They’re essentially royalty in the world of polo.
Professional polo player Juan Redlich is enjoying the summer alongside his son Juancito. The 16-year-old is eager to follow in his father’s footsteps, reminiscent of summers spent in Long Island.
“I’m 47, and I’m not sure how many years of playing I have left,” Juan, who is part of Steel Polo, shared. “We spend every day together… This, for me, is the greatest gift life has given us.”
The duo’s team includes members from their hometown, Benado Tüelto, a place known for its passion for polo, located about 40 kilometers west of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“My dad has taught me a lot about connecting with horses,” said Juancito, who is still improving his English during his time in Long Island. “We spend our days on the field practicing and riding. I’ve learned so much from him.”
Juan noted that their hometown is supportive of their growing family legacy, especially as they compete in larger tournaments. “People are really excited about what my son is achieving,” he recalled, mentioning he first came to Long Island at 18 to work with horses during the summers.
Greener meadow
Since then, the Redlich family has embraced the beauty of Long Island’s North Shore, typically from June to September.
Juan and Juancito practice and compete weekly in free evening matches called “Sunset” at the Meadowbrook Polo Club and Sundays at Bethpage State Park, along with other events in the Tri-State area.
Juan, known as “Johnny Juan” to the crowd during matches, is quite popular among fans at Bethpage.
Due to the sport’s complexities and the horses’ physical limits, players often need to switch horses during matches, which can involve numerous exchanges across four to eight chuckers.
Handlers are aware of the costs, noting it’s over $12,500 just to ship a horse from Argentina. Sponsorship helps cover these expenses.
“We brought nine horses this summer; they arrived just a few days ago,” Juan remarked, commending his son’s natural talent with them. “He’s very at ease with horses… I’ve never seen him fight with one or lose patience. He knows how to get the best out of them.”
No horse carriages around
Juancito has had a love for horses since childhood, often riding in Argentina’s fields.
He dabbled in soccer and rugby but began to focus on polo during the pandemic. His father has been guiding him, noting that Juancito has a real knack for riding.
“He’s always been a natural rider,” Juan said.
“I never pressured him to play polo,” he added.
Currently, Juancito is looking to enhance his skills over the next couple of years, aiming to refine his technique and build his strength, proving he deserves a shot at professional tournaments.
The Long Island Continental Cup, a tournament running for two to three weeks, kicked off this week and provides a great opportunity for him to showcase his progress.
“If that doesn’t pan out, I’m considering going to college for agriculture as a backup,” said Juancito, who relishes his summers focused on polo. “But regardless, I want to work with horses for the rest of my life.”
For now, while he has the momentum, the goal remains ambitious. “I want to become a better player,” he said. “Doing this with my dad motivates me to excel.”
