Welcome to Destination Polo
- Polo - In a world of ordinary, be unique…. But to be unique you have to follow a different path…
- Welcome to the sport of Polo, the oldest team sport in history, an elite sport played by only 5500 people in North America and the fastest sport played without the use of a motor. Polo is one of the truly unique pro-am sports where amateurs play along side professionals competing at the same time on the field. It is a test of teamwork not only between individual players but also between horse and rider who must become one to succeed at all levels of the game.
- For the last 20 years Destination Polo has prided itself in taking people from the sidelines to the polo field in the shortest time possible so your dream of playing polo becomes a reality. Our goal is to shorten the learning curve so that we maximize your level of enjoyment to the fullest extent. We utilize the best horses to teach you the game while learning to be adept at riding, all while keeping your safety and personal goals as a top priority. Sounds easy right?
- Destination Polo has a string of over 40 horses that we use for lessons, practice chukkers and tournament games. In addition we are proud to announce the newly acquired Phipps Polo Field, strategically located between Middleburg and Upperville in the beautiful Northern Virginia area as our new home for grass polo. The polo field is hybrid Bermuda grass with a state of the art irrigation system poised to maintain its claim as one of the best polo fields on the East Coast for the last 99 years.
- We realize your time is valuable and we have created a program that removes all the work and offers you the most efficient and rewarding polo experience available in the area. We are proud to have one of the nicest polo fields and the nicest horses in the area for you to play on. We look forward to speaking with you and answering any questions you may have. We are always a phone call or email away.
Doug Barnes
Destination Polo
HOW TO LEARN THE SPORT OF POLO
Learn To Ride
- First of all you have to learn to ride. We can give you push button horses that show you the ropes, but without teaching you how to ride we would be doing you a disservice as well as limiting your ability to excel at the game. Knowing how to ride makes the process easier.
- If you’ve never been on a horse it’s no big deal. You will learn to ride as you play like 85% of the people that play polo. If you’re a lefty I’m sorry, it might be a little tougher but everyone has to carry the mallet in their right hand. Don't worry you will figure it out.
- Once you play your first game you will solidify your spot in history in one of the most unique and revered games on the planet. Your name can be added to the small number of players that call the sport their own and you are on your way to learning why it is called the "Sport Of Kings".
You Need A Horse - We Have Them
- One of the most important services we provide is a stable of well trained horses to learn to ride, hit the ball and eventually play. They say that a good horse is 80% of the game and we agree so providing the best mounts are imperative to success!
- Polo is a very expensive sport and we keep this in mind when we put together our business model to cost share the horses amongst our clients. Horses are extremely expensive to own and it’s complicated to orchestrate the many aspects of care they need as well as logistics for getting them to and from games. By being a centralized business hub we are able to maximize the polo experience without the burden of horse ownership for our clients.
- There are two routes in which you can proceed down the path of polo. One is to lease horses directly from Destination Polo and the other is to purchase horses through Destination Polo. Being a fully vertically integrated company we are proud to offer either option to suit your needs.
How Horse Leasing Works
- Leasing horses for polo is the most popular and quite frankly the most cost effective method for both sides. The process is simple, you show up, you play polo and then you leave. We take care of everything that is involved between games with the horses so all you get is the enjoyment of the horse.
- It’s a process we think makes for the ultimate polo experience without any of the drama or stress that horse ownership can potentially bring. We will sell our horses in certain circumstance, but we grow quite attached to them and once they become part of the team they easily earn their status and the right to call Destination Polo a forever home.
How Buying Horses Works
- For those dreaming of owning their own string of horses we can make that a reality almost immediately. The bond that is created between horse and rider is like no other. The thrill and excitement that a player gets by learning how to get the most out of each equine athlete as well as growing as a team on and off the field makes it one of the most rewarding aspects of the game. If horse ownership is your goal please let us talk you through all the different variables that come with the process and let us help you get it right the first time.
- With almost 2 decades of experience we implore you to lean on our experience so you don’t risk the pitfalls of everyone that has tried to just figure it out as they go. In real world terms, if you try and do it yourself you’re going to spend twice the amount of money and twice the amount of time to get where you want to be. When it comes to polo it’s just easier to do it right the first time.
