What are the mallets made from?
From bamboo; the canes come from the India. They’re difficult to make; a painstaking process, all done by hand. As they’re wooden, they have to be stuck together, crafted, adjusted, the head has to be fitted, and all the alterations that are involved.
How long do the mallets last?
They could very well last an entire season, depending on the fields you play on and how lucky you are. If you strike with the head it’ll last longer than if you do so with the shaft, where it’ll break easily.
What kind of uniform do you use in polo?
Boots, knee guards, helmet, wrist guards, gloves and goggles.The goggles are very important. The ball is extremely hard, and more than a few players have lost an eye. I remember a match where, had I not been wearing goggles, I’d have lost an eye. Underage kids are required to wear goggles in Argentina. Then you need a mallet, riding crop, horse, and you’re set!
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And the horses?
They also undergo lots of preparation. For example, when we train, the saddles and horseshoes have to be prepared. Each horse uses a different horseshoe. Everything has to be organised; polo requires a lot of work. But the horse keepers do an excellent job. Not only do they look after the horses, they also need a fantastic memory.
How many people do you have helping you?
Two horse keepers; normally the head horse
keeper and an assistant. We’re also there to
ILLUSTRATION FELIPE PFISTER
mount and lend a hand. They do an incredible job; without them it would be impossible.
They’re up and out with the horses at five in the morning. The horses sleep after lunch, and then they’re back out with them from half past four until eight.
Which are better, males or females?
Polo is traditionally played with females. In the past, if something happened to a male, if he got injured, he was no longer fit for breeding and most were gelded. Females, on the other hand, could still be used for breeding.
They’re more sensitive in terms of handling, in the mouth, which is why polo players tend to prefer mares.
How long can they keep playing?
Like footballers, it depends on injuries, on their physical condition. Some horses keep going for 8 years, which is a long time for a horse. They normally don’t start until they’re 6. They’re tamed when they’re 3, gradually introduced to polo when they’re 4 and enter serious competition at 6. We have to wait quite a while