Born in Middleburg, VA and now splits her time between Moorseville, North Carolina and Wellington Florida. Last November she married NASCAR champ Kurt Busch. She is a accomplished Polo Player, entrepreneur and model.
A dedicated equestrian that began riding at five, Ashley is an accomplished polo player who fell in love with the sport at age 11. “After my first polo lesson, I fell in love, I never looked back,” she says. Ashley has a very humble and low-key demeanor; however, she is often described as a fierce competitor on the polo field.
She has played competitive polo in renowned tournaments in Argentina, Chile, New York, Aiken, SC., Middleburg Va., England, Wellington, FL (the equestrian capitol of the world,) and more locations around the globe. Career highlights include:
– Winning the Port Mayaca 14-goal with Carlos Gracida Sr. (the longest reigning highest rated polo player in the world at the time), Carlos Gracida Jr. and Mariano Gracida
– Winning the International Polo Club (IPC) 12-goal, which she played with her father, Beau.
– Being undefeated for an entire season in the Hobe Sound 8-goal tournaments
– Being a member of the 2011 US Eastern Circuit Polo Team that competed against the British Forces / Combined Services Polo teams in the historic Chapple Cup Series. The three match series began at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst competing for the Sudan Cup, the second match at Tidworth Polo Club competing for the Indian Cavalry Officers Cup, and the final match at Guards Polo Club for the United Services Cup.
– Winning, along withthe US Eastern Circuit Polo Team, the United Services Cup at Guards Polo Club on the final day of the Chapple Cup Series, HRH Prince Harry also participated on that day on the Household Cavalry Regiment Polo Team.
Ashley has many philanthropic ventures that are close to her heart and frequently participates and hosts polo exhibitions, such as: the Van Metre Polo Cup benefitting Capital Hospiceas well as the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children; The Commonwealth Polo Cup; The National Sporting Library Polo Classic; Polo for a Purpose, benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphoma society; and the Van Metre 5-Mile run for Children’s National Medical Center in DC.
Ashley has parlayed her polo talents into being an accomplished model, once represented by the internationally known talent agency Wilhelmina Models. She is best known as the face of the United States Polo Association (USPA), and has been featured in several global campaigns including the United States Polo Associations 125th year anniversary campaign. Ashley is also a Swimwear enthusiast and is currently collaborating with La Isla’s Founder and CEO Enrique Sanchez-Rivera for an exciting surprise coming in 2017. In addition, Ashley is a visionary and has been formulating the direction and design concepts of her own brand, for almost a decade, where she plans to integrate her love for fashion, horsemanship and philanthropy.
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All Written Content Copyright © 2017 Women Fitness
Ms. Namita Nayyar: As a dedicated equestrian that began riding at five, you are an accomplished polo player who fell in love with the sport at the young age of 11. Since then you have played competitive polo in renowned tournaments in Argentina, Chile, New York, Aiken, SC., Middleburg Va., England, Wellington, FL, etc. Walk us through this spectacular journey and tell us how it all began?
Ms. Ashley Van Metre: My polo journey began because of my best friend, Isabella Wolf’s Mom. Isabella and I grew up riding together, one day her mom took us to a polo school that was about 20 minutes away from my family farm in Middleburg, VA. German Noguera was the owner and instructor of the polo school. After my first lesson, I completely fell in love! Riding was second nature to me, and hitting the polo ball became addicting. I quit showing hunters, and dedicated every second of my riding to polo. Polo has opened doors for me across the globe, and along the way I have met some very influential people, and athletes.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Introduce us to a day in your life.
Ms. Ashley Van Metre: A typical day for me starts with a cup of coffee, a light breakfast and after that we are off to the races. My days vary depending on whether or not I am preparing for a polo tournament or not. Mid mornings, I will usually work out in the gym with my trainer Molly Deaton, then I will head to the barn to check on the ponies and the plan for the day. Afternoons, we usually arrange some sort of practice, whether it be stick and balling (which is hitting the ball and practicing different shots,) on my field at home, or going to the local club to have a practice game with teammates.
During my off time, I always try to fit in some pool time, I love soaking up the sun. As well as working on my swimsuit line.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine that you may like to share?
