La Grande, OR__Polo in northeast Oregon? Yes! Horses in this region of the state aren't used only for rounding up cattle and rodeos. There is also a very active polo club in La Grande, with one of only three regulation-size fields in the state. The Gilstrap Brothers Winery Polo Tournament will be held at the polo field at La Grande, Oregon, August 15 and 16, 2009. The two day tournament is expected to draw players from Idaho, Washington, and Portland to play on the club's home field. The event is free to the public, and is a family friendly affair. Bring your beach blankets, lawn chairs and a picnic lunch and settle in to watch the ponies take charge of the 10 acre polo field.  

            Play will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, with play-offs the following day. Several matches are played during the tournament for varying skill levels. Each match consists of four periods referred to as “chuckers.” To the average person, polo resembles hockey being played on horseback. The game gets rough as players try to hit a baseball sized ball through their goal and the players on opposing teams bump and push each other down the field.  Because the game is very strenuous, each player will need two to four horses for the tournament.

            Gilstrap Brothers Winery will be providing a free wine tasting at the tournament. The La Grande Polo Club hosts several events each year and is proud to add Gilstrap Brothers Winery to their list of sponsors for the first time. The winery has been bottling wine in Cove since 2003, but the brothers have been practicing the art of wine making since 1995. To find out more information about the winery, visit their website www.gilstrapbrothers.com.

For additional information concerning the tournament, check the La Grande Polo Club Facebook page or contact Melissa Joseph at 541-963-9803.