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Contents

POLO TIMES

Publisher Margie Brett margie@polotimes.co.uk Editor Yolanda Carslaw yolanda@polotimes.co.uk Deputy Editor James Mullan jamesmullan@polotimes.co.uk Art Editor James Wildman james@polotimes.co.uk Advertising Tom House tom@polotimes.co.uk Subscriptions Georgie May georgie@polotimes.co.uk

22 US Open

Marketing and PR PJ Seccombe pj@polotimes.co.uk

News

Accounts Debbie Mason accounts@polotimes.co.uk

Comment

Contributors John Bunn, Abi Butcher, Diana Butler, Mark Charter, Andrew Dent, Arthur Douglas-Nugent, Mark Emerson, Edgardo Iriarte, Lorna Jowett, Clare Milford Haven, Jamie Peel, Clare Sheikh, Herbert Spencer, Caroline Stern, Carlie Trotter, Alex Webbe

4 6

10 13 14 16 18

All the latest news Technology special: Cloning polo ponies

Umpire’s corner Herbert Spencer’s global view Interview: England sponsor Andrew Swaffield Backchat: Clare Milford Haven joins the team Your views: letters to the editor

Reports

Designed and typeset by Wildman Design www.wildmandesign.co.uk

22 28 34 38 40

Printed by Stones – Banbury, Oxfordshire

Features

Mailers Jordan & Co – Witney, Oxfordshire

46 50

Subscription per annum UK £55 Europe & Ireland £65 Rest of the World £75 email: admin@polotimes.co.uk or subscribe online at www.polotimes.co.uk

The knowledge

Front cover Cambiaso at the US Open, by Greg Ratner

Polo Times East End Farm, North Leigh Oxfordshire OX29 6PX Tel: 01993 886 885 Fax: 01993 882 660 email: admin@polotimes.co.uk www.polotimes.co.uk © Polo Times Limited 2010 and Database Right 2010 Polo Times Limited holds the copyright & database right to the information it publishes in Polo Times and on the Polo Times website. No content may be reproduced or distributed without the consent of the Editor. ‘Polo Times’ is the trade ISSN 1461-4685 mark of Polo Times Limited.

58 61 62 64 67 68 74 77 78 80 82

Clare Milford Haven

US Open Barbados Open Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge Hickstead on tour in India At home and abroad

Grounds: the A - Z of a fabulous field Breeding special: Embryo transfer explained

Playing around: St Albans Polo Club Your game with Jamie Peel Duty vet with Mark Emerson: castration Pony power: Rhys Odle and Bambula Feeding with Lorna Jowett: supplements Travel special: The Sandpiper in Barbados My travels: with Glen Gilmore As mad as polo: with Andrew Dent Property: stick and balling on flat grassland Products: trialling 12 of the best knee pads What’s on in May and club contacts

Out and about 84 98

16

Social snaps: London, Dubai, Barbados & the US A week in the life of: Becky Simpson

46 Great grounds

68 Visit Barbados www.polotimes.co.uk May 2010 3

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News

from the Editor Well, what a month it’s been. The UK basked in fine weather and election fever for most of April, though many in the jet-setting polo community were denied the chance of coming home to enjoy it by an unpronounceable Icelandic volcano.

At one stage, “Ash Wednesday” looked set to enforce a second Lent, when it seemed we might all be banned from flying for 40 days and 40 nights. Amongst those stranded by grounded aircraft were the Hanburys in Brazil, Lucy Taylor in Barbados, Henry Brett and Ed Hitchman in Buenos Aires, Martin Valent and Hissam Ali Hyder in the USA, and a selection of Guards cronies all over Europe, including Diana Butler in Germany, Martin Davidson in Serbia and Alistair Walker in Spain.

Much of our correspondence from subscribers in recent months has centred around your desire that we should seek to include more low-goal coverage. With this in mind, can I remind clubs and low-goal players to contact us. The flexibility of our redesigned “At home and abroad” pages allows us to get as much news as possible from all levels of the game – and Carlie Trotter’s excellent monthly column, “Playing Around” takes an in-depth inside look at a new low-goal club each issue.

However, as much as I know Cambiaso winning everything can make for tiresome reading, we simply can’t ignore the achievements of high-goal heroes Crab Orchard in the US this season. And nor should we fail to celebrate the antics of various Brits abroad in medium-goal action in Barbados. See pages 22, 28 and 90.

Let us know what you think of the new player-ratings we have trialled with our two biggest reports in this issue, which we hope brings us in line with the best coverage in other sports and demonstrates our impartiality. If nothing else, we hope it creates a talking point. And chatter away, because the UK polo season is back upon us again. Hurrah! In the words of one of our contributors, “May the horse be with you.”

Oh dear. When is Yolanda back again?

James Mullan

◗ Editor Yolanda Carslaw

returns for the June issue

4 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Inter n a t i o n a l P o l o Academy launches

Students at IPA’s inaugural course included Alfonso Pieres’ sons Ignacio and Alfonso Jr as well as some explosive talent in the form of 15-year-old Peco Polledo and 17-year-old four-goaler Juan Britos

A POLO ACADEMY specifically aimed at unearthing and developing young talent has been launched in Argentina. International Polo Academy (IPA) began operations in March, welcoming a group of young Argentines to the country’s polo capital Pilar Chico for the academy’s inaugural course, where the students were mentored and put through their paces by some of the world’s leading coaches.

IPA, already supported by brands such as La Dolfina, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Virgin Galactic, now moves across the Atlantic, where it will launch in Europe this summer with a course in the UK. The courses are split into three parts: part one puts a heavy emphasis on the basis of any player’s game, horsemanship; part two analyses every aspect of each student’s playing techniques; and part three looks at the commercial side of the polo industry for those looking to play professional polo in the future.

Providing tuition in these three parts involves a team made up of international coaches, veterinary

surgeons, horse trainers, strategists and professional players. Video analysis is also incorporated as a standard evaluation tool, allowing both the students and their coaches to iron out the deficiencies in a player’s game.

Also speaking at March’s inaugural IPA course in Argentina were England captain Luke Tomlinson, Las Monjitas polo manager Tomas Fernandez Llanos, senior high-goal umpire Guillermo Villanueva and famed horse breaker Pipa Gomez.

The academy, which has experience working with the leading academies in golf and tennis, will continually be on the look out to recruit leading coaches as well as young students. This looks set to be good news for the UK’s best emerging talents, as IPA turns its attentions to its next course on British soil this summer.

For more information on the academy, its work and its schedule, or to ask about getting involved, email admissions@internationalpoloacademy.com

Ciren’s own schooling initiative CIRENCESTER PARK POLO CLUB has also launched a polo academy of its own, though it will confine itself to one continent, unlike the IPA initiative above. The new academy, which will offer a taste of learning and training on Ciren’s prestigious and historic grounds, is the result of the club’s newly appointed development committee chairman and polo manager, Jason Dixon (pictured).

Dixon hopes the initiative will attract all types of players: “Ultimately, the aim is to get all academy members participating to their maximum potential, be they juniors, late-comers to polo or existing professional players who need advice or training.”

Cirencester’s aim is that those who join the academy will eventually form an integral part of the club’s full memberships, feeding new members of a greater range into the club. So, as well as offering academy students the opportunity of tuition across the board, chukkas, club matches and pony hire, it will also act as a stepping stone for all newcomers to the sport – allowing them to try before they buy a full club membership.

Fees for the academy range from £200 to £600, depending on age. For more information about the academy, chukkas and club matches, contact Jason Dixon on 07921 099708 or jason@cirencesterpolo.co.uk

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Photograph by Andrew Tobin

Queen’s Cup celebrates 50 years THE HARCOURT DEVELOPMENTS Queen’s Cup 2010 begins this month, as at least twelve 22-goal sides will fight it out to shake Her Majesty’s hand on the 50th anniversary of the tournament. The Queen first presented the trophy in 1960, to Sir Evelyn de Rothschild’s blue-and-yellow-dressed side The Centaurs, who thumped Cowdray Park 8-21/2 to begin a long line of prestigious champions.

Kerry Packer’s Ellerston side were the dominant force in the Queen’s Cup in the 1990s and it is hoped his son James will bring the side back to UK high-goal action in 2011. In the meantime, two former winners are confirmed for this year’s tournament, as 2007 title holders Loro Piana return to the fray, as does an ominous-looking Dubai line-up, featuring former Broncos star Pablo MacDonough alongside his Argentine high-goal nemesis, world number one Adolfo Cambiaso.

English spectators will be sorry not to see 2009’s winners Apes Hill returning, but last year’s hero in the final, Charlie Hanbury, has joined forced with younger brother George on the Gloucestershire-based El Remanso team. Together they have recruited nine-goal

Smith’s lawn will be the venue for the final on 13 June

Uruguayan David “Pelon” Stirling to play alongside them and their regular Chilean pro, Jaime Huidobro.

Meanwhile, fellow Longdole player Ollie Cudmore lines up for Lyndon Lea’s Zacara side, which welcomes back England coach Javier Novillo Astrada after a year out with a brain tumour.

Jean Francois Decaux’s La Bamba de Areco team, featuring the two Pieres brothers, will aim to pick up where they left off at the end of last season, when they triumphed over Dubai at the Gold Cup at Cowdray and so, while the entries look certain to be down on the 18 teams at last year’s tournament, the 2010 Queen’s Cup looks set to be no-less competitive or intriguing.

First Test Match looms large THIS YEAR’S ST REGIS International Cup, hosted by Cowdray Park Polo Club, will be held on Saturday 22 May on the Cowdray Lawns at Midhurst. England will face South Africa in the contest for the third time. England defeated South Africa in both meetings in 2005 and 2006, 14-6 and 11-9 respectively. This is the first year that the Test will be played at the beginning of the season – instead of its usual slot in September as the last of the summer’s three internationals – due to sponsors’ requests.

England will be looking to regain the title after losing to The Rest of the Commonwealth in last year’s match. Since the fixture began in 2005, England have so far won three and lost two. The

English and South African teams are yet to be announced for this year’s contest but, with some serious young talent having joined the South African ranks in recent seasons and with The Commonwealth’s victorious Tom de Bruin likely to turn out against the hosts again, South Africa may have their revenge for their previous defeats.

The match will be preceded by the final of the British Ladies Open Tournament at 12pm, which is taking place from 16-22 May. As well as the polo, there will be a selection of trade stands, a children’s mini funfair, food outlets and bars. Tickets cost £10 (under 12’s go free) and can be purchased by calling 01730 814110.

News in brief ◗ FLEMISH FARM, Guards Polo Club’s stable

complex, is currently the centre of much activity as two full-sized polo grounds are being built for action in the 2011 season.

Guards has also applied for planning permission to create an all-weather arena at Flemish as well, ensuring polo all-year-round at the historic club for the first time, which it hopes to utilise in creating a centre of excellence for youth polo.

A new reciprocal agreement with Coworth Park will mean members of both clubs benefit from the improvements, and Guards members will also have use of Coworth’s facilities as part of the deal. ◗ FRANCK’S PHARMACY, the company held

responsible for the botched selenium supplement that killed 21 polo ponies at last year’s US Open Championship, is being sued by the owners of the ponies – Quorum Management, Juan Martin Nero, Nicolas Espain and Guillermo Caset – for a rumoured $4 million (approximately £2.6 million).

All four members of Victor Vargas’ Lechuza Caracas team confirmed last month that they have joined a lawsuit with their insurers, Diamond State Insurance and, as Polo Times went to press, the US Department of Justice announced its intention to ban the business altogether from compounding animal drugs from bulk pharmaceutical ingredients. ◗ THE HURTWOOD POLO MASTERS,

previously scheduled for 1-16 May, has been moved to later in the season due to the former sponsor, Fly, pulling out. The new sponsor has requested that the 18-goal event should take place at the end of July, replacing the Ronnie Lane Memorial Trophy, though this has not yet been confirmed. ◗ THE JACK WILLS Varsity Day has been

moved back a week from it’s original date and will now take place this year at Guards on Saturday 12 June, the day before the Queen’s Cup final.

www.polotimes.co.uk May 2010 5

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News

◗ CARDIFF CASTLE is hosting an

inaugural polo charity event within the fort walls on Sunday 27 June.

Raising money for the Welsh children’s charity, the Noah’s Ark Appeal, this one-day knock-out event will feature four teams battling it out for the first ever Polo in the Castle Cup, followed by a VIP “Polo in the Dark” after-party. ◗ CONGRATULATIONS TO New York-

based former Cirencester Park and Longdole one-goaler Jonathan Low, who has married promising soccer player Megan Brazeau after a short engagement. The pair met in a bar shortly after Low’s arrival in the Big Apple for work in 2007, where they have lived since, though the wheels are reportedly in motion for a move back to the UK soon. ◗ ALSO MARRIED last

month was FHM owner and chairman Francis Matthews, who tied the knot with Patricia Garsany in West Sussex on Friday 16 April. ◗ THE BEAUFORT INTERNATIONAL

Test Match will take place this year on Saturday 19 June. In the second Test Match of the season, England will face The Americas, though the teams are still to be announced by the HPA. A full preview will follow in the June issue of PT. England lost by half a goal to Australasia in last year’s match. ◗ A YEAR AFTER THE DEATH of David Heaton-Ellis last May, the charity set up in his name will honour this anniversary with the Heaton-Ellis Trust Shooting Challenge later this month. A team of four guns costs £1,200, and those interested in shooting some clays for a good cause at The Royal Berkshire Shooting School in Pangbourne should contact clair@clairsouthwell.com

More clones to follow first pair in polo history THE FIRST TWO CLONED polo pony foals were due to be born in the US as Polo Times went to press. As revealed in the January/February issue of PT (news), genetic duplicates of the high-goal gelding Califa have been created by specialist genetics firm Viagen, in a process with a price-tag of $165,000 per foal. Califa, a 13year-old bay played by Argentine 10goaler Mariano Aguerre and owned

by White Birch farms, has become the first polo pony to be “carbon copied”, although the first cloned horse was born in Italy in 2002.

Dozens more duplicates are due to follow in America, with Viagen gene-banking “quite a few more” during the Florida season, and an ambitious and large-scale project is also being undertaken by another US firm, Crestview Genetics. Crestview has formed a licensing partnership with world number one Adolfo Cambiaso in order to clone some of the world’s best horses, and has a number due to foal later this year.

In Crestview’s project, 10 duplicate foals from each of seven leading horses are in the pipeline, with the first foaling in June 2010. The horses are Cuartetera, Lapa, El Colibri, Small Person, Raptor, the late Aiken Cura and La Nona. Some of these have been carefully bred from proven playing ponies or proven polo dams and sires: some are not from polo-related stock.

Of these seven, Lapa and Cuartetera played with Cambiaso in last year’s Argentine Open – Cuartetera winning best playing pony then, as well as in 2006. Cambiaso has named the gelding El Colibri as one of his favourites of all time, and Small Person, a New Zealand mare Cambiaso bought from UK producer and breeder Andrew Seavill (see

Photograph by Sergio Llamera

News in brief

Cambiaso on BPP Cuartetera in the 2006 Open

suggested only 15 per cent of ‘the whole’ was genetic.

“The thing that will hold it back, I suppose, is cost: when you’re talking about $100,000plus just to get a foal on the ground, it’s a risk – there’s so much that’s out of your control.

Also, if you clone a gelding, the original may be a champion playing pony, but its stallion ‘double’ won’t necessarily be a champion sire: not every top racehorse is a champion at stud.

It will be very interesting and I’m honoured that a horse we had something to do with is part of this. Her relationship with Cambiaso was pretty special –

“The question is, do you have to clone the environment as well as the genes?”

– Andrew Seavill

below right), has made an impact both in England and Argentina. Nona is another of Cambiaso’s and Raptor is a grey mare owned by Nacho Figueras and played by Pablo MacDonough in high-goal. Cambiaso’s stallion Aiken Cura won multiple prizes in 2005 before being put down after an injury in the 2006 Open (some of his tissues were preserved).

“It will be fascinating when they produce 10 foals from one original, and it could answer a lot of questions,” comments Andrew Seavill. “Will they all be equally as good? Do you have to clone the environment as well as the genes? There are so many factors apart from genes: trainers, players, riders and random things that happen. You also need the best environment for them to grow up in: one study into racehorses

which is one of the factors that fit together [in her success].”

Eduardo Bérèterbide, who owned Aiken Cura (see right) as a youngster, says: “Due to his early death it wasn’t possible to get many offspring from him; and it would have been sad to lose such a genetic prodigy, so cloning seems a good option.

“The questions are, will this be good for polo breeding and polo in general? How much performance comes from genetics and how much from due care and proper training? I remember my father personally checked on Aiken Cura every single day; and Curita was in a paddock next to our house; he received plenty of attention and love from my father. Polo breeding is a kind of art, still far away from Henry Ford's factory method...”

◗ POLO SUPPLIERS ROXTONS have

introduced three new initiatives this season. Saddle fitter Richard Buckett will now no longer be based full time at Roxtons, but will be out offering a pre-booked mobile service to yards on Tuesdays and Fridays. There is now a no-quiblle three-year guarantee on all English leatherwork and all Argentine saddles sold through the shop. And, finally, a Roxtons loyalty card has been introduced, promising regular customers cash back when they reach a target spend. Livery yards, clubs or teams can get together and register for one card so that the target is reached sooner.

6 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

And don’t forget about embryo transfer…

IF CREATING EXACT genetic duplicates of successful ponies sounds a step too far, then embryo transfer (ET) is now a largely accepted method of ensuring good genes in foals, without having to necessarily wait for a prize mare to end her playing days.

“It’s already widely utilised and accepted in Argentina,” explains Charles Beresford, owner and founder of the Sport Horse Embryo Centre in West Sussex. “But more and more people in the UK are beginning to understand the advantages of ET now as well, particularly amongst the polo community.

“We have made foals for other equestrian disciplines as well, but our facility has four proven polo stallions on site,

ready. This allows polo clients the opportunity to match the most suitable for their mare and for the progeny desired. Of course, some clients are also able to provide their own stallions, as they have to when we breed horses for other disciplines here. Andrea Vianini does this, for example, but good stallions with a proven bloodline are in short supply and so can often be hard to find.

“In any case, once the appropriate recipient mare has been confirmed pregnant, clients then take her home for the duration of the pregnancy and for six or seven months once the foal is born, while it is slowly weaned.” ◗ Discover more about the whole ET process – before, during and after – in our extensive six-page feature, on page 50

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How did some of the “originals” rise to fame?

Legendary playing stallion, Aiken Cura

Aiken Cura (proven polo breeding) – The late chestnut stallion Aiken Cura was bred by Ricardo Santamarina at La Fortuna, Trenque Lauquen, one of the oldest and most successful polo breeds in Argentina. His sire is Alma de Bacon, a Thoroughbred stallion selected by the Argentine Breeders’ Association at a sale for his handiness and excellent temperament, from breeding lines considered ideal for polo. His dam is Lady Nun, who has a Derby winner in her pedigree. Between Aiken Cura’s paternal and maternal lines, the Aga Khan’s Muntaz Mahal features several times.

Aged 10 months (in 1996) he was bought at a sale by polo-playing lawyer Eduardo Bérèterbide, and taken to the family ranch in Carmen de Areco. “He was such a beautiful horse, with such excellent breeding, that it was a pity to castrate him,” wrote Bérèterbide in an Small Person (New Zealand Thoroughbred) – British professional Andrew Seavill bought Small Person, who was bred for racing, from an owner on New Zealand’s North Island as a two-year-old in 1995. Another polo player had already seen her, but been unable to load her onto the lorry.

“She was a good type and shape for polo, and her father had been a sprinter,” says Andrew. “I left her there, did some work with her the following spring and was then able to load her.

She came to England and was always pretty natural on the field, though she was nappy and not the easiest to train.

But I played her two or three seasons and knew she was good.

“Then when she was eight or nine she was hit in the eye in Cheshire, then put her foot down a rabbit hole; at that point my partner Gilly and I thought – there’s no point in us keeping a mare like this: she might break her leg tomorrow! I took her to Dubai for them to try; they showed interest but didn’t like my price. I rang Azzurra’s Marcos Heguy, who played her most of that summer. I think Dubai came up against Azzurra in the semi-finals of the Gold

article in 2005 for the Argentine Breeders’ Association. “We were stunned

by Curita’s intelligence and his delightful temperament and, when he was still being broken in, I was amazed by the way he stopped and turned.”

For three years Eduardo played Aiken Cura before selling him as a five-year-old stallion to Salvador Socas, who gave him two years later to his half-brother Cambiaso. The rest is history: in the 2005 Argentine Open, he became the first stallion in history to win prizes at Palermo: he was named best horse of the tournament as well as best Polo Argentino. A tragic foreleg injury sustained in the 2006 Open final led to him being put down in February 2007.

Bérèterbide told Polo Times: “He was among the best polo horses Palermo has seen recently, maybe in the top three (and remember that more than 300 horses make it to Palermo every year).

His performance was outstanding in terms of speed, power and handiness; he was very calm and good-tempered.

He was also compact and short, almost the ideal polo configuration.

“What is more, Aiken Cura had in his genes some of the best racing and polo bloodlines of all times (Mahmoud, Nasrullah and Ribot as well as Muntaz Mahal). And he was chosen in the most difficult chukkas by the best polo player of all time!”

Small Person, photographed here in New Zealand in 1993 aged five months, with her mother in the background

Cup and, sure enough, at the end of the summer Dubai bought her.”

Small Person played high-goal with Cambiaso in England and Argentina.

Andrew has two of her progeny – the stallion Boy-Boy and the mare Girl-Girl, now six – after taking embryos from her before she was sold. “Boy-Boy, by our stallion Portage, is throwing nice foals and could be pretty good on the field himself,” says Andrew. www.polotimes.co.uk May 2010 7

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News News in brief ◗ TOAST FESTIVAL RETURNS this year,

holding two festivals in London instead of the usual one. Toast New Zealand, celebrating its 10th Anniversary, will be held at Ham Polo Club on 12 June featuring an international friendly match, and Toast Festival will take place at its usual venue, Clapham Common on 24-26 September. Both festivals provide a mix of polo, music, food and wine. ◗ RACING CHARITY, Retraining of Racehorses

(RoR) has appointed a new chairman to replace the retiring Peter Deal. Racehorse breeder Ron Huggins takes over the reins immediately and one of the first polo events under his tenure will be a clinic with David Morley at AEPC, Hickstead on Monday 7 June.

This will cover everything from when a horse comes off the track to training it for polo and playing chukkas. The afternoon will comprise a workshop, when those attending are invited to bring ex-racehorses for coaching and problem solving. The cost is £25. Book your place at lquainton@ror.org.uk ◗ AT THE TIME OF GOING to press with our

April issue, after the dates for the Argentine “Copa de las Naciones” were announced (1725 April), the tournament was in fact cancelled by the AAP “for organisational reasons”. With less than a month to go before the tournament, it transpired that there were not enough confirmed teams to take part in the event. See Herbert Spencer’s Global view on page 13 for the full story. ◗ A THANKSGIVING SERVICE for Ayesha,

Rajmata of Jaipur, will be held at 11am on Saturday 26 June at the Church of St Michael and All Angels in Sunninghill, Berkshire.

Tickets for the service, celebrating the life of one of polo’s most ardent supporters the world over, are available through Emma Leiva at Guards on 01784 434212 (ext. 221). ◗ SIMON TOMLINSON HAS been announced

as the new HPA Development Committee chairman from last month, taking over from Arthur Denaro.

8 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Latest from the HPA HPA chief executive David Woodd rounds up the news from UK polo’s headquarters Welfare booklets Welfare booklets will be sent to club welfare officers for distribution to members at the beginning of the season. They are produced in both English and Spanish. Please read them and pass them on to your grooms.

Membership cards Following the launch of membership cards last season, all members with an HPA handicap of –2 or above will shortly be sent a membership card and a rules and umpire DVD. The cards allow club managers to verify players’ handicaps and memberships easily and efficiently. Players of 1 goal and above will again receive a pocket rulebook on the basis that as an accomplished player they will, hopefully, help to umpire.

The above will only be distributed to players once the HPA has been both notified of their membership and given their correct postal addresses by clubs.

Therefore, if you do not receive them, it will probably be because the HPA has not been given your correct contact details.

Arena end-of-season handicaps effective 1 May 2010 These can be viewed in the latest news section on the home page of the HPA website (and in the April issue of Polo Times): www.hpa-polo.co.uk

Dates for the diary 10 May – Council meeting, 2.30pm, Cavalry & Guards 12 May – Voluntary Assistants’ course, contact HPA office for details 9 June – seminar for coaches, 9.30am, RCBPC 14 June – mid-season handicap meeting, 10am, HPA 23 June –Stewards’ meeting, 10.30am, Cavalry & Guards

Next polo World Cup date and venue confirmed ARGENTINA WILL HOST the ninth World Cup of the Federation of International Polo (FIP) in September 2011, writes Herbert Spencer. Final matches of the federation’s 14-goal World Championship will be played in Argentina’s national polo stadium at Palermo.

A FIP Special General Assembly in Wellington, Florida on Monday 19 April unanimously voted Argentina as the venue for its flagship competition. Ten teams from around the world will qualify, two from each of the FIP’s four geographic zones plus the reigning champions, Chile, and the host country. The venues for the qualifying zone play-offs next year were confirmed as follows: France’s St Tropez Polo Club will host the European play-offs; South America’s will take place in Brazil; and the Africa/Asia/Oceania region will contest their play-offs in Malaysia. North America is yet to be decided, but is likely to be the USA or Canada.

In the final stage of the 2011 World Cup in Argentina, most matches will be played on four grounds at the Estancia Grande Polo Club in San Luis province before the competition moves to Buenos Aires.

As expected, the assembly unanimously elected interim president Eduardo Huergo of Argentina to serve as the fully-ratified president of the FIP. His tenure will run until at least November 2012. It also confirmed new members of its Council of Administration, including Alejandro Taylor as treasurer.

