114 SIDELINES MARCH 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
P
O
L
O
By Danika Rice
Whether it’s arena dirt, or the fying turf of an outdoor
feld, Erik Wright’s 20 year polo career has seen its share
of hooves and boots alike, interacting with some of the
country’s best, both equine and human. Founded in 1998
as a multi-faceted teaching, leasing and playing program,
Wrightway Polo and its namesake have become a
reputable source for all things polo up and down California’s
Golden Coast. From Northern California’s wine country to
the sunny beaches of San Diego and the posh appeal of
Bel-Air’s Polo Club, Erik works diligently as an instructor,
businessman and polo professional with players at all
levels to promote his sport. Whether at the indoor arena at
the Los Angeles Equestrian Center or the winter felds of
Eldorado and Empire Polo Clubs in Indio, California, you’ll
likely see Erik, one of his students, or one of his horses
taking to the feld.
Sidelines:
What do you love most about polo?
EW:
The people and the horses! I think we all get into this
sport because of the horses. When you stop to think about
it, it is absolutely astounding what they allow us to do, as
competitors and as teammates.
Sidelines:
What do you feel is the most important lesson
a student should take away from polo?
EW:
I think the most important lesson is to enjoy the
journey of polo. As a student, it is easy to get frustrated
with your progress. I tell my students to measure their
progress in weeks and months, not days and weeks and
that if instant gratifcation is your thing, polo probably isn’t
your sport. So, enjoy every minute of it, whether you had
your best day playing or maybe not your best day. I fgure
any day we are on the polo feld is a gift. Certainly those
of us fortunate enough to play should consider ourselves
blessed.
Sidelines:
What is your most memorable moment in polo,
on or off the feld?
EW:
There have been so many important moments in polo
for me. I won the 4 goal with the Coldwell Banker team
last year and it was a special moment for me because the
sponsors were Lyn Jason Cobb and her daughter Madelyn
Cobb. My frst job in polo was with Lyn’s mother and father
(Madelyn’s grandmother and grandfather), Mack and
Madelyn Jason. I started as a groom for them and have
been taking care of the family for 23 years. I knew Madelyn
when she was a toddler. Mack had been in poor health, but
he was able to attend the fnal, so it was a full circle/family
kind of thing to have the three generations represented on
the team. They both passed away this year so that was a
treasured moment in time. We also had a great 10 goal
league last January in the Desert at Empire Polo Club with
Jef and Katie Graham and their Barossa team where we
went undefeated throughout the month. I started them both
in polo and they are like family, so it’s very fulflling to see
where they are now with their polo. And most important,
any time I can play with my two sons is a great moment in polo
for me.
Sidelines:
You mentor hundreds of students a year. Who was
your most important mentor?
EW:
I’m a student of the game so I have had some great mentors
over the years. My teaching style is heavily infuenced by Rege
and Janet Ludwig, who have been great supporters throughout
my career. But I would have to say my greatest mentors have
been Corky and Kathy Linfoot. I draw most of what I know in polo
from them. I couldn’t have done it without them.
Sidelines:
Which has been your favorite horse to play, and why?
EW:
I am so fortunate to have played some amazing horses.
Tina 4 (we had 1 through 6 for the Jasons-all full sisters) Bayacoa,
Fabulosa, Fresas. I’m the best mounted I have ever been right
now - Bigote, Cholo, AP, Noticeable, Cayenne- I have no right to
be this lucky. My favorite all time is Cayenne. She probably isn’t
even the most talented of that group, although she is amazing in
her own right, but she is a warhorse and we have been through so
many battles together and she never once let me down. I feel like
Superman on her. I got her from the Linfoots. I went into overtime
the day after I bought her and played her back in overtime. Kathy
was videoing the game and she laughed and said: ‘well that didn’t
take long.” It’s been like that ever since.
Five Questions
for Erik Wright
Erik Wright
Photo courtesy of Rachel Faierman