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The world of polo extends far beyond traditional grass fields, and Tito Gaudenzi stands at the forefront of this evolution. Born into polo royalty as the son of Reto Gaudenzi (the inventor of snow polo), Tito has carved his own path as both a professional player and a visionary event producer who's reimagining where and how polo can thrive.

Our conversation takes us from the frozen lake of St. Moritz to the beaches of Miami as Tito reveals the extraordinary logistics behind creating polo events in these unconventional settings. You'll discover why his beach polo events don't actually use beach sand (they truck in specialized jumper track footing), how horses navigate on just nine inches of frozen lake ice, and the meticulous planning required to transform public spaces into world-class polo venues.

What makes Tito's perspective particularly valuable is his dual identity as both player and producer. He approaches the sport with a refreshing philosophy: "We bring polo to the people, which in the long run brings more people to polo." This approach has allowed him to create events that attract not just traditional polo enthusiasts but celebrities, global brands, and curious first-timers—all while maintaining the sport's inherent elegance and excitement.

The commercial side of polo features prominently in our discussion, with Tito sharing insights on how he's secured unprecedented sponsorship longevity (including a 25-year title sponsor deal) and developed a multi-tier approach that balances luxury experiences with accessibility. He describes polo as a "mass niche market sport" with enormous untapped potential, comparing its current state to soccer in America before its commercial explosion.

Whether you're a polo aficionado or simply curious about the intersection of sport, business, and entertainment, Tito's story offers valuable lessons in innovation, quality, and the delicate balance of tradition and progress. Join us for this fascinating conversation with one of polo's most forward-thinking voices.

Ready to see polo in a whole new light? Subscribe now and follow Tito's journey as he continues to expand the boundaries of this ancient sport.

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About Hive₂O Hard Honey™
Hive₂O Hard Honey is a pioneering beverage company that brings the rich, balanced taste of honey to the forefront of the industry. With a focus on innovation, quality, and community, Hive₂O offers a range of hard honey and alcohol-free beverages designed to surprise and delight with every sip.

As a thank you for tuning into this episode of Outside The Boards Podcast, Hive₂O is offering listeners an exclusive online discount and free shipping on all four packs. Use code OTBPOLO24 in all caps at checkout. Visit hardhoney.com to explore products.

About Lineup Polo
Lineup Polo was built to revolutionize how polo is managed and experienced. With a mission to support the polo community and expand the sport’s reach, the platform digitizes processes and centralizes communication. Lineup Polo is committed to the game's future.

Available as a free app and web portal, Lineup Polo allows clubs to manage tournaments, automate leagues, payments, and memberships, building a new digital ecosystem for polo.

About Outside The Boards™
Founded after witnessing their first polo match in 2012, Outside The Boards™ seeks to share the sport’s beauty, intensity, and lifestyle while addressing industry fragmentation. Through best practices, insights, trends, and consulting, OTB™ helps stakeholders and brands unlock polo’s marketing potential and navigate the sport with clarity.

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Where heritage meets innovation, Chantilly Polo Club stands as Europe's premier polo destination just minutes from Paris. Managing Director Benoit Perrier takes us behind the scenes of this remarkable venue, revealing how a visionary approach has transformed a 30-year-old club into an international powerhouse.

With nine immaculate fields, 400 permanent stables, and the capacity to host over 1,400 horses during peak events, Chantilly's scale is impressive. But what truly sets this club apart is its philosophy – making polo accessible while maintaining its prestige. "It's a park open to everyone who loves horses," explains Perrier, highlighting their free-access policy for spectators that removes barriers between the sport and potential fans.

The conversation unveils Chantilly's innovative approaches to player development, from their pioneering "paddock polo" format (played three-on-three with arena balls) to their comprehensive pony polo program that introduces children as young as six to the sport. This structured pathway creates a sustainable pipeline of talent while addressing one of polo's greatest challenges – bringing new players into the fold.

Perhaps most fascinating is Chantilly's strategic location within a historic equestrian ecosystem. Situated just five kilometers from one of France's premier horse racing facilities, the club benefits from generations of horse expertise and over 300 kilometers of training tracks in the surrounding forest. This proximity allows Chantilly to repurpose retired racehorses for polo, giving these magnificent animals second careers.

The episode also explores Chantilly's impressive event portfolio, including their flagship French Open tournament that attracts top international talent, and their recent Paris Games Polo Challenge that celebrated polo's Olympic heritage during the 2024 Paris Games. Looking ahead, Perrier shares exciting plans for Europe's largest arena polo facility and the upcoming 30th anniversary celebrations.

