Kayley Smith

Kayley Smith Holding the Gold Cup for UAE

KAYLEY SMITH


Q: How did you get involved with the Oswald brand?

A: I was lucky enough to meet the Oswald founder, Jess, during the 2023 season in Cowdray and I saw how hard she works and how great the products were that Oswald were producing. I saw the development of the brand as it branched out, gaining new and exciting clients across the sport, and it was amazing to see the quality of the products and service provided by the brand. When Jess asked me to become an ambassador for Oswald, it was a definite yes, straightaway!


Q: If you weren't playing polo what would you like to be doing?

A: If I had not fallen in love with polo and the horses the way I did, I think I would still be kicking a football around somewhere!


Q: Who is your best pony?

A: Currently, my best pony playing pony is a mare I have called 'Samba'. She is a nine year old polo bred mare produced by Samaya and I bought her at the end of the 2022 UK season. She is very quirky and can be difficult to get onto the field at the start of a chukka, but once she is ready to go, she is incredible: very fast, agile and soft in the mouth. She is almost always my best chukka.


Q: What is your earliest polo memory?

A: I remember one of my first tournaments at White Waltham after I had bought my first ever pony called 'Seoige' (pronounced "Shogar"), and it was my first time playing him and I almost fell off about four or five times because he was way too fast and agile for me! I could not understand how a horse could move that fast and I was desperate to learn how to ride him properly! Seoige ended up becoming my best and favourite horse to play in the following years.


Q: What do you look for in a pony?

A: The obvious thing to look for is a horse that is fast, handy, and has a good mouth so you can maintain control and play well around your opponents; however, I also love a horse that has a big heart. I think a horse with a big heart is important because it is a horse that is brave and always tries its best for you, and sometimes that can be the difference between winning and losing.


Q: If you were on "Come Dine With Me" what would be on your menu?

A: I am a terrible cook! I did a "Come Dine With Me" experience with my friends when I was younger and made everyone ill. I attempted, recently, to cook for friends again and I accidentally served my guests raw chicken, so I am not sure my friends would want me to participate again! If I had to, there would be a dish containing tuna somewhere, as I eat tuna with almost everything, and the dessert would definitely contain chocolate ice cream. I would avoid cooking with chicken or anything that could potentially be harmful...


Q: What's one thing people don't know about you?

A: My friends I grew up with outside of polo don't know that I can speak Spanish, and my polo friends most likely do not know that I studied International Business in Florida for a while and that I changed and ultimately obtained a degree in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management in the UK.


Q: What is one bit of advice you would give your younger self?

A: I am still guilty of it now, but not to be so hard on myself. I was always my own biggest critic and sometimes I think I was very unfair on myself. I would advise my younger self to be more forgiving, patient, and most importantly - proud! I would remind myself that any progress is progress and that our own journey will almost always look different to that of another's, and not to worry so much.


Q: What are your plans for next year?


A: I will continue to be based in Cowdray. I have had a couple of changes to my string of horses that I am excited about and I am looking forward to watching them develop. I have some ladies' tournaments lined up, and hopefully, some good mixed polo to play.


Q: What would you like to achieve in the next five years?


A: My aim is to play as much good polo as I can so that I can continue to learn and grow as a player. I would obviously love to play more high goal polo if I got the opportunity to do so again, as I feel playing this level has allowed me to learn so much about myself and the game.

One of my favourite items of Oswald clothing is the team shirts. Oswald has designed some unique variations of shirts that have incorporated fun and unusual designs and specs that I have not seen other brands produce. What is also amazing is that Oswald can match shirt designs with team equipment, with some of the boldest or most simple designs - whatever suits the client's wishes.


My favourite horsewear items are the sublimated team rugs for ponies, again because of the unique designs which make them eye-catching and stand out on the pony lines. I love the idea of being able to create personalised designs for horsewear, that aren't just off-the-shelf items. The customisation allows a client to create a unique look which can match with their own personal branding or be part of a team collection. 

MY FAVOURITES

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