www.polocrosse.org.uk
RISEBRIDGE HONEY
Champion Horse National Championships 2008
SPRING 2009 - OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE UK POLOCROSSE ASSOCIATION
executive officer Jeff Parr
execofficer@ukpolocrosse.co.uk 4 Heol Bryn Glas, Meadow Farm, Llantwit Fardre, Mid Glamorgan, CF38 2DJ T 01443 208264 M 07968 769448
UKPA
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chairman
Dave Brookes chairman@ukpolocrosse.co.uk Grove House Farm, Main Rd, Wharncliffe Side, Sheffield, S35 0DQ T 01142862869 M 07802 922897
secretary
Karen Smith secretary@ukpolocrosse.co.uk 21 Long Furlong, Haddenham, Bucks HP17 8DQ T 01844 29929 M 0776 468 5094
vice-chairman Kim Lampard
vicechairman@ukpolocrosse.co.uk 35 Hedleston Road, Grantham, NG31 7FE T 07904 604834
treasurer
Penny Webb treasurer@ukpolocrosse.co.uk Hereford Cottage, Risebridge Farm, Goudhurst, Kent, TN17 1HN T 01560 211682
sports development Iain Heaton
sportsdevelopment@ukpolocrosse.co.uk 25 Norwich Street, Cambridge, CB2 1ND M 07799 360439
membership secretary Jan Jenkinson
membership@ukpolocrosse.co.uk Bearcroft Barn,Upper Goosehill, Broughton Green, Droitwich, WR9 7ED T 01905 391537 M 07957 544913
chief umpire
Wayne Henning chiefumpire@ukpolocrosse.co.uk 25 Cranbrook Rd, Hawkhurst, Kent, TN18 4AZ T 01580 752051 M 07935 656569
director of coaching
Christine Stansfield coaching@ukpolocrosse.co.uk Thirkleby Manor, Kirby Grindalythe, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 8DF T 01944 738714
2 . POLOCROSSE UK . SPRING 09
players rep.
Richard Chapple playersrep@ukpolocrosse.co.uk 67 Beecham road, Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire, CV36 4RJ M 07782 381117
trustee
Eric Jenkinson trustee@ukpolocrosse.co.uk Bearcroft Barn,Upper Goosehill, Broughton Green, Droitwich, WR9 7ED T 01905 391537 M 07771 551993
trustee
Julie Parr trustee@ukpolocrosse.co.uk 4 Heol Bryn Glas, Meadow Farm, Llantwit Fardre, Mid Glamorgan, CF38 2DJ T 01443 208264
northern region Gail King
northernrep@ukpolocrosse.co.uk New Laithe Farm, Staups Lane, Todmorden, Lancashire, OL14 8RR T 01706 815623 M 07876 473111
eastern region
Lorraine Foley easternrep@ukpolocrosse.co.uk 24 Freshwaters, Harlow, Essex, CM20 3QB T 01279 834692 M 07841 515899
midlands region Jan Jenkinson
midlandrep@ukpolocrosse.co.uk Bearcroft Barn,Upper Goosehill, Broughton Green, Droitwich, WR9 7ED T 01905 391537 M 07957 544913
southern region Wayne Henning
southernrep@ukpolocrosse.co.uk 25 Cranbrook Rd, Hawkhurst, Kent, TN18 4AZ T 01580 752051 M 07935 656569
welsh region
IAIN HEATON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
This is my second year of editing the UK magazine and I am proud to say that we are going to press much earlier! However, I can’t really take the credit for this. We have been very lucky to have Danny Duhig on board to do the design work this year and once again I must say a massive thank you to Penny Webb for collecting together a lot of the articles that you see in the magazine. Also, thank you to Guy Robertson who wrote one test series report, an article on buying young horses and the Highlanders club report! I said last year I would like to see someone other than Guy on the front cover and I have got my wish (sorry Guy) so thank you to Jason and Honey for playing so well at the Nationals to win best horse.
Also a huge thank you to all our sponsors, NFU Mutual, Neo Ice, Action Shots Photography, HKM Sports Equipment, Joules Clothing, Highlanders Polocrosse Club, Equiextreme, Bombers Equestrian Equipment, Carr, Day and Martin, Bennett Polocrosse Equipment, The Worshipful company of Saddlers, Risebridge Australian Horse training, Heather Harding, Zamar, Simple Systems and Denne Country Store. I hope you all enjoy reading the magazine and I hope to see you all during the 2009 season!
Mark Simkin welshrep@ukpolocrosse.co.uk Old Gell Farm, Nercwys, Nr Mold, Flintshire, CH7 4EN T 01352 770234
Also a Special Thanks goes to Action Shots Photography for providing all the photos from the National Club Championships 2008 for use in this magazine. Other photos provided by Barney James (UK vs Aus Test Matches), Kim Kneese (UK vs USA Test Matches) and Daniel Duhig.
Honorary Life Memberships
The UKPA have awarded its second and third honorary life memberships. These have gone to Jonathan Beckerlegge and Neville Riley to thank them for their years of service to the Association. They join Genifer Malden, the UKPA’s first honarary Life Member.She was presented with this in 1999 when she stood down as Chairman of Pony Club Polocrose. She was the lady who introduced the game to the Pony Club in 1991. Jonathan served as UKPA treasurer for 11 years and took the UKPA finances from
a small debt to the strong position they are in today. He has also for years served as the voice of the Polocrosse National championships, providing early morning wake up calls over the loudspeaker system and keeping everyone informed of the days events.
Neville has for years written numerous documents for the UKPA, he drafted the original UKPA handbook and constitution and has organised the order of play and calculated the results at countless tournaments.
CONTENTS 02
UKPA Executive Committee
10 National Club Championships Results
04
The UK’s Young Guns
08
European Challenge
10
UKPA Nationals Results
12 Best Horses
16 UK versus...
12
2008’s Horses Tribute
14
Annual Awards Ball
16
UK vs Aus Tests Report
17
UK Presidents vs USA Report
20
A Look Forward to the 2009 Season
21
UKPA 2009 Squads
22
Traveling & Polocrosse
25
22 Thinking of Travelling and Playing Polocrosse
Need Help Buying a Horse?
26
Club Reports
35
2009 Fixture List
www.polocrosse.org.uk
3
YOUNG
GUNS
Tom Kitchen Dunn
Laura Millington Trophy
Alex Richardson
Australian Horse Training U21 Horsemanship Prize
Alex is one of the recipients of the U21 Horsemanship Prize after winning the Bomber Prize for the Best U16 last year. Playing for eight years with the Pennine Club, he had the experience of touring New South Wales with the U16’s in 2006, and has now been named as Captain of the current U21 squad. This year has seen him forge a partnership with his new (and favourite!) horse, Run. With his aim of playing in a World Cup in the future, he has a great mentor in Guy Robertson, who Alex also cites as his favourite player. He enjoys hunting and regards Business Studies as his best school subject, although with his A Levels looming this year, he is looking forward to being able to travel and playing some polocrosse abroad soon! 4 . POLOCROSSE UK . SPRING 09
17 year old Tom is a relative newcomer to polocrosse but has already had some great experiences through the sport. Playing for Pennine since he was a junior, he was kindly loaned the fantastic mare, Francesca, who both Sam and Joel Sics developed their game on. Tom owes a lot to both the Sics boys who he says have helped him the most. He also has high regard for James Robertson, who Tom regards as his favourite player. Tom’s ambitions within the sport are to make it to the World Cup and “to help develop the sport, especially at Primary Junior level”. Now working for a landscape gardener, he has his level 1 Dry Stone Walling Qualification and also enjoys breeding and showing exhibition poultry. However, he hopes that his future lies with horses and is currently undertaking his BHS qualifications in order to become a riding instructor.
Simon Amor
Minter Strover Trophy 16 year old Simon has been a member of Celyn since he started playing. He became well known for flying down the pitch flat out on his fantastic little dun pony in PJ’s and Juniors before moving onto Santi, who he describes as the best horse he has ridden, having bought him through Wayne Henning. The Simkin family are obviously a great influence on the Celyn Juniors and Simon cites Tom Simkin as the person who has helped him the most and his favourite player. His polocrosse ambition for the near future is to be selected for the Australian tour in 2009. At school, his favourite subject is media games design and in his spare time he enjoys rock climbing and Thai boxing.
George Harding
Bomber U14 Prize at National Championships
Olivia Millier
Bomber U16 Prize at National Championships Olivia Millier was the recipient of the Bomber Prize for the Best U16 at the Nationals after she was awarded the best Horse and Rider combination in the Junior division. She was playing for Celyn Club who she has played for since starting polocrosse about four years ago. Reaching her goal of being selected for the Junior squad, she is working hard to get in the team to tour New South Wales in 2009. Citing the Simkin family as her mentors in the game, she wants to emulate Sarah Simkin, and has a chance to do so as she is lucky enough to be playing her fantastic chestnut mare, Perdie. Perdie has been one of the best Ladies horses in the UK and has played in a number of test matches at open level and Olivia is obviously learning a lot from her! A keen Pony Club member, Olivia also enjoys playing Hockey and is a budding artist (and shopper!). www.polocrosse.org.uk
Will Halcrow
Australian Horse Training U21 Horsemanship Prize Will is the other recipient of the U21 Horsemanship Award and has been a regular member of the U16 squad. Having played for Kent Target for roughly five years, he is now part of the U21’s and regards his win against the touring New South Wales side in 2007 as his best moment in polocrosse so far. He has an ambition to play for the UK at Open level in the future. Naming Wayne Henning and Jason Webb as influences in his polocrosse so far, he regards Jason as his favourite player and is looking forward to spending time with him as part of this award. Will’s favourite horse is Design but he also has other horses that he events and does tetrathlons on at Open Level. Playing the guitar in a band is his main interest outside of horses.
