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The world is battling with the sudden pandemic, and is collectively on this. How are the Polo gamers gearing for the times forward? LA POLO finds out.

The darkish clouds of neo coronavirus are threatening life as we’ve got recognized it. Hazard, loss, concern, anxiousness and grief are a few of the emotions that persons are grappling with. Nations try arduous to flatten the curve of Covid-19. Lockdowns, quarantines, work/examine from dwelling are the brand new regular. There aren’t any solutions but, as to when and the way the darkish days will come to an finish. The ray of hope appears too far, and the tunnel too lengthy.

It’s essential to deal with the positives too. The world is collectively on this. Social distancing and quarantine will assist to drive away this risk to an extent, until the time a vaccine is discovered. We puzzled how the Polo gamers the world over are taking over this problem of staying away from their favorite stables and the fields. In a latest function, we introduced to note how animals to this point haven’t been contaminated by the virus. It has been largely suggested by medical doctors and well being organizations that those that have the signs of COVID-19 or are beneath isolation should not go close to any pets. Additionally, as a precautionary measure, it’s suggested to put on a masks and sanitize your arms earlier than going close to the horses and the Polo ponies. On this state of affairs, how is the world of Polo tackling social distancing and quarantine is what we determined to take a look at. We bought in contact with various Polo gamers from completely different components of the world and their responses throw gentle on how they’re dealing with the state of affairs.

Polo participant Melissa Ganzi mentioned: “These are tough instances. On March 17, 2020, we stopped all Polo on the GCPC and The World Polo League (WPL) for a 14-day interval. On the finish of this, we are going to re-evaluate the state of affairs. It appears doubtless that we are going to proceed to place Polo on maintain.”

Speaking in regards to the well being of the grooms and the horses, she mentioned: “We’re fortunate that our grooms reside on-site the place the horses are. The horses proceed common train and are beneath wonderful care. We now have posted COVID-19 precautions., and distributed hand sanitizers to all of the workers. The WPL is taking considerable warning to make sure the well being, security and wellbeing of all our followers, gamers, households, and workers. We preserve this as a high precedence and perceive it’s an particularly crucial time. We’re following the rules set in place by the Centre for Illness Management and Prevention intently.” She talked about a few of the precautions they’re following:

• Washing of arms typically with cleaning soap and water for at the least 20 seconds, particularly after being at a public place, blowing of nostril, coughing, or sneezing

• Keep away from touching eyes, nostril, and mouth with unwashed arms

• Keep dwelling if unwell, besides to get medical care

• Masking mouth and nostril with a tissue or the within of your elbow when coughing or sneezing, then instantly washing arms for at the least 20 seconds or utilizing a hand sanitizer.

She added that the City of Palm Seaside in South Florida has referred to as for a town-wide curfew beginning March 20 from 9 p.m. till 6 a.m. as a part of an effort to sluggish or cease the attainable unfold of coronavirus in Palm Seaside County.

Nick Sherring, who’s presently in Pushkar, India, mentioned: “I’m caught in my resort room in Pushkar and spend time doing yoga, breath work and creativity by drawing or studying.”

Matthew Perry from England too linked with us and talked about social distancing. He mentioned: “For the time being I’m not socialising in any respect and limiting my visits to my home and the stables to see my horses.”

Whereas lots of the Polo gamers are sustaining distance with the ponies and avoiding to go to the stables in order to not infect the animal, Phil Vendor shared with us some gentle movies of his ponies resting within the farms and going for a quick stroll within the morning.

Shaurya Vikram, a younger participant from India, mentioned: “From what we have heard, horses will not be in danger with this virus. In order that solely leaves folks working round horses who want to make sure their private hygiene and preserve publicity in verify. My household and I are enormous film buffs, so we’re armed with the Huge 4 of Netflix, Prime, Hotstar and Hulu. I additionally do an hour’s session of core exercise. All of this includes pull-ups with variations, crunches, planks with variations, kettlebell lifting and push-ups. It’s important that we don’t exit and compromise the security of ours and different’s. So, except completely needed, I do not exit. Principally, I video name my family and friends, and attempt to see the nice as a substitute of the dangerous.”

