A Pony Sold, A Passion Distilled

Rich Hine.

Sometimes, the most unexpected setbacks pave the way for extraordinary new beginnings. For British polo player Rich Hine, the sale of his best horse and a severe hand injury became the unlikely catalysts for launching his acclaimed brand, British Polo Gin.

Rich’s journey into the world of gin began during a winter break in 2015. While taking time off from his professional polo career in the UK, he worked at a gin distillery in Perth, Western Australia. It was there, far from the polo fields, that he discovered a new passion.

After playing polo internationally across Argentina, Germany, France, India, China, and Australia, Rich’s life took a sudden turn. He severed a tendon in his little finger—an essential part of his grip on the polo mallet. Surgeons in England delivered a devastating blow: his sporting career was over.

During his rehabilitation back in Australia, and with a background in History from Newcastle University, Rich turned to research. He uncovered a fascinating historical connection: the first British polo players, cavalrymen in 1859, were also among the first soldiers to mix gin with tonic water during their deployment in India in 1857. He realized that Britain, polo, and gin were inextricably linked. The idea for a brand was born: British Polo Gin – The Polo Player’s Choice.

Driven by this vision, Rich returned to England in July 2016 and made a bold decision: he sold his two best polo horses, Snowball and Spice, to fund his dream of creating a 100% organic, small-batch gin.

The gamble paid off. Merely months later, in November 2016, Fortnum & Mason named British Polo Gin its “Gin of the Month”—an exceptional honor for a startup less than six months old. The accolades didn’t stop there. In 2018, its botanical gin achieved the highest distinction of 3 Gold Stars at the Great Taste Awards, officially naming it the best gin in the UK that year.

True to its roots, British Polo Gin maintains a deep bond with the sport of polo. The company proudly supports the RAF Polo Team and, in a landmark move, took over the iconic clubhouse bar at Cirencester Park Polo Club during its 125th anniversary—a venue long frequented by British royalty.

At the heart of it all lies a commitment to craftsmanship. Each small batch is limited to just 300 bottles, ensuring meticulous quality control from distillation to bottling. The result is a exceptionally smooth, 100% organic gin, perfect on the rocks and an impeccable base for cocktails.

After a career in sports ended due to injury, Rich Hine channeled his dedication into mastering spirits. His heritage and commitment to quality are embodied in every bottle.