Hard-working Mauro is our polo groom here at El Venado Polo School. He’s always busy looking after the horses, but he stopped to sit down for ten minutes to tell us a bit about himself!
How long have you worked as a polo groom at El Venado Polo School?
Since 2016. I have worked with horses all my life and came to help with a small job. Then Federico asked me to stay on full time – and I am still here!
Where are you from?
I was born in Castelli, Buenos Aires. My father worked with horses, looking after thoroughbreds, and my brother and I always helped him. That’s how we got started. Working with horses is in our family blood.
What does your average day involve?
I get up about 6:30, have breakfast and drive to work from where I live in Pila (the village closest to El Venado Polo School).
In the mornings I clean all the tack ready for the day and bring in the horses we’re working with that day. I’ll often work some of the young horses in the mornings, or ride sets around the field to exercise them. Later in the morning, I get the horses ready for stick and ball on the field, then it’s time for lunch and a siesta.
The afternoons depend on whether we’re playing chukkas or stick and balling. Either way, I’ll get the horses ready and put them away again once they’re done. My day finishes when the light is gone – the days are longer in Summer.
What’s your favourite (and least favourite) part of the polo groom job?
The favourite thing is the horses. I love the horses. I also love working with the cattle – being out in the field is so peaceful. It’s calm, quiet work. I don’t really have a least favourite thing, but the hardest work is when there are a lot of people staying for polo. Then I will have a lot of horses to get ready, especially when we are playing chukkas.
Favourite sport (apart from polo)?
Horse racing. Everything is about horses!
What do you do when you’re not at work?
Home with wife and spend time with kids (21, 19, 15 girl, two boys).
Do you have a favourite horse?
I like to play Open Guille, he is very docile and tame. But every time you push him he gives a little bit more.
What do you love about El Venado Polo School?
The countryside, the history of the estancia. And working with the horses and cattle. Nothing annoys me at El Venado Polo School.
What is Federico like as a boss?
He’s an excellent boss… of course!