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Time to improve your string BURNINGFOLD POLO CENTRE in Surrey will be the venue for a large polo pony auction later this month, where more than 50 lots will go under the hammer, including a selection of 16 top homebred ponies from retired patron, Peter Hewett.

The sale, scheduled for Thursday 27 May, will be the first of its kind held at Burningfold, and features a whole range of horses up for auction, including unbroken ponies, young stock and a number of experienced polo ponies.

Peter Hewett, now a successful breeder, produces around 16 ponies a year from his successful stallion Khan at his nearby base Mill Farm.

Those up for auction from his collection of some 80 horses will be a range of three- to eight-year-olds.

They are unavailable for try-outs beforehand but England international Tom Morley, who regularly brings on and plays Hewett’s top ponies, will be demonstrating some of the horses for sale on the day.

The rest of the horses going under the hammer at Burningfold will be available from 9.30am on 27 May Ponies of various ages will go under the for prospective buyers to view and try. hammer in this month’s Burningfold sale The sale will commence at 11am, beginning with the Mill Farm progeny followed by the rest of the lots. The Mill Farm polo ponies can be viewed at www.millfarmpoloponies.co.uk and a catalogue of all horses for sale will be made available nearer the time at www.burningfoldpolo.co.uk. Telephone bidding will be available on the day, but please contact Gary Jones beforehand on 07970 340861.

Aguerre’s replacement revealed DAVID ‘PELON’ STIRLING will join La Dolfina for the 2010 Triple Crown in Argentina, writes Carlos Beer. The Uruguayan nine-goaler will take the place in the squad of Mariano Aguerre, who retired from the team after its Open victory in 2009.

“It’s the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. Every player dreams of being in a team with chances to win Palermo,” said Stirling. PostPalermo 2009, this has been the most important team change, and it has been known for a while that Pelon would play the Triple Crown with Cambiaso some day. He has kept his horses in Cañuelas, at Cambiaso’s stables, since he started to play “big polo”.

Ellerstina, La Aguada and Pilará intend to remain with identical lineups to last year. Fred Mannix’s Alegria will also feature several changes, with Mariano Aguerre leading the side. “I want to lead a project”, said Aguerre, who will play with Francisco de Narvaez Jr, while the fourth man will be either Francisco Bensadon or Mike Azzarro.

A refreshed Chapa Uno presents an interesting line-up, with Juan

Ignacio “Pite” Merlos and Matias MacDonough joining Bautista Heguy and US Open hero Hilario Ulloa. “We’re all in our positions and we’re very much looking forward to the season. We know we can work very well together,” assured Pite.

Matias Magrini will join the three Heguy brothers in Indios Chapaleufu II, as a replacement for Stirling. This team has 34 goals, as will Alegria, if they hire Bensadon, so at least one of the qualifying teams will play with this high handicap.

There is still no major confirmation about the other teams that will seek a place in Palermo through the qualifiers, except that the surprise winners of the Copa Cámara de Diputados 2009 (Diego Cavanagh, Joaquín Pittaluga, Cristian Laprida and Tomás García del Río) will remain together and will put themselves forward as a team.

Maybe it would be good for the AAP to think about automatically awarding the winners of the Cámara with a place in Palermo as a bonus. Something to think about… www.polotimes.co.uk May 2010 9

PTMay 2010 p10-11 Umpire YC PJ MB

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Comment Umpire’s corner With Arthur Douglas-Nugent, deputy chief umpire for the HPA

For happy days, grin, play fair and accept the blame Club chiefs join pros As the season approaches we prepare as best we can to improve the standard of officiating. This year for the first time the seminar to be held at the end of April will include not only those who are or aspire to be on the professional umpire list but also the club chief umpires. In this way we hope to start the season singing from the same sheet, in particular focusing on how

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Why I’ll miss the sultan I read with sadness that the Sultan of Swing is ceasing to write his monthly column. I often disagreed with much of what he wrote – but then that was his style: amusing, provocative and informed.

What more can you ask for? Life will continue but Polo Times will be the poorer.

10 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

playing country that has not enjoyed, if that is the right word, the sound of an HPA-sponsored whistle. We still have to break into the Argentine market but have made inroads into areas in which they previously held sway.

Most recently we covered the two major tournaments in Dubai, where the new interpretation on the turning rule was applied, leading to more open play

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he qualities of a good umpire have frequently been covered in Umpire’s Corner, but as the season approaches I want to focus on the players. They too have a responsibility to make the game safe, fair and enjoyable. Firstly they should play to the rules so there are few occasions for the umpires to stop the game. This includes playing within the spirit of the game, which means fast, open polo. For some teams, perhaps those that are short on horses, this may not be the best way to win, but better to lose by fair means than win by foul: just ask the French and the Irish!

Players and ponies should be well turned out and professionals ever conscious that they owe respect to the patrons who employ them. On and off the field they should demonstrate sportsmanship by treating “triumph and disaster just the same”, and taking the blame for mistakes rather than rounding on the umpires.

Unfortunately in almost every sport the result can be influenced by officials but this has to be accepted, the rough taken with the smooth and due allowance made; in the best case being so far ahead that even the most outrageous decision does not affect the result.

Pity the poor footballers when one incorrectly given penalty or offside decision can win or lose the match. Players thus should respect officials; not only the umpires but all those who contribute: the referee, goal judges, timekeeper and even the poor old polo manager, all of whom have been subject to abuse in the past.

Hardly a polo-playing country has not enjoyed, if that is the right word, the sound of an HPA-sponsored whistle the “turn-across” is to be umpired. A short DVD, in addition to updated versions of the Rules and Umpire DVD, showing examples of turning, blocking and no contact will be widely distributed.

Forging ahead, from Dubai to Nigeria Our umpires have not been idle during the winter: far from it. There is hardly a polo-

and the emergence of the backhander from the freezer.

One of our intrepid umpires, at the invitation of Albert Esiri, is spending Easter at Albert’s club in Abraca in the Delta region of Nigeria, a marvellous oasis in a troubled land. The “we will go anywhere” approach is how it should be to ensure that our standards are accepted worldwide. F

Play goes on until the whistle blows…

This month’s puzzle You blow the whistle for a foul as a goal is scored. The other umpire disagrees and you refer to the referee. He admits to being unsighted and therefore cannot make an informed judgement. What should you do?

Last month’s solution A player delays the hit-in to let a team-mate return to the ground having changed his pony. The umpire blows his whistle. What penalty should he impose? The umpire nearest the hitter-in will have already called “play” and so he should call again for the hit-in to be taken. If the striker does not respond immediately he should blow his whistle and award a Penalty 6 against the striker’s team. He will probably be a bit speedier next time!

Email comments and questions to whistleblower@polotimes.co.uk

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PTMay 2010 p12-13 Herbert JM MB

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PTMay 2010 p12-13 Herbert JM MB

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Global view Comment With Herbert Spencer, who has been following polo around the world for 40 years

Why polo’s leading nations need to up their game countries that can field teams at around 28 goals are the USA and South Africa.

Then, barely 30 days before the 2010 event, the AAP announced that its second Copa de las Naciones had been “rescheduled” for 2011 “for organisational reasons”. The association later explained that only Argentina and England had firmed up teams to participate.

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Finally, even when a high-goal professional is available and willing to play for his country in an international out of patriotism, without fee, he should expect at least to have his travel expenses paid. National associations often are loathe to spend money on this.

All this means that, far too often, teams in internationals are based

After the Copa de las Naciones was “rescheduled for organisational reasons”, the AAP later explained that only Argentina and England had confirmed teams to take part

Photograph by Sergio Llamera

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he unfortunate cancellation of Argentina’s flagship Copa de las Naciones tournament just a month before it was due to be played in April once again highlights the numerous difficulties in staging meaningful highgoal internationals.

As I have suggested previously in this column (October 2009), internationals should be played between national sides with each country fielding its best players at the agreed handicap level, selected and funded by the countries’ governing associations. Sadly this is not always the case.

The Asociación Argentina de Polo (AAP) had high hopes for its new international series, which was inaugurated last April in the country’s big national stadium at Palermo, the “cathedral” of polo. The Copa de las Naciones was to be an annual event, bringing together some of the halfdozen or so countries that can field teams of around 28 goals.

The AAP’s initiative was most admirable, in effect giving the polo world its first ever high-goal international “championship”. With the World Cup of the Federation of International Polo (FIP) restricted to 14 goals, the Argentine event aimed to fill a notable gap at the top end of the sport.

Argentina captured the cup in 2009, winning over England, Brazil and a Rest of the World team of Chilean and Mexican players. Cambiaso led a side that beat Brazil in the final, 10-6.

The AAP had been negotiating with several countries or groups of countries to make the tournament even bigger in 2010. In addition to their home team, the Argentines were hoping for several national teams from England, Brazil, Chile, and possibly a combined Australasian side of players from Australia and New Zealand. Other

Hosts Argentina swept to the inaugural 28goal Copa de las Naciones in April 2009, but the event was abandoned this year

As for the others, it was yet again a question of the inability or unwillingness of the other national associations to put together teams to compete.

The first problem, of course, is the availability of a country’s best players for these or any other internationals. The best players are professionals who earn a living playing for patrons in pro-am polo and so cannot generally afford to let internationals interfere with their contractual commitments.

Then there is always a certain reluctance on the part of high-goal players to ride ponies provided by the host country rather than their own.

upon which players happen to be in the country at the time, not necessarily on the best line-ups each country has to offer.

International competitions can be especially attractive to corporate sponsors of polo and sponsorship can provide the funding for such events. To get their money’s worth in exposure, however, sponsors need to sign on the dotted line months in advance in order to plan their promotions. And, of course, be assured that the event will take place as scheduled.

Perhaps the polo governing bodies of those few countries that can field national high-goal teams should hold a summit meeting to establish firm guidelines on just how their internationals are held. It might be better for the sport to restrict the number of internationals each year to those that more accurately reflect the true polo power of each country. F ◗ What do you think? How can we ensure

that internationals are genuinely competitive and meaningful? Or does the problem of finding appropriate ponies make it an impossible task altogether? Tell us by writing to letters@polotimes.co.uk

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Comment Interview

Andrew Swaffield The high-flying sponsor with his feet on the ground The minus-two-goal managing director of England’s major new sponsor, The Mileage Company, tells Caroline Stern about his love of horses and how he became involved in the game

Photographs by John Cassidy and Alice Gipps

What was your introduction to polo?

It was the Kuoni World-Class Challenge at Hurtwood in 2003. I was running leisure sales for British Airways at the time and the Kuoni MD invited me to watch and to “sponsor the losing team”!

I had never seen a spectacle like it. The action was absolutely jaw-dropping. How could people ride at this speed, hold the mallet, hit the ball and not hit each other? Harbouring a long-held desire to learn how to ride, after that I made it my business to find the time.

So how did you actually take it up?

During a career break in 2005, I moved to Dorset and learnt to ride on a crazy Irish sport horse. I then started the job I’m in now and found that I had rented a house within dogwalking distance of Sussex Polo Club. I decided it must be providence so I immediately got on the phone to the club with a view to getting started. However, it was November and in the days before Sussex ran any polo over the winter, which showed just how oblivious to the polo circuit I was at that stage.

Sussex recommended Hickstead, where Matt Pannell started me off and proved to be an

14 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

excellent teacher. I then played that summer at Sussex, taught by Harry Tucker, before moving to a new house six miles away from Knepp Castle, where I play my polo these days. Three-goaler Federico Lalor coaches me there, and I really enjoy the learning side of it. Fortunately, that keeps me happy and I have no great ambitions to become a great player – which is just as well!

How do you fit playing around your job?

My diary is an exercise in daylight planning!

I try to play three weekends a month and last season I managed seven tournaments. Whilst playing, I can’t think about business or the firm’s 500 employees, so it’s a wonderful tonic to be able to get out in the fresh air and focus on something else.

Do you have ambitions to have a high-goal side one day?

Goodness me, no. My biggest aim is to keep playing and improving for as long as possible and to be regarded as a member of a team who adds value – however low your handicap, you

should still be 25 per cent of the team.

Teamwork requires that people understand their roles and stick to them. Winning teams are the ones where all four people are playing – and it’s the same in business.

How is your horsepower?

I bought two ponies in 2007 but have been taking my time since and haven’t yet bought any more. I like having a connection with a horse, so I keep them at home. My partner, Will, looks after them whilst I am at work but I exercise them myself. I don’t usually turn them away in winter, but keep them in light work.

Whilst I would be the last person to advise anyone about their horses, keeping them ticking over works well for me. Fitness is

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“My diary is an exercise in daylight planning! When playing, I can’t think about work or the firm’s 500 employees, so it’s a wonderful tonic to get out in the fresh air and focus on polo”

Andrew Swaffield, who started polo at Hickstead and Sussex (pictured here), at work and play. He now plays at Knepp, keeping his two horses at home nearby and exercising them himself

doesn’t take pony welfare very seriously.

The board or the shareholders wouldn’t thank me if we supported anything that could risk the reputation of the brand.

By the same token, player safety is also obviously something that needs to be taken very seriously. I certainly don’t want to be entertaining clients when someone gets ambulanced off the ground. However, in my view there is still a way to go. For example, the safety standard for polo helmets appears to be all over the place.

These are some of the basic things that need to be established in order for sponsors to want to associate their brands with a sport. It’s amazing in a way that people aren’t totally on top of this already but, as sponsors, I feel we need to make sure that we encourage improved safety in this way.

crucial when you are doubling them up in more than one chukka.

I don’t suppose many busy patrons take the time to look after their own horses?

Well, I don’t know. For me personally, horse welfare is vital and so I make time. With my sponsor’s hat on, I don’t want The Mileage Company to be associated with a sport that

How did you start out on the sponsorship route?

In 2008, The Mileage Company hosted the Airmiles Polo Challenge Trophy at Sussex Polo to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Airmiles scheme. We invited 1,000 Airmiles guests and their families to spectate as a thank you for their valued custom. We provided Champagne picnics, marquees and family activities on the sidelines, whilst several teams – including one led my me – competed for a grand prize of 100,000 air miles [see the July 2008 issue of Polo Times].

Polo captures the imagination for

spectators because it has a glamorous cachet but is mysterious, as most people haven’t been to a match. That day was polo doing what it does best, with a lovely English summer scene and a day out for all the family.

Of course, it can be far more high profile than that as well, but polo is versatile as a spectacle and that is what I like about it. It changes its hats but is always charismatic and classy, with the emphasis hopefully mainly on the horses and the skill of the players rather than the brand or the venue. That is the way it should be anyway.

What has led up to TMC’s sponsorship of the England team?

Polo is a good fit for The Mileage Company.

The amount of travel involved obviously allows us to take the TMC brand into global territories as the official partner, which raises our profile, especially amongst the other international businesses involved in the game that we are keen to target – the kind of people that are frequent flyers themselves and who would benefit greatly from the kind of loyalty and reward scheme that we offer.

When will we next see the evidence of this sponsorship?

There’s not long to wait. As the provider of the flights for the side, you will see our logo on the England team’s shirts in the first home international of the season later this month.

England takes on South Africa in the St Regis Test Match at Cowdray Park on 22 May. Our sponsorship is about supporting them, as well as aiding the HPA and Young England in their activities abroad.

And lastly, when can we expect to see you in action?

Hopefully plenty of people will get used to seeing me at polo, because I hope to keep playing for many years yet! Mark Burrell is still playing at Knepp in his 70s – so, on that basis, hopefully I can keep playing for the next 40 years! F

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Comment Backchat With amateur player Clare Milford Haven, who gives her take from the saddle and the sidelines

Why players who say ‘@#*=’ on the field make me wonder think he’s like at home? What happens if his wife overcooks his prematch pasta or puts a red T-shirt in with his whites?

I also think that intimidation, or “sledging”, is deeply unpleasant and only serves to destroy confidence, particularly in young players and

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WHILE IN DUBAI, I got into a conversation about how people’s true personalities come out on the polo field. This is perhaps a subject that will make many players wince, but I do think it’s something worth thinking about. Certainly, I have always maintained that polo is a perfect outlet for anger and a possible tool for anger management – nothing like whacking the hell out of the ball to release a bit of that pent up physical/emotional energy – but I am not sure if I can say the same about the verbal abuse that spills out of players’ mouths in the heat of the moment.

And one begins to wonder: if someone calls his fellow player a @#*= on the field and doesn’t apologise afterwards, what do you

16 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

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new sheepskin slippers), when another player came into me with such a force that I was ejected skywards like a champagne cork.

Fortunately, I managed to maintain contact with the saddle as I bounced back down to earth again, but it was totally unnecessary and only had the

During a hit-in in the NZ Open, I was minding my own business when another player bashed into me with such force that I was ejected skywards like a champagne cork

Foul launguage on the field should be seen as poor sportsmanship. It sets a bad precedent for our lives out of the saddle and can be particularly damaging to our younger players

should be seen as bad practice and poor sportsmanship. Unless, of course, it’s against the umpires…

I THINK THE NEW RULES for this season are excellent. Particularly the ‘no contact before the ball is in play’ one. I had a particularly unpleasant experience in the New Zealand Open last year. During a hit-in, I was standing still minding my own business (probably dreaming about my

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have just returned from an amazing trip to Dubai. I had fully intended to be going there as a “polo wife” and had subsequently packed three books, the same number of bikinis and gathered together countless shopping tips for buying fake Gucci handbags in some dodgy market in downtown Dubai.

But, as fate should have it, at the last minute, my husband had to stay home on business and I ended up playing instead of sunbathing and shopping. Heaven. Five days of fun and games in 40-degrees heat at Ali Albwardy’s Desert Palm resort. The trip was brilliantly organised with military precision by Charlie Stisted and, on top of playing great polo every day, we swam with dolphins in the lagoon at Atlantis, reconnected with our inner child in the water park, skiied in the Dubai Mall, belly danced and camel rode in the desert and had dinner on a dhow. And we got into the final. Definitely worth a visit (see also page 34).

effect of inducing a barrage of expletives which made me sound like a demented fishwife (see above paragraph – contradicting myself already).

As a female player, I believe this new rule is a blessing, and it means that shorts and skirts can now be reintroduced into our summer wardrobes after years of covering up the colourful array of bruising from upper thigh to ankle. F

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PTMay 2010 p18-21 letters YC PJ MB

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Comment Your views

Letter of the month What will Panto in the Park be like in 2010?

Letters letters@polotimes.co.uk or The Editor, Polo Times, East End Farm, North Leigh, Oxon OX29 6PX

What are those yellow shoe pads?

I was watching the coverage of the CV Whitney Cup Audi v Lechuza Caracas from the 2009 season on Horse and Country on Sky and saw that some of the ponies had a yellow padding between their shoes and their hooves.

Do any of your readers know what these were for and what purpose they provide? I am relatively new to polo and have never seen anything like this before. Many thanks.

Josh Woolley Chester Member of Cheshire Polo Club How to replace Horswell?

It was with great sadness that I read that John Horswell is not continuing with his regular column in Polo Times. His article was always one of the first I read in the magazine. I do hope you can persuade him to continue on a regular basis.

Following on from Herbert Spencer’s column in the last issue of Polo Times (April, page 15), no one can deny that Polo In the Park was a brave and ambitious project and one that, on the whole, the polo community appeared to be looking forward to.

I admired the hard work an event of this scale must have taken. I loved the way the match kicked off with the “jousting”-style start, and the D-ring was OK – but after that it was all downhill. The tasteless spectacle that transpired left most polo players and aficionados who attended squirming with embarrassment at the ludicrous pantomime performed by a couple of very capable polo players presumably chosen for their theatrical ambitions.

The polo was obviously staged, with the added insult of the ridiculous “sin bin” that allowed the more ambitious budding soap stars to try to gain yet more TV coverage by standing on top of their pony waving their stick around their head in supposed rage.

If Polo In the Park is truly looking to attract “Polo is an exciting game more people to the sport then they should look to watch and does not at the demographics of the people who already need amateur dramatics play. Most patrons who can afford to play polo or a token blonde to make have to be astute enough at least to hold down a decent job, so why patronise and it more appealing” underestimate this new audience’s intelligence by staging a pantomime? Save that for Christmas with the kids.

With the HPA involved this year I had hoped that it would help put a stop to the previous vulgar approaches to gaining media coverage, but looking at some of the recent press launch pictures it would appear not. Yes, it’s great to add a woman to each team and without doubt Sarah Wiseman can take on most men and promote female polo players admirably. But why add in the unknown amateur blonde “player” to the supposed team line-up? Were all the rest of the established and respected professional lady polo players such as Charlotte Sweeney or Rosie Ross unavailable? It does not bode well, unless of course farce is your preferred medium of entertainment.

Polo is an exciting and beautiful game to watch and does not need amateur dramatics or a token blonde to make it more appealing to those serious about taking up the sport. If it did, would you really want them on your team?

It sounds as though the HPA, Polo Times and our membership are all hoping for something more tasteful and competitive this year. We await this year’s PITP with anticipation!

Sallie Anne Lent Sussex Polo Club ◗ Do you agree with Sallie Anne? Tell us what you think by writing to letters@polotimes.co.uk

The writer of the letter of the month wins a bottle of La Chamiza Argentine red wine

Ralph Day Member of Toulston Polo Club Editor’s note: I’m afraid he’s made up his mind – and we’ll miss him too!

Why low-goal must have a say on the new rules

Does it seem that people up high in the HPA are reflecting the activities of our wonderfully representative politicians these days? I was amused to see in your January issue that four-goal

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professionals have been permitted to play in polo as low as fourgoal itself and that a new backhand rule was being implemented involving “a horse’s length”.

So which member came up with the first decision, and when did they last play lowgoal polo? Do they or anyone else (who isn’t four goals) really think it is a good idea to have someone not only capable of

hitting the ball in such a manner as a four-goaler, but being paid a small fortune to win at all costs, playing in a competitive game with the likes of a beginner? Why do we suddenly think that one of the reasons for the downfall of clubs such as RLS is such a good idea?

Just think how many times you’ve seen an injury caused to players or horses due to the

inability of a beginner to react to the speed of higher handicapped players… then throw a four-goaler into the equation. If you haven’t witnessed it already, all I can say is that it’s not a pretty sight.

The second rule: “a horse’s length”. When an animal is chasing another animal around a field at 35mph, how exactly is an amateur umpire meant to define the length of a horse

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consistently? OK, OK, so it worked well in Argentina, but can I remind you that those umpires were basically among the best in the world. In its current state, the rule is simply unenforceable.

Why not just say that the player must play a backhand if he is being closely pursued by a member of the opposing team, maybe with a maximum of roughly eight yards between each player?

I suggest eight yards as this is the distance between the goal posts and if in doubt the umpire can take a quick look to double-check. This extra distance may annoy the professionals in a team, but we are all sick and tired of them turning the ball anyway.

I can’t fathom how many times I have screamed for a backhand only to see the ball turned and the game brought to an irritating halt.

Just like the politicians it appears that the members of the HPA are completely out of touch with the game or at least the game as the majority of the polo community plays it. With a certain MP’s duck pond in mind, one can only assume that somewhere along the line whoever is making these decisions is benefiting

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somehow. Maybe his or her son is getting a few extra games this year.

All I know is that such decisions are to the detriment of low-goal and the players who make up the backbone of UK polo.

Maybe it’s about time they asked us what we thought about four-goalers playing in four-goal and how the backhand rule should be implemented. After all, we are the majority, and isn’t this meant to be a democracy?

Amateur player The Midlands (name and address supplied) Spare two seconds for the timekeepers

Thank you so much to Arthur Douglas-Nugent (Polo Times, April 2010) for mentioning the fact that timekeepers are one of the forgotten officials.

My husband and/or I did most of the timekeeping, the majority of it with the assistant polo manager but not always, at Beaufort last season on a purely voluntary basis. We will no doubt do the same again this season. We were there for most games or chukkas, only not "reporting for duty" when we were X

“Roll up, roll up, for the big performance!”

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Comment Your views

Letters letters@polotimes.co.uk or The Editor, Polo Times, East End Farm, North Leigh, Oxon OX29 6PX

X supporting every Apes Hill

high-goal team game.

Whilst I know that the officials at the club appreciated what we did by very kindly giving us a dinner at a rather lovely local hotel at the end of season it would have been nice if, just occasionally, some of the players were to say thank you.

Some did, but I can count the number on one hand.

Of course if there were problems with the clock freezing (due to water ingress) or the score not being put up immediately due to one person operating the clock, as well as “I’m sure I speak for most timekeepers when I say we don’t

not stop the clock

British artist Debbie Harris’s “Slipstream”, painted last year. Debbie also specialises in hunting scenes help. If we had heard it, we would have stopped the clock.

Often weather conditions, enthusiasm of the crowd or maybe the umpires not blowing the whistle hard enough can prevent a whistle being heard and therefore the

clock not being stopped.

So come on players, after games or chukkas should you see your trusted timekeeper/scoreboard official it takes just two seconds of your time to say thank you, but that can mean a lot to us.

for the hell of it”

writing the scores down and having to hold the chukka numbers on because the wind was blowing them off, etc, players and supporters alike were quick to comment.

By the way, if the clock did freeze the umpires were contacted immediately by radio with the time on the backup hand-held clock which is used in all games.

I am sure that I speak for most timekeepers when I say that we don’t not stop the clock when the whistle goes for the hell of it.

Comments such as: “Didn’t you hear the whistle?” don’t

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And just so I know, what is thank you in Spanish?

Ali and Phil Foster Non-playing members of the Beaufort Polo Club Shipton Moyne Saluting another great polo artist

I refer to the April edition of the Polo Times and its feature on polo artists. Can I please put in a word for Debbie Harris (www.debbieharris.co.uk) whose pictures are, as far as I am concerned, fantastic and well worth readers looking at.

Alasdair Pepper Alton

Unsung heroes: timekeepers concentrating hard at Cowdray Park

Editor’s note: We agree that Debbie’s paintings, which have appeared in various issues of PT over the years, are brilliant. Our April feature highlighted a cross-section of the best British polo artists – but by no means every one of them – and if you or someone you know has been missed, do get in touch and we’ll do our best to talk to you next time!

