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Friday, February 27 2015 / Published in Sidelines Spotlight

Loving Polo Is A Great Workout

Kerstie playing on Field One at The International Polo Club. (Photo by Sheryel Aschfort, The Polo Paparazzi)

Kerstie playing on Field One at The International Polo Club. (Photo by Sheryel Aschfort, The Polo Paparazzi)

By Kerstie Allen

Every school has that kid who was obsessed with horses. I was that kid. I never grew out of the “I love horses” phase. I’d speak, draw and even run like a horse, and still do to this day. On a sunny day, you can still see me lope and possibly change leads as I approach the boards at the polo fields.

I believe horses have made me richer in so many ways and I don’t regret a minute of my horsey life. I have traveled and made forever friends just because we all adore the power and grace of the horse.

Being an equestrian year-round can be challenging, but the luxury of polo is that we’re all mobile and we travel with the seasons. I came to Wellington last year not knowing what to expect. I just knew the weather was going to be amazing and if I was going to play polo anywhere in the world this time of year, this is the place to be.

Playing against the Valiente polo team. (Photo by Sheryel Aschfort, The Polo Paparazzi)

Playing against the Valiente polo team. (Photo by Sheryel Aschfort, The Polo Paparazzi)

After spending a season in Wellington, I’ve found the opportunities are endless for anyone interested in learning, working or playing polo. Within a 10-mile radius there are several public and private polo clubs that you can learn and watch to your heart’s desire. Polo is played almost every day of the week from dawn to dark. Wellington also has all levels of polo, youth and women’s-only tournaments, United States Polo Association tryouts, lessons, clinics and facilities for the amateur and pro.

With so much going on, it’s essential to stay fit for the season — and I do it the old fashioned way. On game days, the horses sense the tension so I usually start my day with an adrenalin-filled jog by chasing any number of horses in a large open pasture who will do anything to avoid a halter. They’re all wise to carrot and feedbag tricks, so there’s no getting around it. We then start the game of musical loading where I try to guess who’s getting along with whom and who had a bad breakup the night before and refuses to stand anywhere near each other on the trailer. This usually involves at least 50 climbs up the ramp and back down, sort of like a treadmill on full incline that never got plugged in.

Arriving at the field, I then move to my arm workout. Brushing each horse an endless amount of times in order for them to look game-ready does wonders to get the circulation going. Then it’s on to squats. I average around 100 before each game. That breaks down to 40 for polo wraps, 40 for tape and another 20 for front boots. The best part is that after the game I get to do it all over again in reverse!

Then it’s on to the shoulder and back exercise portion of the program, lifting saddles overhead from trailer saddle racks onto the horse and then cinching girths. It’s also a great balancing exercise with the saddle pads and bridles. This is all before my two-hour core body workout that’s about to take place.

The core workout — the game — is the best part. My trip last year as a player to the International Polo Club in Wellington was very memorable. I’d been asked to be the alternate for the 20-goal tournament. As if I wasn’t nervous enough, the game was being played on field one, the main field that’s surrounded by a huge grandstand, tents and lavish vehicles. Riding out onto a field at the International Polo Club with up to 10,000 polo fans watching is daunting before the game, but as the ball is thrown in and the game begins, everything else disappears.

The thunder of hooves during the game. (Photo by Sheryel Aschfort, The Polo Paparazzi)

The thunder of hooves during the game. (Photo by Sheryel Aschfort, The Polo Paparazzi)

The galloping hooves sound like the Kentucky Derby as we race toward the goal posts. As the game continues, the intensity erupts as eight players battle for the line of the ball. It seems to get more intricate as the game progresses. Trying to not cross the imaginary double white line that the ball creates every time it’s hit, trapped or kicked by the horse is like to trying to cross an eight-lane highway on foot. One false move and you can cause a penalty and give your opponents a chance to score a goal.

During the game we have two umpires that ride on the field alongside us, and a third man who sits in the grandstands or a location that’s centered to the field, and who has the final say. The modern-day drone camera flies overhead and follows our every move on the field to help in the many technical rules that the umpires might not see. The sidelines are also ringed with cameras to provide instant replay if needed and for broadcast on TV.

Kerstie with Felicity Briggans, the owner of Mane Goal Polo apparel company, at the International Polo Club. (Photo by Sheryel Aschfort, The Polo Paparazzi)

Kerstie with Felicity Briggans, the owner of Mane Goal Polo apparel company, at the International Polo Club. (Photo by Sheryel Aschfort, The Polo Paparazzi)

I still compete in several equestrian disciplines, but polo is called the Sport of Kings, and is aptly named. You’re never too old or too young to play. In no other sport can men and women, young and professional, all compete at an equal world-class international level.

