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GYC0784 - Polo, gauchos and private estancia Country: Argentina Cost: £3620.00 Cost Includes: The price includes accommodation, food and pickup from airport but does not include flight, insurance, kit or visas     Duration: 10 weeks Company Rep Nearby: All the time 0845 344 7514 or

 

	This placement would suit... Those who want to learn to play polo and improve their Spanish whilst experiencing life on a typical Argentinean estancia. Work alongside gauchos whilst learning to play polo with stick and balling at the private El Retiro Polo School, an amazing estancia close to Buenos Aires. Polo, gauchos and Spanish - a private estancia experience. Indulge your passion for horse riding and learn how to play polo. Head out to the private El Retiro Polo School, an amazing estancia close to Buenos Aires. Here you will be looked after by the Llambias family who are brilliant hosts, great fun and excellent polo players. You will spend your mornings working alongside the gauchos exercising the horses and helping out with general stable work. After a long traditional siesta, when you can swim, play tennis and generally relax, you will learn to play polo with stick and balling and ‘baby chukkas’ and will be able to play in matches. You will play according to your skill level and will be taught by Marcos, a 4 goal player, Marcos’ son Maco, a 7 goal player and the head groom, a 4 goal player. No previous experience of polo is necessary but you must be able to ride pretty well. There is plenty of time to sample traditional Argentinean hospitality, whether that’s chilling out with the gauchos drinking mate or going to parties in Buenos Aries. Top of the list is a visit to a high goal tournament as the Argentinean passion for this sport creates a tense and unforgettable atmosphere. Our users say... "My polo has improved considerably and Marcos and his family could not have been kinder - I never wanted to leave and will certainly go back, that’s a promise" - Charlotte Ledger. The polo experience in Argentina is, I think, unrivalled by any other country. Before I arrived in Argentina I had never held a polo stick in my hand or ridden with two reins. But by the end of my ten-week course at El Retiro Polo school I was playing to a safe and competitive standard. Passing, hooking, riding off, and even scoring, which I wasn’t sure was ever going to happen after a fairly disastrous start to my polo career. I can remember thinking to myself during my first stick and balling session, 'Who on earth would want to play this ridiculously difficult sport?' Not only did I have to steer a horse with one hand in the right direction without t-boning other riders. I had to hit a flying fist-sized ball while riding a moving horse with a stick that felt like it was made of lead rather than wood. With a bit of practice and perseverance though, I improved dramatically and so did everyone else in the group. - Reggie Noel. Helping who? - The gauchos at El Retiro Helping how? Leap 1: Polo and riding - Polo tuition, stick and ball, chukkas and compete in low goal tournaments. - Exercise polo ponies and help the gauchos with the stable work. Leap 2: Helping in the polo club - Socialise with other guests and help out at the club. Leap 3: Improve Spanish - Work alongside gauchos to improve your Spanish (lessons can be booked with a teacher). Adventure - Polo, tennis, golf, swimming, walking and cycling - Watch some of the World’s best players compete in high goal tournaments - Explore Buenos Aires Group size: 10 - 12 volunteers per placement. Cost includes... UK - Interview, consultation and briefing - Organisation and preparation of entire placement from start to finish - Supporting travel documents including effective fundraising guide - Management, advice and 24-hour back-up and support In-country - Safety briefing and induction - Management and support by a professional placement manager and team leaders (ratio: one leader to eight volunteers) - Full payment to the host towards your in-country costs - 24-hour emergency back-up and support - Airport pick-up and transfer to and from the placement - Full board and accommodation 0845 344 7514 The Leap: Don't just walk through life... take the Leap. Voluntary placements in Africa, South America, Asia and Australia, combining work in some of the most authentic safari camps/eco-lodges in the World, with effective and life-changing conservation and community projects. We are the only company to offer this fascinating mix of conservation, community and eco-tourism projects. Take the Leap on your own, with a friend or in a team. Flexible departure dates. 12-, 10- or six-week schemes including a Summer Team Leap.