Interview: Meet Aggie Patricia an Upcoming Ugandan Horse Riding Prodigy

There are other young female equestrians, but not many, still slowly but surely more are on the rise. It is a wonderful thing to see young girls competing and doing things outside of dancing and singing.

Horse riding is all about confidence really. It’s about being in the zone and being confident enough to jump any fence or make a big fun play.

Our reporter spoke with Aggie Patricia, a 23 year old student of International Relations and Diplomatic Studies who is also a horse rider and enthusiast

How did you get the interest to start horse riding?

Unlike many riders, I wasn’t born into the sport, I recently developed the passion when I first watched my friend play in the annual polo tournament 2012 in Jinja. Before then I never could have imagined it existed in Uganda and I was totally captivated by the speed that came with the sport, not to mention the purposeful and cool, yet regal strokes. I knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of the whole thing so I soon began taking lessons at Flame tree stables and have been riding ever since.

Horse Polo in Uganda? Tell me more!

Horse Polo is a relatively young sport in Uganda. Introduced to the country in 2007, the sport has been very well received, sparking enthusiasm and a drive to continue efforts to promote it.

Polo is currently only played at the Kakira Nile Polo Club, about 80km East of Kampala. The club was set up by two brothers, Maanan and HrishiMadhvani, who drew from the enthusiasm their father Nitin had when they grew up in Nairobi watching him play polo. They both encouraged me to go for it when I thought of taking it on. Although still an up-coming sport in Uganda, it attracts lots of attention nonetheless. Indeed polo is only just taking off here so there’s not a big pro-polo scene.

Isn’t Horse riding a luxury here in Uganda?

That is someone’s truth. We see a few cultures entering the sport, and that comes from the sport being more popularized in modern times, and getting to smaller audiences here. You are right; it is categorized in the wealth bracket, seen as expensive and an elitist sport.

Although parents aren’t keen on exposing their children to several sport, do the small old stuff, not necessarily that they can’t afford it, No. I know of some who party all week, popping all kinds of expensive bottles in a night but when you talk horse riding to them, first thing they say ‘’I can’t afford it’’ it is sad and a shame but I find the equestrian (horse Riding) community as one of the most welcoming sporting communities with such a beautiful life experience.

You keep referring to horse riding as a “sport”, don’t you just sit there and the horse gives you a ride?

I hear it all the time, it’s such an incorrect perception that one is just sitting and letting the horse do all of the work. People that don’t ride may not get it but there’s more of leg muscle action, mind effort, balance and control required to ride really well. You have not only to control of your own body, but that of the horse too. That has got to change by you mounting a horse one of these days.

You are only a student, how do you handle financially?

It is tough, I wish I rode more but the budget is colossal and I do not have the money backing. I’ve had minimal support from family for various reasons, however not enough to go out and buy my own horse and some equipment for progress.

It is not a secret horse riding is a bit costly, with many expenses and fees but I’d love to own a couple (Horses).

I’ve had a lot of help over the years though… I’m not going to say I did it all myself… I’ve been lucky, in that I got all my polo beginner lessons for free from the club. You always need a tiny bit of luck when it matters.

Being in a male-dominated sport, aren’t you discriminated against gender-wise?

These are all social constructs, when I began training back then, most people were enamored and definitely shocked to see me mount a horse and do my thing, till today.

I know for a fact that both sex are capable of the same skill. And I am happy to get them realize this.

I see you encourage other young Ugandan riders around Kampala to participate in the sport, how are you finding this?

It is a big responsibility and people are expecting a lot from me. Most people think of it as a ‘white thing’ so changing this perception is tough. Having more Ugandan riders is what I work towards and want to see more people take part in this wave of the growing interest in horse riding.

Of all other things, why horse riding?

I find a friend in that powerful creature, I have learnt how to trust, listen, understand and forgive… Besides my love for the beauty of horses, there is a feeling that comes from riding that I can’t describe nor less put it to words, but I have more confidence and this sense of accomplishment.

I experience change in a hands-on way by challenging myself and people to look at themselves and the world in a new way, call it therapy.

My grandmother on hearing about my passion asked, “Omanyirir’ente hati embarasi okazishangahi?’’ (You are familiar with cattle, now where did you find horses?) Horse riding is all about confidence really. It’s about being in the zone and being confident enough to jump any fence or make a big fun play.

I am all for meeting new people, and see how the sport is interpreted in other cultures. There is such a good vibe around the stables the whole time and everyone gets on really well.

How friendly is the sport of polo for females?

The sport cuts across all gender, depending on the way one approaches it, all you are is just a rider who is female, not the other way round. It all goes down to perception and I am for social change.

By the way male equestrians in Uganda are the minority within a minority as equestrianism remains an interest among females, though primarily white.

What happens if you fail to control your horse! Isn’t it a dangerous sport?

Isn’t danger everywhere? On a stair case, Kampala one way streets, Boda Bodas, I see danger written all over place, so aren’t we meant to thrive in life.

I fall off the horse all the time, even after a fall over a jump or during a game, it’s all love and determination to get right back up on the horse and continue to ride and try again.

As with any other sport, bumps and bruises are a part of the sport, but if you have focus and determination to be great, you can’t let that deter you.

You have to control a 2,200pound(1000KGs) horse, when it wants to do its own thing, quickly and confidently show the horse who is boss.

How do you prepare for the sport?

I am currently practicing Yoga with Payal in bukoto, it is such a great supplement for my riding, friendly football sometimes and looking into fun filled kick boxing for friends, who play polo is as well recommend. I would also recommend it to anyone, especially for the amount of riding, I feel stronger, my flexibility has got better and I don’t ache anymore. Several people are dear to my heart; trainers, mentors always support this dream of mine but I love horses far too much to let it go, I knew from the beginning I would have to take the bitter with the sweet.

What other ventures are you actively involved in?

I have a crafts shop on Buganda road, currently dealing in the usual crafts but slowly transforming into recycled paper, plastics and bottles.

Climate change is real and not so many of us are bothered to be the change. Someone has to save this planet.

I often get asked how I am able to balance school, business and horses but I was able to learn the benefits of strategizing and prioritizing each aspect. I learned that I can’t get everything done at once, and I must make a schedule that is both achievable and successful

Any peculiar challenges you have had to deal with in your business endeavors?

Dishonest workers is a big one, Seasonal shifts and inadequate capital, I am working on solutions though.

What are the most important lessons you have learned so far in these past years of active horseback riding?

Riding takes discipline, confidence and focus as well as determination. My riding takes up way more time than other sporting activities I do and that’s because they don’t require grooming and caring for another athlete. Even though at times it can be rough balancing everything out, I wouldn't trade the horse life for anything. It has made me who I am and has taught me so much about the real world around me.

So what’s in store for the future?

Honestly while young, I will just improve my horsemanship and a good reputation as I can by becoming the best I can be, get some horses for myself too.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

Excited to bring the sport to a wider audience in Uganda, introducing a whole new group of people to something that they didn’t even know was there.

Honestly, I am keen on polo, but not sure on how much of a profession I could make out of it.

What would you like to tell our fabulous readers?

I always relate to a poem ‘’IMPOSSIBLE’’— “Impossible is a word people use to describe something they can’t do. You will not know what you are capable of until you have done it”— Get out of your comfort zone, try something new, I must warn you though, it costs a lot and it’s an addiction but you will be happy.