Do you want to know who are the best Polo players of all time? If yes, you have landed on the article only written for you.
Polo is one of those sports that combines athleticism, strategy, and pure horsemanship like no other. Polo is an eternal sport that has produced some of the best athletes, whose legacy will go on for decades.
To get the complete details about the achievements and legacy of a few Polo athletes in the history of Polo, go through this article thoroughly.
List Of 7 Best Polo Players Of All Time
The ability of a player to understand the game, handle their horse with near-telepathic accuracy, and execute game-changing shots separates the legends from the rest. Have a look at the names and select the ones you feel have earned their place among the best of all time.
1. Adolfo Cambiaso
Adolfo Cambiaso, an Argentine polo legend, is widely recognized as one of the sport’s finest players ever. He was born in 1975 and has a 10-goal handicap at the age of seventeen. He has won several prestigious tournaments, including the Argentine Open, the British Open, and the United States Open. Cambiaso formed La Dolfina, one of the most powerful polo teams, and won multiple trophies. He created polo horse cloning, resulting in a new era of elite horse riding performance. His influence has transformed the sport, ensuring his status as a global polo star.
2. David Sterling Jr.
David “Pelón” Stirling Jr., a famous polo player with a 10-goal handicap, was born on January 4, 1981, in Young, Uruguay. Since 2010, he has been an important part of the legendary La Dolfina Polo Team. Stirling has won several prestigious titles throughout his career, including the Argentine Open, Hurlingham Open, Tortugas Open, and USPA Gold Cup. He won three straight Argentine Triple Crowns from 2013 to 2015. His extraordinary abilities and successes have constantly ranked him among the world’s top players of polo.
3. Nicolas Roldan
Nicolás Roldán is a top-ranked American polo player renowned for his excellent talent, speed, and strategic abilities. He was born in Argentina in 1982 but raised in the United States. At the age of 15, he became the youngest player to win the United States Open Polo Championship. Roldán has competed in premier events around the world, representing popular teams, despite his major goal handicap.
Apart from his on-field skills, he is a polo ambassador who promotes the sport and participates in charity activities. His dynamic playing style, horsemanship, and leadership have earned him a place among the most notable players in modern polo. Besides being an excellent polo player and a successful model, he is also a well-known philanthropist.
4. Facundo Pieres
Facundo is the second son of polo icon Gonzalo Pieres Sn., and he is now ranked second on the World Polo Tour. His brothers, Gonzalo Pieres Jr. and Nicolas Pieres are also world-class players. He has won many contests thanks to his superb stickwork and horsemanship, which are always enjoyable to see. The 32-year-old has won some of the most desired awards on many occasions.
His trophy cabinet includes seven Tortugas Opens, five Hurlingham Opens, three Argentine Opens, four United States Opens, five British Opens, three Sotogrande Gold Cups, five CV Whitney Cups, and five Queens Cups. He won the Argentine Triple Cup in 2010 by winning all three tournaments: the Argentine Open, the Hurlingham Open, and the Tortugas Open.
Also Read: Famous Badminton Players In India.
5. Carlos Gracida
Gracida was born in Mexico City. Carlos, a member of the Gracida polo dynasty, started playing when he was five years old and competed when he was ten. He was a part of Ellerstina, the famed squad owned by Australian businessman Kerry Packer, along with La Espadana. He has won the British Open Gold Cup ten times, more than any other player, and the US Open nine times. He scored ten goals in 1985 and continued to do so for the next fifteen years, including the 2006 season in Palm Beach.
In 1994, Gracida won almost every competition in the game, including the Argentine Triple Crown of Hurlingham, Tortuguitas, and Palermo. That same year, he won the US Open and the British Open Gold Cup, being the only player in history to complete the Grand Slam of Polo in 1987, a feat he repeated in 1988 and 1994.
6. Guillermo Gracida
Guillermo Gracida Jr., a legendary Mexican polo athlete, is largely recognised as one of the sport’s greatest ever. He was born in 1956 and achieved a 10-goal handicap for 21 years in a row, which is a rare record. Gracida won the United States Open Polo Championship 16 times, the most in history, and also won known tournaments such as the British Gold Cup and the Argentine Open.
He helped popularise polo in the United States and around the world. Introduced into the Polo Hall of Fame in 1997, he competed along with and against the sport’s elite. His flawless horsemanship and strategic brilliance made a lasting mark, making him one of the most awarded players of Polo in history.
7. Hilario Ulloa
Carlos ‘Polito’ Ulloa, the world-renowned horse trainer and breeder, fostered in his son a natural passion for horses. Hilario was always a youngster with a dream of playing in the Argentine Open, and he achieved a 10-goal rating in 2013. The next year, while representing Algeria, he won the US Open, defeating Valiente in the final.
He repeated his win again this year, bringing his career total of US Open victories to three. Other notable victories in his career include the USPA Gold Cup in 2010, the British Open in 2011, and the CV Whitney Cup in 2010 and 2013. He is currently one of the few players in the world who has been rated at ten handicaps in Argentina, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Conclusion
Polo has created many celebrated players who influenced the sport with their outstanding talent, strategy, and horsemanship. Icons such as Adolfo Cambiaso, widely regarded as the best polo players of all time, transformed the game with his talent and longevity. Players like Juan Carlos Gracida, David Sterling Jr., and Facundo Pieres have also made a lasting impression. Their contributions have increased polo’s global popularity and inspired future generations. Whether via record-breaking performances, sportsmanship, or creation, these athletes have established standards for polo excellence. Their legacy ensures the sport’s continued success at the highest level.
FAQ
Q. Who is the best polo player?
A. Adolfo Cambiaso is regarded as the best polo player across the globe due to his skills and achievements.
Q. Is India good at polo?
A. The Calcutta Polo Club, founded in 1862, is the world’s oldest surviving polo club, showing India’s significant involvement in the sport’s history.
Q. Why is polo so famous?
A. Polo is presented as a sport for royalty, and it has long been associated with wealth and prestige, reserved for people in society.
Q. Where is Polo most popular?
A. Polo is a global sport, with over 50 countries participating. The major nations are Argentina, the United States, and the United Kingdom, each with a booming polo scene and industry.
Q. What is a 10-goal player in polo?
A. A player with a 10-goal handicap represents the pinnacle of polo excellence. These players are exceptionally rare and often regarded as the best in the sport.
