Polo Inspires At-Risk Kids 

At risk youth from Flaxmere are hooked into a new interest Polo and the sport is changing their ways.

Jacoby Ropiha (13) who is training and tending to the ponies at least twice a week, has discovered an enjoyment of horsemanship. ‘‘It’s fun to learn a sport, especially on horses,’’ he says.

‘‘I like being around horses.’’ Jacoby says he’s not getting into any more trouble ‘‘because I’m focusing on this new game’’. ‘‘I’ve got different plans now,’’ he says. Tuturu Walford (12) has found happiness playing polo and spends as much time as he can with the polo ponies since the Manurau team started training in October. His commitment has been noticed and he was given Spook, an experienced polo pony, for Christmas.

He loves the action and speed of the sport and is happy to do the hard work too. ‘‘I groom the ponies, tack them up then wash them down afterwards and put everything away.’’ Manurau Polo is a joint initiative by Leg-Up Trust co-ordinator Ros Rowe, Flaxmere youth aid constable James Mason and Richard Kettle from the Birchleigh Polo Club. It is sponsored by Chris and Angela Barons, from Napier, and Hamish Jamieson, owner of the Hawke’s Bay Travel Centre. Polo isn’t just a rich man’s sport in New Zealand, according to Richard and the initiative is sustainable with sponsorship. ‘‘Polo here is not like the English scene—you can turn up with a horse and play twice and someone will loan you a spare horse so you can play four chukkas,’’ Richard says.

And it’s not just a game for the boys. There are four female polo players at Birchleigh Club. ‘‘Next year we’re forming a Fillies team. ‘‘They’re great to have in the game because they bring the boys along.’’ The boys’ first tournament date is in February and is likely to be a public open day. The ‘‘young tearaways from Flaxmere’’ have been licked into shape by Richard and Greg Miller, writes Ros Rowe, Leg Up Trust coordinator in her recent newsletter. Ros was recently in hospital after an accident and says one of the boys proved a real asset. ‘‘He not only visited me in hospital, but also turned up at Leg Up every morning at 5.45am to do the early morning feed out. He has a very impressive work ethic and just how he has fallen through the cracks is a mystery,’’ she says.

If you would like to help please  contact the Birchleigh Polo Club on 021- 757 334

View the Hastings Leader Article here >>