January
La Low Goal Goes American
Ignacio Llorente Fundamentals of polo
Harry Muddle Interview about the HUSK boots
Chukka Wellness Top Tips on fitness for polo
Opinion Article USPA Prize Money
Emma Sanderson Yorkshire Polo Player
England vs America The internatonal intercollegiate Challenge Cup
Looking for Contributors Could you write us an article? Tell us about yourself, your horses, your club, etc and get featured!
This Month… Harry Muddle:Talks HUSK polo boots
Welcome Hello again. These things are starting to get a bit samey aren’t they? I mean who actually reads this bit at the beginning? Doesn't everyone just skip strait to the most interesting looking bits on the front cover? I have to confess I do. But for anyone who is still reading, (all 3 of you) I do have something to say, and will get on with it, (I’m running out of space). Now before I start, this is absolutely not begging (yes it is), and is certainly not a blatant plea for your hard earned cash (again, thats exactly what it is). La Low Goal is now on Patreon! Which means that you can support our cause for as little as under £5 a month to help us produce these magazines and to keep us improving the quality of what we can produce. This of course not compulsory (although it would be nice if you all did it) and La Low Goal will remain free to everyone for the foreseeable future. In all seriousness though, we do put hundreds of hours into our magazines and we would greatly appreciate any kind donations you can give us. This will go to improving our content by investing in better equipment and advertising for the magazine, helping it reach get more polo people with our common goal of enhancing the low goal. Check us out on Patreon by hitting the donate button down below Thanks for your generosity.
Opinion Article: Weight limits in polo?
SUPA vs UPSA
Enjoy the issue. Connor Kay (editor)
In this Issue Ignacio Llorente talks about the fundamentals of polo
Donate Now How the USPA could save polo by introducing prize money
Emma Sanderson: The Yorkshire polo player making a name for herself
Chukka Wellness: Guide to stronger inner thighs
Contents: Page 5 Page 11
Opinion Article
Emma Sanderson The Yorkshire polo player making a name for herself
How the USPA could be saving polo
Page 16 Chukka Wellness
Page 21 USA vs SUPA
Page 25 Harry Muddle Interview about HUSK
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Fixi
Po
ing
olo
The USPA has recently released a plan to support polo, throughout the levels, by offering to match any prize money put up by clubs up to $25,000. The idea of this is to encourage more competitive teams to enter, thus helping the standard of the games, and bringing in more spectators. Let’s dissect this new objective, and see if we would like to see something like this in the U.K.
In Britain, dwindling member numbers and a lack of low goal teams at many clubs are plaguing polo. Here, it seems then, is the perfect place for this kind of initiative. I honestly believe something like this could reignite the U.K. polo scene, halting the decline in members, or even reversing it. My belief stems from the fact that this new initiative of offering prize money will undoubtably create more competitive polo, as now teams are playing for real money rather than a meaningless, cheap trophy, or a chocolate bar.
Recently we have seen a raft of rule changes designed for exactly the same reason: to make polo a more attractive game to spectators and teams alike. Just look at the blocking and tapping rules, recently enforced by polo committees around the world. Offering prize money is just an extrapolation of this thinking, and therefore, to me at least, makes perfect sense.
Many people have argued that doubling prize money is an unfair initiative and will not provide the required encouragement to encourage more teams to enter tournaments. Their arguments basically run along the line of that most existing patrons can afford the entry, and as a result the offer of prize money means little, if anything, to them.
They also argue that if polo committees are going to commit this money they should be subsidising entry fees, rather than paying the winner, often the best funded team, double. This is a valid point, and in the vast majority of sports, would be one I would support. But at low goal (which is all I really care about) few teams stick together, and have shared finances. Mostly teams are built up on a weekend by weekend basis, to whatever handicap tournament is available. This means any cuts to entry fees would only really be passed on to patrons of teams, and the three players who need the expense cuts the most see no real benefit. Yes, more patrons might emerge due to lower entry fees, but realistically if you can’t afford to pay for tram entry fees, it is unlikely you will be able to sustain the slightly reduced fees for long. Offering prize money allows the monetary benefits to be shared throughout the team more effectively, benefiting the professionals and semiprofessionals more. Perhaps, an entry subsidy would be most effective at the very low goal end of the spectrum, perhaps 0 goal and below, where there are few patrons, and the majority of teams are just made up of a group of 4 low goal players.
