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Dhananjay Singh Jodhpur Popularly Known as DJ is +2 Handicap Polo Player of Jodhpur. Dhananjay Singh narrates how he has inherited the polo DNA from his illustrious ancestors amongst whom are paternal great grandfather Colonel Maharaj Sher Singh who played for the Jodhpur Lancers and is his paternal grandfather Maharaj Jabar Singh, born in 1921, and India’s foremost +8 handicap player. Maharaj Jabar was part of the Indian National Team in 1954, along with Rao Raja Hanut Singh, Maharaj Prem Singh, and Maj. Gen. HH Maharaja Sawai Shri Sir Man Singh II. He holds, to date, the distinction of being the only Indian to play the 40 Goal Argentine Open. Dhananjay’s father Maharaj Jai Singh was both a horse as well as cycle polo enthusiast. A +2 handicap in horse polo was contrasted by +5 handicap in cycle polo. All in all, the ‘DNA’ is indeed structured around some or the other form of polo! He talks enthusiastically, with a tinge of nostalgia about his grandfather. “It would have to be stories of my grandfather Maharaj Jabar Singh which motivated me to play polo; he was my superhero. Growing up, I heard a lot of stories of his polo days. For example, in 1953 he played at the 24 Goals Coronation Cup to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s ascension to the Throne. In 1954, the Formidable Four along with legendary great Arthur Lucas won the Woolmer’s Park Polo Cup. Beside the Coronation Cup, he also won the Queen’s Cup and the Duke of Sutherland Cup.” “Beyond polo, he proved to be one of the finest ambassadors of India- having represented the Nation worldwide. It was in 1954, when he travelled to the Dominican Republic for an international tournament, that he charmed the attention of President Trujillo who asked him to mentor his sons. This was perhaps the first instance of how polo went from being the sport of kings to becoming a sport for all who chose to play it. Political unrest led my grandfather to Spain in 1961, and continued to play professionally for a decade. Another feather to his cap was added when he won the 24 Goals King’s Cup in Madrid, Spain- six years in a row and France’s Deauville Cup thrice! “ “Maharaj Jabar Singh made polo an enterprise, adding structure and substance to the game; on his return to the Dominican Republic in the 1970s, he led the country’s first pony breeding and polo training facility at resort Casa de Campo in La Romana. This led to the founding of the Casa de Campo Polo Club, it flourished in the ’80s, and was a well-known polo resort which boasts, till date my grandfather’s legacy.” “It must be a herculean task to live up to such a grand legacy of play and entrepreneurship?” we quizzed him. “Yes, indeed, it is! I have been a polo player for more than a decade, and every time I step onto the field, I bear the charming weight of my Family’s legacy. I have played almost every season in Jodhpur and Jaipur, and am proud to say I have rubbed shoulders with present polo greats such as Simran Shergill, Dhruvpal Godara, Samir Suhag and the Ali brothers - Shamsher, Bashir and Hamza. There is so much I have learnt from them. I surprised myself when I earned the distinction of making the longest hit whilst polo greats like Dhruvpal and Simran were on the same polo ground! My polo travels have taken me far and wide-from Argentina to Barcelona, Madrid and England. Each ground has been unique, each player - a mentor. When France commemorated 100 years of polo, I was part of the impressive line-up of players who represented India.” Jodhpur Polo caught up with Dhananjay Singh, on a lazy morning; the rising sun bathed the glorious Charmi ground and we decided to take a leisurely walk past the stables, horses looking curiously, watching our every move. DJ, as Dhananjay is fondly known, says, “I love my horses. Every time I am around them I have this sense of calm. I feel their energy”. The stables are already bustling hive of activity; horses being groomed, under the keen eyes of DJ, there is an air of business which is juxtaposed to the deceptive, calm in air.We meander towards the stables, where the gentle snorting of horses and banter of grooms greets us. These beautiful animals are the centre of Dhananjay’s attention. He owns an impressive string of well-groomed ponies which are in demand by players during the Season. The world is his oyster, and as we remind him of his impressive four goals at the RSM Gold Vase Cup for Rajnigandha Achievers, or leading Jaipur’s Mustang to a 9-8 victory in the Rajmata Gayatri Devi Memorial Cup Tournament against the fearsome 61 Cavalry- he remains humble even as we rattle off his achievements. Kunwar Dhananjay Singh softly and firmly, “I love this sport. I don’t do it for the glamour, I love it and I love to do it well. I’ll die on the field and not in a bed.” As boldly stated as the legacy he bears.