Big Horn Polo Club: Cowboy Tradition

Turning toward the polo goal in the first chukker of play, Steerhead Ranch player Paul Scherf suddenly tumbled to the ground. His ranch horse tossed his head then dutifully stood over Scherf, as if confused as to why his rider was suddenly on the polo field.

Scherf leapt to his feet, threw the reins back over his horse’s neck and pulled himself back onto his mount. He adjusted his navy “Steerhead” baseball cap and his padded polo mallet in his right hand. Fans laughed, cheered and took pictures on their cellphones some 50 feet away.

Over the years, Big Horn Polo Club fans have been treated to Cowboy Polo between polo matches on Sunday afternoons. Teams of three cowboys trailer in horses from local ranches to compete in matches with padded mallets and oversized polo balls on a modified field.

Scherf began his 10th season of play Sunday afternoon and not much has changed over the years.

Polo player, Big Horn Polo Club board member and self-described “facilitator” of Cowboy Polo Robert Beckman explained how players don’t take themselves too seriously and there are, essentially, no rules to the game.

But Beckman corrected himself, saying players have to start by chugging an “adult beverage” and then, “We have had one rule change: You have to stay on your horse.”

In the past, Cowboy Polo players like Scherf have fallen off and continued to play on foot. So, as fans tried to figure out how Scherf landed on the ground in the first place, he made sure to mount back up and rejoin his team.

Even an hour before the ceremonial beverage chugging and throw-in, the excitement surrounding the competing Steerhead Ranch and HF Ranch teams was palpable — players mingled with friends and fans, taking photos with pregame drinks in hand.