Polo at Los Pinos fields |
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Presentation of 2022 Copa de Oro to Dubai polo team |
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SANTA MARÍA POLO CLUB
by Saskia Mier
The Santa María Polo Club is well-known in Spain and is considered one of the best clubs worldwide. The Santa María Polo Club's operations and fields are at the Puente de Hierro grounds, situated just to the north of old Iron Bridge over the Guadiaro River where there are three playing fields.
The Santa María Polo Club's Rio Sotogrande fields were the epicentre of Sotogrande polo in the 1980s and 1990s. They were replaced by Los Pinos fields in the 2000s, on the eastern side of the River Guadiaro near the marina. Since 2021 Los Pinos fields have been leased to Ayala Polo Club and are officially known as "Ayala Polo Club Sede Los Pinos".
Santa Maria Club's polo grounds
Santa María Polo Club owns three separate grounds known as Los Pinos (leased to Ayala), Río Sotogrande and Puente de Hierro.
Puente de Hierro polo fields
The grounds of Puente de Hierro are situated further north of the Guadiaro River and have three playing fields, two of them reserved during the International Summer Tournament for use in medium and low handicap matches. It was inaugurated in 1992 and has new five-star stable blocks for 39 horses. There is ample parking, 10 hectares of land, and grounds to hold events and banquets. This ground was used to film the polo scene in Season four Episode six (Terra Nullius) of The Crown depicting Prince Charles and Princess Diana's tour of Australia in 1983. (Location)
The Puente del Hierro fields I and II are usually reserved for the low goal International Polo Tournament and other tournaments of this level in winter and spring. The field III is used for practice. Puente del Hierro fields are located on the west bank of the Guadiaro River, north of the famous 1929 iron bridge. From Sotogrande via Pueblo Nuevo take the A-2103 north and follow the small POLO signs.
Los Pinos polo fields
Los Pinos is the main ground of the polo club, offering two unique and exceptional spaces surrounded by 20 hectares of parkland for hosting events. The high-handicap matches of the International Summer Tournament and most of the winter tournaments are played here. The ground has four playing fields and one warm-up field. (Location)
Río Sotogrande polo fields
The grounds of Río Sotogrande, which are no longer in use, are located on the western side of the Guadiaro River, opposite to the grounds of Los Pinos, and were formerly used for the International Summer Tournament and other winter and spring tournaments. Their construction started in 1984, after the destruction of La Playa grounds (read Sotogrande history) and they became the main area of the club until the creation of Los Pinos. The facilities consisted of two playing fields and a multi-purpose tent prepared for events. (Location)
Stables
Santa María Polo Club has a total of 160 stables in different areas of the estate, designed in an open form with front folding doors from the German company Rowe & Rub.
In addition, there is a state-of-the-art arena, with automated surface hardness control and innovative flood control system, so that the horses can always train on an optimum surface.
The stable area has a video surveillance system controlled by private security personnel. This new generation of stables were inaugurated in July 2010.
Polo Clinics
The Polo Club also offers educative clinics for those wishing to spend an extraordinary day experiencing the passion of polo.
Participants undertake theoretical lessons and learn basic practices with professional polo riders explaining the rules of polo, the game and some basic tips. Participants are able to practice tackling with professional players.
The polo manager will explain everything you need to know about the polo horse, and lastly participants will be able to practice on a mechanical horse.
The day ends with a polo exhibition and the option of a spectacular Argentinian barbecue.