Indiana Bennetto is a powerhouse in the world of professional polo. Ahead of her appearance at the NZ Polo Open this weekend, we talked to Indiana about her love for the sport, her experience nurturing future talent with the Auckland Polo Academy, and the art of balancing motherhood and professional sport.
In conversation with Indiana Bennetto
Let’s get up to speed. Tell us a bit about you and your career to date.
For the past 10 years I have split six months of each year basing myself in Australia and New Zealand playing polo. I launched the Auckland Polo Academy (APA) 3 years ago in Clevedon, so I have been focusing a lot of my time and energy in building a great accessible place for people to learn polo. I’m a mother of two, and the current captain of the Australian Women’s polo team.
How did you first get into polo?
My dad played so that’s how I fell into polo – I was riding horses on the sidelines of my dads polo matches as soon as I could walk, and now my children are doing the same. After studying at Sydney University I was confused with what was next for me, so I took a gap year and worked for my now fiancé, and never looked back! I originally gained all my experience in training horses, which was my original draw card and passion. I then deviated and put my time and effort into turning pro.
What was your first experience playing like? Was it love at first ride, or did it take time to get into the swing of things?
Love at first ride! [I am] a very competitive person by nature, and a horse enthusiast so it was only a matter of time!
Polo is traditionally male-dominated—how have you navigated that space as a woman?
Polo is probably one of very few sports where men and women compete together/against each other. I love this dynamic – spouses, brothers and sisters, friends, etc are all playing against each other which is rather unique. As a woman, I feel as if I’ve had the same amount of opportunities and have been valued as an equal on the polo field. In saying that, women’s polo as a whole in New Zealand is slightly behind the global scale, but it is growing rapidly.
Do you see the landscape shifting for women in Polo? Are more women getting into the sport?
Women in polo is the largest growing sector, which is seriously exciting. At the Auckland Polo Academy (APA), 75% of my clients would be women, potentially because some women would prefer to learn from another.
What makes a great polo pony, and do you have a favourite horse you’ve played with?
It is a make up of physical and mental characteristics, bloodlines and breeding. For me, I love speed, so a horse that has acceleration is a huge plus. I would have played over 500 horses so it is very hard to narrow it down. It’s hard when you travel around the world playing different horses all the time, but you gain the ability to make an instant connection with a horse. It’s important you trust them and vice versa. But, my heart horse would be ‘Kazzam’, a horse my dad bred. She was beyond quirky but an absolute weapon for me!
What’s the most rewarding part of coaching?
Seeing progress. I love goal setting and seeing people achieve what they aim to do.
You also train people who want to learn polo—what’s the biggest misconception people have about the sport?
That you have to have previous riding experience to start polo.
What’s next for you in your career? Any exciting tournaments, projects, or goals on the horizon?
Within the next couple of months I’m playing in Australia, Zambia, and Italy. I’m very excited for travel and the opportunity to play against some talented women.
Aside from Polo, do you have time for anything else?
Free time? Not a lot of free time whilst juggling two young children, a business, and being an athlete. However, whenever possible I love to unwind with a good book or hit the beach.
