The Woman Who Brought Polo to Romania

Rosu at the arena polo presentation.

Cristina Rosu aims to put Romania on the world polo map. The task is not easy, but judging by the progress made in just three years, she appears to be on the right track. She has not only opened the first polo club in this southeastern European country—famous for its breathtaking forests—but has also established tournaments that sell out and attract polo players from around the world.

This was the case during the inaugural Singureni Manor Polo Cup in 2024, which drew participants such as the Wellington Grand Champions Polo Club, led by the respected American polo patrons, the Ganzi family.

Rosu is not only the owner of Singureni Manor but also the Founder of the Singureni Polo Sports Club Association and captain of the Singureni Manor Polo Club team, which represented Romania during the recent Singureni Manor Polo Cup 2025. Following the event's success—which sold out its inaugural edition in just three days—the club continues to gain momentum.

The club is located at Singureni Manor Equestrian Retreat, a resort featured in the MICHELIN Guide hotel selection. Situated in Giurgiu County, just 40 km from Bucharest, it lies within a vast 700-hectare forest of oak and acacia trees.

Rosu emphasizes that the key to placing Romania on the world polo map is a long-term vision. “We are betting on the Singureni Manor Polo Cup becoming an iconic event on the international stage—a reference point that attracts passionate players and spectators from around the world. We want it to be a benchmark not only for the sport itself but also for the lifestyle and cultural experience it creates,” Rosu stated in press interviews.

The project serves as a catalyst for polo in Romania. “The goal is to inspire more people to discover this sport—dynamic, powerful, and adrenaline-filled, yet deeply elegant and magical. By opening polo to a broader audience, we hope to foster a new generation of players and build a strong, united community around it,” she adds.

Beyond sport, the Cup also functions as a platform for diplomacy, networking, and business. The event has attracted figures from culture, ambassadors, politicians, elite athletes from other disciplines, and guests from all key sectors of Romanian society. Attendees have enjoyed diverse experiences, from beginner polo demonstrations at the club’s polo school to high-end gastronomy and a performance by Angela Gheorghiu—the world’s most glamorous opera star—who sang the Romanian national anthem.

Rosu points out that the club’s distinctiveness and the management strategy implemented revolve around building a solid community of members where sport meets culture, elegance, and opportunity. The Singureni Manor Polo Cup has quickly evolved into more than a sporting event—it is becoming a trusted platform where sport, diplomacy, lifestyle, and business naturally intersect.

“Polo has always been more than a sport. Historically, it has brought together royalty, diplomats, business leaders, and visionaries in a unique blend of competition, lifestyle, and networking. From the fields of England to the snow arenas of St. Moritz, it has served as a stage where sport meets culture, elegance, and opportunity,” Rosu highlighted in an interview with Business Review magazine.

In a country like Romania, where polo had no prior tradition, attracting over 3,000 spectators for the first edition has positioned the event, in a short time, among esteemed polo gatherings such as those in Dubai and St. Moritz.