An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | May 16, 2023

Polo Demonstration Kicks-off LANPAC 2023

By Mary Andom USAPAC

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii -- Stately horses galloped the lawns of Historic Palm Circle as Hawaii’s best polo teams demonstrated exquisite horsemanship for a polo demonstration held at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, May 15, 2023.

General Charles A. Flynn, the U.S. Army Pacific commanding general, hosted Army senior leaders and several allied and partner nations to showcase the Army’s historical ties to polo.

To kick-off the celebration Flynn pitched the first ball.

Donned in Army black and gold, well-mounted players took powerful swings with mallets striking a ball the size of an orange. The wooden ball zipped down the long, grassy field.

The fast-moving action lasted 20 minutes or about three chukkas, a 7-minute period of play in polo. But every minute kept spectators on their feet.

The polo demonstration is just one event to ramp up the excitement for Land Forces Pacific Symposium and Exposition, the professional development forum that highlights the role of land forces in the Indo-Pacific theater and its contributions to the joint force in peace and war. This year makes the 10th anniversary of the event held May 16-18, 2023 in Honolulu.

Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division performed the Ha’a, or “Warrior Dance,” ceremony to welcome Soldiers, families and LANPAC attendees.

Spectators were also given a brief history lesson on the Army’s connection to polo.

The Army’s love affair with horses dates back to the Revolutionary War, the Westward expansion and the formation of the U.S. Cavalry.

In Hawaii, the first recognized polo match was November 1880, near Palama, officers from the British ship “Gannet” played men from Honolulu. Soon after, a polo field was established at Kapiolani Park, near Diamond Head and the sport flourished.

Before World War II, matches were almost every weekend. Military officers played among the local teams. One famous competitor was then Lt. Col. George Patton, who went on to be an icon of World War II.

Polo was first played on Palm Circle in 2011 as part of “Polo Pa’ina,” an inaugural polo match between Army Gold and Army Black.

Allen Hoe, the president of the Honolulu Polo Club, who has studied Hawaii’s origin of the sport, said the demonstration gives younger Soldiers an introduction to the Army’s unique equestrian culture.

“Some Soldiers are surprised to learn the Army moved by horseback 70 years ago,” said Hoe. “Polo is an exciting event to witness. It is man and horse working together as a team to accomplish success in the game.”

Hoe wanted to share his love and passion for the sport with other service members. The former Vietnam War veteran and self-described adrenaline junkie was first introduced to polo 40 years ago and still rides today at the age of 76.

“Polo is a high-octane sport that forces the player to devote all of their focus, energy and mindset on basically staying alive,” said Hoe. “It is physically demanding and requires flexibility, endurance and riding expertise. It is the closest thing I’ve experienced to combat.”

A partnership between the Association of U.S. Army, the Hawaii Polo community and the U.S. Polo Association was formed in part to Hoe’s efforts.

The initiative was created to honor the long-standing tradition of polo in Hawaii, honoring Soldiers and their families and raising awareness to support Wounded Warriors.

For Spc. Jordan Howard, a signal intelligence analyst from the 516th Signal Brigade, witnessing the demonstration opened his eyes to the Army’s rich heritage.

“This is my first time watching the sport, I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Howard. “I like how they dived into the history of polo and the Army connection. It gives me a different perspective of the Army, I see it in new light.”

CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
Twitter
348,301
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
US Army sustainers provide sealift to Australian armor for Super Garuda Shield
Australian Army M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks and vehicles are unloaded from the United States Army Vessel SSGT Robert T. Kuroda at Tanjung Perak Port in Indonesia during Exercise Super Garuda Shield 2023. At the invitation of Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), Australia is contributing over 125 personnel from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to Exercise Super Garuda Shield 2023 (SGS23). SGS23 is an TNI and United States Indo Pacific Command led bilateral training activity. It is focused on joint operations with international partners in and around East Java in Indonesia from 31 August to 13 September. Held since 2009, the ADF first participated in 2022, and in 2023 is contributing an Australian Army force element including a Troop of M1A1 Abrams tanks from the 1st Armoured Regiment. The contingent also includes an Infantry Platoon from the 10th/27th Battalion, Royal South Australian Regiment, command and control elements, and a range of armoured vehicles, trucks and recovery vehicles. (Photo by Australian Defence Force Cpl. Dustin Anderson)
Sept. 19, 2023 - With Logistics Support Vessel 7 SSGT Robert Kuroda already in Australia for Talisman Sabre 2023, the conditions were set to transport Australian Defence Force tanks and equipment to Indonesia for Super Garuda Shield...

Statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Summit
Sept. 19, 2023 - President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will host Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders at the White House on September 25, 2023 during the second U.S.-Pacific Island Forum (PIF) Summit taking place September 25-26...

Joint Press Statement for the 23rd Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue
Sept. 18, 2023 - The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministry of National Defense (MND) held the 23rd Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) on September 18, 2023 in Seoul...

Army Reserve Cyber Protection Brigade Supports 2nd Infantry Division During Ulchi Freedom Shield 23 Exercise
The Army Reserve Cyber Protection Brigade (ARCPB) successfully supported the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) C6 directorate in a critical operational support exercise from August 12 to September 2, 2023, as part of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield 23 (UFS23) exercise.
Sept. 18, 2023 - The Army Reserve Cyber Protection Brigade (ARCPB) successfully supported the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) C6 directorate in a critical operational support exercise from August 12 to September 2, 2023, as part of the annual...

5th ANGLICO Marines Conduct the Korean Maritime Exchange Program 23.3 (KMEP)
A U.S. Marine with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines and Republic of Korea Marines with 3rd Battalion, 1st Regiment, 2nd Marine Division participate in a combined patrol during Korean Marine Exercise Program 23.3 at Rodriguez Live-fire Complex, Republic of Korea, March 28, 2023. KMEP is a series of continuous-combined training exercises designed to enhance the ROK-U.S. Alliance, promote stability on the Korean Peninsula, and strengthen combined military capabilities and interoperability. 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program.
Sept. 18, 2023 - From July to August 2023, U.S. Marines with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (5th ANGLICO), III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, participated in the Korean Marine Exchange Program 23.3 (KMEP)...