Spain Polo Academy
The Polo Academy specialises in teaching and coaching polo near Sotogrande. All our courses are under the supervision of John Morton - the only APPROVED Hurlingham Polo Association Instructor currently living and actively working in Spain - this is your guarantee of a properly constructed learning curve - combining structured teaching and fun.Due to the wonderful sunny climate, courses are run throughout the year. These are aimed at getting you started in a friendly and constructive way. We also offer 'Player Weekend Packages' and 'Polo Clinics' run by a U.K. Senior HPA Coach. Special Junior Academy for under 16 year olds, School Boot Camp and University Academy. Ask for details.
Your instructor: JOHN MORTON
John Morton started his polo-playing career at Taunton Vale Polo Club in the UK. In 1990, he became the Polo Manager - a position he held for 5 years. John became a Hurlingham Polo Association Coach in 1997. As well as his involvement with Taunton Vale, he also owned and ran a polo school near to Taunton (Haydon Farm Polo) specialising in introducing and teaching the game of polo to beginners. John’s successful operations at Haydon led to his polo school being featured on several television programs including the BBC's Holiday Program. In 2000, John moved to Sotogrande to make the most of the favourable climate and to teach and play polo all year round. At Polo Sotogrande, his remit is to promote, organise and teach polo for clients from all over the world
About Sotogrande: Situated at the western end of the Costa del Sol, Sotogrande lies between Estepona to the East and Gibraltar to the West and on a good day, within sight of the North African coast. It is on the Guadiaro Estuary and bound on two sides by a protected natural area of marshland at the mouth of the River.
It is a sophisticated private sporting estate, where you are likely to rub shoulders with the rich and famous on the stunning beaches or at the stylish bars and restaurants. It oozes the self-confidence that comes from the people that live there and the guests that visit it. Frankly, not everyone knows about it and that’s the way we find our guests would like to keep it. There is certainly nothing else like it in Europe. The estate is spread over 5000 acres and is beautifully landscaped with wide palm tree-lined boulevards and some of the most fabulous villas you are ever likely to see.
Its sporting heritage is typified by the several golf courses including Valderrama. The Santa Maria Polo Club is a world-famous centre for polo with many a royal visitor and hosts many of the high handicap matches of the International Summer Polo Tournament. Horse riding and tennis are well catered for. Boat charters are on most guests’ list of “things to do” and the port is home base to an eye-popping variety of yachts and motor cruisers. Sotogrande a unique place: the sun shines 300 days per year on a land full of history, art, culture and nature. Sotogrande is very well connected with Marbella, Málaga, the entire Costa del Sol, Jerez and Seville by motorway.
Polo: 3, 4 and 5 day courses:
LEARN TO PLAY, or IMPROVE YOUR POLO.
Your course can include:-
TACTICAL THEORY, STRIKING TECHNIQUE, RIDING EXERCISES FOR POLO, STICK & BALL EXERCISES, PONY AND TACK CARE, POLO VIDEO STUDIES (Subject to weather), INSTRUCTIONAL CHUKKAS (subject to numbers), VIDEO OF YOUR COURSE SHOWING YOUR PROGRESS (optional extra).
Accommodation:
Polo Academy apartments:
The main accommodation comprises of 4 Spanish Casitas (Farm Houses) all tastefully decorated to give you a real lifestyle feeling of Spain in the Campo (countryside) where you can really relax away from the pressures of modern life. Children under 10 stay for free. Price is including bed & breakfast.
From October to March: Adults: c.£42 per night, Children aged 10 to 15 c.£34 per night
From April to September: c.£52 per night, Children aged 10 to 15 c.£42 per night
Hotel: Monasterio de San Martín – Approx 10 minutes drive from the polo Academy, a new hotel beautifully styled on a Spanish Cortijo. Large outdoor swimming pool, a truly different hotel with a real feel of Spain. Rates include continental breakfast approx £120 per night. www.hotelmonasteriodesanmartin.com We will make the booking on your behalf should you prefer this option (no booking fee).
