Mikee Romero on being the first Filipino to play in the US Open Polo Championship

His polo journey started in 2010, but Romero began his love for horses much earlier. “I was already riding at five or six. We had a farm, and I also went to D’Rossa Riding School,” he recalls.

Building a team that could compete internationally took more than ambition. It required resources, logistics and a high level of organisation. “We have about 90 to 100 horses,” Romero shares. “Each match, we use about 40 for every chukker, which is seven minutes; you switch horses two or three times. You have two to three seconds to change and get back on the field.”

The team trains in Argentina and the US, with horses rotating through seasons. “Top players are on contracts. They play in the US from January to April, then go to the UK, then Argentina. To build an organisation at this level of competition, you have to get the best players and horses.”

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Romero likened the operation to a motorsports team. “Each player has a physiologist, nutritionist, veterinarians for the horses and a full support crew. It’s not just players and horses—it’s an organisation.” In their first Gauntlet tournament—the CV Whitney Cup—Globalport reached the semifinals, defeating powerhouse teams, some of whom had decades of history behind them. But the Gold Cup exposed the challenges of sustaining performance for the horses. “We came in flat,” Romero admits. “Some of our horses weren’t in peak condition.”

The US Open marked both redemption and heartbreak. Globalport led against La Dolfina/Catamount with just over a minute to go, but a late surge from the seasoned team ended Globalport’s run. Each game brought high-pressure moments. One match ended in a tie, prompting a golden goal finish. “It’s a tie-breaker. [The first to score wins, and we did,” Romero says, recalling the moment vividly. “Each win is different, and in the Gauntlet, the intensity is something else. I’ve played a thousand games, but nothing like this. Perhaps one of the most daunting moments was when you see the massive board saying ESPN LIVE.”

Globalport’s presence in the Gauntlet was not just a personal victory—it was a breakthrough for Southeast Asian polo, and Romero was aware of the significance. “Of course, I’m proud to be the first Filipino and the highest ranked Southeast Asian player right now,” he says. “But once you’re there, none of that matters. Everyone’s the best. You have to prove yourself on the field.”

Globalport’s inclusion challenged perceptions. “We came in as a threat,” Romero recalls. “Especially because we had Barto Castañola—one of the top three players in the world—on our team.” For Romero, polo isn’t about prestige. It’s about purpose. “People think it’s elitist, but when you see what goes on behind the scenes, it’s very professional,” he says. “Our players live with the horses. They know every detail—the diet, the recovery schedule, the personality. It’s like rugby on horseback.” Romero sees polo as part of a broader mission to uplift Philippine sports. “I just love competition. The Gauntlet of Polo is different—it’s a world of its own. But at the core, it’s still a sport. It demands discipline, preparation and a will to win.”

Even after the Gauntlet, Romero isn’t slowing down. Globalport is set to compete at the Midwest Open in August, and plans are underway to expand the team’s stable of horses. “We’re still building. We’re targeting a win at the US Open eventually,” he says. Beyond that, he hopes to see polo grow in the Philippines. “Yes, it’s a tough sport to get into. But once people understand the passion behind it, they’ll see that it’s not just for show. It’s a true test of endurance and connection between rider and horse.”

From his early riding days in Makati to the grand fields of Wellington, home of the National Polo Center in Florida, Romero marks his journey to the Gauntlet by persistence and clarity of purpose. “I always say— nothing is impossible,” he shares. “Whether you’re on a small stage or a big one, the challenge is the same. The obstacles are just in your mind.”

For the Philippines, Globalport’s run at the Gauntlet wasn’t just about polo. It was a sign of what’s possible when vision meets action. Romero’s message is clear: “Follow your dreams”.

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