76 SIDELINES NOVEMBER 2011
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
P
O
L
O
By Danika Rice
The dawn often fnds 20 year old Steven Paulson
already in the barn at Carlos Galindo’s G and L Polo Ranch
in Thermal, California. Though his polo career began in
the arena as a member of the Poway Polo Interscholastic
Team, Steven has gradually increased his knowledge
base within the sport by becoming an avid apprentice to as
many people and disciplines as possible. Beginning frst
with Russ and Billy Sheldon in the arena, and gradually
branching out to work under 4-goal player and respected
breeder and trainer Carlos Galindo, to refne his skills on
the outdoor (grass) polo feld between Thermal, California
and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
He has ridden everything from reiners to jumpers, which
is largely refected in his personal string of horses, which
includes everything from a two year old Quarter Horse
to a 16 hand Thoroughbred. A four time member of the
Western Region All-Star Interscholastic team, Steven has
now set his sights on moving forward not only as a player,
but as a breeder, trainer and businessman.
Sidelines caught up with Steven as he begins his frst
season of travel with Galindo to Aiken, South Carolina and
Houston, Texas, to chat about his goals and the people
and horses who infuenced him along the way.
Sidelines:
Who has been the most infuential person in
your polo career so far?
SP:
Carlos Galindo. Not only is he a polo player, he’s
also a trainer and a breeder. He does everything. He’s
earned everything he has today by working hard and using
his incredible gift of getting the most out of horses. He’s
trained some of the top polo horses in the country, horses
that play the US Open. Those are all the things I’d like to
accomplish.
Sidelines:
Which was the most memorable horse you‘ve
ever played, and why?
SP:
The most memorable horse I’ve played or had the
pleasure to be around is a chestnut gelding named
Piñata, owned by Russ Sheldon. To me, he’s the perfect
horse. He’s been through everything with me, from my
frst tournament forward. He’s been awarded many Best
Playing Pony awards and has helped me get many Most
Valuable Player awards. I played him all four years of
Interscholastic competition and he’s always been my best and
most dependable horse.
Sidelines:
What is the most important thing you’ve learned
playing polo?
SP:
The biggest thing I’ve learned is the value of a dollar. You
have to make every one count and be smart about the investments
you make and money you spend in this business. And more than
that, I’ve learned that it takes a lot of hard work to accomplish
things. But, if I’m willing to work hard, and give everything I’ve got,
then it almost always pays off. It’s always worth it in the end if you
know you’ve put everything you have into it from the beginning, no
matter what you’re trying to accomplish.
Sidelines:
How do you think having ridden in so many disciplines
(eventing, gymkhana, jumping, reining, polo) has benefted you
and your horses, while you’re playing polo?
SP:
I’ve been lucky. I’ve been able to ride in almost every
discipline I can think of. Because of it, I feel like I’ve learned to
handle almost any type of horse, in a variety of situations. I think
that’s why I enjoy polo so much. It combines the stop of a reiner,
with the stamina of an eventer, with the speed of a racehorse. It’s
a continual challenge, at a quick pace.
Sidelines:
What are the most important goals you’d like to
accomplish, both on and off the polo feld?
SP:
More than anything, I’ve always dreamed of owning my own
ranch, and being able to breed and train some of the top polo
horses in the U.S. Outside of polo, my bucket list would be to
study abroad, own a house on the beach, and eat at some of the
world’s best restaurants.
Steven makes a polo
fashion statement at
San Diego Polo Club
Photo by Cary Burch
Five Questions for Steven Paulson
Steven
Paulson
with Carlos
Galindo’s
stud, Best
Chance
Photo by
Alexis
VonGontard