August 2021 Polo Players' Edition- Jamaican Hero

Jamaican Hero

Lesley-Ann Masterton Fong-Yee’s Polo Life

By Ava-Rose Hinkson

Lesley-Ann Masterton Fong-Yee

Robert Chin

Writing about the living legend Lesley-Ann Masterton Fong-Yee and her illustrious legacy is a daunting enterprise. Her tall and erudite stature is reflected in both her accomplishments and her physique. There are few well-established polo clubs around the world that have not hosted the Godmother of Women’s Polo. From the genteel formality of a royal ball to the dark and precarious streets of Kingston, Jamaica, Lesley-Ann is always well-equipped to handle any conversation or plight.

To know Lesley-Ann is to understand the total respect she demands from her horses. Although seldom, the endowment to perform upon the back of her most prized possessions is willingly entrusted to the few that are approved. My family and Lesley-Ann have been close friends for many years, so naturally my infatuation with her philosophies, charisma and abilities started at a young age.

When Lesley-Ann speaks even the horses stop chewing. Her advice on and off the field is passionate, intense and accurate. When in doubt, falling back upon her guidance is always a strong course of action. In the world of athletes, to say she is achieved in her field fails to truly credit all her astounding feats. How many sportsmen or women have a photograph on a postage stamp? How many equestrians are skilled enough to ride on an international level in several different disciplines? Who else runs a family business while traveling the world playing, coaching and teaching all ages of the polo-playing community?

In this interview, Lesley- Ann gives a detailed look inside her incredible life journey. Her no-nonsense upbringing along with the love of horses and polo have produced an Olympic-level athlete. Her story begins early on in the movement for women’s polo. She is one of the distinct few women who helped hold down the gates for other women. Lesley-Ann can make it all look easy, but her story has moments of trial and hardship that made her grow as a person and as a horsewoman.

While Lesley-Ann has worn many hats in her lifetime, she has spent most of her professional life behind a desk doing the bookkeeping and accounts for the family business, Masterton Limited.

What is your equestrian background?

I was introduced to horses shortly after birth. The groom was my babysitter. I started competing when I was about 6 or 7 years old in gymnastics and jumping. I progressed quickly through the Pony Club tests and always had my own pony or horse at home. I also rode and helped school my dad’s polo ponies that I also taught to jump and took to shows.

Most of my horses I got could not play polo and needed mental or physical rehab, which I helped my father, a legendary vet, to do. I rode at all the riding centers in Jamaica and showed and competed with green or “difficult” horses, as well as some exceptionally good horses.

I completed my BHSAI (British Horse Society Assistant Instructor) and trained up to level II in England in 1978, competing in local shows while I was training. I represented Jamaica in dressage, show jumping and eventing at home and abroad. I qualified for the 1994 Pan American Games on my young 6-year-old homebred. Unfortunately, I was not able to compete as the horse had Piroplasmosis antibodies, which disqualified me from competing.

When did your start playing polo?

I started playing polo quite by accident, circa 1980, due to a shortage of players. First, I was schooling the polo ponies while dad played, and before I knew it, I was roped in. With no helmet nor boots, I began my polo journey. Few women [in Jamaica] had played up to that point, and the ones that had only played in practice chukkers, never an actual tournament. When I started, I didn’t even try to hit the ball for a long time. Dennis Lalor gave me my first helmet and first polo pony. With Dennis and my dad’s help I started playing competitively, which led to me entering the national and club tournaments and getting picked up on Jamaican international teams. This was unheard of for a woman. Starting at minus-2, my handicap went up a by a goal each year until I was rated 2 goals, and then I was raised to 3 goals a couple years later.

Was your family involved in polo?

My mother rode a bit, but my dad was the top polo player and captain of polo in Jamaica for a long time. He was also a top equestrian while at vet school in Canada before he took up polo.

What was polo like when you first started?

When I started—1980ish—there was a chronic shortage of players and horses as it was a relatively unstable time in Jamaica. We were not allowed to import goods, so tack and polo equipment was extremely hard to come by. I played for three years before getting knee pads. I used to make my own 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!