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Alex Webbe reports from Florida, where the US Open’s defending champions Audi, led by the Pieres brothers, were swept aside by the season’s all-conquering team, Crab Orchard, led by Adolfo Cambiaso acundo Pieres scored the first goal in the opening minute of the 2010 Arcalux US Open Championship final at the International Polo Club in Wellington last month, but that was to be the only time that defending champions Audi had even so much as a sniff of the title. They were comprehensively beaten in the end as Crab Orchard manhandled the trophy from their grasp, 13-8, and racked up their third Open title in the last four years.

Victory in the Open also completed a memorable American Triple Crown for the team, having also scooped the CV Whitney Cup in February and Piaget Gold Cup in March, an elusive 26-goal clean sweep. Crab Orchard had sat out the 2009 season, but returned to the fray in emphatic fashion.

They beat Audi in their matches in both of the two earlier tournaments, making the side look like the pre-ordained champions for the Open.

However, the Open is never so predictable and, sure enough, Audi inflicted Crab Orchard’s first defeat of the season in the preliminary rounds for the Open. Facundo Pieres moved from number four to number two in the Audi line-up, allowing him to link up better with brother Gonzalito and to wreak havoc on the Crab Orchard defence. He scored nine goals as Audi took a thrilling victory in extra-time, 14-13.

Would Crab Orchard be denied the American Triple Crown clean sweep everyone expected after all? They rebounded with a one-sided 11-3 romp over Pony Express and then narrowly edged out Piaget 15-13 and Orchard Hill 13-10 to make the semi-finals, where they faced a Valiente side featuring Miguel and Nacho Novillo Astrada.

Audi, meanwhile, romped to the semi-finals unbeaten, and came up X

F

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Most valuable player Hilario Ulloa (wearing number one) goes after Audi’s Facundo Pieres (in red) in the final of the US Open

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Sunshine State shorts ◗ AFTER THE DEATH of 21 top polo ponies

during last year’s Open, few could ever have imagined that Lechuza Caracas would be back again to compete less than 12 months later.

Those strings had taken years to gather, and included best playing ponies from the 2009 CV Whitney and Piaget Gold Cups, in Victor Vargas’s Julieta and Juan Martín Nero’s Mini Bank respectively. So, to remount so quickly and with enough quality to only narrowly miss out on a place in the 2010 Open final represents a remarkable achievement.

“Those horses can never be fully replaced,” said Lechuza veteran Estaban Scott, “but obviously we picked up some new ones.

However, a lot of them were young horses that the players already had which we moved up, ponies that we had been working on and playing in the 14-goal and 20-goal. We even shuffled some horses from Venezuela, Argentina and England to fill this year’s string.” ◗ YVES G PIAGET, the creator of the renowned Adolfo Cambiaso (left) emphasised his status as the world number one once again, with an intelligent and indominatable performance in the final, capping what has been a fantastic season for American Triple Crown winners, Crab Orchard (above, l-r: George Rawlings, Adolfo Cambiaso, Julio Arellano and Hilario Ulloa)

X against an emotional Lechuza Caracas side, who

were remembering the catastrophic death of 21 of their polo ponies before a crucial US Open match a year earlier. Victory in that game would have given them a place in the 2009 semi-finals. Now, in 2010, they had made it but faced an Audi side in impressive form.

Vargas’s foursome put in a good display in a tight, low-scoring game, but Audi edged it, sneaking past Lechuza Caracas to make it five

To say that a rivalry exists between Cambiaso and the Pieres brothers would be a gross understatement wins out of five and booking themselves a place in the final. Crab Orchard dutifully gave everyone the final they had been hoping for, as they beat Valiente, 10-7.

To say that a rivalry exists between Cambiaso and the Pieres brothers would be a gross understatement, given their history in the Argentine Open in recent years and their clash in last summer’s British Gold Cup final, so the prospect of another clash in a major Open final was a mouth-watering one.

Despite defeat to Audi two-and-a-half weeks earlier, Crab Orchard’s otherwise superb record in the 26-goal season made them the marginal favourites, though Audi’s Gonzalito Pieres was quick to remind commentators that

they still had more in the tank and some tricks up their sleeve.

“We saved half of our horses for the final,” he said. “They are in great shape, so we’re confident and we’ll be ready.”

However, with an early goal from Facundo Pieres out of the way, Crab Orchard quickly marched out to a 5-2 lead by the end of the second chukka. The challengers looked wellorganised, and had clearly set out to shut down Audi’s attacking threats early on, playing a disciplined defensive game that allowed Cambiaso maximum support to work his magic with the ball.

Audi meanwhile looked shambolic at times.

Facundo Pieres rode onto the field with a number two on his back, but it was clear from the onset that he was spending most of his time operating at back. Patron Marc Ganzi was also struggling to play in one position, rarely leading the attacks in the number one position he was supposed to be occupying.

Audi also took the bizarre decision to give all the goal-line hits and penalty five shots from halfway to Facundo Pieres, which effectively took him out of each play. If they were expecting him to run all the way to goal from each of these opportunities, they got their game plan sorely wrong, and wholly underestimated the quality of the Crab Orchard defence.

After a 12-minute delay at half time because of rain, Crab Orchard continued to dominate.

And Audi seemed just as reluctant to defend. X

Piaget Polo watch bracelet some 30 years ago, continues to take a field-side box at IPCPB, and it must have felt like good value for the tournament bearing his company’s name. The 2010 USPA Piaget Gold Cup was full of more exciting thrills and spills than ever, with Crab Orchard’s comprehensive victory setting up the possibility of a rare American Triple Crown.

Crab Orchard made their intent clear early on in the Gold Cup, following up on their success in the CV Whitney with a thumping victory over the powerful and much-fancied Audi lineup by an embarrassing margin, 18-11.

They then marched all the way to the final, where they met Las Monjitas, whose side had been weakened by a nasty fall to their star 10-goaler Eduardo Novillo Astrada. Eduardo fell terrifyingly in their semi-final against Lechuza Caracas, and was left briefly unconscious. He was replaced by his brother Miguel (of the Valiente team) and they won in sudden-death extra time to reach the final.

However, without the services of regular Eduardo, who was still unable to play come the day of the final, it was always going to be a tall order to beat a Crab Orchard side in such scintillating form.

In the event, it was eventually Facundo Pieres that stepped in for Eduardo, as Audi had been eliminated and he was deemed eligible to play. Las Monjitas patron Camilo Bautista also returned to the lineup for the final, having recovered from an early-season injury. However, the two changes unsettled the underdogs even further and they were comprehensively beaten, 12-7.

That scoreline even probably flattered the losers, as Crab Orchard continued to improve with every game and Adolfo Cambiaso scored another personal victory over Facundo Pieres in their ongoing rivalry.

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How did the eight finalists perform?

We mark the finalists out of 10, based on effectiveness in terms of handicap CRAB ORCHARD No.1 – Hilario Ulloa (8)

8

Hilario made a big impact in Florida.

His aggressive attack continually allowed him to break loose, setting up an attractive target for passes from Cambiaso and Arellano. He also defended admirably, to great effect.

No.2 – Julio Arellano (8)

9

Aside from providing Crab Orchard with a reliable and effective penalty striker, Julio proved to be a consummate team player all over the ground. Wellmounted, Julio kept pace with Cambiaso’s string and provided a constant scoring threat in front of goal.

No.3 – Adolfo Cambiaso (10)

A Crab Orchard groom gives his side some encouragement on their way to a famous victory

10

Adolfo was Adolfo, constantly controlling the pace of the game and skillfully using his well-disciplined team-mates. Scored his three goals early and then let his numbers one and two crash through the Audi defence.

No.4 – George Rawlings (0)

6

By no means a decisive contribution, but George got involved enough to make a couple of well executed backhanders and passes to his colleagues. He was free for much of the game, and so often made himself useful by setting picks and blocks for his team-mates.

AUDI No.1 – Marc Ganzi (1)

3

A much more effective player last year. He had difficulty holding his position and rarely assisted a team-mate by blocking or riding his opposition off. Athletic and wellmounted, but Ganzi allowed Rawlings, whom he ought to have been marking, far too much possession.

No.2 – Facundo Pieres (10)

7

Photographs by Gregory Ratner (RatnerImages.com) and Rory Merry

Regardless of the number on his jersey, Facundo appeared to be playing the back position throughout, which left him out of the majority of the most decisive plays further up the ground. He held on to the ball too long and missed a couple of early scoring opportunities, as well as only landing half of his eight penalty shots.

Gonzalito Pieres (10)

9

Difficult to blame Gonzalito when his number two was seldom in position.

There were the usual moments of brilliance, but he wasn’t able to handle the attacking onslaught of Ulloa and Arellano on his own and looked somewhat tentative when the rains came.

No.4 – Inaki Laprida (5)

5

After playing brilliantly throughout the season, Inaki didn’t produce nearly his best for the final. Despite doing a stellar job in the teams’ last meeting, it all proved too much for the youngster to handle. Aside from the odd well-placed shot or great defensive play, he looked lost.

26 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

X Astonishingly, Cambiaso was time and time

again allowed to bring the ball forward for the first hundred yards or so each time he got it with almost no pressure on him at all.

When Audi’s defence did eventually show some interest, Cambiaso’s team-mates did the subordinate work, setting blocks and picks for him that allowed him to weave his way like a serpent towards goal or, more often than not, pick a defence-splitting pass.

In the end, it wasn’t even close, as Crab Orchard triumphed 13-8 to sew up what has been a remarkable US season. Audi were very disappointing, meaning the final wasn’t really the terrific game many had hoped it would be.

“They were just the better team today,” offered a bewildered Facundo Pieres at the end of the game. “I tried to go forward, but couldn’t get through.”

Older brother Gonzalito also lamented their lack of penetration, especially in front of goal. “We missed some early opportunities,” he said, “and we just couldn’t get any kind of rhythm going.”

It wasn’t the missed shots that hurt Audi as much as its lack of defence. Throughout the game, there always seemed to be a Crab Orchard man wide open, allowing for one scoring attempt after another. Crab Orchard’s number two Julio Arellano profited most from this weakness in Audi’s game, top-scoring in the final with seven goals.

Hilario Ulloa and Adolfo Cambiaso each scored three, with the youngster Ulloa scooping the most valuable player award.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Arellano. “This is definitely the most emotional win I have ever been a part of.”

He last won the Open 15 years ago, as part of Tim Gannon’s Outback side, when his eight-year-old Thoroughbred bay mare True was not even a twinkle in his mother’s eye. True picked up 2010’s best playing pony honours.

“Don’t let anyone fool you, every US Open Championship game is tough,” said Crab Orchard’s delighted patron George Rawlings. “I feel really fortunate to have achieved this with this side.” F ◗ See a full list of teams and results from the whole US 26-goal season on the tournament pages of the Polo Times website, at www.polotimes.co.uk ◗ Get a feel for the atmosphere on the sidelines at the Florida 26-goal season on page 84, where you can see who was mixing it in the stands and at the afterparty for the Piaget Gold Cup final.

US Open Championship; 28 March-18 April 2010; International Polo Club, Wellington, Florida Result: Crab Orchard beat Audi, 13-8 Principal sponsor: Arcalux Handicap level: 20-26 goal Number of team entries: nine Chukka scores (Crab Orchard): 3-1; 5-2; 7-3; 8-5; 10-7; 13-8 Most valuable player: Hilario Ulloa Best playing pony: True, owned and played by Julio Arellano Final teams Crab Orchard (26): Hilario Ulloa 8; Julio Arellano 8; Adolfo Cambiaso 10; George Rawlings 0 Audi (26): Marc Ganzi 1; Facundo Pieres 10; Gonzalito Pieres 10; Inaki Laprida 5

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Report Jaeger-LeCoultre Barbados Open

Left to right: Bajan mounted police lead out the teams for the national anthem; Team Courtesy/Nissan’s hero Roddy Williams is all smiles after his win; Jamie Le Hardy fires

Ice cool ‘Hot Rod’

Photographs by James Mullan

spearheads surprise sun-kissed success

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an under-the-neck in the subsidiary final; Alex Cole, who scored a clever goal to take the final into extra-time; Cristian Chavez reaches for the ball in the final at Clifton

James Mullan reports from the Caribbean, where the Brits were at the centre of heated upsets both on and off the field in the 2010 Barbados Open ngland’s Roddy Williams was the hero this March as his extra-time winner secured an unlikely victory for Team Courtesy/Nissan in the 2010 Barbados Open. His decisive third goal of the afternoon was the climax of a dramatic last two chukkas, camouflaging what otherwise had been a final littered with mistakes and whistle.

The thrilling conclusion – and some uncomfortable polo politics that preceded it – provided Williams’s heavily pregnant wife Zoë with more stress and excitement to deal with than would normally be considered advisable for a woman in her condition. Nevertheless, few of the 450-strong crowd would have wanted to miss the action in what is steadily becoming an increasingly compelling and goodquality fixture on the worldwide polo calendar.

In the three years since my first experience of the Barbados Open, the vastly improved quality of horses on the island is plain for all to see. Even with the very dry conditions that are threatening the longevity of this season and with more sides than ever putting a squeeze on resources, the ponies have lasted well and looked agile, responsive and superbly turned out.

A small but passionate group of very competitive patrons has been busy buying big from Argentina and making ponies from the racetrack. The result was some decent polo.

The 10-goal Team Courtesy/Nissan took the spoils over the much-fancied nine-goal Mercedes-Benz side, thanks largely to Williams’s superb leadership, a moment of inspiration from Bajan local Alex Cole and a mixed afternoon from Mercedes’ talisman Danny Atwell.

Mercedes was put together by defending Barbados Open patron, Philip Tempro – a two-goal property and construction tycoon. However, having been beaten only once en route to the final, they put in a complacent performance in the tournament decider and failed to hit their expected rhythm all afternoon.

Nevertheless, even playing badly, they had still put themselves in a position to win with seconds left to play, before Williams and Cole linked up to take the game into extra-time. With a delicate flick, Cole deflected Williams’s missing 60-yard safety shot X

E

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Le Hardy and the Taylors provide pick of the action WHILE IT WAS RIVETING to witness Roddy Williams’s triumph in the final, the most enjoyable side to watch this year was one steeped even deeper in the green and pleasant lands of England – Team Audi.

Bajan patron Bruce Bailey brought in Jamie Le Hardy and the father-and-son duo of island homeowners, Howard and Oliver Taylor.

“I usually form my side around Argies but I needed to try something new,” Bailey explained. “I didn’t particularly try to make it an English side but I liked the idea of playing with three guys that know the island and each other well already.”

Expectations were high. Bailey is one of Barbados’s most successful patrons in the Open, having enjoyed success over the last few seasons with a side formed around the likes of Gaston Moore and Gonzalo Fucci.

Oliver Taylor and Le Hardy played together as part of the winning subsidiary final side in 2008, and are good friends, while Howard Taylor is able to provide his own horses and, though in his sixties, still displays excellent agility.

Le Hardy and Oliver Taylor, mounted

by Bailey, provided the energy in midfield. Le Hardy, in particular, played out of his skin. Having spent the winter playing arena polo in the UK, he appeared to relish the opportunity to open up the horses on the larger, truer grass surface.

He was the tournament’s top scorer, and he and Taylor put in three goals each in the subsidiary final to lift the trophy and then share the most valuable player award, fittingly provided

by UK-based polo outfitters Uberpolo and presented by Le Hardy’s girlfriend, Mary Jones.

Howard Taylor scored twice in the subsidiary final, including an incredible under-the-neck shot that sent him tumbling off his horse as he sent the ball through the posts.

He recovered to score the game’s last goal after an excellent run before hotfooting it to the airport to get a 6.30pm flight back to the UK. All in all, Team Audi made for excellent viewing and it was a shame that Bruce Bailey’s oversight in using an ineligible horse cost them a place in the final.

30 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Clockwise from top: Teddy Williams attacks the ball in the subsidiary final; Audi’s Howard Taylor in the pony lines on finals’ day, when he scored two excellent goals; Cristian Chavez celebrates Courtesy/Nissan’s extra-time final win

island and I knew her from my last visit in April 2009, so I was able to feel in total control and between the posts. Brilliant. From the restart, take the ball to goal, which won it for us.”

Cristian Chavez grabbed the ball and backhanded Williams’s victory follows what has already it to Williams, who controlled his pony superbly as been an eventful 2010 for the Englishman. Back he picked a tricky line to goal and ran the ball all home in the arena, he played the way to seal victory. a prominent role as Cold “I played with Roddy in Smoke defied most predictions a couple of tournaments last by winning a highly year,” explained winning competitive Arena Gold Cup patron Stewart Gill. “So,I at the Berkshire. His victory already knew he was good four weeks later in Barbados and I really wanted him over was another surprise – in for this. Obviously, I’m very – Roddy Williams more ways than one. happy with how it worked Not only did their victory out. It’s my biggest victory as flout the odds in the final, but in reaching that a polo player so far.” final at all they also did more than their fair “It felt as though God was on our side,” said Roddy Williams. “Danny Atwell had an exceptional share of upsetting off the field as well. Having been apparently resoundingly beaten by Britishhorse that nearly ruined our whole game plan in dominated favourites Audi (see panel, left) for the the fourth chukka. But we equalised and then I second time in seven days in the their semi-final, had a very nice mare ready for extra-time, lent to Courtesy/Nissan’s patron Stewart Gill appealed to X me by Jeff Evelyn. It’s my fourth time on the

X through the only gap in the Mercedes defence and

“Danny Atwell had an exceptional pony that nearly ruined our whole game plan”

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Jaeger-LeCoultre Barbados Open Report

How did the eight finalists perform?

We mark the finalists out of 10, based on effectiveness in terms of handicap TEAM COURTESY/NISSAN No 1 – Stewart Gill (0)

6

Newish patron Gill is much improved and he set up the first goal of the final to send his side on their way. With a few more years in the saddle he will become a genuinely useful patron, and time is on his side.

No 2 – Cristian Chavez (3)

8

Chavez scored for fun in some of the side’s earlier games, alongside Roddy Williams, and looks cheap off three goals. In the final he only landed a single score, though he was involved in much of what his side did well, particularly in the first half. His impact then faded, which allowed Mercedes space and a way back into the game.

No 3 – Roddy Williams (5)

9

Aside from almost inducing his wife into labour by taking centre-stage in the late drama, Williams had a terrific day all round. Well mounted by Kent Cole, he cajoled his side throughout, set up the equaliser (albeit inadvertently) and scored the winner. Awesome.

No 4 – Alex Cole (2)

8

Didn’t make a huge impact on the general course of the game, and his horses looked tired, but he came up with a moment of absolute inspiration with just seconds left to play in normal time, conjuring an amazing deflected goal to take the final into an extra chukka.

TEAM MERCEDES-BENZ No 1 – Salvador SanchezDuggan (1)

4

Rather anonymous throughout, and kept somewhat out of the way, which meant Danny Atwell attempted to play both their positions – and, at one and four, that is no easy task!

No 2 – Philip Tempro (2)

6

Patron Tempro looks better each year, and shows a wider array of skills each time I watch him. This wasn’t his day, and at times he almost looked as though he was trying too hard! However, he did set up Atwell for the goal that should have won them the trophy.

No 3 – Nacho Acuna (3)

6

Scored when it counted but left too many of the hard yards to Atwell when it came to taking responsibility for controlling the game in midfield. He did, though, put in one wonderful backhand with typical Argentine flair midway through the fourth chukka.

No 4 – Danny Atwell (3)

7

Prominent, scoring three of his side’s five goals, but he was also guilty of missing at least another four that he would normally expect to score. Nevertheless, his incredible dark bay in the final chukka (BPP Gypsy) almost changed the entire course of the game.

Winners, Courtesy/Nissan (l-r): Alex Cole, Roddy Williams, Cristian Chavez and patron Stewart Gill

X tournament organiser Karen Kranenburg on

a technicality.

Audi’s patron Bruce Bailey had played a pony already used by another team in the tournament as a spare for two minutes during the semi-final. It had little or no impact on the scoreline but the mistake was enough to void the result and deny Bailey the chance to avenge his defeat from last year’s final.

And, when Audi clocked a thumping victory in the subsidiary final instead, his mistake looked like a shame too for the spectators, especially as most didn’t expect Courtesy/Nissan to be competitive – let alone genuine contenders – for the title. So when Williams rescued the day, producing the shock result of the season, it also justified Gill’s controversial decision to appeal their semi-final result. His by-the-book response to Bailey’s use of an illegitimate pony was considered by many to be a petty complaint by a side that posed little threat on the title, so to go on and win must have given him plenty of satisfaction (and, no doubt, relief).

“I hope Bruce and I are friends again, after what was genuinely an unfortunate set of circumstances,” said Gill. “There is no doubt that in winning, we have been a bit lucky.”

Some might not call it luck, but he proved his point. Courtesy/Nissan was good enough to be there, and it looked as though Mercedes-Benz had underestimated them.

The pony affair wasn’t the first such technical debating point. In an earlier round, Kranenburg had to consult HPA HQ after Team First Caribbean’s Englishman Neil

Dickson returned to action in the tournament just hours before the mandatory seven days required after a head injury had elapsed, prompting complaints from the opposition.

However, despite the irritation of what some might have seen as pedancy, it demonstrates how much these major competitions on the island mean to the patrons who enter teams in them. And that is why polo in Barbados is improving so fast for such a relatively small community. Sit up and take notice. It’s definitely worth a look. F ◗ See PT’s colourful social snaps on page 90

8th Barbados Open; 9-21 March 2010; Apes Hill, Holders, Lion Castle and Clifton Result: Courtesy/Nissan beat Mercedes-Benz, 6-5 Principal sponsor: Jaeger-LeCoultre Handicap level: 10-goal Chukka scores (Courtesy/Nissan): 2-2; 4-2; 4-3; 5-5; 6-5 Best playing pony: Gypsy, owned and played

by Danny Atwell Final teams Courtesy/Nissan (10): Stewart Gill 0; Cristian Chavez 3; Roddy Williams 5; Alex Cole 2 Mercedes-Benz (9): Salvador SanchezDuggan 1; Philip Tempro 2; Nacho Acuna 3; Danny Atwell 3 Subsidiary finalists for the Silver Cup Audi (10): Howard Taylor 0; Jamie Le Hardy 5; Oliver Taylor 4; Bruce Bailey 1 First Caribbean (10): Charles Chambers -1; Neil Dickson 2; Andrea Vianini 6; Teddy Williams 3

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Where the park meets the palms Among plenty of friendly faces from Guards, Diana Butler watches Desert Palm Polo Club’s flagship fixture go from strength to strength or the Guards members who watched the fifth Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge at Desert Palm Polo Club, it was a home from home. Club CEO, Charles Stisted, co-ordinated the event, linking polo, VIPs and sponsors with his usual aplomb.

George Cooper – chief steward of the UK Club – could be seen in his traditional blazer and Panama marshalling the paparazzi and guiding Royal Box guests to their seats; Florencia Cavalieri, assistant polo manager at Smith’s Lawn, found herself managing players, ponies and camels in 40-degree heat while marketing director James Turner was at the wheel of the official Porsche, driving photographer Tony Ramirez onto the ground to throw in the first ball of the game.

There were some familiar faces on the field too – including winning patron Clive Reid.

F Desert Palm’s Rashid Albwardy, Martin Valent, Clive Reid and Peter Webb enjoy the feeling after victory in the final over Julius Baer

George Cooper could be seen in his blazer and Panama marshalling the paparazzi and guests Accompanied by his professional, Pete Webb, Clive played alongside host Ali Albwardy’s son Rashid and Desert Palm polo manager Martin Valent. Not surprisingly the home team dominated the competition – winning all their league games, plus Friday’s final – where they defeated Bank Julius Baer 7-41/2.

Meanwhile Clare Milford Haven, co-patron of Bank Julius Baer team, was happy just to have made it to the final as her team did not have the easiest of starts. Clare was playing in place of X

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Qatar Airway’s Adriano Agosti goes head to head with England’s Chris Hyde, playing for Cartier, in the subsidiary final. Saeed Bin Drai looks on behind

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The Qatar Airways side of Adriano Agosti, Nicolas Petracchi, Saeed Bin Drai and Tomas Iriarte, winners of the subsidiary final, with representatives from their sponsors

X husband George who had pulled out at the last

minute due to business commitments. Co-patron Hani Habbas was expecting to play alongside regular pro, Rodolfo Ducos, but he had flown home earlier in the week on compassionate grounds. Three-goaler Matias Machado stepped into the breach for the first game and he so impressed his team-mates that they stopped looking for a higher handicapped player.

substitute was quickly found. This put Bank Julius Baer back into the game but despite their 21/2 goals on handicap, the combined horsepower and skill of the Desert Palm team proved unbeatable.

For the first time in the history of this tournament, four pro/am teams took part and the third- and fourth-placed teams battled for the subsidiary Desert Palm Trophy. Adriano

Daily prizes included shisha pipes and skateboards, and players were invited to ski and ride camels

Players and partners were invited to go skiing, play golf, ride camels, explore the desert at night and sample a true Argentine asado cooked by Martin Valent himself. F ◗ See some of the fun had off the field at the Cartier International for yourself on page 88

Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge; 23-26 March 2010; Desert Palm Polo Club, Dubai Result: Desert Palm beat Bank Julius Baer 7-41/2 Principal sponsor: Cartier Handicap level: 10 goal

Photographs by Tony Ramirez

Number of team entries: four

This was a good call as Matias went on to be named most valuable player during Friday’s final and received a pair of La Martina boots from His Excellency Dr Hanif, Dubai’s Minister of Health, who was attending the event on behalf of the patron of the event, HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein.

Bank Julius Baer’s difficulties continued into the final though as Richard Le Poer was hit in the arm by a ball in the final chukka and had to retire. Luckily the Dubai-based Argentines had set up camp around the players’ tent and so a

36 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Agosti, co-patron of the Qatar Airways team with Saeed Bin Drai, stepped up to receive the Desert Palm Trophy from Dr Hanif after his team’s win over Cartier (rec 11/2) 91/2-3.

Unfortunately the red shirts had struggled all week, despite some strong play from Chris Hyde, and failed to turn play into goals.