George has just turned 14 and although he grew up around polocrosse, he only started riding three years ago. His enthusiasm for the game grew when big brother Oscar put him on Wayward at the Kent Tournament in 2007. Spurred on by the crowd he got a little over-excited in his first game, as after a mid-game teamtalk from Oscar, Jason Webb and Beau Moore he turned the speed on Wayward (aka “the Big Dog Westwood”) and planted a flat swing square across his opponent’s chest. He now knows it’s the wrong thing to do. His favourite players are Jason, Beau and Sophie Lodder and it is his ambition to win the A grade Nationals with Jason, Oscar, Beau and Jamie Grimmond. Helped by Oscar, he thinks that “everyone is pretty nice to me” and cites the parties at polocrosse as a big draw card! His favourite horse is Wayward “’coz she’s well cool” but he hasn’t forgotten his love of motors with 3 motor bikes, 2 go-karts, 2 field cars and a rally car at his disposal. His favourite food is mussels. 5
For Norway the Ambassadors award went to Amund Svensen, for not only playing well but for also being the driving force behind polocrosse in Norway since it began there a few years ago. Likewise, in France, Barabara Beaufilis has worked tirelessly for the sport and it was she who picked up the Ambassadors award in the French team.
EUROPEAN CHALLENGE RISEBRIDGE FARM 2008
Ireland lifted the title in the European Challenge Championship trophy with France and the UK separated on goal difference in second and third respectively. The UK and Ireland teams were not full strength squads but instead were low goal sides with a handicap limit of four and below for each player. That should not, however, in anyway detract from the standard of play that was seen from the other European countries at the weekend, who all showed that polocrosse is very much on the up in mainland Europe. Teams from Norway, France, Germany and Holland all travelled to Kent to compete against the UK and Irish sides and it was France who caused the biggest upset by pushing the UK into third spot on goal difference. When France and the UK met on the pitch it ended in a 8 all draw and it was the French who lost by less to the strong Irish team, meaning they took the runner up spot. The French did have a slight advantage over the other European Nations as they brought their own playing horses over from France, while Holland, Norway and Germany were all on borrowed horses. These three sides ended up playing off against each other for the Challenge Plate and it was Holland who emerged victorious, with Norway in second and Germany in third spot. Particularly impressive for the Dutch team over the weekend was Jochem Elsinga in one of their number one spots and he deservably picked up the best number 1 prize. Tania Turner of the UK picked up best number 2 while Paul Scott, the Irish Captain, picked up best number 3. One player for each team was also given an Ambassadors award, for representing their country well both one and off the field. For Germany, who has just been accepted as an associate member of the International Polocrosse Council, this went to Andreas Rieger, who looked very assured in his number 3 spot, carrying the balll very well in midfield on many occasions and never rushing to make his passes to his number 1. 8 . POLOCROSSE UK . SPRING 09
In the Dutch team it was Fleur Bartels who won the award, for playing beautifully all weekend aboard the borrowed stock horse mare Design, in one of the number 3 spots and it was also one of the Irish number 3’s, Celene Courtney Flynn, who picked up their Ambassadors award. She played very strongly all weekend and in particular against the UK in their final win. Finally, for the UK themselves, it was another number 3 in Sophie Harding who picked up the Ambassadors award; she defended so hard all weekend that after the final match she had to be taken to hospital to have her leg X-rayed in order to ensure that it was simply badly bruised and not broken. Other awards were give out for the best horse and rider combination, both owned and borrowed horses, and also the best horse. The owned Horse and Rider combination went to Jess Fagot of the UK who scored some great goals up front for the UK, and the best borrowed Horse and Rider combination went to Aimee C.R Johansen of Norway, who, along with Vibeke Svensen whose borrowed steed picked up Best Horse, proved that the Norwegians are very tough in defence. Not very much got past them all weekend and they were both particularly strong as Norway and Holland fought out a 9 all draw.
Risebridge Australian
Stock Horse Stud
Risebridge Australian
Horse Training Your Horse’s Future in the Right Hands
Performance:
Polo, Dressage, Jumping, and Hunting, he does it all… if only he was allowed to play polocrosse!
Personality:
Impeccable manners and a fantastic temperament.
Pedigree:
Extremely sought after and successful bloodlines.
Progeny:
“His first crop of two year olds are among the best I’ve broken in…”
Perfection:
“He is the horse I look forward to riding every day… He’s a real crowd pleaser at demonstrations and I trust him with my kids!” Jason Webb “The Australian Stock Horse has the versatility to excel in a wide range of equestrian disciplines.” Andrew Hoy,
Jason Webb and his team specialise in starting young horses and solving equine problems using common sense horsemanship based on a modern approach to traditional Australian methods. Jason has started and produced polocrosse ponies that have won national awards in Australia and the UK and played in International/ World Cup Competitions. With generations of polocrosse players and horse trainers in his family, he has also trained with some of the most successful horsemen in Australia.
“Jason has a fantastic empathy with horses… his work with them on the ground is remarkable” Pony Club DC “Anyone with horses that need breaking....I strongly recommend Jason Webb” National Showjumper “Jason handles tricky horses brilliantly” Irish International Event Rider “Jason produces young horses that are great to work with” Professional High Goal Polo Player
Olympic Gold Medallist Eventing
“Australian stock horses make the perfect polocrosse horses with speed, soundness, agility and trainability as their major attributes.” Gerald O’Brien, renowned Australian horse trainer
“Stock Horses are bred to have all you need for the game and seem to take to polocrosse better than other breeds.” Jamie Grimmond, AUS Polocrosse World Cup Winner
For more info, photos & videos please visit:
www.australianhorsetraining.co.uk
For more information on: • Starting Young Horses • S olving Problems (rearing, bolting, kicking, loading etc) • Training Horses & Riders for Polocrosse • Polocrosse Ponies for Hire & Sale • A ustralian Equine Products for Sale – Stock Saddles, Rope Halters, etc Please get in touch. Feel free to contact us on:
0774 991 4267 or jason@australianhorsetraining.co.uk
LISCOMBE PARK 2008
The 2008 UKPA National championships saw plenty of great play and plenty of excitement. The weather wasn’t so great but at least it stayed reasonably dry, apart from one heavy rain shower on the Sunday morning. There was also a slave auction in aid of the Air Ambulance on the Sunday night and this saw nearly £6,000 being raised for the charity by members of the association. 2008 saw the Nationals return to Liscombe Park and also saw the Highlanders return to winning the A grade. They lifted the title two years ago when the Nationals were last at Liscombe and they repeated the feat in 2008 to make it three A grade titles in four years. Arden finished in second spot, again for the third time in four years, going down by 20 goals to 10 in the final. The B grade was won by a Kent Target who overcame a strong Crusaders side by 13 goals to 9. The final was close throughout with both teams scoring well but Kent crept ahead in the last couple of chukkas and held on to win. The C grade went to a very strong and young Kent Target side. They comfortably beat every other team in their pool and
then defeated Arden in the final. The quality of play from some of the Kent youngsters was incredibly impressive and showed that there is a great hope for the future for UK polocrosse.
The D grade went to Pennine after a very hard fought final against Solent, who were the defending champions from the previous year. Solent did win the E grade, with Kent Target again in the prizes in second place.
Best Horse of the Tournament Presented in Memory of Miss Muffett by Penny and Jason Webb - “Honey” (Jason Webb) Best Veteran Horse ‘08 season Presented in Memory of Flecha Peron by the Stansfield family - “Chispa” (Tor Phillips)
A Division Sponsored by Denne Country Store Winners Highlanders Warriors Runners Up Arden Best No. 1 Guy Robertson (Highlanders) Best No. 2 Martin Brookes (Highlanders) Best No. 3 Sarah Simkin (Highlanders)
ARDEN - A Division RUNNERS UP
B Division Sponsored by Risebridge Australian Horse Training Runners Up Northern Lions/Crusaders Best No. 1 Kim Lampard (Kent Target) Best No. 2 Beth Peaker (Crusaders) Best No. 3 Elliot Gloyn (Crusaders) Best Horse Papoose (Elliot Gloyn)
KENT MARA - B Division WINNERS
Horses
RESULTS
A Division Winners National Club Championships 2008
Horses
NATIONALS
HIGHLANDERs
NFU & Neo Ice Division Sponsors - HKM & Action Shots Best Horse Sponsors The Junior division was once again played as a round robin and this year saw Celyn emerge victorious as they defeated Arden and three Pennine sides to lift the title. Arden did the best of the other sides and picked up the second place. In the primary Juniors in was Centaur’s year as they won the division, with Pennine in second place and Arden in third. Thank you to all the executive members and all the members of Liscombe Park who worked so hard to make sure it all ran smoothly. Also a huge thank you to all our sponsors, NFU Mutual, Neo Ice, Action Shots Photography, HKM Sports Equipment, Joules, Highlanders Polocrosse Club, Equiextreme, Bombers Equestrian Equipment, Carr, Day and Martin, Risebridge Australian Horse training, Heather Harding and Denne Country Store.