Polo courses: 3, 4 and 5 day courses £320 per person per day. Special offer if you book today for a polo course during the week before end of June: £218 per person per day. Discounts also available for groups of 4-6 (10% discount per person)
COURSES STANDARD PRICES:
Starter Polo (half day 10.00am – 1pm) £230
Taste of Polo (one day 10.00am – 4pm) £389
Intensive Polo Courses (2 – 6 day) cost per day £320
Learn to play polo at JCM Polo Academy:
One person: £218 per day (normal price: £327). 4-6 people 10% discount per person.
Your course can include:
TACTICAL THEORY
STRIKING TECHNIQUE
RIDING EXERCISES FOR POLO
STICK & BALL EXERCISES
PONY AND TACK CARE
POLO VIDEO STUDIES (subject to weather)
INSTRUCTIONAL CHUKKAS (subject to numbers)
FINALLY - A CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT!
DVD OF YOUR COURSE SHOWING YOUR PROGRESS – PRICE: DVD for £348
JUNIOR POLO COURSES
Polo courses are availale for all levels - from complete beginners with no riding experience at all through to players who feel it's time to improve their riding or playing ability.
Our courses can be tailored to suit your children's individual requirements and wishes. THREE TO FIVE DAY POLO COURSES FOR CHILDREN 16 years and under. INTENSIVE THREE OR FIVE DAY POLO COURSES
One child: £210 per day
4-6 children: £186 per day
Accommodation at the Polo Academy:
The main accommodation comprises of 4 Spanish Casitas (Farm Houses) all tastefully decorated to give you a real lifestyle feeling of Spain in the Campo (countryside) where you can really relax away from the pressures of modern life.
The price is just £45 per night for bed & breakfast, allowing you to make your own arrangements for lunch and evening meals. Children in any group under 10 years old accompanied by their parents or guardians are free-of-charge
Hotel: Monasterio de San Martín – Approx 10 minutes drive from the polo Academy, a new hotel beautifully styled on a Spanish Cortijo. Large outdoor swimming pool, a truly different hotel with a real feel of Spain. Rates include continental breakfast approx £120 per night. www.hotelmonasteriodesanmartin.com We will make the booking on your behalf should you prefer this option (no booking fee).
Extra pony hire and Chukkas
Stick & Ball – per session (20 minutes) £53
Polo Lesson per hour (including any theory time) £114 (Pre purchase block 10 individual lessons = 10% discount)
Junior Lesson per hour (including any theory time) £87
FOR CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE (Pre purchase block 10 individual lessons = 10% discount)
Polo Lesson (Group – not less than 3 people) £96
Pony hire per club chukka £87
Pony hire per match chukka £96
Pony Hire per FARM chukka £79
Instructional chukkas (approx 15 mins. Mini-Chukka session) £53 (Instructional chukkas are subject to the availability of players).
Pony Hacking / Trekking (up to max of 2 hours) £70
Holidays can generally be of any duration and start on any day (except where specified).
Make a reservation / enquiry.
These prices are guidelines only. Please contact us for an exact quote since prices will vary depending on the season, the amount of riding you wish to do and whether you are travelling alone or with a group. To calculate the equivalent cost of your holiday in another currency, please visit XE.com's Universal Currency Converter.
Getting there: GIBRALTAR Airport: Approx 20 minutes drive to Sotogrande by car. MALAGA Airport: Approx 50 minutes by car or taxi. We can arrange a transfer if required
The rules of polo will be sent to you before departure
All equipment will be suplied but you will need riding boots and your normal riding clothes.
Environmental issues
You can calculate the CO2 emission of your journey to Spain at Climate Care and compensate for your 'environmental footprint'. If you let us know how much it is we will be happy to pay this on your behalf.
In the office, we use paper from sustainably managed forests and recycled material where possible.
We encourage you to travel onwards from your arrival airport by rail when possible, and will book seats on your behalf.
How to book
To make a non-binding enquiry or a provisional booking, please fill in the reservations & enquiries form. Once we have checked availability, we will send you a quote with a holiday reference number by email. To secure your holiday, a deposit is required of £200 per person (or half the cost of the holiday, whichever is lower) and forward any insurance premiums to the insurance company. You should book your flights at this stage, and forward details to us so that we can organise your transfers. The balance of payment must be received by us not less than eight weeks before departure. Payment instructions.
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Insurance: all riders must be fully insured. We can recommend this travel insurance policy. The application form may be printed out to send with your premiums direct to the insurance company.
Please read our Terms and Conditions.
