A few weeks ago, Al and I joined friends for a lovely afternoon at the Sarasota Polo Club’s Hawaiian day. Even though I had a tenuous polo connection as a child, this was my first time attending an actual match.

Growing up, my childhood home was essentially the animal equivalent of the Island of Misfit Toys. Over the years my parents took in hundreds of animals, most notably: 100 Desert Tortoises (dislocated by urban sprawl), a pregnant ewe, male calves from a local dairy (for obvious reasons), abandoned puppies, stray cats, one loud-mouthed parrot, and even a young one-eyed polo pony (he’d lost it as a foal and therefore, wasn’t suited for the game he’d been bred for).

Pony isn’t an accurate descriptor since these Thoroughbreds, while on the smaller side for horses (generally 15-16 hands), are incredible athletes. I still don’t fully understand the game but it was exciting to watch the players and their ponies charge up and down the field.

It was an enjoyable way to spend the day and yes, I remembered the advice from Pretty Woman and made sure to “avoid the steaming divot” during the divot stomp!