Adamson’s national honour
Student chosen in elite polo company
POLO: Toowoomba Grammar School student Macauley Adamson is buzzing after his latest polo accolade.
The 16-year-old was one of two Australians chosen to head to Argentina next month to compete at the Junior Olympic Polo event held in Buenos Aires.
It is there he will compete for the International Mixed Youth Polo team as a showcase sport during the Youth Olympic Games.
While the sport currently doesn’t hold Olympic status, Adamson said it would be a dream to compete on the biggest stage of all.
“It would mean a lot to me,” Adamson said.
“I would obviously work a lot harder to get there and there would be a lot more motivation.”
The Year 11 student grew into the sport at the age of just 11, drawing inspiration from his father who played.
He has since gone on to represent Queensland in various national competitions, and is thrilled at the opportunity to represent on the world stage.
“I loved riding horses when I was younger and I loved sport as well so it sort of combined,” he said.
“I play a lot during the second term, every weekend on both days.
“I played in the Queensland team not long ago and was selected after that performance.
“It means a lot to me (to be selected for Australia). It’s something I’ve always worked towards. It’s amazing.”
The level of competition will rise when he makes the 12,000km trip to the event, however Adamson is looking forward to the challenge of riding with pool horses.
“In Argentina they’re very good, also in the UK so it will be interesting to see how we go up against them.
“A lot of training goes into knowing the horse and what they do and don’t like so it will be a lot tougher to hop straight on a horse and just go play.”