Guide to Polo Clubs and Equestrian Training in Shanghai

For sports enthusiasts, affluent locals, and families in Shanghai looking to experience the heritage and thrill of polo, the region offers several premier venues. Whether you want to take your very first swing on horseback, watch an international-grade tournament, or find a professional equestrian school for your children, Shanghai and its surrounding areas provide distinct options for every level.

Directory of Polo and Equestrian Venues

To help you choose the right venue based on your goals, here is a breakdown of major clubs in and around Shanghai compiled from local visitor experiences:

How to Get Started with Polo Lessons

If you have never played polo before, you do not need to worry about jumping straight onto a galloping horse. Local training venues like the Jiulongshan Polo Club structure their introductory courses with a heavy emphasis on safety and basic skill acquisition:

1. The Ground Practice (Wooden Horse): Beginners typically spend their first 30 minutes on the ground practicing swing mechanics on a stationary wooden horse. This step helps you get used to holding the mallet and hitting the ball without managing a live animal.
2. Mounting the Horse: Once you have developed a basic swing rhythm and "ball feel," your instructor will guide you onto a live horse to practice low-speed riding and hitting.
3. Formal Curriculums: For those looking to progress, clubs offer structured formal training that leads up to fast-paced, real-game simulations like 2v2 tactical matches.

Spectating at Shanghai Polo Tournaments

Shanghai hosts prestigious events such as the Shanghai International Horse Culture Week and the Urban Polo Invitational at the Shanghai Jiushi International Equestrian Center. Watching a live polo match is a highly sensory, social experience, but it comes with its own unique set of rules and etiquette:

• Match Formats: Tournaments typically feature teams of three or four riders. Matches are divided into distinct periods (chukkas) lasting around 6 to 6.5 minutes each, with short breaks in between for players to switch horses.
• Safety First: Player and horse safety is paramount. If a rider’s helmet falls off during play, the referee will immediately pause the match. Furthermore, the horses' legs must be wrapped in protective bandages to guard against accidental blows from falling mallets.
• Audience Interaction: Spectating is highly social. At the end of a match, visitors are often invited onto the field during a 5-minute break to participate in the traditional "divot stomping" to smooth out the turf.

Practical Tips for Spectators

If you are planning to attend an event at the Shanghai Jiushi International Equestrian Center, keep these spectator tips in mind:

• Arrival: Arrive at least 30 minutes early and ensure you carry your physical ID card to pass through the ticket entry gates.
• Parking: If you are driving to the venue, navigate directly to the Double Hills P4 parking lot (双子山p4停车场).
• Seating Strategy: If you want to avoid wearing a rain poncho on wet days, look for seats in the second row of the grandstand (八台第二排), which features protective roof coverage.

While Shanghai's polo scene is actively working to restore the high-fashion social prominence it enjoyed two decades ago, the current infrastructure—from Olympic-standard spectator venues to high-quality training clubs—makes it an incredibly exciting time to discover this historic sport.

Locations Guide

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