The chairman and CEO of the Harilela Group and passionate polo player shows us how it's done

Be a Daredevil
“Playing polo gives you the most thrilling adrenalin rush. From the moment you hit your first ball with the horse going flat-out, you feel that feeling and you are hooked for life.”

Set Aside a Few Pennies
“Polo is definitely the sport of kings in that you need the leisure time and the solvency to own horses, which, given the cost of housing, feeding and vet bills, is not a cheap thing to do.”

Get Down and Dirty
“The perception of polo is that it’s a very glamorous pastime. Although a game at the Guards Polo Club will occasionally mean playing in front of the queen, the reality is that 99 per cent of a polo player’s life is spent driving around to and from matches and cleaning down sweaty horses.” 

Ride with Confidence
“Polo is effectively rugby on horses, so you really need to be comfortable and strong in the saddle to avoid falling off. Many players practise yoga or Pilates to stay flexible. Whichever exercise they choose, it’s rare that you see a fat polo player.”

Have Stamina
“Polo players are outgoing sociable types. Each tournament day starts at 6am but invariably culminates in a few drinks. Argentinians in particular love their beer. So be prepared for some late nights and early starts.”

Build a Winning Bond
“My favourite horse was an ex-racehorse that I had to completely retrain to become a polo pony. It wasn’t easy, but we formed a very close bond. In the end he used to follow me around the stables.”


Read the full story in the October 2015 issue of Hong Kong Tatler 


Photography by Nic and Bex Gaunt