It's time to take a trip off track, but don't worry, we're still sticking around the horses. As our Geoff Redick explains, while the sport of polo has had a rich tradition in the Spa City for many years, you don't have to be part of the elite to enjoy it.
SARATOGA, N.Y. -- While the sport of polo has had a rich tradition in the Spa City for many years, it's not necessary to be part of the elite to enjoy it.
"It's actually the second-most dangerous sport, next to auto racing," said Jim Rossi, Saratoga Polo assistant managing partner.
"It's a herd of ten horses, thundering on the hoof!" said Alan Edstrom, Saratoga Polo assistant events director. "So your heart's beating like a big drum."
It's polo, that sport some think is only for the wealthy.
"We're challenged with that all the time: polo is a very expensive sport to play, but it is a very affordable sport to watch," Rossi said.
And people can watch polo, just steps from the city limits at Saratoga Polo Grounds in Greenfield where staff works hard to make polo relatable and fun.
"We play with people, we interview people, we talk to people and you don't find that in a lot of other sports," Edstrom said.
And then, of course, there's the game.
"You have this dichotomy of an elegant summertime picnic setting," Rossi said. "But this very extreme sport, so that's what makes it exciting."
Polo fans can enjoy the match from the clubhouse, or have a more relaxed tailgate. but halfway through the evening, everyone gets together to stomp out divots and hoofprints on the field.
"It's, I don't want to say a civilized way of doing it, but it's an enjoyable time out for people of all different types," Edstrom said.
At a sporting event that is a type, all it's own.