Polo Wicklow is a polo club located in County Wicklow, Ireland. Established in 1993 by Michael Herbst, it is Ireland's only polo facility operational year-round, offering both grass and arena polo.^{[citation needed]} The club's facilities are situated approximately 55 minutes from Dublin Airport.^{[vague][citation needed]}

History

Michael Herbst founded Polo Wicklow^[1] with the objective of enabling polo play throughout the entire year in Ireland.^{[2][better source needed]} The facility, which includes two grass fields and a full-sized arena, was the first in Ireland to host Arena Polo matches in 1993.^{[citation needed]} The club's location benefits from the Gulf Stream, resulting in mild weather conditions that rarely disrupt polo activities.^{[citation needed][tone]}

Lessons

Polo Wicklow offers polo lessons and courses for all levels of experience,^{[3][failed verification]} including beginners with no prior riding experience.^{[citation needed]} The club has professionally trained polo ponies to assist in learning.^{[citation needed]}

Clubhouse

The clubhouse^{[4][failed verification]} is designed to host a variety of events, from corporate meetings to charity luncheons, equipped with seating for up to 100 guests, a full catering kitchen, bar, surround sound system, and large screens for presentations.^[tone] The clubhouse overlooks the polo arena, providing guests with views of the action and the surrounding landscape.^{[tone][citation needed]}

Membership

Polo Wicklow provides memberships that allow access to its all-year-round facilities. The club promotes a community atmosphere among its members,^[tone] who have access to the clubhouse and its amenities throughout the seasons.^{[5][better source needed]} Membership benefits include the Eco-clubhouse at Ballyhenry Polo Grounds in Ashford.^[promotion?]

Polo Shop

The club operates a specialized polo shop offering equipment and accessories for players and their ponies, including mallets, boots, hats, saddles, bridles, and bandages. Products are made from Argentine leather.^[promotion?]

Innovations in play

Polo Wicklow introduced continuous play after scoring and reduced chukka lengths to 6 and a half minutes to maintain the fast pace and minimize interruptions in Arena Polo.^{[citation needed]} These changes aim to enhance the experience for players and spectators.^{[original research?]}