POWER OF POLO & OXFORD COMMUNITY ACTION DELIVER UNIQUE PROGRAMME FOR OXFORD YOUTH

Our second residential of 2026 was especially exciting as it marked the start of a new partnership. Oxford Community Action is a grass-roots charity which works with young people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, and we were thrilled to team up with them on this programme at Oxford Polo, with the added support of Active Oxfordshire.

Ten young people aged 14-16 arrived slightly nervous on Monday evening but by the end the week they were riding confidently in trot and canter, hitting the ball and playing a game! Brilliant teaching was delivered by our own polo lead Katie MacKeith and Oxford Polo’s George Fraemohs, and we were especially thankful to the Pony Club, who enabled them to gain three Pony Club badges.

In addition, there was a trip to Oxford University for lunch and a tour of Christ Church, a visit to Kirtlington Park Stud, and an extremely fun afternoon trying out e-polo thanks to Henry Brett and Electrik Polo. Extra special thanks go to our young ambassador Harry Earnshaw for his support on this!

The last day of a residential is always special as our participants play a mini tournament, but this was one of our favourites ever due to the arrival of some 20 members of the players’ families; a truly wonderful moment celebrating community and partnership. We were also joined by our brilliant La Martina Varsity Day influencers Sam Dracott and Hannah Sims (aka Silly Prune!) who came to have a final practice before the big day and stayed to meet the young people and present the prizes. An amazing week all round.

“It’s been such a fun week – intense and exciting! I couldn’t ride before and now I can ride and hit a ball at the same time…it’s given me such confidence. Polo is even more of a team sport than football and it’s taught me how important it is to have a positive attitude to trying new things and working as a team.” Course participant, age 13

Coordinator at Active Oxfordshire, Lucy Simpson said, “Oxford Community Action (OCA) and Active Oxfordshire work in partnership to tackle inequality in physical activity and sport in Oxford. By working with Power of Polo, it is possible to bring opportunities such as horse riding and Polo to young people who may not otherwise experience these activities. Not only is horse riding beneficial physically but by working with horses, the young people will develop resilience and problem solving, as well as a connection with nature. Partnering with Power of Polo has provided a great opportunity to young people in Oxford and has sparked a real interest in Polo, equine sports and the industry around this.”

“It’s always exciting to work with a new partner,” said Katy Hayward, Founder and CEO of Power of Polo. “Getting to know these two organisations and the people they work with has been a joy and we were so thrilled that so many of the families came to watch the young people play. Our model is one of partnership and this course was a true representation of how powerful that can be.”

On 19th June the young people who attended the course will get the chance to play at Guards Polo Club as part of Power of Polo’s annual ‘Change Your Line Cup’, which brings together participants from different residentials to play together and celebrate in front of friends and families.

Power of Polo, Oxford Community Action and Active Oxfordshire are looking forward to working together to offer more young people from the Oxford area the chance to take part in programmes like this in the future.