I AM fairly sure I don't qualify for the status of highly paid, hugely stressed executive. But if I did, I know how to deal with the intolerable pressure at the top of the corporate world.

It's a sport that is "ballet from the waist up and rugby from the waist down" and may not be everyone's idea of a relaxing afternoon.

And you have to enjoy a certain income to make it a regular affair.

But after my first two-hour introductory session I was hooked. The sport in question is polo.

Giles Ormerod, who became a professional in 1984, owns and runs Druids Lodge Polo Club, just north of Salisbury.

He has a large number of business people from Dorset and Hampshire among his clients.

"It's a very exhilarating sport and it really tests you, which is a big attraction for businessmen and women. If you are under constant pressure in business how do you get an adrenalin rush outside work?"

Ormerod says squash is one option but you have to remain pretty fit. Although polo is not for slouches, you can comfortably play until you are 65 for the simple reason that the horse is the athlete.

And incredible athletes they are too, easy to ride and trained to be responsive to the lightest of touches, highly tuned, ready to do what you want. They're the heart of the sport.

Over 100 horses are stabled at Druids Lodge.

"Another advantage for busy people is that someone else gets everything ready for you," explains Ormerod.

We employ people to look after the horses. You just pull up, play, get the buzz, have a drink and go home."

Polo has a glamorous image, though also an elitist one, in part because of its Royal profile (Princes William and Harry have played Druids Lodge). Ormerod admits that some people can spend hundreds of thousands indulging their passion.

But you can also "dip your toe in the water" and it won't necessarily break the bank.

A one-hour coaching session at Druids Lodge is £65, two hours £100.

"It's certainly not as exclusive as some people might think."

Polo is increasingly popular at private schools and universities, less so in the Army than it used to be.

You need to be a team player, use your head under pressure and keep cool under fire - all good reasons why the sport was popular in the forces. There is still a club at Tidworth.

Men often struggle as newcomers to the game, as they try to hit the ball too hard because they have only ever used power as a means of control and this is not about power.

Keen polo player Dan Hobson, managing director of Poole-based software and IT hardware provider Codestone, said: "Polo is the most exhilarating and addictive sport I have come across. It is also a sport you can compete in at a high level well in to your 50s.

"The combination of horse control, speed, physical strength, tactics and stick and ball skills make it the most demanding and therefore rewarding sport you can play.

"Polo is very sociable. In fact its structure is dependent on players knowing each other very well.

As a result it is a great way to make contacts in business you wouldn't necessarily come across in everyday life because polo players come from an incredibly diverse cross section of industry from farmers to bankers to retired racing drivers."

Giles Ormerod describes polo as "a drug" and after my session I can see exactly what he means. As a left hander in a right handed game, my technique with the polo stick left much to be desired but the thrill was enormous. The opportunity to ride a polo pony that looked, felt and responded like the equestrian equivalent of a Ferrari was superb.

"Polo is all about passion," says Ormerod. "Passion for the horses and for the game. If people don't get the passion from me, I am pretty sure they aren't going to get it at all."

On second thoughts, I think I may have the potential to be a stressed-out executive after all.

  • Druids Lodge Polo 01722 782 597.