Polo Returns to Colorado Springs

The Broadmoor Winter Polo Classic revives a century-old tradition.

LAST FEBRUARY, THE Norris Penrose Event Center hosted the inaugural Broadmoor Winter Polo Classic. The event, a joint effort between the resort and the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, marked a renewed tradition at The Broadmoor, bringing the sport back to the region after nearly a century.

Broadmoor founder Spencer Penrose was an avid polo player who maintained stables for over 400 horses on the grounds for both guests and sport. In 1924, he founded The Broadmoor Polo Association and The Penrose Polo Park with fellow enthusiasts in the Pikes Peak area. The resort once had at least four polo fields just east of the property.

However, the Great Depression and World War II cleared those fields and polo action from the region. More recently, polo player and U.S. Air Force Academy graduate Nicholas Francoeur proposed an idea to bring it back, inspired by the annual Snow Polo World Championship in Aspen, Colorado.

More than 800 spectators attended the 2023 Broadmoor Winter Polo Classic to watch The Penrose Polo Team and Emerald Valley Polo square off on a sunny February afternoon on the Norris Penrose Event Center’s arena. Each team fielded three riders and horses, and the game consisted of four seven-minute periods called “chukkers”. Ultimately, the Emerald Valley team emerged victorious (12-9) and took home the Spencer Penrose Polo Park Cup. The horses were provided by Colorado State University’s National Championship program.

The 2024 Broadmoor Winter Polo Classic on February 24 is expected to be equally exciting. As part of the event, The Broadmoor will offer special accommodation packages, including VIP seating and transportation to and from the venue Visit Broadmoor.com and WinterPoloClassic.org for information.