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TA L K
E V E L I N A J A KO V L E V S K A J A
B E G I N N E R ' S L U C K
Julia Allen is surprised by what she achieves in a single morning
of tuition at Polo Club de Chantilly
Surrounded by ancient royal forest, the
beautiful Polo Club de Chantilly is one
of the largest in Europe with nine grass
fields and two winter fields offering tuition
for riders all year round.
I'm here to take part in a polo clinic
led by the celebrated 10-goal player, and
Richard Mille brand ambassador, Pablo Mac
Donough. Mac Donough senses my nerves
as a complete beginner to the sport and
advises me to just enjoy myself. But it
is not often your first-ever polo lesson is
with one of the best players in the world.
The main sponsors of the club, Richard
Mille, kindly kit me out in suitable polo attire
and even lend me a watch for the occasion.
Polo, after all, is all about timing.
My lesson begins with basic stick-and-
ball technique, where I grasp the concept of
mallet control and try to perfect the swing.
After a few practice shots I quickly move
onto a wooden horse which, at more than
two metres tall, seems daunting. But with
Mac Donough’s excellent instruction, I soon
find myself hitting balls towards the target.
Connecting mallet to ball takes practice
and my lack of power to drive the ball
farther than five metres is something I'm
keen to improve. Mac Donough reminds me
to focus on timing and achieving the correct
angle. He recommends I adopt a fluid motion
when extending my swing through the wrist
and to maintain a continuous bodyline from
the shoulder, assuring me that power will
come with a more consistent swing and
longer stroke. My confidence improves and
on a 10-penalty challenge I score 7/10 – not
bad for a beginner. I start to realise why polo
is such an addictive sport – the feeling
of a good, on-target shot is priceless.
For the next challenge I am paired with
Elegancé, one of the club's current 600
ponies. Co-ordination and focus is key and
under Mac Donough's watchful eye I
encourage Elegancé into position, working
on the right pace, so that when I lean out to
reach for the ball it flies towards the goal.
My technique is coming together and I score
three penalties. I would never have imagined
someone with no prior experience of horses,
or playing polo, could learn so much in the
course of a single morning.
Above:
Pablo Mac Donough
(centre) leads the Polo Clinic
with Julia Allen (right) at the
Polo Club de Chantilly
