Today, we’re chatting with someone who wears two very different hats—or should we say helmets? Meet Ms. Karina, a dedicated medical student by day and a fierce polo player by… well, any chance she gets! Balancing hospital rounds with galloping down the polo field isn’t something you hear about every day, and we can’t wait to hear how she makes it all work. So, let’s dive into this exciting conversation with Afreen!

 

 

Afreen: Karina, thanks for taking the time for this interview! First things first—I love your name! Does it have a cool backstory? Were you named after a Bollywood queen or a legendary warrior?

 

Karina: Haha, I wish! No dramatic story behind it, but I’ve always liked how it sounds.

 

Afreen: Fair enough! Now, explain this mind-blowing combo—polo and medicine? That’s like being a surgeon and a stunt double at the same time! How did this happen?

 

Karina: It all started with my dad. He grew up around horses—not fancy polo ponies, just the kind Mexican cowboys use. When he was 25, a friend dragged him to a polo match, and the lightening strikes and it was—love at first chukker! He started hanging around polo fields, met the right people, and next thing you know, he had his own horses. So, by the time I was born, I was already surrounded by polo ponies.

 

Afreen: So you didn’t just grow up around horses—you were basically raised by them! When did you start playing polo?

 

Karina: I officially started lessons when I was 11. It was a slow start because I was playing with men most of the time—bigger, stronger, and, let’s be honest, not always thrilled about a young girl charging at them with a mallet!

 

Afreen: Sounds like a real-life sports movie moment! How did you handle it?

 

Karina: It was tough, but I had to be persistent. Polo is a physical sport, and as a young girl, I had to prove that I belonged on that field.

 

Afreen: And just to make life even crazier, you decided to become a doctor! When did medical school enter the mix?

 

Karina: Right after high school! It’s been a challenge balancing both—medical school is no joke. Between studying, hospital rounds, and classes, my polo time took a hit.

 

Afreen: I bet! What year are you in now, and what made you choose medicine?

 

Karina: I’m in my third year—halfway there! Honestly, I always knew I’d be a doctor. There are videos of tiny Karina telling my mom, “I’m going to be a doctor!” It was never an “if,” just a “when.”

 

Afreen: Manifesting at its finest! Do you have a dream specialty?

 

Karina: That’s the tricky part! I started off thinking, “Surgeon, 100%,” but now every specialty I explore seems fascinating. So, still deciding!

Afreen: And yet, you still manage to ride horses and play polo. How in the world do you juggle it all?

 

Karina: Pure organization! Monday to Friday, it’s all about med school—early mornings, hospital rounds, lectures, then back home to study. But Wednesdays? That’s my sacred polo day… unless exams crash the party. Weekends are full-on polo mode—training and matches all day!

 

Afreen: You must have some kind of superpower. What’s the toughest part of balancing medicine and polo?

 

Karina: Letting go of polo time. Sometimes, I just can’t make it to the field because I have to study, and that’s frustrating. That’s where good planning saves the day!

 

Afreen: Do you think polo has helped you in med school?

 

Karina: Oh, 100%! It’s my stress relief. After a long day of studying, hitting a ball at full gallop feels amazing! Plus, polo teaches discipline, which helps in medicine too.

 

Afreen: What do your professors and classmates think about your double life?

 

Karina: They’re usually shocked. “Wait, you play what? With actual horses?” Some even call me Superwoman! I’m the only polo player in my university, so it’s a bit of a unicorn situation.

 

Afreen: I love that! Is your dad your biggest inspiration in polo?

 

Karina: Absolutely! He plays with so much passion, and that’s always inspired me. I hope to carry that same energy forward.

 

Afreen: What’s the polo scene like in Mexico?

 

Karina: It has huge potential! The Mexican Polo Federation and clubs are supportive, but there’s still room for growth.

 

Afreen: Have you played internationally?

 

Karina: Yes! Last year, I played in a women’s tournament abroad, and it was an unforgettable experience.

 

Afreen: I saw something called “Pink Polo” on your social media. Spill the details!

 

Karina: Pink Polo is an international tournament that’s been held in places like Costa Rica, Argentina, and Pakistan—but never in Mexico. So, I decided to change that! I’m organizing the first-ever Pink Polo tournament in Mexico this April, focusing on women’s polo.

 

Afreen: That’s amazing! What’s been your biggest challenge as a female polo player?

 

Karina: In the beginning, I was often the only girl on the field, and let’s just say, not everyone was thrilled about it. I heard things like, “Girls are weak” or “I don’t want to play with a girl.” But women in polo have proven themselves, and now there are more female players in Mexico—including my sister!

 

Afreen: What’s your current handicap?

 

Karina: Women’s handicap zero—for now!

 

Afreen: How do you train for your matches?

 

Karina: Weekends are for training. I start with warming up the horse, then work on improving specific skills, and finish with chukkas against other players.

 

Afreen: How many horses do you have?

 

Karina: Thirteen! My dad, my sister, and I train them together, with help from our stable team.

 

Afreen: Do you have a favourite?

 

Karina: Yes! Palermo—he’s strong, fast, fearless, and we have a special connection.

 

Afreen: If someone wants to start riding, what’s your advice?

 

Karina: Time and patience! Get to know your horse’s personality, build trust, and the rest will follow.

 

Afreen: What’s the most important skill in polo?

 

Karina: Riding! If you can’t ride well, you can’t play well. Period.

 

Afreen: Any pre-game rituals or superstitions?

 

Karina: Yes! My grandfather gave me a lucky necklace, and I only wear it during tournaments.

 

Afreen: Best advice your dad ever gave you?

 

Karina: “Living is winning.” Just getting out there and playing means you’ve already won.

 

Afreen: That’s powerful! How do you mentally prepare for big matches?

 

Karina: Meditation! It keeps me calm, whether it’s an exam or a polo final.

 

Afreen: Any major injuries from polo?

 

Karina: Nothing serious! Just a broken arm when I was 11. Not fun, but part of the game.

 

Afreen: Has your medical knowledge ever come in handy on the field?

 

Karina: Oh, definitely! I’ve patched up my dad and sister, and whenever someone gets injured, people immediately go, “Call the doctor!”

 

Afreen: Grass polo or arena polo—what’s your pick?

 

Karina: Grass polo! It’s faster, smoother, and just feels better. Arena polo is fun, but it’s more confined.

 

Afreen: Do you think women now have enough opportunities in polo?

 

Karina: We’ve come a long way! Women’s polo has grown, and there’s much more support now.

 

Afreen: What would you tell a young girl who wants to start polo but feels unsure?

 

Karina: Find a good coach and just go for it! Polo is an amazing sport—don’t let fear stop you.

 

Afreen: Karina, this has been so much fun! Thanks for sharing your incredible journey.

 

Karina: Thank you! I hope this inspires more people to follow their passions—whether that’s medicine, polo, or both!