Ms. Ashley Van Metre: I do several different exercises throughout the week to ensure, I’ve worked out all of my muscle groups. I would say the most important thing to work on for polo though, would be core and arm strength, along with balance and coordination drills. Pulls up and push up are always essential, as well as exercises on the bosu ball, ladders, and for reaction time we work with censored lights, that blink and you have to reach or run for them to turn them off. You never know which one is going to blink next!
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Ashley Van: I don’t really follow anything strictly.
My diet consists of lots of protein and a green such as: broccoli, green beans, or Brussel sprouts. I eat homemade protein balls as snacks, or protein shakes, and you’ve got to throw in a donut or something chocolate of course, donuts are my fav!
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Training for professional sports requires you to be out in the extreme weather. How are you able to take care of your hair and skin?
Ms. Ashley Van Metre: What we deal with most during polo season is heat and humidity. I use an antimicrobial SPF every morning, and recently have been using Kerastase UV spray for my hair to keep my color and shine locked in. I also keep, clearsil pads in my USPA gear bag. They are great for after I play, or for wiping out the inside of my helmet.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding polo players who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in this field?
Ms. Ashley Van Metre: You can do anything you set your mind to. If you are passionate about it, you will be successful. As the saying goes, practice makes a man perfect. Practice your riding, swing, and hitting the ball as much as you can. Polo and horseback riding is more accessible than you know, there are several polo schools around the US, as well as the team USPA program for budding players. Just go for it 😉
Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have been associated actively with many charities, that are dear to your heart, tell us how have you been able to achieve and quench your thirst of giving back to the society through this endeavor of yours?
Ms. Ashley Van: I grew up in a very philanthropic family.
Giving back was something that was ingrained in me. It gives me so much joy to be able to support charities that are close to my heart; such as, Capital Hospice, & Children’s national medical center, in which the Van Metre Family host events for each year. A few charities I recently became involved with are Project Knapsack, and The Leukemia and Lymphoma society, which holds an exhibition polo match and luncheon every year in wellington FL. I do not think the thirst for helping others, whether it be people or animals is ever quenched. I hope to one day create my own foundation and host charity events all through out the US, for varying causes.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Who has been your greatest influence and motivator in your success in the field of your career?
Ms. Ashley Van Metre: My greatest influencers and motivators, have been my dad, my husband Kurt, my best friend Isabella, and the late Carlos Gracida SR. I think I inherited my competitive spirit from my Dad, Beau. He was always an athlete, and also races sailboats to this day, him and my grandfather had the winning-est sailboat in yachting history during their time.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: You are best known as the face of the United States Polo Association (USPA), and have been featured in several global campaigns including the United States Polo Associations 125th year anniversary campaign. Share with your Top 5 Tips to look good in a photoshoot.
Ms. Ashley Van Metre: Yes, the USPA is like family to me. They recently just signed me as their first ever Brand Ambassador, and female face of the brand.
My top 5 tips to look good during a photoshoot include:
- Get a good nights sleep the night before
- Make sure you have a good breakfast
- Exfoliate and moisturize your skin the night before
- Smile A LOT, and over exaggerate your smile, it may feel weird but it always looks authentic and amazing in photos.
- Relax and have fun with it and make sure your poses are not forced
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Also tell us about your collaboration with La Isla’s Founder and CEO Enrique Sanchez-Rivera for an exciting surprise coming in 2017?
Ms. Ashley Van Metre: Enrique is a fellow polo player, and we have been friends for years. He has a very successful swimwear company, LA Isla, and owns several manufacturing plants in Colombia where he does private label. I have always had a passion for design and swimwear and used to collect swimsuits. This year, I am creating my own swimwear line, in which Enrique’s private label company is producing. It has been such an exciting process from drafting the designs, to choosing fabrics and colors. I plan on having part of my proceeds go to different charities as well. Enrique has been a great mentor along the way!
Ms. Namita Nayyar: With a massive following who look up to you and follow you, how does it feel that you are able to influence and inspire the healthy lifestyle of so many individuals?
Ms. Ashley Van Metre: It is an honor to be able to inspire those around me. I hope to continuing encouraging people to live authentically and follow their passions.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for our visitors on our 18th Anniversary?
Ms. Ashley Van Metre: Happy 18th Anniversary to Women’s fitness, thank you for always being the foundation for women and healthy lifestyle.
All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2017 Women Fitness