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In the piñon dotted hills below Quemado Lake, where cattle outnumber people and rodeo reigns, you might be surprised to find a thriving polo scene. But thanks to a rich history and a dedicated steward, the Quemado Polo Club is keeping the sport of kings alive and galloping strong in Catron County.
Chuck Rogers, general manager of the Polo Club at the El Caso Equestrian Center, has roots in the sport that stretch across the country and back nearly a century. If the name sounds familiar, it should. His grandfather was none other than American humorist and actor Will Rogers—who also happened to be a devoted polo player.
“My grandfather played back in the 1920s, starting on Long Island. He built his own polo field when he moved to California,” Rogers said. “My dad played, and I got into it the same way—just being around horses and the game.”
The center was formed by Buzz Easterling in the ‘80s. Rogers came on board after Buzz passed away, when his children took over the ranch and wanted to revitalize the sport. Under Rogers’ guidance, a full outdoor grass field was built next to the original arena, allowing the club to offer both arena and field polo.
Since then, the summer months—July and August—have become a lively season for polo in Quemado. Teams and players travel from as far as El Paso, Arizona, and Santa Fe to escape the scorching heat and take advantage of the cooler climate of the Apache National Forest.
“You can’t play polo in 117-degree heat. It’s hard on the horses,” Rogers said. “Just through my connections, being in polo for 65 years, I get in touch with people, invite them up and get them to come up there, and they just keep coming back year after year.”
Unlike many western riding disciplines familiar to the region, polo is played in English-style saddles for agility and mobility—no bulky horns getting in the way of a backhanded shot. Arena polo is played with a larger, inflated rubber ball on a smaller field with three players per side. Field polo features four players per team and is played on a massive 300-yard-long grass field with a smaller, harder ball.
“It’s a bit like chess,” Rogers said. “The strategy changes every time the ball moves. It’s fast, and you have to be thinking constantly. If you like horses and you want to have fun on a horse, to me, Polo is a whole lot more fun than chasing a fat cow down the hill.”
The Quemado Polo Club offers lessons, primarily in the arena, for kids as young as 9 or 10. This year, students have come from all over—Magdalena, Arizona, and even Texas Tech. Over the course of this season, Rodgers said the club has hosted 31 players and over 106 horses, rotating through tournaments and matches.
For those curious about catching a match or joining the action, Rogers encourages reaching out for a schedule or joining the mailing list. Matches are often posted around town, and the club welcomes spectators.
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To learn more, email Chuck Rogers at crogers2dogranch@yahoo.com.
