Rebel pebbles roll over Galloping Gately’s in Wicklow Christmas Tournament
ALL in fun and full in earnest, the Rebel Pebble Stone’s swept through the Galloping Gately’s at the Polo Wicklow Ireland Family Tournament, a fun four chukkas that took place just before Christmas.
Instructors and beginner students with Polo Wicklow Manager Siobhan Herbst (centre left)
Young beginner students negotiate the obstacle course at Polo Wicklow Ireland, a key skill in polo
A broom handle fit into a container is a very small target, an essential skill for hitting the ball at Polo Wicklow Ireland
The Gately’s galloped to a brief lead early on in the three-aside match, but soon found their tenuous position flipped on its head despite the gentlest of pressure from the family Stone. The single-match tournament ended with the Gately’s on four goals while the Stone’s earned six and patron Michael Gately was there to impart the fun he and his family had, even from the side-lines for him while he was out on injury.
Young beginner students at Polo Wicklow Ireland had fun playing tag while at the same time, learning to ride in close to an opponent
Young polo players Hugo and Max Stone (r-l) pictured with their mother Michelle have already make their mark at Polo Wicklow Ireland tournaments
Polo Wicklow Ireland dogs Chuck and Roxy were looking their festive best at the Family Day Christmas tournament
“The Pebbles’ father, Mark Stone took it very easy on the Gately’s so the score doesn’t reflect the comparative ability and we had a lot of fun,” said Michael Gately when he spoke with Pynck.com just after the match. “The age difference I am told was something in the difference of 70 years on that field, can you imagine it? How many sports can you have a competitive game where there is such an age difference and everybody having a ball.”
There was a lot of action in the Polo Wicklow Ireland arena pocket as family teams converged on the ball
Senior Irish polo player Mark Stone (right) was allowed to hit the ball, but not score a goal in the Polo Wicklow Family Christmas tournament
Senior Irish polo player Mark Stone (left) sits back while teams manoeuvre the ball in the Polo Wicklow Family Christmas tournament
The Family Christmas tournament was preceded with morning polo lessons for young new players with some who had progressed taking part in the match.
Added Michael Gately: “We are enjoying it as a family and as you can see it’s a lovely winter’s day here.”
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