FIP WORLD CUP is back

Hundred + 86th Editions

FIP

The

World Cup

1

Index

FIP World Cup The tournament exudes a nostalgic feel as the USA host the Championship for the second time after a 24-year hiatus.

4

The Multi-Faceted Agustin Arellano Agustin Arellano is adept at striking a perfect balance between polo, modelling, environmental stewardship, and personal life. He shares his experiences with LA POLO.

8

Foals and Fetes Taking a tour through the indigenous horse fetes around the globe – a list you cannot miss!

Persian Delight Persian carpets are synonymous with luxury home decor. The meticulously detailed patterns are loved and collected as exquisite pieces of art.

2

16 24

POLO

The Bourbon

TROPHY

Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly hosted the 10/12 goal tournament and an exciting week of polo amidst the World Cup qualifiers ensued with players from Malaysia, France, Argentina and Switzerland.

Source: Justine Jacquemot

3

COVER STORY

USPA Official Press

4

FIP

World Cup Returns The 2022 XII Federation of International Polo (FIP) World Polo Championship is all set to take over Palm Beach County, Florida, USA. The tournament exudes a nostalgic feel as the USA host the Championship for the second time after a 24-year hiatus.

T

he star-studded event is scheduled to take place from October 26 to November 6 and will host eight countries that represent the top 10 to 14-goal teams around the world. The polo world will witness the clash of mounts and mallets as the Octagon of Quads ride their way for the highest honor in the International Polo Champions.

For the first time, ESPN will 5

Cover Story broadcast the FIP World Polo Championship Semifinals and Finals being played at Wellington, Florida - the Winter Equestrian capital of the world.

The remarkable feature of the XII FIP World Polo Championship are the 176 exceptional breed of horses with top standards in the world from the horse provider J5 Equestrian. The organizational workhorse behind the success of Valiente Polo Team, J5 solemnly resolves and caters to the hospitality demands of curating and breeding top horses in the world.

6

follows:-

1 Zone A - North & Central America 2 Zone B - South America 3 Zone C - Europe 4 Zone D - Asia & Oceania The FIP World Polo Championship is held every 3-4 years. Out of eight teams, 2 teams–the host nation, USA – and defending Champions, Argentina, 5-times World Champion–automatically qualified for the tournament.

However, the road to the FIP World Polo Championship begins with 5 Zone Play offs. These 5 zones are as

5 Zone E - Pakistan, India, Africa Zone Playoffs are as listed:1

Zone A - Queretaro, Mexico (March 27- April 3)

2 Zone B - Punta del Este, Uruguay (late

January or early February)

3 Zone C - Chantilly, France (April 30- May 8) 4 Zone D - TBA 5 Zone E - TBA CLICK TO READ MORE >

7

PEOPLE

The Multi-Faceted Agustin Arellano Balancing multiple roles needs dexterity, stability, and poise. Agustin Arellano is adept at striking a perfect balance between polo, modelling, environmental stewardship, and personal life. He shares his experiences with LA POLO.

8

9

A

People

gustin Arellano is a third generation polo player, son of Julio Arellano, one of America’s top polo players with an eminent list of titles to his name, including four US Open Championships. He has been named among the Top 8 for XII FIP World Polo Championship for USA Team Roster. Apart from being the second highest-rated openly “out” polo player with a 3-goal handicap, he is also a philanthropist and a model looking to make a difference in the world, having a positive mindset. He has won more than 20 Cups as a professional polo player, including the Texas and Kentucky Open.

On the sport, he says: “People should care about polo because it showcases the incredible athletic abilities of both human and horse and is breathtakingly beautiful to watch.”

10

People

Arellano is a nature enthusiast and will host an event for Fauna and Flora, an organization he is an ambassador for, in August in Charlottesville, VA. Fauna and Flora is one of the oldest wildlife conservation organizations backed by the Royal Family. For this event, Arellano will be training polo ponies using Natural Horsemanship, also known as the “organic” method towards harvesting a safe environment for top-quality horses.

“I focus on wildlife conservation and activism, which comes directly from my mother and the deep love of animals that she instilled in my siblings and me,” he says.

Talking on his journey, he says: “The sport has taken me around the world, introduced me to inspirational people doing amazing things. It has created a love for horses and deepened my love for the natural world.”

CLICK TO READ MORE >

11

Polo Around the World

CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP 2022

T

he Queen’s Cup, Guards Polo Club’s most prestigious competition, started on Tuesday, May 17. The tournament will see fifteen teams, up to 22 goals, compete – including current title holders, UAE Polo.

