NEWS

With the COVID-19 pandemic changing everyone’s lives and initiating new routines, many people have found a new passion within the last year. After being a showjumper for almost 15 years, Petra Sobotova had the chance to try polo and since then she has never stopped playing. “Despite having spent the winters in Wellington [Florida] for the past decade or so, I only started playing polo a year ago,” said USPA member Sobotova. “At the start of last year’s season my schedule was slightly more flexible, so I started taking lessons with Justin Daniels* a couple times a week, and was immediately hooked.”

Sobotova’s story with polo also shows how important it is to have the right instructor guide you in the first steps. “Justin recognized my passion for the sport and helped me get off to a great start with a win in my first tournament,” Sobotova shared. “I spent the summer up in Kentucky with my jumpers and that’s where I met Jorge Vasquez and joined the Commonwealth Polo Club [Paris, Kentucky]. Arena polo is a lot of fun and taught me a lot about the rules of the game and how to bump and hook.”

From Kentucky to Florida, Sobotova returned back home and joined the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) in Wellington, Florida, where she has already organized to play polo as much as possible. “I am playing two tournaments each month at IPC and riding ponies every day, on top of showing my two jumpers and working full time,” Sobotova said.

Joining the USPA in 2020, Sobotova has jumped right into the sport, learning as fast as she can. “At this point, every tournament I play is important to my growth,” Sobotova said. “I’m still so new to the sport that every game I play teaches me something about the rules, strategy, players, or even riding. I have always loved learning, so it is spectacular to have the opportunity to learn something new about polo every day.”

What are the most important tournaments you have played in so far?

"My most important tournament would be the 8-goal I am playing with Orea Polo, as we have Santi Torres* playing with us. I have learned so much from him in the past couple of months, between watching him play, observing the way he works with his horses, and getting his guidance while playing or stick and balling. Every 8-goal game I play I’ve noticed an improvement in my game and with that improvement, my team gives me more responsibility on the field."

What are your current goals?

"My goals at the moment are the same as when I first started playing: to have fun. It is easy to get burnt out in work or school, and I think that horses are an excellent distraction from the monotony of office work. I actually find myself more focused and efficient at work when I am busy with adventurous activities. I really enjoy seeing young horses learn the sport, and one day I would love to have some young horses of my own to train."

Are you still showjumping?

"I have been jumping since I was in grade school but I often say that I never had the natural talent for it—I lack the perfectionist attitude (and a good “eye” for distances as jumpers call it) needed to excel at the highest level of the sport. Nonetheless, because I love the horses and the thrill of winning a fast jump-off, I have continued jumping and competing successfully as an amateur. I was pleased when I started playing polo and realized that the riding style came more naturally to me."

Has showjumping helped you develop as a polo player?

"Having a strong foundation in riding helped me learn to play polo more quickly, but what has surprised me the most is how much my jumping has changed since I started playing polo. Leaning off a horse to hook another rider at full gallop gives you much more confidence and trust in the horses you are playing. That mental edge translates into the show ring as well, making my rounds smoother, my turns tighter, and my jump-offs faster. On the field, I’m able to use my riding to my advantage to defend against stronger players, though jumping hasn’t done anything to help with my swing. If anything, I tend to look up as I swing too much from years of hearing a trainer say ‘don’t look down’ over the jumps!"

*Justin Daniels is an Active Team USPA Member. Santi Torres is a Graduating Team USPA Member. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.