Women in Equestrian Polo: Cultural Capital and Sport Trajectories

A significant development in sport over the last century is the greater involvement of women resulting from transformations in the gender order. Studies in the sociology of sport document the gradual decline of sport as a male preserve. Equestrian sport is an interesting yet complex case with regard to gender equity and participation among women. There are, however, equestrian events that are slower to respond to pressures for greater gender equity, the prime example being polo. Theoretically, we use the work of Bourdieu to conceptualize the relationship between material and cultural factors in both presenting opportunities and barriers to the participation of women in polo. Our chapter examines the shifting gender dynamics within equestrian polo in Canada. Consistent within equestrian sport in North America, women have a long history of participation in polo even though the sport is and has been primarily dominated by men. Lately, though, as in the case of sport in general, polo has undergone a transformation as participation among women in polo has increased and women have taken on more active and prominent positions in the sport. Given this recent trend, the purpose of our analysis is to better understand what it means for women who are playing polo, the challenges they face, and their influence on the sport generally.