Instructor & Pro
Learn the fundamentals of polo through horsemanship, mounted control, mallet work, and step-by-step instruction designed for riders entering the sport.
From first lessons to arena practice and open-field confidence, Shannon Hill Polo Club introduces riders to polo with structure, patience, and real horsemanship.
Dani Wasty is the club professional and instructor at Shannon Hill Polo Club in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. A second-generation polo player and longstanding member of the United States Polo Association, Dani has been involved with the sport since childhood and brings deep experience in horsemanship, mounted control, and polo instruction.
At Shannon Hill, Dani teaches riders of all levels, with a strong focus on helping beginners build confidence step by step. His instruction begins with the fundamentals: understanding the horse, improving balance, learning control, developing field awareness, and gradually progressing into mallet work, stick-and-ball practice, arena play, and open-field polo.
Known for introducing new riders to polo in a structured and approachable way, Dani helps students learn the sport with patience, safety, and respect for the horse at the center of every lesson. With access to both indoor and outdoor arenas, he is able to provide year-round instruction and guide riders from their first lesson toward a deeper understanding of the game.
Polo begins with horsemanship. Riders need to understand the horse, the rhythm of the game, and how to progress safely before moving into competitive play.
Dani Wasty
Dani Wasty in the Polo Community.
Dani Wasty’s polo work extends beyond Shannon Hill Polo Club through USPA-connected clinics, tournament participation, equine welfare involvement, and media recognition. His experience spans beginner instruction, mounted mallet work, arena and field polo, and the broader development of riders and horses.
USPA Training Clinics
Connected with polo training clinics, including USPA-linked instruction at Virginia Polo Inc.
Training clinic referenceTournament Play
Played with the New Hope team in USPA Regional President's Cup competition at Tinicum Park Polo Club.
Tournament referencePolo Pony Welfare
Referenced in equine welfare context through American Equestrian Alliance and USPA Polo Pony Welfare Guidelines.
Welfare referenceABC7 New York Feature
Featured by ABC7 New York discussing horsemanship, rider development, and the path toward competitive polo.
ABC7 featureDepending on the person’s horsemanship; if they’ve been riding their whole life they can excel pretty rapidly... If you haven’t been riding and never ridden before it’s going to take at least four to five years until you can be in an aggressive competitive game-like situation.
Dani Wasty, ABC7 New York feature
Interested in learning polo with Dani?
Text works best for lesson inquiries.
Text Dani: 908-279-5350shannonhillpolo@gmail.com