Nearside Strike *Original*

Title: Nearside Strike
Size: 48 x 32 in.
Year: 2025
Location: West Palm Beach, FL, USA
Medium: Acrylic on canvas

A Dramatic Tribute to One of Polo’s Most Demanding Techniques

Nearside Strike is inspired by one of polo’s most technically demanding moves: the nearside shot, where the player strikes the ball from the left side of the horse while in full gallop. Part of Kyle Lucks’ Black & White Equestrian Series, this piece captures the raw emotion, balance, and precision of the moment. With abstract brushwork, layered texture, and dynamic splatter mimicking kicked-up dirt, it tells the story through motion alone. No faces, no distractions - just grip, swing, and torque - drawing the viewer into the rhythm of elite-level polo from the inside out.

Inside the Art: The Story Behind Nearside Strike

Nearside Strike is a bold, abstract equestrian painting by Kyle Lucks that captures the raw intensity of one of polo’s most iconic and technically demanding maneuvers - the nearside shot. Known for its difficulty and elegance, this move requires a rider to strike the ball from the left side of the horse while galloping at full speed. It’s a rare display of balance, timing, and instinct, performed in a matter of seconds under extreme pressure.
Rather than focusing on facial features or literal realism, Kyle brings the scene to life through motion. The torque of the wrist, the tension in the grip, and the arc of the swing are all conveyed through expressive brushwork and textured layering. Splatter elements along the lower edge echo the spray of turf and dirt kicked up in real time, pulling the viewer into the rhythm of the match.
This piece embraces bold abstraction to mirror the essence of the nearside strike - fast, instinctual, and precise. It delivers a dynamic interpretation of elite polo, fusing the elegance of fine art with the raw intensity of equestrian sport.
Nearside Strike is a one-of-a-kind painting for collectors of modern equestrian art, polo enthusiasts, and those drawn to the tension, power, and grace of horse and rider in motion.

Why Buy Nearside Strike:

• Bold, Abstract Equestrian Art
  A statement piece for collectors of contemporary polo and horse-themed fine art.
• Celebrates Elite Polo Technique
  Honors the nearside shot, one of the most difficult and graceful moves in the game.
• Motion in Every Detail
  Splatter at the bottom suggests kicked-up earth, amplifying the energy of the moment.
• Emotion Without Identity
  No faces, no distractions, just balance, grit, and the beauty of athletic form.
• Part of the Black & White Equestrian Series
  A monochrome, high-contrast exploration of movement and equine power.

Perfect For:

• Polo and equestrian art collectors
• Luxury homeowners and interior designers
• Abstract art fans and sports art lovers
• Those curating high-impact gallery walls
• Gift-givers seeking one-of-one legacy pieces