Explore the remarkable journey of women in polo, from pioneers who defied convention to today's elite players competing at the highest levels.
Women in Polo: A Story of Excellence and Determination
Polo has historically been portrayed as a male-dominated sport, but women have been making their mark on the field for over a century. Today, in 2026, women's polo is experiencing unprecedented growth, with female players achieving handicaps once thought impossible and inspiring a new generation to take up mallets.
Historical Pioneers
Early Women in Polo
Women began playing polo in the late 1800s, though often facing significant opposition:
The first recorded women's polo match occurred in England in 1896By the 1920s, women's polo clubs had formed in multiple countriesSue Sally Hale famously disguised herself as a man to play in US tournaments during the 1960s and 70sIn 1972, the USPA finally allowed women to compete alongside menBreaking the Gender Barrier
Sue Sally Hale's story epitomizes women's struggle for recognition in polo:
She played for over a decade wearing a wig and using a male pseudonymWhen discovered, she successfully lobbied for rule changesShe became the first woman to achieve a 4-goal handicap in the USHer legacy opened doors for generations of female playersModern Champions
Nina Clarkin: The Trailblazer
Nina Clarkin MBE holds the distinction of being the highest-rated female player in British polo history:
Achieved a 5-goal handicap, an extraordinary achievementMultiple Gold Cup appearances and victoriesSuccessfully balanced competing against men while advocating for women's poloContinues to mentor young female playersThe Argentine Influence
Argentina has produced exceptional female players:
**Mía Cambiaso**: Daughter of the legendary Adolfo Cambiaso, she represents the next generation of polo excellence
**Candelaria Fernández**: A rising star who has competed in major tournaments worldwide
American Excellence
The US women's polo scene continues to grow:
Hope Arellano became the first woman to play in a 26-goal tournamentGillian Johnston has achieved significant success in high-goal poloThe Women's Polo Network has expanded opportunities nationwideWomen's Polo Today
Growing Participation
Female participation in polo has increased significantly:
Women's polo leagues operate in over 30 countriesMany polo schools report 40%+ female studentsWomen's tournaments attract significant sponsorshipSocial media has helped showcase women's achievements globallyMajor Women's Tournaments
The competitive calendar for women's polo is expanding:
**US Open Women's Polo Championship**: The premier US event**British Ladies' Polo Championship**: Historic UK competition**Argentine Women's Open**: Growing in prestige annually**FIP Women's World Championship**: International team competitionMixed-Gender Competition
Uniquely among equestrian sports, polo allows men and women to compete directly:
Many club-level tournaments are fully mixedSome high-goal tournaments include female playersThe handicap system allows fair competition across gendersTeam composition often includes mixed-gender rostersChallenges and Progress
Ongoing Challenges
Despite progress, women in polo still face obstacles:
Access to horses remains a significant barrierPrize money disparities exist in some regionsMedia coverage remains unequalSponsorship opportunities can be limitedPositive Developments
Many organisations are working to address these challenges:
Scholarships and grants for female playersDedicated coaching programmes for womenGrowing corporate investment in women's poloIncreased visibility through social media and streamingStarting in Polo as a Woman
For women interested in starting polo:
Finding a Welcoming Club
Look for clubs with active women's programmesAsk about female instructors and playersCheck if women's social events or teams existResearch the club's history with women's poloBuilding Skills
Start with proper instruction from qualified coachesDevelop riding skills alongside polo techniqueConsider women's polo clinics for focused learningConnect with other female players for supportCompetitive Pathways
Begin with women's stick-and-ball sessionsProgress to low-goal women's tournamentsJoin women's polo associations for networkingConsider university polo if age-appropriateThe Future is Female
Women's polo is on an exciting trajectory:
More girls starting polo at younger agesIncreasing numbers achieving high handicapsGrowing professional opportunities for female playersGreater recognition of women's contributions to the sportAs barriers continue to fall and more women take to the field, polo is becoming richer for their participation. The sport of kings is increasingly becoming the sport of queens too.
