U S PA B U L L E T I N
Harvard Polo Partnership Serves American Heroes By United States Polo Association • Photos by Amy Trytek
Possessing the flexibility and patience necessary to teach both first-year undergraduates and varsity intercollegiate players, the Harvard Polo string’s adaptability has earned it a new assignment: therapeutic horses to military service members. Although COVID-19 brought the intercollegiate season to an abrupt halt in 2020, it simultaneously served as a springboard of opportunity, bringing Harvard Polo coach Crocker Snow’s long-awaited dream to fruition. Serving in the Navy during the Vietnam War, Snow initiated a partnership between the intercollegiate team and Homebase, a local Boston-based organization, which treats veterans and active service members with PTSD and related invisible wounds from war. Each event run entirely by current Harvard student and alumni volunteers since its inception in August 2020, Homebase weekends at Harvard have proven in a short period of time to be just as transformative for volunteers as for veterans. “It’s extremely rewarding to share the Harvard polo ponies with people who can really benefit from them. To be able to share each horse’s unique personality as well as its physical abilities is a privilege and I’m certain it’s good for my own well-being too,” said Albany Mulholland, Harvard alumnus ‘12 and British Army veteran. Piloted in the fall of last year and resuming this past summer, Homebase weekends are all about giving service members a much-needed respite from the intensity of therapy sessions while introducing them to polo at the Harvard Polo & Equestrian Center located in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. Every other Saturday welcoming a new cohort of seven to 12 men and women (all branches) halfway through Homebase’s two-week Intensive Clinical Program, volunteers use Harvard polo ponies, including Pretty Bird Woman’s T-Bird, to teach skills such as tacking up and riding. “The horses are still in playing mode, but they just know how to adjust to the veterans,” said Harvard polo alumna and volunteer Danielle Lussi. “It’s so incredible that they can be ready to perform at their
best on a Sunday game, but are really relaxed the day before with the veterans.” Standing calm and quiet to be brushed one day and switching gears for a competitive game the next, the Harvard horses are the perfect ambassadors for the sport for people of all ages, skill levels and backgrounds. While a full schedule of guided activities is provided for the day, the Harvard volunteers always allow for flexibility to adjust the plan based on the group. “Each group is different and you have to be sensitive,” Snow emphasized. “Our role is not to add to the treatment they are receiving, but instead give them a relaxed weekend.” Each at different stages of the recovery process and utilizing the farm as an outlet to decompress, veterans are encouraged to participate as much or as little as they feel comfortable. “Frequently, some of the veterans arrive tired and less than enthusiastic but as soon as they touch the horses, they are keen to learn and connect with them,” explained Mulholland. “Everyone who comes is treated as an individual so some will be stick-andballing by the end of the day while others are content
Capt. Joel Silva shares a moment with Yahtzee.
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 11
