Polo action at Bendabout Farm the next two weekends may be at its highest level ever.IF YOU GO• What: Polo matches• When: 10 a.m. Saturdays, Sept. 14 and 21; 2 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 15 and 22• Where: Bendabout Farm, 3553 S. Lee Highway, McDonald, Tenn.• Admission: Free• Phone: 423-476-6602• Website: bendabout.com
The polo curious will have a field day the next two weekends at Bendabout Farm in McDonald.
Not only will the sport return for its annual matches, but the level of play will be unprecedented, according to spokeswoman Kay Hutcherson.
When an all-United States team takes on an all-South African team this Saturday and Sunday, "the quality of the polo" will be the attraction, she says.
"This is polo Chattanooga has never seen before," Hutcherson says. "The level is extraordinary. It really and truly is. We just don't get an opportunity like this."
Among the players for the matches, she says, are Julio Arellano and area native Gillian Johnston, among the highest-rated male and female players, respectively, within the U.S. Polo Association.
The latter, according to Hutcherson, has her own polo horse breeding operation in Wyoming.
Johnston's "one heck of a polo player," she says. "She has a real eye for a horse. She's the best of the best."
Donations at this Sunday's match will benefit the 6th Cavalry Museum in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., as they have for the past several years, according to Hutcherson.
Bendabout Farm and a team from the Army's 6th Cavalry, once stationed in Fort Oglethorpe, played matches from the mid-1930s until World War II began, alternating sites between the Army post and the farm.
While polo picked up at the farm between the 1950s and 1970s -- the post closed after the war -- matches open to the public did not begin until about 20 years ago, she says.
"There's such a history between Bendabout and the 6th Cav," Hutcherson says. "We do what we can to support [the museum]. We know they've got a lot going on."
There is no charge to attend either weekend. Parking also is free.
Although new bleachers are in place, they are expected to go quickly. Spectators are invited to bring folding chairs.
Contact Clint Cooper at ccooper@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6497.