Player Programmes

Player Programmes

IPA’s unique position allows us to combine our knowledge and experience to work in partnership with estancias that conform to our ethos. Our bespoke Player Programmes offer players of all abilities the chance to be immersed in these elite centres and emerge as better players.

The Player Programmes work in tandem with our e-learning platform and encompass IPA’s core values. Wherever you choose to go, you can trust that it will adhere to our expected standards of coaching and mentoring, equine welfare, player safety, facilities and community spirit.

Polo partners are assessed by us, and we only work with those who meet our standards for safety, teaching, equine welfare and customer service, ensuring you are in the best hands from the moment you set foot in Argentina. All coaches are qualified using our 1st4Sport Level 2 International Coaching Qualification and deliver their training in tandem with our e-learning platform, so that your development won’t stop when you leave.

Personal Consultation

Step one to booking your IPA Player Programme will be a meeting with our experienced Polo Concierge. We will ask you about your polo and riding experience, your fitness, and your personal polo aspirations, both short and long term. We’ll get a feel for the types of coaches you’ll respond best to, the level of play you are capable of and the sorts of ponies you prefer,

In addition, you’ll tell us what else you want to get out of your player programme: do you want to eat, sleep and breathe polo for a fortnight, or do you want a bit more of a holiday? Are you coming alone or bringing friends or partners, and what might they want out of it? Do you want to enjoy an asado under the stars in the middle of nowhere, or would you like to be able to revel in the glittering Buenos Aires nightlife once or twice on your trip?

If you’re coming as a group of players, we’ll have this conversation with each of you so we can come up with the best possible plan to suit you all.

Personalised Player Brochure

Once we’ve got all the information we need, we’ll settle down to our homework: creating your personalised player programme. We’ll decide which of our polo partners to send you to, which coaches we think you should work with and even think about the ponies we’ll recommend! It might be that we suggest more than one polo partner for you; for example, a full-on week of polo from dawn to dusk at La Esperanza Polo Club, which boasts six polo pitches and 250 ponies, followed by a few days of slightly more relaxed polo and a little more time by the pool at El Rocio Estancia.

You’ll then receive your personalised player brochure with all the information you need. This will include our suggested itinerary, daily schedules, information on the estancias we think you should go to and all the really important details, such as how many pairs of white jeans we think you’ll need and what the swimming pool looks like. Then there’s nothing left to do but book your flights!

Achieving Your Goals

We pitch our player programmes at three levels: beginner (-2 or below) intermediate (-1-0) and advanced (1-3).

Our player programmes are fully endorsed by 1st4Sport Qualifications and delivered by IPA-accredited coaches. We have a close relationship with all our polo partners, and this allows us to work with the resident coaches and professional players to ensure the programme will be adapted to your personal requirements. Should you spend time at more than one of our partners on your trip, we’ll ensure the coaches at both venues speak during the changeover, so your development continues seamlessly.

Cornerstones of our Player Programmes include:

• Individual needs analysis: our polo concierge will brief the team at each partner venue about you, your experience and your goals
• The opportunity to be coached by world-leading, IPA-accredited coaches
• Personalised consideration of ponies, matched to your needs and ability
• Individual practice opportunities to improve technique
• Competitive game time every day
• Access to our world-leading IPA online platform to support your learning
• Video analysis of game play and technique with your coaches
• Action planning for your development, so you can keep on improving after you leave

All our Player Programmes include the following training elements, personalised to you:

1. Riding and Horsemanship:

• Pony preparation and tack
• Building a partnership with your ponies
• Balance in the saddle
• Riding for performance

2. Polo Technique:

• Improving your swing
• Grip
• The key strokes
• Timing, direction and strength

3. Game and Strategy:

• Understanding the rules
• Game manoeuvres
• Attacking and defending
• Reading the game

4. Physical Preparation:

• Strength and conditioning
• Injury prevention
• Nutrition

5. Performance Psychology:

• Techniques to improve focus, accuracy and resilience
• Improving confidence and combating negative thought patterns

Programme

All our polo partners boast stunning polo facilities, fabulous ponies and a wealth of experience in all elements of the game. However, we want this to feel like an unforgettable time for you off the field as well so you can rest assured that, wherever you choose to go, you’ll sleep in privacy and comfort, eat fabulous food and enjoy as many cold beers as you want. There will be time to unwind by the pool and additional recreational facilities are available at many of our partners including tennis, golf and massage.

Example Daily Schedule:

We’ll put your schedule together for you but it’s worth emphasising that it’s still your schedule; if you feel like a day off in the middle, or you want to push yourself harder towards the end, we can make it happen.

• 7.30am - 8.30am - Breakfast in the main house.
• 8.30am - 1.15pm - Morning Sessions: practical training, both on and off the pony, followed by video analysis sessions of your technique with your coach.
• 1.30pm - Lunch
• 2.15pm - 3.00pm - Down time: siesta, swim, massage…whatever works for you.
• 3.30pm - 6.00pm - Structured Practice Chukkas or Polo Matches: your exact afternoon activity will be a development of how your morning has gone, and intensity will increase over the week as you improve. You’ll always be challenged, but safely and within the parameters of your abilities.
• 6.30pm - 8.00pm - Post-game review over a drink, including video analysis. There will also be the chance to visit the town, or you might prefer a sports massage to help ease hard-working muscles.
• 8.30pm - Dinner: a traditional Argentinian evening and a good night’s sleep!

Logistics

Visas and Insurance:

Depending on your country of origin, you may need a tourist visa; we’ll help you with this.

We do ask that you obtain appropriate travel insurance, including personal accident/injury insurance which covers you for horse sports. We will need evidence of these in advance of your trip.

Travel:

You’ll need to book your own flight, but we will work with both your estancias to arrange transfers. Our polo concierge will help you with this once you have a flight option and be on the end of the phone throughout the whole process; we want the whole experience to be as stress-free as possible.

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