Dogs Watching Polo with the Queen

Today a friend and I took our dogs to watch the final of the Royal Windsor Cup. Polo as a sport is remarkably dog friendly, but I was worried that we would have to leave our dogs in the car for such a prestigious event, after all the Queen was there! That was definitely not the case! It seemed that every time I turned my attention from the polo (which I'll admit was not that often, it was truly gripping) I saw another dog. During the treading in (or "stomping the divots" as we call it in America) there were dozens of dogs out with the girls in sundresses and heels and men in tweed, all covered up with Barbours against the wind. I'm sure Her Majesty would have approved of the canine presence, being a dog lover herself.

I don't believe there is another sport which is so open to dogs. Where else could you have your dogs on you lap or at your feet in the grandstand, which a human would have to pay good money for, and watch the match? Not even other equestrian sports have such a welcoming attitude towards dogs. One could argue that dog-related sports such as agility are more "dog-friendly" but I disagree, because in these sports dogs as competitors are treated differently and spectator dogs are usually not allowed in the bleachers. As far as I can tell polo is by and large the most dog-friendly sport in the UK and US today, and perhaps elsewhere.

Treading in - Her Majesty the Queen in the background

Whippet enjoying a view from the grandstand

If you want to take your dog to polo within reach of London check out Guards Polo Club: http://www.guardspoloclub.com/   or for a bit further look at Cowdray Park Polo Club: http://www.cowdraypolo.co.uk/ 

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