The Role of Grooms in Professional Polo
In professional polo, much of what defines a team’s performance happens long before the first chukker begins. Behind every player, every horse, and every match, there is a group of people whose work is constant, precise and often unseen. Among them, grooms play one of the most important roles in the sport.
For teams like La Natividad, where the level of detail and preparation is high, grooms are not just part of the structure. They are central to it. Their work directly affects how horses perform, recover and adapt throughout a demanding season.
More than horse care
At a basic level, the role of a groom is to take care of the horses. But in professional polo, that definition barely scratches the surface. A groom is responsible for the full daily routine of the horses, from feeding and grooming to saddling, cooling down and monitoring their overall condition.
Each horse requires individual attention. No two are the same, and understanding their behaviour, their physical needs and their reactions to training or matches is part of the job. Over time, grooms build a detailed knowledge of each horse they work with, which becomes essential during competition.
This connection is not abstract. It is practical, built through repetition, observation and consistency.
Daily routine behind the scenes
The day of a groom often starts before the players arrive and ends after the last horse is settled. Feeding schedules, stable management, cleaning, preparing tack and checking equipment are part of the daily rhythm.
Before a match, the preparation becomes more specific. Horses are brushed, checked and saddled carefully, ensuring everything is ready for each chukker. Timing is critical. Each horse must be prepared to enter the field in the right condition, without unnecessary stress or delay.
After the game, the work continues. Cooling down, washing, checking for any signs of discomfort or injury, and returning the horses to a stable, calm state is just as important as the preparation before the match.
Working alongside players
In high goal polo, the relationship between players and grooms is based on trust and communication. Players such as Camilo Castagnola and Barto Castagnola rely on their grooms to have a clear understanding of each horse’s condition, energy and readiness.
Decisions made during a match, including horse changes, are often supported by the groom’s insight. They know how a horse has been working, how it feels on a given day, and what it needs to perform at its best.
This collaboration is part of the structure of teams like La Natividad, where every role contributes to the overall performance.
The physical and mental demand
The work of a groom is physically demanding. Long hours, repetitive tasks and constant movement are part of the job. But beyond that, it also requires focus, responsibility and the ability to stay consistent over time.
Tournaments involve multiple matches, travel and changing environments. Through all of that, the routine of the horses must remain stable. Maintaining that consistency is one of the most important contributions a groom makes to a team.
It is not a role that changes with the spotlight. It is defined by continuity.
An essential part of high goal polo
In a sport where performance depends on precision, the role of the groom is fundamental. The condition of the horses, their readiness and their recovery all depend on the quality of work happening behind the scenes.
For La Natividad and for players like Camilo Castagnola, Barto Castagnola and Lolo Castagnola, that structure is part of what allows them to compete at the highest level across different countries and seasons.
Grooms may not always be visible during the match, but their presence is constant in everything that leads up to it.
Recognition through the work itself
Polo is built on a system where many roles come together. Some are more visible than others, but all are necessary. The work of grooms is not defined by recognition in the moment, but by the consistency and quality they bring every day.
They are part of the rhythm of the sport, from early mornings in the stables to the final moments after a match. Without them, the structure simply does not hold.
In professional polo, understanding the game also means understanding the people behind it.
