12/15/2025
An incredible Lady. An incredible Family.
For years, whispers floated around the polo fields of America about the mysterious, mustachioed young man who galloped across the field with unmatched skill, then vanished before the champagne corks popped at post-game celebrations. Who was this elusive figure? Little did they know, behind the disguise was not a man at all—it was Sue Sally Hale, a trailblazing woman determined to rewrite the rules of a male-dominated sport. Her secret life was as audacious as it was inspiring, and her story is one of grit, courage, and sheer defiance against societal norms.
Sue Sally Hale’s journey began at just 12 years old, when she fell in love with polo while riding her pony in the hills of Los Angeles. But in mid-20th-century America, the U.S. Polo Association barred women from competing in their prestigious tournaments. Undeterred, Hale crafted a bold plan to infiltrate the sport she loved: she disguised herself as "A. Jones," a male player. With her hair tucked under her helmet, her chest taped flat, and a fake mustache provided by Hollywood makeup artists—courtesy of her stuntman stepfather—she took to the field. For nearly two decades, she dominated matches in her double life, leaving rivals baffled and fans impressed, yet never suspecting her true identity.
Her masquerade wasn’t just about playing polo; it was about breaking barriers. Hale faced ridicule, rejection, and threats from male players who felt threatened by her skill. But she refused to back down, riding through her pregnancies, finishing games with broken bones, and even humorously proving a point by playing a match astride a mule. Her relentlessness eventually paid off. In 1972, after years of campaigning and threatening to expose her ruse, the U.S. Polo Association finally admitted her as a member, forever changing the sport’s landscape. Today, nearly 500 of the association's 3,600 members are women, a testament to her enduring legacy.
Hale’s passion extended beyond the field. She was a mentor who trained countless players and ponies, a poet who captured her soul in words, and an artist who sculpted beauty out of raw materials. Her personal life was just as vibrant; married to Alex Hale in 1957, she balanced her roles as a mother of five and a polo legend. Even in the face of adversity, her wit shone through. When male players tried to intimidate her, she’d retort with a grin, "Gentlemen, better boys than you have tried."
Hale’s story didn’t end with her triumphs on the field. Her daughter, Sunny Hale, carried her torch, becoming the top female polo player in the United States. Sue Sally Hale’s legacy is a powerful reminder that no dream is too audacious, no barrier too unbreakable, and no disguise too elaborate when it comes to defying the odds and changing history.
