep it out of reach as we practised. "More left leg", shouted Paul as I chipped away at bare earth again, cursing my own incompetence.

Eventually a goal was scored and I realised how desperate I was to be capable at such a fun sport.

I relish a challenge, so the gauntlet is down. Friends are on stand-by to join the next session in (serious lack of) stick control. I doubt the leggy blonde startlets will have much to worry about but Paul will be needing some strong divot treaders!

Jo Foster trains horses at Brookleigh Farm, Menston.

CW 11/9/10