However, this tournament was as much about having fun as winning matches. This was reflected in the unusual daily prizes, which included BBQs, shisha pipes, skateboards and scooters, and a comprehensive collection of additional activities.

Most valuable player: Matias Machado Best playing pony: Bayaco, 13 years old, played by Clare Milford Haven, owned by Ali Albwardy International teams: Desert Palm (9): Rashid Albwardy 1; Clive Reid 0; Martin Valent 4; Peter Webb 4 Bank Julius Baer (7): Hani Habbas 0; Clare Milford Haven 0; Richard Le Poer 4; Matias Machado 3 Qatar Airways (8): Adriano Agosti 0; Saeed Bin Drai 1; Nicolas Petracchi 3; Tomas Iriarte 4 Cartier (10): Amr Zedan 0; Sunjay Kapur 0; Simran Shergill 4; Chris Hyde 6

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Report Hickstead in India

Playtime in Mumbai John Bunn reports back from an eventful few days in India, where he and three British players of note slipped to a narrow defeat to their hosts The event recieved national press coverage, including (clockwise from left) in The Sunday Times of India, in The Bombay Times, and in DNA After Hours magazine

ith the International Arena Test Match between England and Scotland out of the way in late February, the All England Polo Club Hickstead turned its attention to the next of its overseas tours, as I accepted the job of forming a 15-goal invitational side to play in Mumbai in March. It followed a mediumgoal match against an Indian side at Guards Polo Club in summer 2009, billed as the Asia Cup, and another return fixture has already been confirmed for this season, at Guards again on 26 June.

I have already led sides to the snow polo at Klosters in previous years and we also play at least once a year in Barbados, but this was the first time I had formed a team to play in India.

Organisers Celebrasian, an events company concentrating on occasions with a UK-India focus, asked me to bring players that were people of influence or importance to UK polo.

In calling upon Jamie Morrison, Jack Kidd and Henry Brett, while I might not have picked the UK’s top professionals, I certainly brought some of the best “players” in the game!

Sure enough, a thrilling four days was the result. The organisers flew us out first-class by

Photographs by Gaurav Chand and Neil Sen

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38 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Kingfisher Airlines and put us up at the Imperial Palace Hotel on the outskirts of Mumbai (though the locals still call it Bombay).

With a successful warm-up game under our belts, and the promise of more new ponies from the Amateur Riders’ Club for the main “international” game on our final day, we set off to join in the fun and games of the Indian Premier League cricket (IPL), and an IPL party with some of the world’s best players on the top floor of the Four Seasons Hotel.

It may not have been the ideal preparation for our main game, but we made a good start in front of the 400-500 spectators, opening up a three-goal lead with a penalty and two field goals. We maintained a two-goal advantage all the way through to the final chukka, when we were eventually out-horsed and ARC India snuck past us to victory, 9-8.

However, Henry Brett finished as the game’s most valuable player and the quality of polo was deemed to be fairly good, given the slightly agricultural appearance of the ground, which actually played a lot better than it looked.

The challenge has already been re-laid again for a rematch in 2011, when Celebrasian’s Neil Sen hopes to expand the tour to include some polo in Delhi as well. F

University challenge: Oxbridge in Delhi EARLIER THIS SPRING, Oxford University students Tom Mayou, Tessa Lord and Max Kirchoff joined forces with Cambridge University’s Lucy Sturridge to form a mixed Oxbridge side to take on Team Army at the Army Equestrian Centre, Delhi Cantonment, on 4 March.

Kirchoff was also captain of the Cambridge University Polo Club for two years as an undergraduate, and Lord is this year’s Oxford University club captain.

Their visit coincided with annual dinner celebrations of the Oxford and Cambridge Society of India at the home of the British High Commissioner, Sir Richard Stagg.

The tourists drew 3-3 with their Indian Army hosts, as captain Mayou scored all three goals to ensure the diplomatic result. A skilful display of tent pegging by members of the 61st Cavalry followed the game, before Lady Arabella Stagg presented the trophies and the players and spectators unwound with an evening of tea, cucumber sandwiches and kebabs.

Oxbridge (-2): Tom Mayou (Oxford, Mansfield) 1; Tessa Lord (St Cats, Oxford) -2; Max Kirchoff (Harris Manchester, Oxford) 0; Luci Surridge (Homerton, Cambridge) -1

ARC India vs AEPC, Hickstead; 20 March; Amateur Riders Club, Mumbai Result: ARC India beat Hickstead, 9-8 Principal sponsor: Celebrasian Handicap level: 15 goal Number of team entries: two Most valuable player: Henry Brett International teams: ARC India (13): Harsh Piramal / Shyam Mariwala 1; Vishal Chauhan 3; Ravi Rathore 4; Samir Suhag 5 AEPC, Hickstead (14): John Bunn 0; Jamie Morrison 4; Henry Brett 6; Jack Kidd 4

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Clockwise from left: Henry Brett, named MVP, and team-mate Jack Kidd; Jack Kidd (red hat) during the showdown in Mumbai; Hickstead and ARC India clash on the dry ground at the Amateur Riders’ Club; teams, sponsors and hosts relax after the game. A rematch is already scheduled for next year, with action in Delhi as well

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Reports At home and abroad France

Beach boosts profile of re-established club Players from across Europe descended upon the quaint town of Le Touquet in northern France at the end of March to return polo to the area and celebrate the start of the French polo season ouquet Polo Club only re-opened in November of last year, after closing down during World War II. However, despite commitment from Le Touquet’s local council to reserve seven hectares for a new polo field, the club does not yet have a feasible ground to play on – so staff and members are creating publicity and drumming up support with imaginative new initiatives.

The latest of these was a -2-goal beach polo event on 27-28 March, when the recently re-established Touquet Polo Club welcomed six teams, with local French players alongside Polish players from Polski Polo Klub in Warsaw and Flemish players from Brussels.

Le Touquet beat Black-Pearl-Arcturus by half a goal, 3-21/2, continuing a run of wins from the club’s inaugural beach tournament last year, when organisers used the eye-catching event to promote the launch of the club.

“We hope to have our first ground ready for competitive action by the 2012 season,” said Pierre Bergounioux, president of Touquet Polo Club. “It is

T

reasonable to envisage two fields of international standard by the end of this decade. The national association [French Federation of Polo] wants Le Touquet next to St Tropez and Bagatelle as a major name in the national and international circuit because of our rich polo heritage.”

In the meantime, members will continue to travel to other grounds in the region to play their polo, or will take part in events such as this one on the nearby beach, though no tournaments are currently planned during the main summer season so as not to interfere with its members who wish to play a full grass season elsewhere.

Eventually, however, the club’s polo team hopes to build a venue that will attract British players for the short hop across the channel. Indeed, the trip is deemed short enough by organisers for the London 2012 Olympics, who have identified the area as somewhere they recommend to countries setting up a base for the duration of the event. It is in the north-east corner of France, near Belgium and just 30 miles from the UK coastline.

Lacey Green

New polo manager begins her tenure FOLLOWING UP ON Carlie Trotter’s Playing Around column in the last issue of Polo Times, our featured club of the month Lacey Green has since welcomed a new polo manager full time to take up the reins at the club for this season.

Octavia Campbell-Davys is the former secretary and polo manager from Vaux Park, having learned her trade in polo as part of Cambridge University Polo Club, when she studied Social and Political Sciences there as an undergraduate.

Her love of the game grew with several trips to Argentina and with periods spent grooming at Waimai Polo Club in New Zealand and at West Somerset Polo Club in the UK. Fortunately, she has her former boss from New Zealand, Richard Seavill, managing nearby at West Wycombe, and she has already been warmly received by the club’s board and members.

“We are delighted to have found someone with Octavia’s experience,” said the club’s founder, Jairo Rojas. “She seems to have the right level of energy to manage a young club with so much to offer, but also so many things to learn.”

The club also welcomes back the same group of pros they had on board last year, and have also brought in George McCorkell and Greg Keyte, as well as Kirtlington-based player and umpire, Martin Fewster.

40 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Octavia Campbell-Davys, left and above, arrives at Lacey Green with experience running the polo at Vaux Park. She has also played in New Zealand and Argentina

“We are delighted to have found someone with Octavia’s experience” – club founder Jairo Rojas

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Photographs by Thierry Poussard

Players at Touquet Polo Club have no ground to play on as yet, but organisers have been resourceful, playing on the very public platform of Le Touquet’s historic beach. The town’s beachfront was once the playground of choice for wealthy Brits such as Noel Coward, Ian Fleming and P G Wodehouse, back in the early 20th century

Argentina

La Bamba reigns over the Republic

Photograph by Sergio Llameria

THE 82nd ARGENTINE Republic Cup brought together 12 teams that each came to the tournament via victory or automatic qualification from 12 different qualifying tournaments, known as circuits, writes Hernan Alvarez.

The final pitted Trenque Lauquen against a name well known to English subscribers, La Bamba de Areco, on Sunday 28 March.

La Bamba had lost to the same opponents in the opening round five days earlier, 14-12.

However, they had learned from their mistakes second time round and ground out a narrow victory, 11-10, to lift one of the

most important championships of the Argentine autumn season.

Their win was despite giving Trenque Lauquen a lead to defend before a ball had even been hit, as La Bamba conceded two goals on handicap. However, Diego Cavanagh and Guillermo Willington clawed their side back into the game after some good early dominance exerted by Trenque Lauquen’s Juan Ignacio Merlos and Pablo Jauretche, and by the end of the third chukka, La Bamba led 7-5.

They held on despite a good final chukka from Trenque Lauquen and then the La Bamba celebrations could begin.

Above left: Argentine Republic Cup winners, La Bamba de Areco (l-r: Rodrigo Rueda, Guillermo Willington, Santiago Tanoira and Diego Cavanagh) The map above illustrates where the 12 qualifying circuits for the tournament take place. Each supplies a team (the circuit winner) that goes on to contest the Republic Cup, also known as Argentina’s National Circuits Championship

Finalists La Bamba de Areco (25): Diego Cavanagh 7; Santiago Tanoira 6; Guillermo Willington 7; Rodrigo Rueda 5 Trenque Lauquen (23): Juan Pablo Jauretche 1; Pablo Jauretche 8; Juan Ignacio Merlos 9; Andres James 5 Chukka scores (La Bamba de Areco): 2-3; 4-5; 7-5; 9-6; 10-7; 11-10

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At home and abroad Reports

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Photograph by Lindsay McCall / PMG

Ireland

Two in a row for England overseas in tatters by a thrilling comeback by the English ENGLAND RECOVERED from a poor start at the and then another defeat by the Irish on day two of second annual SUPA Tri-Nations Arena Polo the competition. England converted a 15-yard Tournament at Polo Wicklow in Ireland to make penalty in the last ten seconds to draw, having the final and win their second consecutive title, been three goals down just minutes earlier, and writes Jack Woods. then Ireland beat their northern neighbours by two On 8-9 April, university teams from Ireland, to set up a final between the English and the Irish.

Northern Ireland and England fought it out in England put in a repeat performance from their bright spring sunshine along the shores of the Irish Sea. Organised by SUPA Ireland and students victory the previous day over Ireland, winning by three to announce themselves as the tournament’s from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland overall winner. Back in the (RCSI), the three sides All three sides were clubhouse, England’s David Blakey managed to create a and Ireland’s Fiona Seager picked highly competitive and in with a chance of up the most valuable male and open two days of lifting the trophy on female player trophies respectively, competition, with the the final day and a barbecue and cocktails English side only followed overlooking Brittas beach. running out victorious “To see such good quality polo demonstrates the in the last chukka of their final against the Irish, strength of the sport among the youth of Britain who had the largest squad of players. and Ireland,” said James Kennedy, chairman of England lost their opening game of the event SUPA Ireland. “It is now up to us and the current to Northern Ireland before convincingly thumping players to try and expand the scope of SUPA both their Irish hosts 4-1, but the open nature of the in Ireland and abroad.” tournament was soon there for all to see as the same Northern Irish side then fell to a crushing Teams defeat of their own, as the Irish bounced back England (2): David Blakey 2; Rebecca Griffiths 0; from defeat to triumph, 5-1.

Trish Haylock-Vize 0 This left all three sides with a chance of lifting Northern Ireland (2): Nicholson Boyd 1; the trophy but Northern Ireland’s chances were left Ed Foster 1; Kate Campbell 0 That winning feeling Rebecca Griffiths recounts the English side’s experience in Ireland.

USA

Gay Polo League launches to media storm in Florida A POLO LEAGUE specifically for gay men and women hosted the first ever Annual International Gay Polo Tournament at the Grand Champions Polo Club in Florida early last month. The tournament, sponsored by Credit Suisse, welcomed four teams and attracted plenty of local scrutiny, as many people and members of the worldwide polo community discussed whether such a league was necessary.

"We just want to level the playing field," said organiser John Wigdahl. "We don't want to be treated any better or any worse that anyone else. We just want to be accepted as equals".

The size of the gay polo community isn’t entirely clear but, as it was, each team also included a highgoal professional to form their sides, namely Nic Roldan (9), Jeff Blake (7), Juan Bollini (6) and Joey Casey (5). Wigdahl himself, who was on the Bluehorse team that finished as runner up and was named the tournament’s most valuable amateur player, was a member of the 1989 FIP World Championships USA polo team.

More than 1500 spectators turned out at the event to witness Equestrian Life, led by their pro Juan Bollini, defeat Bluehorse, 4-3, in the final. A VIP after-party followed and many other spectators picnicked all along the west side of the field.

Photographs by Faruq Pradhan

“As we left Dublin for Wicklow in high spirits, there was the feeling that we were in for an epic adventure. Our team tactics were sorted and so, when we were each given ponies of a similar size and temperament to our own back home, we were confident of a back-toback victory and felt sure that we would be bringing the trophy home to England for the second year running.

“However, it was a tough task and, having marked key opponents like Irish two-goaler Fiona Seager and Northern Ireland’s Nicholson Boyd, there was little doubt that Trish and I in defence would be heading home with multiple bruises and aching limbs. However, it was worth it and there was plenty of fun off the ground as well.

“On Friday morning, we warmed up for our second day of matches by joining up with the annual beach foot mallet tournament, a game that was watched with great curiosity by the locals. We were also surprised by the impressive quality of Polo Wicklow’s facilities, which came complete with a sauna as well as showers! All in all, the Irish hospitality was fantastic and it was a wonderfully enjoyable experience, even more so because we won.”

Winners, Equestrian Life (l-r): Chip McKenney, Juan Bollini, Gordon Ross, and Tom Landry

Above (top): England goes head-to-head with Ireland in the final, and (below) the sides line up together beforehand. England played in red, white and (predominantly) blue Akuma shirts, hosts Ireland played in their traditional green and Northern Ireland lined up in white

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Reports At home and abroad Pakistan

A feisty present for a president

Photographs by Clare Sheikh

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Abdullah Gul, president of Turkey, saw more than just polo when he paid a state visit to Lahore Polo Club last month. Also there to welcome him were camels, goats and a buffalo

DANCING CAMELS, pirouetting stallions and enormous goats invaded Lahore Polo Club this Easter, writes Polo Times’ regular correspondent from Pakistan, Clare Sheikh.

It was all part of the festivities to honour the visit of Turkish president, Abdullah Gul. In the week prior to his arrival on a balmy April fool’s day, Lahore’s stick and ball sessions were disrupted by a week of frantic and surreal rehearsals for the main event.

Then, on the day itself, guests and members at the beautifully groomed club grounds were teased for more than three hours, waiting patiently for the imminent arrival of the head of state. There

was one moment of amusement in the build-up, as the swarm of sinister black-suited Turkish secret service officials were sent into panic stations by the noisy explosion of two balloon cylinders. They needn’t have worried. When Mr Gul did announce his arrival, it was even more dramatic, accompanied as he was by more than 100 vehicles with flashing lights, to the consternation of the shiny traditional local buffalo patiently awaiting him.

The band struck up immediately with the Turkish national anthem and an intriguing selection of dancing camels took to the field, accompanied by some spectacular stallions and

an unruly selection of goats. The most acrobatic camel stood on a stool and horses walked on their hind legs amidst the balloons and the dancers. After the arrival of some extremely large sheep in their best decorative headgear, there was an electrifying display of tent-pegging in which the boys of Lahore's illustrious Aitchison College boarding school distinguished themselves.

The finale to the remarkable celebrations was an exhibition polo match featuring Pakistan's finest players, and then the visiting president himself received an appropriately equine gift – a spirited Arab stallion. He accepted the horse and left with it to rapturous applause.

Argentina

Photograph by Victor Chua

Cervezas for Servaes – Alice flies high at La Aguada ENGLAND’S ALICE SERVAES, 26, of the now entirely private Suffolk arena polo club, Carlton House, scored a resounding victory in the final of the 12-goal La Aguada Autumn Cup this spring, as her Carlton Farm side – featuring two up-andcoming brothers – comprehensively beat Escorihuela Gascón, 11-7.

The tournament took place at the Novillo Astrada’s sprawling 200-hectare polo site, La Aguada, near Open Door in Argentina. And Alice got to play against the high-goal brothers’ father, Taio, on her way to victory.

“It was brilliant experience for me,” Alice told Polo Times. “Playing against such fantastic players and then winning my first ever 12-goal prize was terrific.

I knew we had a good side but, honestly, I never expected to win. La Aguada is lovely and everyone I played was a real gentleman on the field, which made it a great tournament to be a part of. I was only over in Argentina for two weeks, so I timed my trip perfectly. I will definitely be back next March.”

44 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Winners, Carlton Farm (l-r: Fabio Lavinia, Alice Servaes, Juan Manuel Harriet and Juan Carlos Harriet)

Alice was named the final’s most valuable player, though she was full of praise for her side, which was put together by Fabio Lavinia, a four-goal pro she has previously played with at Frolic Farm in Cambridgeshire. He also used to umpire at Carlton House, which Alice continues to run, though now it only operates as a private place to play, having sold all the farm’s schooling horses last year.

Alice is the youngest daughter of James and Rebecca Servaes, who own the farm. James was left paralysed from the chest down following a fall playing at Carlton House on December 27 2008.

Having struggled to keep the club operating successfully without his help when he was in hospital, following complications to his injury, the club is now open for invitation-only polo to players who can bring and play their own horses.

All profits from this go to the Air Ambulance that treated James at the time of his accident. Polo is played at the Carlton House arena all year round, and is now particularly popular as a place for players to bring on their young horses.

La Aguada Autumn Cup finalists Carlton Farm (11): Alice Servaes 0; Juan Manuel Harriet 2; Fabio Lavinia 4; Juan Carlos Harriet 5 Escorihuela Gascón (11): Sebastían López 0; José López 1; Max Pistone 3; Alejandro Pistone 4

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Feature Summer grounds upkeep

Caroline Stern asks groundsmen, specialist contractors and polo managers to reveal their essential tips for a perfect summer playing surface is for Aeration “I have never encountered a situation where too much aeration is being carried out.

Horses bring about massive compacting forces, which need to be relieved through aeration work. Nutrients are only given up to the grass if the soil structure is healthy.” – TL Mike Herring from CH Ground Maintenance adds that aeration is usually carried out in spring and autumn rather than summer. is for Boards – but plastic or timber?

“We have had plastic boards since 2000 and not broken one yet. They are made in Holland out of recycled carrier bags and cost the same as timber boards, but don’t need painting or taking out of the ground. They fit together like Lego, so they don’t have any steel plates on them and are safer.” – IG “We prefer wooden boards: we have plastic boards on one ground, and wouldn’t use them again. The model we put in was too substantial, and when sun shines on them they expand and

46 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

buckle slightly – which we hadn’t been warned about when fitting them.” – Chris Bethell, polo manager at Cowdray is for Contractors “Make sure any contract sprayers you use have got their spraying licences – check all contractors’ credentials and get references.” – IG is for Drainage “Drainage increases costs but produces a safer pitch. During winter, if your ground slopes gently, use a Mole plough to improve winter drainage, which costs about £600 to buy, compared to paying tens of thousands to a drainage specialist.” – IG

is for Expertise “There are many things to consider when looking after a polo ground and no two maintenance programmes are alike. Following the advice of a grounds maintenance specialist should save you money and achieve better grounds.” – TL “We have created good polo fields from an experienced farming background and used only quality land. Our ground quality can produce a field with a good bottom in only two years.” – LW is for Fertiliser “There is a great deal of mysticism regarding applying fertiliser to polo grounds. The situation is far less complicated than some sales representatives would have you believe.

“How much and how often? In the case of a newly- established surface, the answer is lots and regularly. Development of a new sward is hampered by lack of fertiliser in its first year.

“On established grounds, frequency of application depends largely on soil type. Soils with a high clay and organic matter content retain a lot more nutrients, which they release on a gradual basis to the grass.

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Expert panel – who is who?

TL = Dr Tim Lodge: official HPA grounds consultant and director of Agrostis Turf Consultancy IG = Ian Graham, head groundsman at Coworth Park Polo Club PE = Paul Esterhuizen, Guards Polo Club facilities manager EW and LW = Eddie and Lou Wright, owners of Cambridgeshire’s newly affiliated Frolic Polo, known for its high-goal standard fields - Plus others as named NM = Noel Mackenzie, director and principal consultant, Sports Turf Consulting Ltd EM = Eibhlin Murphy, Manager, Major Equipment Ltd Plus others as named

“In these situations, fertiliser need only be applied on two or three occasions yearly and the overall quantity of fertiliser will be smaller.

Because grass clippings are returned to the soil and polo ponies do not eat the grass, there is very little net removal of nutrients so no need to replace them.

“Polo grounds on sandy and free-draining soils require more frequent applications. Because there is less clay and organic matter, applied nutrients are retained by the soil for much shorter periods.

An excess of nutrient will be leached out by rainfall so a little-and-often approach tends to be more successful.” – TL is for Goalposts “With wooden insert goalposts, put a saw cut across the base of the pole at ground level so when a horse hits it, the post snaps off cleanly – better to lose a post rather than a horse or player.” – IG is for Health and Safety “Make sure as many staff as possible have done the Five-Day First-Aid At Work course, as the first-aider can’t help himself or anyone else if he is injured!” – IG

is for Irrigation “Throughout the season, a close eye should be kept on moisture levels within the turf and, if it starts drying out, the irrigator can be pulled out of the barn.” – PE is for Jump leads “For grounds maintenance vehicles come spring!” – anonymous groundsman is for (Weed)Killer “Spring fertiliser should give the grass a good start to the season and, in following weeks, there should be an application of weedkiller, to knock out any small weeds.” – PE is for Length of grass “Our cut height varies from 15-19 millimetres, depending on conditions. Short at the start of the season or when it’s wet.

Shorter grass gives more hoof contact with the ground and is therefore safer. Wet ground has more give, but leave grass longer when it’s dry, for bounce.” – IG

“On good ground, pitches need to be cut every other day during summer.” – LW “A club’s reputation depends on the quality of its pitches. In the tougher economic climate, it is easy to overlook replacing front line machines. A rotary roller mower will give a perfect cut every time, at a fraction of the cost of traditional cylinder mowers” – EM is for Notes & interNet “We keep a weather diary and note hours of sunshine and rainfall quantity. The rainfall figures are used for irrigation and also give an idea of how the pitch will play. We also use internet forecasts, looking at hour-byhour reports and 10-day forecasts.” – IG is for Operating conditions “If operating conditions are right, don’t wait for the right time of year; for instance, Mole plough in November when it’s wet but not soggy. In February, if the ground is drying, the plough will open up the ground and the pitch will be unusable.” – IG X

is for Mowing “As the season progresses, mowing can be increased to twice a week and later, when the weather allows, to three times a week.” – PE

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Feature Summer grounds upkeep X

is for Pony lines “Basically, if you want bling then have bling, otherwise telegraph poles and rope will do just as nicely. Popular types we have installed include poles in the ground with a telegraph pole as a cross-member; heavy-duty steel posts with a stranded steel cable hung between them; and individual tubular steel cubicles. Some clients like a covering – based on materials used for marquees or commercial greenhouses – to protect the ponies from rain and sun. If you don't opt for this, shade is an important factor when siting the lines.

“Bases range from turf or woodfibre to concrete. Often, on the basis of cost, concrete – usually with some form of matting – will only be laid under the forelegs, where the most wear and tear occurs.

“The lines must be close to the ground, but bear in mind distance from transport or loading areas. Access to water is vital and we often build a wash-down area, inspection boxes and vets boxes nearby. We have also built pony lines in wooded areas to minimise visual impact.

“With polo being a mainly fair-weather sport ground conditions are not crucial, but siting your lines somewhere that takes months to dry out in spring should clearly be avoided.” – Jeremy Curling from Jeremy Curling Fencing

Photograph by Yolanda Carslaw

is for Quality of ground “The ground we are on half does the job for us – it’s forgiving black peat, flat and freedraining. We just do what suits the land. However, we don’t over-cook a pitch, but instead move on to another. It’s a case of not pushing a pitch too far so that they come back up in the winter.” – EW

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A groundsman’s work is never done: the number one field at Trippetts

is for Rain, and Risk “Too much is highly dangerous.

Wet and slippery grounds cause accidents. If a horse lands on you that could mean six months away from the game. The responsible thing to do is cancel the match. Too little and the ground is too dry and hard which can damage horses’ legs and feet. Summer rain is welcome; it softens the ground and gives the horses’ hooves more purchase.” – NM

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is for Top dressing “There is a great deal of misunderstanding about what top dressing [with sand] does.

“A top dressing will bring about an immediate, though short-term, improvement in traction. Consequently, application a week or so prior to an important event tends to be very beneficial in improving grip, particularly in wet conditions.

