13/06/2026
POP-UP CLINIC Santiago Novillo Astrada
zondag 21 juni
Polo Club Wassenaar
Aanmelden: [email protected]
Santi:
This season I will be based in Holland and I am very happy to contribute to the continued development and growth of polo in Nederland. I started playing at a very young age, around 8 years old, as I come from a family that is now in its fourth generation of polo players. I’ve had a mallet in my hand for as long as I can remember, and I was put on a horse when I was just 2 of 3 three years old. I have played and worked all around the world and I am looking forward to share my experience.
What I enjoy most is the relationship you build with the horses, the grooms, the other players, and the families involved in the sport. And of course, the competition. It’s an incredibly complex sport, and that’s what makes it so much fun. People should know that polo is not a “sport of kings” as it is often believed to be. It’s not easy to compare it to other sports, because it combines animals and people playing together as a team. The adrenaline that comes from controlling a moving horse while hitting an 8-centimeter ball is addictive.
I enjoy helping players improve and seeing their progress. It’s very rewarding to share experience and motivate others to reach their best level. I love seeing the look of happiness on their faces when they make their first shots. My advice for new players is to be patient and first focus on controlling the horse. It’s extremely important to feel confident on them. A strong foundation is essential. You need to spend many hours in the saddle and practice your stick-and-ball a lot as well.
I know it’s always more fun to play than to train, but as the saying goes, “practice makes perfect’’, but it is important to practice the right things, you are invited!
