Las Modelos

Photos by Shelly Marshall Schmidt Styling by Anna Coscia & Katie Roth

Ruben is an accomplished professional polo player who is also widely respected by his peers. Originally from Manzanares, Pilar, Argentina, Ruben came to the United States in 1988 to pursue polo and eventually attained a 6-goal handicap. His wife, Anna, grew up in polo, grooming and hot walking horses for her uncles. She also plays in ladies and mixed tournaments. Polo is not only the family business for Ruben and Anna, it is also their shared passion. They work well together to continually build their string of ponies, balancing each other’s strengths with each horse’s personality.

baby india

Flashy Baby India is an 8-year old homebred, ¾ Thoroughbred, ¼ Argentine mare. Her grandmother, named India, was one of Ruben’s first horses when he started playing polo and he also owned her mother, India. She was started by Anna and finished by Ruben. Baby India is handy, powerful, and wins every bump. She has several Best Playing Pony titles to her credit with many more in her future.

negra

Negra is a 16-year old off-the-track Thoroughbred mare. She was made by Ruben’s brother, Diego. She has been awarded multiple Best Playing Pony honors, and has been Ruben’s best horse for a number of years. Negra is catlike quick, powerful, and has a great mouth.

Milica

Milica is an 11-year old off-the-track Thoroughbred mare, bought from Jorge Vasquez, sporting his distinctive brand. She was trained by Anna and Ruben and played her first chukker like a made horse. She has multiple Best Playing Pony titles to her credit.

sport

Sport is an 11-year old Argentine gelding and one of the newest additions to Ruben’s string. Sport is super handy, correct, and easy to play. He has acquired multiple Best Playing Pony honors in just his first year with Ruben.

marley

Marley is a 12-year old Thoroughbred gelding. He was started by Ruben’s brother, Diego and Ruben purchased him when he was still green and finished him. Marley is now the fastest horse in Ruben’s string.

Sorpresa

Sorpresa is a 12-year-old Thoroughbred mare. Purchased from Kentucky as an unbroken 3-year old, she was started and trained by Anna. Sorpresa is easy and fun to play for either a sponsor or a pro.

negrita

Negrita is a 15-year old off-the-track Thoroughbred. She was purchased as a 3-year old and trained by Ruben. Negrita is powerful and gets you anywhere you want to go on the field. She is always sound. Negrita was awarded Best Playing Pony in the 2018 USPA Bronze Cup® 12 Goal final at New Bridge.