Lowell — If you’re driving through the rolling farmland of Lowell, past the cornfields and quiet back roads, you might be surprised to stumble upon a full-fledged polo match in action. But polo has had a home in Michigan for nearly a century, and thanks to the work of one local family, the tradition is not only alive, it’s thriving.
Polo first arrived in Grand Rapids in the 1950s, but by the 1990s, the sport was fading from the local landscape. That’s when Katie Johnson’s late father, Les Johnson, a professional polo player, stepped in. He built an indoor arena at Meadowview Farm in Lowell. Soon after came a full-sized grass field, a polo school, and eventually the formation of the Grand Rapids Polo Club. The tradition didn’t just survive. It came galloping back to life.
“I hate to think that perhaps polo would have fizzled away here in Grand Rapids after a nearly 100-year history,” Katie reflects. Today, Katie and her siblings help lead the charge to keep polo vibrant in West Michigan, welcoming both players and spectators to experience the unique thrill of the game. “Nearly everyone who plays here is part of a newer generation of polo,” she says.
Events like Divots at Dusk have transformed Meadowview Farm into more than just a training ground—it’s a summer destination.
Crowds show up with trucks or picnics, in heels or cowboy boots. There are food trucks, beer tents, and ice cream stands. It’s refined, but never exclusive.
“Back up your truck or bring a picnic,” says player Sarah Hedeman. “Just enjoy a beautiful Michigan night, watching the horses, hanging with friends.” Sarah’s been riding horses at the farm since she was a young girl. She discovered polo 12 years ago and never looked back.
And for those thinking polo is only for the young—it’s not. Bob Maxey didn’t pick up a mallet until he was in his mid-50s. His now-wife introduced him to the sport, and he was instantly hooked.
“I went out to the field with her and jumped on a horse—no idea what I was doing. The Detroit Polo Club president said, ‘Put a mallet in your hand,’ and that was it,” he says. “You’re going 15 to 20 miles an hour, connecting with the horse, trying to hit a ball. It’s just one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life.”
If you go to your first tournament, here’s what you need to know:
- Each team has four players.
- Matches are broken into periods called chukkers, each lasting about seven-and-a-half minutes.
- Every player rides a fresh horse each chukker.
- So a four-chukker match? That means four horses per player.
Add in speed, precision, and the power of a 1,000-pound teammate beneath you, and that’s polo.
“The objective is to score the goal,” Sarah Vogt explains, “But the primary rule of polo is the line of the ball, you have to honor it. You can’t cross it or do something that creates danger.”
Vogt has been playing polo for over 30 years. She now competes with a team of former racehorses and says the sport isn’t just about athleticism—it’s about trust.
“These are incredible athletes, and they love the sport,” she says. “When they’ve come off and they’ve had a good chukker—it’s the best feeling in the world.” Sarah agrees. “My polo ponies know their job—but they’re also my dear, sweet ponies. Spending time with them fills my heart.”
Whether you’re curious about the game, the horses, or just looking for a unique Michigan experience, Katie Johnson has one message: “Absolutely come give it a try. It’s something different, something special. The sound of the horses running on the field… there’s nothing like it.”
Emily Richett is a mom of four, former news reporter, podcaster, and author of “Mama Bear Survival.”