For players, clubs, and polo enthusiasts alike, this conversation offers valuable insights into sustainable growth, effective marketing strategies, and community engagement that can elevate the sport globally. Whether you're fascinated by polo's cultural si

Support the show

About Hive₂O Hard Honey™
Hive₂O Hard Honey is a pioneering beverage company that brings the rich, balanced taste of honey to the forefront of the industry. With a focus on innovation, quality, and community, Hive₂O offers a range of hard honey and alcohol-free beverages designed to surprise and delight with every sip.

As a thank you for tuning into this episode of Outside The Boards Podcast, Hive₂O is offering listeners an exclusive online discount and free shipping on all four packs. Use code OTBPOLO24 in all caps at checkout. Visit hardhoney.com to explore products.

About Lineup Polo
Lineup Polo was built to revolutionize how polo is managed and experienced. With a mission to support the polo community and expand the sport’s reach, the platform digitizes processes and centralizes communication. Lineup Polo is committed to the game's future.

Available as a free app and web portal, Lineup Polo allows clubs to manage tournaments, automate leagues, payments, and memberships, building a new digital ecosystem for polo.

About Outside The Boards™
Founded after witnessing their first polo match in 2012, Outside The Boards™ seeks to share the sport’s beauty, intensity, and lifestyle while addressing industry fragmentation. Through best practices, insights, trends, and consulting, OTB™ helps stakeholders and brands unlock polo’s marketing potential and navigate the sport with clarity.

Send us Fan Mail

Elizabeth Welborn's journey from the bayous of Louisiana to founding a sustainable polo lifestyle brand speaks volumes about passion, purpose, and the pursuit of conscious craftsmanship. Growing up with a love for horses that began during childhood rides in Scotland, Elizabeth found her calling when she discovered polo in Northern California – not just as a sport, but as a way of life worth celebrating and sharing.

The magic of Stick & Ball was born in 2011, when Elizabeth combined her international business background with her creative talents to craft a brand that captures polo's essence beyond the field. Starting with handmade ponchos and vegetable-tanned leather belts adorned with Argentine buckles, she built a collection that embodies the rugged sophistication and casual elegance that define the polo lifestyle.

What sets Stick & Ball apart isn't just its beautiful designs, but its unwavering commitment to sustainability. Elizabeth passionately details her choice to use vegetable-tanned leather – a months-long process using bark and berries instead of chrome's heavy metals – creating pieces that develop a beautiful patina like a cherished saddle. Her dedication extends to fighting microplastics by maintaining a plastic-free brand and partnering with artisans in Peru to create heirloom-quality alpaca wool products that last generations.

Elizabeth's story resonates with anyone who values craftsmanship and connection – whether designing collections, hosting field-side dinners under the stars, or playing polo herself across global destinations from Argentina to Mongolia. As she prepares for her next chapter with her children graduating, she looks forward to expanding her knitwear lines and returning to polo play, always guided by her "buy less, buy better" philosophy that challenges fast fashion's wasteful cycle.

Discover how polo's traditions can inspire sustainable luxury at stickandball.com, where Elizabeth's thoughtful creations celebrate the timeless connection between people, horses, and the beautiful spaces they share. Follow her journey as she continues to redefine what a modern polo lifestyle looks like – elevated, inclusive, and deeply rooted in purpose.

Support the show

About Hive₂O Hard Honey™
Hive₂O Hard Honey is a pioneering beverage company that brings the rich, balanced taste of honey to the forefront of the industry. With a focus on innovation, quality, and community, Hive₂O offers a range of hard honey and alcohol-free beverages designed to surprise and delight with every sip.

As a thank you for tuning into this episode of Outside The Boards Podcast, Hive₂O is offering listeners an exclusive online discount and free shipping on all four packs. Use code OTBPOLO24 in all caps at checkout. Visit hardhoney.com to explore products.

About Lineup Polo
Lineup Polo was built to revolutionize how polo is managed and experienced. With a mission to support the polo community and expand the sport’s reach, the platform digitizes processes and centralizes communication. Lineup Polo is committed to the game's future.

Available as a free app and web portal, Lineup Polo allows clubs to manage tournaments, automate leagues, payments, and memberships, building a new digital ecosystem for polo.

About Outside The Boards™
Founded after witnessing their first polo match in 2012, Outside The Boards™ seeks to share the sport’s beauty, intensity, and lifestyle while addressing industry fragmentation. Through best practices, insights, trends, and consulting, OTB™ helps stakeholders and brands unlock polo’s marketing potential and navigate the sport with clarity.