Lesley-Ann, far left, representing her home club, St. Ann Polo Club.

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.

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.

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 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

Lesley-Ann is a lifelong horse lover.

Robert Chin

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.

Food: Hmm … No shortage of appetite here!

Music: Pop & reggae

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!

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 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.

Lesley-Ann coaching students.

What advice were you given in polo or life that changed you and your game?

One of the most important bits of advice I ever got mid-game was funny but effective. In the tournament we were playing, at halftime we were losing the game badly. Thanks to a mid-game adjustment I made, we won. I went to Troy Brennan and asked him what we needed to do to turn the game around. He paused then said, “You see that little white ball?’ I solemnly nodded and leaned forward for the instructions. He continued, “Hit it!”

What is the biggest life inspiration in or out of polo?

Many have inspired me in vastly different ways on and off the polo field, and life in general. I mostly find inspiration just observing something unusual or seeing someone cope with something I am struggling with as well. Again, not just on the polo field.

Lesley-Ann with the first women's team to visit Jamaica

What is the biggest surprise you’ve had in a game, match or trip?

I generally roll with the punches and deal with whatever issues I may be faced with, but these two stories have stuck with me. Let me start with the first time I played decent women’s polo. I found the game very strange and was always in the wrong place. [It] took a while to realize there were no long passes, so I could not anticipate and intercept them. The next surprise was when I first went to California. I think I was 3 goals and had gotten used to women (even the top ladies) not hitting a particularly big shot. Driving into the club, I stopped to watch this tiny girl knocking 60-yard penalties way up in the air like any professional man. It was a 17-year-old Sunny Hale!

Where is women’s polo going?

For me, there is a big difference between women’s polo and women in polo. It really is exciting to see how women’s polo has taken off. It is now at never-beforeseen levels and is still improving rapidly. Women in polo still lag behind in many areas though, although they form over 40% of the registered players of the USPA. Not many women can—or get the opportunity to—play as pros in medium- or high-goal mixed polo. The real numbers have ebbed and flowed little over the decades. Their presence leading USPA committees, as umpires, and executives/high-level managers in the sport also lag behind that membership ratio. The good thing is they are no longer an oddity and are closing that gap.

What changes do you like?

I love the formal development of the women’s tournaments around the world, and the women’s handicaps (although I was a bit skeptical when it was first suggested).

What advice would you offer young players?

First, prepare and try your hardest on the field. Others will tell you if you make mistakes. Listen to them and ask what play to make instead or how to fix the issue. Doing nothing is seldom productive.

Second, win or lose always congratulate your teammates and the other team at the end of the game even if you really don’t want to.

Third, emotionally leave the game on the field. Give yourself a chance to decompress and let the adrenaline subside before discussing anything. I determinately clean my boots and other equipment, if necessary.

Lesley-Ann, left, in Guatemala.

What advice would you give for playing strange horses?

Arrive early. Ask questions about each horse from the owner, groom, trainer and pro, as they will all have different information. Even if you only have a few moments to sit on a horse, ask it some questions. For example, move it around, and hit a couple balls. If you do not feel safe, which is different than if you just don’t like it, suggest that it is “too much horse” for you and you’d rather not play it. In the game, if it gives you a hard time, and you don’t have a suitable spare, do not fight it! Do not ask it questions it cannot answer. Instead, find another way to do what you need and discretely let your teammates know what plays you won’t be able to make. At the end of the chukker, observe how it comes off. Is it hot, tired or possibly injured? Make a note to ask about the horse after the game and make sure it has been taken care of. Thank the owner or provider profusely, even if it is a rental. The polo world is small.

What are your best grooming tips?

Horses thrive on consistency and routine. Attention to detail is imperative. Even a slight shift in attitude or condition can affect performance or signal a problem developing. An injury caught early is often quickly fixed. The more often you do the dirty work—cleaning stables, tack and the horses, etc.—the quicker it takes.

What riding or training tips can you give?

The player should be able to maintain balance and be over the center of gravity as much as possible so as to allow the horse to maintain its balance for maximum mobility.