“Over time, such top dressings accumulate and improve soil structure and texture from the surface downwards. This is how more lasting benefits are brought about. The more sand in the surface the better and more consistent it becomes. It takes a lot of sand to bring about significant improvements, though.” – TL is for Usage, and minimising it “We have five pitches and a ceiling of 75 members this summer, to ensure continued ground quality.” – LW

is for Sand…

“A ground will absorb up to 300 tonnes of sand, and such applications could theoretically take place up to three times a season. Given that each application costs around £10,000 it is important that a club or ground owner understands the point of doing it.” – TL …which brings us to…

is for Verti-draining “In spring, after all the cold and wet, Verti-draining and hollow-coring help to aerate the turf.” – PE “If hiring Verti-drains and hollow cores, book ahead so that you get them when you want them, not whenever suits the hirer!” – IG

the surface muddy. They also transfer soil from the surface to deeper in the profile. If there is £10,000-worth of sand in the surface this is not such a good thing.” – TL is for eXtra help “Grounds repair crews are the most expensive component of polo and also the most valuable part. We build their cost into game fees as with the ambulance and the vet.” – IG is for Year-round planning “Make a work plan for the year and ensure your staff are aware of when they will be needed.

Know your tournament schedule for planning grounds maintenance, when you irrigate, when you feed or when you are weed-killing.” – IG is for ZZZ (or lack thereof) Good grounds don’t look after themselves and, apparently, the best grounds keepers never rest: “The work starts as the season finishes!” – PE F

is for Worms “Worms might be considered to improve soil structure. We have machines to do this, however, and generally worms are more of a problem than a benefit, because their casts make

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Feature Embryo Transfer

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Edgardo Iriarte advocates embryo transfer but stresses that, for those hoping to produce ponies capable of playing the Argentine high-goal, ET is only one link in a very complex chain

or many of the thousands of spectators of last year's Argentine Open, a crucial fact about the horses taking part passed unnoticed: the incredible number conceived through embryo transfer (ET). At Palermo 1999, just seven of the equine athletes were born using ET. Ten years later, there were 192. In just 10 years, embryo transferred horses playing the Open has multiplied 27 times!

During the 2009 final, Gonzalito Pieres played six mares, of which five (Fina Pepa, Grappa Galera, Open 82, Open Chita and Ellerstina Capelina), all registered Polo Argentino breed, were born by embryo transfer. Only one, Habanna, was not a Polo Argentino ET. What is the reason behind such success? Why are the planet's best players so enthusiastic about ET? Is ET for everybody, and does it make practical and financial sense to put your best mares through a high-cost ET donor program?

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Garbage in, garbage out During ET, an embryo is passed from a donor uterus to a “recipient” dam seven days after conception.

This technique allows the number of foals produced by a mare to be multiplied many times, to reduce the generation interval and increase the selection intensity. Consequently, it generates a leap forward in the genetic quality of the breed.

But embryo transfer is a tool, not a magic wand. Years ago, when the computing era was in its infancy, many people thought computers were “intelligent” devices that could solve any kind of problem or question. To explain they were just machines, a tool and not a genius, an acronym was devised: GIGO, meaning Garbage In Garbage Out. The GIGO concept applies to ET. If you reproduce a low-genetic quality mare, you are “garbaging in” and then, even if you use a good stallion, you will only have very expensive “garbage out”. Since ET is only a tool, you need to go from GIGO to BIBO (Best In Best Out) and the Best In is when you use excellent and only genetically excellent mares as donors. But what is a “genetically excellent mare”? This is the billiondollar question, but one that I hope to answer.

The multiplication game Each horse breeder has the same main objective: to multiply the best genetic pool in order to improve his or her breed as much and as fast as possible. In the Thoroughbred this has not been difficult because of the racing system: horses compete very young (two years old), and mares retire to reproduce when they are three or four.

This system allows an outstanding mare to deliver her first foal at four or five years of age. A Thoroughbred mare has around 10 foals in her

reproductive life without the help of embryo transfer or any other modern technique.

In polo, a good mare won't play high-goal until she's six or seven and she will continue for around 10 years. Since competition and reproduction are not compatible, the polo mare, if not helped by ET, won’t enter her reproductive life until she is at least 16. She will probably not be

Embryo transfer is particularly relevant to polo, where a good playing mare often won’t reproduce naturally until she is 16 able to have more than two or three foals and only one of them might be a filly.

In Argentina this situation is more complex because many brilliant mares were exported, leaving no descendants in the country. Genetic progress has often been difficult and slow as a result.

Embryo transfer has changed all this. Now the continuity of the best genetic pool is guaranteed.

When a four- or five-year-old mare, of a good female family, demonstrates great playing skills you can enter her in an ET program. Once you have four or five embryos you won't lose her bloodline even if you sell her.

X

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Feature Embryo Transfer

Opinion

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Embryo transfer is undoubtedly a tremendous tool, which allows both breeders and players to get the maximum genetic potential out of a certain mare.

However, a successful outcome is dependant on many factors – the happy collision of the best genes from the mare and the stallion, plus the foal’s environmental factors, which are more important than its genes. A study in Edinburgh showed that 8.5 per cent of a horse’s performance comes from its genes, meaning the remaining 91.5 per cent is down to how the horse is handled, fed and trained.

That said, starting with good genes is without doubt the best way, as the athletic potential is there from the start. As such, it’s also vitally important not to forget the quality of the stallion as well. It is a crucial choice. For example, if a breeder decides to opt for a racing stallion, he should use one that was successful over eight furlongs (1600m), as GPS tracking shows this is the average distance that a polo pony covers in a chukka.

◗ England’s Aurora Eastwood

‘

Photograph by Sergio Llamera

Gonzalito Pieres played the 2009 Argentine Open final almost entirely on mares bred through embryo transfer

Recommended reading • Equine Genetics & Selection Procedures, by Lorraine W Chackley et al, Equine Research Publications, 1998, Texas, US • The Horse, by J Warren Evans et al, W.H. Freeman & Co., 1977, New York, US • Horse Genetics, by Ann T Bowling, CABI Publishing, 1996, Oxon, UK

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The same goes for the outstanding mares that play Tortugas, Hurlingham, Palermo, the Queen's and Gold Cups in England or the US Open. Nowadays, immediately after the season these mares go to an ET centre with the sole objective of obtaining several embryos with the best stallions available. If a great mare has her polo career cut short by injury, she will spend much of her life as a donor, producing 10 or 20 fillies (instead of just the few possible through natural gestation).

This is the fantastic contribution ET has made to the polo pony breed, applying the genetic concepts of accuracy, intensity factor, standard deviation and generation interval.

Genetic contribution It is important to understand the true contribution of genetics to develop a Palermo Open horse. Excellent genetics is necessary but is by no means sufficient in itself to ensure the development of such a horse.

It’s necessary, because without it the resulting horse won’t have the athletic skills required in highgoal matches, but it’s also insufficient – because, to express these genetics to their full potential, it is mandatory to complete a high-quality entire process, in raising, breaking, schooling, nutrition, vet care, training, player horsemanship and polo expertise.

Choosing your donor or embryo When the moment arrives to select a donor mare or to buy an embryo, it’s of paramount importance to be as accurate as possible. In this sense, accuracy means to predict the true genetic value of a mare and/or stallion. Since inheritance of quantitative traits in horses is based on very little research, we need to

estimate the true genetic value through comparison and experience.

Comparison: if you look at other breeds, such as jumpers or the cutting quarter horse, the best performers transmitted the best genes and with them the breeders achieved the best results. Both breeds (several breeds in the case of jumpers) have important common performance traits with the polo horse – besides extreme athletic ability, they need to interpret and obey immediately the instructions given by their riders. If this way to predict the true genetic value worked for other breeds, why not for the polo horse?

Look, then, to mares that have demonstrated themselves capable of excelling in high-goal. As I mentioned earlier, Gonzalito Pieres played the final game at Palermo 2009 almost only on ET mares, most of them daughters of donors that also played at Palermo. These types of mares make the best donor mares and, if their dams were Palermo players too, even better. Thus, unsurprisingly, mares descending from other ET playing ponies have the best genetic potential, and so are particularly deserving of entrance in an ET programme.

However, it’s a point worth reiterating that producing a super-horse is the result of a chain. The links require genetics + raising + breaking + schooling + planned playing. If any of these links is broken, the dream of producing a superstar quickly dissolves. F ◗ Edgardo Iriarte owns Cañada Rica Polo Farm &

School (www.haraslarica.com) and the web site www.TopPoloGenetics.com. Email questions or comments to him at edgardo.iriarte@gmail.com Have you bred a superstar? Tell us by writing to letters@polotimes.co.uk

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PERSONAL ESCORT

RECTOR

by MR PROSPECTOR – DANCE NUMBER.

This Chilean bred stallion won BPP in the Chilean Open, played by G Donoso. In UK Rector played the Queens Cup, Gold Cup and the Coronation Cup. Full brother to Africana, winner of BPP in the Prince of Wales Cup. First crop playing well.

Sire of many top New Zealand bred polo ponies, notably SPOOK played by Pablo Macdonough for Broncos.

– by MR LONG (TB).

MR COFFEE - by KUNDAKI. This Argentine bred stallion played in the USA with E Panelo and then in the UK for G Donoso, winning BPP in the Warwickshire Cup and playing many seasons in the Queens Cup and Gold Cup. He was a top horse when Gabriel led Chile to victory in the Coronation Cup. His first crop is now being broken in.

CLARK – by NIGHT OPERA (TB AUS) - out of CLARET. SIRE - 'Night Opera' Brown/black Australian TB DAM - 'Claret' - 'Monty' - 'Pinky' 'Claret' - Champion pony at Ellerston 2005. Played in the Argentine Open 2005 with Gonzalito Pieres. Champion Pony at Cowdray Gold Cup 2006. Full sister to 'Burgundy' and 'Champagne'.

Half sister to 'Dinghy' and 'Shiraz'. All playing for Ellerston UK.

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Breeding special – Fernando Riera Feature

Leading embryo transfer specialist Fernando Riera talks to Abi Butcher about the growth of ET breeding in the UK and Argentina and reveals an exciting initiative to transport “genetics” between the countries rgentine equine reproduction expert and vet Fernando L Riera, 50, founded the Doña Pilar Embryo Transfer Centre in 1997.

Doña Pilar is the largest commercial Embryo Transfer programme in the world, producing 1,300 ET pregnancies last breeding season from 500 embryo donors and 54 stallions.

After a visit to Doña Pilar in 2000 while a student at Cambridge University, Emma Tomlinson started the Beaufort Embryo Transfer Unit in 2003, in partnership with Riera. The unit was an immediate success, and last year produced 86 pregnancies, making it the largest ET programme in England and one of the largest in Europe.

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Tell us a little about yourself – have you always lived in Argentina and do you play polo?

I grew up surrounded by cattle and horses up on the family ranch in Lincoln, near Buenos Aires, which later became the Doña Pilar Embryo Transfer Centre.

I graduated as a vet from the University of Buenos Aires, and then went to America to work on equine reproduction at the New Bolton Veterinary Centre at the University of Pennsylvania for five years.

I became interested in horses through my passion for polo. It’s a game I have always loved to play in a relaxed atmosphere with friends and family on the ranch, though I’ve never really entered into it competitively.

How far behind Argentina is the UK in accepting and utilising ET in polo?

ET technology was developed in England in 1974 by Professor “Twink” Allen at Cambridge University, but it was not really applied commercially until we took the technique to Argentina. ET in polo ponies in Argentina is about 10 years ahead of England, where the first embryo transfer foal was only born as recently as 2003.

But polo is still relatively advanced isn’t it?

Yes, polo is much further ahead of other horse sports in using ET techniques. In Argentina, these days most of the horses playing in major tournaments are embryo transfer foals. For X

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Photographs by Alice Gipps and Fernando L. Riera

Feature Breeding special – Fernando Riera

Semen collection and processing. In the background a stallion’s semen is being collected by means of an artifitial vagina using a phantom. Semen from an average of 15 stallions is collected daily at Doña Pilar laboratory in the breeding season. In the front, Fernando Riera processing semen. Right: Riera, in his laboratory

X example, they made up the overwhelming

majority at last season’s Argentine Open, where more than 80 per cent of the ponies used at the final at Palermo were bred through ET. Would you say there is still some resistance to ET in the UK? There are still those who question it but, in my view, it’s just a matter of time before people see with their own eyes that ponies are the same, whether they are born from a recipient “donor” mare or naturally, by their own mother.

It was the same in Argentina 20 years ago, but people’s resistance gradually faded and now there is virtually no one who questions it.

Every good breeder knows ET is going to provide very good polo ponies, so long as you combine the right mare and stallion, and select the right recipient mare.

How important will ET become for breeding in polo?

Though I don’t know about England, well over 90 per cent of all the playing ponies in Argentina are mares. This means that most playing mares have to wait until the end of their athletic careers to then produce their first foal. By means of ET, playing mares can start

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producing offspring as soon as they show their quality and while they are still in competition.

It is already very common in Argentina for young mares playing the Triple Crown to have progeny that are playing or will soon be playing with their own genetic dams. With the speed and way that it has grown already over the last few years, I foresee ET becoming an absolutely crucial alternative to natural breeding, as most breeders will need to use it if they want to continue playing their best horses.

Do you foresee that ET will improve polo pony breeding in the UK? I believe it will, without doubt. At Doña Pilar we are in the process of setting up to export genetic material from Argentina, where we have the best bloodlines. We have applied to the European Commission for export certification and, once this is organised, we will be able to freeze semen and embryos to export to the UK and the EU. It is our intention to send polo “genetics” back and forth between the Beaufort Embryo Transfer Unit and the Doña Pilar Embryo Transfer Centre.

Can ET guarantee quality in a way that natural breeding cannot?

The ET technique doesn’t produce progeny in a way that isn’t equally possible through natural breeding. However, it helps save biological time and, by allowing breeders to use their best mares younger, we have found that the process provides consistently good progeny for years.

You can produce a foal earlier, and the same mare can mother many more than she ever could naturally. We have produced up to 13 foals in one year from the same dam, though this is fairly unusual. However, it is very common to produce seven or more. F ◗ Read more about breeding technology in our

news section, on page six

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The knowledge Playing Around – St Albans Working our way round the UK’s clubs with our intrepid improver Carlie Trotter (–2)

Where a hearty handshake is t Albans Polo Club may be small, but it has a big personality. After its relaunch last year, praise came from many quarters, including best-selling author Kevin Lewis (0), who was coerced back into the saddle there after four years out. At the tail end of the 2009 season, I headed to Hertfordshire to check it out, and join the fray in the inaugural SAPC Ladies’ Tournament.

Parking my battered jeep next to a red Lotus Elise with number plate P70OLO felt like entering the pages of Jilly Cooper, but the order of play is no-nonsense polo at this welcoming spot. Given fresh impetus after nearby Hertfordshire Polo Club (based at Woolmers Park) dissolved in March 2009, SAPC would benefit from more land but location and amenities make it a highlight for touring teams as well as locals.

Before getting in the saddle I was drafted in as goal judge for the EOS Plate, and as I surveyed the scene it struck me that, above the tick-tock of a giant chukka clock, there is no hum of Argentine chatter. Grooming is a family affair here, and as for imported talent, 2009’s resident pro Dean Lines (3) hoped one outcome of a slowdown in arrivals from South America in these parts would be “to encourage young English one and two-goalers to push through”.

For all the big hits of Stuart Beetles (2) against the defences of Steve “Celtic warrior” Collins (0) – the former champion boxer who

Photographs by Carlie Trotter and Adam Woodyatt

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Action in the club’s inaugural ladies’ fixture last September, with Maiden Crouch up against the 3Js

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A swift change at the sidelines at St Albans, which was relaunched last year as a family-friendly low-goal club

leases his land to the club – the real drama came after the final bell, when over-enthusiastic handshaking pulled one player clean off his pony.

As if performance anxiety was not bad enough, photographer and Eastenders’ star Adam Woodyatt prowled the sidelines zooming in on our ride-off grimaces.

After Pony Club veterans The 3Js defeated Maiden Crouch Ladies, my team (Flintstones), under the leadership of Katie Flint (-1), faced the Feisty Fillies. Marking Vicky Griffin (0) proved tricky, even though I was borrowing her powerful mare Gata. Starting half-a-goal up we kept the lead for a good 30sec before the annihilation began. Taking advantage of multiple penalties

Fillies cast us out of the running 8-11/2.

That evening the giant measures of wine, plus the disco beats of ABBA, renewed team courage and the foolhardy partied into the wee hours in the fieldside marquee. Water and carbs from the burger bar at the sidelines tasted like nectar the next morning when, with Alan Smith (0) replacing India Wallington (-2), we battled for third place against Maiden Crouch.

Flintstones’ flair never materialised however, and we sank to a 101/2-2 defeat. Feisty Fillies lived up to their name and raised the Ladies Trophy, while in the EOS Plate, home team MorrCo enjoyed spraying the opposition with champagne. F

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the greatest fear Soundbites from the sidelines Dean Lines Club pro and chief umpire “The field had sheep all over it before [last year’s relaunch], but we’ve been lucky with conditions, and it seemed to rain every Wednesday before our 2009 tournaments. I turned professional about five years ago, and we play up to 4-goal here. My match tip is just to enjoy it, and always watch where everyone is. I get my ponies from a racing yard, and have begun breeding, too. The club is due to provide ponies for beginner tuition in 2010, and I hope we’ll see new faces coming into the game.”

Jane Henderson Player I work in banking and from North London it takes 30 minutes so I normally make it up here one weekday evening. This is my first competitive season and I always feel safe out there; Dean keeps chukkas instructional. I bought my first pony in 2009 and it’s so nice to hack down from Tina’s (Maiden Crouch Farm) to stick and ball. You just text to let someone know you’re on the field. The club’s really friendly because it’s nice and small.

Mandy Hawes Spectator I’ve known Gill [Lines, club secretary in 2009] since the girls were seven years old [Mandy’s daughter Jessica played Pony Club and SUPA polo before St Albans opened]. Here it‘s about being yourself, in your jeans or whatever, and very family-orientated.

It’s amazing what Martin and John have done (funding the club to the tune of £20,000) and I’m getting very into it now, to my husband’s dislike… I want to play!

St Albans vital statistics Playing members 30-plus Non-playing members From Pony Club mums and granddads to toddlers and puppies Facilities One boarded ground, one stickand-ball field, exercise track, wash box, tea and burger van, loos, free overnight grazing during tournaments.

Location Five minutes from M25 junction 21a, eight minutes from St Albans railway station, next to a private airfield.

Philosophy Enjoy polo among friends on and off the field. “It’s not all about the winning, unless you win,” jokes committee member and former champion boxer Steve Collins.

Running the show Founding chairman Martin Randall is a window industry magnate who turned to polo after injuring himself on a hunter. Alongside John Morrell, of MorrCo, his company Crystal Direct is the main sponsor.

Polo manager for 2010 is Irish ex-boxer and actor Steve Collins, who owns the grounds.

Steve’s wife, Donna, is club secretary.

Crowd Many players with links to local show jumping or Pony Club, as well as London professionals. In essence the club has migrated from Woolmers Park, and several members moonlight at Silver Leys and vice versa. Those embarking on, or reviving, a polo addiction run from teenagers to over-60s, students to CEOs. Umpires and supporting pros include Stuart Beetles (2) and Phil Baker (3, Rugby).

Seasonal highlight Polo for Heroes, a charity day on 24 July in aid of injured servicemen, promises to lure Londoners and locals to the St Albans to watch a military vs civilian match followed by Steve Collins’s Warriors facing Kenney Jones’s The Jones Gang. Read more at www.poloforheroes.co.uk.

Livery Full livery at Maiden Crouch Farm two miles away includes exercise, night stabling, transport to ground, and grooming (£110 p/w).

Full membership £250 Contact info@stalbanspoloclub.co.uk; polo manager Steve Collins: 07879 866647.

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Your game The knowledge Vital riding and playing tips from Jamie Peel, three-goal pro and 2008 Gold Cup winner

Why do pro-patron alliances break down? s I sit in my nice warm office with the rain teeming down outside, I find it hard to believe that this time next month we will have played our first game in the Tyro Cup and the season will be underway. Here at Cowdray it still feels wintry and, although there is the odd horse lorry cruising down the high street, I am convinced we should all still be abroad.

In my research for this piece I have spoken to a number of patrons, all of whom unfortunately wish to remain anonymous – as will some of their comments regarding the ability of the odd pro, or not-so-pro I should say.

As you can imagine, there are many reasons why patron-pro relationships break down, but a general consensus is that it ceases to be fun. Polo for patrons is a hobby. Sure, some throw more

A

It is a big decision who patrons decide to trust as it may involve large sums of money or the welfare of their horses time, dedication and money at it than others but it is still their hobby and passion: they have to enjoy it. Getting shouted at constantly and being told to “leave it” just as they think they are about to score is a recipe for disaster.

“Why is it that I score endless goals in practices and as soon as I pull my whites on for a match the ball seems to be out of bounds?” asks one.

This is something I sympathise with, even if I am not paying thousands of pounds to be out there. It is true that some pros are more interested in the ball than others but too much negative play will always have the same effect.

Patrons want the chance to play and to be involved on the field. They will make mistakes – but then so, even, does Juan Martin Nero, although not quite so often!

Polo is an expensive sport: horses, grooms, memberships, vet bills – it all adds up, and, like the pros, patrons want value for money.

When the fun stops for a patron – such as getting shouted at and told to leave it – relationships can break down

Everything has its price and, though some of us have more to spend than others, nobody wants to pay double the true value. We all have a story about someone who has been sold a wrong'un or taken advantage of – but this is what drives patrons away from the game.

We all have to put our trust in someone at some stage, and patrons will look to a senior pro or manager for guidance, just as a young player does when they are starting out. It is a big decision who you decide to trust, as it may involve large sums of money or the welfare of your horses – and, unfortunately, it can go wrong.

It is difficult for patrons, as the time they spend playing or around their horses can be limited. This leaves a gap where they may be let down and some have become disillusioned with the way that they have been treated by pros early on. Patrons, like a young pro, need to find their feet and understand how the system works. Some have been drawn into thinking that a pro is their friend when in reality the pro is taking advantage of them. This is not something that happens on a

Top five things to do in May 1 Pay your membership 2 Ensure the truck is licensed and ready to go 3 Personal training 4 First chukkas!

5 Work on getting more tournaments lined up regular basis but, just like in any walk of life, you must be cautious of people before placing your trust in them.

Honesty, communication and enjoyment seem to be the ingredients for a happy pro-patron relationship. It sounds so simple, yet somehow problems arise along the line. Whether pros get greedy, selfish or too controlling, we can lose sight of what is really important: earning an honest living and enjoying it while it lasts! F ◗ Have your say from either side of the fence by writing to letters@polotimes.co.uk

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The knowledge Duty vet Mark Emerson MRCVS is a two-goal, fifth-generation polo player and an ambulatory equine vet

Are you ready for the chop?

It’s not the most comfortable subject, but understanding how and when castration should be performed on a colt or young stallion is important for all breeders and owners. Being ready to provide the right aftercare will also limit potential problems astration will be a consideration in 50 per cent of all homebred polo ponies and being better informed on the subject will help ensure the right decisions are made when becoming the proud owner of a new colt.

Nearly all male horses playing polo have been castrated. Castration is used as a means of controlling potentially aggressive behaviour in male horses, and is also known as gelding, cutting, or emasculating.

Although it is one of the most common surgeries performed by a vet, it should never be considered routine, as the procedure can have very serious complications. Furthermore, the followup care is extremely important.

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Why castrate a horse?

Castration involves the removal of both testicles and part of the spermatic cord.

The testicles are the organs responsible for producing testosterone (the main hormone that creates stallion-like physical features and behaviour).

Removal of both testicles usually rids the horse of undesirable stallion-like behaviour. However, if castration is performed at a late age or after the horse has been used to cover mares, it is not always successful in abolishing learned stallion-like behaviour.

Photographs by Mark Emerson

When to castrate Horses can be castrated at any age.

However, castrating horses at a young age (less than 12 months old) is generally much safer. Male horses at that age have smaller testicles that are easier to remove and have less of a chance of severe post-operation bleeding. Many people like to castrate horses somewhere between two and

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This picture shows a wobbly colt going down having just been administered a general anaesthetic

three years of age in order to allow them the chance to physically develop more.

However, the vet often gets called when they become too difficult to manage, particularly when keeping them on the same property as mares.

including the age of the horse and the facilities available.

The most basic requirement for a normal castration is that the horse has two testicles descended into the scrotum.

This must always be confirmed by feel

Standing castrations – performed under heavy sedation – are far riskier to the vet In the UK, the best times to castrate horses are in the spring or autumn when hopefully there are not too many flies and there is less chance of mud splashing up into the surgical wounds, which are usually left open intentionally.

Types of castration Castrations can be performed in a number of different ways and each vet will have his or her own preference. The differences are usually due to several factors,

before surgery begins. If any testicle is missing then the horse will almost certainly have a retained testicle that has not dropped. Removal of a retained testicle requires more complicated surgery and is not usually attempted in the field.

Removing just one descended testicle if the other is retained is not considered ethical and will not rid the horse of stallion-like characteristics, nor will it necessarily render the horse infertile.

Castrations can be performed with the

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Anti-clockwise from left: surgical site being scrubbed with surgical disinfectant; (inset) first testicle is exteriorised following the primary incision; emasculators are used to cut and then crush the spermatic cord (testicle has been removed); the incisions are left open to drain after surgery in the field

horse standing or under a general anaesthetic with the horse lying on his back or side. Standing castrations are performed to avoid the potential risks of a general anaesthetic but are far riskier to the vet performing the procedure and, if a major problem occurs (such as severe bleeding), a general anaesthetic will likely be required to remedy the problem.

Standing castrations are done with the horse heavily sedated. Local anaesthetic is injected into the scrotum, testicle and spermatic cord before the actual surgery commences.

Most vets nowadays choose to perform castrations under general anaesthetic. In the field, this is done using intravenous drugs that knock the horse out for around fifteen to twenty minutes – long enough to perform the required surgery in most cases.

The biggest risk of a general anaesthetic in a young, fit horse is the possibility of him harming himself when

he attempts to stand as he comes around.

Whether done standing or under a general anaesthetic, most castrations in the field are performed using emasculators – special surgical instruments that are designed to cut through the spermatic cord while simultaneously crushing it so as to seal the substantial blood vessels within it.

