Meet Myopia’s New Manager of Polo Operations: Amy Trytek

Photographs by Eric Nalpas Photography

When she was growing up just outside of Chicago, Amy Trytek was drawn to polo by its speed, the thundering hooves of the horses, and the athleticism of the mounts and the riders.

It’s something that stayed with her, driving a love for the sport, and leading her to Myopia as the club’s new manager of polo operations.

Trytek comes to Myopia from Hinsdale, Illinois, by way of Florida’s Gulf Coast, where she spent nearly 14 years in various roles at the Sarasota Polo Club — most recently as its director of operations. But her love of the game all started at Oakbrook Polo Club.

“Myopia is an historic club, rich in traditions,” Trytek says. “Oakbrook is similar to Myopia in that sense. I think this is a great opportunity to go back to my roots and experience polo in a different way.”

Growing up, her family raced and bred thoroughbred horses. She played tennis competitively and then professionally. Then, 15 years ago, she began to play polo.

“Any time you’re on a horse is an amazing experience,” she says. “Working with these incredible athletes makes for a huge adrenaline rush. I played so many sports, and polo allowed me to incorporate my love of horseback-riding and playing a sport. It’s incredible.”

During her time at Sarasota Polo Club, she served in nearly every role available — grooming, flagging, scoring and putting together chukkers before becoming events and marketing manager, which allowed her to learn the inner workings of “what made those incredible Sundays so exciting.”

“It was such a pleasure to bring happiness to others,” she says. “I loved every minute of it.”

During her time as director of operations, she created a successful women’s tournament with four levels of play, from two-goal up to 16-goal — the first time in the club’s 28 years the women’s 16-goal final would be showcased as the Sunday game.

While it was a difficult decision to move on, she was drawn to Myopia by its long history and reputation for great polo and community.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to be a part of a club with great history and rich traditions,” she says. “I couldn’t be happier. I’m looking forward to continuing those rich traditions, and maybe bringing in some new ones, building great relationships with the members and bringing a fresh, new perspective.”

When she’s not riding or facilitating polo, Trytek spends her time outside, hiking, fishing, shooting, paddleboarding, gardening or birding. She’s an avid photographer, volunteers in support of disabled veterans and attends to her new business, Buddhaful Dog, which provides pathways to canine health and wellness.

As she embarks on her inaugural season here at Myopia, Trytek has a clear vision of what a successful summer of polo will look like.

“You want to have a safe season,” she says. “You want the field to be in great shape for as long as you can — the better condition the field is in, the better polo you have — to ensure great sportsmanship and to make sure everyone has fun and has a good time. That’s the bottom line: good fields, good games and good sportsmanship.”