Image credit: Website/ Polo+ 10

Dates

Teams and scores

17 May, 2022

Thai Polo NP (11) vs. Park Place Vaara (20)

17 May, 2022

Dubai Polo Team (12) vs. La Magdaleine (11)

18 May, 2022

Twelve Oaks (11) vs. Monterosso (14)

18 May, 2022

King Power (13) vs. Marques de Riscal (10)

19 May, 2022

Great Oaks LL (9) vs. Scone Polo (10)

19 May, 2022

Murus Sanctus (11) vs. Vikings (12)

20 May, 2022

Dubai Polo Team (16) vs. Thai Polo NP (12)

20 May, 2022

La Magdaleine (14) vs. Clinova (11)

21 May, 2022

King Power (10) vs. Twelve Oaks (12)

21 May, 2022

Monterosso (10) vs. UAE Polo Team (12)

12

Polo Around the World

MARQUÉS DE RISCAL WINS TRIPPETTS CHALLENGE

M

arqués de Riscal, winners of the 2021 high goal Gold Cup in Sotogrande, claimed a fantastic debut win in the British high goal. Alejandro Aznar’s foursome defeated Murus Sanctus 14-11 to take the Trippetts Challenge on Sunday, May 15, at Cowdray Park Polo Club, in West Sussex.withdrew. The tournament was played from April 17-24 and saw four teams competing for up to 28 goals.

Image credit: Instagram/ pololineok

Dates

Teams and Scores

9 May, 2022

Murus Sanctus (12) vs. Marques de Riscal (11)

12 May, 2022

Marques de Riscal (10) vs. La Magdeleine (9)

15 May, 2022

Marques de Riscal (14) vs. Murus Sanctus (11) 13

Polo Around the World

FRENCH POLO

T

hose who appreciate fast, beautiful polo with quality, magnificent horses, prepared like top-level athletes and top players are in for a treat from this weekend onwards at the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly with the launch of the Bourbon Trophy. The tournament started on 19 May, and the final will be played on Sunday, 5 June.

Image credit: Instagram/ poloplus10

14

Polo Around the World

OLD PUEBLO STRIKES BIG IN TEXAS

A

dvancing from a field of five teams, Old Pueblo went head-to-head against Whitehall/Brookshire Polo in the final of the Regional Classic-Southwestern at Brookshire Polo Club in Brookshire, Texas, meeting for the first time in the national 12-goal tournament.

Image Credit: @Instagram_uspoloassociation

Dates

Teams and Scores

8 May, 2022

Whitehall/Brookshire Polo (7) vs. Brown Bears (5)

9 May, 2022

Old Pueblo (7) vs. Eureka (4)

11 May, 2022

Old Pueblo (11) vs. Sendera (9)

12 May, 2022

Whitehall/Brookshire Polo (6) vs. Eureka (8)

13 May, 2022

Old Pueblo (8) vs. Brown Bears (7.5)

14 May, 2022

Whitehall/Brookshire Polo (7) vs. Sendera (4)

15 May, 2022

Old Pueblo (8) vs. Whitehall/Brookshire Polo (6)

15

FESTIVALS

A HORSE FIESTA

The relationship between horses and humans is an ancient bond of love exquisitely illustrated through their involvement in various celebrations. Taking a tour through the indigenous fetes around the globe – a list you cannot miss!

LUMINARIAS AT SPAIN, ANNUALLY ON JANUARY 16

One of the most prominent traditions in the Spanish community of San Bartolome de Pinares is the celebration of Luminarias. It involves riding horses through smoke and flames to cleanse and preserve the animals for the coming years. Every year, on January 16, the night before the commemoration of Saint Antony the Abbot, widely known as the patron saint of animals, this practice is observed.

The custom, which is said to be over 500 years old, is meant to purify and protect the animal for the next year. During the festivities, riders ride their horses through the tiny cobblestone streets and past blazing fires. After an hour of the activities, guests begin dancing and drinking.

16

17

Source: Creative Commons

Festivals

MATA, MOROCCO, ANNUALLY IN OCTOBER In the distant plains of northern Morocco, a festival of a unique equestrian game takes place.

Arab tribes from the north meet to play a horseback version of “capture the flag,” with the objective of capturing a puppet.

This game is known as Mata.

Locals and visitors alike go to 18

watch some of the most daring bareback riding in North Africa on this softer version of the Afghani buzkashi.

It is a saddleless race in which roughly a hundred riders from six tribes in northern Morocco compete. These riders vie for a rag doll fashioned by the matriarchies, the women of Beni Arous, in the province of Larache. In the past, whoever won the doll had the option of selecting a bride as a trophy.

Mata is another name for this raggedy relic.

But now, men no longer see women as prizes; instead, they compete with her.

Festivals CHAGU CHAGU UMAKKO, JAPAN, SECOND SATURDAY OF JUNE

Northern Japan’s Chagu Chagu Umakko event is an annual celebration held to commemorate horses and express thanks for their service.

Every year, over 100 horses are adorned in elaborate ceremonial attire and marched from one horse shrine in Takizawa to another in Morioka. Residents from all across the area flock to see these gigantic drafting horses and their little riders, who are mainly small children.

Iwate Prefecture has been

noted for horse breeding from ancient times. In Iwate, humans, and horses have traditionally coexisted, frequently under the same roof.

The Chagu Chagu Umakko Festival originated around 200 years ago as a way for farmers to give their horses a break from the hardships of rice cultivation and pray for their health at the chapel.

CLICK TO READ MORE >

19

Equine Around The World

The Queen attends the star-studded Platinum Jubilee Equestrian Extravaganza despite her health woes.

