17 Questions is a feature series where we introduce different women polo players around the world. In this feature, we talked to Aiken Polo Club’s Madison Jordan.
1. Since when are you interested in horses?
“I have been interested in horses ever since I was little. I started in hunter/jumpers and eventually switched over to polo when I was older.”
2. How did you get into polo?
“I got into polo through my school, Garrison Forest in Maryland.”
3. Who is your first coach?
“My first coach was Cindy Halle and Emily Dewey.”
4. Who are your heroes on the field?
“I admire the way Hilario Ulloa plays. I also aspire to play like Hope Arellano. I look up to the way she captains a team and works so well with her teammates in such a positive, reinforcing way.”
5. What’s the best training tip you’ve ever received?
“The best training tip I’ve ever received is when marking a player, you need to keep an eye out on what they are doing with their reins. For example, if they are starting to check you, check with them. This advice has helped me a lot when defending smart players.”
6. How do you bond with your horse?
“I bond with horses by taking care of them, especially spending time with them.”
7. Best horse care tip?
“Grooming your horse consistently.”
8. Who is your polo bestfriend?
“My polo bestfriend is my twin sister, Brianna.”
9. Which position do you love playing the most in and why?
“I like playing the #3 position the most. I like to help bring the team forward and to help the #4 on the team in the back with defensive plays.”
10. What is more important in a team: trust or communication? Why?
“Both are very important in a team. But in my opinion, trust is more important. If teammates trust each other, we are more likely to openly communicate with each other on the field.”
11. What’s your ultimate must-have when playing?
“When I play, I always wear a right wrist guard for my mallet hand.”
12. Would you rather play mixed or women’s polo? Why?
“I would rather play mixed polo because I think the game plays a little bit more open than women’s.”
13. For you, what makes polo the best sport?
“Polo is the best sport because it allows me to bond with so many different horses and have the experience to play on so many different teams. It also has enabled me to have long lasting friendships on and off the field.”
14. What’s your best win throughout your career?
“My best win throughout my career was my latest 6-goal in Aiken. It was a very competitive tournament and I had a great experience playing with my teammates.”
15. What’s the worst polo misconception you’ve ever heard of?
“The worst polo misconception I’ve heard of is that polo is a ‘man’s sport’, or only men play polo.”
16. If you could live the life of one polo player for a day, who would it be and why?
“I would live the life of Poroto Cambiaso for the day because I would love to ride his horses.”
17. Complete the sentence: “I love polo because ________.”
“I love polo because of the adrenaline rush and the competition on the field.”
