NEWS

Raised on a cattle ranch near Calgary Polo Club (Okotoks, Alberta), Kerri Kerley’s path to becoming a polo photographer is as unique as it is inspiring. From her early days as an animal health technologist to hosting the television series “The Pet Guys” in Canada, Kerley’s love of animals has always served as the driving force behind her career.

It was in Calgary, Canada, that her husband introduced her to polo. Soon the sport became an integral part of her life and led her to discovering a passion for photography, allowing her camera lens to become a window to the essence of the sport.

Kerley shares her experiences photographing matches along the west coast at Eldorado Polo Club (Indio, California), Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club (Carpinteria, California) and La Herradura Polo Club LLC (Santa Ynez, California), and discusses the challenges and rewards of her profession. She also opens up about her role as a mother to a polo player and her courageous battle with breast cancer.

Kerri, can you share with us how your journey in the world of polo began? What initially attracted you to this sport?
I was raised on a cattle ranch just down the road from the Calgary Polo Club although I had nothing to do with polo growing up, the ranch we lived on was owned by JB Cross and he played polo in Calgary [Alberta] and in Santa Barbara [California]. I was obsessed with all animals growing up and therefore pursued that passion at college by becoming an animal health technologist. I ran a large and small animal clinic in Turner Valley, Alberta, after I graduated, and it was there that I met my husband Mike Kerley who was in town for the summer training green horses for the Mannix family. He introduced me to the wonderful world of polo at the Calgary Polo Club and I was hooked.

However, I stayed in Calgary to take a new opportunity hosting a television show called "The Pet Guys." It was the opportunity of a lifetime—I did it for a few years and loved it. It was a dream come true for an animal lover like me to be able to bathe elephants, feed hippos, bottle-feed baby lions, play with baby alligators and even do an episode on polo horses!

When did you discover your passion for photography, and how did it intersect with your love for polo?
After I made the move to Indio, California, with my husband full time, polo became everything to us. I helped him with the Mannix green horses and learned so much from him. We spent winters at the Eldorado Polo Club and summers at the Calgary Polo Club. It was Calgary that started my photography interest. I started out videotaping all the games for Joe Barry who was the coach of the Isla Carroll polo team at the time. Calgary had 20-goal there and I became the full-time videographer of all the games, but it wasn't something I was passionate about. I really wanted to capture the action of polo through still photos. Fred Mannix gave me my first camera in 2000 and I began shooting and learning as I went. I was the photographer at the club for many years so that's really where I got my start.

Photographing polo matches can be exhilarating and challenging. What do you find most rewarding about capturing moments in the polo world?
My favorite part of shooting polo is the anticipation of the next play, trying to be one step ahead of the action so you can get that one-in-a-million shot. I love the editing process—which sounds crazy—but the things you find in your photos when you are analyzing them can be so cool. Flying horseshoes, mallet heads, things you didn't see when you were shooting.

You've worked at various prestigious clubs like Eldorado Polo Club, Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club and La Herradura Polo Club LLC. Could you tell us about some memorable experiences you've had while photographing polo events at these venues?
Shooting at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club in 2022 was memorable because Prince Harry was playing in the 12-goal, and he drew some of the biggest crowds I've ever seen there. The paparazzi was insane trying to sneak in and blend in with the crowd just to get a shot of Harry!

La Herradura is an amazing club that Memo and Meghan are growing all the time. It's so fun to shoot tournaments there, especially the women's tournaments that Meghan puts her heart and soul into.

Eldorado is my home club, and it has so much polo: 4-goal, 8-goal, 12-goal, women's, club league and junior polo. It's such a beautiful club to shoot at and the mountains in the backdrop make the photos really stunning.

Your son, Ryan Kerley*, is a rising star in American polo. How does it feel to watch him pursue a career in this sport, and what role have you played in his development?
I get really nervous when Ryan plays but being behind the camera calms me down. It's been so great watching his passion for polo grow and to see him pursuing his dreams. His father has really passed down his riding talents to him and it's a beautiful thing! My mare Hi Top has been such a big part of Ryan's development as a player. She has been with us 14 years and when he plays her, they have this chemistry that makes them so good and so fun to watch. She won Best Playing Pony in the 2022 National Youth Tournament Series Championship Cecil Smith Cup.

Balancing your career as a photographer with being a supportive mother to a polo player must have its challenges. How do you manage these dual roles?
We are a full-time polo family and support each other through everything. My daughter Hope is the backbone of Ryan's barn and keeps his horses in top condition—she runs a strict program! She also trains and sells young thoroughbred polo prospects that she buys from racetracks all around the U.S. and Canada. She is also the Manager of the Calgary Polo Club, which she absolutely loves.

You've faced the challenge of battling breast cancer. Can you share with us how this experience has impacted your perspective on life and your work?
Facing the diagnosis of breast cancer this year was extremely scary and shocking. I went through a flurry of emotions when I first got the news, but my family and friends were so supportive that I felt like I was going to be okay no matter what. I had to be strong and think positively for Hope and Ryan because I wasn't done being a mom yet. Being around the polo community and being able to do my photography before and after my surgery and during my treatments was the best way to heal emotionally and physically.

What advice or words of encouragement would you offer to others who may be going through their own battles with cancer or other adversities?
I really encourage women to get their mammograms every year. It's something that affects all of us in some way or another and we need to be vigilant and supportive to fight this fight! Women's polo is a great way to spread awareness and support and Meghan Gracida has been a huge advocate for this cause.

*Ryan Kerley is an Active Team USPA Member. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.

All photos courtesy of ©Kerri Kerley.