Despite the opposition, I believe prize money would also create an attraction for teams. True the actual amount offered may mean nothing in the grand scheme of things to the patron, but the cycological effect of actually having something tangible and desirable to fight for will draw in the teams, and with it the spectators. It also means people are more inclined to field competitive teams, rather than just teams for fun, raising the standard of the games, making them more attractive to spectators, drawing in crowds that will not only earn clubs their money, but also encourage more people to try polo, delivering a life line to some of the struggling coaches and low goal clubs. Of late, all the rule changes have been towards this aim, to make the game more attractive and exciting, making it more attractive to spectators, such as the blocking and rules. Having prizes up for grabs will encourage open play, especially from the professionals, who at low goal often hold the ball and control the game, likely far more effectively improving the speed and overall pace of the game than any rule changes.
The other major criticism of the rule changes is that it will make polo more dangerous. Firstly, rules are there to stop dangerous play. As long as the rules are upheld to a sufficient standard by the umpires there is no reason to believe that, even if the standard improves, it will become more dangerous. In fact, as the
speed increases, and the players are more experienced in the more competitive teams, the game will actually become less dangerous. Secondly, Professionals are, mostly, already playing to the best of their ability in order to win and please the patron. The income from the patron will always be more than that of the prize money, so that will remain their main encouragement meaning the game will remain as safe as it is right now.
Finally, is high goal dangerous? High goal is a matter of several times faster than any low goal game, and yet they survive mostly without injury. There is no reason to suggest it will become more dangerous just because people are more motivated and the games are faster.
More importantly though, I believe these changes are also the latest hints at a seismic change going on deep beneath the surface. Polo is slowly coming round to the idea that it actually needs spectators and players from people traditionally outside the ‘polo circle’. For years polo has been in its very nature exclusive, not only by the costs associated with running a string of polo ponies, but also in the opportunities given to the well established polo families, as well as the rich and famous, making it impossible for the less well known, and less well funded to compete. Now though, Polo’s seems to be waning, as some come round to the idea that polo simply needs, the new players to survive. With the dwindling supply of players, and the falling number of teams at low goal, now more than ever polo needs new blood. And hopefully these prize money initiatives, combined with other funding champagnes such as the USPAs scheme to reimburse Low Goal clubs and schools with $10,000, will help pull in the newbys, and pull polo into the limelight, alongside other established sports, bringing all the benefits with them.
So the traditionalists may call us commoners, imposters or even vulgarians. But really they should be calling us heroes, as were the ones who are really going to save this sport. It appears the ones who matter know this, and the rest; they just don’t matter any more.
Viva la revolution!
Emma Sanderson
My name in Emma Sanderson, I am 27 from East Yorkshire and currently a member at White rose polo club. I was first introduced to polo roughly around 2005/2006 when I moved my allrounder pony to John Nash’s Yard near Driffield. Going through pony club I was a showjumper at heart, or at least I thought I was, until I hit my first polo ball. After that I was totally hooked and have been ever since! I first started by being one of those annoying little shadows following the resident kiwi, Tony Wesche, around until he felt sorry for me and allowed me to help out around the yard and eventually at chukkas. I would do anything for a small chance to ride out with the sets. Eventually I had my first go with the mallet and from then on, I spent every hour either helping out in exchange for a lesson or riding round the farm yard on a bike with a hand mallet! The bike progressed to farm chukkas and learning the ropes on making and schooling polo ponies. Both Tony and John were (and still are) amazing and provided me with invaluable experience which is still with me now. Farm chukkas turned into proper club chukkas which were extremely nerve wracking at the time and I can still remember aimlessly cantering around trying to keep out of everyone’s way. I was fortunate enough to be leant ponies to play on as it wasn’t possible to have my own. This meant that, although I didn’t have my own, I learnt how to ride and play different types of horses from large ones to the quirky ones.
