By Katherine Chen
Staff Writer
Mounted on their horses, sophomores Kylie and Renee Lee race across the field, wooden mallets in the air as they seek an opening to strike the polo ball. Keeping a tight hold on the reins, they stick close to each other, supporting their teammates further ahead.
Kylie and Renee train every two weeks at California Polo Club, preparing for a summer polo competition called La Utopia in Argentina, keen on improving their skills to compete in future tournaments.
The twins began horseback riding at the age of nine in Hong Kong after experiencing it for the first time on a family vacation. Training started as a hobby, but the care of the animals and trotting of the horses drew them in deeper.
In the past, they practiced jumping, maintaining good posture and handling different riding speeds as members of a Chinese horseback riding organization.
“When I advanced and learned to ride at a quicker pace, I felt like I was on a roller coaster in slow motion,” Renee Lee said. “It was a feeling that I could only feel when riding a horse: an exciting thrill.”
The twins moved to Temple City while in middle school and took frequent lessons as opposed to periodic rides on the holidays and school breaks in their hometown. This experience training as equestrians aided them when they made the switch from solely doing horseback riding to playing polo, an equestrian sport.
They mainly focused on using their mallets as an extension of their arms while building on their foundation from horse riding. They adapted to the new game, going from a solo activity where they were judged individually to one based on teamwork.
“You always have to communicate with each other because you can’t really see behind you, ” Kylie Lee said. “Being friends and compatible helps [since] it impacts the game and how you play and win.”
Kylie and Renee enjoy polo as a social activity with friends where they can appreciate the fun of competition on the field and immerse themselves in the excitement of the game, alleviating the pressures from school.
“I feel relaxed and more composed when horse riding because of the warm environment that surrounds me,” Renee Lee said. “With the sudden gust of winds, it gives a refreshing feel that lifts my spirits and eases my stress.”
The athletes continue to practice together in anticipation of their summer training at La Utopia where they will compete against polo players from across the world. They hope to connect with other players in the future and earn medals from their summer competitions.
“Most of the time I’m just training and I [don’t] really get to see my friends because they’re not in the States,” Kylie Lee said. “Thinking about the competition in Argentina over the summer really motivates me to get better so I can impress them.”
Both students do not plan on pursuing a career in this sport but are eager to keep it as a pastime. They hope the uniqueness of the sport will set them apart from others in their future college applications.
“In every moment, we feel like there’s always a perfect mix of challenge and joy, whether it be trotting calmly or pushing into a canter,” Kylie Lee said. “We really hope to continue the sport in the future as there’s really nothing quite like the freedom and confidence that polo brings.”