Dale Schwetz is a native to state of Florida, the epic center for the Sport of Kings: Polo.
At the early age of 8 years old, Dale started riding horses at the Royal Palm Polo Club in Boca Raton. Dale was not aware that the sport of Polo was unusual for an American child to want to play. Meanwhile, his peers were playing America’s favorite pastimes of baseball and football. If he was growing up outside the United States in countries such as Argentina, it would be considered normal to play Polo. Dale knew at an early age, nothing would stop him in pursuing his dream. He just knew he would make the sport of Polo his life!
During Dale’s teen years, 1981 to 1985, he was accepted to the elite college preparatory boarding school, Culver Military Academy, located in Culver, Indiana. Dale was a member of the nation’s elite horsemanship groups for high school students, known as the “Black Horse Troop”. He won three (3) National Championships in Polo. It was during this time he was able to master his horsemanship skills to a professional level.
After completing college, Dale headed to the West Coast and started playing professional Polo at the Rancho Santa Fe Polo Club. He was quickly rated 2 goals at the age of 20. Working hard on and off the fields, Dale joined the professional polo circuit. He played in all levels ranging from 4 goals to 30 goal teams back in Florida at Palm Beach Polo Club in Wellington. Dale was able to achieve a handicap of 5 goals as a professional polo player.
In 2009, Dale was honored and inducted to the “Culver Horsemanship” Hall of Fame. The Culver Horsemanship Hall of Fame is comprised of outstanding equestrians honored for their incredible accomplishments in their field. Those honored are from Olympians to Owners of Breeder Cup Champions.
Dale has been umpiring for 10 years achieving the highest rating for an umpire. He was awarded the Carlton Beal Award for Professional Umpire of the Year. Dale and his wife, Stephanie have built a life with horses and polo, and Dale continues to work on bettering all aspects of the game.
At the early age of 8 years old, Dale started riding horses at the Royal Palm Polo Club in Boca Raton. Dale was not aware that the sport of Polo was unusual for an American child to want to play. Meanwhile, his peers were playing America’s favorite pastimes of baseball and football. If he was growing up outside the United States in countries such as Argentina, it would be considered normal to play Polo. Dale knew at an early age, nothing would stop him in pursuing his dream. He just knew he would make the sport of Polo his life!
During Dale’s teen years, 1981 to 1985, he was accepted to the elite college preparatory boarding school, Culver Military Academy, located in Culver, Indiana. Dale was a member of the nation’s elite horsemanship groups for high school students, known as the “Black Horse Troop”. He won three (3) National Championships in Polo. It was during this time he was able to master his horsemanship skills to a professional level.
After completing college, Dale headed to the West Coast and started playing professional Polo at the Rancho Santa Fe Polo Club. He was quickly rated 2 goals at the age of 20. Working hard on and off the fields, Dale joined the professional polo circuit. He played in all levels ranging from 4 goals to 30 goal teams back in Florida at Palm Beach Polo Club in Wellington. Dale was able to achieve a handicap of 5 goals as a professional polo player.
In 2009, Dale was honored and inducted to the “Culver Horsemanship” Hall of Fame. The Culver Horsemanship Hall of Fame is comprised of outstanding equestrians honored for their incredible accomplishments in their field. Those honored are from Olympians to Owners of Breeder Cup Champions.
Dale has been umpiring for 10 years achieving the highest rating for an umpire. He was awarded the Carlton Beal Award for Professional Umpire of the Year. Dale and his wife, Stephanie have built a life with horses and polo, and Dale continues to work on bettering all aspects of the game.