Lesley-Ann has ridden at an international level in several equestrian disciplines.

What is the best way to keep horses fit?

The stage of the horse’s training, level of polo required and facilities available, etc. are involved in the appropriate fitness level necessary. It is always important to remember basic principles: young horses take longer to muscle-up and older horses do better turned out in larger spaces with less pounding needed for legging up. Footing is important; younger horses need confidence and older horses need cushion on their joints. As good as sand is, it can also be hard on joints—fetlocks in particular, as the hoof strikes on an inconsistent surface.

What advice do you have for bringing horses back after leg injuries:

Patience! Anything else will depend on the injury, the stage of the horse’s training, level of polo and a myriad of other factors.

What are the best training tips for players and horses.

For horses, muscle development and then fitness. For players, aerobic fitness, suppleness and then strength. Muscle-bound players often pull something when fatigued.

Do you prefer a leather or suede saddle?

I never fussed about saddles, type, size, etc. I used to play polo in my jumping saddle and used a Stubben polo saddle for cross country. The most important thing is that the saddle fits the horse correctly.

Do you prefer a gag or a pelham?

Some horses will only go in “their” bridle but for the rest it depends on my position and the polo. I would play the same horse in a gag at position No. 1 in a fast, higher-goal game, but in a pelham if playing Back in lower-goal.

What is the most overused unnecessary tack or training implement?

Bits. Obviously [they are] needed to play, and fine tuning them for each horse can make a big difference in a game. However, for training, my dad always said, “Metal never stopped a horse.” I train with a bosal (bitless bridle) until the horse is mature and strong enough to carry itself and me. They usually perform all the basic maneuvers and stick and ball happily in a bosal.

Do you prefer women’s or mixed polo?

Any and all polo is good for me. Now that I am arthritic, I’m not fond of arena polo.

What advice would you give for traveling for polo?

Be pro-active and organized. Research logistics: flights, accommodation, transportation, horses, whether they are borrowed or hired, if you have a choice or not, the club, the tournament organizers, and the people involved. Polo is a small world and that makes gathering important information easier to do than it sounds. Have a Plan B if you are not 100% sure about any of it! [Bring] thank-you gifts and tips.

What is your greatest polo memory?

Being picked to play on good teams, and the patience and kindness shown to me after a major injury and loss of nerve. Being supported by my team so much that I was able to score seven or eight goals a game and win several important cups while I was still fragile on the field. We once took a 7-goal team that included two older players and beat a 14-goal team that had the top players available in a significant open-goal game.

We also took a 7-goal team in an official handicapped match and beat a 12-goal team after they wiped out our handicap in two chukkers and proceeded to beat us down at halftime. I have won and lost important games with 30 seconds on the clock and a two-goal difference on the board!

Lesley-Ann Masterton Fong-Yee is commemorated on a postage stamp.

Do you prefer Hurlingham or USPA rules?

[They both] started with a little booklet that basically said stay straight and ride a sound horse. Traveling so much, I learned to not care what rules or interpretation were used. Ask beforehand what the format for set plays and penalties are. On the field, work out as quickly as possible what the umpires allow. This mostly boils down to what distance and speed the umpires allow plays to happen.

What is the worst advice you’ve ever gotten:

I am sure I have doled out plenty in my time! A top lady player once asked me what she needed to do to step her game up. I suggested heavier sticks so she could hit a bigger ball. It was an epic fail as it made her elbow sore. I pretty much listen to what everyone says, think it through, and try it momentarily. If it does not work, I drop it quickly, but never really think of it as bad advice.

What is your wish for polo?

My wish for polo is that it continues to grow and evolve in order to survive and keep up with the times, but not forget its history and how it got to where it is. As one of the oldest formal sports in the world, that history is one of its greatest strengths that is so often overlooked.

What would you say to inspire readers?

In polo the ball is round—never give up!

Lesley-Ann Masterton Fong-Yee

Born: May 3, 1960 in Kingston, Jamaica

Top Handicap: 3 goals (A local handicap, which was eventually discarded, was 7 or 8 goals)

Current Handicap: 1