Bring your friends, binoculars and some snacks to watch the West Coast Classic Polo Tournament this weekend at the Vancouver Polo Club in Ladner.
On Aug. 14 and 15, teams from Vancouver and Victoria will be playing out on the big grass field, and for an entry fee of $25 per car-load or $10 per person, you can watch them gallop by.
“People park their cars alongside the field and watch from there. And the people who really go all out, particularly for tournaments, they have the most elaborate tailgate parties with picnics and chairs and decorations,” says Claudia Tornquist, a director at the Vancouver Polo Club.
“It’s a very social affair. I compare it to baseball – you go with your friends and you bring something to eat or drink … people just hang out and chat, and often, they don’t even watch the polo,” she says with a laugh.
Last year, the Vancouver Polo Club wasn’t able to host many spectators at their tournament because of COVID-19 restrictions, and though this year’s will be smaller than pre-COVID years, they are looking forward to seeing people cheering from the field’s perimeter again.
A food truck will also be available to spectators this year.
The tournament will be raising funds for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice through different competitive fundraising activities, like hitting polo balls from a wooden horse for a chance at making it onto the leaderboard.
Polo is a very social sport and provides players the chance to work closely on a team, says Tornquist, and she assures that the sport isn’t only for the Royals.
“There are lots of people in our club who have never ridden before, who’ve never played polo before, and they just came and started and off they went. It’s a great sport and it’s really addictive … It’s fantastic to play together with horses,” she says.
The West Coast Classic Polo Tournament will run from Aug. 14 to 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Vancouver Polo Club at 3948 88th St. in Delta.
If you’re interested in attending, purchase your tickets online, and if you’re interested in taking polo lessons or booking a corporate event, visit the Vancouver Polo Club website.