C Division Sponsored by HKM Sportswear Runners Up Arden Best No. 1 Sammy Rowden (Kent Corsairs) Best No. 2 Tom Beney (Kent Corsairs) Best No. 3 George Wilson-Fitzgerald (Arden) Best Horse Monnie (Sammy Rowden)
KENT Corsairs - C Division WINNERS
D Division Sponsored by Carr, Day & Martin Runners Up Solent Titans Best No. 1 Tom Kitchen-Dunn (Pennine) Best No. 2 Kathy Hopkins (Solent) Best No. 3 Beccy Rowley (Pennine) Best Horse Paris (Dan Kelly)
Pennine - D Division WINNERS
E Division Sponsored by Equiextreme Runners Up Kent Arrows Best No. 1 Tim James (Arden) Best No. 2 Kat Forrest (Solent) Best No. 3 Dawn Goodfellow (Highlanders) Best Horse Sonny (Joe Hopkins)
Solent Sharks - E Division WINNERS
Junior Division Sponsored by Heather Harding Runners Up Arden Best No. 1 Laura Hughes (Celyn) Best No. 2 Emily Gilfillan (Pennine) Best No. 3 Amy Hughes (Celyn) Best Horse Esperanza (Amy Hughes)
Celyn - Junior Division WINNERS
Best Horse & Rider Combination Olivia Miller / Purdy (Bomber Nell Trophy & Prize)
Primary Junior Division Sponsored by Highlanders Polocrosse Club Runners Up Pennine Best No. 1 Josie Cameron (Centaur) Best No. 2 Stuart Dyson (Pennine) Best No. 3 Katie Newbrook (Centaur) Best Horse Tia (Katie Newbrook)
Centaur Spirit - Primary Junior Division WINNERS
Best Under 14 Player George Harding (Kent Target) (Bomber Nell U14 Annual Trophy)
HORSES
MONEDA Owned by U21 Squad member, Sammi Rowden, Moneda deserves her place on this page having won numerous best pony awards in Juniors, C and B grade over the past two years, culminating in Champion Junior Horse (2007) and Champion C Grade Horse (2008) at the last two UKPA National Championships. The 14 year old 14.3hh fleabitten grey mare was first sat on by Sammi at a winter practice at Kent Target. With the famous Sammi smile getting wider by the minute, Wayne Henning, who was looking after the mare, was quick to point out that she was for sale! Originally from Argentina, Moni played to a high level of polo but due to her age, Wayne was asked to sell her into polocrosse for her Argentine owners. As with so many of our top junior ponies, these ex-polo ponies make fantastic schoolmasters and are quick to learn the game. In the case of Moni her “agility and speed but above all her bravery make her the great horse she has proved to be”. As Paul, Sammi’s dad says “Any horse brave enough to try pushing against the formidable pairing of Kerry Bean and Tangles in the area especially one so much smaller gets my admiration!” After over 18 months of family ownership Moni is starting to allow a bit of her personality to show through. She is still a delight to look after but with more affection and she has taken up the role of queen bee in the Rowden’s herd of mares!
Agility and speed but above all her bravery make her the great horse she has proved to be
Chispa As the first recipient of the Fletcha Peron Award for Outstanding Veteran Horse, Chispa really is a legend among UK polocrosse ponies. This strong 15.2hh chestnut mare is described as being in her twenties and is currently being played by Tor Phillips from Arden. Heather Wigglesworth, Chispa’s first owner takes up the story. “I bought her from my good friend, polo player Oli Whitely, after he gave her to Graham Spackman to play. When I first tried her at Oil’s I experienced her habit of fly leaping and she nearly took my head off on a low hanging telegraph wire... luckily she improved quickly! She was the strongest and toughest mare and never went lame even though she had been pin fired. She would always finish the weekend raring to go and riding off everything that got in her way. In fact, we ended up playing her in a face guard for her own good! Tom’s (Wigglesworth) introduction to Chispa had to be done in secret when Mum was out (her little boy’s life could not be risked on such a ‘crazy’ horse!) but they clicked straight away and when I went to New Zealand, I was really happy to hear of all the success he was having with her.” Chispa is still playing as well as ever in B Grade with Tor, and shows no signs of slowing down… these veteran horses are truly worth their weight in gold.
The
Little Miss Muffett Trophy
This was awarded for the first year in memory of Little Miss Muffett who was put down in May at the age of 16 due to traumatic laminits after a kick to her shoulder. This 14.1hh chestnut mare, bred by Errol Gloyn, and bought by Penny Webb as a four year old from New Zealand. She was by the great Doc’s Colonel Lee out of a Thoroughbred mare, Lady Azaman, who unfortunately had no other progeny. Her record speaks for itself – in seven years of playing with Penny and Jason she was five times winner of the Champion Horse at the UKPA National Championships, four times winner of the Jock Kay Memorial Trophy (Horse of the Year), Best Pony at the Regional Championships and winner of 12 other Best Pony awards from Club Tournaments. At the early age of 12, she retired (with Penny!) to the broodmare paddock where she had two colts and a filly. Always smallest horse on the pitch with the biggest heart, a ridiculous turn of speed, handy as anything and with a total love for the game, she was definitely ‘one of a kind’ and she is very sorely missed.
UKPA Nationals Champion Horse - Honey (COver) This black 15hh 6 year old Australian Stock Horse mare received the Little Miss Muffett trophy at the 2008 National Championships after only her second season of polocrosse. In 2007, Jason Webb imported Honey from Justin Hafey, of Jaylyn ASH Stud in Queensland and played her first season “learning a lot along the way!”. In 2008, she was lent to Sophie Lodder for the UK v Australia Test Matches, where she picked up Best Ladies Horse. Jason is full of praise, “Sophie played her brilliantly as the No.1 for the UK and the mare really operated for her.” Jason feels she has now settled into her natural position as a No.1 horse and describes the thing he likes most about her as “the fact that a small lady player like Sophie can play her in a snaffle and no headcheck and still have great brakes and handle.” In the future Jason hopes this young mare will continue to improve in both polo and polocrosse and if she is not sold, will be bred from in a few years. www.polocrosse.org.uk
13
ANNUAL
AWARDS 2008 SEASON
Horse of The Year Cindy Lee The recipient of the Jock Kay Memorial Trophy, the most prestigious horse award, for an amazing third consecutive year is Cindy Lee, a 15hh bay 12 year old QH/ TB mare from New Zealand. Cindy was bred and trained by Errol Gloyn in Taupo, NZ. She is one of a long line of top class polocrosse horses bred by the Gloyn family,. Cindy’s sire, Doc’s Colonel Lee has certainly made his mark in polocrosse, he has sired many well known polocrosse ponies such as Little Miss Muffett, Patsy Lee, Lauren Lee, Suzie Lee and Loreal Lee, all winners of pony titles at the UKPA National Championships. This year, contributing to her Horse of the Year title, was her performance in the UK v Australia Test Matches, where she won Best Men’s Horse. She played every chukka for the Australians, with Will Weston describing her as being “a very genuine mare who kept going whatever I asked of her.” Having been owned by Guy Robertson for the past five years, he cites her “incredible heart and a genuine love for the game” that makes her a standout horse and it is certainly lucky for Guy that “she seems to get better and better with age”! We all look forward to watching her fly around the pitch for a good few years to come…
Charles Mason Trophy
Cindy Lee (NZ)
Horse of the Year 2009 Season
Minter Strover Trophy
Presented to a non-player who has contributed significantly to polocrosse during the year, and is not an Executive member.
An Under 16 player who has contributed most to the sport as a player, in stick and horse skills, ambassador for the sport, their Club and the Association.
Laura Millington Memorial Trophy
Chapple Shield
Richard & Lindie Hillier
A Pony Club and UKPA member who has contributed significantly to the sport.
Tom Kitchen-Dunn [Pennine]
Simon Amor [Celyn] Most improved player.
Rob Jenkinson [Arden] Jock Kay Memorial Trophy Best Horse for the season.
Cindy Lee [Guy Robertson] Under 21 Horsemanship Award Sponsored by Jason & Penny Webb
Alex Richardson [Pennine] Will Halcrow [Kent Target] Janet Jones Memorial Trophy League Winners Most successful Club for the season.
