Myopia Management: Meet Erica Kratz

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH POLO MANAGER Erica Kratz

Photograph by PAUL BILODEAU

After five years as assistant manager, Erica Kratz is eager to take the reins as Myopia Polo Club’s manager this season.

“I first came to Myopia after reaching out to former manager Kim Maguire about opportunities to work with her,” says Kratz. “I had met her in her role as the Myopia interscholastic team’s coach. That summer, she hired me to be her right-hand woman with field maintenance, game help, practice help. Basically, whatever she needed.”

Kratz, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, acknowledges the attraction of Myopia was the polo and “my initial impression was that Myopia was a beautiful club with welcoming members.”

“It feels like a contradiction of environments to be its own enclave of fields and equestrianism while situated in town,” says Kratz. “The town may continue to be built up over time, but Myopia remains. I think one needs to let Myopia sink in to truly appreciate its history and why it has endured for so many years.”

Last year, Kratz continued to work under polo manager Amy Trytek. But her love for horses and the sport dates back to her childhood.

“I was horse-obsessed since before I can remember, and would be plopped on my aunt’s pony whenever we visited,” she says. “I started taking lessons at a rescue farm when I was eight. I started off as a hunter rider. I gave up ice skating and swim team to spend more time riding since I loved the horses.

“I attended Garrison Forest School, one of the few schools in the country with a polo program, and was encouraged by my mother to give polo lessons a try,” says Kratz. “I loved it.”

Kratz applied herself, playing once a week through sixth grade, twice a week through seventh grade, and five days a week with high school players in eighth grade.

“Polo had my heart, and I played polo throughout high school,” she says. “I went to Skidmore College and majored in history and classics. I played polo all four years, including captaining the women’s team and holding the club president title. After college, I studied Greek and Latin at Penn, and earned a certificate in Latin. I also volunteer coached the Brandywine girls’ interscholastic polo team while I lived in Philadelphia.”

Kratz subsequently moved to Boston, taking classes at Boston University, but polo still had a special appeal. She began working at the Boston Polo Club, caring for the horses and property, teaching and umpiring. Now, Kratz is looking forward to making her mark at Myopia.

“The manager’s role is to facilitate the functioning of polo playing and community involvement,” she says. “The manager is responsible for field management, scheduling practices and tournaments, working with groups for special events and new player recruitment and development. At Myopia, that means balancing the Club’s past while identifying new opportunities for growth.

“As an ambassador to the sport of polo for players and public alike, the manager’s role is to foster a fun and safe environment to enjoy horses, friendships and the natural beauty of Hamilton,” says Kratz. “My favorite aspect of the job is watching other people fall in love with the sport.”

And the first-year manager has lofty expectations to improve the polo experience for everyone, from players to spectators.

“One of my goals for this season is to take advantage of the work we have put into field improvements to keep the playing rolling and give our players quality fields,” Kratz says. “As we enter our third season since the COVID-19 virus hit the world, I’m also looking forward to rebuilding our spectator and sponsorship relationships stronger than ever. In all that we do accomplish this season, I most hope to uphold the high standards of Myopia Polo and respect its unique history.”