In order to apply the emasculators to the spermatic cord of each testicle, the scrotum is incised using a scalpel blade and the testicles are drawn out one at a time usually through separate incisions. In the field, it is normal practice to leave the relatively large incisions open so that the scrotum can drain. It is surprising how quickly the incisions heal.

Complications and aftercare?

The most common complications are postoperative bleeding and swelling around the incision sites. It is normal for a small amount of blood to drip from the incision

sites. However, a continuous stream of blood is too much. If substantial bleeding persists after surgery, then the incisions must be packed with gauze to apply pressure and stop the bleeding. In cases of severe bleeding, the horse may need to be anaesthetised again and the offending blood vessel tied off. It is normal for a certain amount of swelling to be present at the castration site and down the sheath. However, severe swelling usually indicates a problem, usually infection. If the incisions are too small, serum and blood can accumulate in a pocket and the site will become infected. The incisions may need to be re-opened in order to allow them to drain. Very occasionally, infection ascends up the remaining spermatic cord and surgery needs to be performed to remove the infected tissue.

It is imperative that horses are encouraged to exercise daily within 24 hours of being castrated, otherwise the skin incisions can close prematurely and the area can become very swollen, painful, and infected. Turning a horse out in a dry paddock may be sufficient, but some may need to be actively walked or lunged.

One of the most serious complications is when a segment of small intestine herniates out through the incisions in the scrotum. This can be life threatening and emergency surgery must be performed to return the intestine to the abdomen and to close up the opening from the abdomen into the scrotum. F â—— Mark Emerson works as an ambulatory

equine vet based near Ascot in Berkshire and has many polo clients across the south of England. Tel: 07973 800358 or email: mark@emersonequine.com www.polotimes.co.uk May 2010 63

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The knowledge Pony power

Bambula Young Bajan patron Rhys Odle (right), who is due to play in the UK this summer, tells James Mullan about his favourite gelding

Vital statistics

Photographs by James Mullan

Name: Bambula Height: 15.2hh Age: 6 years old Sex: Gelding Colour: Bay Origin: Argentina

How did you come across Bambula?

I bought him at Santa Águeda Polo Club in Argentina from Gines Bargallo and Gonzalo Elizalde, after trying him two years ago as part of a set of four. I picked up two mares and two geldings, all four-yearolds, and have been bringing them on ever since.

I lost the other gelding to colic in early March sadly, though he wasn’t ready to be used for polo anyway. Bambula was one of two that were ready earlier than expected, and they have been the main mounts for all my polo in Barbados, alongside a handful that I hired from fellow patron and seasoned horse breeder Bruce Bailey.

What are his strengths?

Well, I only really discovered polo two years ago, as a 17-year-old just after I left school, when veteran Bajan player Kent Cole invited me to play after four years out of the saddle. Six months later, and after three weeks playing in England, I was in love with the game enough that I knew it was time to get my own horses. When I tried Bambula, I knew right away that he really suited my riding style. He goes very well and is quiet and easy, but with plenty of pace and an excellent level of fitness. He is especially strong at stopping and turning.

Does he have any weaknesses?

Not really. He is still young and improving. I find that geldings tend to mature later, once they reach around 10 years of age. So, given how good he is now, I’m hopeful that he will end up being a fantastic horse for me in a few years’ time, and we can improve together!

Do you aim to add to your string?

With the death of my other gelding, I now have only three horses in Barbados, plus another three in England, so I will be looking for more next winter. I’m hoping to spend at least three months in Argentina again and I will aim to buy another seven from there so I can mount my own pro here in Barbados next season. And I think I will buy another pony in the UK when I am there this summer as well.

What are your plans during the forthcoming UK season then?

I will be based with Martin Fewster on his farm in Oxfordshire again. He is a regular here in Barbados and a good friend of my dad, Peter Odle, who is a huge polo fanatic. I am going over as a patron and aim to field teams in anything from 0 to 6-goal at Kirtlington, from May to August. My aim at this stage is really just to improve, and to learn to use my mind when playing and not just my ego!

And how do the horses compare between the UK and Barbados?

I think you need to work on them more in Barbados because they need to be able to handle so much heat during the games. It’s important to restrict how many oats you feed them in Barbados, because you don’t want them to be brimming with too much energy and power. You also need to play the horses here in shorter bursts. I typically use Bambula for two minutes in the first chukka and then as long as possible in the last. His excellent fitness and agility in stopping, turning and changing direction allows him to last better than most. F

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Feeding The knowledge Lorna Jowett, specialist equine nutritionist, gives expert advice on all things edible

A year on from the Lechuza tragedy: do polo ponies need supplements? y en español...

Lingo Lesson

A pony at the 2009 US

Open, where 21 died SOME SUPPLEMENTS are of after supplements benefit and can enhance were botched the diet and health of the horse – basically, Supplements caro = expensive when they provide that are necessary perjudicial = detrimentary something that is not in the diet of a cansado = tired present in a quality, polo pony are de manera correcta = in the right way fully balanced diet. electrolytes – los electrolitos = electrolytes However, it does not essential to aid nerviosas = nervous always make sense to feed recovery and barato = cheap vitamin and mineral performance. Freesupplements that are provided choice access to salt is orally or via injection. beneficial on a daily basis. Pre and A quality horse feed, when compared to probiotics (such as Protexin or Digest Plus) budget feeds, may seem expensive, but are also of huge benefit to aid efficient gut there is a sound reason. Quality feeds health for fibre digestion, especially for contain premium ingredients, ensuring nervous/stressy individuals who do not hold maximum digestibility and utilisation of their weight well. Joint supplements are of nutrients to support performance, therefore a personal choice if benefits are seen in the extra supplementation of vitamins and performance of certain individuals. minerals should not be necessary. OverPros supplementing can be as detrimental as • Some supplements, used in the right deficiencies, as the interaction between scenarios, can promote the health of the vitamins and minerals can be hindered, thus horse, if they contain ingredients not affecting their uptake and absorption. provided by a typical balanced diet A form of supplementation often seen in • Under veterinary advice, can improve polo ponies is “B-vitamin” injections, often health where deficiencies have occurred for tired ponies that have lost their appetite Cons so energy stores are not replenished.

• Can increase bills considerably when not The horse manufactures its own B always necessary vitamins through the digestion of fibre and • Used in excess can “unbalance” the diet receives extra from quality hard feed. B • Complicates feed room vitamins assist in the metabolism of energy • Injections can be stressful and invasive and stimulate appetite, so, instead of when a balanced diet and fibre intake supplementing, it is often easier, healthier are often all that’s required. F and cheaper to allow more fibre in the diet.

POR SUPUESTO que algunos suplementos son beneficiosos y pueden mejorar la dieta y salud de los caballos, en particular cuando proveen algo que no esta presente en una dieta balanceada de buena calidad. Sin embargo, no tiene sentido darles suplementos en forma regular, via oral o intravenosa, si no los necesitan.

Un alimento balanceado de buena calidad puede parecer caro en comparación con un alimento económico, pero existe una razón valedera: los alimentos de calidad contienen ingredientes de máxima pureza que aseguran la mayor utilización de nutrientes posible y permiten el mas alto rendimiento, haciendo que los suplementos vitamínicos y minerales no sean necesarios.

La sobredosis de suplementos puede ser tan perjudicial como la carencia de vitaminas y minerales, ya que la relación entre estos puede verse afectada generando deficiencias en su abosorción. Una forma de suplemento comunmente vista en polo son las vitaminas B injectables que suele darse a caballos cansados que han perdido el apetito y la capacidad de reabastecerse de energía.

El caballo genera sus propias vitaminas B a través de la digestión de fibra y recibe cantidades adicionales en alimentos balanceados de calidad. Las vitaminas B ayudan en la metabolización de los alimentos y estimulan el apetito por lo que en lugar de dar suplementos a menudo es mas fácil, mas saludable y barato agregar mas fibra a la dieta.

Los suplementos que son necesarios en la dieta de un caballo de polo son los electrolitos, esenciales para la recuperación y buen rendimiento. El acceso libre y diario a ladrillos de sales es beneficioso y recomendable. Pre y Probioticos (por ejemplo Protexin y Digest Plus) incrementan la eficiencia de los intestinos en su labor de digerir fibra, especialmente en caballos nerviosos por naturaleza y a los que les cuesta mantener su peso.

El uso de una combinación de suplementos es una elección personal y solo necesaria si es evidente que benefician el rendimiento individual.

Pros • Bajo supervisión veterinaria y utilizados de manera correcta, algunos suplementos pueden mejorar la salud de los caballos cuando se encuentren deficiencias y cuando los ingredientes aportados no fuesen provistos por una dieta balanceada típica Cons • Pueden aumentar costos sin beneficios • Utilizados en exceso pueden desbalancear la dieta • Suelen complicar las cosas a la hora de preparar las raciones • Las injecciones son invasivas y pueden generar estrés innecesario cuando por lo general, todo lo que se necesita es una dieta balanceada y la ingestión de fibra. F

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The knowledge Travel – Barbados

James Mullan enjoyed four luxurious nights at The Sandpiper on the west coast of Barbados this spring, and discovered that if ever there was a spot to ensure you fall in love with the island, this is it

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The knowledge Travel – Barbados

Above: The Sandpiper’s restaurant in the early evening, and the writer’s bedroom. Opposite page: some rooms give out on to a large balcony, with fantastic sea and beach views

arbados gets better every year as far as I’m concerned. The polo is improving, the parties are more and more fun and the choice of hotels and apartments for visitors is growing, driving the quality of service up and up.

Even the roads seem to be in better shape.

Many of you will have been there already. The island has always enjoyed an easy-going spirit that has made it the most welcoming and most visited island in the Caribbean. With its favourable size, location and climate, and its colourful history and longstanding associations with cricket and water sports, its attraction for tourists is virtually unparalleled.

These days it is also synonymous with popular R&B singer Rhianna, some of the world’s most desirable golf courses and, increasingly, a special brand of fantastic and locally prominent mediumgoal polo (see page 28).

My base during the 2010 Barbados Open was The Sandpiper, sister hotel to the nearby Coral Reef Club. Both destinations are owned and operated by an English family, the O’Haras, and residents of each hotel gain access to all the facilities and dining opportunities of the other.

Between them they offer one of the island’s most comprehensive luxury experiences.

B

How did it start?

Coral Reef Club was launched post-war, in the late 1940s. The O’Hara family’s first involvement came when Budge O’Hara began what was originally to be a three-year tenure as general manager of the fledgling holiday destination in

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the 1950s, just after his marriage to wife Cynthia. She took on the job of landscaping the 12-acre gardens of what was then one of very few places taking paying guests on the island’s popular west coast.

The couple fell in love with their work, and with Barbados as a whole, and so bought into the Coral Reef Club venture with a financial

sand out of your wallet. Coral Reef Club is 10 minutes’ walk further round the coast, though access on foot is difficult because of poor walkways on the busy coast road, with the final steps down a long, sweeping driveway.

However, both hotels are well placed for access to all of the island’s established polo venues, all four of which are situated within a

The two hotels, owned by the English O’Hara family, are welcoming the third generation into the business investment as well as their working commitment.

Their two sons and a daughter all returned to the island to work in the family business with their spouses after being educated back in the UK. The Sandpiper followed, built in 1970 and more recently taken on by daughter Karen’s husband, Wayne Capaldi.

The two venues, owned entirely by the O’Hara family, are welcoming the third generation into the business. Since Budge’s death in 1995, both The Sandpiper and Coral Reef Club have been refurbished and updated to make them luxury venues fit for demanding 21st century guests.

10-mile radius of each other, as shown. Holetown is the main hub on the island’s west coast.

Where is it?

Located in the British settlers’ first Bajan home, Holetown, The Sandpiper could barely be closer to the action. A short walk away, at the popular hubs of First and Second Street in Holetown’s centre, there is plenty to tempt your palate, quench your thirst and refine your fashion sense – all providing ample opportunities to shake the

Character, layout and lodgings The Sandpiper, like Coral Reef Club, is characterised by discreet, private retreats tucked amid lush tropical gardens, with the outer corner X

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The knowledge Travel – Barbados

The Sandpiper’s pool made for a popular alternative to the limited beach-front space available, and was conveniently close to the hotel’s restaurant and evening entertainment

Photographs by James Mullan

X of the complex bordered by a secluded sandy

beach lapped by the Caribbean’s trademark turquoise sea. Furnishings at both hotels centre around cool colours with wood, plus marble bathrooms and spacious storage. My first-floor one-bedroom suite at The Sandpiper had surely one of the best views of any room at either hotel, as the 15-foot balcony jutted out over a treeshaded wooden deck and the beach below, with a clear sight of where Holetown’s revellers lay their towels some 500 yards south along the coast.

The Sandpiper lodgings are generally more spacious than the Coral Reef’s for the equivalent expense, with suites coming with two bathrooms, a kitchenette and a large living area. However, Coral Reef Club is the larger site, and so provides more additional activities for the use of both sets of guests, such as tennis courts, the spa, a much larger swimming pool, a boutique, the crèche and play area and a billiards room.

The Sandpiper’s smaller size, with 47 rooms rather than the 88 at Coral Reef, allows you to get to know fellow guests and staff better, whilst maintaining a pleasant level of privacy in your larger quarters.

Brits make up 75 per cent of the guests, with visitors from America and Canada coming next.

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Other Europeans, particularly the Swiss, as well as Caribbeanas, visit too.

Full marks for…

As befits a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group, The Sandpiper gets pretty much everything right. The staff are friendly and helpful, the breakfast is both delicious and substantial, and the quiet ambience has been perfectly created, though as if by accident.

There is an excellent gym on site for such a relatively small hotel and, all in all, the rooms appear to be more spacious than similar rivals. It’s no great surprise that The Sandpiper enjoys a large number of repeat bookings.

Could do better…

Nursing a sore head after finals day, it was a disappointment that there’s no television as standard in most rooms at The Sandpiper – though some people will find this a bonus. They are available on request, and the alternative suggested to me was to pick a DVD to watch at a communal TV and computer room above reception. However, this might get tiresome if the rains were to blow in or you were ill for a few days. The selection of songs on the mix CD at

both hotels (the disc that accompanied the bedside CD player) was also so nauseatingly cheesy, it would make even the producers of Magic FM blush.

The only other shame is that the beach-front space itself is limited and so, with a full hotel accommodating as many as 140 guests, you need to be smart to dig out a prime position. However, diligent staff are quick to lay out sun-lounger covers and to provide iced water so you can spend maximum time focusing on your tan. F

Essentials Contact details: The Sandpiper, St James, BB24017, Barbados, West Indies; +1 246 422-2251; www.sandpiperbarbados.com; reception_group@sandpiperbarbados.com.

Prices: Rooms during the Barbados Open range from US$740 (£490) per night for a Garden Room on a B&B basis, to US$1,070 (£710) for a onebedroom suite, and all the way up to US$2,485 (£1,650) for one of two treetop suites, which come with a private plunge pool, wraparound balcony, DVD, TV and complimentary bar.

Flights: British Airways and Virgin Atlantic both run daily services for as little as £580 return

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The knowledge Travel

My travels with Glen Gilmore

As he returns to the UK for a busy season, the Australian captain rounds up his winter, and reveals why his trademark red helmet is the first thing he packs Where have you been since last summer?

Well, it’s been busy. When things wound down at the end of last season, I returned home to my farm in south-east Queensland for a couple of weeks, seeing my parents, my wife and my kids and playing some 14-goal polo, as well as trying some new horses in some lower-goal stuff. Then I travelled the 12 hours south (700km) to Ellerston at the beginning of October for about three weeks of polo with James Packer.

From there we went another eight hours down to the Schwarzenbachs’ fantastic new base in New South Wales, Garangula. That’s where I got a very short haircut from the boys, which didn’t do me too many favours for a couple of months.

After two weeks there, it was another eight-hour drive down to Victoria for the Melbourne Cup.

Photographs by Tony Ramirez and Yolanda Carslaw

Which you won, didn’t you?

Yes, though I wasn’t supposed to have even been playing in the final. I somehow managed to hurt Simon Keyte’s thumb when I hooked his stick, and then had to step in to fill his slot.

It meant I ended up playing three days on the trot, as my other team was also still in the tournament, but I was lucky enough to win both the final and the subsidiary. Given that we were playing in 40-degree heat, it was pretty tough going, but great fun. And we also managed to get a bit of racing in as well for the other Melbourne Cup. All in all, it was a fantastic 10 days.

Then where did you go?

Argentina, via five days back home in Queensland, which was another three days’ driving. The weather in Argentina was appalling – constant rain. I stayed with Ruki Baillieu in Pilar and played quite a bit at his new estancia, La Indiana. There wasn’t housing there yet, but he held two medium-goal tournaments, so I took part in that and tried to do my bit with helping umpire with Chris Bethell and run things with his English assistant, Fiona Turney.

I also played a few chukkas separately at Memo Gracida’s place, trying to find some work for the next Argentine season: hopefully

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some coaching and work with young horses, possibly with Ellerstina. Nothing has been confirmed yet though.

Were you home for Christmas?

Yup, I flew back just before the final of the Open, which was a shame to miss, but then had all of December and most of January at home. Aside from having some fun with a bunch of new

Australia alongside my dad in a two-test series, but between the two weekend matches I was flying back to the UK to play for Belgian patron Isabelle Hayen midweek.

It was pretty damn cool, and when Dad scored the winning goal in the second test in Johannesburg, I proposed to my wife Karen.

The whole thing was incredible and the South Africans treated us so fantastically well.

Where is your favourite hotel in the world?

Jeepers, that’s a big call – there was a trip Isabelle took us on to San Francisco back in the 1990s, and we stayed in this incredible place called The Mandarin Oriental. I had a room up in one of the towers, 30 floors up, with amazing views over the city. I can’t think of one that beats that.

Glen loves to eat out in a traditional English pub

horses, it was mainly just a good opportunity to enjoy the new pool we’ve had put in for the kids.

It meant putting ourselves in debt a bit more but, when you have young kids and 40-degree heat, you need a pool!

Ironically, of course, from there I went on to the minus-30 temperatures of the Polo World Cup on Snow in St Moritz. It was another fantastic year, and a great feeling to win with such a fun team and alongside such good pals as John Paul Clarkin and Rob Archibald.

Since then, I’ve been back in Oz playing polo and working on horses, based mainly at home and also playing regularly down at Ellerston.

What has been your most memorable polo trip?

There was a trip to South Africa back in the summer of 1998 or 1999 when I got to play for

What about restaurants?

Picking one would be difficult. We get pretty spoilt in this game, but I have to say one of my favourite pastimes for eating out is just spending time in a good old English pub.

There are plenty of good ones in the Ascot district, as well as some really nice more sophisticated restaurants as well. It’s a beautiful part of the world. I also remember one really memorable meal when I was up playing golf at Gleneagles once.

The wine in particular was like nothing I’d ever tasted.

What is the first thing that goes into your suitcase when you are off on a polo trip?

Whites and my trademark red helmet probably. My father was the first to give me a red one – it was one of his worn old ones in the days before you had to have a new one every 12 months. I’m not at all superstitious, but I’ve never worn another colour since. And now we seem to have started another generation of red helmets, as it’s the only colour my son, Lachie, wanted for Pony Club in the UK! ◗ Interview by James Mullan

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As mad as polo The knowledge NEW COLUMN! Seasoned adrenalin junkie Andrew Dent seeks out thrills off the field

In the first of a new series, As mad as polo, our brave new columnist Andrew Dent discovers how to fly – while barely leaving the ground here I was, dressed in a fetching one-piece powder-blue jumpsuit, freefalling at 180mph, a burly professional parachuting instructor standing off, ready to save me from certain death if I got into the dreaded tumble. All without the inconvenience of leaving the ground, thus saving the extra expense of having to take off in, and then jump out of, an aeroplane.

After polo, indoor skydiving arguably provides some of the best fun to be had in the UK with your clothes on. Also known as bodyflying, the action is currently available at just three locations in the UK. Airkix has venues next to Chill Factor in Manchester and XScape at Milton Keynes, but for me, the best UK location is Bodyflight, on a former MOD site north of Bedford. This was where my son and I went to give it a go.

The skydive takes place inside a large chamber formerly used for testing missiles and, more recently, to film scenes from Daniel Craig’s latest 007 adventure, Quantum of

T

Solace. A vertical wind is generated by a powerful fan driven by a 4000hp electric motor, and there are nets above and below to ensure that you don’t tangle with the fan blades.

Irritatingly, my son was rather a better pupil

The skydive takes place in a chamber once used for testing missiles, and to film scenes from the latest 007 than I was, and within minutes he was moving around the chamber like a pro.

If you are lucky you might see one of the teams in the British National Freefall Championships practising their moves en masse – they all use the facility for its realism.

And skydiving isn’t the only extreme sport recreated at the former MOD site, which now also offers a static wakeboarding and surfing experience in its flow house pool and even a

tower from which it is possible to make a simulated base jump.

For the brave, this leads on to jumping from cliffs in places such as Norway with a parachute attached, or even wing-suit flying where the jumper can achieve a substantial forward velocity while in freefall. The online version of this issue of Polo Times will feature a remarkable video clip and, take it from me, it will be well worth the look.

For those that find the rush of polo addictive, there is a very real danger that the adrenaline from a freefall will be something else you find yourself wanting to do again and again. F ◗ Prices at Bodyflight Bedford start at £39 for

21/2 minutes; slots of up to 10 minutes available.

For details, visit www.bodyflight.co.uk or www.virginexperiencedays.co.uk ◗ Andrew Dent is the sponsor of the annual Dent

Cup at Kirtlington Park Polo Club ◗ NEXT MONTH: TRACK DAYS

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The knowledge Property

Looking for somewhere to play?

Mark Charter provides expert advice for both landlords and tenants looking to make flat grassland available for polo this summer. It needn’t be difficult to arrange but read on if you want to avoid the potential legal pitfalls ith the welcome appearance of some sunshine after a long winter, it has been an exciting few weeks for players as they work on getting their ponies fit and begin extensive stick and ball sessions to blow the cobwebs away.

For players who may otherwise have to travel several miles to their polo club, the opportunity to use a flat grassfield close to them for exercising and stick and balling may be an attractive arrangement for the summer. Assuming the local landowner or farmer is happy to enter into such an arrangement, what are the "ups and downs" of doing so?

W

Photograph by James Mullan

Flat grassland can be an ideal place to stick and ball. But playing polo may change the usage for planning purposes

• Even though the arrangement may be of relatively short duration, inevitably it is in everyone's interests that it is properly documented by a written lease (or a licence depending on the precise circumstances).

• The landowner may be well advised to exclude the lease from sections 24 – 28 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, to ensure that he does not inadvertently grant a business lease and give the tenants greater rights than was ever intended. In the context of the 1954 Act, a business lease can arise in circumstances that may not be expected: for example, a lease to a (non-profit making) riding club can qualify as a business lease. The procedure to exclude sections 24 – 28 of the 1954 Act these days is very simple – thus it is not an obstacle to granting a lease swiftly and easily, but should still be considered.

• A lease can and should set out clearly who is responsible for what. For example, a landowner may want to make it clear that the tenant is responsible for mowing and maintaining the "playing surface". That way, if a pony is injured because of the ground conditions, the landlord can place that liability at the tenant's door. A lease also enables a landlord to stipulate in

writing the rules he requires the tenant to abide by (e.g. appropriate headgear to be worn, who else aside from the tenant can use the field, no more than a specified number of ponies on the field at any one time, horseboxes not to obstruct drives, entrances etc).

• The landowner should check that the tenant carries adequate insurance cover. Even though the lease may contain a disclaimer of liability on the landlord's part, such disclaimers will not always provide an adequate "defence" for the landowner in the event of an accident.

• If the landlord leases the field himself, he will need to check his headlease does not prohibit sub-letting or leasing for uses other than agriculture. The freehold owner similarly will need to ensure his deeds contain no covenants effectively limiting the use of the field.

• The use of the field for polo is a nonagricultural use and, therefore, may constitute a change of use for town and country planning purposes. This might then mean that express planning consent is potentially required. A general exception to the above is that land may be used for up to 28 days for an

For further information with regard to equestrian property sales contracts, please contact Mark Charter at Blake Lapthorn directly: on 023 8085 7116; via email, at mark.charter@bllaw.co.uk; or write to Mark Charter, Partner, Real Estate, Blake Lapthorn, New Kings Court, Tollgate, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, SO53 3LG

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alternative use (polo) without the need for express planning consent. However, the landowner should double check this, as this provision will not necessarily apply in all areas.

• Any change of use from agriculture can have other potential consequences, in particular: (i) the landowner will need to make sure by allowing polo use he is not offending the requirements of any agri-environmental schemes his land is subject to. (ii) Agricultural Property Relief (APR) for Inheritance Tax purposes still remains a very valuable tax relief. Thus, a landowner should be very careful not to inadvertently jeopardise APR if his land would otherwise qualify by "risking" it's continued status as agricultural land.

Provided the landowner and the tenant both give the arrangement a little bit of advance thought and document it appropriately, there is no reason why both parties should not benefit.

So get playing! F ◗ Mark Charter is a partner at Blake Lapthorn,

where he heads up the team specialising in agriculture and equine property law.

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PTMay 2010 p80-81 Products JM PJ MB need to check asprey

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The knowledge Gear Casablanca triple strap From Riders and Squires (www.ridersandsquires.co.uk, 020 7937 4377) Attractive leather with three Velcro straps and suede lining. Ultimate protection with deep sides and extra thick flank. Don’t feel as bulky as they look. Logo on knee protector.

The damage: £180 (£150 for ladies’ version; £160 for double strap)

La Martina From Guards Store (www.lamartina.com, 01784 437962) Rich red-brown quality Argentine leather with two detachable green Velcro straps.

Rubber insert offers ultimate protection, cushioning impact, although they make the pads a little weighty. Deep, comfortable fit. Suede lining. Range of colours available. One size fits all.

