Women’s Polo
International
5 minutes with…
Annabel McNaught-Davis NOT MANY PLAYERS, male or female can makes ends meet just by playing professional polo, which is why so many diversify into other aspects of the sport and outside business. 1 goaler, Annabel McNaught-Davis is a prime example of how a passion for polo has developed into her playing at Palermo and being approached by 7 goal, Camara-winning players to train their ponies. Spending as much time as she can in Argentina where she regularly plays 15 goal practices, Annabel splits her time between her farm in Los Cardales in close proximity to La Zeta, the Ellerstina Embryo Centre and playing polo out of Fifield Polo Club in Berkshire. She talks to Charley Larcombe about juggling playing and a new-found career as owner of hotel, La Sortija as well as her thoughts on some of the pressing issues in polo. How did you become involved in polo? Fourteen years ago, I had no idea what ‘polo’ was. None of my family have any background in equestrianism, but I, for some reason, have always just loved horses. Having requested to be sent to boarding school aged nine, I started regular riding lessons. Through sheer luck at the age of 13, I ended up helping out at Ham Polo Club with the Healy family. My first polo lesson at the end of that summer changed my life. I immediately started a polo team at school and through the Blake-Thomas family began to play Pony Club with the OSB, cycling and taking my stick bag on the train wherever necessary! Having finished a successful academic school career, and despite being pressured into going to a top University, I decided my heart was in polo and aged 17 went to work for Marianela Castagnola in Cañuelas and the Talamoni family in Entre Rios, Argentina. Two years later instead of accepting a ‘logical’ starter flat from my family, I decided to buy a base in Argentina in order to build a career there. I remember signing the deeds and realising that I didn’t even actually know how to get to the farm! In seven years, I now have a string of homemade ponies, my own breeding set-up, a successful hotel business and am rated within the top 20 female players in the world. How do you see women’s polo benefitting from the UK introduction of women’s handicaps? Argentina has had ladies handicaps in place now for five years and it has massively helped differentiate between the lower goal players. 68
Polo Times, May 2015
In the entire membership of the HPA the reality is that the variation between the lower goal players within their handicaps is huge. The ladies’ handicap system addresses this. Something, which will be unique to England is the review of women’s handicaps after the first tournament a member plays in, which is an improvement on the system in Argentina as outside ‘ringers’ have a massive effect on tournaments here. What do you think female players have to do to compete against men in polo? I really believe that polo is 80 per cent about ponies and preparation. In the years I have had my organisation in Argentina I have ridden hundreds of ponies and have slowly improved my string and consequently seen my handicap improve. Working with the Pittaluga family has helped me massively as they have given me access to what are essentially high goal ponies – which is the level of horse needed now to be competitive as a girl here in Argentina. I really believe that ponies and your personal infrastructure are what win you the match before you get there. My groom, Jose Alberto Cardoso has been with me for six years and I have put a massive amount into creating a professional set up with him. I also work hard on my fitness at the gym, running and through Pilates – both the ponies and players are athletes and the more you put in the more you get out. Ladies’ polo here in Argentina now has teams with personal trainers and girls bringing nine serious ponies to matches. In my opinion England is behind in this aspect. For me, the next step within women’s polo is to also create proper seasons as with the men’s high goal – at the moment there is no communication nor structure between the International tournaments. Creating this will not only improve women’s polo, but also give more exposure to the players. I truly believe that a lot of medium and high goal teams are missing out on some talented teammates! How does women’s polo in the UK compare to Argentina? The standard of polo, pitches and ponies is lower in England, due to many factors, but mainly regarding the climate and relative cost. Argentine male players dominate the top rankings, yet English lady players actually constitute the majority of the top 20 female
players in the world – so despite the conditions in England, there is a lot of talent. English girls are tougher in general and The Pony Club does a great job of starting players at a young age. I decided to base myself in Argentina as I could never afford to breed or make ponies in England, nor play polo to anywhere near the level that I have access to here. I play for numerous patrons here throughout both seasons in tournaments, which are coordinated to allow lady players to make a living. This is something England is seriously lacking – any continuity between Ladies’ Tournaments – not to mention access to the better pitches in the country. Which issue has recently piqued your interest? As recently highlighted in an online article, the HPA is almost entirely constituted by males – which is pretty unbelievable considering general ‘gender equality’ throughout every professional organisation worldwide. I have always felt the HPA have not really cared about lady players or their polo. I was rejected for an HPA scholarship at the age of 17 because my pony wouldn’t back up and I wasn’t from a polo background. I am pretty sure none of the successful applicants from my year are even actually playing polo any more. I was also not allowed to play in the last trial for the England Ladies Match in America as the HPA deemed that I hardly played in England – yet I am now rated within the top 10 of all 800 lady players. Last summer I contacted the HPA by phone to enquire about the lack of Ladies’ Test Matches and ask who was available to discuss this matter. Their reply was that I should contact the IWPA. Although the Grace family has done a massive amount with the IWPA in previous years, the reality is that the organisation is not helping ladies’ polo as it should and the whole system needs reviewing and updating. I personally would be more than happy to help update and restructure ladies’ polo within the HPA – something I believe Nina Clarkin is now trying to do with the introduction of ladies’ handicaps – but there is much more to be done. Should anyone wish to discuss anything with me please feel free to email me – annabelmcnd@gmail.com www.polotimes.co.uk