Pig Thinks She Is A Polo Pony

Wilma finds a home — and some shade. Photo from Hawaii Polo Club.

If you ever spot Hawaii Polo Club’s horses galloping around the playing field or on trails in Waialua, see if you can spot Wilma among the herd.

Take note: Wilma’s not a horse. She’s a pig.

Hawaii Polo Club president Mike Dailey says they found baby Wilma alone between two Waialua streams.

“She was a little tiny pig. We didn’t see any signs that the mother was around,” he said.

So club members brought her back to the stables. It’s a fairly common practice, Dailey says, for racehorses to bond with smaller animals, like goats, sheep and ponies. Wilma is no exception to the rule.

“She was hanging out in the paddock, and the horses kind of accepted her. She’s been living there for the last few months, and they’ve become close buddies.”

And in turn, Wilma has integrated herself into the herd. Dailey says Wilma follows the horses onto the field and trails, running alongside them or even leading the gallop.

“Since she’s only ever seen horses, she kind of thinks that’s what she is,” Dailey said.

The club plans on keeping Wilma as a permanent resident, and they’ve even outfitted her with a little red vest so hunters don’t mistake her for a wild pig.

“She’s very happy, and we’re happy to have her,” Dailey said.

Polo enthusiasts won’t see Wilma at the matches (she prefers to stay in the stables), but the game lineup ahead won’t disappoint, according to Dailey.

“We’ve got a great season lined up, a great schedule of visiting teams,” he declared.

Matches are at 2 p.m. Sundays at the clubhouse, located at 68-411 Farrington Hwy. General admission is $12.

Dailey highlights upcoming matches against teams from China (May 10) and New Zealand (May 24), as well as South Korea this summer.

For more information, visit hawaii-polo.org.