player profile
Top Ranked UK Polo Player Max Charlton
Talks to Yves de Contades
my family had nothing to do with horses! We had a property developer who came to do up our family home and he owned his own club, Ash Farm. He invited me to have my first lesson and from that day on I fell in love with both horses and the sport.
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What other sports do you like and play? Polo consumes a lot of my time but when I have time I love to play table tennis or squash!
How did you juggle school and polo growing up?
I soon realised polo was the career I wanted. So I was lucky enough to be home tutored from the age of 13, although by the time I was 15 I decided to focus mainly on improving my polo. My parents supported my passion so I could continue to play and learn.
When was your first big break? I was playing pretty much full time, but my first big break came when I was on 2 goals and I was asked to fill in for another player. I ended up playing well and winning the tournament. That was my first stepping stone and from then on I got picked to play with many good teams.
What mental preparations do you make before a game?
I do have a few superstitions and I definitely have a pre-game ritual, probably too many to mention!
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surreymagazineonline.co.uk
hen and how did you start playing polo? I started playing polo when I was 11 years old which was pure luck as
Describe a typical Polo year for you. Polo is nonstop for me, as I play all year all over the world. I am trying to get better mounted, improve my skills and I am always looking out for any new horses.
What countries do you travel to for polo and what do you like about each of them?
Over the last three years I have been playing 6 months in England and Europe, four months in Australia and around 2 months in Dubai. I love to play in the UK as it's my home with all of my own horses and the polo is so competitive. Australia is a great place too as the weather is amazing which makes great grounds for the horses and quicker polo, plus everyone is very relaxed! Dubai is very different, but it's a great place to play polo and it's still up and coming.
You are the first polo player ambassador for Land Rover, what does that entail? I am honoured to be Land Rovers polo brand ambassador and it is a huge achievement for me. I have a reminder every day when I drive my Land Rover as that never gets boring! Land Rover is a huge supporter of all aspects of equestrian sport worldwide, to have them involved in Polo is amazing.
What are the main differences for you in arena and field polo? The best way to describe the differences would be like describing
main difference is that the arena ball is both softer and lighter and the arena ground is less than a quarter the size of an outdoor ground.
What is your favourite part of the game? Playing outside on my own horses and being able to run with the ball.
What are the most glamorous things in polo versus the non glamorous that most people don’t see? The glamorous things in polo are the amazing social events. I am lucky enough to be invited to the Cartier Queens Cup and the International Day at Guards Polo Club. However the daily tasks the horses require are not very glamorous, to say the least.
Who are you playing for now? I am going to be playing for the Four Quarters Polo team in England this summer season and will be based with them at Emsworth Polo Club near Ascot. I am very happy as they have some of the best polo facilities.
How do you achieve a good work life balance?
It is impossible to have a good work life balance in polo as it's 24/7 non stop, partly that's to do with having horses as they require constant care and attention.
squash and
tennis. It is the same idea but a very different game. I enjoy playing both types and from a young age I have always played arena polo, so I have a soft spot for it. The
What are your ambitions for the future? I am very ambitious, I would like to keep improving as a player and getting better horses. Also I need to take the organisation around me to the next level as they are a huge part of my polo career.
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