Ladies polo is growing constantly in Argentina; every year, several girls start to play polo with the aim to become full time players. In addition, many of them want to be umpires, in order to help the growth of the role of women in the sport. One of them is Mercedes Prario, who formerly played the Argentine Women’s Open and the Ladies Masters.
She learned to play polo in her hometown, Ayacucho, in the Province of Buenos Aires, with her father and brothers; she became and instructor and later took umpiring courses. And today she became the first ever professional female umpire in Argentina; a huge achievement which is not only a big leap in Mercedes’ career but also for polo as a whole.
PoloLine spoke to Mercedes, to know all about her.
Tell us about you, your beginnings in polo and how did you decide to become an umpire.
I started to play polo as a little girl, with my dad and brothers in my hometown, Balcarce until 2010, when I opened a new chapter as an amateur polo player. In 2012, I played a ladies competition hosted by the AAP, and that’s when I focused my energy in ladies polo. I played and organised tournaments in private clubs, with the aim to promote ladies polo. I played up to 12 goals, and met all the ladies polo players. At the same time, I did courses in the Polo University, as an instructor, and did some polo clincs for women as well. These clinics helped the girls to know my story, which allowed them to be a part of the polo lifestyle and the horses. Later on, in 2019, by the time my dad was an umpire in some provinces in Argentina, I joined a second course of umpires in the Polo University. I reached a 4-goaler status, I played the Ladies Masters and the Argentine Women’s Open, so with that experience, I started to look further, and I felt the need to make polo a safer sport. I started to play while thinking about some details of the rules, point the fouls and use those tools in favour of my team. Ladies polo had a significant growth and women were starting to be taken seriously, so we wanted to be seen as committed players. That’s why I decided to contribute with my experience in order a female player could feel safe and protected by a woman on the fieled, a woman who played with or against them, and very committed.
Being a woman, was it difficult for you to become an umpire?
Not at all. I was very well greeted in the course, and, as a matter of fact, I wasn’t the only one, there were many girls, and they were very enthusiastic. Today, named as an official umpire, I am among the best umpires of polo and they all make me feel as if I was one of them. The conversations, the questions and the presence of many of them on the field to provide me with help, is very gratifying. We are a team.
What do you feel as the first female professional umpire in Argentina?
I am very grateful for it. But being the first, does not make me the best, on the contrary; I’ve just opened a huge door for girls to follow my steps and come along to be a part of this sport, which I love so much. It would be very good to have more girls to work as a team and grow together.
Who are your inspirations as umpires?
When I was still a player, I started to look the the umpires’ work closely. In those days, I met Martín Aguerre. I remember when we played the Ladies Masters – I felt he dealt with us as we were La Dolfina vs. Ellerstina. Today, I can tell you that Guillermo Villanueva Sr, and Martin Haurie are a big part of my way to become an umpire. They are very committed, very wise and generous. What can I say, I feel privileged.
What is your opinion about the new blocking rule, which was already applied in the República Argentina Cup and in another tournaments hosted by the AAP?
That rule was applied on April 1 in all levels of polo in Argentina. I think it’s a rule to make polo safer and more dynamic. With regards to ladies polo, this rule will bring more open games. The rule is really good, and everybody will get used to it, slowly.
How do you see the growth of ladies polo in Argentina?
Well, when I started in 2010, playing the Myriam Heguy Cup, there were only four teams and I didn’t know anyone. Things have changed a great deal today. Many teams, many girls are playing; I umpired the 10-goal Inés Ayerza Cup, that saw ten very good teams, top level. I also was an umpire in the last Potrillos Cup, with the girls, and there were six teams of under-16 girls. I am very happy to see so many girls playing polo, backed by very good organisations and very professional. They have horses, training, team work, sponsors… And there’s more coming.
Do you think you could be an insperation for other women, like saying – “I want to be like her”?
Of course! I always told my story, how I started in polo with the aim to bring more girls, see it is possible for them. My aim as an umpire is to open a door to all those girls who weren’t aware how to do it or how to start. I want to show them that with dedication, committment and hard work everything is possible. Encourage them to try. Then, everything wil depend on them. There are many tools to start, and it’s not only about polo but for every woman who listens to me and know that they can achieve everything they dream.
As an umpire, what are your dreams?
First and foremost, I want to keep learning, earn confidence on and off the field, to undertake every situation, and that will take me many years. It’s a limitless path – I want to grow, be an umpire in higher levels of polo and be up to the task. I respect this activity and I am well aware it’s not that far to reach my goals, but I have to do my best. The highest levels of ladies polo are the Masters and the Women’s Open; but I am the kind of umpire who not only aim at ladies polo but polo as a whole. That will require to overcome myself professionaly, be able to travel to other countries and make it on the same level as other Argentine umpires.