Updated Jan. 10: A previous version of the story that appeared on Jan. 7 included an incorrect grade level. The misstatement of grade level has been corrected.

When asked about his extracurriculars, junior Sid Sharma used to say that he plays “polo.” However, people in the area would always misinterpret his statement, falsely assuming that he meant water polo. But rather than putting on a speedo, Sharma puts on a helmet and shin guards and climbs onto his horse.

When he moved to California, horseriding became less accessible, so his riding practice became inconsistent. However, in seventh grade, Sharma found and began the sport he still plays today: polo.

“My dad was also into [polo],” Sharma said. “It’s such a unique sport that I wanted to try it out myself.”

Horses carry their riders at 40 miles per hour, so fast that the game is split into 7 1/2 to eight minute chuckers, or sections, to allow the exhausted horses to be switched out. As the horses’ hooves pound the floor in full gallop, players must direct their horses with four different reins while striking the polo ball with accuracy, all while planning strategy to get the polo ball into the opponent’s goal.

“If you fall off at 40 miles per hour, you can imagine how dangerous that would be,” Sharma said. “It’s one of the most dangerous sports in the world.”

“You can’t fully domesticate a horse,” Sharma said. “The can spook, they can buck and the rider can fall off.”

Yet, the fast-paced aspect of the gameplay is what excites Sharma the most. Though the game is dangerous, Sharma continues to drive 14 miles to Menlo Park three times a week for practice. He cherishes his moments with all the polo players he can find. He spends time with his dog in parks playing fetch with a hand-held mallet and polo ball. Among a sea of water polo players, Sharma continues to stand up in his saddle and swing at the polo ball, as a polo player.