Pennine
Sophie Lodder
Player’s Player 2009 Season
Polocrosse Extreme Cup Winners
Gail King Sue Brookes
Men’s Best No.3 Hamish Michael [Arden]
Centaur
Player’s Player Award
Most Improved Umpire
Sophie Lodder [Arden]
Ladies Best No.1 Charlotte Pykett [Highlanders]
Success related to Club size.
Sponsored by Jan & Eric Jenkinson
James Davidson [Highlanders] Chairman’s Select
A member/s, selected by the UKPA Chairman, who has/have made a major contribution to the sport.
Selected by the Players.
Men’s Best No.1 Guy Robertson [Highlanders] Men’s Best No.2 Martin Brookes [Highlanders]
Ladies Best No.2 Debbie Harris [Highlanders] Ladies Best No.3 Sarah Simkin [Highlanders]
Men: Guy Robertson (C), Greg Sargeant, Hamish Michael, Martin Brookes Ladies: Sophie Lodder, Debbie Harris, Sarah Simkin, Lucy Shell
UK v
AUSTRALIA GUY ROBERTSON
2008 saw the World Champions Australia descend on the UK to play four mixed tests over two weekends. With New Zealander Greg Gloyn selected as coach he went to putting together a side of Guy Robertson, Greg Sargeant, Hamish Michael, Martin Brookes, Debbie Harris, Sophie Lodder, Sarah Simkin and Lucy Shell. The team arrived in to camp at Risebridge on the Monday before the first tests and final preparations began to get us ready to face Australia for the first test the following Saturday. With the pools drawn the week consisted of training in the Risebridge Gym and riding the pool horses as well as a number of spares in order to get us sharp for the first weekend. For me the first weekend could not come soon enough. The nerves and the weight of expectation, following our successful World Cup, were tremendous and we all felt that we had it in us to beat the World Champions. 16 . POLOCROSSE UK . SPRING 09
The First Test went by in a blur and despite a strong showing from our women, who won their sectionals scores, the Australian men proved far too strong for the UK men to handle and really showed their experience at playing at that level. The Second test saw a reshuffle of our men’s section with Guy Robertson going to 1 and Greg Sargeant going to 2. This proved to be much more successful with the gulf in class seen in the first test no longer so apparent. Whilst the score line showed us down by 4 goals at the end of the game it felt more like a win. Especially with our girl’s side once again beating the mighty Australian women. Following the second test the horse pools were swapped and horses moved from Risebridge up to the venue for the second test at Ashfield’s in Essex. This week went much as the last as we practiced and tried to concentrate on what we had learned about the Australians from the previous test weekend. There was also a lot of excitement within the camp at what we now perceived to be the realistic prospect of taking a test match from the Australians.
The Third test was our best of the series and for much of it we led with the UK men finally starting to get the better of the Australians and the women once again holding their own. It was, however, experience that eventually told as the impressive Australian outfit eventually ground out a 4 goal victory. Whilst this was the same margin we lost by in the 2nd test it felt much different and a cloud of disappointment descended over the camp as we all felt our best chance of victory had gone. The Fourth test is best forgotten as despite a strong start we went down heavily to an Australian side with their tails in the air. I think for many the disappointment from the previous game had sunk in and the belief that we had previously had was no longer there. I am proud to have been part of a side that grew and improved over the series and that there is much to take from the experience. We have come a long way since the disappointment of the World Cup in 2003 and it is only by playing at this level that we will continue to improve and compete at this level. I would like to thank everyone who helped make this tour possible; Charlotte Pykett, Helen Hodgetts, Dave Brookes, Dawn Goodfellow, Greg Gloyn, Richard and Lindy Hillier and all at Risebridge farm, Ashfield’s Polocrosse Club, Umpires, Scorers and anyone else that I have surely missed.
The tour got off to a great start with a fun tournament on the first weekend with the UK players being mixed in with American players. Charlotte and Alex had success winning both their divisions with Beth Peaker winning best player award. The American’s were excellent tournament hosts, serving up tacos for breakfast which is a new must for the polocrosse scene! The week in between was spent getting to know the test match horses, doing intense foot training...including basket ball polocrosse and pennis (meaning a combination of polocrosse and tennis) and, of course, the daily ritual of EXTEME SLIDING!!! After a few days of intense training, we were handed our shirts to reveal our positions in the game and which horses were assigned to us; at this point nerves really started to kick in. On the Friday morning we were faced with some bad luck, one of the men’s horses had pulled up lame; the second horse to do so. Thankfully, after some careful treatment and shoeing, At 3pm Saturday, after a restless night he came sound and was ready for the worrying about Vickie, the team were pulled together by Guy and Richard to match at 5pm. get in the frame of mind to win this match. At 4.50pm we line up behind the goals, With only 3 ladies left Caroline, Beth and adrenaline pumping after some ‘go get um’ Charlotte had to play all 4 chukkas, while talk from Guy, we were all geared up ready the boys can be mixed about to complete the game of 8 x 6 min chukkas. to represent our country.
UK v USA
PRESIDENTS CAROLINE KELLY
Mens: Alex Bull (C), Jono Keen, James Davidson, Daniel Duhig, Rob Jenkinson (reserve) Ladies: Charlotte Pykett, Vickie Metcalfe, Caroline Kelly, Beth Peaker Coach: Guy Robertson, Manager: Richard Chapple Sponsors: Joules Clothing! Joules provided all traveling gear for the team.
Final score 24-22 Game Highlights and thrilling parts... 2nd Chukka - Caroline fell off her horse! Charlotte getting hit in the head 7th chukka! (another goal for the UK!)
The first chukka started with Charlotte, The scores were even to begin with, then James’ 5 goal chukka....most were thrown Vickie and Beth but unfortunately this during the 4th Chukka the UK stepped it after a flashy off side pick up! proved to be the last chukka for that game up and the girls finished their last chukka as Vickie had a traumatic fall from her horse, with a 7 goal lead, Alex then proudly Danny catching a record number of Isabella which knocked her unconscious. added another 2 goals to put the UK balls out the back of the line out as a 3... Medics were called and an air ambulance, 9 ahead but then the USA men pulled plus the long balls to James, always a Vickie was then taken to San Antonio out a 7 goal chukka!! The girls’ hearts crowd pleaser! Hospital. With the shock of Vickie’s fall and were in their mouths as they watched And of course winning! the darkness falling the game was cancelled. the score board tick over for the USA. Thank you to all the Americans for lending us horses, this was really appreciated, thanks to the horse coordinators, tournament organizers and the USA team and a special thanks to Jeepers and Amy Keith for hosting us, you’ve both made our trip an amazing experience. Thanks to Guy and Richard for traveling with us to get us ready for our victory! and for looking after and managing us all!
T H O R O UGH B R ED D ES I GN DANIEL DUHIG DESIGN
Graphic Design. Web Brochure. Catalogue. www.danielduhig.co.uk
Design. Marketing. Stationary. Identity. studio@danielduhig.co.uk
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Print. Mail.
07766.077.639
2009
SEASON PREVIEW 2009 promises to be another great year for UK polocrosse. The test matches against the South Africans promise to be every bit as good as the tests against the Australians last year (though hopefully there might be a better result). Also earlier on in the year the open team will travel to New South Wales to play in the Quadrangular tournament against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia themselves. There is also the possibility of the Juniors and under 21’s squads travelling far and wide, with potential tours to Australia and also trips to Ireland being arranged.