I eventually started participating in tournaments increasing my handicap to a -1 and eventually a 0 goal at the end of the 2014 season. Going from being a ‘hanger on’ in a match to someone who, at times, needed to take control and be extra consistent was a big step but nevertheless it fuelled me to be the best I could be. At the start of the 2015 season I left John Nash and moved jobs down the road to be yard manager for Lord Milo Manton at Houghton hall near Market Weighton where I am still based today. I oversea the yard, exercise polo ponies, groom and make youngsters, mainly ex racehorses, for Jack Richardson, 7 goals. This is my dream job and allows me to carry on my passion whilst gaining even more knowledge and experience from Milo who is a great horseman.
“After that I was totally hooked and have been ever since!” A turning point in my polo life was when team Dervento was formed in 2017. Phil Storr, also a member of white rose polo club, along with Tony Wesche signed Milo and myself up as part of their 0 goal team for the season. The aim of this team was to have fun and try to not come last! 2017 was an amazing season for us winning the prestigious silver jubilee tournament at Toulston polo club. This win was more than just winning a 4-goal tournament with our 0-goal team of friends as it had many emotional connections for some of our team. From then on, we went to win at Cambridge County polo club and Cheshire as well as doing extremely well on home ground. 2018 saw us continue our success with slightly less silverware but with an equal if not larger amount of fun and an even bigger support crew.
DERVENTO
2018 saw me take part in some ladies’ tournaments at Rutland, Toulson and my first southern ladies’ tournament at Cirencester Park Polo Club. Here, I along with Abbi foreman, a fellow Yorkshire girl, Sarah Hughes and Vanessa Whitely sadly lost by half a goal in a well fought final of the 12 goal. Considering we had never played together this was a great achievement when playing against well-known woman on the circuit and certainly put Yorkshire a little bit more on the map. Good lady’s polo is something that I would like to get a bit more into if given the opportunity. It is great to see more and more ladies’ tournaments cropping up at different clubs.
I currently have three ponies of my own. Santa Barbara, a 13-year-old argentine mare who is no bigger than 14.1hh but is totally amazing. She is so quick for her height and never ever fails to let me down in a game. I always like to play her first as I find she settles me into my rhythm. Jack is a 12-year-old black thoroughbred. I purchased him in October 2016 knowing he was a little hot. It took me the 2017 season to get to grips with him, find his buttons and most importantly settle him into my way of going and thinking. In 2018 he was
incredible! Sometimes still a little exuberant but with speed like a Ferrari and unlimited stamina he soon became a dependable horse and an asset to my string. Finally, Bella who I purchased as an un broken 3-year-old thoroughbred also in 2016. She has played chukkas and a few tournaments but still needs some tweaking. She is very sharp and almost too intelligent but I think she will come good for this 2019 season.
It is extremely hard for a player, especially from Yorkshire, with limited financial backing to make it in the world of polo which, in my opinion, is totally wrong. No amount of money can buy talent or, indeed, hard work and determination. Everyone should be given equal opportunity no matter what their background or financial status. I am very fortunate to have had the backing of my very supportive parents and my bosses, both past and present, to allow me to get where I am today. If this wasn’t the case then I probably wouldn’t be playing. This hasn’t come without grit and determination plus hard work although, looking back now, I wouldn’t have done it any other way. I am learning all the time and striving to be the best I can be!
