ROBERT CHIN
Favorites: Player, famous or not: Obviously, my Dad! Club: St. Ann is now my home club but am fond of all the Jamaican clubs. I started in Kingston so naturally I am very sentimental of that club. We also had our own club, Shady Tree, for a spell which was fun while it lasted.
Hotel: I used to stay in some fabulous ones in Singapore and The May Fair hotel in England. Airlines: Singapore Airlines. Vacation spot: Wherever a polo field is involved. [I] could probably count on one hand the non-polo vacations I have taken.
Horse: Several over the decades! My first pony, Point Star, went to England and came back with me. He also did equestrian lessons to earn his keep. One of the best horses I ever sat on (anywhere in the world) was my homebred Totem Pole. Another was a 14.2 hand, tough, yellow machine named Buttercup, [and] my homebred 20-year-old “green horse” Dancing Dervish, whom I could write a book about. These are the horses that immediately jump to mind. Groom: Internationally, James Rice, a truly knowledgeable and amusing character. I have had some excellent grooms who have worked for me. Some became decent players and horse trainers, while others could hardly ride but still produced the horses well. Of course, there have been some bad ones as well. Not going to call names at this point.
Food: Hmm … No shortage of appetite here! Music: Pop & reggae
Lesley-Ann is a lifelong horse lover.
Position to play: Majority of my polo life I played Position 2. In women’s polo, I prefer playing Back. When I am playing mixed low-goal polo, I play Position 3. Nowadays I play Position 1 so I can stay out of trouble! Country to play in: I love traveling
polo boots for the horses from felt and Velcro strips, made rope halters and learned to crudely repair the tack. Breast plates and martingales were only used on horses that needed them. Helmets lasted generations and often didn’t have much lining. The polo was fast, open and rough and tumble with the umpires vaguely paying attention to the game. Going abroad to play was a true eye-opener, but it did allow me to stock up on gear! What is your best school memory? Most of mine involve rushing out as quickly as possible to play some sport or hang out with my horses. Who taught you the most? Obviously, my dad—a known strategist and horseman—had the most influence over my polo. However, I watched and learned from many excellent coaches and players over the years. The following come to mind as these players were in the right place at the right time to strongly influence or change my game: Antonio 36 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
but there is also something relaxing and comforting about playing at home. Every club has its own unique people, atmosphere, facilities and horses that I enjoy
Other hobbies: Before polo took up all my spare time, I played most sports—tennis, swimming, squash, netball, hockey, lacrosse, track & field at school, water skiing, even went snow skiing. I am sure I have left out some other sports. I had a go-cart and motorcycle into my teens. I used to go camping with the family up to my late teenage years when my parents had to leave Jamaica for a short while. Nowadays I always have a rather boring book nearby. Dancing or karaoke: Dancing! Dogs or cats? Cat, my Puddy!
Herrera was the first to really help me with a polo seat and my swing. I was not trying to hit the ball when I started, and then mixing it up with some top English players in Jamaica—i.e. James and Will Lucas—taught me to be able to mark out and ride off players with a much higher handicap than mine. As a 0-goal player, watching Memo Gracida in England taught me the importance of paying attention to details and team strategy. Witnessing the Heguys in their early days of playing high goal justified my slightly crazy streak. Watching Carlos Gracida and using a couple of articles he wrote for Polo magazine made me quicker and more accurate as a 1- or 2-goaler in higher-goal polo. Between my dad sorting out my backhands, combined with watching Ernesto Trotz move efficiently around the field, was probably the key to me becoming a Back in women’s polo. I damaged my shoulder badly in my mid-30s and have never been able to swing correctly since. Rege Ludwig taught me to swing from my wrist, elbow or use a shallower swing, which allowed me to compensate.
