Bits & Bytes, the first team from Silicon Valley, went from coast to coast as they played their first ever test-match in New York. After their initial test-match two weeks ago at Memo Gracida's La Herradura Polo Club, the team from California won their game at The Hamptons by 6-4. The team played with Aisha Quaintance, Magoo Laprida, Ciro Desenzani and Lucas Valey Natela. CLICKPOLO spoke with Aisha after her team's first experience playing in New York.
Photo: @bitsandbytespoloteam
-What can you tell us about your first time playing with Bits & Bytes in New York? "Driving into the Hamptons I could understand why this was a little piece of polo heaven. The fields, the people and the scenery were top notch. You can feel the strong polo community there and see the excitement for the sport in all the smiling faces surrounding the matches. To have Bits & Bytes win the test-match in such an amazing place, with great people and great horses, was an experience I'll never forget.
We also were lucky enough to be there while Magoo Laprida played a 20-goal game at Greenwich Polo Club, which was a spectacular experience. You could feel the energy in the stands as the crowd cheered for an intense game that was down to the wire! Magoo received the MVP award for his incredible performance."
Photo: @bitsandbytespoloteam
-You played with Santi Toccalino in California and now with Magoo Laprida, both of whom are top international players. What was your experience and how do you think playing with them can help you improve as a player? "Santi and Magoo are the most humble players I’ve ever met. I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to have them on the team and learn from them. Playing with high handicap players does not only give you the possibility to become a better polo player but, in my opinion, it gives you a whole new appreciation for the sport. Their focus and determination mixed with their humility and sportsmanship is what inspires me!"
Photo: @bitsandbytespoloteam
-We recently spoke with Dawn Jones about Bits & Bytes. Do you think getting involved in polo now can help other people, particularly women, to get into the sport?
"Dawn is an inspiration to the sport who continues to break down barriers in women's polo. Coming from the world of technology, I have mentored and coached hundreds of women on navigating the tech industry. I am thrilled to see this carry over into the sport of polo. I think having women represented in high-goal polo, like with Bits and Bytes, and seeing more polo teams being created for the Women’s US Open, are the types of opportunities to get more and more people into polo!"
Photo: @bitsandbytespoloteam
-Bits & Bytes has played two competitive test matches in the last couple of weeks. What’s the goal for your team in the near future?
"Training and more training! I’ll be working with Ciro Desenzani, my professional polo player, at the Taqueada Polo Club here in Silicon Valley, to prepare for Florida. We have a lot to do when it comes to organizing horses, training and participating in the highest handicap games that we can!
Ultimately, Bits & Bytes Polo Team is excited to explore, represent, and fuel excitement in the global polo community about the future of technology as well as bring the excitement of professional polo to the vast tech community here in Silicon Valley."
Photo: @bitsandbytespoloteam
Photo: @bitsandbytespoloteam