“I am learning all the time and striving to be the best I can be!�
Chukka Wellness
Chukka Wellness
This article was taken from an ebook written by India ParkerSmith of Chukka Wellness. If you would like the full copy please contact India at india.parkersmith.com
America vs
International Intercoll
A P S U SU
vs England
tercollegiate Challenge Cup
I / I AA P U
“The english will be right at home” joked the USPA commentators as rain drenched the grounds of the Internetonal Polo Club Palm Beach. The SUPA (Schools and Universities Assosiation) side, having travelled all the way from England were to take on their American counterparts in a 4 chukka match, where each member of the four player squad put forward would play 3 chukkas, sitting one out. For England, Robyn Evans, James (Sticky) Glew and Mike Zuwalski made up the starting line ups, with Jamie Grayson sitting out the first chukkas. Similarly Demitra Hajimihalis, Chris Aycinena and Fiona McBride-Luman took to the field for the USA with Liam Lott staying on the sidelines. As the first chukka began it did seem as if the commentators were correct, the English finding their feet straight away, with 3 goals from Sticky followed by a goal from Robyn Evans touring the score at the end of the chukka to 4-0 in the brits favour. For the second chukka Grayson replaced sticky and Liam Lott did likewise for the US. Both teams
missed penalties early on in the chukka before Liam Lott found the goal for the United States putting them on the board. This was the answered by Mike Zurwalski who scored an incredible tail backhand goal, only for Jamie Grayson to do the same a matter of moments later and then notch yet another goal onto their side of the scoreboard. Aycinena then managed to pull another goal back for the US as Mike took a tumble. The chukka ended 7-2 in the English’s favour and they seemed in control of the game. Things began to unravel in the 3rd however as Liam Lott scored an early goal. Grayson answered only for Aycinena to put another one in. Sticky put another one on the board for the brits, as did Aycinena, again for the US. Grayson missed a penalty before Aycinena scored a 2 pointer from beyond the 25 yard line to bring The USA team within 2 goals at. 10 - 8. Liam Lott continued the USA team’s resurgent form into the final chukka narrowing the English lead to just a single goal. Grayson fell before the US converted a penalty to tie the game up for the first time since the first chukka. Hajimahalis scored another 2 pointer to take the USA into the lead for the first time in the game. Grayson converted a penalty before Hajimalais put the nail in the English side’s coffin by finding the goal once again before the final whistle. The USA took the win 13 - 11, only overtaking the English in the final chukka, having trailed them throughout the entire game.


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HUSK 2 goaler, Harry Muddle of HRM polo talks to us about his adoption of HUSK boots and what inspired him to make the change.
1) How did you first get into polo All my family ride and they started playing, so thought I would jump on a horse and give it a go.
2) When was the first time you came into contact with the husk brand?
I first came into contact with husk in 2017
3) What persuaded you to convert from traditional bandages to husk boots?
Reading into the effects of over heating tendons and ligaments and having a few common injuries occurring with my horses.
4) Have you noticed any improvements in the welfare of your ponies since you switched? Definitely, since using husk boots I’m have been lucky to have no tendon or ligament injuries on my horses, might be coincidence but I truly believe in the science behind the HUSK boots.
5) Do you think we are likely to see a movement towards using boots over bandages for protection in the near future?
Definitely, I would like to see more and more movement towards using breathable protective boots in polo.
Fundamentals of Polo Ignacio Fernandez Llorente People are always learning.
Some people have a greater learning capacity than others, and can assimilate what they have learnt easier. To learn polo most effectively, it is necessary, to not only understand the fine details, but also the bigger picture behind the rules.
Initially players learn the rules by actually playing the game. Unfortunately this method takes a long time, as all the learning is practical based. For example, people will learn from the fouls they experience in their games. There are actually very few people who learn from the rule book, or rule based courses.
Really, to understand the rules we must first understand the bigger picture, that is, the foundations on which all rules are based upon. This will allow us to more effectively learn the rules in detail. These foundations are universal and apply in all polo playing countries.
These foundations for polo are:
- The horses movement and speed
- The trajectory of the ball, and the Line of Ball (LOB) it creates. This defines the priorities of the players following the ball.
- Having enough distance between players so that there is no danger or possibility of collision.
- The priority, allowing two players to meet one another traveling in opposite directions
- The fact that the player with the lowest angle to the LOB will have priority when all players are running in the same direction but not on the LOB. The same applies when all are meeting the ball.
- If two players are travelling in opposite directions not on the LOB the one travelling with the direction of the ball will have priority.
A player running behind the ball and taking priority is the one that is closest to the true LOB and if there are players traveling in the oncoming direction they can participate in the play as long as they are traveling on the exact LOB. The regulations always give priority to the person running behind the ball, so it is most important to always understand the meaning of the LOB.
Despite this, in almost every game there are players who claim priority coming from the opposite direction and/or with and angle, against another player who follows the actual line of the ball.
All players should commit to learning from the theory as well as the practical. If all players learn and understand fully these fundamentals of polo, the plays inside the pitch are controlled.
Contributors This Months Contributors: • • • • •
Emma Sanderson Harry Muddle HUSK Chukka Wellness Ignacio Llorente
Editor Connor Kay
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