For Alejandro “Ale” Gowland, polo is far more than a competitive pursuit—it is a lifestyle. “Everything is around polo, or for polo,” he reflects. “I wake up every morning doing what I like, so I feel that I’m a very lucky guy.”
In a comprehensive interview with The Polo Channel, Gowland shared insights into his deep family roots in Argentina, his fifteen-year journey shaping the sport in Dubai, and his current summer campaign in the south of France.
From Buenos Aires to the International Circuit
Unlike many of the modern generation who grow up entirely in the countryside, Gowland was raised in the city of Buenos Aires. His polo education was reserved for weekends—weather permitting—at the family farm in San Miguel del Monte.
“It comes a little bit from a family tradition; my grandfather played, and my father plays—always as amateurs, of course,” Gowland explains.
When he turned 18, he chose to turn that passion into a career. His path began in the United States, working for three to four years at the now-closed Blue Sky Polo Club in New York. Later, while pursuing an international business degree in university, he completed what he calls his “university of polo” in the high-goal circuits of Argentina. Assisting close friends like Guillermo “Gis” Terrera, Gowland worked on elite operations, including Lolo Castagnola’s farm and La Martina, absorbing technical expertise that would define his professional trajectory.
The Dubai Transformation: 15 Years of Growth
Though fully settled managing polo and breeding operations in Argentina, Gowland’s career shifted dramatically when a phone call arrived regarding a new project at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club.
“At the beginning, I was a little bit afraid of leaving all my stuff in Argentina,” Gowland admits. “I remember I talked to my sister, and she told me, ‘The train passes only once. If you don’t do it, you will regret it.’”
Taking that leap, he relocated to the UAE, working closely with figures like Santiago Gomez Romero and Juanjo Snowden to build out the infrastructure. What was initially planned as a temporary venture turned into a fifteen-year tenure, spending eight months of every year in Dubai.
Since 2020, Gowland has been based at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club. Working initially alongside patron Jassim Al Jahousi, Gowland now helps manage the club’s robust tournament schedule, academy programs, and prominent teams like Equity.
Building a Community on and off the Field
Under his leadership, the Dubai Polo Club has achieved massive success, boasting 12 teams in the Emaar Cup last season. For Gowland, the secret to this growth lies entirely in the atmosphere his team fosters.
“We really try to make everyone enjoy—not only the polo inside the field, but also the after-polo,” he says, noting that the club hosts weekly barbecues. “We make it feel like a club. From the beginner taking their first lesson to the member with 50 or 60 horses, everyone is equal once we join afterward. That’s what people love.”
Gowland notes that Dubai is rapidly evolving into a premier global polo hub. The sport is capitalizing on its strategic geographical location and its standing as an international business capital. Infrastructure is expanding at a dizzying pace across the region, with new fields appearing at neighboring organizations like Shumeisa, Ghantoot, and a new property backed by Emaar’s Mohamed Alabbar.
Summer in Saint-Tropez and Looking Ahead
Currently, Gowland is spending his summer operating in the south of France, managing two growing organizations: Equity and Gold Polo.
“Equity trips are mainly for Aiden to cut the summer so he doesn’t go so many months without playing,” Gowland explains. Meanwhile, Gold Polo—spearheaded by patrons Lauren and Robert—is a newly developing organization focused heavily on training and building a premium horse string. “They are starting just now to play their first tournaments. We want them to enjoy the experience and continue growing,” he notes.
As the European summer winds down in late August, Gowland’s calendar remains packed. He will head home to Argentina for the spring season to play at Santa María de Lobos during September, October, and November, before returning to Dubai to launch the Middle Eastern winter season.
For the full discussion on the global state of low-to-medium goal polo, infrastructure developments, and exclusive match footage, watch the complete interview on The Polo Channel.
Source: PoloHUB Read More