Out of Bounds with Hanan Fadil
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Hanan Fadil with her horses at King Family Vineyards.
Written by Maeve Buckley, student-contributor for the Bell Tower Magazine
Just west of the small town of Crozet, Virginia, the vibrant residential neighborhoods give way to rolling cow pastures and the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. Here, a sprawling grass field, nine times the size of a football field, stretches along the edge of a picturesque vineyard. Over a thousand enthusiastic spectators line the field, captivated by what many consider to be one of the world's most exhilarating and perilous sports.
On the edge of the field, Hanan Fadil adjusts her grip on the slender bamboo mallet in her right hand, her left hand clutching two sets of reins as she leans off the side of her galloping horse. In a split second, it seems as if she is defying gravity, as her thoroughbred charges forward at 40 miles per hour. Every muscle in her body engages to maintain her balance. Just as it appears she might be pulled from her saddle, Hanan swings her bamboo mallet with the precision and velocity of a guided missile. The resounding impact of the mallet striking the 3.5-inch plastic ball echoes through the air, accompanied by the thunderous cheers of the crowd. Hanan Fadil, one of the youngest players on the polo field, has once again executed a remarkable hit. With effortless grace, she regains her position atop her horse and continues full speed ahead down the field.
Anyone who knows Hanan Fadil, knows polo. At least a little bit. The two are intertwined in perfect harmony.
Hanan discovered her passion at a tender age. At two years old, she experienced the thrill of riding a pony during a county fair in New York. This brief encounter sparked an enduring fascination with equestrian sports, leading her to embark on riding lessons during summer camps. When Hanan and her family relocated to Virginia, a multitude of opportunities awaited her. Embracing the vibrant equestrian community in Albemarle County, Hanan began taking weekly lessons, rapidly progressing as a rider. After three years of dedicated practice, she decided to test her mettle in one of the world's most demanding and prestigious sports—polo. A game that demands remarkable skill and athleticism, polo had captured Hanan's heart. Now, after only a few years of play, Hanan is fully immersed in the game, living and breathing every aspect of it. Such dedication is requisite for those who aspire to greatness, and Hanan Fadil aspires to be the best.
To fully immerse herself in the world of polo, Hanan spends her summers working at King Family Vineyard in Crozet, Virginia. There, one can find her diligently tending to horses, riding, mucking out stalls, and, of course, playing polo.
During the humid Virginia summers, she devotes herself entirely to the sport. Hanan competes in the Roseland Polo Season at King Family Vineyards. These events attract thousands of spectators and many of the most skilled polo players in the state. Hanan is one of a handful of teenagers who compete in the highly competitive matches.
Hanan's passion for polo and her love for horses continue to grow as she climbs the ranks and refines her skills as both a rider and a player. During the school year, she practices with the University of Virginia Women’s Polo Team. She is the only high schooler who trains with the 2022 National Champion collegiate team; this allows her to push her limits against older and more experienced players. Additionally, Hanan is the team captain for the UVA Polo high school team, which competes at a national level. Nothing will stop Hanan from where she wants to be.
Hanan’s goals are big. She plans on being the best, and to be the best there are more things still to do. Hanan remarked: “I hope to go to UVA because they have the best polo team in the country, and I want to win national championships at least three times while in college. Afterwards, I want to become a professional and teach people how to play, so that I can spread the joy it has given me. I'm also going to try to close the gap between men’s and women's polo.” She is driven, which is why she can achieve what she is dreaming.
During the past school year, Hanan has benefited from the support of her classmates and teachers at MSA. Hanan remarked: “Miller School has really helped me further my polo career. The excellent teachers mixed with their offering of office hours helped me when I had to take two weeks off of school for polo.” In particular, Hanan spent lots of time in the SSC (Student Success Center), which, among many other things, is designed for students to catch up on work with people around who can help. She also used a student tutor to get back on track. “Miller School has plenty of options to help students like me to stay on top of our academics as we pursue our passions.”
The first step toward excellence lies in discovering one's passion. Hanan Fadil has discovered hers in one of the world's most demanding and breathtaking sports, and she races full throttle towards her dreams, galloping with determination.
