From the big screen and streaming shows to social media and luxury lifestyle trends, polo and equestrian culture are enjoying a renewed moment in the spotlight. Once seen as a niche pastime, horse riding, polo and the wider ranch lifestyle are increasingly finding their way into popular culture – and travellers looking to experience the lifestyle for themselves can do so in Sarasota County, Florida, where equestrian traditions meet winter sunshine.
But while the British polo season winds down as autumn arrives, Sarasota County offers visitors the chance to continue enjoying the sport throughout the winter, with its own distinctive take on polo and an abundance of equestrian experiences.
Polo with a Florida twist
Sarasota Polo hosts games on Sundays and select Thursdays during its 2026–27 season, running from December 20, 2026 through April 11, 2027. Rather than simply replicating the traditional British polo experience, Sarasota puts its own distinctly Floridian spin on match day, with themed tailgates and a relaxed, social atmosphere.
Previous Sunday themes have included pirates, cowboys and Christmas, making the polo grounds as much a place for a day out with friends and family as they are for watching the action on the pitch.
For British visitors, there is even a familiar sight on the sidelines: the club’s Routemaster bus, affectionately known as “The Hemingway”. Originally brought over from London, it provides an open-air viewing area and drinks setup – a suitably unexpected meeting point between British polo tradition and the Florida lifestyle.
Away from the match itself, visitors can get closer to the sport through halftime activities, including wooden hitting horses that offer an introduction to the mechanics of polo, while Mini Mart, a real polo pony and local favourite, can often be found dressed to suit the day’s theme.
Beyond polo: Sarasota’s equestrian lifestyle
The appeal of Sarasota’s horse culture extends well beyond the polo field. For travellers looking to discover more of the region’s equestrian scene, Fox Lea Farm in Venice is a family-owned, nationally recognised horse show facility hosting around 42 events a year, including dressage and produces approximately 20 Grand Prix competitions each year.
The wider Sarasota area also offers an opportunity to explore the increasingly popular ranch and equestrian lifestyle, particularly around Lakewood Ranch, where an upscale approach to outdoor living, open spaces and a strong sense of community creates another side to Sarasota’s relationship with horses and the outdoors.
From watching a polo match to discovering dressage, exploring ranch-style communities or simply enjoying the region’s parks, trails and open-air spaces, Sarasota offers plenty of ways to experience the equestrian lifestyle without needing to be an experienced rider.
For more information on visiting Sarasota County, visit visitsarasota.com
Riding images supplied. Destination images courtesy of unsplash.com and pexels.com
