Lionel Macaire

Biography

Lionel Macaire is France's highest-rated polo player and the cornerstone of French polo's presence on the European circuit. Holding a 7-goal handicap — a level achieved by very few European players — Macaire has represented France at the highest levels of international polo for more than a decade, competing in premier tournaments in England, Spain, Argentina, and across Europe.\n\nBorn into a family with deep roots in French equestrian sport, Macaire took to polo with the same natural instinct that characterises the best French horsemen. He developed his game through the French circuit before expanding to England's high-goal season at Guards and Cowdray, where he cut his teeth against top Argentine professionals and built the reputation that ultimately earned him his 7-goal rating.\n\nMacaire is renowned for his exceptional horsemanship and elegant positional play — traits that reflect the classical French riding tradition. He has been instrumental in elevating the quality of French polo, serving as a mentor and role model for a younger generation of French players who aspire to compete at European high-goal level.\n\nIn France, Macaire has been closely associated with tournaments at Chantilly, Apremont, and the Paris region, which form the backbone of the French polo calendar. His achievements have helped attract investment into the French polo scene and encouraged clubs to recruit professional instructors, raising standards across the board. Lionel Macaire remains the benchmark against which French polo ambitions are measured.

Clubs & Teams