Some of those players, as well as new ones, are back in the country this year, but now there is a focus on helping them improve their polo, he said.
As a result, over winter, the Kuru property has become home to new facilities including corral, stalls, wash bays and about 35 horses supplied by the Kurus, McDonald and Ed White, which are being housed, schooled, exercised, stick and balled and played by eight players.
The idea is to provide the Mongolian players training in preparing the ponies, some of which are experienced and some novice, as well as gaining finesse on the field.
"Where they come from, a horse is just a horse - they are all expert riders but there's very little training with polo ponies," McLean said.
"They are also getting used to the horses, which are bigger than their small Mongolian ponies."
And there's been good results, with lots of comments made at the recent Hawke's Bay Wine Country Cup on how much the players who were here last year had improved.
"They used to just chase the ball but now they mark their man," McLean said.
The real test, however, will be next month when the team competes at a tournament in Bangkok, Thailand.
If that's successful, it bodes well for discussions underway to extend the development programme to Australian Aboriginal players in the future, as part of an initiative underway across the Tasman.
Beach Polo
excitement buildsNew Zealand's first and only beach polo tournament is promising to be a sporting spectacular organisers hope will become an annual tradition.
For the general public, the main action will be on New Year's Eve, starting at low tide about 10am. Three high-paced games, some featuring top New Zealand players will be played.
Spectators will be ringside of the playing area that's about 100m long and 50m wide.
To top off the day, a New Year's Eve party will be held at the Porangahau Country Club.
Tickets: $20 available from Rich 027 230 2333, Bo 855 5152 or email fish.man@xtra.co.nz