By Jovi Figueroa and Mariel Abanes
Florida is home to miles of lovely beaches and towering palm trees, lending a perfect background to a romantic couple’s getaway or a family vacation. But if you’re not the type of person who wants to spend all their time sunbathing and would saddle up instead for an adventure, you’re still in the right place. The Sunshine State has so many places and experiences to offer—many of them can be enjoyed on horseback.
Here are some equestrian destinations for polo ladies looking for a place to learn and practice polo or trails and obstacles to explore!
Grand Champions Polo Club
13444 South Fields Road, Wellington, FL 33414
Phone: 561-644-5050
Email: Polo@GCPolo.com
Carrying the tagline, “Where champions are bred,” you won’t go wrong in enrolling in Grand Champions Polo Club. As the nation’s largest polo club, it has served as the home base for pro teams such as Audi, Flexjet, and Casablanca. But its charms lie in other things, too. With a relaxed atmosphere and an efficient and modern facility, polo enthusiasts of all levels can gather and play in a welcoming atmosphere. The players, amateurs, and professionals alike encourage each other, making the club a great place to start your polo journey.
Owners Marc and Melissa Ganzi’s mission is to provide everyone with an opportunity to play polo. You would only need to bring your dedication and passion for horses to gear you up when their expert staff start to clue you in on the wonders of Grand Champions. If you’re the type who always aims to be the best, the club is a perfect fit for you!
International Polo Club Palm Beach
3667 120th Avenue S, Wellington, FL 33414
Phone: 561-282-5290
E-mail: info@internationalpoloclub.com
The International Polo Club Palm Beach is the premier polo destination in Florida and is one of the world’s largest polo clubs. The club has nine polo fields and a main stadium that can hold approximately 1,640 spectators—the largest viewership capacity in all of the US. This makes the club a favorite for many of the most prestigious polo tournaments in America.
With 250 acres to spare, the International Polo Club has much to offer guests interested in the sport, such as seats to the best events during the polo season and an international polo school for riders of all ages. The facility gathers throngs of guests year-round. In the winter, world-renowned players and polo enthusiasts travel here in packs to enjoy the club’s great amenities, the mild temperature, and the stunning views of Palm Beach.
Palm City Polo Club
9771 87th Pl S, Boynton Beach, FL 33472
Phone: (561) 289-9099
The Palm City Polo Club is an inclusive and welcoming club for those who want to compete, take lessons, or enjoy polo from the sidelines. Owned by Joey Casey, one of the most experienced American polo players, this 35-acre facility houses two regulation grass polo fields and a regulation outdoor arena. There are 60 stalls, 14 paddocks, a hitting cage, and an exercise track in the club. Both players and guests are welcome to enjoy the new polo lounge and patio area adjacent to the main polo field.
Besides that, the area grows a rare variety of grass that’s durable yet very picturesque. It is one of the best fields to play in South Florida and an easy drive from Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, with a good lineup of polo events scheduled throughout the year.
Flying Cow Polo Club
16676 Hollow Tree Ln, Wellington, FL 33470
Phone: (443) 955-3470
E-mail: info@flyingcowpoloclub.com
Don’t let their quirky name fool you because the Flying Cow Polo Club means business for equestrian activities. Although a relatively young club, having been founded in 2015, they are not short on what they have to offer—you might be surprised to see the variety of activities you can try out during your visit!
Flying Cow Polo Club offers club membership, lessons, tournaments, and regular weekly practices. Additional services such as horse rental, full care stabling, and trails along canals and the state preserve are also available for guests to take delight in.
Best of all, polo enthusiasts are in for a treat, as the club is open for lessons on riding or proper swinging. It has access to top-quality care for ponies, holds low-goal polo tournaments, and welcomes viewers to sit back and enjoy fun competitions. Staying here feels like you’re right at home!
Central Florida Equestrian Center
425 Faye St. Apopka, FL 32712
Phone: (407) 402-6454
E-mail: claudia@claudiaheathfarm.com
Established by Claudia and Timothy Heath in 2001. Central Florida Equestrian Center is a professional English horseback riding stable that specializes in equine studies and training. They offer horse and rider training and hosts holiday camps for young ladies who want to get into the equestrian field.
The center is committed to teaching students how to appreciate the responsibilities and rewards of being an equestrian fully. Additionally, they also teach how to develop a life-long respect for horses while learning self-discipline, patience, perseverance, and self-confidence. Because of their goal to foster a love for horsemanship and teach proper caring techniques, a visit to this spot is well worth it! You can easily tell by the friendly atmosphere and the way they provide quality services to all guests.
With 12 acres of land for play and accessibility from Wekiva State Park, it’s a convenient place to take your riding lessons without the hassle. The center has friendly rates for private and group lessons for those who want to start or practice riding.
McCulley Farms
6399 NW Co Rd 143, Jasper, FL 32052
Phone: (386) 938-1147
E-mail: mcculleyr@yahoo.com
How about a ride-and-camp experience? McCulley Farms, an operating family farm since 1915, offers an exciting opportunity for equestrians who want to go on special campouts, enjoy easy and scenic trails, ride endurance trails that can run for over 75 miles, and challenge themselves in the farm’s professionally-designed obstacle races.
Located in North Florida, this secluded gem boasts a rich history and bountiful natural wonders, which the owners take great pride in, and countless visitors came to fall in love with. One can enjoy their famous Withlacoochee Trail Ride in two of our favorite seasons—during the blooming spectacle of spring and the nostalgic and memorable time of fall.
They are equipped with stalls to keep your horses safe while you camp, so you can enjoy a relaxing holiday with your reliable furry friends without missing the thrill of sitting on a saddle.