20 . POLOCROSSE UK . SPRING 09
The test series will consist of four test matches held on July the 18th and 19th at Ashfields. These promise to be fantastic events, with Ashfields running a club tournament alongside them and also planning a number of other features and items which will contribute to making the weekend a great occasion for all so make sure you come along and watch and cheer on your side! South African is the only polocrosse team that the UK has not played in recent years. The last time the two countries faced each other it was in a ladies only test series held in the UK in 2004. The UK ladies emerged victorious with a score of three tests to one in that test series so the South African ladies will be looking for revenge. The tour this year will see full ladies and men’s teams, with each team playing their South African counterparts once on each day of the weekend. It is hard to know who will emerge victorious; the UK showed last year against the Australians that they can compete against the best in the world but the South Africans also ran the Australians very close in the World Cup semi final in 2007, only losing by four goals and last year beat both Zimbabwe and Ireland in a Tri Nations tournament held in South Africa. The UK has not announced its team yet but it seems likely that it will award first open squad caps to a number of the young up and coming players who went on tour to the USA at the end of 2008. The South Africans have named their squads; the ladies side consists of the sisters Celica Jacobs and Dawnay Jacobs (who played in the world cup two years ago at the ages of 17 and 15 respectively), Che Taylor, Tracey Taylor, Cursti Windt, Kerren Windt, Karin Cocker and Lee-Ann van Wyk. The mens side is made up of Gys Boonzaaier, Gavin Cocker, Andrew Heynes (who was based in the UK for a number of years), Freddie Kriel, Steven Kane, Retief Steenkamp, JanAlbert Steenkamp and Gordon Shaw. Before all the excitement of the test matches the Quadrangular Tournament is taking place at Bong Bong Racecourse in Bowral, New South Wales. Here the UK will have to play all the other three sides in order to try once more to be crowned the best in the world. The UK has named their squad for the event, selecting a team very similar to the one that played against the Australians in 2008. The only changes have been Jason Webb coming into the UK mens side and Charlotte Pykett coming into the UK ladies side. The UK also have a new squad manager in Steve Whitehouse who has come in with a lot of enthusiasm and new ideas about how to support the squad and get sponsorship for it. www.polocrosse.org.uk
The South African squad for the Quadrangular tournament has been named as Charl Du Plessis (withdrawn), Freddie Kriel, Gavin Cocker, Jan-Albert Steenkamp, Celicia Jacobs, Dawnay Jacobs, Lee-Ann van Wyk and Cursti Windt. Australia have also named their team and they have made a number of changes to the team that came to the UK in 2008. Will Weston retains his place in the men’s side and is joined by Will’s brother Todd, Robert Sibley and Chris Anderson. The ladies side consist of Suzette Thomas (the Australian captain) and Jodie Tiver (who both came to the UK in 2008) and also Alison Mathie and Jess Jolly, who are newcomers to the team. Despite the changes the Australia squad is just as strong as the one the UK faced in 2008 and they will have their work cut out if they are to defeat the Australians on their home ground. In addition to these open squad events there are a number of potential tours for the Juniors and Under 21 squads. Both squads are possibly going to Australia to play against various Australia state sides and also it seems likely that June will see an outbound tour to Ireland for all the UK squads. It has been a few years since the UK played against Ireland so it will be brilliant to see the two Nations clash again. In addition to the UK sides being in action there is a European Challenge to be looked forward to. Last year saw the European challenge being held down in Kent but this year it moves north and is being run alongside the Great Northern Tournament. Once again it will feature all the up and coming European polocrosse Nations and will allow everyone to see how polocrosse is both growing and improving on mainland Europe. The expansion of polocrosse within Europe is both brilliant to see and vital for the growth and improvement of the sport and it is our job as one of the top Northern Hemisphere countries for the sport to help this expansion in any way we can. Last but not least there is the UK domestic season to look forward to. In recent years the standard of polocrosse in the UK has improved dramatically and that should continue this year. The UKPA nationals return to Ashfields this year, where they were held in 2007, and Ashfields and the Nationals Committee are already working hard to make these a show piece event on the same scale as the test matches.
Quad series team Ladies Debbie Harris Sophie Lodder Sarah Simkin Charlotte Pykett
Men Guy Robertson Greg Sargeant Jason Webb Martin Brookes Daniel Duhig (R)
Squads for 2009 Men Martin Brookes James Davidson Daniel Duhig Jono Keen Kim Lampard Hamish Michael Alex Richardson Guy Robertson James Robertson Greg Sargeant Joel Sics Sam Sics Tom Simkin Jason Webb
Ladies Kerry Bean Debra Harris Ruth Jones Shelley King Sophie Lodder Jenny Palmer Charlotte Pykett Claudia Richardson Anna Robertson Jessica Shearing Lucy Shell Sarah Simkin Osha Williams
Under 21 Vicky Metcalfe (VC) Sammy Rowden Bryony Cross Claudia Richardson Agi Duhig Hazel Wilson Hannah Watkins Alex Richardson (C) Daniel Kelly Simon Amor Dean Chapple Lewis Parr Will Halcrow Tom Kitchen-Dunn Junior Laura Hughes Ashleigh Burbidge Emily-Kate Gilfillan Olivia Foley Layla Henshaw Richard Felce Tom Bowden-Eyre James Stansfield Jonathan Swift Emily Newbrook Olivia Miller Jess Hunt
21
POLOCROS Exercising in New Zealand
Arden Players Training for the Zimbabwe Open Pol
with Western Australia, with whom we ‘exchange’ an U21 player each year. With these international exchanges, polocrosse in the UK develops and perhaps more importantly, lifelong friendships are made.
TRAVEL PENNY WEBB
Rewind ten years… Andy Maxwell (coach) and Sharon Kennedy (Manager) took a UK development squad of Jason “KY Captain” Burbidge, Martin “Afghan” Brookes, Tom “Dumb” Witchell, Matt “Dumber” Lodder, Ruth “Simkin” (Jones), Shelley “TGI” King, Penny “ET Phone Home” Beaumont and Penny “Half Penny Pancake” Hillier (Webb) to Australia. Taking in the Australian Nationals at Warwick, tournaments at Inverell and Coffs Harbour and finishing up in the red dirt of WA (literally in the dirt on the Sunday night of Murchison Carnival!), It was a tour full of laughs, friendships and just a couple of tears. Since then, the UKPA has developed a full inbound and outbound international tour programme for our elite players and opportunities are springing up for other UK players in Development Tours, and European and Masters competitions. We also have an excellent relationship 22 . POLOCROSSE UK . SPRING 09
Aside from International competition, it is becoming a rite of passage for many polocrosse players to ‘play a season overseas’, whether as part of their Gap Year or as an attempt to delay the inevitable slide into employment after education! Australia perhaps provides the greatest ‘polocrosse playground’, with thriving competitions in all States at different times of the year. The Aussie Nationals are a must for the serious polocrosse spectator, as were the spectacular 2003 and 2007 World Cups. However, as up and coming star Danny Duhig says “playing polocrosse Worldwide has taught me lots, not just about the game but horsemanship in general”. The Australians have been selecting their bloodlines for generations to produce top class polocrosse horses, and top trainers of polocrosse horses are highly regarded horsemen. Many UK players have made the long journey to New Zealand (and come back seriously less well off considering the number of horses bought out there by UK players!). Guy Robertson first visited the Gloyn’s in New Zealand in 2001 and has been back nearly every year since, whilst Beth Peaker’s seasons in New Zealand have lead to her now moving over there permanently.
SSE
locrosse Competition
South Africa also provides excellent And lets not forget our countries close to competition and perhaps a more laid home… many have succumbed to the Irish back lifestyle for the traveller. With a ‘Craic’, some have taken in a spot of skiing different style of game, and exponents whilst coaching in Norway, the French of the overarm throw, many a UK player have hosted a number of UK players on has come back from a trip to SA with their magnificent Henson horses… The seriously flashy stick work and a killer tan. opportunities are endless. Close neighbour, Zimbabwe, was definitely the place to be in its heyday. Producing And what of the Class of ’98? For Jason, outstanding polocrosse players, many of Martin, Ruth and Shelley it was the stepping whom have winged their way over the stone to International Stardom, Matt went UK, Zimbabwe still host the most stylish walkabout and came back a successful polocrosse event, the Zim Open. This professional polo player, Tom made a year, the Arden A Grade side took part in triumphant return to polocrosse at 2008 what was described as “the most awesome Nationals, Penny B. hung up her racquet and Penny H. met a certain Jason Webb at polocrosse experience you can have.” the Warwick bar ten years ago… !
Playing polocrosse Worldwide has taught me lots, not just about the game but horsemanship in general.
Interested in Travelling Speak to one of the senior players in your club or at tournaments, many have been abroad and have many contacts around the world they can pass on.
www.polocrosse.org.uk
23
w w w . p o l o c r o s s e 2 0 11 . c o m In 2011 the most prestigious event in the polocrosse calendar will come to the UK, the polocrosse World Cup. The venue has recently been announced as Bishop Burton College, near Beverley in East Yorkshire. The two-week event, previously held in Australia, will be held from 4th July – 18th July 2011. In conjunction with Bishop Burton College, the organising committee has already drawn up outline plans and programmes not only for the event itself but also the “entertainment” that will be included for the thousands of people who will flock to this event from all corners of the world. The event will take place over two weekends, with many other activities and opportunities occurring in between times, to make the full two weeks an experience not to be missed for all horse, fun and sport lovers alike. At the 2007 Polocrosse World Cup the UK team defied all polocrosse forecasters (other than the UK supporters!) to officially become the second best Polocrosse playing country in the world, only losing out to Australia in the final match of the tournament. This will be the third Polocrosse World Cup tournament in history, the first two being held in 2003 & 2007 at venues in Australia. The event is always held every four years. The countries taking part in the Polocrosse 2011 World Cup will include the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and the United States of America. Additionally, a European Challenge Tournament will include invited teams from France, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Norway, Ireland and the UK, plus a Pony Club Polocrosse competition.
Jonathan Beckerlegge, one of the Managing Director’s of “World Cup Polocrosse 2011 ltd”, the organising committee, said “this really is an opportunity to put Polocrosse on the sports map in the UK and internationally and to introduce the game to everyone including children and those from inner cities where such fast and exciting sports are rarely seen”. To find out about sponsorship and supporting opportunities please contact Polocrosse 2011 World Cup at polocrosse2011@yahoo.co.uk Website under construction www.polocrosse2011.com Call for keen and committed people to get involved… To organise the World Cup we require a dedicated and enthusiastic team to work within the following areas. The job roles and responsibilities are only very brief but more in depth lists have been prepared and can be discussed more fully with the Directors. If you are interested in being involved in the Polocrosse World Cup 2011, please take some time to read the job roles below to see if there is something that appeals to you. A Director of the Polocrosse World Cup 2011 will chair the Management Team, which meet on a regular basis. If you have seen an area that you think you would like to be involved in, please get in touch with Ellen Brookes, World Cup 2011 secretary, on ellenbrookes@hotmail. co.uk or polocrosse2011@yahoo.co.uk to express your interest. We will be in touch with every person that sends in a response, to discuss your involvement. Many thanks for taking the time to read this!