20

Equus Around the World

LONGINES FEI JUMPING WORLD CUP

T

he prestigious tournament returned for the 42nd edition after a two-year hiatus, during the last week of April in Leipzig, Germany. The format of the events were reduced to suit the guidelines and for equal opportunity. McLain Ward and his horse Contagious led the way in the second week with 0 faults followed

by Harry Smolders on the second place with 4 penalties and Charles lastly with 5 penalties. Taking the Cup in the last round, Martin Fuchs came through with 5 penalties, leading his horse Chaplin into victory.

Source: @Instagram_martinfuchs_official

HISTORY AT THE BADMINTON HORSE TRIALS

F Credits: @Instagram_laura_collett

or the first time in the 73-year history of the Badminton Horse Trials, Laura Collett, added another feather by scoring the lowest score of 21.4 penalties. Riding London 52, the same equine partner that brought her the 2020 Olympic Gold medal, she won the top prize of £100,000. On the occasion she stated: “This horse owes me nothing. He has given me my first five-star win [at Pau in France two years ago] and an Olympic gold medal, and yesterday was the biggest, most intense cross-country course he has ever seen.”

21

Image Source: @Instagram_ausequestrianteam

Equus Around the World

2022 OCEANIA EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIP

T

o be held from June 9-13, the eventing tournament will see the crème of this equestrian discipline from the Southern Hemisphere face off most notably the players of the Australian and New Zealand squads. Equestrian Australia High Performance Director, Chris Webb commented on the importance of the event for Australian players: “The Oceania

22

Championships are an integral part of the EA High Performance Program’s Pathway, which supports athletes aspiring to represent Australia. Many of Australia’s most successful equestrian competitors made their debut at Oceania Championship and we remain committed to continuing the development of Australian combinations.”

Equus Around the World

EQUESTRIAN IN GCC

T

cooperation. Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, Chairman of the Board of the Horse Racing Club in Saudi Arabia, said: “We are still in the initial phase of talks, which originally include the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, and we are working to lay the foundation for expanded Gulf cooperation in favour of local and international races.”

Image Source: @Instagram_thesaudicup

he The GCC equestrian leaders, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are in talks to launch a programme uniting the countries main equestrian events: Dubai World Cup Carnival, Saudi Cup and Bahrain International Cup. This initiative will pave the way for trainers, groomers and equestrian stakeholders across all the three countries to unite with a roadmap of cultural heritage and

23

SPOTLIGHT

Image Source: @Instagram_kentuckyderby

24

Image Source: Creative Commons

Spotlight

EXOTIC PERSIAN CARPETS

Persian carpets are synonymous with luxury home decor. They have been recognized worldwide for their elegant designs, unparalleled comfort and impeccable craftsmanship. The meticulously detailed patterns are loved and collected as exquisite pieces of art.

P

ersian carpets may be traced to antiquity, so old is their existence that very little is known of the beginnings. These carpets have been exchanged as diplomatic gifts. An earliest mention is in the millennium-old Anabasis by Greek author Xenophon. In his notes, he describes in detail the artistry and designs of these carpets, while adding that they are mostly found in affluent households owing to their exorbitant prices. Their popularity rapidly spread across Asia and Europe.

25

Spotlight

Weaving Persian Carpets Every element of a Persian carpet reflects the opulence of Iran’s history and culture. The materials that go into crafting a carpet are of the finest quality.

These carpets could, at times, be so intricate that it could take several years to put together even smaller ones. The process of weaving in some regions in Iran still remains similar to that of the bygone era of kings and queens. The reason it takes so long to make carpets is that 26

much of the work is still done by hand. Weavers, mostly women, take great pride in their work. The work involves dyeing the wool and silk for the pile, creating unique patterns and then executing these on traditional looms. The most well-known carpet patterns have been from Isfahan from central Iran, Qom carpets from the north, Bidjar from the west, and the distinctive Gabbeh from the southwest.

Spotlight

The Indian Connect The Indian version of the centuries-old craft dates back to the 16th century. It is said that Persian carpet weavers, particularly from the Gabbeh region of Iran, had been commissioned by royal families in India to create carpets. In India, most of the carpet manufacturing takes place at Agra, Srinagar and Jaipur. The country has been most prominently known for its high-quality natural silk

hand-knotted carpets that take design inspiration from their Iranian counterparts. The highlight among all handknotted varieties is the Indian Gabbeh. Today, India is the world’s largest producer and exporter of handmade carpets, exporting in excess of a billion dollars.

CLICK TO READ MORE >

27

HAS THIS BEEN FORWARDED TO YOU? Be a part of LA POLO’S exclusive weekly newsletter compiled exceptionally with calendared details of Polo, Editor’s picks, social events,

TEXT ‘LOVE POLO’ to +91 92160 02233 or Click here

28

FOR A DETAILED REPORT AND MORE EXCITING UPDATES TUNE IN TO WWW.LAPOLO.IN

F-313, THIRD FLOOR, LADO SARAI, NEW DELHI-110030

info@lapolo.in

29