By Sophie Pappas
Indiana only has two official polo clubs, and one of them is right here in Boone County.
The Hickory Hall Polo Club, in Whitestown, is kicking off its 2014 polo season this week on June 20.
Fridays and Saturdays from June through September, Hickory Hall Polo Club members have matches at their Whitestown location at the Hickory Hall farm, in addition to travelling to nearby cities for matches.
Donna Freeze, whose fiancé is polo player Bill Thompson, is a polo enthusiast and said that polo is a rare sport in the Midwest—but not so far removed for everyone to enjoy.
“It’s a great event for all ages,” Freeze said. “[The matches] are so much fun.”
Freeze said that players range from age 22 to age 72, and is a club for both men and women players.
Every match played at Hickory Hall raised funds for a local charity such as Little Red Door, or Witham Health. 100 percent of all proceeds from the matches go towards charity.
For more on Hickory Hall Polo Club, visit www.indypolo.com.
Polo 101
- A match consists of 4 to 8 chukkas or chukkers (periods) that last 7 minutes and 30 seconds each. A horn is blown at the end of 7 minutes to signal to the players that 30 seconds remain in the chukker.
- During the 30 seconds, play continues until a team scores or the ball hits the sideboards. If neither occurs, at the end of 30 seconds the horn blows twice to signal the end of the chukker.
- There are 4 minutes between each chukker and 10 minutes at halftime.
- After each goal the teams change direction. The team that scores the most goals wins.
Events at Hickory Hall Polo Club
Polo at Sunset
$20 Per Carload Tailgating Events
Friday Nights
Tailgating Events
Casual Dress
Bring your Picnic and Cooler
Gates Open at 5:00pm
Polo and Pearls
$100 Per Person – Tables Available
The Gala Event of the Season
Reserved Seating
Semi Casual Dress
Food and Drink Service
An Entire Evening of Entertainment
Polo on the Prairie
Saturday and Sundays
General Seating and Boxes Available
Semi Casual Dress
Bring Your Picnic and Cooler
Gates Typically Open at Noon
