When John Maroussas attended the Annual International Gay Polo League (GPL) Polo Tournament, 5 years ago, he knew very little about the sport. Today, at age 71, John now plays polo regularly with his trustworthy polo pony, Patsy Cline. The two don’t let their ages stop them from enjoying all aspects of the exciting sport.
“Watching GPL got me started in polo for sure. It was the event that switched this all on for me”, John says. “When I was at the game during the April tournament the people playing seemed to really be having a good time. I watched what was going on and I thought that I could do this too!”
Shortly after attending GPL, John decided it was time to break his 40-year hiatus from riding horses and signed up for lessons at Palm City Polo Club, the home club for GPL. Although he had to start from the beginning again, he was soon out on the field playing polo. Two years later, he decided to purchase his own polo pony.
John’s pro, Joey Casey, found the perfect pony for him. Patsy Cline is a seasoned, older, fast mare with a wonderful temperament. John purchased her knowing that she was older and says, “At 71 years old I can’t expect to be playing in 20 years and neither can she. Because of her age she is very experienced at polo and knows the game. She is a willing horse, and she’s very safe.”
John and Patsy are proof that you don’t need to start polo at a young age to enjoy the game. As many know, the sport of polo is often rough and at times dangerous. Knowing that, John claims, “at my age there is a fear factor and I’m a little less inclined to let everything go and that’s probably the major challenge I have in this game. That being said, I play at my level and I’m very comfortable and very happy there.”
While polo is a sport that many start at a young age due to family ties, the story doesn’t always have to play out that way. With the right horse, like Patsy Cline, and the right teammates, like the Gay Polo League offers, polo is a sport that can be started and enjoyed at any age, regardless of skill level.
