Okanagan Polo Club
Polo has a long history in BC and in the Okanagan dating back to the turn of the 20th century , with clubs in Kelowna, Kamloops, Westwold, and Vernon. The current edition of the Okanagan Polo Club was formed in 1986 by John Price. John came to the Okanagan having begun his playing career with the Toronto Polo Club. The Okanagan Polo Club was started with nothing more than a few mallets provided by John, some local horse types who had an urge for something new, and a desire for some fun times. Initially playing on a field located at the Kelowna Riding Club, a new polo field was soon created just down the road on Benvoulin Road where it stayed until 2003. Housing development forced the club to seek a new home in it's present location on Bulman Road on the north side of Kelowna.
The annual tournament hosted by the Okanagan Polo Club on the August long weekend is open to the public and we invite everyone who is interested to come out and join us for this great event. Our tournament attracts teams from throughout Western Canada and the North Western United States. The August long weekend tournament regularly features teams visiting from Victoria, Calgary, Grand Prairie, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Spokane, and Seattle. This year’s tournament featured polo played in 4 flights based on skill and ranged from the Novice level all the way up to the 4 Goal flight which featured professional players from Mexico and Argentina.
The facilities at the current location are considered some of the best in Western Canada with 2 polo fields, a 1 Mile exercise track and stabling for more than 100 horses. The clubs membership is comprised of men and women from all walks of life, from professionals, to business owners, to students, and horsemen alike. People come from West Kelowna to Vernon and places in between to play at our club on a weekly basis.
When people hear that there is polo played in the Okanagan their first reaction is usually to ask “Isn’t that that is the sport of kings?” and assume that there is probably no room for the average person to get involved with it. But in reality all walks of life are welcome at our club and there truly is a place for everyone within our ranks. We welcome anyone who is interested in the sport or who may want to come out and try it to get in contact with us and we will be more than happy to get you out on a horse to give it a try. No previous riding or horse experience is necessary. All we ask is that you come prepared for a great time.
The polo season runs from the middle of May to the middle of September and play is weather dependent. We are available for contact year round so don’t be shy.