Polo Development

Elise Pardue

Young talent on the West Coast

By Hayley Heatley • Photos by Kerri Kerley

Elise Pardue is a regular on the USPA interscholastic circuit in California.

Palm tree-lined fields and expansive mountain views provide a picturesque backdrop for the winter polo season in Indio, California. Players young and old, new and seasoned call the desert their winter home, playing polo for four busy months. The sheer number of fields in the area allows for players of all levels to ride, train and compete on pristine fields.

Desert native, Elise Pardue, is only 15 years old and already making a name for herself in both the junior polo programs and competitive tournament play. Pardue was introduced to the sport by her father at the age of 3, but at that time did not share his passion for the sport.

“I told everyone my favorite part of the game was getting off the horse,” she said. After a quick hiatus from the age of 6 to 9, she eventually found herself back in the saddle and quickly grew to love polo.

As a high school student, Pardue found herself limited to after-school hours for riding. When the pandemic hit and her school transitioned online last spring, she eagerly took the opportunity to log more hours at the barn with her horses and improve her game. Her favorite mare, Rosy, has been a mainstay in her string for many years.

“Rosy is an insanely handy mare and really gels with my playing style,” she said.

Pardue has been a regular on the USPA interscholastic circuit, competing at tournaments up and down the California coast. Her love of outdoor polo led her to participate in National Youth Tournament Series qualifiers simultaneously. This winter, Pardue was named an all-star at both the Empire and Eldorado Polo Clubs NYTS tournaments.

Pardue says her most memorable polo experience so far has been playing with Memo Gracida. Last year, Pardue had the opportunity to play alongside former 10-goal player and polo legend, Memo Gracida, in the 8-goal league. Watching her on the field, it is evident she learned strategy, field awareness and mental control from Gracida. The 8-goal league was Pardue’s highest level tournament polo to date.

The next item on her polo to-do list is to play as much as possible and travel to new clubs to play. Pardue is eager to go up in handicap and represent the West Coast in the National Interscholastic Championship. She also has her sights set on competing in the Women’s Pacific Coast Open against the best female players in the region. Her dream tournament would be traveling east to Wellington, Florida, to play the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship with Dayelle Fargey, Milly Hine and Hazel Jackson.

In the long term, Pardue wants to be known as a strategic player and an advocate for women’s polo.

“I would love to encourage other females to dominate and advance in the sport,” she said. •

Pardue hopes to one day compete in the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championships.

Pardue competed in the 8-goal league last season.