(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Sisters Polo Club to Host First Wild West Cup in Over Five Years
Summer Saturday mornings in Central Oregon mean one thing for members of the Sisters and Bend polo clubs — it’s time to saddle up. Once the weather warms and the horses are in peak condition, six to ten dedicated polo players gather for a few spirited “chukkas,” preparing for tournaments across the Pacific Northwest.
This weekend marks a major milestone for the Sisters Polo Club as it hosts the Wild West Cup, a two-day polo tournament drawing five teams, more than 80 horses, and players from near and far. Matches are set for 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
“It’s the first tournament in the Bend area in over five years,” said Katey Kelley of the Sisters Polo Club. “We had a waiting list of teams eager to join, but we just don’t have enough stabling yet. Once that’s complete, I see Sisters becoming the hub of polo in the Northwest.”
A Breakthrough Year for Sisters Polo Club
This year, the club earned its place on the United States Polo Association Pacific Northwest Circuit. During the winter, members decided they were ready to host their first official tournament and successfully secured a spot on the summer calendar, which runs from early June through late September.
“We usually have to travel for these events,” said club member Kelsey Carson. “Hosting is a privilege, and we’re thrilled to welcome everyone here this year.”
The tournament will be held at Sisters Polo Club, 68590 George Cyrus Road, and will feature teams from Bend, Spokane, Seattle, and La Grande, along with players traveling from as far away as Argentina and England. Spectator entry is just $10 per vehicle.
Polo’s Growing Presence in Central Oregon
Often described as a thrilling mix of soccer, hockey, and horse racing, polo is played on a massive field—about three times the size of a football field—with two teams of four riders using mallets to score goals.
The Sisters Polo Club began three years ago when RJ Schreiber, a software salesman and polo enthusiast, purchased a hayfield in Sisters and transformed it into a first-class polo facility. Schreiber, who started playing at Oregon State University, wanted to expand access to the sport in Central Oregon.
“We started from scratch,” Schreiber said. “Our goal was to bring more polo opportunities to the region and make the sport accessible to anyone who wants to try it.”
The club is also committed to growing the game by offering beginner lessons. Many members, including Schreiber and Carson, didn’t start playing until adulthood.
“A lot of sports require you to start young, but polo is different,” Kelley explained. “We have students as young as teens and as old as 65 just starting out. You can play fast, like we do, or take it slow — it’s for everyone.”
With the Wild West Cup kicking off, Sisters Polo Club hopes this weekend will be the start of a new era for polo in the Pacific Northwest.
