Bringing Back The Sport Of Kings At Tulsa's Arrowhead Polo Club

By Tara Vreeland, The News On 6 

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Polo is played all around the world from Argentina to Britain and is known as the sport of kings. It used to be played quite frequently here in Tulsa but died off. Now the Arrowhead Polo Club is revitalizing polo in Mohawk Park.

Heart thumping and hoof pounding.

"It's fast, very fast," said Fabian Silva, a polo player from Argentina.

Two teams of four play to hit a hockey puck sized ball into their opponents' goal - all while astride a galloping horse.

"I definitely play because it's an adrenaline sport," said Joshua Kyles, polo player.

The sport of kings is known worldwide and is not new to Green Country.

"Polo is my best sport. My life," Silva said.

"It died off a few years ago and we want to bring it back. It starts with Will Rogers playing on this field. This has been a polo field for many, many years," said Stephen Karbelk, Arrowhead Polo Club secretary.

"Polo is one of those games you can play til you are 60, 70, 80 years old," Karbelk said. "As long as you can ride, you can play."

"I was brought into the sport by my father," said polo player Joshua Kyles. "He played, and it's just one of those things that once you try it - you can't back up."

The pros make it look easy. Ride a horse; swing a mallet; hit a ball. And fend off the other team.

Piece of cake, right?

I gave it a whirl, and quickly learned the game takes lots of hand eye coordination, balance - and loads of patience.

Polo isn't just for playing. The Arrowhead Polo club says it's also a spectator sport.

"It's a sport that people who love horses want to watch. It's a social event. We want everyone to come out and tailgate and picnic with their friends. And just enjoy a Sunday afternoon playing polo," said Stephen Karbelk of the Arrowhead Polo Club.

The Arrowhead Polo Club will hold matches on Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. starting September 26th.