- There is nothing like going flat out on the field and riding hard.

You've got 1200 pounds in your hand and you're hitting a ball the size of a lacrosse ball.

- [Announcer] She's trying, Minnie gets incredible shot away.

I do not, that is a goal.

That was an incredible shot.

So there's no way she could score from there, but she did.

- My name is Minnie Keating.

I'm a player here at Newport International Polo, and this is My Take on determination.

- [Announcer] Minnie Keating, can she finish it?

Yes, she can.

Minnie Keating.

- I often feel underestimated, but that's part of what I like.

Guys will come onto the field and they'll see this small small lady in pink and they'll, you know, give me the first play.

Maybe play me easy in the first run.

But then after that they know that I'm coming for them hard.

I have always kind of been a more defensive player and a more aggressive player.

Because I started so young, I wasn't able to really carry the mallet or swing and hit the ball.

It was very heavy for my little twig arms.

So my job has always been to go after the best player on the other team and try to slow them down and stop them.

So part of the aggression comes from how could I be useful at a young age and being a small person against the big guys.

And the horsemanship is what really allowed that.

- [Announcer] Dan Keating, oh a lovely near side under the next shot.

Absolutely inviting his daughter, Minnie to attack the ball.

Minnie is attacking it and Minnie puts it through the goal.

Really good, good teamwork by the home team.

- Polo is particularly challenging in that you're riding a thousand pound animal that has a a mind of its own.

And the horses are actually your teammates.

So your teammates horses are also your teammates.

So it's really important that everybody has full control and understands what horses everybody is riding in that particular period of play.

- [Announcer] We're gonna get the bell.

(bell pinging) There's the bell.

She's pushing it forward.

Can Roger get to it?

He's gonna what?

He's gonna have to cut it.

It's running good, Roger.

Oh, it gets to the goal from Minnie.

I think that's a Minnie goal.

Yes, it is.

- The other difficult thing is that it doesn't necessarily require a lot of physical strength to hit the ball.

It's really all about timing and finesse.

So coupled with the strength it takes to control a thousand pounds going 25 miles per hour, you also have to have a delicacy and good hand-eye coordination.

So it's a balance between being strong and being gentle at the same time.

- [Announcer] As coming back in defense, doesn't quite get the back end.

Minnie gets a second goal.

- Determination is extremely important when you're playing polo, because polo is very time consuming and it requires more than just a ball and a set of cleats.

It's all inclusive and you spend early mornings at the barn, late nights, and that's just to care for the animals.

So you have to be determined to do all that work and then get on the field and play your best.

Part of my determination is to show all the young women and young girls that are watching that they can compete with men, especially in polo and they can be a big presence even if they're a small person.

I'm Minnie Keating.

This has been My Take on determination.

- Hip, hip.

- Hooray.

- Hip, hip.

- Hooray.

- Hip hip.

- Hooray.

- And the Newport Polo season ends on September 30th.

That's our broadcast this evening.

Thank you for joining us.

I'm Pamela Watts.

- And I'm Michelle San Miguel.

We'll be back next week with another edition of "Rhode Island PBS Weekly".

Until then, please follow us on Facebook and X and visit us online to see all of our stories and past episodes at ripbs.org/weekly.

Or listen to our podcast on your favorite streaming platform.

Goodnight.

(upbeat music)