Finest on the Field The sport’s talented four-legged athletes Photos by David Lominska/Polographics.com
Most players will tell you how important their horses are to them, and even the best players in the sport can name one or two horses that stand out or helped them move up the handicap ladder. Some count on a particular horse for its bursts of speed and athleticism, while others may admire one that may not be the fastest but is the most consistent. USPA Communications Coordinator Jewel Connelly spoke with several players to ask them about some of their top ponies. Over the next few issues, we will highlight some of the sport’s top equine athletes.
Jasmine
Owned by Luis Escobar Seeing Luis Escobar through both countless victories and a serious polo injury in 2015, 17-yearold Jasmine’s (King’s Gent x Julia) unwavering consistency on the field has created an unbreakable bond unrivaled by any other horse in Escobar’s string. After his top mare Julia sustained an injury and entered retirement, Escobar decided to continue her legacy as a broodmare, resulting in Jasmine and her full sister Julieta. Born at C-Spear Ranch in Sheridan, Wyoming, Jasmine was trained by former player and renowned American breeder and trainer Julie Boyle, after she had some slow chukkers she returned to Escobar as a 3-year-old to start her budding polo career. Escobar finished her off and she has proven to be a champion. Just like her mother, Jasmine’s longevity in the sport has earned Escobar’s unconditional trust, the pair playing together in tournaments across the United States for over a decade. Receiving many Best Playing Pony blankets throughout her career in high, medium and low 30 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
goal, Jasmine’s enduring achievements at the highest level and quick recovery rate were most recently recognized as the 2019 Wembley Award recipient. The award honors horses that have shown greatness and longevity throughout a career in high-goal polo. Jasmine’s full sister Julieta was sold to 10-goaler Facundo Pieres. Escobar says she is now with Valiente and in 2018 won Best Playing Pony with Adolfo Cambiaso’s young son, Poroto Cambiaso. Did you always know Jasmine was going to be a champion? Even when she was really young, she was always easy, gentle and noble. Her mother and sister were the same. I knew she was good and she would be a strong addition to my string, but I think you never really know if you’re sitting on a champion until you’re playing tournaments and until they start winning. As soon as I started competing her I realized just how talented she was and I never wanted to get off her! What are her strengths on the field? She has everything; she’s a winner. She has an incredible mouth, good balance and she’s easy and comfortable. She never gets tired and always gives you more than any other horse in the chukker. Also, she always recovers quicker than all the other horses even despite her age. You can feel that maybe she doesn’t have quite the same power as she did when she was younger and in her prime, but she still has that fantastic recovery rate and she’s got an insane work ethic. If you ask her for a little more, she always gives it to you. She’s consistent and you can always count on her to play well. She’s been there with me and played in
