Join the (Polo) Club
Polo's rich history in the area, coupled with its high-fashion crowds and high-powered networking, makes the Cincinnati Polo Club the place to be this summer. Read on to learn more.

Cincinnati is well on its way to becoming one of the fastest growing polo playing centers of the Midwest. This wouldn't be an unfamiliar title to the area, though.

In fact, Mason was once the heart of the horse-mounted sport. According to Paul D'Souza, a member of the Cincinnati Polo Club (CPC), the Wilkens family had 100 aces of land in Mason, on which CPC members convened and enjoyed their sport for years. But Mason's residential and commercial expansion led the Wilkens to sell their land, on which the Polo Grille now stands to pay homage to CPC.

It's more than just a sport, adds D'Souza, it's a lifestyle - its a lot of fun and has a stylish element to it. It's like stepping back in time to "The Great Gatsby" days, says D'Souza. From haute couture hats and gala gowns to the shirts and styles that made Ralph Lauren famous, this is one of the most stylish sports around, D'Souza says, and it's one to be experienced by everyone. "Polo is a family sport, a social sport and once you join, it's like one big family," he adds.

"At one time, we had as many as three teams in Cincinnati, when playing on Mason Montgomery Road," says D'Souza. "You can see photos of our history at the Polo Grille - they are a big supporter of ours even today."

The Wilkens family later purchased more than 60 acres in Goshen, named it "Wilshire Farm," and began creating a new home for polo in the Tri-State. In 2009, they corralled the help of five CPC members to reinstate the club, the local polo community and Cincinnati's love for the sport. Now there are 13 members.

Currently, Wilshire Farm has a large indoor arena perfect for year-round equine activity, and just laid ground for an outdoor polo field that will be ready for summer of 2013.

"We are growing and have tremendous opportunities for men and women from 14-65 or older to play with us," D'Souza says. There are several clinics, too, to help anyone from the beginner to an expert learn more about the sport. In fact, they have one of the only mechanical horses in North America on which to learn the basics. "This helps you learn the basics of the sport without injuring a horse or yourself," explains D'Souza. "We also have an expert on-staff to help review and perfect your equitation and polo swing."

Club members are all ages and skill levels, with playing experience ranging from 6 months to more than 25 years. D'Souza says all are welcome to visit, watch and give polo a try. Practices are held each Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Saturday afternoons when games aren't scheduled.

If you’d like to watch a practice or try playing, contact: Frank Wilkens at (513) 252-6013 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The home game scheduled at Miami Meadows this summer:
August 4: Cincinnati vs. Indianapolis
August 11: Cincinnati vs. Darlington
September 15: Cincinnati vs. Indianapolis

Watch the below webcast with Cincinnati Polo Club members to learn more.

Editor's Note: This is a paid advertising supplement, paid for by the Cincinnati Polo Club.

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