Liaison To include: Liaison with competing countries Sponsorship – to liaise with the management team to seek sponsorship requirements e.g.; horse feed Horse/Event Insurance Exhibitors VIPs Human Resources To include: Photographer, DJ, Paramedics, Farrier, Grounds man etc. All volunteers and staff Scheduling/Events To include: Tournaments alongside WC Schedule of events e.g.: Civic reception, Opening ceremony etc. Promotions To include: All promotional materials Media coverage before and at the event Gifts and memorabilia, DVDs, website Spectator generation Facilities To include: Booking all facilities and resources Horses To include: All horse related matters including: Grading, welfare, recruitment, feeding, transportation etc. Hospitality To include: Arranging all hospitality events These lists are not exhaustive and may be subject to alteration and adaptation over time.
For help in buying a horse or if you have any queries please feel free to contact me at guyrobuk@yahoo.co.uk
FOR SALE
GUY ROBERTSON
A Horse Buyer’s Guide for the Novice Polocrosse Player Buying a polocrosse horse is like any other big purchase it is a decision that takes a lot of thought as there are a number of factors that must be considered. It is advisable to always enlist the help of someone experienced in polocrosse and who you trust to advise you properly as to what kind of horse best suits your purposes. The first thing that you need to establish is your budget. An unlimited budget means you can have whichever horse you want. But this is obviously not always possible and it is important to prioritise as to what characteristics are most important to you. Below are the characteristics that I believe to be the most important:
• Age • Experience/level • Sex • Type www.polocrosse.org.uk
Age A lot of people can become hung about age and this often becomes the most important factor when really it shouldn’t. There are lots of examples of older horses playing well into their 20s and as long as they are cared for properly they never have a problem with soundness. Another common mistake people tend to make is buying a young horse as it is cheaper and thinking that they will be able to teach them to play polocrosse. This is often a case of the blind leading the blind and quite often ends in frustration and problems with too much pressure being put on both horse and rider. My advice if you are to buy a young horse is to invest in having that horse professionally trained and help on hand to gain advice from when you run into problems. Experience/level This obviously links to the point above and for me is the most important factor to consider. The best coaches I ever had are some of the horses that I had in my earlier days of playing polocrosse. Horses that had been there and done it and allowed me to concentrate on my game as opposed to worrying about what the horse is going to next . Another benefit to buying an experienced horse is that you are able to talk to people who may know the horse or have seen it play and perhaps watch it play yourself. Sex I know that a lot of people have a preference towards mares but quite often geldings are a better option especially at lower levels as they tend to be more consistent and easier
to deal with. I think though that this would be at the bottom of my list of priorities. Type Someone once told me that ‘pretty is as pretty does’ meaning that it doesn’t matter how pretty the horse is if it doesn’t do the job for which it is intended. The type of horse you like tends to be a personal thing but again I would be more concerned by the way a horse goes than the way it looks. Where to buy? Polocrosse community: There are always a number of people advertising horses for sale within the polocrosse community but it is perhaps worth enlisting someone’s help as a starting point as they will be able to point you in the right direction. Polo: With 2500 polo players there are obviously a huge number of polo ponies on the market and any Internet search will bring up over 100 different horses ranging from the very very cheap to the enormously expensive. It is important however to recognise that there is a massive difference between polo and polocrosse in terms of what is required of the horse and that because a horse has had a career as a polo pony does not automatically mean it will have the same impact in polocrosse. It is therefore important again to make sure you are well advised and take someone experienced with you when trying any horses. 25
CLUB
REPORTS
2008
CLUB REPORTS 26 . POLOCROSSE UK . SPRING 09
a team with two Australian internationals, coming back from a 6 point deficit to win by 2! Ultimately, however, at the one tournament where winning seems to count the most we once again didn’t quite have what it takes.
ARDEN SIMON PAYNTER
2008 saw a record membership for Arden with a pleasing number of younger players playing regularly at tournaments. We were able to field a full Junior team plus a nearly a full PJ team. In addition our D and E players had a fair run of success at many tournaments. Due to the size of our club it is very difficult to keep track of all the teams so I decided to ask our own junior and PJs to tell me their best games of the season.
On the international scene Arden once again represented the UK with Greg Sargeant Hamish Michael Sophie Lodder all playing in the Open test against Australia. Danny Duhig and Rob Jenkinson touring America in a development team with Richard Chapple as the manager. At the end of the 2008 season we have Layla Henshaw, Jess Hunt, Ashleigh Burbidge, and Louie Cornforth all making the junior squad long list. With Danny Duhig and Rob Jenkinson making the long list for the open men and Greg Sergeant Hamish Michael and Sophie Lodder making the quadrangular squad for 2009 My thanks go to all who help run and organise Arden and to Mr & Mrs Lodder who host our club at their grounds
My best game of the season was my very first polocrosse tournament at Arden. I played a number 2 for Arden PJ’s. I got the ball and did a bit of cantering without falling off my new pony Meg (who is nearly 5 times older than me!). My team mates were Lily, Lulu, Amy and Bertie who all helped me to learn what to do in a chukka. Arden won the PJ’s and I love winning!
Fin Bristow (Age 6)
Personally I think the best game we played this year was the final at midland, against pennine. The final score was 18-19 and was level right up to the end of the last chukka.
Jess Hunt (Junior) As you can see the younger members of the club are incredibly passionate about the game. Both the Juniors and PJs had a successful season with our juniors having possibly their most successful season for years, with no fewer than 4 wins and a joint first place. Elsewhere the D team did well this year with 2 wins and the C team had a less successful year with only 1 win. The B team had a disappointing season really; making only 2 finals and, on least one occasion managing to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The A Team did its usual trick of showing fine promise, particularly at Liscombe when it gave Highlanders something to think about. Also it had a good win at Midland against www.polocrosse.org.uk
This is Lily (9) and Lucia Oyamburu (7) at their first match with Amy Harper (8). It took them a day to get to grips with the team positions, riding and picking up the ball but they are addicted to the game. This was their first match at doncaster and they loved every minute.
Leticia Oyamburu (mother) 27
Most of you will know that Vikki Metcalfe had an accident in the US, but I am glad to say that recently she was well enough to attend the U21 squad training, and is well on the road to recovery, great news!
NORTHERN
REGION GAIL KING
Well, as normal, the season started off with the Northern training weekend at Bawtry, followed quickly by the Pennine Tournament, Great Northern Tournament, and the Highlanders. We also had two camps in the North hosted by the Highlanders and White Rose. A huge thanks to all concerned with the organisation and running of the above it is hard work and without dedicated people these events would just not happen. I would like to congratulate all the players in the North for their success this year, from working hard to develop individual skills, up to playing for your country. Well Done!
Congratulations from the region also go to Shelley and Charlie, and Martin and Kirstin for tying the knot this year. We wish you lots of happiness for the future! My main focus for 2009 is to promote polocrosse to riding schools/clubs etc. Christine Stansfield and I have worked hard alongside the Regional Coordinator for the BEF to secure funding for a Polocrosse Academy in Yorkshire (YPA). The BEF have agreed to allow us £4230 to finance this project. The Academy will run ‘Taster Days’ where anyone can go and try polocrosse. The day will be free, after which, if they want to continue they will be directed to the nearest riding school/UKPA club. We have now agreed a similar idea with a riding school in Lancashire and they will become the Lancashire Polocrosse Academy. We hope to obtain BEF funding for this in 2009 The good news is that if things go to plan we should have two new clubs starting up in 2009, one in York and one near Lancaster. They will need a lot of support, and it will be up to all of us to do that. I would like to say that I am looking forward to working with the new members of the committee and would like to thank all the retiring members for their hard work.
PENNINE PETER CROSS
Weather-wise 2008 turned out to be a slightly better year than 2007 but those balmy summer Saturday evenings, where we could sit around gossiping until late in the evening, were in short supply. At Nationals the silverware eluded us all, with the exception of the D grade side, who did brilliantly to win their grade. Also, the club had the biggest club turnout, the largest ever for Pennine and was represented in most of the divisions including three Junior teams. Several players received individual awards. The club showed its overall strength over the season by finally achieving top spot in the UKPA/Polo-X-treme league after having come second in the two previous years. The club was presented with the trophy at the UKPA Ball which also saw Alex Richardson receiving the U21 Horsemanship Award and Tom Kitchen-Dunn being awarded the Laura Millington Memorial Trophy for significant contributions to the sport. In squad terms most of our 2008 squad members were in either the U21 or Junior squads and consequently saw no International action in the year. International representation, however, was maintained by Sarah Dernie who enjoyed herself playing in the European matches in Kent and by Vickie Metcalfe who had a painful journey with the development squad trip to the USA in the Autumn. For 2009, Pennine will be represented in the Junior squad (Emily Gilfillan and James Stansfield) and the U21 squad (Alex Richardson, Bryony Cross, Claudia Richardson, Tom Kitchen-Dunn and Vickie Metcalfe).
making impressive appearances in D grade! Another great achievement is seeing our first Solent player in a UK Squad this goes to Dan Kelly who is a member of the 2009 Under 21 squad. Solent have also been making their way around the global map as Heather Kelly, Rachel Imber and Jayne Fookes represented the UK in the Masters Tour in Florida in February 2008. Also Caroline Kelly represented the UK in a test match series against the American’s in Texas, October 2008.