As a female athlete, it’s difficult to be recognized in a male-dominated sport but thanks to polo, a whole new world has evolved — which leads me to a saying I like: “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” — George Eliot

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Tagged under: exercise, international polo club, kerstie-allen, polo, wellington, Workout

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1 Comment to “ Loving Polo Is A Great Workout”

  1. Diana says :
    March 11, 2015 at 10:45 am

    Wonderful article Kerstie!!! Your passion for the sport and horses shines through and even gave me goosebumps! You are such an idol and great sportswoman. Keep it up!

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We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

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You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

📸  SAS Equestrian
‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️ The purpose of this ‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️

The purpose of this month’s column is to help the young equestrians of our sport develop and maintain healthy friendships within the industry. Cultivating healthy relationships with other members within the industry is not as easy as one may think. As a young equestrian, it may be difficult navigating friendships at the barn and at horse shows. Typically, kids have friendships within the barn they ride at but also friendships with others from different barns in their area. 

Initially, it may seem as though making other friends in the sport would be easy and ideal; after all, there is the common interest of horses. However, because of the natural therapeutic benefits of horses, the sport has a history of attracting all types of people, with a wide range of personalities. This can be both an advantage and a drawback. We are now in an era that acknowledges the growing need to discuss and manage one’s mental health. 

One thing I have learned is that we are likely to notice mental health challenges at an age younger than most people may think. Some of the friendship dynamics I have observed over the years have caused me to pause and really think about the future of our sport. Without looking for a source to blame for the cause of this, i.e. social media, parents, school, teachers, etc., I think if all adults involved worked to encourage, affirm, love, and respect our youth, the likelihood of them developing authentic friendships with their peers may increase.

Both humans and horses were designed to have connected relationships. These relationships allow a greater sense of security when one experiences challenges in life. Cultivating the quality and authenticity of these relationships requires intentional work. 

Thank you Rob for providing your helpful insight on developing healthy relationships. Check out his tips in his column you can find in the link in our bio.
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Don't get caught without your green on today!🍀🍀
 
In today's featured article, we have Jessica Howington, who is dressed for the occasion in her green shirt! Jessica is the Owner/Rider at CrownView Dressage, a Realtor with Showcase Properties of Central Florida, and a Nurse Practitioner! Jessica has been involved with horses since she was a little girl. Everything from bareback to eventing she tried until she found her love for dressage.

Today, she and her family own CrownView Dressage, a 157-acre training, boarding, and breeding facility in Ocala, Florida. Jessica started training and teaching but felt as if her life was still missing something. Until Jessica focused on horses full-time, she didn’t realize how important the healthcare field was to her life. Jessica missed seeing patients and being in the medical field. Jessica is now back to working again as a nurse practitioner while also focusing on training her five competition horses, including her Grand Prix mare Cavalia. 

Jessica feels lucky 🍀 to have two amazing parents who have supported her in all of her endeavors and instilled the importance of work ethic, morals, dedication, and sacrifice. 

You can read all about Jessica and how she's finding fulfillment in her busy lifestyle in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine! Click the link in our bio for more 

✳️Tag us in your “lucky” photos for a chance to be featured on our story! Happy st. Patrick’s day everyone!🍀🍀

📸Photos by Melissa Fuller, msfullerphotography.com 

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Like many equestrians, eventer Devon Tresan is no Like many equestrians, eventer Devon Tresan is no stranger to balancing a busy schedule. From serving as president of the Pony Club South Region Youth Board to working on her online high school courses and modeling gigs, Devon has nearly every minute of her time planned out. And with her horses right in her backyard in Ball Ground, Georgia, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Devon’s fast-paced lifestyle stems from growing up around her parents’ animal casting business, Animal Casting Atlanta, where they train and provide animals for projects in the film industry. Devon’s parents, Carol and Greg, took her on her first film job at just two weeks old; both parents pushed Devon toward acting when she was younger. While Devon didn’t want to be an actor herself, she did follow in their footsteps with her love of animals, especially horses. 

“My parents’ company has provided animals for ‘The Hunger Games,’ ‘Black Panther,’ ‘Suicide Squad,’ a majority of the Marvel TV shows, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and so many more,” Devon said.

Devon started her equestrian journey when she was 9 years old. Initially, the Tresans bought a flashy gray Welsh pony, I Am Superman, for Devon to take in the hunter ring. However, Superman lived up to his name and proved to be too speedy for the job. 

“He was super cute and just a great little ride,” Devon said, “but he was still a pony! He made me work hard for everything we accomplished together. I was lucky enough to ride with a trainer who did both hunters and eventing, so we were able to switch disciplines pretty easily. Those eventing lessons together kickstarted my love for the sport.”

Read all about Devon and her busy life in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more
@TrDevon Lane Tresan  @Devontresan

📸Photo by Carol Lane Tresan
📸Photo courtesy of Devon Tresan
📸Modeling photo by Sara Hanna, @atlphotos 

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