The short answer: Jackson Hole Polo Club plays in the summer at Melody Ranch, about four miles south of Jackson, Wyoming. The U.S. Polo Association lists 4- to 14-goal polo in June, July, and August. When I visited, it was described to me as two months of summer polo: players trailer their horses up from Texas, share a group of pros to keep it affordable, and spend the season on barbecues and beautiful days out by the river.
These notes come from my 2021 and 2022 tour, when I tried to visit every polo club in America as a playing USPA member. Seasons, contacts, and prices change, so check each club's Instagram or the U.S. Polo Association before you go.
Jackson Hole Polo at a glance
Where: Melody Ranch, about four miles south of Jackson, Wyoming (U.S. Polo Association).
Level: 4- to 14-goal polo, according to the USPA listing.
Season: Summer. The USPA lists June through August. I was told the heart of it is July and August.
Who plays: Many players trailer their horses up from Texas for the summer.
How they keep costs down: About ten pros are shared among the players.
My visit
A Houston player I knew of was supposed to be there, but when I texted, he'd already left. So I called Craig, left a voicemail, and emailed him too. Craig welcomed me and was super nice.
He explained how Jackson Hole polo works. Everyone comes up with their trailers from Texas to do two months of polo. There are barbecues, and it's beautiful out by the river. When the season ends, everyone moves on. Craig was heading to California next.
How they keep it affordable
About ten pros are shared among the players. Hiring pros is one of the expensive parts of competitive polo, and sharing them spreads that cost across the whole group, so more people can play.
It's a smart model for any small club. If you're thinking about the economics of polo, I break down real prices in how much polo costs.
Tips for visiting
Come in July or August. That's when the most players are in town.
Bring a horse or ask about leasing. Most players haul their own string up for the season, so sort out a horse before you arrive.
Pair it with Big Horn. Wyoming's other summer polo is in Big Horn, near Sheridan, where polo goes back to the 1890s. Read my Big Horn visit.
Follow the seasons. Polo players move with the weather, the way Craig was heading to California. See when polo season is in each region.
For the rest of the region, see my guide to polo in Wyoming, the Pacific Northwest, and Hawaii.
Sharing pros, horses, and games is easier when everyone can see the schedule. That's PoloFlow, the app I'm building. Polo, wherever you are. Join the waitlist.