SOLENT CAROLINE KELLY
2008 brings a second successful year to the fast growing southern club! The highlight of this year being winning E grade at Nationals and runners up in the D grade, Also some personal achievements from Joe Hopkins and Dan Kelly winning best pony awards, and to Kathy Hopkins and Kat Forest winning best No.2 at this years Nationals. This year Solent had a few runs out in B grade and C grade which has been a very
exciting prospect for some up and coming Solent players... although we have had fantastic help from Welsh Dragons and Western Phoenix completing the teams, so thanks guys! Under the nurturing and enthusiasm from Kerry Bean, Solent have bought many new faces to the club including our budding farrier AKA show jumper turned lethal weapon polocrosse player, Kevin Fagot. Jess’ dad shot through the grades
Sadly we had to cancel our tournament at the Bath Racecourse, but we held a successful Demo at Quob Stables, near Southampton where we had much interest from local riders and pony club members. For 2009 we aim to run another demo and more winter training sessions to help coach beginners and get pony clubs started. The club is very proud of our growing talent both from brand new and more experienced players, and we aim to grow and grow. Hears to a good 2008... roll on 2009!
side which travelled to Texas to play the USA. Congratulations to them for making the side and for running out eventual winners.
HIGHLANDERS GUY ROBERTSON EVERYWHERE
We were lucky in 2008 to be joined by new members Jono Keen and Debbie Harris and the return of one of our original members, Shelley King, all of whom helped to strengthen an already strong squad of young British polocrosse talent. The 2008 season for many of us was dominated by the Australia test matches during July with Guy Robertson, James Robertson, Martin Brookes, Debbie Harris, Sarah Simkin, and Lucy Shell all involved. Congratulations to all on their performances. This season’s Highlander’s tournament and camp was once again staged up at Doxford
Finally congratulations to Guy Robertson, Martin Brookes, Debbie Harris, Lucy Shell and Sarah Simkin on their selection in next season’s Quadrangular series to be held in Sydney, Australia. Bring on 2009!
Farm, Northumberland by kind permission of Tom and Sarah Shell. The tournament proved to be a popular camp, tournament and social event confirming its place as one of the more popular events in the polocrosse calendar. With the disruption during the middle part of the season the 2008 National Championships saw us arrive without having played together as an entire side all season. This did not however stop our top side from regaining the A division trophy for the 3rd time in 4 years, having lost out in the final to Kent in 2007, after a hard fought final with Arden. For many Nationals did not mark the end of the season with Charlotte Pykett, Jono Keen, James Davidson and Guy Robertson, as coach, all representing a UK presidents
WESTERN
PHOENIX Jackie Nickless
& Karen Smith of new club Vale Impi, and with a number of new & borrowed players on board, the overall standard improved throughout the season and we regularly served up teams in all grades from PJ up to C Grade, topped off with a generous sprinkling of respectable appearances in B Grade from both our players and our horses. One of the highlights was of course seeing Mick Foulds and Kaz back on the pitch – it’s amazing what you can do with two false legs, not to mention an extremely supportive wife, Sue!!! We all felt Ashfields looked really smart with the huge marquee and its picket fencing – certainly a fitting venue for the second round of Australia vs UK Test matches. Martin, Lorraine and Mandy, with their dedicated helpers did a superb job organising the Tournament and put on a fantastic buffet on the Saturday Night. Alison, I’m afraid you have the compere job for life – you’re just too good at it (as long as we can persuade Katharine to continue to organise you)!!
2009 was certainly the busiest year ever for the Phoenix. We had teams or players at ten tournaments over the summer and somehow managed to squeeze in training with Edie Neill on most Wednesdays in between. Having joined forces with Neil
Finally, congratulations must go to Livvy Foley for making the U16 squad. Watch this space next year for the rebadged ‘Ashfields Polocrosse Club’ and a packed schedule including the Nationals back in Essex!
This was a mighty year for Kent Target successfully resurrected it in August and polocrosse, hosting the first two thrilling it is due to feature in an article in the test matches between the UK and Financial Times magazine next season. Australia and culminating with wins in the Nationals at both B and C grades, The irrepressible Wayne Henning was with plenty of other tournament wins in the architect of our successful B division various divisions along the way. side and the Nationals win was a fitting finale for his great horse Bassie, who will The club changed tack in its coaching strategy now retire. It was also the year in which this year and was without a permanent we said goodbye to the mighty Miss coach for the first time in years. Instead, we Muffett... hopefully her offspring will be turned to senior players including Wayne in action next year. Henning, Kim Lampard, Kerry Bean and Penny Webb who all offered great help - The standard of polocrosse has and the results followed. certainly been raised since Kent last completed such a nationals double but The test matches between the best two the emergence of home-grown players polocrosse teams in the world were a huge such as Oli Harwood and Will Halcrow success and attracted impressive crowds helped us keep up with the pace and it with a large contingent of people who had is great to see three of our members in never seen polocrosse before, attracted the U21 Squad (Will Halcrow, Sammi by strong publicity and good press and TV Rowden and Hazel Wilson). coverage. The success was testament to the support of the Hillier family and Risebridge The club’s enthusiasm is as strong as ever Farm who have supported Kent Target and and we were delighted to see some new polocrosse since its inception. The Charles members playing their first matches at Mason Trophy awarded to Richard and our home tournament. Next year could Lindie Hillier was certainly well deserved. be a transition year for Kent Target as we are now looking for new grounds and Though bad weather meant we had encouraging new members. But we’ll to cancel our tournament in May we certainly be back to defend those titles...! 30 . POLOCROSSE UK . SPRING 09
KENT TARGET MIKEY TURNER
WELSH
DRAGONS Jeff Parr
2008 was overall a successful year for Welshdragons. The first tournaments of the season had Welsh Dragon teams among the winners. As the season progressed we became less visible at presentations despite the efforts of Attie and Nico Van Wyk two terrific South African players. They were a huge asset to the club and joined in everything with great enthusiasm, we were sad to see them leave and hope they will return soon. We held two tournaments on the Usk Showground. The weather was good for both though the first ended hastily due to a tremendous cloudburst, thanks to all who attended as the clear up was excellent despite the monsoon. The second was a turnabout tournament (each player plays all three positions during the game) it was good fun and we have been asked to repeat this next season by many who attended. We have introduced trophies throughout the grades which are a tribute to past Welsh Dragon horses. They are awarded to outstanding horses who have played at our tournament and who have contributed significantly to polocrosse. This season’s winners were Patsy, Aero and Kirsch.
Celyn’s membership has been up and down in 2008. We have had the number of mature members grow with John Marsland, Chris Illingsworth, and Barry Amor being joined this year by me, Jeanette Mitchell. I made the most of the legendary Romeo at his huge age. However, I lost the ride on him when we were lucky enough to have two junior players from Australia come over; Linton and Haydn Grumley. Linton rode Romeo and the Richardsons very kindly lent Haydn their pony Oscar so thank you to them. The Grumleys came over to Celyn initially but also did a European tour taking in Ireland and France. From them we learnt a great deal about how the game is played and With most of our experienced juniors organised in Oz. moving out of juniors next year we have made the most of their talent by winning With a couple of players missing the the Juniors at the Nationals with Simon, Celyn alliance with the old Cotswold club Laura, Amy, Olivia and Rosie Miller and members, Rosie and Mike Pearce, gave a Libby Tyler. Our proud association with the valuable extra pool of players and being Flint and Denbigh Pony club also won the able to play in mixed teams with other Pony Club Championships again in 2008, clubs ensured everyone got games at with some newer up and coming players tournaments. I had huge fun, even though Ceri and Ross Williams who played with I hardly played for Celyn, and met such Olivia Miller on the junior section while great other club members. I would strongly Annie, Amy and Rosie Miller played as the suggest that clubs assess their membership open section. at the start of the season and the potential team make ups. Then they can consider We are working hard to recruit new combining teams up with another club to members through pony clubs and riding create good teams where they are short. centres and there is great excitement at the prospect of a shared Equestrian This year young horses have been the focus Centre with the Flint and Denbigh PC which with Tom and Sarah Simkin and Ruth Jones would provide a permanent ground for (nee Simkin) all bringing out new horses to training and tournaments. This is dependent play B grade. This has given a great opening on a huge grant application and planning to Annemieke Mitchell, Simon Amor and but a site has been offered. To assist with Laura and Amy Hughes Clay to play up this we are writing a formal constitution for at B with them. Annie said “To play with Celyn club. Ruth and Sarah on a section was amazing, and a privilege, they have that telepathic This years’ tournament venue was a great language of twins between them, and such success. Plas yn Cym is a beautiful country a command of the game.” The youngsters house setting easily accessed off the A55. rose to the challenge and Tom, Sarah and We plan to use it for 2009 and hope to see Ruth mentored them very well. Hopefully lots of you there!! soon we will have a Celyn A grade team.
