RIDER PROFILES

Based at Cowdray Polo Club in Sussex (where the Gold Cup, the most coveted prize, is played annually), Malcolm Borwick is one of England’s leading professional polo players, with a 6 goal handicap. He got started through the Pony Club, or ‘the breeding ground of champions’ as he calls it, 16 years ago and is addicted to the adrenaline rush of playing which he claims is better than ski-ing and more tiring than hockey.

Unsurprisingly, his day is completely horse orientated, with the alarm going off at about 7.15am when he does yoga for 20 minutes to alleviate stiffness from the previous day, followed by getting to the yard to practice hitting 30 penalty shots and checking on his string. Lunch and paperwork are followed by an afternoon game: tactic talk, stretching, playing and chatting with clients and getting to bed early - the high goal season and booze don’t really mix! All this is to fulfil his ambition to compete in an England team in the World Cup (the ultimate tournament) and he admits he totally relies on the help of his groom Cezar who is so dedicated he works from 4.30am until 9pm!

Working on your riding all the time is fundamental to improving your game, and, if you want to be successful, Malcolm suggests getting lessons from someone is your build, with a similar mentality. 

Malcolm loves giving lessons. Prices range from £100 for a single lesson with all the kit provided, to a group session (for 6) for £300.

If you could have any horse in the world, from any discipline, who would it be and why?
Rock of Gibraltor – his stud fees alone could educate an army!