The Capitalyst: You grew up in Jaipur, a city known for its royal heritage and rich polo tradition. How much of your inspiration came from that local environment, and how do you feel Jaipur has shaped your identity as a player?
Dino Dhankhar: Absolutely jaipur is renowned for its rich culture and heritage but 1 thing that is always linked with the city is the sport of polo and love for horses which is something that i could always relate while growing up i saw the sport the way people show there interest during the season the packed grandstands people gathered all around the field supporting there favourite team or players and creating a scenario which can attract anyone around and i was surely one of them and developed an keen interest into it not only this but Jaipur is renowned all across the globe in the modern polo from hosting finest tournaments to players and whenever polo is discussed Jaipur’s name is surely taken till today its one of my favourite city to play and I feel lucky to be from here and have the opportunity to play polo since a young age and excel in it.
The Capitalyst: You achieved a remarkable milestone by winning back-to-back Junior Indian Polo Championships in 2023 and 2024. Looking back at your transition from junior circuits to competing in senior tournaments, what was the steepest learning curve you faced?
Dino Dhankhar: I feel lucky to have consecutive great seasons with all the wins of the tournaments no doubt i had great support from everyone around me both my 2023 and 2024 season were very successful and played an important role in creating a base for my career i had the opportunity to play with one of the finest and most competitive polo team in India The Achievers polo team with some of the top players from india as well as abroad playing with such players around the year helped me become a better player from what i was without any doubt and with that i was able to attain the winners titles in the junior level tournaments as well but i feel the steepest learning curve for me was the kind of maturity i was able to get in my game from handling pressure to taking decisions on the key moments of the match being responsible for the mistakes all these things from every season i have played tried learning something new and implementing that in my game played a key role to transform me into a better player and I wish to continue that in future.
The Capitalyst: Between representing global brands, travelling for FIP features, and keeping up with an intense tournament schedule, you are also pursuing your BA at St. Xavier’s College in Jaipur. What does a typical, or rather chaotic, day in your life look like when you are juggling exams and chukkas?
Dino Dhankhar: I absolutely love playing polo and it is something that pushes me to be better version of myself everyday and i do as much as i can in my capacity to maintain that i surely enjoy attending all kind of polo or fashion events related to it i try to be out there most of the times for the brands who have always counted on me and feel proud to represent them but surely completing my education was also an important part of my life so all the restless nights and the long drives from college to field were paid off when i completed it no doubt my college really helped me at all points and did everything possible to make things easier for me so i could perform at both places and deliver successful results but i really enjoyed that part of my life as well and was blessed to have people who supported me in all kind of situations be it a tough exam or a tough match.
The Capitalyst: Behind every match lies months of training, pony care, and strategy. What is one part of your preparation that most people never see, but that you consider absolutely crucial to your performance?
Dino Dhankhar: so polo is a sport which is equally played off the ground and is logistically very hard the indian polo season is played in Jaipur, delhi and Jodhpur over 7 months starting in September till march but before the season kicks off the summers are spent totally on horses from leaving them on rest after a season to getting them fit for the next season a match is only played for 30min but behind that is regressive training for the players as well as horses so to give out results on field both have to work equally hard in polo the horse plays a major role and key to it’s performance is the maintenance round the year maintaining a horse is not everyones cup of team as you have to keep grooms for there care 24×7 unlike us the horses can’t do there own chores so the grooms take care of every small bit from diet, fitness, medical treatment, training to hygiene without any negligence and combination of all these things helps you to have a strong partner (horse) in the game and these are the things that is unknown to many people watching the match out there but plays an very important role.
The Capitalyst: As a global brand ambassador for La Martina, you now represent a heritage name in the polo world. Do you see the relationship between an athlete and a brand more as a partnership, or as a responsibility to carry forward a legacy?
Dino Dhankhar: For sure representing la martina as there global ambassador is an absolute honour for me without any doubt there legacy and history with the sport is unmatched and the kind of opportunities and networking i have had access to because of my partnership with them has really helped me both on and off the ground i have been able to explore amazing places and events since i have started working with them from travelling to Argentina to play in the esteemed clubs like La aguada and Ellerstina with the top palyers in the sport to witness the most prestigious tournament in the world of polo the palermo open i have also been to England with them and got the opportunity to play at one of the most historic polo club which itself carries a leagcy The guards polo club and attend number of social events everywhere surely after all this i take it as a responsibility on me to carry forward the name and legacy of the brand for the future generations to have access to it.
The Capitalyst: Polo has historically been viewed as an exclusive, elite sport. As a young athlete stepping into this space, how are you working to change that perception, and what do you think India needs to do to commercialise the sport and make it more accessible to a younger, broader audience?
Dino Dhankhar: yes polo has always had this title attached to it and which is not wrong it is the sport of kings and kings of sport if you compare it with any other sport in the world played in today’s date it has lot of investment involved from buying horses to maintaining them lot of sponsorship to host the tournaments build new field and a polo field is equal to 9 American football felids which itself is not easy to create but of course we all as polo community in india are trying to make it as accessible as possible for people who want learn this beautiful sport and pursue it as a passion or career with new polo club, riding academies in almost all the major cities in the country and trying to get it too every corner possible by broadcasting it using social media so people can connect with it easier.
The Capitalyst: You have beautifully described polo as a way of life rather than just a sport. How has the discipline of managing horses and competing under pressure shaped who you are off the field?
Dino Dhankhar: I feel being a polo player has really shaped me into the person who i am today from being social to being responsible it has surely taught me the important aspects of life polo itself is a lifestyle and it has lot to offer you and the more you get it the better it becomes from taking care of the horses, being responsible of your role in the team accepting the mistakes or taking crucial decisions during the game really teaches you lot and of course travelling around the world to new places meeting new people and building relations surely helps you to come out of your comfort zone and overcome your fears which builds a strong confidence on yourself and that is something that always stays with you and deal with situations sometimes which are not in your favour be it on the field or off so i find myself grateful to be a part of this wonderful sport.
The Capitalyst: You have already broken records, won major awards, and secured global sponsorships at a remarkable pace. What is the ultimate holy grail goal for Dino Dhankhar over the next five years?
Dino Dhankhar: God has been very kind to me that i have had a very successful polo career till now hopefully this continues every award, win or playing experience has given me something to learn from and be better than yesterday i had opportunities to work with lot of amazing people till now from different part of the world i hope this continues
The holy grail for me in next five years would be to excel in my polo career as well as life as a person and surely without any doubt representing India at the polo world cup.