CELYN
Jeanette Mitchell
Jess Shearing was selected as reserve for the Ladies Squad for the Australia Test Matches. At the end of the season Lewis Parr left for Western Australia having been selected as the U.K.P.A Exchange Player for 2008. We continue to build close links with local Pony Clubs and each tournament had a Pony Club pitch. We also held a training chukkas day at Hartpury College in the spring where thirty pony clubbers had a great time. Tony Shearing held a training session for interested parents. Tony has also been visiting pony clubs far and wide including trips to Ireland. This has resulted in many enthusiastic new players who attended the Pony Club Nationals where they were very successful. www.polocrosse.org.uk
31
PEGUSUS CROOME LUCY PROCTOR-NICHOLS
This season saw a rise in numbers at practices for Croome thanks to Zara, next year we hope to get them competing. The season was tough for our Juniors who faced the challenges of moving up from the PJs. We hope that next year we will be much stronger with our new older players included in these teams. Midland tournament was enjoyed by all with Josie Cameron winning both Best Number 1 and Best PJ pony in her section. At Arden some of our PJs bravely stepped up to Juniors to make up our team and played really well throughout the weekend, despite some tough (and a lot larger) opposition. At Usk a mix of our players competed, with Simon playing with Uncle Pete- I’m not quite sure what he made of that experience but it certainly was an eye opener and great for him and his new pony. Natalie played very strongly with the Welsh Dragons. Thanks to the Welsh Dragons for another great tournament. Well done to Josie at this year’s Nationals who played with a winning Centaur team and won Best no. 1 in the PJ section. Natalie also bravely played in the D grade and although wasn’t placed is thankful to Pendle for including her. Croome also did well in the Pony Club championships with larger numbers of Pjs competing. Natalie, Harry & Josie won in class 3 and Pip, Annabel and Josie came 5th in Class 4. Well done to Josie playing in both sections due to a last minute withdrawal from one of our club. This year has again not been great in terms of weather, but with an indoor school not too far from normal practices we are continuing to train over the winter. Thanks to Zara and all the new girls- we hope to see you back next year!
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
EXCHANGE LEWIS PARR
I was picked up at 3.A.M from Perth tournaments with them, 6 weeks later and airport by Jo Langford and Mary Day and I was still living with them on their farm. taken to Mary’s house to meet her family. Then travelled half hour down the road to They were a close knit club and travelled play in my first tournament. It was 7am to polocrosse together each week, had and I had an hour to get my horse ready club practices on the weekends when to play at 8. At this point I hadn’t slept there were no tournaments and met at since leaving Heathrow. Wayne’s on most Wednesdays for mid week chukkas and beers. The tournament was South Midlands and was my first experience of Australian While living with Wayne I spent my days Polocrosse. There were 6 fields running working with a horse breaker who was simultaneously. Often you could watch two helping out around the farm, his name was A grade games at once. There were no Norm Anderson and he had given me a time keeping tables and goal judging was horse to play while I was there, a Brumby done by the players, often while holding that he had rounded up as a 5 year old, he their horses. was named Brumby Jack and had turned out to be a bit of a celebrity in polocrosse I played my first game for the South circles, I found this out when playing my Midlands Club in C grade against the first tournament at Moonyoonooka on him Western Australia Junior Team. I thought and the commentator would call the horse I’d have an easy introductions to Australian name out rather than mine. We won our polocrosse, I was wrong. I don’t think any division and Brumby Jack and I won best of them were below 6ft tall and had been horse and rider combination. playing together for a while. The game didn’t go well. The next carnival was Twin Pines and it didn’t go so well. We had more rain than I spent the night sitting around a camp we had at our Nationals and trees were fire getting to know the people I’d be uprooted and had to be removed from staying with. I left the tournament with a the field. guy called Wayne Woods and his partner Kerry who lived 9 hours away in Geralton My last tournament on Jack was Greenough, and played for a club called Walkaway. I which we again won. was told I’d live and travel to the next two www.polocrosse.org.uk
The next event was the Polocrosse Nationals which was an amazing experience. The standard of play was immense and many people had travelled for up to three weeks to be there. They had put a lot of effort into publicising the event so had a huge turnout. On finals day a widescreen was craned in and a playback of each goal was played from different angles while waiting for the next line up. From Nationals I went back to spend my last week in Geraldton, we then travelled down to Kojonup where I played another of Norms young horses for a club called Twin Pines. From there I said goodbye to the Walkaway club for the season and went to stay with Chris Robinson for a fortnight and played a horse of Kristy Crooks called Oops at the Foothills carnival. From there I went so stay with Barry Butterly for a fortnight, I spent the time riding and halter breaking a group of 2 year olds. For the last tournament I travelled with Wayne Crooks and again played Oops, for Kojonup club. We wound up the season well by winning. While on the exchange I played 7 tournaments rode a lot of exceptional horses and met many people I’ll undoubtedly see in the future. Id like to thank the UKPA for selecting me and recommend the exchange to anyone. 33
EASTERN
REGION LORRAINE FOLEY
Ashfields . Liscombe . Vale Impi
Ashfields Polocrosse Club with the United Kingdom Polocrosse Association proudly presents
International Polocrosse Test Match
SoUTh AfRicA Vs UNiTeD KiNgDom
& SUNDAY 19
SATURDAY 18th th
JULY 2009
Gates open at 10.00am TEST MATCH EACH DAY AT 2pm Entry fee £15.00 per car Tickets available online at
www.ashfieldspolocrosse.com
or send your request to info@ashfieldspolocrosse.com
2008 was a busy time for the Eastern Region, here are a few of the events/ that took place: Western Phoenix announced they were changing their name to Ashfields for 2009. Ashfields held the prestigious Australian v United Kingdom Test Match Liscombe held the UK event of the Year ‘The Nationals Mick Foulds from Ashfields Club played his first game of polocrosse after loosing both legs in a tragic accident. A new club registered ‘Vale Impi’ Two members from the Eastern Region have made it to the U16 UK Squad for 2009, Olivia Foley and Jonathan Swift
34 . POLOCROSSE UK . SPRING 09
2009 will be an even busier year for the Eastern Region: Ashfields has won the bid to host the South African v United Kingdom Test Match (18 - 19th July, 2009) Ashfields has won the bid to host the UK event of the Year ‘The Nationals’ (28 - 30th August, 2009) Ashfields has secured their coach Edie Neill for 2009 Ashfields has secured an International coach Shane Neill from New Zealand to train & coach the Eastern Region from the beginning of May. Karen Smith member of Vale Impi was voted in for the UKPA secretary. Kim Lampard member of Ashfields was voted in as Vice Chairman for the UKPA. Ashfields secured their practice grounds for a further 5 years. Ashfields will hold their own tournament ‘The Ashfields Cup’ (9 - 10 May, 2009) Proposed date for Umpire/Refresher course to be held at Ashfields Club-house 15th February 2009. Assets of Eastern Region: Line Marker, PA System - both can be hired out at a nominal fee to other regions. Ashfields to hold Winter Training starting Sunday 4th January, 10 - 1pm then every other Sunday until end of April.
4th - 5th Northern Training Weekend
Northern Racing College, Bawtry, Doncaster
18th - 19th
Quadrangular Series
NSW, Australia
Ashfields Cup Polocrosse
Ashfields Carriage Driving Centre, Great Dunmow,
23rd - 24th
Pennine Polocrosse Tournament
Northern Racing College, Bawtry, Doncaster
6th
Polocrosse Demo
Royal Cornwall Show
7th
Westcountry Warriors 1 Day Polocrosse
Wadebridge, Cornwall
20th - 21st
Celyn Polocrosse
Rhuallt, North Wales
27th - 28th
Arden Polocrosse Tournament
Henley in Arden, Warwickshire
4th - 5th
Great North Polocrosse
Including European Challenge
18th - 19th
UK vs SA Test Matches Inc. Club Tournament
Ashfields Carriage Driving Centre, Great Dunmow,
28th - 30th
Centaur/Welsh Dragons Training Camp
Usk Showground, Usk, South Wales
1st - 2nd
Midland Tournament
APR
11th - 12th
25th - 26th
AUGUST
JULY
JUNE
MAY
2nd - 3rd 9th - 10th 16th - 17th
13th - 14th
11th - 12th
8th - 9th 15th - 16th
Pony Club Polocrosse
Draycott House, Derbyshire
28th -30th
UKPA National Club Championships
Ashfields Carriage Driving Centre, Great Dunmow
12th - 13th
Northern Polocrosse Tournament
Northern Racing College, Bawtry, Doncaster
17th - 18th
Squad Selection Event
To Be Confirmed
SEP
5th - 6th
EVENTS 2009