One other participant, Ashley Parekh, mentioned: “Due to the present state of affairs, no person’s capable of exit. However I really feel staying match shouldn’t be compromised in any respect. So, each night I do a little bit of stretching, generally run up and down the steps to keep up stamina and comply with aerobics on YouTube. My ponies are on the farm. Each morning they get their standard coaching and though they’re not capable of play matches, the stablemen follow chukkers on them. I’m additionally taking a couple of on-line programs and have began portray not too long ago. I video name my buddies every so often, binge watch my favorite collection, and bake generally. Hope everyone seems to be protected and this quarantine-bit stops quickly.”

Lokendra Singh mentioned: “My household and I are doing nice, hope all the pieces is okay with others’ too! The state of affairs is essential for India proper now, and I’m doing my greatest in sustaining social distancing and taking all the mandatory hygiene measures, each at dwelling and on the farm.” Speaking about how the farms are taken care of, he mentioned: “Staff on the farm have been given strict directions like sustaining social distance, carrying masks, washing and sanitizing their arms repeatedly. The farm was sanitized completely as quickly because the information broke and the horses are being taken care of by guaranteeing the sanitization of each horses and the farm together with correct weight-reduction plan and common follow.”

Speaking about how the sport has been affected, Singh mentioned: “Our Polo match was cancelled nevertheless it was a needed step. To cope with the social distancing I’m understanding at dwelling and working towards Cycle Polo. I’m making essentially the most out of this break and relying on my blessings is without doubt one of the issues I’m doing.”

Javyir Gohil from Bhavnagar, Gujarat, mentioned: “The second I heard in regards to the curfew and spreading of the coronavirus, I bought again from Jaipur to my farm at Bhavnagar. I’m glad I took the choice quick. Now me and my horses are at my farm the place the Gohilwad Polo Membership is. The Membership is closed proper now and no member is allowed both. It was an enormous problem for me to maintain
my 20 horses match on this lockdown state of affairs. So, I’ve determined to remain on the farm for a month and prepare my new horses, and put the Polo enjoying horses on relaxation. No person is available in on the farm and grooms are solely allowed for necessities. I’ve 20 horses, 2 canine and four cows on the farm and I must ensure that every one among them is okay and wholesome. We’re supporting the federal government’s efforts in an effort to battle this pandemic.”

Getting in contact with Monique van Haarst on the same web page, she informed us, “What a state of affairs are we in, however it’s for everybody the identical: keep protected, keep at dwelling. Sadly the racecourse the place our horses are stabled is shut. All classes are stopped, no person can go in or out to guard our grooms, and so additionally our horses to stop Corona. It’s arduous not to have the ability to be with our stars which has given their all in the course of the polo season until the season bought canceled. However well being is extra essential and allow us to all simply sit up for that this virus will go rapidly and we are able to return to our “regular” lives. Keep optimistic and make the perfect of this time. We’re blessed and lucky not having to go outdoors and battle a warfare. As an alternative the chance is given to spend time with household, return to ourselves, meditate, work out, learn and greater than that the place we often don’t have the time for or not take the time for.” Extending her thankfulness for the grooms she added, “An enormous thanks for all of the great grooms who take the duty to provide the perfect care of the horses proper now. Hopefully until quickly out within the open and on the again of the horse once more!”

Heading additional in our quest, we reached to Manola F Llorente, a +6 handicap polo participant from Argentina. Commenting on the state of affairs, he mentioned, “I’m in Argentina in the intervening time. Right here we’re in lock down so the horses are within the area having fun with a while off!! I’m at dwelling with my household having fun with time with them after the Indian polo season. To beat social distance we spend a variety of time watching Netflix!! Hopefully all of us undergo this tough time.”

The world is collectively on this battle with Covid-19, and it’s essential for us to do
our bit by staying at dwelling, and staying protected!