Says Marianela: "Horses. They are why we love the sport of polo. I've been riding since I could walk and have had a life long love affair with horses. My father is a rancher and breeds cattle in Argentina so we have always had horses- it is a way of life for us. I became involved in my dad's business when I was very young, about the age of 10, going to the farm, to the markets, and learning how to manage a cattle operation but horses were always my real passion. Growing up in Canuelas alongside Lolo and Adolfo, I wanted to play polo and wanted to have my own string of horses that I made, just like they did. I started training horses when I was very young and later worked with Adolfo at La Dolfina and at Outback where I learned the ins and outs of making quality horses from the world's best."
BREEDING & TRAINING: Even though I lived on a farm in the middle of polo country in Argentina, I faced the same challenges that many new players face starting out. It was hard to find good horses. The ones I found were typically bred and trained for the men players and even the young horses were often too large to be handy for a small person. Having learned about breeding from Adolfo and my father, I eventually began breeding my own horses to play. Some of my best horses were given to Adolfo for his patrons and went on to have illustrious polo careers in foreign lands.
As a professional player, I discovered my patrons' constant struggle to find quality horses of the right type, the right size, and the right budget. As these players visited Argentina and played polo with me there, they fell in love with the type of horses we were making. In 2000, I started exporting the horses I bred and trained to the U.K. and soon built up a string there. Lucas joined me and together we have worked very hard to create horses that are both competitive yet easy to play for any level of polo. We both play the horses we train in low, medium, and higher goal games. As polo professionals, both Lucas and I understand that your string is your biggest asset, your greatest investment, and that your joy of polo has everything to do with the horses you play. Our horses are like family to us but we love it when they are adopted by others because we know what a difference a great horse will make, not only to your string, but to your confidence as a player. We are the happiest when one of our horses is passed down from mother or father to their kids as they start to play.
OUR SPECIALTY: One of the biggest problems has been finding the right horses for children to play. In the U.K. as in Argentina, children start riding and get involved with pony club and junior polo when they are very young. As I became more involved with teaching young children the sport of polo, we also started breeding smaller horses specifically for the children. It is a family operation; our own children and our youngest clients ride and play the horses we breed.
SALES: We have new horses for sale each season for every level of polo. Contact us for more information and our current availability.
FOR HIRE: Yes, we lease horses! Contact us for details.