Hector Galindo landed his first playing job at the age of 15 and it set him on course for a playing career that took him out of his hometown of Midland Texas. “It was my first flight,” he said of his journey to Detroit polo club. “That started my career.”

His first overseas job was playing in England alongside the current King - Prince Charles at that time - for Geoffrey Kent’s high goal polo team. “He was four goals at that time,” Hector said of his royal teammate. “I had a great couple of seasons with him. He’s a great guy.”

Hector grew up one of four brothers and pays homage to his roots, still playing if he can, in the Galindo Memorial at Midland. The highlight of his career though was his achievement in the Florida season. “Getting to play in the high goal in the US - it was 30 goals at the time - I was pretty proud of playing at that level,” he said.

Today Hector is on the other side of the fence during the winters, umpiring the high goal in Wellington. He umpired as a player back in the days before pro umpiring took shape.

“It’s very different as a professional,” he said. “Back then you knew how to play the game and you knew some rules but as a professional umpire you’ve really got to know all the rules.”

When he was approached to join the umpire program, he saw it as an opportunity to stay involved in polo. “I love every aspect of the game and I thought I would enjoy it and I do enjoy it,” he said. “Just the camaraderie between the umpires. We are like a big polo team.”