How did you become interested in polo?
My son wanted to play. He was 10, so I went with him to Desert Palm Polo Club – this was the local club in Dubai, where we living at the time. I started taking lessons with him, and we both loved it. The rest is history. I’d only started riding a couple of years earlier at the age of 38, I’d wanted to ride my whole life and once I found polo it was love.
What’s life back home? Do you play there?
We’ve been living in Malta for the last six years (that’s where I’m from) and we play three times a week Malta Polo Club. It’s a very friendly club, and it’s the oldest club in the Western hemisphere.. outside Calcutta it’s the oldest club in the world. My son and I have two mares that we share: La Gatta and Totti, the diva! I’m not too competitive – the main enjoyment for me about polo is getting better on my own terms. Although I do play tournaments, I must enjoy club chukkas, which are really fun and social.
What do you like about El Venado?
It’s a beautiful, really genuine working farm. I love that authenticity. I came for the first time this year in 2019 with two friends from Malta. I found it such a holistic experience. I wanted to play but I also wanted to visit Argentina. My friends have only started playing recently so we needed somewhere that would cater to all of us. We’ve all loved it.
Favourite horse?
There have been a few I’ve really liked riding. I’d have to say Quinto… but It’s quite difficult to choose a favourite!
If you could play polo anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Sotogrande in Spain, where you can play in Winter. The weather there is beautiful! Maybe in the future!
Best thing you’ve learned at El Venado?
Fede really took me back to basics. Showing me the importance of the correct grip – achieving that has completely changed my swing. It’s not something you can change overnight so it’ll take lots of practice, but I’m already so much more accurate. I actually have a muscle on my hand I never had before! I call it the Fede muscle!
