Kids' polo

We went to see Argentina’s most prestigious kids’ polo tournament, called Patrillos. There are several categories, going from 13-14 years old to as young as 4 years old. (Actually there is no minimum age.) It was particularly special to see them because a lot of the world’s best players (whom we saw play a few days earlier at the Argentine Open Finale) were there to see their own children play. We saw Adolfo Cambiaso and his daughter and son, among others, incredibly good players. Unsurprisingly, the kids play incredibly well too. 

The atmosphere was very nice. It reminded me of my eventing days when I was young(er) except that children here have way more horses. To give you an idea, in some cases kids bring 15 horses each. It makes sense since those who win all their matches will play up to 18 chukkas (part of a match) in a day. I’m exhausted after 6 chukkas - one wonders how a 13 year old manages to do 18!

I was stunned to see such small children on such big horses doing so well. And hundreds of them. No wonder Argentina produces the world’s best polo players.

packing all the mallets, among other stuff

kid's practising with hand mallets

groom waiting for a player in between chukkas

a little one

lots of little ones

taking a nap