134 SIDELINES APRIL 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
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Georgia - Polo
Chukkar Farm Does It All
By Lauren R. Giannini
Jack Cashin discovered his true calling and niche in life when
he purchased land on the north side of Alpharetta, Georgia. Five
years later Jack embarked on his mission to bring the excitement
and fun of polo to visitors. This led to riding and polo lesson
programs in 1985. Over the years, Jack and his family have
evolved Chukkar Farm into a first class polo club and event facility.
Chukkar Farm involves several generations of Cashins, starting
with the founders Jack and his wife Helen (married for 65 years)
and three of their six children: Jason, Heath and Cara. Jason and
his wife Elisa, Cara Cashin Tadsen and her daughters Hope and
Joy all play polo. Heath may not play polo, but she is a valued
member of the Cashin team and manages the farm’s horses and
livestock. Cara organizes events and activities at Chukkar. Her
husband Kellum Tadsen coordinates maintenance of the grounds
and buildings on the farm and also serves as an outstanding polo
announcer.
The Cashin passion for polo began in 1973 when Jack moved
to Atlanta and read a newspaper article about the Atlanta Polo
Club. “I had tried most sports – skydiving, scuba, football, and I
thought I’d try polo,” Jack recalled. “I went to the polo club and told
the person there that I’d like to play polo. She said, ‘Get yourself a
horse.’ Well, I didn’t know anything about horses. One of the polo
players introduced me to a big palomino Quarter Horse. I named
him Hennessy and we learned to play polo together. It was all trial
and error. I had to ask questions and I made a lot of mistakes.
Hennessy was a wonderful horse and he forgave me for all of my
sins.”
Today, Chukkar Farm provides a picturesque venue for
weddings, concerts, corporate outings, charity fundraisers, private
parties, corporate team building, polo matches, summer camp,
and riding lessons (hunter/jumper and polo) from beginner to
intermediate.
Jack still plays polo even though he has bragging rights to
15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He’s also the
undisputed leader of his dynasty even though for years he has
delegated authority to his offspring. It’s very obvious that he is
very proud of his family and his farm.
Polo continues to play a vital role: they accommodate both grass
and arena polo. Chukkar Farm gets booked for team building
activities by large corporations, including Cox Communications.
“We do it with polo, whether they ride or not, and we use the arena
for staging purposes,” Jack said. “Polo breaks down all the walls.
It changes how they look at each other and how they interact and
react.”
Imagine the scenario in the arena when Chukkar’s Beth
Millwood introduces six to eight department heads, executives or
co-workers to the basics of riding and polo. They start out on foot
with mallets, then mount up. Dealing with horses, reins, mallets
and going after the ball while interacting with teammates and
opponents – all this changes the dynamics of how they perceive
themselves and each other. It’s extremely exciting and activities
are controlled so that it stays safe, fun and entertaining. The team
building experience can finish with lunch, dinner or a cocktail party.
It’s a unique package in terms of business outings and polo team
building produces great results and creates lasting memories.
The farm’s primary purpose all along has been for teaching,
Jack Cashin, polo-playing founder of Chukkar Farm.
Chukkar Farm’s polo field is great for spectators and ideal for
beginner players, fundraiser matches, weddings and parties.
Photo By Nina P. Shields
