Polo tournament kicks off La Conner summer

Last weekend an equestrian twist on everyday field sports came to LaConner.

Tents, trucks, and trailers were set up and parked at George Dill Farm as people came to witness a polo tournament.

Men and women dressed in brightly colored uniforms rode across a wide-open field atop beautiful horses to score points. The atmosphere was friendly and welcoming as neighborhood children sat atop marshmallow hay bales to cheer on their team of choice. Citizens on Flats Road had perfect views of the game from their backyards and many were lounging on lawn chairs awaiting the action.

The LaConner Polo Club, founded in 2010, is devoted to keeping the game a local favorite. The farm is on La Conner-Whitney Road, so attentive drivers are likely to catch a glimpse of the horses and tall mallets. Eight teams from Northwest Washington, Canada, Utah, and Oregon competed. Players from as far as Argentina ride on Utah’s team

Vancouver came out victorious, winning a shootout with Utah to break their tie. Shootouts determined matches both days, showing the high level of competition and that the teams were evenly matched.

George Dill, the owner of the farm and organizer of the tournament, estimated around 600 people attended. “The weather was beautiful and all the beginners had a good time learning to play,” said Dill.

Capping the weekend: A big after-game dinner upstairs in the barn.

Polo season runs until October, so there will be plenty of opportunities to watch another tournament. “We appreciated everybody that came, both spectators and players,” Dill said.

The LaConner Polo Club is among the many eclectic activities in the LaConner area.