Polo Tournaments in 2026: Staying in the Saddle: Learning, Fitness, and the Joy of Polo

(Illustrative)
Jacob is practicing his skills.

Polo has been introduced
 to the Escanaba area and is
occasionally played by western
riders at a local arena as a way to
 improve riding skills
 and coordination. There
has also been discussion
about hosting a western saddle
(mostly western riders 
so no point in buying new equipment
just for people to play a
every once in a while.)
polo charity match,
with proceeds
 benefiting a local charity.

Polo is a fascinating game—and a lot more complicated than it looks (don't cause a hazard and hit the ball). As we head into 2026, it’s worth keeping an eye on upcoming tournaments and matches (see below), especially if you’re new to the sport. Practicing and having fun is great, but watching games—on YouTube or live if you can—will teach you a ton. You’ll pick up strategy, positioning, and timing just by observing… all without falling off a horse. 🐎

I’m an amateur polo player, meaning I’m decent and enthusiastic, but definitely not getting paid for it. I help out at a local polo club, which is always a good time. Over the years, I’ve met a few professionals who play at much higher levels, and of course we all secretly want to play like them. That said, I’m perfectly happy with amateur scrimmages—there’s nothing wrong with local chukkers and a good post-game laugh.

Polo requires a surprising amount of coordination and skill. When you first start, having some riding experience helps a lot, and you’ll mostly play at the walk and trot. As you improve and learn the rules, you’ll get more comfortable getting out of the saddle, taking cleaner swings, and eventually moving up to a full gallop—while still trying to hit a small ball with a stick. No pressure.

Fitness is also a big part of the game. You need core and upper-body strength to stay balanced, plus strong stabilizer muscles to keep you secure in the saddle. Flexibility matters too, since polo involves a lot of twisting, leaning, and reaching in ways your body may not be used to—especially at speed.

Strength training combined with yoga can make a huge difference in your game by improving balance, flexibility, and overall control. Understanding how your body moves is key, so having an off-horse training routine really helps. I’m a licensed fitness trainer and yoga instructor, and I’ve been involved in polo and other sports for years. If you want help building a routine or basic nutrition plan that fits your goals, feel free to message me to the right and we’ll put something together.

One final note: you don’t have to be great at a sport to enjoy it. Just stay involved, keep playing, and have fun. Skill comes with time. If you get too serious too fast, you might lose interest—especially since polo isn’t exactly a budget-friendly hobby, and yes, you will be sore when you first start.

If you’d like to watch some professional matches and see how it’s really done, check out the link below.

National Polo Center 2026 Tournaments