A 1-goal polo player, stunt rider, and a man who finds freedom on horseback.
János Kiss lives in Mindszentkálla, a small village in Hungary, but his work takes him to film sets in different countries. He plays with Káli Polo Club, where he first learned the sport. On screen, he has ridden through battle scenes and doubled for an actor in Shardlake. For Vivere Equestrian’s rider series, we spoke with János about starting polo later than many players, earning a horse’s trust, and the moment a narrow wooden bridge became part of his working day.
Vivere: Horses weren’t part of your family life growing up. How did riding begin for you?
János: I loved horses as a child, but my family wasn’t involved with them, so I didn’t actually get on a horse until I was about 15. I started playing polo even later, when I was around 22 or 23.
Vivere: How did you find polo?
János: I started at Káli Polo Club, which is right here in my village. Having the club so close meant I could practise every day. I still play there now.
Vivere: Who helped you develop as a player?
János: My friend Balázs Cséri. He’s one of Hungary’s best polo players, and he taught me for years. I’m also grateful to the club owners I’ve worked with. They supported me by giving me the chance to play their horses.
Vivere: Starting in your twenties must have felt different from growing up with the sport.
János: Many polo players start as children, so I had a lot of catching up to do. I spent as much time in the saddle as I could. Even now, I want to play more matches because there’s so much you can only practise in a real game.
Vivere: What are you proudest of in your polo career?
János: I’m proud of every tournament I’ve played. It’s been especially rewarding to play in tournaments abroad and feel that I could hold my own there.
Vivere: Your first stunt riding job involved polo, too. How did that happen?
János: About five years ago, I appeared in an advertisement for a British betting company. The scene involved polo, so it was a very natural first job for me.
Vivere: Since then, what has been your most memorable riding scene?
János: I was a riding double for one of the lead actors in Shardlake. We filmed at Corvin Castle in Romania, and I had to gallop across a narrow wooden bridge. That was exciting!
Vivere: How did you prepare the horse for it?
János: We prepared carefully. We walked the route several times so the horse could get to know it and nothing would come as a surprise. Horses that work in film have experienced many different situations, so they’re usually very capable of handling these tasks.
Vivere: What happens when a horse encounters something overwhelming on set?
János: A cannon blast or the noise of a battle can sometimes be too much on the first attempt. We rehearse, give the horse time to get used to it, and then we can usually film the scene without a problem. It’s unusual for us to have to change a scene because of the horse.
Vivere: Has polo given you skills you can use in stunt riding?
János: Definitely. In polo, we hold the reins in our left hand, which leaves the right hand free. That’s useful on set when you need to hold a sword or a flag.
Vivere: People probably imagine stunt riding means falling off horses all day. What is it really like?
János: Falls are only a small part of the work, although they’re the most dramatic to watch! I did once end up on the ground when my horse was startled by battle noise while I was wearing full armour.
Vivere: Is there a horse who has stayed with you?
János: There was a young horse at the club that I worked with and played polo on for years. He wasn’t always easy, but I loved him. He’s at a club in the Czech Republic now. Whenever I go there, I still make sure to visit him and give him a scratch.
Vivere: What do horses give you that you don’t find elsewhere?
János: A feeling of complete freedom—almost as if you’re flying. They bring calm and harmony, and spending time with them recharges me. They’ve also taught me patience and how to stay calm.
Vivere: Your life sounds full of movement. What do you do when you finally have time off?
János: I spend time with family and friends, and I like learning new things—especially extreme sports. But sitting quietly on a terrace is one of the best ways for me to recharge.
Vivere: What do you look for in clothing when you’re riding?
János: Comfort and the freedom to move. Those are the most important things to me.
Vivere: What would you say to someone thinking about trying polo?
János: Definitely try it. But be careful—it’s very easy to fall in love with the sport, and then you won’t want to stop!
Vivere: What’s next for you?
János: I’m looking forward to visiting Dubai. It will be a new country and a new culture for me, somewhere I haven’t been before.
Vivere: And why do you keep coming back to horses?
János: Because they bring me peace and harmony. They make me feel recharged.