The damage: £340

Gladiator three strap velcro From Gladiator Sports (www.gladiatorsports.com, +1 800 992 2575) Three velcro straps in red-brown leather, made in Pakistan. Thick knee and flank guards with logo and contact details. Very lightweight. Small size making them most suitable for ladies, as well as teenagers and small adults.

The damage: $109.99 (around £72) 80 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Adult two strap From Roxtons (www.roxtons.co.uk, 01285 659033) Soft Argentine leather that easily moulds around the knee. Lightweight and durable; texture of the leather hides marks well. Suede lining and two Velcro straps. Also available with a buckle strap.

The damage: £89 (£95 for buckle straps)

Two strap velcro From SATS (www.satsfaction.com, 01285 841542) Two non-detachable straps. Basic but effective design. Knee protectors thinner than other makes but deep fit means they fit well and do the job. One of the cheaper options on the market. Children’s size also available.

The damage: £75 (£55 childrens)

Asprey three-strap From Asprey London (www.aspreypolo.com, 01344 890960) English handmade leather pads with soft hide lining. With three straps they are long in length, but flexible, making them a popular choice for men. Plain yet smart design in midbrown or dark brown (pictured). Also available with two straps.

The damage: £225

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Logo 10-goal handmade From Logo Saddlery (01730 817016) Handmade and hand-stitched from high quality cow hide. Well padded and personal fit means they are guaranteed to sit snugly on the knee.

Available in a range of colours; dyed to customers preference. Velcro fastening could be more robust.

Buckle straps also an option.

The damage: £299

Buckle strap From SATS (www.satsfaction.com, 01285 841542) Traditional design with suede lining.

Two thin leather straps with buckle fastening. Less comfortable than Velcro fastening kneepads but great for a traditional look.

The damage: £75

ONA men’s From Uberpolo (www.uberpolo.com) Full-grain calfskin leather with suede lining. Two detachable straps; logo imprinted on both.

Good protection around the knee with thick knee and flank protectors.

The damage: £120

Gladiator three buckle strap From Gladiator Sports (www.gladiatorsports.com, +1 800 992 2575) Extremely lightweight, brown and tan leather with three detachable buckleup straps. Thick knee and flank guards, featuring Gladiator logo and contact details. Made in Pakistan but sold through the US, suitable for men and women as not too large in size.

The damage: $74.99 (around £49)

Children’s two-strap From Polo Splice (www.polosplice.co.uk, 01730 814991) Deep fitting, with suede lining. Mould around knee comfortably and two Velcro straps provide room for adjustment and close fit. Ladies’ and men’s sizes available in same design.

The damage: £65 (adult sizes £95)

Bautista Heguy From Sussex Saddlery (www.sussexsaddlery.com, 01403 865961) Detachable two-strap Velcro fastening with red leather lining.

Heguy’s initials feature on flank protector. Smart looking; sit comfortably around the knee.

The damage: £110 www.polotimes.co.uk May 2010 81

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The knowledge Dates for the diary

What’s on in May Principal fixtures at home and abroad UK highlights

Overseas

Test Matches

Central European Polo Association Warsaw, Poland – The Cup of Nations (FIP and CEPA): 21-23 May La Republica Polo Club, Prague – The Prague Polo Open: 28-30 May League: 1 4 April

Cowdray – St Regis International Cup, England vs South Africa (Open): 22 May High-goal Guards – The Queen’s Cup (17-22): 18 May – 13 June Other main events Cirencester – 0-40-Goal Tournament (0-40): 24 April-9 May Guards – Queen Mother’s Centenary Cup (12-15): 1-16 May Coworth – Indian Empire Shield (15-18): 4-21 May Cowdray – British Ladies Open (Open): 16-22 May Beaufort – The Arthur Lucas Cup (12-15): 18 May-5 June Cowdray – Duke of Sutherland’s Cup (15-18): 22 May-11 June

Other dates for the diary

Argentina La Aguada – La Aguada Polo Club Open (up to 30-goal): 26 April-2 May Barbados Waterhall – Clifton, Holders, Lion Castle – 10Goal Tournament (10): 2-9 May USA New Orleans Polo club – 2010 South Eastern Circuit Governor’s Cup (2-6): 22-23 May Switzerland Geneva Polo Club – Maharaja Polo Cup: 30 May

Test Matches Cowdray Test Match: England vs SA

22 May

22-Goal Guards The Queen's Cup

18 May-13 June

18-Goal Coworth Indian Empire Shield 4-21 May Cowdray Duke of Sutherland’s Trophy 22 May-11 June

15-Goal Guards Queen Mother’s Cup Beaufort The Arthur Lucas Cup Guards Royal Windsor Cup Guards Mountbatten Cup

1-16 May 18 May-5 June 28 May-20 June 28 May-20 June

12 Goal RLS The RLS 12 Goal Cup Cowdray Dollar Cup RCBPC The John Prestwich Trophy

7-9 May 10-23 May 25 May-6 June

8 Goal Cirencester Gerald Balding Cup Guards Committee Cup RCBPC Berkshire 4-8 Goal Trophy Kirtlington The Oxfordshire Bowl Binfield Heath Margaret Duvall Ascot Innerwick Challenge Cup Beaufort The Eduardo Rojas Lanusse

11-30 May 11-30 May 15-23 May 25-31 May 29-30 May 29-31 May 31 May-13 June

6 Goal Druids Lodge Full Swing Trophy Kirtlington The Management Cup Knepp Club Tournament RLS The Southam Trophy Kirtlington Brook House Trophy Hurtwood Bluebell Trophy Cheshire Chairman's Cup Vaux Park Air Ambulance Lacey Green The Revolution Cup RLS The Tusk Challenge Trophy Frolic Farm Timba Tournament

8-9 May 11-16 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 18-23 May 18-24 May 22-23 May 22-23 May 22-24 May 28-30 May 29-30 May

4 Goal Frolic Farm Guineas Tournament

82 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk-

1-2 May

RLS The Quartly Cup Epsom St George's Cup Kirtlington James Budgett Trophy Hurtwood Jubilee Cup Vaux Park Sponsors Match Cambridge Henry Cecil Dundee Spring Tournament Frolic Farm Frolic May Cup Lacey Green The Chilterns Cup Rutland The Rutland Cup Edinburgh Spring Tournament Knepp Club Tournament Tidworth Cholderton Cup Suffolk Graceland Tournament Epsom Red Cross Trophy Longdole Argentine Challenge Vaux Park Summer Challenge W Wycombe Hell Fire Trophy

1-2 May 1-3 May 5-9 May 8-9 May 8-9 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 22-23 May 22-23 May 22-23 May 23-24 May 29-30 May 29-30 May 29-30 May 29-30 May

3 Goal Tidworth Maddison Cup

15-16 May

2 Goal Tidworth Kingsett Cup W Wycombe Welcome Cup Knepp Club Tournament RLS The May Cup Beverley Walker/Foreman Cup Binfield Heath The May Cup Burningfold May Cup Lacey Green The May Cup Suffolk Mad May Hare Tidworth Queen's Royal Hussars Vaux Park Chocolate Cup Ham Ham House Tournament Kirtlington The Continental Cup Cheshire Boqueron Cup Dundee Spring Tournament Edgeworth Field Barn Cup

1-2 May 1-2 May 1-3 May 7-9 May 8-9 May 8-9 May 6-9 May 8-9 May 8-9 May 8-9 May 8-9 May 8-16 May 11-16 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 15-16 May

Burningfold Polo Centre – Polo Pony Auction including Mill Farm Polo Pony Sale: 27 May

Polo on TV Highlights on Horse & Country TV (Sky 280) 18 May, 7pm and 11pm – Westchester Cup: USA vs England 24 May, 8.30pm – AEPC Arena International 2009: USA vs England 25 May, 7pm and 11pm – CV Whitney Cup 2009: Audi vs Lechuza Caracas 28 May, 8.30pm – AEPC Arena International 2009: US vs England 31 May, 8.30pm – AEPC Arena International 2009: USA vs England ◗ The CEPA (Central European Polo Association) tour begins this month (see above left), with fixtures in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria.

A full feature of the tour – focusing on polo in Hungary – will be in the June issue of Polo Times.

Epsom Admirals Cup St. Albans The Chairman's Cup Kirtlington Ragley Cup Burningfold Dunsfold Trophy RLS The Weymouth Trophy Guards The Labrador Trophy Ascot Waterloo Cup Barcombe Banks Farm Challenge Dedham Vale Fison & Co Solicitors Haggis Farm W H R Cup Rugby The Pytchley Trophy Silver Leys Shannahan Shield Sussex Polo Splice Trophy Ham Mixed Doubles Lacey Green The Revolution Cup Druids Lodge Polo Art.com Trophy Frolic Farm Timba Tournament Hurtwood Lola's Trophy Lacey Green The Baileys Trophy New Forest Spring Tournament Taunton Vale Jellalabad Cup Knepp Club Tournament Beverley RB 2000 Tournament

15-16 May 15-16 May 18-23 May 20-24 May 21-23 May 21 May-12 June 22-23 May 22-23 May 22-23 May 22-23 May 22-23 May 22-23 May 22-23 May 22-30 May 22-24 May 29-30 May 29-30 May 26-31 May 29-30 May 29-30 May 29-30 May 29-31 May 29 May-1 June

Below 0 Goal RLS Oxford Uni vs Chairman's Cambridge Tattersalls Tournament Frolic Farm Guineas Tournament Hurtwood Casey's Cup RLS The Genesis Trophy Rutland Made Trophy Sussex Bank Holiday Challenge Vaux Park Novice Tournament Cambridge Tattersalls New Forest Chaplin Cup Rutland Made Trophy Vale of York Cranwell Cup Tidworth Kingsett Cup W Wycombe Welcome Cup

1 May 1-2 May 1-2 May 1-2 May 1-2 May 1-2 May 1-2 May 1-2 May 1-2 May 1-2 May 1-2 May 1-2 May 1-2 May 1-2 May

PTMay 2010 p82-83 Whats on JM PJ MB

Sussex 3-A-Side Novices Tidworth Queen's Royal Hussars Ascot Scott Dunn Trophy Lacey Green The May Cup Longdole Emerging Tournament New Forest Remnants Cup Rugby The Patera Cup Silver Leys Jackson Trophy Sussex Welcome Cup Beverley Walker/Foreman Cup Rugby The Primavera Cup Silver Leys Jackson Trophy Ascot Kitchen Grace Trophy Cambridge Henry Cecil Dundee Spring Tournament Vale of York Greyhound Trophy W Wycombe Spring Shield Binfield Heath The Coppid Cup Frolic Farm Frolic May Cup Lacey Green The Chilterns Cup Offchurch Bury Spring Forward RLS The 50/50 May Challenge Rutland Twidale Cup St. Albans The Chairman's Cup Sussex May Cup Taunton Vale Chairmans Cup Tidworth Maddison Cup W Wycombe Spring Shield RLS The National 0 Goal Festival Vaux Park Shrimps Cup Edgeworth The -2 to 0 Tournament Rugby The Onley Plate Silver Leys Shannahan Shield Tidworth Cholderton Cup

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3 May 8-9 May 8-9 May 8-9 May 8-9 May 8-9 May 8-9 May 8-9 May 8-9 May 8-9 May 8-9 May 8-9 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 14-16 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 15-16 May 16-30 May 17 May 22-23 May 22-23 May 22-23 May 22-23 May

Picture of the month

Page 3

Lacey Green The Revolution Cup New Forest Dunlop Cup Silver Leys Shannahan Shield Sussex Polo Splice Trophy Vale of York Harewood Gamefair Wicklow Friends and Family Sussex Testosterone Trophy Vaux Park Smarties Cup Suffolk Graceland Tournament Kirtlington Kirtlington Fisheries Vale of York Crown Hotel Binfield Heath Duvall 0 Goal Lacey Green The Baileys Trophy New Forest Little Poet Cup Offchurch Bury Offchurch Cup Sussex Bank Holiday Challenge W Wycombe Hell Fire Trophy Beverley RB 2000 Tournament FHM Polo Splice Tournament Asthall Farm Iris Walker Memorial Vale of York Yorkshire Young Sussex 3-A-Side Novices

22-24 May 22-23 May 22-23 May 22-23 May 22-23 May 22-23 May 22-23 May 22 May-6 June 23-24 May 25-31 May 26 May 29-30 May 29-30 May 29-30 May 29-30 May 29-30 May 29-30 May 29 May-1 June 29 May 29-30 May 30 May 31 May

Young England Trewsbury Young England Trial

1 May

Schools & Universities Tidworth Royal Navy Weekend Longdole National Junior Schools

29-30 May 30 May

Ladies Cowdray British Ladies Open Edgeworth Ladies Tournament

16-22 May 29-30 May

Open W Wycombe WWPPC Friends Cup New Forest Mawaz Khan Cup RLS Oxford University vs Old Blues

8-9 May 15 May 23 May

taken by Horse & Hound’s Emma McCall

Lynt Polo Club, the reincarnated Inglesham, celebrated the start of their first season with a drinks party at the club on Saturday 10 April, welcoming guests from far and wide. New tenants Guy and Charlotte Verdon then also held a pre-season training day on the Sunday, run by HPA coach Jason Dixon.

Club

contacts (UK and Ireland)

AEPC, Hickstead – 01273 834315 All Ireland – +353 (1) 6896732 Apsley End – 01462 712444 Ascot Park – 01276 858545 Ash Farm – 01932 872521 Asthall Farm – 01367 860207 Beaufort – 01666 880510 Belmont, Mill Hill – 01344 829955 Beverley – 01964 544455 Binfield Heath – 01491 411969 Borders Reivers – 01890 840777 Brannockstown – +353 45483708 Barcombe – 07872 058095 Bunclody – +353 876605917 Burningfold – 01483 200722 Cambridge & Newmarket – 07769 976781 Carlton House – 01986 892231 Cheshire – 01270 611100 Chester Racecourse – 01244 304602 Cirencester Park – 01285 653225 Cowdray Park – 01730 813257 Coworth Park – 01344 875155 Curraghmore – +353 51387102 Dedham Vale – 01473 280900 Donaghadee – 02891 882521 Druids Lodge – 01722 782597 Dundee & Perth – 07831 365194 Edgeworth – 07879 825660 Edinburgh – 0131 449 6696 Epsom – 01372 748200 FHM – 07778 436468 Fifield – 01628 620061 Foxhill – 0115 9651790 Frolic Farm – 01223 812922 Guards – 01784 434212 Haggis Farm – 01223 460353 Ham – 020 8334 0000 Hertfordshire – 01707 256023 Hurtwood Park – 01483 272828 Kinross – 07831 365194 Kirtlington – 01869 650138 Knepp Castle – 01403 741007 Lacey Green – 07947 725305 Ladyswood – 01666 840880 Limerick – +353 872373903 Little Bentley – 01206 250435 Longdole – 01452 864544 Maywood – 01962 885500 Moyne – +353 851313224 New Forest – 02380 811818 Offchurch Bury – 07785 223383 Orchard – 01258 471000 Park Lane – 01491 411969 Ranksboro – 01572 720046 RMAS – 01276 412276 Royal County of Berkshire – 01344 890060 RLS – 01926 812409 Rugby – 01788 817724 Rutland – 01572 724568 Silver Leys – 01279 652652 St Albans – 07710 262435 Stewarton – 01560 483411 Suffolk Polo – 07990 576974 Sussex Polo – 01342 714920 Taunton – 01823 480460 Tidworth – 01980 846705 Toulston – 01422 372529 Vale of York – 07788 426968 Vaux Park – 01460 242684 West Wycombe – 01865 858475 White Rose – 01430 875750 Wicklow – +353 (0) 404 67164 ◗ To contact the HPA, tel: 01367 242828 ◗ To contact SUPA, tel: 01344 625124

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PTMay 2010 p84-85 USA O and A PJ MB

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Out and about 2010 US Piaget Gold Cup final International Polo Club Palm Beach, 21 March

The bold and the beautiful There was plenty of intrigue at the final of the US Piaget Gold Cup this year, both on and off the ground, as Crab Orchard won back-toback 26-goal titles on their return to the US high-goal in front of swarms of Florida’s most powerful and pleasing personalities.

Crab Orchard had begun the Gold Cup with a remarkable victory over last year’s finalists, Audi, featuring the prized 10-goal combination of brothers Gonzalito and Facundo Pieres. Cambiaso had been the catalyst for that win, turning on the style after four chukkas (with the teams tied at 11-11) to then inspire a comprehensive 18-11 triumph, humiliating his opponents as he scored five of his side’s seven unanswered goals in the final two periods.

But Facundo Pieres had an unexpected chance for revenge in the final, when he stepped in for the injured Eduardo Novillo Astrada, who fell badly in the semi-finals. Sadly for him, however, it wasn’t to be. Crab Orchard continued their dominance, as did Cambiaso, who scored five goals in a stunning 12-7 tournament victory.

Winners Crab Orchard lift the 2010 US Piaget Gold Cup

◗ Discover how Crab Orchard fared in their quest for an elusive American Triple Crown on page 22, where Alex Webbe provides an in-depth and impartial account of the US Open

IPCPB regular and San Sab patron, actor Tommy Lee Jones

Another actor, Hollywood hard-man, Jeffrey Donovan

Photographs by WireImage.com

Polo-playing models Nic Roldan and Nacho Figueras inspect one of the new Piaget Polo watches on display, with the ground behind

US Piaget Gold Cup runners-up, Las Monjitas, who fielded a somewhat experimental line-up for the final, after injuries and recoveries forced some changes. Find out more on page 25 84 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Synchronised swimmers at the after-party

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Some 400 guests enjoyed a lavish sunset cocktail party around the IPCPB pool and clubhouse, laid on by tournament sponsors Piaget

Sadly, polo-lovers Madonna and Bruce Springstein, who were involved in the area’s international horse show nearby, didn’t join the large crowds this year Jeffrey Donovan treated his new girlfriend to a trip to IPCPB by helicopter

Nic Roldan with girlfriend, Nicole Davis

Model Delfina Blaquier with husband Nacho Figueras and the youngest of their three children, Artemio

North American Piaget president Larry Boland, nine-goaler Nic Roldan, Yves Piaget and Jeffrey Donovan

Hilario Ulloa leads Adolfo Cambiaso out for the start of the Gold Cup final www.polotimes.co.uk May 2010 85

PTMay 2010 p86-87 Out and A Ivan JM PJ MB

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Out and about Ivan The Terrible launch party, 8 April 2010 Chinawhite Night Club, Soho – London

Pre-season warm-up sets the tone for a social summer season Ivan The Terrible vodka is set to continue its sponsorship of polo this season, as organisers at Guards Polo Club are already gearing up for the fifth annual Ivan The Terrible Polo Challenge later this month, on Saturday 29 May. The 11-goal game will pit Guards England against Moscow Russia, with Ivan The Terrible’s owner and founder Dimitri Cherbotarev himself due to play two chukkas for the Russians.

Cherbotarev was the sponsor of a drinks reception at London’s Chinawhite Night Club last month, when organiser Royston Prisk brought together polo enthusiasts and players from various clubs around the country on Thursday 8 April. The festivities continued for some until as late as 4am, with guests occupying three tables of the exclusive west London nightspot, and then dominating the Chinawhite dancefloor.

Jack Kidd’s fiancée Callie Moore parties with friend Faye Hatton

More parties are sure to follow throughout the summer, as Prisk balances organising them with his playing and coaching commitments at RCBPC, where he will be based all summer.

Zephyr Polo Team patron Paul Igoe brought a beautiful guest

Ash Farm’s vivacious polo manager Charlotte Sweeney with Josh Keys, James Greenwood and party-loving Ed Bizante

Poppy Davey, whose boyfriend is four-goal player, Will Emerson

Georgia Sweeney unwinds with her brother-in-law, Sam Saunders

Photographs by Georgia Sweeney

Organiser Royston Prisk and Callie Moore

Up-and-coming duo, Sophie Kyriazi and Tom Meyrick 86 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

The combination of blue eyes and blonde hair is a dangerous cocktail around polo players

Janey Grace of Ascot Park

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PTMay 2010 p88-89 Dubai social JM PJ GM

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Out and about Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge Desert Palm Polo Club, Dubai – 26 March

Giant cheques, trendy chicas and Cartier camels A sumptuous red carpet led guests to the elegant hospitality areas of the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge this March. Held at Ali Albwardy’s Desert Palm Polo Club in Dubai and managed by the team from Guards Polo Club there was a real feel of east meets west.

Traditional Arab dress blended perfectly with elegant tea dresses, and camels and palm trees provided the perfect backdrop for a typically English afternoon of polo. Players mingled with their sponsors, wives took the opportunity to view the latest Cartier Collection and the Lebanese singing sensation and UNICEF goodwill ambassador Nancy Ajram paused for many photos.

After the finals, which saw wins for Desert Palm and Qatar Airways, guests relaxed in plush surroundings on the extensive outside sofas, unwinding with soothing mint tea and the occasional shisha pipe on the plump cushions.

English winner Clive Reid lifts the Cartier trophy aloft with Desert Palm’s Ali Albwardy, Cartier Middle East’s MD Louis Ferla, Dubai’s Minister for Health Dr Hanif, and Cartier president Bernard Fornas

◗ Read a full report of the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge on page 34, and discover what familiar English face Becky Simpson was up to during her busy stay on page 98.

Hot sun and beautiful guests sent temperatures soaring this year

Guests looked typically smart and elegant for the glamorous event

Photographs by Tony Ramirez

Florencia Cavalieri, polo secretary, and Charles Stisted, CEO of Guards Polo Club, with the Cartier camels and one of their keepers

Cartier presented a cheque for Dhs 700,000 to UNICEF representative Dr Ayman Abu Laban

88 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Entertaining commentator Tom Urquhart

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Richard Corum, Derek Khan, Padma Corum and friends soak up the atmosphere

Tanya Reid and her guest James enjoying the lavish entertainment on the sidelines, just beside the ground

Lebanese singer and busy UNICEF goodwill ambassador, Nancy Ajram

Deleeb Mohammed

Hani Habbas, Amr Zedan and a friend

Members of the Ayala band

Glamorous and gorgeous – Hikmat Al Kaytoub

Angelica Ronson, Adriano and Lauri Agosti, Jelena Bin Drai with a friend and Jana Zlamalova

Julia Habbas and a new polo recruit

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Out and about Jaeger-LeCoultre Barbados Open finals 2010 Clifton Polo grounds and clubhouse, St Thomas

Caribbean colour as the sun shines and the rum flows Finals day at Clifton Polo was as typically jolly an occasion as ever. Two fast and thrilling games of polo in glorious sunshine (see page 28) soon gave way to late-night feasting and boozing in the always lively atmosphere of the clubhouse and reinstated VIP marquee.

The VIP entertainment went missing in 2009, a casualty of the worldwide economic climate, but Wall Street’s collateral damage was only to be short-lived, as plush new restaurant Nishi (run by English entrepreneur Paul Edwards) supplied lavish treatment in the largest hospitality tent ever seen on the sidelines at Bruce Bailey’s small but splendid ground.

This has been one of the driest seasons on record but, with the games and outdoor prize-giving well out of the way, the island’s polo community then had its prayers answered with a dramatic downpour that ensured none of Clifton’s revellers ducked away early from the sanctuary of the clubhouse.

The celebrations that greeted the drumming of raindrops overhead were suitably enthusiastic before some of the hardiest souls of the evening then took the party on to the pubs and clubs of St Lawrence Gap.

Stewart Gill and Alex Cole inspect the models on display during the entertainment between the subsidiary final and the day’s main event

British umpire Martin Fewster with Audi patron Bruce Bailey

Joint MVPs Oliver Taylor and Jamie Le Hardy with tournament organiser Karen Kranenburg and Uberpolo’s Mary Jones

Roddy Williams with wife Zoë.

Their first baby is due this month

Photographs by James Mullan

Finals’ day at Bailey’s Clifton ground was fun for all ages

Team First Caribbean’s Andrea Vianini was up to his old tricks, both on and off the polo ground 90 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s models ensured few could take their eyes off the inter-game entertainment

A father and son enjoying their first game of polo

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Sir Charles ‘Cow’ Williams gives some advice to his son Teddy’s First Caribbean side during the half-time interlude to the subsidiary final

Above: Pretty revellers embrace at the finals’ day after-party Left: Charley Larcombe from The Polo Magazine and Polo Times deputy editor James Mullan

A groom (left) commiserates with losing finalists, Team MercedesBenz’s Nacho Acuna and joint-patron Salvador Sanchez-Duggan

Spectators won prizes between the games by completing amusing tasks

The Open’s usual commentator Jonathan Simpson on the mike

Another groom is all smiles BPP Gypsy’s Mexican groom, Carlos in the Bajan midday sunshine

Jamie Le Hardy’s girlfriend Mary Jones, Zoë Williams, Uberpolo owner Leigh-Anne Moore and Sally Dawson enjoy the VIP marquee hospitality www.polotimes.co.uk May 2010 91

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Club information

May Tournaments 8-9 15-16 29-30

The May Cup The Coppid Cup Margaret Duvall 8 Goal

-2-2 goal -2-0 goal 0 and 8 goal

LOCO 'inner seam free' horse riding jeans and whites

ART

Rob Cudmore England Coach, 2 HPA Instructors • International Equitrack Polo Arena • Fantastic clubhouse with licensed bar & excellent viewing of the arena • Polo Pony Hire, School Ponies • Chukkas and Matches - call the office for Info • Individual Coaching, Group Lessons, Social & Corporate Events For information on membership, polo lessons and general enquiries please call: Tel: (office) 01452 864 544 Mobile: 07974 532 841 email: rob@longdolepolo.com Longdole Polo Club, Birdlip, Gloucestershire, GL4 8LH

LIVERY AND CHUKKAS

PONIES

92 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

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Classifieds DESTINATIONS

RECRUITMENT

Advertising equine employment to thousands of local and international job seekers. www.equusconnect.com.au GARDEN ROOMS

PHOTOGRAPHY

INSURANCE

www.polotimes.co.uk May 2010 93

PTMay 2010 p94-95 Classifieds

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Classifieds GROUND MAINTENANCE

TRANSPORT

Polo Lorries Made to Order Contact Cris Matthews on 07885 734 282 Polo Lorries built by qualified engineer and polo player who understands your requirements.

