TALK
END OF THE RAINBOW The Yale Polo programme has weathered the storm and found a pot of gold since the closure of its original home, reports Liz Brayboy
In 2009, what seemed like a devastating blow to the students of the Yale Polo programme and caused concern about the future of its horses turned out to be a blessing. In the summer of that year, Yale University made the decision to shut down the almost 100-year-old Armory, home of the programme and originally an officers’ training facility for the military (see Spring 2012 issue of Hurlingham). It was a decision that set off a chain of events, which, in December 2014, resulted in the purchase of a wonderful new facility in Bethany, Connecticut, about 20 minutes away from the Yale campus. The owner of that property, which had been used as a training area for eventers,
26
was moving her operation to Florida. It included stabling for 18 horses, a large arena and 12 acres of pasture with a cross-country course as well as a small house. The Yale Polo and Equestrian Center (YPEC) Board had been looking at potential homes for the programme ever since the historic Armory had closed and the horses moved off-campus to interim premises. The group had worked with the New Haven Economic Development Council to consider properties within the city limits, but none met the requirements of the programme or council. The board had also looked at 10 other potential locations in the surrounding towns and at other equestrian and polo centres
hurlinghampolo.com
in the area. In the autumn of 2013, things began to turn around when the aforementioned 79 Rainbow Road quietly came on to the market. The board jumped at the opportunity to acquire it and matching funds gifted by the Orthwein Family launched a fundraising campaign that is still actively supported by alumni and friends. It approached the US Polo Association about supporting the acquisition and received approval for a three-year loan that will allow time for further donations to be secured. An additional, significant gift from Mr Naveen Jindal – whose son, Venkatesh, is a freshman on the polo squad at Yale – ensured the board could move forward with the purchase last year. With
