NEWS

Kenneth Mayer's journey into the world of polo is a tale of tradition, resilience and passion. Growing up on a ranch in West Texas, Mayer was immersed in stories of his family's polo legacy. Sparking a desire to keep the traditions alive, his initial foray into the sport began in college, marking the start of a deep and enduring connection to polo.

Today, as Mayer Ranch competes in the Wellington Polo Tour (WPT), Mayer reflects on the challenges and triumphs of competing at this level. Having battled back from knee surgery and assembling a team with the right blend of skill and sportsmanship, Mayer's dedication to polo extends beyond personal achievement. He envisions a future for the sport that builds on its rich history while embracing the opportunities of the present.

How did you first get involved with polo?
“I grew up riding ranch horses on our family cattle/sheep ranch in West Texas. I would hear all the stories about polo in San Angelo, Texas, how my relatives raised polo horses during the period around 1910-1950, and how the Mertz brothers (my cousins) competed in polo across the United States playing with Cecil Smith. The more I dug into the stories and history of my family in the sport, the more I wanted to keep the traditions alive. Fast forward to when I was in college at Southern Methodist University [Dallas, Texas]. I met my first wife who played polo, along with her father and brother at Willow Bend in Plano, Texas. That was my foray into the sport.”

What makes the Wellington Polo Tour stand out and what drew you to participate in this event?
“I have been playing in Wellington since 2012 in the lower goal tournaments and Joey Casey’s 10 goal. We stepped it up a few years to the 12 goal at Grand Champions Polo Club [Wellington, Florida] a couple of times. I knew if I wanted to make a move to play higher goal tournaments, the Wellington Polo Tour is the perfect level to get me ready to move up to the 22-goal. The level of competition drew me to participate in the WPT."

What are the biggest challenges you face competing in the WPT?
“This was our first time playing as a [Mayer Ranch] team together. My first time playing a tournament that is higher than 12 goal, and my first time playing in 14 months after having knee surgery.”

How do you select team members?
"As the son of a college football referee, sportsmanship and commitment were instilled in me at an early age. I look for players who are dedicated to the sport and their horses. They have to treat their animals and other people with respect. They need to keep a calm head during games and not throw tantrums or yell at their fellow teammates/umpires. For example, my 16-goal team now is Jared Zenni*, Matt Coppola* and Costi Caset*. Jared has great leadership and discipline, Matt is driven and focused—I’ve watched him advance in his skills over the years, and he has played for Mayer Ranch for the past four or five years. Costi is strong and consistent too. They all have grit and give 100% on and off the field.”

What are your long-term goals in polo?
“The long-term goal would be to play in the 22-goal. I’m not getting any younger, so if I’m going to try and make a run at the 22-goal, it has to be in the next few years.”

Are there specific achievements or milestones you're aiming for?
“Winning the U.S. Open [Polo Championship] would not suck.”

How do you view the current state of polo in Florida, and what is your vision for its future?
“I am excited that the National Polo Center (NPC) was purchased by the USPA and secured a place for polo in Wellington. It seems like every year I go to Florida, there are rumors about the club shutting down or being sold or developers turning it into houses. I’ve been looking at purchasing a polo facility in Florida, but I hesitate when you think about all of the risks if polo moves out of the area. With the USPA owning the club, it sends a strong message that polo is here to stay.”

What does polo represent to you?
“Growing up on a working ranch, riding horses from sun-up to sun-down was the normal day. Roping in small rodeos and 4-H shows was thrilling, but it’s over in a few seconds. To me, polo is the most fun that one can have on a horse. Playing a polo match lasts hours and playing at full speed…it’s exhilarating! I quit playing polo in 1993 to enter the workforce and pay the bills. It was not until 2012 when my son, Clark, wanted to learn to play that I tracked down Joey Casey at Palm City Polo Club [Boynton Beach, Florida] to start him with lessons. Joey gave me the confidence to get back into the sport too. I thought I was too old and overweight to pick it back up, but he coached me back into the sport and that it was probably the best thing for my health and well-being. When my first wife passed away from cancer in 2016, it was polo that brought my son and me closer together and gave us a shared purpose and outlet to get our minds off what had happened to our family.”

How has polo impacted your life?
“Polo has impacted my life in countless ways. In addition to the friendships and good times, it has become central to my way of life. In Dallas, I built a polo facility that can accommodate a full team with 67 stalls, with a regulation outdoor field and an indoor arena for college/high school that is currently the home to SMU polo. I have been a Polo Training Foundation (PTF) board member for several years and enjoy creating and supporting opportunities for kids to go further in the sport. I have also brought polo back to my hometown of San Angelo, Texas, with an annual spring polo game on the historic Fort Concho field where arguably polo began in the United States.”

How much time do you dedicate to the sport, and how do you balance it with other responsibilities?
“I have several companies that I own and operate, but they almost run themselves at this point, allowing me the time to focus on polo. This winter is my first time playing at the 16-goal level, I just came off a knee injury that had me off horses for the past 14 months, so coming to Wellington I did not want to be embarrassed. It was a shift in lifestyle for me preparing for the season—focused workouts, dietary changes, etc. Now I work out with the team, practice healthy mindsets, ride every day, and practice, practice, practice.”

In what ways has polo influenced your approach to other aspects of your life?
“I am much healthier today. When I had my knee surgery in May 2023, my goal was to be able to play in the 16-goal, so it forced me to go the gym, go to rehab, eat healthy and constantly exercise my knee and legs. Now, I work out three times per week and run a mile two or three times a week. It is the fittest I’ve been in decades. My wife has me drinking celery juice every morning and helps me focus on my body…so I actually feel like I’m aging in reverse.”

Can you share your background outside of polo?
“I worked for the Walt Disney Company as the CFO/VP of Finance for the Radio Network division that was later merged with Citadel Broadcasting and Cumulus Broadcasting. I worked my way up the ladder and was one of the youngest Vice Presidents within the Disney organization at that time. I spent 17 years in that role and created some great radio shows over that period including ESPN Radio, ABC News, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Laura Ingram, Tom Joyner, Paul Harvey, American Country Countdown, American Top 40…the list goes on. During the late 1990s-2010, if you were in your car listening to the radio, chances are that you were listening to one of our broadcasts. I left the company when my first wife passed away and my role became a much different one as a single parent raising two wonderful children.”

Looking ahead, what's next for you and your team?
“I’m the President of the DFW Polo Association, so I’ll move back to Dallas for the May/June season to run USPA tournaments. We are playing in Wyoming this summer, then back to DFW for the fall. Looking at next year in Wellington, it is still undecided whether we will stick with the 16-goal or move up to the 22-goal. I am very fortunate to be doing what I love. I am grateful for all the opportunities polo has afforded me and my family and look forward to what the future holds.”

*Jared Zenni, Matt Coppola and Costi Caset are Team USPA alumni. 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.