• Can adapt to your specifications.

• Any repairs to partitions, ramps, floors, welding of cabs, resprays and M.O.T preparation.

• Or keep your container and we can swap your chassis/cab for a newer one.

• Pick up and delivery service.

email: crispmatthews@hotmail.co.uk

94 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

EQUIPMENT

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Classifieds EQUIPMENT

www.willowpolo.co.uk Tizzie Craggs • • • •

Tack repairs Bespoke leather work Saddle re-flocking Stick repairs

Tel: 01986 893 161 Mob: 07774 272 476 Email: tcraggs.t21@btinternet.com

www.polotimes.co.uk May 2010 95

PTMay 2010 p96-97 Classifieds

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Classifieds PONIES STUNNING 15.2HH GREY ARGENTINE MARE 6 years old. Extremely handy and responsive with power. No vices. £10,000.Call: 07855 742 909

15HH 9 YEAR OLD ARGENTINE DARK BAY POLO PONY FOR SALE All rounder and lightly jumped.

Played outdoor to 6 goal and arena polo. Would suit pony club/young player, up and coming pro or lady. Good to box, shoe, load, lead, stick and ball etc. £5500 ono. Contact Harry Tucker on 07816 257532

15.2HH GREY MARE, 14 YEARS OLD Easy hitting platform. Strong in ride offs, fast, responsive, loves to do her job. Sweet natured.

Adapts to any ability. Not enough time forces sale. Tel 07850 664235, £3,500 Yorkshire

PONIES FOR SALE FOR ALL LEVELS 15.1hh 13 year old Argentine TB Mare, very fast and very good, £4950 ono. 14.3hh 6 year old mare, very fun, handy and easy £9950ono. 15.1hh 6 year old gelding, handy and fast £9950 ono. 15.2hh 6 year old mare, sharp, fast £9950 ono. See www.eastwoodstud.com or tel 07970 697593

15.1HH CHESTNUT ARGENTINE MARE 10 years old, low goal, confidence giver, suit almost beginner. £4500 with tack, £4000 without. Tel 07767 308666 (Fife, Scotland)

PERFECT PONY CLUB PONY Beautiful palomino, 12 years old, 15hh. Easy in every way, fantastic pony club pony, been playing past 4 years to Rendall. Also perfect beginners pony. Sound and vice free. Ready beginning of May. £5000. Call Sam 07738 562633.

STALLION Lisa Llewellen Palmer has two stallions standing – TITCH, 19 - progeny playing high goal and MONKEY, 9 - a fascinating racing record video www.colgatefarm.co.uk. Tel 07549 297996

HUGELY TALENTED JORROCKS/ HANDLEY X POLO PONY 13.1hh, Irish sports pony, rising 16 years, brilliant Jorrocks pony, always the star of the team. Very willing and kind. Good looking, placed P(UK) championships. Competed pony club SJ and XC. Excellent to hack, will go ahead or behind, alone or in company. Good to hunt. 100% in traffic.

This genuine family pony seeks 5* home. £4,500. Tel: 07733232131 (Cowdray).

96 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

GENUINE STRING DISPERSAL 0 goal player giving up, seven quality Argentine ponies all priced to sell. All played everything from Langford and Gannon up to 8 goal and would make the perfect addition to any string.

All great to work with in every way and all are open to the vet. Good homes essential. 15.1hh liver chestnut Mare, white blaze, 9 yrs, very light and handy, very quick and brave, beautifully put together, a machine! £6,000.

15.1hh dark bay Mare, white star, 8 yrs, very handy, light & quick, great confirmation, £6,000. 16hh chestnut mare, white star, 9 yrs, thoroughbred type, light mouth, very sensible and consistent, quick & great fun, £5,000.

15.1hh chestnut mare, white star and four white socks, great bone, quick, light and brave, 9 yrs, £4,500. 15hh bay mare, 10 yrs, very fast and handy, great fun to play, £5,000. 15hh striking jet back mare, 11 yrs, very elegant, quick & light to handle. £5,000.14.3hh bay mare, white star, compact horse with great handle and a good turn of speed. 11 yrs, £3,500. A selection of young horses are also available, between 2 & 4 yrs, all by Chess, starting at £2,000. Please contact Ed Jefferson on 07989 749835.

TOMLINSON HORSES FOR SALE 2010 All ponies have been bought on slowly and are well mannered. Any veterinary downsides will be pointed out in each case prior to purchase. Many are homebred horses sired by Chess (Top Secret), or Hector (Sequito) – Bloodlines very prominent in the Argentine Open. The prices quoted are for horses sold singly. Offers will be considered, especially on multiple purchases.

MAMBO Chestnut Homebred Gelding. 6 years £8500.

PETROLA Bright Bay Homebred Mare. 14 years £5000.

PINGUI Liver Chestnut Homebred Gelding. 6 years £7000.

TERO Grey Argentine Gelding. 9 years £5,500.

MULDOON Dark Brown TB Gelding. 10 years £7,000.

MATRIX Brown Homebred Gelding. 9 years £12,000.

SCOUT Brown Homebred Gelding. 7 years £12,000.

VELCRO Chestnut Homebred Gelding. 12 years £12,000.

EROS Bay Homebred Gelding. 8 years £7,000.

REMI Chestnut Homebred Mare. 12 years £ 7,000.

RIZZO Chestnut Homebred Gelding. 16 years £ 5,000.

ROXANNE Chestnut Homebred Mare. 11 years £ 8,000.

GADGET Chestnut Homebred Mare. 9 years £ 8,000.

Further details, descriptions and photo’s can be viewed on www.polosaleroom.com or call: 01666 840423/ 01666 880254

PONIES FOR SALE No vices, fit and ready to play, require good homes. Sombre: 15.3hh bay 9 year old mare. Played 4 goal, suit low goal patron. Easy in every way. £4000. Pikaflor: 15hh Argentine mare, 12 years old.

Easy great platform, suit beginner however played Rendall Final 2009. £5500. Quick sale as owner giving up, call Amelia on 07765 251489.

BARGAIN ARGENTINE MARE (SOLD FROM FIELD) 15.2hh, 12 year old bright bay, substantial and quality mare. Thoroughbred cross. Played by pro in medium goal. No time to prepare hence £1,750 ono. Tel: 07971 691160 (St Albans)

15.2HH BAY TB MARE 7 YEARS OLD Fast, agile but handy. Played up to 18 goal and arena. No vices. Suit pro or patron. Can be tried at Knepp. £7500. Telephone 07801 305801 FOUR GORGEOUS TALENTED PONIES For lease or hire. Polo season 2010. Horses near Kirtlington. 15.2hh Grey mare 6 years old; 15.2hh Bay mare 7 years old; 15.3hh Bay gelding 10 years old; 14.3hh Dark bay mare 9 years old. Contact Lucy on 07947 497384 PATRON GIVING UP, POLO PONIES FOR SALE Selection of low to medium goal, from 6-16 of age. Will be fit and ready by end of april. Hampshire area.

Contact 07939 607308

15.1HH ENGLISH TB MARE - EXPERIENCED POLO PONY Beautiful 9 year old pony, played up to 15 goal in the past, ex Tom Morley. Played last season by 3-goaler at Cowdray, and -2 in first year of polo (arena and grass).

Sweet natured, quick and sound, would suit -1 to pro.

Currently getting ready for the summer, at Vaux Park. £6500 ono. Call Ed: 07743 963247

ARENA PONIES FOR SALE 14 year old bay mare, 15.1hh. Easy. played up to 12 goal arena. £3,000. 14 year old chestnut mare, 15.1hh. Very easy, played arena with teenage girl. £3,000. All ponies are clean and should pass vet. To try at Binfield Heath or for any further information please contact Bridget Hancock 07976 242877

ARTELIA - KIND GREY MARE 15.1hh Mare, 14 years old, same owner for eight years. Much loved, perfect pony club/ladies pony. Kept ticking over this winter so ready to start season. Very genuine mare. Can be tried in Herts. £2,250 Tel: 07950 028819 RELIABLE ADDITION TO PC/LOW GOAL STRING Nellie is an agile and quick pony and has been in a PC home for 8 years. Has played in Langford and Gannon finals, and played many 4 goal tournaments last year.

Good, easy, all round reliable and dependable sweet natured pony, not sharp, but at 19 has all the experience to help a young or beginner player progress – a bargain at £1,950. Been in work since 17 Feb. Please call 01666 840495 or 07770 526148 3

FIVE PONIES FOR SALE, SUSSEX. EVERYONES FAVOURITE - from 2 goalers to pony club. Versatile 14.2hh grey mare 11yrs . Won BPP at Cowdray 2009.

Fast and easy. £5250 ovno. MOTHERS DREAM - roan mare 11yrs. 13.2hh Jorrocks pony. Very friendly and fast.

Loves polo but has also hunted and jumps. Sadly outgrown. £3750 ovno. HANDSOME SKEWBALD gelding 6yrs. 14.2hh perfect pony club or beginners pony, very easy and kind. £3750 ovno.

PRETTY thoroughbred mare - 13yrs, 15.1hh. Played mostly 0 to 4 goal. Always sound, soft mouth, very comfortable paces. Priced for quick sale £2750 ovno BLACK BEAUTY 15.2hh - Playing machine. Grass and arena, suit Surtees to Gannon, superior mare, ex-high goal. Fit and sound. £2250 ovno Tel Sussex Polo 01342 714920

PROFESSIONAL AND PATRON PONIES FOR SALE 6 year old dun mare, 15.2hh. handy, quick, lot of potential. Played up to 12 goal. £12,000 8 year old bay gelding, 15.1hh. Easy, great temperament. Played up to 12 goal. £10,000 9 year old dark bay mare, 15.1hh.

Nice low goal pony, suit female or good jockey. £5,000.

All ponies are clean and should pass vet. To try at Binfield Heath or for any further information please contact Bridget Hancock 07976 242877

PONY CLUB OR NOVICE RIDERS’ PONIES FOR SALE 8 year old chestnut mare, 15.2hh. Played pony club with 13 year old and up to 8 goal with prof player.

Honest and easy. £8,000 7 year old gray mare, 14.3hh.

Fantastic childs pony and also played by good amateur player. £7,000 11 year old chestnut mare, 15hh. easy and handy, knows her job, played by professional, amateur and teenage girl. £6,000. All ponies are clean and should pass vet. To try at Binfield Heath or for any further information please contact Bridget Hancock 07976 242877

NEW ZEALAND APPALOOSA MARE Appy has been outstanding over the last 3 seasons winning Loriner and Langford and played mainly 4 goal tournaments last season at Cirencester. Always cheerful with big personality and easy to do in every respect. At 18 has great experience to pass on to up and coming player. At this price she is difficult pony to beat for a young player or beginner. Been in work since 17 Feb. £2,950. Please call 01666 840495 or 07770 526 148

PTMay 2010 p96-97 Classifieds

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ENGLISH TB CHESTNUT MARE 15.1hh rising five, played farm chukkas last summer and has played arena this winter. Brought on very slowly, easy mare ready to be pushed on. Clean, no vices. £3,500 + vat. Tel 07979 494553 EX-RACEHORSES TAKEN FOR POLO RETRAINING

BY PROFESSIONAL PLAYER Send your horse to be schooled to stick and ball, neck rein and farm chukka stage, full livery £250 per week excl shoeing/vet/teeth.

Professional trainer with proven track record. Tel 07800 517869

SCHOOLMASTERS FOR SALE Superstar schoolmasters - 7 year old 15.1hh TB Gelding £3000, 18 year old 15.2hh ex high-goal chestnut mare £800, 20+ year old 15.2hh super Argentine mare £750, 19 year old 14.2hh nippy bay Argentine mare, £750. 16 year old classy Argentine mare, broodmare or hack -FREE. Good homes much more important than price. 07970 697593

15HH 9 YEAR OLD DUNN MARE Played everything from Pony Club up to 6 goal, excellent in arena. Easy to stick and ball, fast, agile, no vices. Would suit lady or Pony Club player. £7000. Contact Jenny on 07931 645269 TRANSPORT AND MACHINERY 11 HORSE ALUMINIUM HORSEBOX 96 MAN. Williams body. Very good condition. Tested and plated until April 2011. Taxed until March 2011. £15,000.

Tel: 07879 891810/01666 840880 or email jmeade@ladyswoodstud.com

PROFESSIONAL HORSE TRANSPORT DEFRA approved. Hants/Wilts based. 20+ years horse and transport experience in UK and Europe. Also freelance drivers/grooms. 01794 323195 or 07786 475123/07786 255538

POIO BOX NUMBER PLATE Perfect plate for a new 2010 lorry. Held on rentention cert. Available now. £1750. Tel 01749 860775

10 BOX HGV currently a top end transport box that’s being replaced, incredibly reliable and well maintained on a Volvo FL10, R reg. Tilt cab and living, £12,500 + VAT. Tel 01264 889123.

Page 3

HORSEBOX FOR SALE (3-4 PONIES) Man non-HGV, B-Reg, cream body on Man chassis, low mileage 153,000km, well cared for horsebox with living including gas hob, sink and storage space. Regularly serviced, tax and MOT until July 2010. Fantastic runner, fabulous ladies horsebox, same owner since 1996. For sale due to purchase of new horsebox. £4,500. Tel 07770 436 999.

1989 (F REG) FORD IVECO CARGO 0813, 7.5 TONNE RIGID BODY LORRY Carries four horses with

PROPERTY SOTOGRANDE Perfectly located two bed apartment, overlooking marina, available for short or long term let.

Five mins from Santa Maria Polo Club, 150 yards from beach. Contact Karina on 07974 706045

EQUIPMENT

tack storage area behind the cab and two storage boxes below. Taxed and Tested until September 2010. Body by Mustoe Transport with: hard wearing floor and lining; internal lighting; side windows/vents, and 321,529km on the clock. £3500 ono. Tel 07979 500617

CASABLANCA SADDLES WANTED Also: Casablanca bridles, running reins, breastplates, standing martingales and overgirths. All leather 18 inch saddles in good condition preferred. Please call 01793 783773 tam (Swindon) or email norma.abel@btinternet.com

NON-HGV LORRY Mercedes 814 EcoPower 1997.

12mths MOT. Brand new floor and ramp. Generously partitioned for five. Large, secure Luton storage area.

Very reliable, regularly serviced, easy to drive. £7250 ONO. Call Rona 07717 5370108

RANSOMES GANG MOWERS 3 set hydraulic.

Reground last year, cuts beautifully. £1200. Excellent working order. Also, 2 x new 18” saddles £150 each, plus other tack. Contact: Dick Rowe on 01258 471000 or 079682 35566 Dorset

10 HORSE BOX, CONVERTED 3 YEARS AGO DAF 240, water on board, lockable storage boxes, galvanised

ARGENTINE POLO SADDLE Havana suede complete

partitions. Tack racks. CCTV. HGV, T Reg, Mint. Tested May 2010. £14,000 ono. Tel 07899 977412

VOLVO FL10 MODEL 10 horse box J Reg. 1991.

Excellent condition. New engine Dec 05. MOT - £10,000 ono. Telephone 01992 561656(John Seabrook), mobile 07710 447062 or email john-seabrook@btconnect.com

with buffalo stirrup leathers, irons, breast plate, over girth and standing martingale. Used one season only excellent condition £300 ono. Also two bridles complete with bits £75 each. Tel 07825 021565

MISCELLANEOUS ARGENTINA GAUCHO CLOTHES Gaucho Clothes -

LIVERY STABLES/LIVERY AVAILABLE IN WARGRAVE, BERKS off of junction 8/9 of M4. Up to 15 stables to rent, also full/part livery. Arena, walker, stick and ball field, wooden horse, turnout and accommodation.

Email h.keay1@btinternet.com or call 07885 075463

POLO BASE IN OXFORDSHIRE Up to 15 stables to rent with fantastic facilities, centrally placed in Oxfordshire. Superb arena and exercise track, horse walker, polo ground. £500 per stable for the season (mid-April to mid-September). Turn-out. On site grooms accommodation available £50 a week per groom.

Equi-distant between Windsor and Cirencester. 20 minutes Kirtlington. Telephone Georgie on 01993 886885 or email margie@polotimes.co.uk

Providers of authentic traditional gaucho clothing and gear. Items offered are bombachas de campo trousers, shirts, alpargatas, hats, berets, rastras, belts, boots and ponchos. www.gauchoclothes.com

SITUATIONS EXPERIENCED POLO GROOM REQUIRED For 2010 polo season based at private farm in Berkshire.

Accommodation provided. Must have drivers licence.

E-mail mark.hk@btinternet.com or tel 07775 806333 GROOM REQUIRED A temporary opportunity has arisen for a junior groom, period mid-May to end June, based Southern France. Possibility of permanent position.

Contact earlgrosbec@orange.fr

Advertisers in May 2010 Akuma Polo 01676 533 320 www.akumapolo.com Andrew Seavill 01730 817687 info@portagegroup.co.uk Apes Hill Club +1 246 432 4500 www.apeshillclub.com Asprey 01344 890960 www.aspreypolo.com Audi www.audi.com Australian Stock Horse 07734 601135 www.australianhorsetraining.co.uk Bailey’s Horse Feeds 01371 850247 www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk Benham Park Polo 01635 253 224 www.benhamparkpolo.co.uk BHI Transport 07879 415487 www.bhi-transport.com Binfield Heath Polo Club 01491 411969 www.binfieldheathpoloclub.co.uk Blake Lapthorn 023 8090 8090 www.bllaw.co.uk Brett Polo 01344 885911 www.brettpolo.com Burningfold Polo Club Pony Sales 0797 0340861 sale@burningfoldpolo.co.uk Chester Racecourse Polo 01244 304 610 www.chester-races.com

CH Grounds Maintenance 01494 758208 www.chgrounds.com Cirencester Park Polo Club 01285 653225 www.cirencesterpolo.co.uk Cowdray Park Polo Club 01730 813 257 www.cowdraypolo.co.uk Cris Matthews 07885 734282 crispmatthews@hotmail.co.uk Druids Lodge Polo Club 01722 782597 www.druidspolo.co.uk Eastwood Stud 07970 697 593 www.eastwoodstud.com Equibuild 01367 820960 enquiries@equibuild.com Equine Logistics Company 01264 810782 www.equine-logistics-company.com Equus Connect www.equusconnect.com.au Financial Private Clients 01242 820738 www.financialprivateclients.ltd.uk/polo Galaxico Internationale +92 523 555 791 www.galaxicopolo.com Gladiator Sports 020 3371 8428 www.gladiator-sports.com Greenheath 01638 507785 www.greenheath.co.uk Images of Polo 01273 834159 www.imagesofpolo.com

Jack Wills www.jackwills.com Jeremy Curling Fencing 01483 894888 www.jcfc.co.uk JS Equine 01452 863000 www.jsequine.co.uk Kate’s Art 07887 678421 www.katesart.com Katie Tunn 07903 301103 www.katietunn.com Kestrel Ltd 01256 880488 www.kestrelcontractors.co.uk Knepp Castle Polo Club 01403 741007 www.kneppcastlepoloclub.co.uk Knight Frank/ St Thomas, Barbados 020 76298171 La Mariposa +54 911 518 01759 www.lamariposa.com.ar La Martina www.lamartina.com Laundry Machine Ltd 0121 4863566 www.laundry-machine.com Longdole Polo Club 01452 864544 Lycetts 01672 512512 www.lycetts.co.uk Martin ffrench Blake 07971 401144 martin_ffrench_blake@hotmail.com OJ Polo www.ojpolo.co.uk Paddock Woods Stallions 07845 328442 Pampeano 0871 2001272 www.pampeano.co.uk

Patey Hats 01285 841250 www.pateyhats.com Piaget www.piagetpolo.com PJ’s Bar and Grill 020 7581 0019 www.pjsbarandgrill.co.uk Polo Permits 01798 869 496 www.polopermits.co.uk Polo Plates 07917 802322 chris@poloplates.com Polo Splice 01730 814991 www.polosplice.co.uk Quality Shoe Repairs 01892 670228 www.qualityshoerepairs.com Randox recruitment@randox.com Ranksboro’ Polo 01572 720046 www.ranksboropolo.co.uk Roxtons Sporting 01285 659033 www.roxtonspolo.co.uk Roy Bennett Number Plates 07831 334326 roybennett25@googlemail.com SATS (South American Trade Services) 01285 841542 www.satsfaction.com Savills www.savills.co.uk 020 7499 8644 Shahira Industries +92 524 597 606 www.shahiraind.com T & S Harker 01325 332649 www.tandsharkerhorseboxes.co.uk Tally Ho Farm 01344 885 373 www.tallyhofarm.co.uk

The Home Office Company 0333 800 5050 www.thehomeofficecompany.co.uk The Mileage Company www.themileagecompany.com Ivan the Terrible Vodka www.ivantheterriblepolo.co.uk The Shaft Mallet Company 07889 106190 shaftpolo.com The Spanish Boot Company 0845 3138167 www.thespanishbootcompany.co.uk The Sport Horse Embryo Centre 07768 508 831 charles@trippetts.com Tidworth Polo Club 01980 846705 www.tidworthpolo.com Top Polo Genetics +54 114 322 4966 www.toppologenetics.com Waterhall Polo (Apes Hill) 001 246 4329550 www.apeshillclub.com Wildman Design 01993 842 582 www.wildmandesign.co.uk Willow Polo 07774 272476 tcraggs.121@btinternet.com Wood Mallets +64 6 85 68119 www.woodmallets.com YARDANDGROOM 020 81441636 www.yardandgroom.com www.polotimes.co.uk May 2010 97

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The last word

A Week

in the life of. .

AT LUNCHTIME ON THURSDAY I meet Tony to look at the photos he took the day before. We pick a few to send to La Martina HQ in Argentina as they like to know how everything is going. There are two afternoon games before the “Desert Experience” this evening. We set out in 4x4s towards a tent village, where camel and quad bike rides are on offer – predictably, the girls opt for the camels and the boys take the quads. Belly dancing is also a theme, something I won’t partake in – I don’t want Tony having photographic evidence – although that doesn’t stop Clare Milford Haven!

FINALS DAY arrives like a flash, which means an early start at Desert Palm and lots of running around. First I do a kit check for the ponies, players, goal judges and everyone else in La Martina gear. I help set up the La Martina stand by the pool and take photos of it to send to HQ. Before the subsidiary final I meet Steve Lamprell, the commentator, and hand him some notes about La Martina so he gives us a good mention over the tannoy.

Photograph by Tony Ramirez

I FLEW TO DUBAI on Monday 22 March for the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge at Desert Palm Polo Club, where La Martina is the official supplier of the event.

Last year a new flagship La Martina store opened in the Dubai Mall so this event was a perfect occasion to give it a good boost.

I HEAD TO DESERT PALM early on Tuesday and go to Charlie Stisted’s (of Guards Polo Club) villa to say hello and meet up with the Guards team. The resort, owned by the Albwardy family, is made up of luxury villas and a boutique hotel as well as the polo club.

Most of the Guards staff are staying there and I set up camp in Ollie Ellis’s villa for the week, so I have a base at Desert Palm. This morning I check that all the La Martina kit for the players and ponies has arrived safely and in the right numbers. I meet Martin Valent (polo manager to Ali Albwardy), who takes the pony kit to the stables. I then meet Tony Ramirez, official photographer for La Martina, and arrange which photos he will take over the next few days. We bump into Ollie Ellis, who is umpiring, and have a lovely lunch by the pool followed by a walk around the resort to suss out where everything is. In the evening, players, sponsors and staff are invited on to a “dhow” – a traditional boat – and we cruise the Deira Creek during dinner.

WEDNESDAY MORNING I meet Ascot Park’s Janie Grace and Lycetts’ Piers Plunkett. Piers’s brother-in-law has a runner in the Dubai 98 May 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Becky Simpson

La Martina’s UK operations manager talks to Georgie May about checking kit, avoiding belly-dancing and wrestling a numnah from grooms on her trip to Dubai World Cup on Saturday so Piers – and the rest of us – are including a day at the races into our schedule. The tournament league games are played at 3.30pm and 4.45pm every day so, after catching up with players and clients over lunch, I spend the afternoon watching polo. In the early evening we head to the Dubai Mall, where the La Martina store is hosting cocktails (of the non-alcoholic variety!) for players and guests; it is a great chance for players to use the vouchers they won in the games today and for Tony to take some promotional pictures.

Following a spending spree in the store, we all enjoy dinner in the shadow of the world’s tallest building with a spectacular water fountain and lights display.

I’M ASKED TO GET the players ready for the post-final presentation. It’s a highly organised affair and everything is arranged down to the last second. After watching Qatar Airways beat Cartier in the subsidiary, I only catch part of the final because I dash off to check that the buggies are ready to ship the players from the field straight to the presentation. La Martina is giving away a saddle and I needed to grab a numnah from team Cartier to use to display it – a task in itself as the grooms don’t speak English and aren’t forthcoming at handing it over!

Richard Le Poer takes a tumble in the final and a replacement joins the field so I find a fifth shirt for the presentation, which is minutes away. But, thankfully, everything runs smoothly.

A BIG BUFFET and a pool party at one of the villas follow, allowing everyone to let their hair down. Saturday is my last day in Dubai, and I write up reports and press releases before heading to the Dubai World Cup at the vast new Meydan racecourse.

Unfortunately I have to leave before the big race to catch my flight home, even though it is at 2.50am; I don’t trust Dubai’s traffic!

MONDAY I’M BACK at the Guards Store, which opens in April so I have lots to do: sorting and pricing stock; organising kit for Guards prizes; corporate orders and confirming staff for the season. La Martina sponsors schools’ tournaments and teams so I organise kit for them as well. At the moment, my weekdays are spent in the Guards Store, and in the evening I mostly ride my horse, a retrained racehorse, which I keep nearby. With the season coming up, there is always plenty to do – making my job strictly not nine to five. F ◗ See full Dubai coverage on pages 34 & 88

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Polo Times May 2010