Personal Narrative Polo

Since childhood, I have loved horses. At first, when I told my parents I wanted to ride they disapproved claiming it was “too risky”. My Father always used the example of the actor Christopher Reed, better known as Superman, being paralysed for life due to a bad horse accident. Eventually, I was able to convince my parents and I was allowed to do dressage, or as I call it “Horse Ballet”. At first I was thrilled that I could ride, but over time “Horse Ballet” became too tedious for my liking.

I only discovered Polo when my family moved 10 minutes away from the Accra Polo Club in Ghana. The Accra Polo Club was located in a prime spot of Accra, the capital of Ghana, and had a long history. The Club was founded even before Ghana gained its independence, making it one of the oldest clubs in Ghana. The club held exhibition games every weekend where non-members were allowed watch.

When I was 14, I watched my first adrenaline-filled polo game. The game was fast paced and very dangerous. The crowd eagerly watched as players galloped down the field chasing after a ball. Players were allowed to crash into each other’s horses at top speeds. The crowd roared anytime the ball went flying across the field after a sweet-spot hit. I said to myself “This is my game”. I was immediately captivated by the sport.

Almost every game day, I walked on the train tracks located behind my house that led to the horse stables. Many a times I had to jump out the way of incoming trains. I was frequently visiting the club, with hopes that I would be given the opportunity to play. When I spoke to some of the club members I was told, “You can’t play Polo if you’re parents don’t play. Who will teach you how to play?” All the children that played had parents who were members of the club, neither of my parents were. These members were some of the most affluent people in Ghana: bank CEOs, insurance company owners, and politicians just to name a few. They often owned several thoroughbred