On Thursday evening, MSU lost to Michigan 15-7 during the collegiate match, but for the members, it was the money raised that counted — $1,840 was raised from ticket sales, the 50/50 raffle, merchandise sales, donations and business advertisements, according to sophomore Rachel LeBel from the junior varsity MSU polo team. The money will be split in half to benefit both teams.

“This is both of our teams’ biggest fundraiser of the year,” LeBel said. “It’s different because we showcase the sport of polo so more people can learn about it.”

Before the collegiate match, attendees were able to rotate through different stations and experience polo. “Woody,” a wooden practice horse, was available to sit on and practice hitting balls with the wooden mallet.

Senior Erin VanBuskirk , junior Katie Humble , head coach Sarah Knapp , junior Kim Christie , senior Taylor McEvilly and senior and polo President Lauren Raycraft played for MSU throughout the four 7:30 chukkers (or quarters). Coaches from both MSU and Michigan played to keep the match continuous.

Throughout the game, coaches announced the play-by-play, in addition to explaining the game of polo.

“(Polo is) basically like hockey or lacrosse on horseback. We have mallets that we swing (hitting with the wide side of the mallet) and we hit a ball to a goal and either end. Three people play on a team at a time,” Raycraft said. “It is a contact sport so when you do take possession of the ball, you will bump into another player and their horse to push them off the line of the ball.”

Raycraft explained that Polo at the Pavilion is a way for parents to see non-varsity polo members play and gives the MSU student body the chance to experience the game firsthand. The fall and spring Polo at the Pavilion events are the only times the polo club plays on campus.

“Even in the horse-world, (polo) is not really big, especially in Michigan — there (are) only about two or three pro teams,” Raycraft said. “Between Michigan and MSU we have most of the people on them helping us out, so we are pretty well networked with them. When you get out into the country, it’s awesome.”

Knapp and her husband, Paul, who was the referee at the collegiate match, financially support the Polo team and have made the sport a big part of their lives.

“First and foremost, I love the horses. That’s the biggest thrill,” Knapp said. “We are both heavily involved with the sport and we just love it.”

Knapp was a student at MSU when the Polo program first took off, along with Michigan’s coach Emmalyn Wheaton . MSU and Michigan may be historical rivals, but the two Polo programs work together to benefit one another.

“Both teams are solely funded by the students themselves so they have to try and raise funds, whether it’s through dues or this type of event, sponsor donations, anything that helps fund our horses,” Knapp said. “They have 12 horses that they basically have to take care of — it’s not cheap.”

After having a fun night out that benefited their programs, both MSU and Michigan polo clubs thought the event was successful. The father of the Detroit Polo Club presented Michigan with their trophy at the end of the match, along with the crowds “favorite” pony being announced (whichever pony received the most donations). Their determination to raise funds to continue playing the sport is drawn by their love for the game.

“As someone who has ridden my whole life, and had never played polo before college — it’s an adrenaline rush,” Raycraft said.