Growing up in Chile with four brothers - one of whom was a jockey, one a farrier and another a pro player - and a father who played polo and trained racehorses - Cristian Vasquez had little interest in horses or polo. He focused on other sports until he reached 18 - after which his destiny was decided.

“I wasn’t really interested in horses,” he said. “But I became passionate about polo after I played a couple of times.”

Cristian worked for Charlie Muldoon initially, before going on to a playing career that was highlighted by victory in the US Open Arena Polo Championship and by representing his native country in international competition.

In 2016, Cristian joined Umpires LLC and has barely stood still since. Last year he traveled the mileage equivalent of circumventing the globe three times umpiring solely on US soil.

Mental strength is one of the traits that Cristian cites as important for a professional umpire. “You’ve got to be able to control yourself and not take anything personally,” he said. If players get heated, Cristian keeps a cool head. “I would say 99% of players calm down when you try talking to them softly and not raising your voice.”

Riding ability is also an essential skill. “The quality of horses is different from club to club,” Cristian said. “You don’t know what they are going to give you. I get off a plane - and go straight to a horse.” To iron out the variables, planning comes into play as Cristian talks in advance to club managers to make sure the horses are appropriate for umpiring. “If we aren’t happy with a horse, we are told to get off it. It’s as simple as that,” he said.