UNIVERSITY OF KENT POLO CLUB
Providing accessible and affordable polo for those of all abilities
MEET OUR COMMITTEE
Get to know our Kent Polo 2017-18 committee!
FREYA CHILTON
PRESIDENT
Why do you love Kent Polo?
I love Kent Polo because everyone is so supportive of each other and everyone really encouraged me to reach my full potential in lessons and competition. It really is like a family and the has club increased my confidence whilst riding and competing immeasurable amounts!
Experience before university?
Before university I had never even ridden a horse and I was nervous to start the sport with what I thought was a major disadvantage compared to everyone else. However the support of the club and excellent teaching made learning to ride so much easier than I expected and within a couple of months I was competing at winter nationals due to the support of Kent Polo!
Best moment with Kent Polo?
My best moment with Kent Polo has to be the whole of winter Supa, where I was able to compete after only a couple of months of riding. It was amazing to compete with so much support from the whole club, who were cheering for me on the sidelines! Along with the party at the end of the weekend where we all wore unicorn onesies!
DEON NZOU
SOCIAL SECRETARY
Why do you love Kent Polo?
​
I really enjoy being a part of Kent Polo because for me it is something completely different and out of the ordinary to what I would usually do, but am glad that I am here! I have started the journey to learning a new sport in the company of supportive and encouraging peers and teammates.
​
Experience before university?
​
Before university I had absolutely no experience whatsoever riding a horse. I had not so much as been within earshot of a 'neigh': but little to no experience didn't hold me back!
​
Best moment with Kent Polo?
​
Summer SUPA is definitely a highlight of the Polo calendar at Kent. It was my first time watching professional chukkas and seeing it was very inspiring. Although I was extremely apprehensive about camping (also a first time for me) I am happy to have done it and I can say I survived.
KATIE HEAD
SPONSORSHIP AND MEDIA
Why do you love Kent Polo?
I wanted to join a society at University that still involved horses but that was also a completely new sport and that’s exactly what I got with Kent Polo! However, I never imagined that I would also meet such incredible people as well. Everyone in the club is so welcoming and will make any event, lesson or night-out amazing. University polo is fantastic and joining polo has really made my first year at Uni.
​
Experience before university?
I’ve been horse riding since I can remember, being lucky enough to own my own horses. I have competed in eventing since I was 10 however, I’ve never played or even watched a polo match before joining Kent Polo. I fell in love with Polo so quickly and although riding experience helps, it’s a completely new style. It’s crazy how addictive polo becomes and riding experience or not and you’ll become hooked before you know it.
Best moment with Kent Polo?
My best moment was spectating at Winter Supa. Although I was not competing myself, it was incredible cheering everyone on and watching all our teams do so well. I also loved watching my first test matches whilst I was there. Winter Supa was such an amazing atmosphere and although there was a slightly blurry night out, I made so many amazing memories that weekend.
OLIVIA COLEMAN
VICE PRESIDENT
Why do you love Kent Polo?
I love playing and the ponies are amazing; they really make the game the fantastic sport that it is! Even so, my favourite part of Kent Polo is definitely the people. Everyone is so much fun and I've met some of my best friends through the club.
Experience before university?
I’ve ridden since I was young but I’d never even considered trying polo until my first year. I went to one of the first taster sessions and have played ever since!
Best Moment with Kent Polo?
I've had so many great experiences with Kent Polo, it's impossible to pick just one! That being said, SUPA is always a highlight of the year and I've got lots of great - and obviously a few embarrassing - memories from both winter and summer SUPA!
​
​
ALICE VAUDRY
SOCIAL SECRETARY
Why do you love Kent Polo?
​
Having joined a different society in first year that I didn't enjoy, I fancied a change and I'm so glad I picked Kent Polo. It's an amazing opportunity to play a unique sport, whilst being surrounded by a close-knit group of fabulous people. I especially like the fact that everyone is really involved in both sporting and social aspects of the club.
​
Experience before University?
​
As far back as I can remember I've been riding; eventing on two of my own horses and even branching slightly into gymkhana games. However, I wanted to try something new, that was still within the horsey sphere, and it turns out polo was the perfect choice for me.
​
Best Moment with Kent polo?
My best moment has to be summer SUPA. The experience of playing polo on the much larger grass pitch, in the sunshine, with the support of your teammates and then barbecuing with everyone in the evenings.
SOPHIE CONNOR
CAPTAIN
Why I love Kent Polo?
​
Kent Polo has made my university experience and I can’t imagine not being part of the club. Right from the beginning new members were made to feel welcome and included in the Kent Polo family. I have made some amazing friends and memories during my time with the society!
​
Experience before University?
​
I have been riding since I was young and have my own pony Dora. Dora is pretty much as far from a polo pony as you can get. So even though I had ridden before joining the club, polo was definitely different from anything I had done before! Polo is a completely different riding style from classical riding and so I would definitely urge those who have never ridden before and may be nervous about joining to give it a go!
​
Best moment with Kent Polo?
​
This would have to be the first time my team – Kent Owls – won a match. We were determined to get a win, which finally happened during winter SUPA. Having developed so much as a team and having the support of the rest of the club made the moment that we won feel amazing.
HARRY HEWSON
TREASURER
Why do you love Kent Polo?
I love Kent Polo because I've met so many new people I wouldn't have. I've been able to enjoy a sport which I believed was gated. Kent Polo has shown me the world of Polo is so much more accessible than someone may think and you don't have to play to be a part of the wonderful community.
​
Experience before University?
I had no experience with Polo but when meeting new friends at Uni I became involved with the society and enjoyed my time as a spectator and social member. I've gone on to meet so many great people and enjoyed tournaments with them.
​
Best moment with Kent Polo?
When I first watched top tier polo at a social where we watched some King Power Foxes games. This gave me a new appreciation of how special the relationship between the player and horse is and since I have enjoyed going to tournaments and appreciating some of the best Polo around.
Check out our social media...
SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? FIND OUT MORE ABOUT KENT POLO NOW BY CONTACTING ONE OF OUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS OR BY LIKING OUR PAGE ON FACEBOOK!
