Etiquette -- 20 hours ago
How did you get into polo?
When I was 11, the architect doing up our house had a polo club and invited me to join him for a lesson. From that moment on, I was hooked. I was struggling at school due to my dyslexia, and polo became my saviour. I knew I wanted to be a professional and so I put all of my energy into playing as much as I could.
When did you first get the England call up?
I made my England debut in 2015 at the Coronation Cup against South America. We won the game, and to top it off I was awarded ‘most valuable player’, which is polo’s version of man of the match.
What is your current handicap?
I am currently on seven goals – I am the only English player on this mark.
What is it like to be involved in what is famously the most elite and luxurious sport?
I feel incredibly lucky to be involved in polo. It’s a magical game full of interesting characters from all walks of life. It might seem elite and luxurious from the outside, but it’s actually incredibly accessible. A lot of people don’t realise that they can pop down to their local polo club with some mates and a picnic and watch a game for free. There aren’t many sports where you can do that.
I knew I wanted to be a professional and so I put all of my energy into playing as much as I could
How many horses do you have?
I like to keep 16 horses and every year I sell the bottom two. I’m always on the lookout and generally go to Australia or New Zealand to buy new ones. I am happy to travel far and wide to find them, as good horses are not easy to come by.
Who do you most look up to in the sport?
My coach, John Horswell. If I ever need to change something in my game, I’ll always ask him.
What are the elements of polo that you most enjoy?
Mainly I love the speed and adrenaline. But also I love the unique partnership and bond you develop with your horse when you are playing. They are such incredible animals and I believe they love the game as much as the players do.
I love the unique partnership and bond you develop with your horse when you are playing
What is a typical day for you?
On a normal weekday, I’ll get up at 6:30am and go to the yard to check over all the horses. I’ll make a plan for the day with my head groom, Julo, and then I’ll have some breakfast before exercising the horses. I normally ride about five or six a day. The afternoon is usually spent practising or doing general management like sorting travel arrangements or speaking to my patron or sponsors. Then I get to the gym or go for a swim to finish off the day.
How do you prepare for a game?
I’m all about mental preparation before a game. A lot of players warm up and down, but personally I don’t like to do a lot to warm up. Some players like to have a run, or a stretch; I like to relax. Then it’s all about stick and ball. I find that if I warm up too much I lose my concentration. I’ve always found that if I have relaxed and endured a calm period before I play, it brings out the best in me.
Is there a lot of hard work that goes on behind the scenes?
As with any sport, you have to train hard in order to progress. Nothing is ever easy. I have been working hard since the age of 11 and I feel proud to say I now own a string of 16 ponies and play polo for a living. But it doesn’t stop there – all 16 of my ponies need 24/7 care as well as professional training. I have a brilliant team working with them, but ultimately I am responsible for their well-being.
Max Charlton is a Land Rover ambassador
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