Meet a team member

By Ashley Owens

Name: Michael Mizrahi

Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.

Age: 18

How old were you when you started playing polo?
I started riding at Jamaica Bay Riding Academy, on the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. It's one of two barns/riding facilities in Brooklyn. I grew up there from a very young age and started to ride there at age 6. When I started playing polo, I started traveling out to Long Island to do so. I was invited by Belinda Brody, who rode at the same barn as me in Brooklyn. I was hooked at first sight.

Is Brooklyn known for polo?
In the summer season (May to September), Long Island is one of the biggest polo destinations in the country, along with Santa Barbara. Long Island has some of the highest goal polo (high levels of professional polo) played in the country - up to 20-goal. There are four to five big polo clubs on the island today, with Bridgehampton being the most prestigious, followed by Southampton polo club, Meadowbrook polo club (the club I play at), and others. In the 1930's, Long Island was "Polo Capital of the World" - drawing crowds as large as 100,000 for large games such as the Open and 30,000 to 40,000 on a typical Sunday afternoon from New York City.

When did you join the UConn team?
The moment I stepped foot on the UConn campus! I'm at college to get an education, but I'm at UConn specifically to play polo.

Who are your inspirations?
I think most polo players would automatically say Adolfo Cambiaso - as he is THE best player in polo, undisputed. I'd say, just to have a slightly different answer, that I'm inspired by other intercollegiate players who are simply amazing players. I think this is better inspiration because I know that I can get to that level realistically at some point in the next four years.

Who is your favorite horse to ride?
For the moment I'd say Fortunera. I don't believe she's anyone's favorite pony. She's not outstanding, but she's always there for you for a good ride. You know when a polo pony is thinking for you/with you, and it's a great feeling.

What is one interesting quirk about you that others may not know?
I guess I'm a bit of a tech geek, though I'd say most people who know me well know that.