- The first step is pairing you with a horse that suits your riding style. Some people are timid, some more aggressive and we firmly believe that the horse you buy is one that will suit you at the present moment as well as help you get to the goal where you want to be. Horses are adaptable somewhat, but we tend to shy away from horses that individuals have to learn to ride or will grow into. Our goal is to match you with a horse you can ride right now. Once we identify a style of horse that suits you we have a baseline and match all the horses so there is continuity between chukkers and you are able to develop a rhythm during a game. From there we build your string adding horses until we have created a string of 4-5 horses (or more if you want) for our clients.
- The custom selected string of horses becomes the foundation on which your experience of polo will be built on. As a service to our clients we will help you organize all the equipment (trucks, trailer, tack, etc) and most importantly the staff that is responsible for the care and oversight for each horse to make sure that every aspect of care is attended to ensuring that the stress of horse ownership is kept to a minimum.
- We have a failsafe method in place to ensure that every horse purchased can perform in its intended role and we stand behind that promise with our "Smile Back Guarantee". If you don’t love the horse as much as you did when you first bought it we will be happy to take it back or trade it out for another one.
Our Goal
- The goal of Destination Polo is to provide you with a learning experience that encompasses everything we know about horses, the game of polo and the strategy of it all and translate that into you being able to ride down the field and hit the ball through the goal. We're happy when you're happy.
- We know that no two people are the same but after 20 years we have a handle on what it takes to teach individual players this team sport and to maximize both the time and money spent learning and playing the game. We look forward to earning your trust and look forward to helping you in any way we can on and off the field.
Polo Lessons In Virginia
Two Locations - The Plains, VA and Middleburg, VA
Polo is one of the few horse sports where you can get on a horse the first lesson even though you are a beginner. We have quiet horses so we trust them to take care of you. (You still have to sign a release though!) From the first lesson you will learn to ride and hit the ball at the same time and each lesson will build on the last one. After 4 or 5 lessons you will be comfortable enough to ride down the field and hit the ball.
The Plains, Virginia
We offer polo lessons both on a private field as well as an outdoor arena. Times will be Saturday and Sunday at 9am and 10am.
Middleburg, Virginia
Private lessons are offered at a time convenient for both parties.
Come try the sport first hand and see what the game is all about. All you need are jeans and hard soled shoes. We provide all equipment necessary.
Please contact us to reserve a spot for either location.
(Times are subject to change depending on weather and schedule changes)
Learn to play polo
Destination Polo Experience
$1,500.00
One step payment applied to lessons/chukkers/packages
"Polo in the Park" - 2024 Season
Join us every Saturday starting at 6pm on June 8th until July 27th
- Saturday night June 8th kicks off the 2024 season of “Polo In The Park” at Morven Park in Leesburg, VA. A seven week polo event that combines the exhilarating sport of polo where you can see the action up close in the newly rebuilt polo arena and the amazing outdoor beauty the historic Westmoreland Davis has preserved for the people of Loudoun County to enjoy.
- There’s no better place to spend the evening with family and friends in an amazing outdoor setting. We encourage you to make a night of it with friends and experience the unique sport of polo firsthand. You can either bring a picnic or if you are pressed for time there are always food trucks and beverage vendors from the local area to sample.
- Games are at 7 pm and 8:15 pm so no matter your schedule you always have time to catch one game before or after dinner at one of the local restaurants or if you are pressed for time to get the kids to bed. We look forward to hosting you as our guest.
For tickets or more info go to: www.PoloInThePark.org
Exciting Polo
See teams and players from all over the area
Enjoy the evening
Experience a night with old friends and make new ones
Doug Barnes - Owner - Destination Polo
Meet Doug Barnes:
- Doug Barnes has been in polo for over 30 years. He has started and trained many players in both Virginia and Florida who are passionate about their love for horses and the game of polo. Using his in depth knowledge of the game of polo as well as a deep understanding of horses he is able to progress players at a rapid pace to learn the game of polo while keeping safety as a top priority. In addition he has created a network of contacts to be able to play polo in unique venues around the world. Feel free to contact him directly with any questions you might have.
- When he isn't playing polo or working with horses you can usually find Doug in the outdoors, fishing, hunting or camping accompanied by his lab Piper. Always up for adventure, he's traveled all over the US, and Canada in pursuit of the outdoors. HIs top three places to go are Colorado, Canada and pretty much anywhere in South America.