Polo & Parenthood: An Exclusive with Monica Blazevic
As part of my research for the E-Book (Coming Soon!) - I have had the pleasure of getting to know some incredible women from around the world, one of which being Monica Blazevic from Michigan, USA.
At just 28, Monica is a mother of two, a dedicated equestrian, and a third-generation polo player with a goal to play in the US Women’s Open and, one day, on the fields of Argentina. Here, she opens up about her journey, her family’s legacy in polo, and how she navigates the beautiful chaos of motherhood and life in the saddle.
A Legacy in Polo: How it All Began
“My dad was riding horses before he could even walk,” Monica tells us, recalling her father’s journey from his own early days in polo to his eventual hiatus when the family migrated to the United States for his medical residency. Her father, a neurosurgeon, had set aside his polo mallet to pursue his career, yet his love for the game remained undiminished. This passion would eventually be reignited when Monica—along with some high school friends—decided to launch her school’s first equestrian hunter/jumper team. Her father, a man well-versed in the risks of the sport, had one stipulation: no jumping. Instead, he suggested she give polo a try, deeming it “way safer” and an easier sell to a neurosurgeon dad.
That twist of fate led Monica to the Detroit Polo Club, where she began taking lessons. What started as her own interest into polo quickly became a family affair.
“It gave my dad the motivation to get back into polo, and now my mom even plays!” she says.
Today, the family owns twelve horses and competes together, traveling from Michigan to Florida for tournaments.
Balancing Babies and Polo
For Monica, balancing the demands of motherhood and competitive polo has been both challenging and transformative. Reflecting on her first season back with her older son Emilio, she shares the emotional toll it took.
“I wanted to do everything as if I didn’t have a kid to worry about, and the mental stress was so hard.” Over time, she’s learned to embrace a more flexible approach, realizing that “it’s okay to just show up to feed my horses and groom them rather than making sure they’re exercised every day, a few extra days of rest won't hurt them (and neither will a little kindness to myself.”
At the barn, her sons Emilio and Dominic are a constant presence, though Monica has had to get creative to make it work. She brings along toys, snacks, and occasionally relies on older kids around the barn to keep an eye on the boys while she rides. “Some days, Emilio’s perfectly happy watching his favorite show on my phone while I ride; other days, he’s off playing with the kittens,” she laughs. “Every day is different, but he’s learned a lot, like not to touch the hot fence, and I keep him close enough to always be within sight.”
For Monica, balancing the demands of motherhood, a competitive polo career, and family life is no small feat, but she credits much of her ability to stay in the game to the steady support of her husband.
“He is my biggest supporter and cheerleader,” she says, smiling. “He takes care of our two kids during practices and game weekends, so I don’t have to argue with Emilio that it isn’t his turn to ride!”
With his help, she’s able to fully focus on the sport she loves, knowing that her family is in good hands.
Monica’s experience shines the spotlight of the often-overlooked role of supportive partners in the equestrian world—multitalented, patient, and willing to manage countless moving parts behind the scenes. “I couldn’t be competitive without him, honestly,” she shares. "In a sport that requires intense commitment, having a partner like him is invaluable."
Polo: The Thrill of the Game
For Monica, polo is a sport that combines her love of horses with the high-energy excitement of physical competition.
“I love physical contact sports like lacrosse or soccer, but I’m not exactly a runner”
Polo allows her to blend athleticism, strategy, and teamwork, working not just with her fellow players but also with each of her horses, each one possessing unique strengths and personalities. “You’re constantly changing how you play every seven minutes based on which horse you’re on,” she explains.
Her dedication to the sport has already led to some memorable achievements. During college, she and her team claimed the Southwest Regional title in Intercollegiate Polo, a moment that confirmed her love for the competitive side of the sport. Another standout memory came when she competed alongside her parents in the Family Feud tournament at the Villages Polo Club. “It was our first time playing together in that type of setting, and winning it was just the cherry on top.”
Lessons from the Arena to the Playroom
Polo has also shaped Monica’s parenting approach, instilling values of patience and adaptability that help her manage the whirlwind of raising young children.
“Being a rider has taught me that it’s never the child’s fault for acting out,” she says. “They’re still learning to process their emotions, and it’s our job as parents to guide them through that.”
Emilio, her eldest, already shows interest in the family passion, asking for “his turn” whenever Monica begins tacking up a horse—a sight that surely warms her heart.
Monica’s days are full but fulfilling, beginning at dawn with coffee and breakfast for her boys before they’re all off to the barn. She’s not only a polo player but also works part-time as a groom, bringing horses in, feeding, and training them. While Dominic, her younger son, enjoys his second breakfast alongside the horses, Emilio hangs out in the barn, sometimes being kept entertained by her phone, and other times being entertained by the kittens. The barn has become their second home.
Dreams and the Road Ahead
Looking forward, Monica has ambitious goals. She hopes to one day compete at the highest level of women’s polo in the US Women’s Open and to experience the sport’s international allure in Argentina. But more than anything, her ultimate goal is “being the best mom there is” and creating a childhood for her sons that’s as full of wonder as her own has been.
As a passionate advocate for equine welfare, Monica also hopes to see an industry-wide shift toward the health and wellbeing of horses. She sees a growing awareness of the need for holistic care, from massage therapy to specialized diets that support each horse’s unique needs.
“Horses are athletes, just like we are,” she says. “They deserve every bit of support we can give them.”
Monica Blazevic’s story is one of balance, hard work, and simply being present—even when that means managing the demands of motherhood alongside her passion for polo. Along the way, she’s creating a family life rooted in a shared love and genuine connection to the sport, one she hopes her children may one day choose to follow. For now, she’s focused on giving her best to both worlds, embracing the unique rhythm of “polo mom life.”
