Style: February 09, 2018

20 STYLE | report
World Cup Snow Polo, China.
“The ability to earn really
good money is there but
like any professional sport,
it’s risky. It’s an expensive
game to play... the cost of
flying and running horses,
you have to be clever and
know when to get out.”
to be clever and know when to get out.”
Although Sam is still playing, his life has
drastically changed in the past few years.
Polo also introduced him to his Australian
wife and they now live permanently in
Sydney with two young girls. “I miss the
party lifestyle but I enjoying having a proper
base and like spending a bit more time
in one place. I’d had enough of the gypsy
lifestyle, had enough of travelling.” He still
plays polo but also runs a family agriculture
business and picks and chooses his travel.
He’s just got back from a trip to Singapore.
“I’m a lot more selective about where I go.
Often, I’ll take the family and nowadays it’s
like fully paid holidays in beautiful places.”
Sam doesn’t get home to Christchurch
much and when he does, it’s usually straight
back to the farm.
He’s still passionate about polo and
hopes to see it flourish in his home
country. He’s hoping the Heineken Urban
Polo will open up New Zealanders’
eyes to the sport. He likens the series
to rugby sevens or Big Bash cricket. “It
can be a hard game to follow so we’ve
done a much more simplified version of
the game and added in a music concert,
DJs… it’s an interactive exciting day and
we’re encouraging everyone to dress up...
we’re anticipating a younger, trendier
crowd.” Maybe not Princes William and
Harry this time but with Sam Hopkinson’s
connections, anything could be possible.
style
noun
elegance and sophistication.
synonyms: flair, grace, poise, polish, suaveness,
urbanity, chic, finesse, taste, class, comfort,
luxury, affluence, wealth, opulence, lavishness.
MAGAZINE
STYLE.KIWI