Polo may be the ‘Sport of Kings’, but Jamaica’s Lesley-Ann Masterton Fong-Yee has spent a lifetime ensuring queens have their chance to compete too.

Lesley-Ann is the president of the Polo Association of Jamaica and was also a driving force behind the formalisation and spread of women’s polo tournaments across the USA and Caribbean in the 90s.

The legendary player, administrator and polo trailblazer was in Ballito last Wednesday and gave a masterclass to a small group of local players, mostly women.

Hosted by the Ballito Polo Club at Oaklands Equestrian Estate, Lesley-Ann covered the foundations of the sport, from good mallet grip to horse handling and swing posture.

The club members present were thrilled to receive practical advice from a player with international experience.

“It’s a privilege to host someone of Lesley-Ann’s stature, and we really appreciate her taking the time to share some of her knowledge,” said Ballito Polo Club captain, Lionel Foster.

Lesley-Ann was joined by Shane Chin, also a former member of Jamaica’s international polo team, and together they ran a scrimmage match after the lesson.

Make sure to attend upcoming polo fixtures hosted by the Ballito Polo Club to see the lessons in action.

Originally from Kingston and now living in St Ann, Lesley-Ann has had a lifelong connection with horses.

“I was basically born on a horse and did almost every sport involving horses that I could,” said Lesley-Ann.

“Initially that was eventing, dressage and showjumping. I was around polo because my dad played, but didn’t pick it up until after school.” Jamaica faced a decade of hardship in the 80s amid political conflict, which meant there were fewer polo players available for men’s teams.

“I could obviously ride, so I was roped in and learned the game quite quickly once I got going,” she said.

“There were no women’s teams then, so I played with the men and earned mixed handicaps as opposed to a women’s handicap which has since been created.”

Polo’s handicapping system is a unique one, given it is ultimately a subjective number conveyed by a country’s national polo association.

Beginners start at -2 goals, with the best players in the world reaching a 10 goal handicap. Lesley-Ann reached a career high mixed handicap of 3 goals, which was among the top in the world for women at the time and remains a competitive figure.

Once capped by Jamaica in polo, she completed the quartet of national colours for equine sport. “Polo has taken me around the world and has been a fantastic way to meet incredible people. It is a small community, but very supportive,” she said.

“I have played polo on every continent except Oceania and Antarctica, and I only missed Oceania because of a weather issue!” Lesley-Ann and Shane visited South Africa because of a connection made 27 years ago when Graham Brooke-Leggatt travelled to Jamaica to groom for the Chin family.

Graham founded the GBL Polo Club in Winterton and invited the duo for a visit.

“That’s the polo world connection in action. It’s a wonderful sport and I would encourage anyone with access to polo to give it a try,” said Lesley-Ann.

“It mixes the hand-eye co-ordination of a ball sport, speed of horse riding and anticipation needed for team sport, all while being physically demanding and teaching empathy for the horses.”

Polo lessons are available at the Ballito Polo Club.

Find out more at ballitopoloclub.co.za.

Competitive polo is currently taking place inland in the Drakensberg and Midlands and will move to the coast and Ballito in July.

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