After A ‘Dream Season’ In 2019, Dutta Corp Polo Has Big Plans For 2020 Dutta Family
The Dutta family is synonymous with horses. Tim Dutta Sr. started playing polo in New Delhi, India as a young boy and has loved the sport ever since. His wife, Susie, is a highly acclaimed international dressage competitor who often competes in Wellington. And their son, Timmy, is an up-and-coming polo prodigy. Their affinity for horses extends to business as the Dutta Corporation is a well-respected international air transport company.
The Dutta Corp team had a remarkable 2019 polo season. With Timmy playing the No. 1 position, Dutta Corp won all three 20-goal tournaments at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Father and son also won an 8-goal tournament at the Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington. Timmy Dutta also played for the U.S. on the Junior Westchester Cup at IPC in late April, as well as subbing in other high-goal tournaments.
“We were the only team that beat Pilot last season,” Tim Dutta Sr. said. “A dream season.”
This season, Dutta Corp is stepping up to play in the Gauntlet of Polo, a series of three 22-goal tournaments at IPC. Timmy Dutta, whose handicap was raised to 3 goals, will be joined on the team by Lucas Diaz Alberdi, Nino Obregon and Facundo Obregon. Timmy Dutta expects to have about 17 horses for the 22-goal season, including his most recognizable one, Mr. Musty, a Palomino.
“My expectations are high, as we have a great team,” said Timmy Dutta, who spent more than a month at La Canada Polo Club in Argentina with his father and teammates preparing for the upcoming season in Wellington. “I’m looking to win the Gauntlet.”
Timmy Dutta believes it is very important to go to Argentina if you want to grow as a player. He has been traveling to the mecca of polo in South America for the last six years.
“The polo there helps me become better for the Florida season and improves me as a player,” said Timmy Dutta, who turns 19 on Sept. 20. “I believe my strengths are for sure as an attacker scoring goals and putting pressure on the other team. I believe I’m a great teammate and bring a positive energy toward a team, which I feel is very important. I believe my weaknesses are that I’m still young and I make mistakes. I need to be more consistent on my plays and try to learn every day. All in all, I’m learning something new every day.”
Veteran 6-goaler Kris Kampsen, who is based in Wellington, played on Dutta Corp in 2019 and has known the Dutta family for more than a decade.
“Timmy is an animal on the field,” Kampsen said. “He’s a hell of a teammate and awesome to play with. Off the field, he’s a great guy, a lot of fun but super serious, too. I loved watching him grow up. It’s great to see someone have his passion and dedication for polo.”
While the Dutta family’s foray into polo began in India, it wasn’t until 2013 that it grabbed a serious grip in the U.S., thanks to Tim Dutta Sr.’s friendship with the late Carlos Gracida, one of the sport’s all-time legends.
While Tim Dutta Sr. was working with Gracida, his son would often accompany him to the field.
“One afternoon, I decided to try stick-and-balling for the first time because my jumper was lame,” Timmy Dutta said. “And I never looked back.”
While most of his time is spent working with the horses, Timmy Dutta makes time for his schoolwork as a senior at #1 Education Place in Wellington. In his limited spare time, he’s usually fishing or at the beach.
“Polo has really bonded us. We ride every day together in the afternoon,” Tim Dutta Sr. said. “We enjoy the family together and the best is to play with Timmy and enjoy what the sport is all about. We have love and respect for the horses, and we spend lots of time together collaborating, learning and sharing. We also travel the world, as well spend time in business together. I am a very lucky guy to have a son like Timmy.”
The son’s love for his parents and the horses are easily reciprocated.
“Horses in general is all we know as a family,” said Timmy Dutta, whose mentors include his father, Piki Diaz Alberdi and Memo Gracida. “Especially for me, it’s what I love to do. Polo has brought me and my dad closer and has really made a relationship between us. My mom and I have a great relationship revolving around horses and outside of the barn as well.”
He is also proud of his mother’s accomplishments in the sport of dressage.
“My mom still competes, and she’s very competitive — it runs in the blood. I watch her compete when I can. I come to visit her in the summers in Europe to watch her show. My father is normally at the tent, and my mother is either in the middle of the field or in the box when we play Field 1 [at IPC].”
Timmy Dutta is excited about the future for both the team and himself.
“I have a personal goal and that is to become the best player I can be,” he said. “If that’s 10 goals, it’s 10 goals, but I want to be the best I can be.”
With the help and support of his parents, his path is clear.
