The Life of a Polo Groupie

Travelling the world with a well-regarded polo player is amazing, but can at times be a lot less glamorous than it sounds. Dating this man is great, but also has its downfalls, such as putting your own career on hold and often dealing with fans clambering for a photo or autograph! As a polo player’s girlfriend, you have to be all in, or all out.

Polo is played all over the world. It involves many car, truck and plane journeys for both players and their horses. I never knew much about it and just thought it was a pretentious sport the princes’ played. NZ was where I first encountered polo, when I needed a job and became a polo groom with a friend.  In a way I sort of became obsessed, not only with the glitz and glamour but with the skill, effort, determination and love for the sport the players show on a daily basis. The horses also show immense talent, courage and skill. They love their job and are well taken care of, in fact, most are treated like royalty.

Tournaments are played throughout NZ, with the biggest location being, Clevedon, Auckland, NZ. The largest tournament is the BMW Open which ends each season in late February. Crowds of people come from all over the world mainly Australia, England, Argentina, and South Africa to watch the highest level of NZ polo. And of course, many come to join the after match party.

The typical stereotype of women in designer dresses, hats and Jimmy Choo shoes, drinking Veuve Cliquot, with kids running around with mini polo sticks causing havoc, is exactly how it is.

Once the match is finished and the after parties kick off, the bars come to life, marquees are filled with spectators, grooms and players, drinks are flowing and the DJ is playing.  Party goers dances on tables and some try to get up on the stage; parties on the polo field are great fun! Then there is always an exclusive after party back at someone's (multi-million dollar mansion) house, until the early hours of the morning.

Travelling to the UK was thrilling for me, as I knew that polo had a greater following there and consequently more professional players, as opposed to predominately amateur players in NZ. This was also the first time I wouldn't be working as a groom, which was exciting for me, because for once I could just watch and enjoy the game, instead of running around like a headless chicken getting the horses ready and managing almost everything to do with the team for the day!

The parties – well who wouldn’t be excited to get all dressed up and drink champagne like royalty? Then again, the parties range from black tie affairs and award evenings, to casual tournament and club house after match functions.

One of my favourite functions would have to be the Gold Cup finals day. Starting on the champagne at 11am, eating canapes and socialising continues until 3pm when the game begins.

The game could almost become secondary as the drinking or catching up on the latest gossip continues throughout. When the game finishes the party really gets started, with champagne on tap, photo booths where you can get memorable photos with fancy props, and there are feather dancers on stage.

Soto Grande in the south of Spain is another place that polo has taken me to. The polo grounds are amazing, with temperatures in the high 30’s, open roof top bars and mini food vans, flags and flashing fairy lights surround the outside of the polo fields which set a great atmosphere. Each place is has its own unique party atmosphere which has to be experienced to be believed.

The one downside for me to being a 'polo groupie' is that I did not start my own career. Having graduated university a few years ago, and not using my degree, at times causes me to feel guilt for possibly wasting all those days studying and achieving a degree. Also the weight of having a large student loan to be paid back is of concern to me. This is however offset by the fact that I have travelled the world and met some amazing people along the way.

From watching amateur players in NZ to watching Prince William in the UK, being involved in the polo scene is amazing and very levelling. I can say with confidence that deciding to be a ‘polo groupie’ for me, has been well and truly worthwhile.  On this journey so far, I have experienced some amazing places and people, which I may have never experienced, or met if not for polo.