"The Sport of Polo"

• At Destination Polo, we believe our horses are the most valuable asset in the game. Whether you’re learning to ride, practicing your swing, or playing full chukkers, having the right horse is essential—for both your safety and your enjoyment.

• All of our horses are sourced from Mexico, where they begin their journey as a Destination Polo Pony. We select each horse with great care—prioritizing temperament first and ability second—to ensure they’re the right match for our clients. These horses typically have 1–2 years of polo experience before we even consider bringing them into our program.

• We don’t work with “green” horses or train horses from scratch. Instead, we choose horses that are already playing and proven, so we know exactly what we’re getting. They continue playing in Mexico for 6 to 12 months at various levels, allowing us to evaluate their consistency, performance, and personality day after day.

• Once a horse meets our standards, it travels by land to Virginia. Here, we play and evaluate it for a month, then give it 6 months of rest and adjustment to its new environment. After that, the horse is gently brought back into work and gradually integrated into our program before being introduced to clients and joining our active string.

• This careful, 1–2 year process is why our horses are rarely for sale. They’re proven, reliable, and uniquely suited to deliver a fun, safe, and rewarding polo experience. When we say our horses are the best, we mean it—and we have the results to back it up.

• The basis of polo is the horse and without them it would just be a big game of field hockey. We are super fortunate to have many different options in Northern Virginia when it comes to horse providers. Obviously it is a business for people but horse leasing is also an important element in creating an environment for players that want to enjoy the sport of polo without the work that goes along with horse ownership. 

• You pay when you play and basically show up 30 minutes before game time and everything is ready. You jump on, play and when you are done you hand the horse back and then either head to lunch with everyone else, back to work or home with the family. While the short term costs may appear to be higher when you weigh in the year long care of the horse, leasing on a per game basis actually works out to be a pretty attractive option. The reason why is because the horse providers have something called economy of scale on their side and can repeatedly offer a better finished product for a lower price than any one person is able to achieve. (If you don't believe us we have it broken down on a spreadsheet!) 

•  To be completely honest owning horses is one of the most rewarding things that you can do, but can also be full of pitfalls for beginners because there is a definite learning curve. If you want to own horses I don’t want to discourage you, but I think its important that you weigh all the options including ones that most people overlook. 

• If you’re considering owning horses because you want to have the bond with them and experience polo from an owners standpoint then I applaud you 100% and will do anything to help you make that dream a reality. 

• If your goal is to save money thinking that you can do it yourself at a lower price point then I will show you on paper in a real world application that that is not the case. I don’t want to discourage anyone from ownership, but I want to be 100% honest with people and make sure they have all the information and can make the best educated decision for themselves.

• When it comes to horses the upfront purchase price is probably the smallest part of the equation. People routinely get baited into a horse for a lower price thinking that they are going to save money in the long run. Once the vet check is done on the horse, the bills start and they never stop. Horses aren’t like an RV or a boat, you can’t just park them, cancel the insurance and let them sit for 6 months until the season starts again. They require constant care, food, attention and maintenance to ensure their longevity. In addition for each practice, game or event it requires hours of prep work beforehand and then travel time to and from. 

• I would say opportunity cost for your time is probably one of the most overlooked aspect of horse ownership. If you are fortunate enough to have a good boarding barn or someone that can help you with this no matter what the cost it will absolutely make the decision to own much easier. If you want to do it yourself you also have to factor in the cost of a truck and trailer and all the equipment necessary for the logistics of dealing with horses. Horses ownership is a journey that can be exciting but it’s imperative that all the aspects are taken into consideration and not as an afterthought. 

• I’m happy to help build a plan that works for you or answer any questions that you might have so that you are armed will all the information necessary to make an educated decision as to whether horse ownership is right for you and to make sure we remove as many “surprises” as possible so your enjoyment in the whole process is the highest that it can be. 

• At its core, polo is a partnership between horse and rider. Without the horse, it’s just a fast-paced game of field hockey. Fortunately, Northern Virginia offers a wide range of exceptional horse providers—and leasing has become the most popular and practical option for many players.

• Why Leasing Makes Sense - Leasing horses allows players to enjoy the game without the responsibility of year-round horse ownership. It’s simple: Show up 30 minutes before your match, your horse is ready and waiting. Play your chukkers, hand the horse off, and go about your day

• While leasing may seem more expensive upfront, the long-term savings are substantial. Providers operate with economies of scale, offering well-trained horses and full care for less than most individuals could manage on their own. (We’ve even broken it down in a spreadsheet, if you’re curious!)

• If you’re considering ownership for the joy and bond it brings, I fully support you and would be happy to help guide you through the process. But if your goal is to save money, I’ll gladly show you how leasing often works out to be the more cost-effective option—without the stress.

Let’s Make the Right Plan for You

Every player’s situation is different. Whether you’re ready to own or looking for the most enjoyable and efficient way to play, I’m here to help build a plan that fits your goals and lifestyle. I’ll make sure you have all the information up front—so there are no surprises and your polo journey is as rewarding as possible.

              Doug Barnes 

              Destination Polo