FROM POLO FIELDS TO HOLLYWOOD SETS

THE LIFE OF KERSTIE ALLEN: PROFESSIONAL POLO PLAYER, MOVIE WRANGLER, AND EQUESTRIAN EXTRAORDINAIRE.

ROOTED IN A CHILDHOOD BRIMMING WITH DREAMS OF HORSES,

HER JOURNEY HAS UNFOLDED INTO A CAREER AND LIFESTYLE THAT EMBODIES THE JOY OF AN ENDLESS HOLIDAY.

Written by Katelyn Rutt

In the eyes of professional polo player Kerstie Allen, moments shared with a horse are akin to encountering magic. “Horses tend to touch your soul in a way nothing else can,” Allen shares. “They have their own language, feel, and sensation. Even though we are from all over the world, a horse speaks all languages.”

Allen’s insight into the equestrian realm and its profound connections reflects her rich travel history, marked by a passport adorned with stamps from across the globe. Prior to recently establishing Wellington as her winter residence, she spent her childhood in Melbourne, Australia, where horse accessibility was limited—a hurdle that merely fueled Allen’s determination and grit.

“Talking, running, daydreaming, drawing horses, and begging Santa for one took up most of my school years,” Allen says. “Then it was the local pony club, the road trip to a weekend event, and off on a plane to a foreign land, all to find that next horse adventure.”

She fondly recalls her childhood fascination with the polo match scene from “Pretty Woman,” where Julia Roberts takes to the pitch at half-time to “tread in” and stomp down the turf kicked up by galloping hooves.

“Avoid the steaming divots,” Allen humorously recalls, noting her youthful penchant for recording any television program featuring horses.

“Once polo gets in your blood, it’s there for life,” Allen says. “I adore polo because we’re not defined by the ability of just one horse, and we may have four or more. Polo allows us to get several opportunities to get something positive out of each horse in each ride. I think some of my horses know the game better than myself.”

During the winter months in the Equestrian Capital of the World, Allen is thankful for the opportunity to witness one of the four major polo seasons, featuring renowned players and the world’s most celebrated horses.

“Who could imagine there were towns like Wellington that have traffic lights with horses on them that you can reach while on horseback?” Allen says. “Or bridle paths that lead you through mazes of the barns we couldn’t even dream of to end up at the most prestigious horse show and polo fields in the nation?”

Among the myriad of opportunities stemming from her profound love for horses, movie wrangling stands out as particularly unique. Allen notes that this role is relatively uncommon in the US and requires a select group of individuals with diverse specialty talents in handling horses and livestock. Her exceptional skill set has opened doors for her to work as a wrangler on set for “1883,” as well as “Florida Wild”—a Florida-based Western show that will be released in 2025.

“It’s a big family that comes together to make magic happen on the big screen,” Allen says. “They are men and women that we trust and have our back no matter the time of day or task given. They travel across the country with horses, livestock wagons, and accessories. I believe it’s noble, a pride, and a passion to portray the cowboy way, and the horse at its best, for the public to view.”

Inspired by her polo regimen, a typical day for Allen while wrangling on set mirrors many aspects, including feeding, grooming, and riding. She emphasizes that years of breaking, training, and teaching are fundamental in instilling trust in horses, especially under the demanding circumstances of film sets. As a result, she occasionally relies on her own polo horses and the strong bond they’ve cultivated for certain movie scenes.

“Finding the horses that love it also makes our job so much easier,” Allen adds. “It helps actors and the film industry achieve the image they are trying to achieve. Like polo, a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to make an hour or two of entertainment for the final result.”

Allen is frequently spotted riding horses with full manes, a trait typically associated with inexperienced or newly trained horses. However, in Allen’s case, these horses are chosen because they can also be utilized for movie roles.

“This experience has allowed me to travel the world and see, meet, and ride in places I would have never imagined existed,” Allen says. “At the end of the day, I feel fulfilled. I have never needed a gym, felt lonely, or wanted a holiday from my life. Every day with a horse is complete for me.”