Kitana St. Cyr carries on Haiti’s polo legacy in South Florida

By Gaëlle Timmer

When Kitana St. Cyr first picked up a mallet, she wasn’t intimidated; she was inspired.

“I was never scared,” she told The Haitian Times with the quiet confidence that has defined her journey ever since.

She first mounted a horse at age 9 in Haiti, riding with a balance and agility that felt instinctive. At the time, St. Cyr was already a competitive swimmer in Port-au-Prince. But what began as a childhood fascination soon turned into a deeper passion—one that would eventually carry her into international polo arenas few athletes from Latin America or the Caribbean have ever reached.

After surviving Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake, St. Cyr relocated with her family from Port-au-Prince to Florida at age 14. There, she began building a new life in a country where polo—an elite, resource-intensive sport long associated with wealth and exclusivity—remains out of reach for most. Her presence on the field challenges those norms and broadens the image of who belongs in the sport.

Now based in Palm Beach, Florida, St. Cyr said she came to polo naturally through her love of horses. “I just loved being around them,” she said. “The connection, the energy—it makes you want to be better every day.”

That bond evolved into years of dedication, early mornings at the stable, and relentless practice sessions that refined both her technique and mental discipline.

“You learn patience,” St. Cyr said. “It’s not just about strength or speed, it’s about staying calm under pressure, trusting your instincts, and working in rhythm with the horse.” 

That rhythm carried her to one of her proudest milestones: a second-place finish at the 2025 Open de France Féminin, an international tournament in France. It was a personal victory, but also something greater: a rare representation in a sport with few players of similar backgrounds.

“It was an incredible feeling,” she said. “Not just for me, but for every young Haitian or Caribbean girl who might see this and realize she can do it too.” 

Carrying a Haitian Legacy 

Though St. Cyr competes primarily in the U.S., her story connects to Haiti’s polo legacy, one reaching almost a century. In the 1920s and 1930s, polo was part of Haitian society, played by local enthusiasts and expatriates on the fields close to Port-au-Prince. For decades, the sport lay dormant until Claude Alix Bertrand, a Haitian athlete, revived it with the founding of the country’s first national polo team in 2013. 

Bertrand’s mission went beyond sports. His goal was to reclaim a piece of Haitian cultural history and show the world that excellence can thrive anywhere, even in sports often seen as exclusive. His work positioned Haiti on the global polo map once again and inspired a new generation to see possibilities in unexpected places.

St. Cyr’s rise continues that legacy. While she represents the Haitian diaspora, her accomplishments speak to the same pride and perseverance that drove Bertrand’s dream. 

“Haiti has always had strength and beauty,” she said. “I want people to see that in the way we play — with heart, with joy, with courage.”

‘She’s a Cultural Disruptor’

Stephane Jean-Baptiste, one of St. Cyr’s early supporters first met her through a mutual contact who worked to elevate underrepresented voices in sports and culture. What struck her immediately, she said, was St. Cyr’s composure and sense of purpose.

After seeing St. Cyr train and advocate for her own opportunities, Jean-Baptiste said it was clear she belonged in the KE Muse Program, an initiative that uplifts women who are reshaping narratives in their fields.

She said she has watched St. Cyr grow with deliberate focus, developing a stronger sense of discipline and cultural awareness as her career has advanced.

To her, St. Cyr represents more than athletic promise. “She’s a cultural disruptor in a legacy sport,” Jean-Baptiste said, noting how St. Cyr’s mix of grace and grit challenges expectations for young Black Haitian women in elite equestrian spaces.

One moment still stands out to her: the behind-the-scenes work that rarely gets public attention. She recalled St. Cyr coordinating team logistics, finding sponsors, and keeping morale steady through early workouts, travel issues, and other setbacks.

Supporting St. Cyr, she added, felt less like a routine sponsorship and more like a commitment to amplifying what is possible for the next generation.

“It was a commitment to showcasing what’s possible,” Jean-Baptiste said. “She’s not waiting for the world to catch up, and neither are we.”

A Role Model for the Next Generation 

St. Cyr knows how for many young Haitians polo may feel distant, a sport of privilege, played far from home. She wants to change that perception: “If you love something, don’t wait for permission,” she said. 

“Even if no one around you is doing it, you might be the one who starts the path.” 

St. Cyr says she wants to see more Haitian and Caribbean athletes venturing into non-traditional sports and finding their support systems to make their ambitions possible. 

Beyond competition, she envisions a broader mission: nurturing a community where Haitian and Caribbean riders can see themselves reflected in every arena. 

As she continues to train, St. Cyr is already thinking beyond the next match. Her goals include mentoring younger players, traveling to Haiti to connect with local equestrian programs, and helping expand opportunities for girls interested in horses and polo. 

For St. Cyr, polo has become as much about connection as it is about competition, connection to the horse, to her teammates, and to the heritage that grounds her. That connection ties every ride back to something bigger-a shared heritage, a history of resilience and a belief that Haitian excellence can gallop confidently into any arena. “When people see me play,” she said, “I hope they see what’s possible.”

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