Words: Holly
With the summer polo season already off to an exciting start, we were lucky enough to catch up with one of the most recognisable faces in English Polo, George Meyrick. Meyrick, who started playing at just 7 years old, became the youngest ever player to compete in an adult England team, winning the European Tournament in the World Cup in just his first season. He has gone on to represent England in the Audi International Series, and the World Cup in China, among a host of other accolades and achievements.
Earlier this week the 6 goal star of British polo took a rare break from his action packed schedule to talk Polo (obviously) sushi, travel, and his dream of one day reaching that elusive 10 goals.
HM: So George, tell us how you got into polo?, GM: I went to Pony Club and that’s where it all started really and dad played a bit too, as did my grandfather, so there were always ponies around.
HM: And was it an instant love for the game?, GM: Yeah it was. I used to hunt a bit and do other things with horses, but I’ve always enjoyed polo from a very early age.
HM: You went professional at 18. Obviously it’s a very social sport, but do you ever feel like you missed out on that teenage, early 20’s time that everyone else has?, GM: Yeah definitely. Well, I missed the last year of school, and it wasn’t the same. I missed out on a lot of the social things that guys at that age get up to, but I love what I do and that’s what matters. Even to a certain extent now, although there is a great crowd that moves around, it’s still a lot of time away from home.
HM: How do you deal with all the traveling?, GM: You just have to get used to it. It’s part of it. I mean, the first few years it’s great and exciting but once you’ve done it for a while, sometimes you do just want to be at home.
HM: And where’s you favourite country to play in?, GM: Here. I love playing here. Because it’s home and where I watched polo when I was young, and it’s a good standard as well – as long as it’s not raining all the time.
HM: How do you prepare mentally?, GM: I try to just think about it as much as possible: the outcomes, the people you are playing against, the tactics, the horses, etc. So much goes into it, like with every sport, so I try to think and be prepared for all the possible scenarios I may be in.
HM: Any players you dread coming up against?, GM: Yeah masses. There’s a whole list of them. All the sort of high-ended handicap players.
HM: I hear you were tipped to be potentially the first ever British 10 goal player by none other than Cambiaso?, GM: Yeah, that’s true. I don’t know how realistic it is. I need a lot of luck and to put in plenty of hard work – so we’ll see.
HM: How was it playing with him?, GM: It was amazing. We didn’t lose very much when he was on. He is an incredible player and I tried to take as much on board as I could when I played alongside him.
HM: What does the rest of the season hold for you?, GM: I’m quite well mounted this year – I think better than I have ever been before – so that’ll make a big difference hopefully.
HM: Can you imagine doing anything else?, GM: Well I really like the lifestyle so something that would give me a similar routine of doing what I love. I think I’d struggle to find something as good. But I don’t know to be honest. I’m hoping that day doesn’t come.
HM: What about travel, what’s your favourite city to visit?, GM: All different ones for different reasons. One of the most amazing places to see for the first time is Jodhpur in India. That was really special – I went with British Polo there. Just completely different to anything I’d ever seen before.
HM: Favourite restaurant?, GM: Probably Nobu – I love sushi. Actually also, La Brasserie in South Kensington, and for breakfast, Valeries on Brompton Road.
HM: What tournament are you most looking forward to?, GM: It’s the tournament I’m playing at the moment: the Queen’s Cup. It’s the biggest tournament for me.
HM: Do you think you’ll make it to the final?, GM: Errr, not sure. At the moment we’re just worried about making it to the quarters. We’ll worry about that later.
HM: Of all you accolades, what is the one you are most proud of?, GM: Definitely the Queen’s Cup. But I did have Adolfo with me so we got a bit of help!
HM: What’s the one dream you want to achieve?, GM: That’s a difficult one, but I think 10 goals is the one that most people would say. I suppose that is the one for everyone.
George is currently playing for the Fox & Hounds in the Cartier Queen’s Cup alongside Max Routledge (5), Jack Richardson (5) and Tom Morley (6). The team have so far made it through to the quarter finals – guardspoloclub.com
This weekend George will playing at Polo in The Park – polointheparklondon.com
Follow @GeorgeMeyrick
By Holly Macnaghten – Twitter @HollyMacnaghten
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