Draft:Polo Wicklow

Polo Wicklow is a polo club located in County Wicklow, Ireland. Established in 1993 by Michael Herbst, it is Ireland's only polo facility operational year-round, offering both grass and arena polo. The club's facilities are situated approximately 55 minutes from Dublin Airport.

History
Michael Herbst founded Polo Wicklow with the objective of enabling polo play throughout the entire year in Ireland. The facility, which includes two grass fields and a full-sized arena, was the first in Ireland to host Arena Polo matches in 1993. The club's location benefits from the Gulf Stream, resulting in mild weather conditions that rarely disrupt polo activities.

Lessons
Polo Wicklow offers polo lessons and courses for all levels of experience, including beginners with no prior riding experience. The club has professionally trained polo ponies to assist in learning.

Clubhouse
The clubhouse is designed to host a variety of events, from corporate meetings to charity luncheons, equipped with seating for up to 100 guests, a full catering kitchen, bar, surround sound system, and large screens for presentations. The clubhouse overlooks the polo arena, providing guests with views of the action and the surrounding landscape.

Membership
Polo Wicklow provides memberships that allow access to its all-year-round facilities. The club promotes a community atmosphere among its members, who have access to the clubhouse and its amenities throughout the seasons. Membership benefits include the Eco-clubhouse at Ballyhenry Polo Grounds in Ashford.

Polo Shop
The club operates a specialized polo shop offering equipment and accessories for players and their ponies, including mallets, boots, hats, saddles, bridles, and bandages. Products are made from Argentine leather.

Innovations in play
Polo Wicklow introduced continuous play after scoring and reduced chukka lengths to 6 and a half minutes to maintain the fast pace and minimize interruptions in Arena Polo. These changes aim to enhance the experience for players and spectators.