Posted April 3, 2006

Florida Horse Park Names Its Resident Polo Instructor

You wouldn't know it to look at him. He appears normal, if there is such a thing.

He is slight of build with straight blonde hair and inquisitive hazel eyes. His walk is quick and purposeful, while at the same time effortless and flowing.

If Brad Limehouse engaged you in conversation, you would be sure to notice he has a Type-A personality and an open, trusting attitude. But, you probably wouldn't guess what makes him so different from you.

Brad Limehouse is one of a select group of riders who compete on the professional polo circuit. And not only is he a competitor, he is a "4-goal" competitor.

A rider's rating is determined by a handicapping committee, said Limehouse. The ratings range from "-2-goal" to "10-goal." He said that only about 2% of the professional polo players in the country are 2-goal or better. Of the other 98%, most players are in the -2 to 1 range, said Limehouse. "A rating of 1- or 2-goal signifies a pretty good player."

As the new resident polo instructor at the Florida Horse Park in Ocala, Limehouse is hoping to increase the number of rated players in the area, as well as get new people started in the sport. "I enjoy bringing other people into the game…We are already talking about holding a clinic in May," following the debut polo events at the horse park, Polo at the Park, April 8 and 22. "The plan is to offer polo lessons at the park. However, the frequency of the lessons depends on the amount of interest shown. If the lessons are well-attended, we might offer them weekly," said Limehouse.

The way he sees it, "If you try it, you'll be hooked. It is intoxicating and it is addictive. When you do it, the light goes on."

A Polo Player's Life

Limehouse got hooked on polo at an early age. He started playing when he was 11, joined the U.S. Polo Association and was being hired to play polo competitively by age 15. It did not seem like an unusual childhood for Limehouse; his whole family was involved in horses and "I have three older brothers who have all been involved in polo," said Limehouse.

But deciding to take on polo as a profession was where Limehouse differed. It is a nomadic lifestyle with months spent on the road, following the circuits from Canada to Florida to Mexico. The seasons are about 3-5 months long. Only half joking, Limehouse said he had to give up "a life" when deciding to go pro. 'I travel all the time."

Traveling is not without its perks, though. Limehouse is an expert when it comes to the best places to vacation. While he doesn't usually have time to check out the beaches, the "unbelievable" service he received in Costa Careyes, Mexico last year was something to remember. "Costa Careyes, which means sea turtle, was like you stepped into another world."

Limehouse did step into another world when he went to Toronto one year, the family life. He met his wife Dawn and they now have a farm in Ocala, Heelerrun, where they breed Paint and Thoroughbred polo horses. "My wife is a member of the American Paint Horse Association and we cross the two breeds to produce stocky and strong, yet agile, horses." Most people use Thoroughbreds, he said, but with arena polo, which is becoming more popular and uses a smaller playing area than a traditional field, "the Paint Horses are great." Limehouse, who owns his own string of horses, said he can "get by" with two horses for arena polo, but for field polo, "you need 5-6 horses. For each chukker (there are six per game), you need a different horse."

Ocala Lures Players North

In light of the new polo fields at the Florida Horse Park, Heelerrun and The Villages Polo Club, Ocala is the future for Limehouse. A regular player in Wellington, Fla. for 10 years, Limehouse started to migrate to the Ocala area in the last couple of years. "They are starting to phase out the number of polo fields in southern Florida. The real estate is in such high demand, the fields are being sold." Limehouse said both Boca Raton and Gulf Stream polo clubs have gone that route. "There is not going to be polo at these sites anymore."

Plus, the cost of living is astronomically high in the Wellington area, added Limehouse. "It is financially unfeasible to continue to work down there."

Limehouse started playing at The Villages Polo Club outside of Ocala and commuted for a while. But, he has since purchased a farm, Heelerrun. He said he is not the only one. "There are a lot of people moving up here from down there."

The Villages Polo Club's games attract about 26,000 spectators a year, which makes them some of the most well-attended games in the country. It is one of the reasons Limehouse thinks polo will prosper at the Florida Horse Park, as well. The park also has the expert help of The Villages Polo Club Manager Lord Lyall, who is co-organizing the polo events at the horse park and is loaning horses and players for the initial events, April 8 and 22.

Haven't been to a polo game before? "You are in for an exciting treat," said Limehouse. "It is like hockey on horseback; there is a lot of bumping, fast action and thrills."

FAST FACTS:

* April 8 — Polo at the Park, First Annual Founders' Cup, Florida Horse Park, Ocala, 6 p.m. $10 general admission. $25 VIP admission with dinner catered by Bella Luna and wine and beer. Polo players from Mexico, Barbados and United States. Contact: Margaret Rowell, www.flhorsepark.com, (352) 307-6699.

* April 22 — Polo at the Park, Celebrity Polo, Florida Horse Park, Ocala, 6 p.m. $10 general admission. $25 VIP admission with catered dinner, wine and beer. Live and silent auction. Presentation of Horse Fever horse, Copper Charm, to Florida Horse Park by Laurie Jones. Contact: Margaret Rowell, www.flhorsepark.com, (352) 307-6699.

PHOTO CREDITS:

PAINTED POLO — Treasured Lightning, aka "Royce," a registered Paint from Texas by Treasured, has racing bloodlines. Royce is one of Brad Limehouse's regular mounts during polo matches. Photo by Chuck Boohers, www.boohers.com

POLO PRACTICE — Brad Limehouse, the new resident polo instructor at the Florida Horse Park, gives Event Organizer Shelley Lambert some tips on holding her mallet. Photo by Shaneen Kohler