6 minute read
Grande Prairie Polo Club
from History of Polo
by MediaEdge
In the late 1880s, after an influx of British investors and American ranchers expanded the cattle industry into Southern Alberta, “Prairie Polo” was introduced to the world. This new breed of polo was not restricted to the privileged elite, as it was in other parts of the world, but it included businessmen and officials playing alongside ranchers and farm hands.
The Albertan form of polo best exemplifies the determination and grit of the game on the Canadian Prairies, which has spread in popularity since its inception over a hundred years ago. Despite its rich history, polo is still unfamiliar to many, and most people
Grande Prairie Polo Club
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are surprised to learn that it is alive and thriving in their own backyards. This is especially true of the Peace Country of Alberta.
ORIGINS OF THE CLUB
The Grande Prairie Polo Club, found in the heart of the Peace Country, was established in the early 1970s under the vision and leadership of Dr. Cledwyn Lewis. Dr. Lewis learned the game as a young man while serving as a medical doctor in the British army. In 1974, he immigrated to Canada and settled his family in Grande Prairie where he opened a family medical practice. With the wide-open spaces of the Alberta farmlands and the horse interest in the area, Dr. Lewis found himself contemplating the idea of a Grande Prairie polo team. By 1978, he was able to generate enough interest from
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some of the local horse lovers to start regular chukkers and clinics. By 1982, the Grande Prairie Polo Club was established and competing in local polo matches on the flat prairies surrounding the area.
Dr. Lewis and his late wife, Loretta Thompson, were both accomplished riders and polo players. It was their shared love of polo, along with an ambitious and eclectic group of supporters, that formed the backbone of the Grande Prairie Polo Club. Together Cled and Loretta made it a priority to foster relationships with other polo clubs across Canada and around the world.
They were both proud of the unions they made through polo, linking local players to the United States, Latin America, Mexico, Argentina, Europe, Africa, India and New Zealand. In 2013, the polo community lost a true patron of the sport when Loretta’s life came to a close doing what she loved most: playing polo on one of her grey mares.
In 2016, after nearly 40 years as acting president of the Grande Prairie Polo Club, Cled retired from playing polo and declared a new president as only Dr. Cledyn Lewis could—he passed the responsibility and shenanigans that go with the job onto his protégé and friend, Craig Nelson. Craig is currently acting president of the Grande Prairie Club and continues to attempt to fill the unique and peculiar set of boots left by his predecessor. Craig has watched the Grande Prairie Polo Club grow and mature over the years, and continues to play alongside some of the original members who now act as mentors to the beginner players, sharing their knowledge and passion for the game.
1 Craig Nelson 2 Cled Lewis and Loretta Thompson 3 Tina Nelson 4 Cled Lewis 5 Dan Nelson 6 Founding GP Polo Club member Murray Sutherland with daughter Tia 7 Craig Nelson
Grande Prairie Polo Club
A CLUB OF FAMILIES
The Grande Prairie Polo Club is proud to honour the memory of former players and friends by watching second and third generation family members take over the polo reins. The late Murray Sutherland was a founding member whose passion for the game not only inspired his children to play, but a number of extended family members, including over a dozen Nelsons.
The collection of family and friends following by example on the polo field is a true testament to the influence and devotion the founding members of the club have established in the Peace region. Ross Adam is another one of the original Grande Prairie Polo Club members whose family exemplifies the familial aspect of polo. Ross, himself, and five of his children have developed into skilled polo players, part in parcel with Ross’ dedication to making polo a family sport. Valuable lessons in responsibility, horsemanship and hard work are virtues that have been passed down through generations of polo in the Peace Country of Alberta.
TRAVEL & TOURNAMENTS
Polo is a big commitment for both the players and their families. A considerable investment must be made to acquire horses, tack and equipment, as well as
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a suitable truck and stock trailer for transportation to and from polo matches. Many of the members employ grooms to help train their horses in preparation for the tournament season, as well as weekly games and chukkers. Polo grooms typically have a polo background and come from as far away as Mexico and Argentina. They are skilled and valued for their hard work and dedication to horse, rider and the game itself.
Many grooms return year after year for the polo season and become like part of the family. The Grande Prairie Polo Club is fortunate to have had Fernando Pliego from Queretaro, Mexico as Club Manager over the last several years. From May through September, Fernando brings his experience and passion for the game of polo to the club. Fernando has played polo as a professional for over 30 years and is a distinguished horse trainer. He is recognized across Mexico and throughout the United States and Canada for his love and leadership in the sport of polo.
Polo families travel long distances to compete in tournaments across Western Canada, heading as far as Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Calgary, Kelowna, Vancouver and Victoria. With the club’s more recent focus on youth polo, an annual “East vs. West” tournament has become a favourite. Players and families alike look forward to the start of a new season and to reuniting with the players and friends that have become like a second family. Lifelong friendships have blossomed through the polo connection and the commitment associated with playing the game separates those with a mere interest in the sport from those that love it enough to dedicate the necessary time, energy and funds into becoming a successful player. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, a horse lover, a sports nut, or just love the company of an amazing group of people, the game of polo has something to offer everyone. For most members of the Grande Prairie Polo Club, polo isn’t just a game, it’s a way of life.
1 Action shot 2 Founding member Lyas Abbas 3 The bleachers 4 Craig Nelson 5 Founding member Curtis Crough 6 Founding member John McArthur
