The team saddle up!

We picked the volunteers up on Thursday, visited tack stores for boots and hats, had empanadas for lunch at one of them and then toured the city on the rented van. We cruised through Recoleta, Alvear avenue, the Financial District, San Telmo, and we stretched our legs at the renowned (if somewhat touristically overrated) Caminito in La Boca. Then headed up for a Welcome Cocktail at the farm.

It rained a lot on that and the following two days so polo activities started on theory mode. We had an introduction to the game and shots with DVD and pics on a projector – which proved to be a great start for many of them who ‘didn’t really know what to aim at’ as one of the Emilys said.  We used the afternoon to visit town, show the guys the places they will need to visit at some point (laundry, pharmacy, phone store, pizza place, etc).

Emily works with the farm's vets.

Following day was Saturday and the guys went out for a hack to recognize the area and some of the horses they will be using along their stay. All of them seemed to have great fun and were amazed at the unusual landscape.  Evening greeted them with some drinking games under the tuition of your ex-leaper-come-general-coordinator-protegee of which I did not participate but learned about on the following day.

Foals at La Mariposa

Sunday was chillout, with a lie in (never get this spelling right) and some foot stick and balling in the afternoon. We all went into town for pizzas in the evening.

Monday, with a promising sunshine, we started with proper work activities at the yards. The team was introduced to the chores of feeding, handling, grooming and other details of what their schedule will be as from today (Tuesday). Chores were followed by a wooden horse hitting section were the basic shots seen in the DVD were practiced before lunch.

Polo class on horses developed perfectly well during the afternoon and everyone mentioned how well the wooden horse had helped them.

Ok…having finished my morning walk I need to wrap up. No injuries or complaints have come up yet – we hope they take a while!