Long overdue post on my new favorite hobby at my absolute favorite place, South Bay Polo! I started out super cautious and being absolutely TERRIFIED of hitting my horse instead of the ball. Fran was patient with me and very understanding and so was everyone else at the club! Polo is usually considered a sport with a very high barrier to entry: typically most people think you need to be an avid equestrian, you need to be super athletic, you need to be crazy rich, you need to own multiple horses, and thats definitely not the case. South Bay is an incredibly welcoming, safe place to learn how to play polo. Fran has an excellent program called "Academy" where you'll be placed in a group of your peers who are also new to polo and you all learn the basics at a comfortable, stress free pace. No one is ever pushed to go faster than they are comfortable going and emphasis is placed on accuracy with the ball and safety ALWAYS safety first! Some people may think of polo and think SPEED but...as one of the pros say "theres absolutely no point in being the fastest to get to the ball if you don't know what to do with it once you get there!" Club members are absolutely wonderful and kind, always super patient with all my questions and super eager to help out. Some of the members are really all-stars competing in tournaments at levels I could only dream of, but when you surround yourself with players at that level they help you improve simply by watching them and interacting and practicing around them! You can always try out a private lesson first to see if polo is for you- it is very different from any other style of riding Ive ever done, the reins are held in your left hand and mallet with the right hand. But I promise you, the second you hear that perfect THWACK sound when you have your first connection with the ball you'll be addicted to it! (for the record I whiffed the ball maybe 10-20 times before ever actually getting a solid hit lol) I still have a very long way to go in my polo journey and I am super excited to have found a place that nurtures my growth! read more

I've always had a peripheral itch to try polo (current hunter/jumper rider), and recently got a recommendation for this club from a friend. Within the first five minutes, I was sold. It felt intuitive, invigorating, more exciting than any sport I've tried in a long time. Urging my indefatigable pony, Nala, onwards to score our first goal felt as if I had found myself on a ferocious, beige little Pegasus. I already signed up for Polo Academy this spring! So stoked. The instructors were awesome, and I enjoyed the mini drills and scrimmage that we did during the lesson. Totally recommend read more

This review is primarily based on just the beginner's class I took. Pros: They were willing to teach the class even if I were to have been the only person to show up (one other person did show up at the last minute), which I did appreciate. And they it definitely showed that the instructors and staff love what they do and do what they do well. The beginner's lesson was also structured well and I did enjoy it. They were also nice about making sure a photo was taken at the end of the class. They did also take safety into consideration by making sure I was paired with a beginner-friendly horse. Cons: This is where I have actually debated between giving them a 3 stars vs a 4 stars, if I'm being completely honest.... the logistical business side of things might benefit from being run by someone who knows how to do that well, just like how a polo instructor knows how to teach well. This includes the process of signing up for the class, payment, etc. The one that really did make me feel a bit frowny was the reaction I had in the end when I was trying to inquire about more information about classes. This might be because I was also a beginner rider so I may consider going back once I've done more riding lessons on my own, but they expressed concern over where I live even though they said it themselves that they are the only option for polo lessons in the South Bay. It was extra noticeable because of the stark contrast of how they were sharing class information with the other person who took the class with me who was clearly a more experienced rider and lived physically closer. read more

We had a great lesson. The instructor was friendly and helpful. The horses were excellent and it felt very safe. The instructor had great activities for our level. read more

The best place to play a fun and competitive team equestrian sport in the South Bay... How many people do you know that have started their own business? ... Do you know someone who has taken a dream idea and made it reality... Someone that has worked non stop long days and long nights, suffering through blood, sweat and tears to grow their passion.... Along the way they have helped your young child grow their self confidence, shown your teenage the value of hard work, taught young adults how to balance work and play and shown them profits and loss in practice. South Bay Polo has grown and thrived because of Francesca's humor, joy and love for horses and teaching her peers to play polo. She helped me start Central Coast Polo in 2002... She learned club management from the best, Erik Wright, and she followed her family into Construction after college. South Bay Polo is a community. Everyone spends time on their weekends riding their equine companions, sharing the sport with family and friends. When you arrive you are instantly part of the community. It's a fun and competitive club... You can play as easy and relaxed as you want or gun and run... I LOVE IT... You will too!! read more

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The South Bay Polo crew are amazing! I learned to play polo from "zero to hero" during Francesca's Polo Academy during the summer of 2020. Despite Covid setbacks and the widespread fire season, Fran always made time to get our lessons in. In 8 weeks we went from not knowing how to hold a mallet to galloping down the field chasing down opponents and crushing the ball! Fran's a pro at making learning polo fun and currently has an awesome string of polo ponies and coaches to learn with! Can't wait for the upcoming season to begin! read more

This past year my team won our competition in the Garlic Cup! Was so exciting! What a great place to learn how to play "The Sport of Kings!" read more

