Alice Walsh has been riding since she was two years old, but her love for polo turned into something bigger than playing. She’s now the Co-founder and CEO of Lineup Polo, a digital platform that’s changing how the sport organises itself, opening doors for accessibility and commercial growth.
For Alice, it’s about building a future for a sport she has never stopped loving.
Early Obsession, Early Barriers
She first picked up a polo mallet at the age of seven and never looked back. But when she hit her teens, the reality of the sport’s cost barriers became clear.
‘When you’re young, there is an affordable way to play with the Pony Club, but when you reach 16, the price summits. This was hard to swallow, especially when deep down you know that you have the talent to make it to the top and you’re as good as your male teammates who are becoming professionals.’
Determined not to let her passion slip away, Alice started plotting her own path.
I was so determined to find a job in polo but then I realised that I had to create the job myself, to carve a career within the sport that didn’t exist.
Creating a Career That Didn’t Exist
Opportunities for women in polo were scarce. Professional fees were lower, teams were less likely to choose women and building a string of horses was out of reach. But instead of walking away, she reimagined her role in the sport.
‘I was so determined to find a job in polo but then I realised that I had to create the job myself, to carve a career within the sport that didn’t exist.’
That led her to study computer science, a decision that transformed her future. What began as a school project at 16 became her dissertation and eventually evolved into Lineup Polo, the platform now reshaping the sport’s structures from the inside.
Playing and Building at the Top
Alice’s career spans both the playing field and the boardroom. She has represented England Colts, played for GB Ladies in India, and trained horses for top players in Argentina. Off the field, her proudest milestone came when Lineup Polo secured a partnership with the Hurlingham Polo Association.
‘This season we have built a platform for the umpires to report all injuries, horse welfare issues etc. for the top level of tournaments.’
It was proof that her blend of sporting passion and technical expertise could impact polo at its highest level.
Challenges in a Male-Dominated Sport
Breaking into polo as a woman has never been straightforward.
‘I’ve been promised countless jobs but I’ve had the opportunities taken from underneath me because I am a female and they “don’t want any hassle” because I would be amongst 10–15 Argentine men and no other women working on the yards.’
Rather than accept exclusion, Alice channelled her skills into technology to ensure she could still shape the sport she loved. Today, as women’s polo grows in visibility, she’s found new ways to compete and contribute.
I’ve been promised countless jobs but I’ve had the opportunities taken from underneath me because I am a female and they “don’t want any hassle”
A Shift in Women’s Sport
Alice believes the future lies in visibility and commercial growth. ‘More coverage on TV means more commercialisation and increasing salaries and opportunities.’
While mixed polo remains a challenge, the rise of women-only competitions has created more chances for players to thrive. Seeing role models on big stages is, she says, a critical step toward equality.
Looking Ahead
Her vision for the future is bold: ‘Women will be viewed on the same platforms and channels as men, there will be no major difference between the two. Salaries will be almost equal.’
To get there, she stresses the importance of mentorship and hands-on experience for the next generation. She also points to leaders like Hazel Jackson in polo, and wider campaigns such as Women in Sport and Everything in Sport, as examples of progress.
Words for the Next Generation
Her advice to young women entering sport is simple but resolute: ‘If you know that deep down you can make it, that you have the talent and burning desire, then you have to do everything you can to prove that. Take the risks and good opportunities, but don’t just take any opportunity – know your worth.’
Women like Alice are the voices changing the game – on and off the field.
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