Club Novice Chukkas – 21st April, 2015
Malta Arena Polo Club Novice Chukkas in 2015. Polo in Malta is traditionally played from October to June, weather dependent. The formation of Malta Arena Polo was the perfect opportunity for enthusiasts to play in chukkas and competitions year round.
The club was formed in January 2015, the long planned dream of Steve Vassallo whom has played polo in Malta and represented his country abroad for the past 28 years. Situated on the beautiful Montekristo estate, the club is rapidly growing and more people are becoming interested in the game which started its European journey from Malta.
It wasn’t an easy start as there were horses to look after and the arena boards to construct. This was certainly a time consuming affairs as frames had to be constructed and bolted into the stone around 2 sides of the arena before the boards could be fixed to them. We were given an assistance from the Estate carpenters, Dario, who cleverly constructed chamfered corners and our goal posts with top net, a task that took a while as Dario was called out on other jobs and the baking spring heat set in.
Stick and ball, lessons and instructional chukkas started immediately and the novices have had opportunities to play with the island’s more experienced players too. It has been a fun process watching peoples’ polo and riding skills improve, and to enjoy the company of others interested in the sport in an after chukka drink in one of the MonteKristo bars or restaurants.
There are two arenas available and both have great areas to view the action from. As the summer heat increases polo is played first thing in the morning or in the evening. During winters the weekend schedule increases and the game is played under floodlights during weekday evenings. The traditional limestone construction adds to the whole experience, after all, where else in the world would you play amongst structures like this?
Our first professionally photographed chukkas were played in April in the large arena. Here the photos of Malta Arena Polo Club Novice Chukkas in 2015.
