& More 2015
THE
LAST WORD
with Sarah Wiseman
frequent visitor to Barbados and one of England’s female polo “stars”, Sarah
started playing polo when she was 12 years old at the pony club level. She is passionate about polo and it is now her full time career. She has spent a number
of years building up a stellar reputation and the 2 goal handicap that she has as a Pro.
In 2013 she set up and now runs a polo club in the UK called Aspect Knepp Castle Polo
Club in West Sussex. Apart from managing the club and coaching, Sarah also plays
professionally on her own string of horses in the UK and is a much sought after player
internationally on the pro women’s circuit.
Apart from playing in Barbados, she has played polo in the Middle East, Asia, the USA and across Europe.
She has had much success playing overseas in mixed and women’s polo, and with the official England
ladies team. Her biggest accolades to date include winning MVP at the USA v England International
in Palm Beach in 2012, the Most Outstanding Lady Player award at the Audi Polo Awards in 2013,
and MVP at the 2014 US Open Ladies Tournament.
IN HER OWN WORDS...
1. What was your best polo moment and why?
I have played polo for such a long time, so there have been many milestones and special moments.
However I would have to say that one of the most memorable was playing for the England Ladies
team in the International against the USA in Wellington, Florida in 2012 and winning!
2. You are working your way up the ranks in women’s polo, and are one of the highest handicapped
female players playing on the international circuit, what are your polo ambitions?
To be the best that I can be! Polo is a difficult sport as a professional. Sometimes improving
and having your handicap go up can be detrimental to your career. I realised a few years ago that yes
I need to earn money from playing but not at the cost of improving! I will endeavour to play better
and learn every time I set foot on the field, and make the most of every opportunity given to me.
3. What got you into Polo? And if you had not been a polo player, what would have been your
chosen career?
I started playing polo in the Pony Club in the UK when I was 12 years old, I went to watch a pony club
match and from that day I was hooked!
If I didn’t play polo I would probably be making use of my Marketing degree somewhere. I love
business and enterprise so who knows where I would be? Although I wouldn’t change what I am
doing now for anything.
4. You have been coming to Barbados to play for a number of years, what do you think of the
island’s standard of polo, and what needs to be done to improve women’s polo on the island,
to bring it in line with other places around the world.
Barbados is one of my favourite places to play. The competition is always tough and games are high
spitirted and full of passion, especially when the boys play the girls.
Ladies polo is growing rapidly around the world and is becoming more accessible and massively supported by sponsorship, it really is an exciting time to be a lady player. Barbados has welcomed many
of the worlds best lady players to their fields over the years to play the “Battle of the Sexes”.
Maybe in the future Barbados could introduce their own Ladies Tournament. This would promote
the ladies side of the game and may encourage more local ladies to take up the sport and have a go!
5. Where is your favourite place to play polo, and why?
I have had the pleasure of playing all over the world. There are so many beautiful places and wonderful
people, it really is hard to pick one. Barbados always holds a special place in my heart; the polo is
great, the parties are amazing and everyone on the island is so welcoming.
I guess though if i had to pick one it would be home in the UK. It is where my career started and
where I play the most...there is no place like home...but the sun shines a lot more in the rest of the
world!
6. If you had to put together a dream team of Polo to play with who would it be and why?
I would have to say Nina Clarkin, Sunny Haleand Paola Martinez. They have done so much for women
in polo and broken down barriers in the sport. I would love to play with them in a mixed tournament
and take on the boys. We would be an 11 goal team and I would certainly fancy our chances!
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PLAYER’S CHOICE
Mallets: Polo Splice
Boots: Faglia no
Helmet: Cassa bla nca
Gloves: Fra nkin
Polo Whites: Polistas
Saddles: Migu el Acu na
Bridles: Any, as long as it doesn't
brea k!
Favourite Pony: Ja nice - 15h Grey
Ma re from NZ in my string in the
UK. I have owned her for 9 yea rs
now a nd she always gives it her all!