The Groomers' Tale

We have witnessed the power and performance of Polo on lush green fields, but what makes Polo what it is, is a story worth telling. Polo is an endless fable of heroes and some of them, we don't usually see mounted on the top of a glorious pony. They have dedicated their lives and time to the animal who makes 80 percent of the game. These experts are the polo grooms.

From 5 am to the rest of the running clock, polo grooms stay up with the ponies in their best and their worst--talking, caring, loving and playing with the horses. How effortlessly do they give all of themselves to the four legged animal is a tale of unconditional love.

 

 

 

Gearing up like the knights and dressing their ponies like fighters, fixing up the bandages and fitting the saddle as an armour, the unbeatable bond of the groom and the pony is legendary. They together own the red soil and walk through it, not once but every dawn to dusk.

 

 

 

 

 

Un-bandaging and untacking, matching feet to feet, the groom takes the pony out after a long day to a playful indulgence into the heap of mud, soaking and shaking off the tiredness of the day. As the day moves towards end, it is time for the protein diet.

 

 

 

 

 

Sangram Singh Shekhawat has been working with Vikram Singh Rathore, owner of Mundota Palace and team manager for Sahara Warriors, Rajnigandha Achievers and Mundota Palace. Shekhawat shares with LA POLO: “My journey started as soon as I passed the 8th grade and came to my grandfather Bhawar Singh to learn. Slowly, I moved to riding, taking care of the horses, working with polo players and so on. Sometimes, I play polo at -2 handicap.

 

 

 

 

 

“We get up at around 5 am. After that the groomers go to the stables, and take care of their ponies, where they clean as well as manage them. Soon after that, they prepare the ponies for riding. Every morning witnesses 10-12 ponies at the riding. After this, the grooms return back with the ponies to feed them.

 

 

 

 

 

Polo ponies can start riding at the age of 3; after this, it depends upon the capability of the pony of how quickly it is ready for play. Some of the horses get ready in four years, while others at six or at eight. Our favourite polo pony is Bliss. She has been with us for three years now. She is originally from England and she has been playing with us for 3 years. She is around 10 years old.

 

 

 

 

 

My work is to perform riding, take care of the horses, look after things and maintain the working. Vikram Sir makes teams and calls the players. Grooms work at grooming the horses and my work is to keep horses fit and take care of the maintenance.”

 

 

 

 

 

Shekhawat introduced us to the team’s head groom, Dilip Nayak. Sharing his journey, he said: “I have been grooming for the last three years.

 

 

 

 

 

When I initially came, I fell off the horse; we always fall a lot, but I wanted to learn. Once you are in the horse industry, you cannot see if you fall or what. Yes, we get injured at times. Mostly, that happens due to negligence. You can't predict what the horses will do. They can kick or bite. We need to be alert.”