Could Your Child Play Polo for Their School? Children’s Polo Lessons in Surrey
Could your child go from their first polo lesson to playing alongside teammates and representing their school?
At Minninnooka Polo & Riding School in Chobham, our children’s polo lessons in Surrey give young riders a starting point and a clear route forward. Through riding tuition, horse care, polo skills and coached games, children can work towards joining a team and preparing for competition.
Your child doesn’t need to arrive knowing the rules or owning a polo pony. We start with their experience, confidence and interests, then help them build the skills they need.
How Do Children Learn to Play Polo?
Learning to play polo involves much more than hitting a ball. Children need to develop balance, control and confidence in the saddle while learning how to understand and care for their horse.
At Minninnooka, coaching brings together five areas:
Horsemanship: handling, preparation and horse care.
Riding: balance, control and communication with the horse.
Stick work: learning and practising polo shots.
Polo IQ: rules, positioning, tactics and game understanding.
Personal development: responsibility, teamwork and sportsmanship.
For children new to riding, we begin with the foundations. Riders who already have experience can build on their existing skills while learning the techniques and decisions that are specific to polo.
The aim is to help each child learn to play polo with confidence and understanding, at a pace suited to them.
Junior Polo Training: From Lessons to Coached Games
Regular junior polo training helps children connect the skills they practise in lessons with what happens during a game.
Their progression might include:
Riding lessons and an introduction to polo skills.
Practising shots, horse control and basic rules.
Coached chukkas and instructional matches.
Team training and tournament preparation.
A chukka is a period of play within a polo game. Instructional games give developing players the chance to practise positioning, communicate with teammates and make decisions with coaching support.
Children progress into games when their riding, control and understanding are ready. We can advise parents on the most suitable next step.
What Is SUPA School Polo?
The Schools and Universities Polo Association, known as SUPA, promotes polo within education, including junior and senior schools.
SUPA school polo gives eligible young players opportunities to represent their school and take part in organised polo competitions. SUPA provides different sections for players with different levels of experience.
Families do not necessarily need to own a polo pony: horses can be hired from polo providers. At Minninnooka, we can discuss training, horse arrangements and the preparation involved in working towards school polo.
Participation depends on the relevant competition rules, rider readiness, team arrangements and available fixtures. If your child is interested, we can help you understand what to explore next.
Pony Club Polo: Learning to Be Part of a Team
As a Pony Club Centre, Minninnooka offers children opportunities to develop riding, horsemanship and friendships alongside their polo.
Pony Club polo gives young riders a reason to practise together and work towards shared goals. Preparing for a friendly match or tournament includes learning how to support teammates, listen to coaching and respond positively when a game doesn’t go to plan.
We support developing riders through lessons, team training and suitable competition opportunities. The right starting point depends on each child’s experience and the requirements of the activity.
A Half-Term Pony Camp in Surrey Can Be a First Step
If your child would enjoy spending more time around horses, our half-term pony camp in Surrey offers a hands-on introduction to life at Minninnooka.
October camp dates are 20–23 October and 27–30 October 2026, with individual camp days available.
Children take part in riding, practical horse care, grooming, tacking up and activities planned around the group’s experience and confidence. Lunch is included.
Camp can help children discover what they enjoy and give parents a chance to discuss suitable lessons or future junior polo training. It can also give existing riders more time to practise and learn around the yard.
Book Children’s Polo Lessons in Surrey
Whether your child is curious about horses, already enjoys riding or wants to work towards playing in a team, we can help you choose a suitable starting point.
Minninnooka is based in Chobham, Surrey, within reach of Woking, Windlesham, Chertsey, Sunningdale and surrounding areas.
Tell us your child’s age, riding experience and what they would like to try. We’ll help you find their next step.
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