Fleur Turner has successfully managed to combine her two passions: polo and art. She began her career as a novice professional polo player, before transferring that knowledge to work at the busy Cowdray Park Polo Office managing their social media channels. Having always been passionate about art, she is now focussing on honing her artistic skills. Her ability to combine her two loves in life is testament to her creative spirit, deep passion for beauty, and ability to reinvent herself while drawing from her experiences in all fields.
Shaping a Love for Aesthetics and Sport
Fleur excelled in sport and art in her childhood, most notably earning an Art Scholarship to the prestigious Millfield School. A keen equestrian since childhood, Fleur took to polo naturally when she started to play at the age of 15 during her time at the school. “I worked for Adrian Wade in the summer, and he taught me about the game of polo. I kept my horses at his yard before I started to play at Cowdray. I like the relationship between horse and player, and the adrenaline during a match is addictive. I have always loved sport and am a very competitive person.” Fleur soon progressed to playing internationally and spent several seasons in Florida and Australia, but home and Cowdray were never far from her heart.
Discovering her Passion
Despite her success in the world of sport in her formative years, Fleur’s creative drive had been apparent throughout her life. She found herself increasingly drawn to the world of visual arts, where she could channel her love for colour, form, and emotion in ways that went beyond the boundaries of sport.
Returning to Midhurst, Fleur undertook a BTech in Art & Design at Millfield including sculpture, fine art and graphic design, before honing her technical drawing skills by studying to be a jeweller in Hatton Garden. Inspired by the landscapes, people, and emotions she encountered during her travels in the polo world, Fleur began experimenting with painting and jewellery making as a form of self-expression. “I started my own jewellery line called Elvira, drawing on my love of polo in the designs”, she says.
Serendipity Leads the Way
Running your own business in jewellery is hard and sometimes isolating; “I decided to start working in social media alongside my business because I wanted the stability as well as a creative outlet,” she recalls. “Luckily for me the account I was to work on in my new role was Cowdray Park Polo Club, so I was able to indulge my creativity and passion for polo at the same time.”
During her time in social media, Fleur developed a keen eye for detail and aesthetics. Her exposure to the beauty of the sport—its iconic fashion, the artistry of the game, the grand settings of tournaments—nurtured a deep appreciation for visual storytelling. This experience became a foundation for the next chapter of her life as an artist.
A Future at Cowdray Park
Fleur joined Cowdray Park Polo Club in the Autumn of 2023 as the club’s Polo Executive. “Cowdray has always been a big part of my life from playing at the club to my friends all being involved in polo here….it was a natural next step to join the team.”
Fleur has made a positive impact during her time with the polo office team, where she has particularly enjoyed getting to know the members on a more personal level and facilitating polo club get togethers. However, as the season kicks in, the polo club is a busy and demanding environment to work in, something that Fleur took in her stride. “There is so much you don’t see and so much to juggle – members events, selling plots, organising prizes and trophies, arranging presentations. There is a lot to fit into a small amount of time.”
Bridging Two Worlds: The Influence of Polo on Her Art
Fleur’s transition from polo to art was not an overnight decision but a gradual evolution. As she spent more time honing her craft, Fleur discovered a natural talent for design. Her ability to capture movement, mood, and the interplay of light and shadow was unmistakable, and her early works garnered positive attention from friends, colleagues, and art enthusiasts alike. Encouraged by this reception, she made the decision to fully embrace her artistic journey and create a set of vintage style polo posters for the 2024 Cowdray Park season. Collaborating with Marketing, Fleur created a visual representation of the club and sport that could be cherished and collected. “I first saw these posters while watching polo in France, and it really captured the attention of the local community there, we wanted to do the same here at Cowdray. Each event has an identity, and these posters help not only to document this but to express it.”
Fleur’s artistic style reflects her diverse experiences and her understanding of beauty from the polo world. Her images are characterized by bold strokes, vibrant colours, and a sense of movement that echoes the dynamic energy of polo. Whether she is capturing landscapes, abstract forms, or figures, her work often exudes a sense of fluidity and elegance, a nod to her previous life amidst galloping horses and sweeping polo fields
A Future in Art: What Lies Ahead for Fleur Turner
Fleur Turner’s transition from playing polo, to social media, to polo executive and artist is a story of reinvention and following one’s passion. As she continues to explore new themes, styles, and techniques in her art, Fleur is poised to further establish herself with a new season of designs for 2025. Her journey serves as an inspiration for those looking to explore new creative paths and shows that there is always a way to combine your passions.
