GAME ON!

PLAYER PROFILE: LEIGH ANN SAJOR

Leigh Ann Sajor took up polo in 2020 after participating in the Seattle Polo Club’s introductory clinic. Since then, she has played in Seattle, California, and Argentina—and she is now the proud owner of three beautiful polo ponies. Polo has been one of the most challenging sports that Leigh Ann has taken on, but this athletic sales executive admits that it is also, by far, the most rewarding.

What first inspired you to get involved in polo?

LS: My inspiration to play polo comes, first and foremost, from my love and adoration of horses. I was introduced to the sport in 2019 by a former boss, county manager of Chicago Title, Brian Olenik, who now plays out of Southern California. I saw a post of his at the Seattle Polo Club and reached out almost immediately to learn more. I attended the Intro to Polo Clinic in 2020 and was hooked! Growing up as a competitive athlete I can say with certainty that polo is the hardest sport I've ever played. But being able to push my own physical limits alongside such amazing animals is truly a dream come true.

What is the most rewarding facet of the sport?

LS: The most rewarding facet is when the fundamentals that I have been practicing repeatedly start to click and, as a result, I gain confidence in my game. When I visited the La Plata Polo Club in Argentina this past December certain fundamentals really started to click, and it made it that much better to have my coaches and friends there to witness and experience that growth with me.

How did you find your polo ponies?

LS: I have had amazing help in building my string of ponies. I purchased my first horse, Jaguar (affectionately known as 'Bizchochito'), in California, with the help of Joaquin Condomi Alcorta and Jennifer Sims. My other two ponies, Ray and Brujita, come from Francisco Guinazu, a professional player and polo horse trainer. I can't say how lucky I am to have Joaquin train all my ponies each season. It's because of his amazing work, I have the handiest little polo string in the world, or as Joaquin likes to call us: Team Nugget!

What has you hooked on polo?

LS: Polo is the only thing I've ever done that takes me completely out of my head and keeps me 150% present. When we step onto the field all stress and anxiety seem to fade away. I don’t think about work or anything else for that matter, the only thing I'm focused on is the game. It's all consuming in the best way. On top of enjoying the physicality of the sport, it is also very mentally stimulating; almost therapeutic. I always feel a sense of calm, clarity, and happiness after games. That, paired with getting to experience it with such a positive and supportive group of friends has me hooked on polo.

What are your goals for the future?

LS: My goal every year is to be the best player that I can be and to play better than I did the year before. Of course, I'd love to win a tournament (or two) every summer—after all, I am incredibly competitive. As I continue to improve, I'd love to eventually move up to the 3-goal tournament level. I have progressed well over the past 3 years, and I can’t wait to keep playing and improving each polo season.

Benjie was adopted from another country.

Not only did he have to learn another culture and its traditions, but his new family life wasn’t anything like his homelife in his country of birth. As a young child making such a life-shattering move, he didn’t cope well to his new surroundings. That is why he came to Raven Rock.

He struggled in school, with peers, but mostly with his new siblings and parents. They felt that all he needed was more “structure”, but what he really needed was more love and acceptance. Rules without relationship will lead to anger and explosion. Benjie did explode violently. But at the ranch he found acceptance, love and no judgment. Through a relationship with a horse, Benjie was able to feel important, worthy and accepted. We helped him develop his first relationship he could really trust—the relationship with Reo, his horse. From there, he could begin to trust his family.

Raven Rock Ranch is a 501 (C) (3) organization that gives free mental health treatment to at-risk youth in our community. Raven Rock Ranch uses Equine Facilitated Therapy which is effective, successful and fun for the kids. Your tax-deductible donation allows these deserving children and teens to get the help that could save their life. After 1 year of consistent treatment, the individual's suicidal ideation goes from 98% down to 2% as Raven Rock Ranch is a suicide prevention resource.

Raven Rock Ranch is 100% donor based. Please donate by visiting our website: ravenrockranch.org

As a revenue stream from our non-profit, we have adapted our therapeutic technique to help teams in the corporate community develop trust and leadership. Resonance Partners takes teams from 6-10 people and teaches them how to work together with trust and excellent leadership skills that only horses could teach. If interested, please contact Tim Matts 425-269-8107 or email Allegra at allegra@ravenrockranch.org