South Bay Polo - Horseback Riding Near Me - Gilroy, California

Best polo in the SF bay area. Anyone can learn to play, really! Fran is an amazing instructor and has done a terrific job of building a community of horse and polo lovers who come from all walks of life. I love the camaraderie at this club as well as the personal commitment of individual members who have contributed to its success. We have club chukkers, tournaments, fun matches, BBQs, umpire clinics, and we sometimes even go on trail rides together when we aren't playing. Come take a lesson! You'll make new friends, meet cool horses, and possibly pick up a new sport you won't want to put down. read more

South Bay Polo - You, too, can look like this. Come take a lesson! - Horseback Riding Near Me - Gilroy, California

We got on the horses and hit the balls on our very first lesson. read more

South Bay Polo - Sandy and Kim - Horseback Riding Near Me - Gilroy, California

Wow attended a event here this past weekend and it was nothing short of amazing! Awesome polo tournament, The food was remarkable and Delicious! Bottomless wine and champagne bar along with other drinks . Kid and pet friendly so nobody gets left behind. The people are so welcoming and polite. Definitely worth bringing the family out here to check it out and possibly take some polo lessons. read more

Great field and fun place to play polo. They hold an amazing BBQ after the games. It's a family atmosphere and newcomers are always welcomed. read more

A great polo experience for all levels. Lessons (for beginners as well as more advanced riders) and horses for lease are available, and the after game barbecues add to the already fun atmosphere. Not many places in the United States you can get all this at a reasonable cost. read more

I am a 25+ year polo player who has played all over the world. I have enjoyed playing at South Bay Polo Club in Gilroy for its camaraderie and wonderful after polo BBQ's. It is the best and safest place for young, and new players to learn the game on appropriate horses with excellent instruction. For seasoned players, this club offers an excellent opportunity to play with other seasoned players in a safe and always supportive club environment. Francesca Finato is both the manager of both South Bay Polo Club and the Menlo Polo Club. The MPC has had a commitment to excellent in Polo since 1923. This is the best place to start! read more

I can't speak highly enough about The South Bay Polo Academy. I've always wanted to learn how to play polo. The academy class was a great mix of students. We were all fairly close in our abilities, which made for great fun. The classes were a mix of instructions and getting to play against one another. Each one flew by. The horses are incredible. They are patient and clearly love the game themselves. Fran was very thoughtful about which horse was paired with which person based on riding ability. I liked that I had the chance to try a few different horses but also had the chance to get comfortable with the horses I was familiar with. All in all, if you've ever thought about Polo before this is the Academy to join. Stop thinking, start doing! read more

If you want to start learning horse polo, this is the best place to start in South Bay Area. Got kids? They have a friendly, safe, fenced area near mid field from where the kids can watch or just play, it's also the location for BBQ's and after polo parties. Older kids can start learning polo along with you but for elementary school level kids the club manager can introduce you to a horse riding instructor on the same ranch, there's a couple of options there too. You want to watch polo? You are welcome too, during the spring thru fall season there are several exciting Tournaments for spectators like the annual Garlic Cup in early September, there is usually a nominal ticket fee like $10 - $20 for spectators usually per vehicle and sometimes per person. read more

I've been to many polo places in the Bay Area since 2011, and none continues to impress me as much as South Bay. While they have great facilities, horses, coaches, field and location, it's really all about the people, and the people at South Bay Polo are the most amazing part! I've brought true horse and polo beginners to SBP, and accomplished amateurs, and all of them have come away amazed at the service and people at South Bay. If you want to try/learn polo, or if you have polo or riding experience and are looking for a spot, make South Bay Polo your first destination. read more

The work that goes into running a polo club is so vastly under appreciated. Kudos to this club for running a safe operation where everyone is welcome. It's been a pleasure to work with Fran, Santos, and the whole crew. Legendary BBQ'd and endless laughs after great polo matches. Take a lesson, it's habit forming! read more

Great place for seasoned players and beginners alike. Bert professional program with lessons and mentoring at all levels. The people are the best. Very welcoming and friendly and knowledgeable. And best bbq's every Saturday. Excellent field too. read more

Great place to play polo! The field is well-maintained and the chukkers range from casual to competitive. Friendly atmosphere, with a great spot to hang out after the game. Can lease horses, lessons available read more

If endless drama is what you desire, this is your Mecca. I went into it with an idea that polo is a sport for ladies and gentlemen. I was almost put off by the complete disfunction the 'manager' seems to want everyone to wallow in. Seriously, I don't think these people are happy unless they are unhappy. Thank goodness I tried different clubs, it helped me realize that this is not the norm. If you are thinking of giving polo a go, might I suggest Cerro pampa in Petaluma. There is a huge class difference between these two. But if you enjoy slumming it up, South Bay is for you! read more

I've been playing at South Bay for over 5 years and it's a wonderful place to learn and play polo in the Bay Area. BBQs every Saturday's after games on a very well maintained field in a picturesque setting. Friendly staff and members, great community atmosphere and what a view! South Bay is a must see for anyone interested in getting into polo or looking to hone their skills. read more

South Bay Polo Club is OUTSTANDING. It's an incredibly friendly, fun and encouraging community. Whether you've never ridden or if you're an experienced player this is the place to be! read more