Polo matches at Bendabout Farm
Bendabout Farm continues its tradition of hosting fall polo matches on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14-15.
This weekend’s matches will feature local, national and international players from professional and amateur ranks.
This year, players of local interest include Gillian Johnston and Will Johnston. Gillian Johnston is the highest-rated female player/sponsor in USA high goal polo and is a native of Bradley County. Will Johnston is a Chattanooga native and the fifth generation of Johnston polo players.
Miguel Novillo Astrada captained the Coca-Cola Polo Team’s 2002 winning U.S. Open Team. He is a world-caliber player, winning both the U.S. and Argentine Open tournaments. Owen Rinehart is a former 10 goaler and Hall of Fame inductee.
These matches offer people in this area an opportunity to view polo competition at its very best. Players will ride their best ponies, which are as competitive as their riders. It is the unique combination of athleticism and artistry in the horse and rider that makes polo a sport that continues to excite and impress spectators of all ages.
Feature match play on Sunday will benefit the 6th Cavalry Museum in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. Polo matches between Bendabout Farm and the 6th Cavalry at Fort Oglethorpe date back to the 1930s. While admission and parking will be free, representatives of the museum will be on hand Sunday to answer questions and accept voluntary contributions for the museum.
Saturday’s matches are at 10 a.m.; Sunday matches are at 2 p.m. Gates open to the public two hours before start time. Games are played weather permitting. There is plenty of free parking and seating or visitors may bring folding chairs.
Bendabout Farm is located at 3553 South Lee Highway, just south of Cleveland on Highway 11. Look for Polo Today signs. For more information: http://www.bendabout.com/ or call 423-476-6602.