For more than 40 years, the “sport of kings” has been a staple of WSU club sports.

Founded in 1963 by Cornell University graduate Pat Dix, WSU polo has continued to create a competitive legacy within a sport that is generally misunderstood by the public. The club fields three teams: a men’s varsity, a woman’s varsity and a JV team. There are 15 members who make up the entire club. The Cougar polo team competes in the Pacific Northwest Region and competes against club teams from the University of Idaho, Oregon State University, Montana State University, Eastern Oregon University and the University of Wyoming. The team that wins the region will have a chance to compete in a national tournament. The national tournament is usually held on the east coast of the U.S., where the sport has more popularity.

Although not as mainstream as some sports such as baseball or basketball, polo provides interactions between human and animal that create elements of danger and excitement. A polo match consists of two three-person teams on horseback attempting to advance a ball to a designated goal using mallets to strike the ball. “I think a lot of people don’t realize how much of a contact sport it is,” sophomore club member Andrea Hokanson said. “I usually have bruises all up and down my leg.” Due to the high possibility of injury, there are many safety precautions the polo club takes to ensure safety for both the riders and the horses. “Before we let someone ride on the horse, we teach them how to swing a mallet on the ground,” Hokanson said. “We want to make sure that they know the proper technique so they don’t hit another player or horse.” This last weekend, the club teams scrimmaged against the University of Idaho at Paradise Stables in Moscow. The teams participated in four scrimmages with the Cougars winning three of them. The club season runs from the beginning of September to April 1. The club is funded internally through bake sales, car washes and will implement a calendar sale for the upcoming year. The University Recreation’s department also provides additional funding.

Three years ago, the club traveled to California to play teams such as Stanford and Cal Poly.

Hokanson said the team will plan a similar trip next season.

Although having riding experience is beneficial, the club encourages any person to try out, even those with no previous experience.

As the club continues to grow and move forward, WSU polo is enthusiastic and looking toward achieving goals.

“Our team really wants to win our region and go to nationals,” Hokanson said. “I think we believe, and we have enough talent to beat anyone in our region.” For more information on WSU polo, students can visit the club Web site at www.horsepolo.wsu.edu/horsepolo.aspx.