Volume 28 • Issue 10 • November 2023 • £6.50
LA DOLFINA DO IT AGAIN! The 130th Hurlingham Open
POLO TIMES CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE Festive Inspiration for Everyone
BRITISH ARMY TOUR
Enjoying the Excitement of Egypt PLUS: Paying Too Much for Your Pet’s Prescription? & The Polo Style of Riding
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“Polo Times is undoubtedly the most influential contemporary polo magazine” Contents Horace Laffaye
Contents
What’s inside… November 2023
Publisher Nick Hine publisher@polotimes.co.uk
Editor in Chief Rosabella Hine rosabella@polotimes.co.uk
Principal Design James Morgan
Design Alice Ruddy
22 Financial Controller Angie Clark accounts@polotimes.co.uk
Accounts & Administration Assistant Rosalind Cutter ads@hinemarketing.co.uk
Administration Assistant Lynne Berry
Contributors:
Donna Barker, Mark Beaumont, Gill Glimmerveen, Sophie Hare, Charlotte Inness, Fiona Kalies, Dr.med. Andreas Krüger, Simon Ledger, Rege Ludwig, Tony Ramirez/ ©www.imagesofpolo.com, Jack Richardson, Emma Sheridan & Paul Stalker
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44 News 4 9
Knowledge All the Latest News Your Letters
Features
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12 14
50
Polo Hall of Fame 2024 Inductees Polo Times Christmas Gift Guide
Reports Cover photograph:
Adolfo Cambiaso secured his 15th Hurlingham Open title. By Matías Callejo / Prensa AAP
Contact details
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44 46
22 26
The 130th Hurlingham Open The Qualification Tournament
Club Focus 29 34
Your Club News from Home and Abroad Minninnoka Polo & Riding School Spotlight
54 56
Polodoc: Separated Shoulder Performance Coach: Why Do Polo Players Do That? Playing Tips with Rege Ludwig: The Polo Style of Riding Equine Zen Shiatsu: Relating the Five Elements to the Horse Nutrition Focus: R&R Time of Year Online Veterinary Pharmacy
Sidelines 58 59
Gossip Social Pages
Polo Directory
Youth Polo
61 63
37 38
Final Bell
All Aspects of Youth Polo SUPA Senior & Junior Schools Friendly Arena Tournament
64
What’s On in November Classifieds
Passions: Jack Richardson
Military Polo 42
The Kings Club Polo Tour
in Polo Times and on the Polo Times website. No content may be reproduced or distributed without the consent of the Publisher. ‘Polo Times’ is the trade mark of Polo Times Limited. ISSN 1461-4685
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Polo Times, November 2023
www.polotimes.co.uk
from the Publisher
As always, keep well and play safe Nick Hine
4
Polo Times, November 2023
Photograph by SPWC
With this issue’s cover date being November, the UK arena season is well and truly upon us, with the first tournaments already having been played. As the 2023/24 arena season gains momentum our coverage includes SUPA’s Senior & Junior Schools Friendly Arena Tournament which enjoyed the unseasonably warm early Autumn weather. Overseas, the polo circuit moves from Europe to Argentina and this issue’s Reports cover La Dolfina Saudi’s historic win in The 130th Hurlingham Open, plus La Esquina and EL Overo Z7 UAE’s Qualification Tournament successes which have ensured their places in the upcoming Argentine Open. Staying abroad, the British Army team have been busy representing the United Kingdom in Egypt on The Kings Club Polo Tour, while closer to home, this issue’s Club Focus spotlight is on the family owned and run Minninnoka Polo & Riding School Spotlight, who are championing grassroots polo of all ages. Our Knowledge pages are packed as ever and this issue welcomes a new voice from Dr Charlotte Inness; an experienced Equine Vet, certified Equine Chiropractor and Veterinary acupuncturist who plays polo, Charlotte explains how you can cut the cost of prescription medicine via online veterinary pharmacies. If you’re squeamish, then brace yourself for Polodoc’s separated shoulder surgery images! Meanwhile Raise Polo explain polo player’s needs; Rege Ludwig outlines the polo style of riding; Donna Barker relates the five elements to the horse and Lorna Edgar explains how to feed a horse on box rest. The Sidelines pages include Kirtlington Park Polo Club’s End of Season party and awards which included a Total Wipeout contest – and also Guards Polo Club’s annual Macmillan Coffee Morning which raised £8,000 for Macmillan. 6 goal, homegrown talent, Jack Richardson rounds off this issue as our Passions interview – who knew he can recite all the words to the rap ‘Professor X’ by Dave! In a little over a month, we will be in the midst of the festive season, so I hope that you will enjoy the Polo Times Christmas Gift Guide which is packed with present ideas for all the family – even your furry, four-legged ones. Whilst our attention will, quite rightly, be focused on our loved ones, please spare a thought for anyone caught up in the overseas conflict zones, where the brutality being meted out on innocent people really leaves one questioning the meaning of life.
News
The 2024 Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz will be held over 26 – 28 January
2024 Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz
The countdown has begun for the 2024 Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz! The tournament will be played over 26 – 28 January in the stunning Engadin Valley, which has been the epic setting since the tournament was established in 1985 by the godfather of snow polo – Reto Gaudenzi. Six teams will be competing this Year – Perrier-Jouët, World Polo League, Flexjet, Azerbaijan Land of Fire, Mackage and The Kusnacht Practice. In 2023, more than 18,000 spectators attended over the three days, if you want to have a reserved seat in the grandstand with a free glass of Perrier-Jouët champagne, a warm blanket and canapés you can buy a ticket for the Perrier-Jouët Chukker Club or why not push the boat out and opt for the VIP area including a leisurely lunch prepared by Gamma Catering, tickets can be purchased at www.snowpolo-stmoritz.com The Kusnacht Practice 1 Team Captain Eduardo Greghi 0 2 Francisco Fucci +4 3 TBA 4 Nicolas San Roman +4 MACKAGE 1 Team Captain Jesper Brunander 2 Oli Hipwood 3 Ryan Pemble 4 Genaro Ringa
CH/BRA ARG ENG
0 +4 +4 +8
DK UK UK ARG
St. Moritz - Top of the World 1 Team Captain Jonathan Tidswell-Pretorius 0 2 Tito Gaudenzi +2 3 David Stirling +9 4 Pelayo Berazadi +5
SA CH/USA URU ESP
FLEXJET 1 Team Captain Marc Ganzi +1 2 Fred Mannix +7 3 TBA 4 TBA
USA CAN
World Polo League 1 Team Captain Melissa Ganzi 0 2 Team Grant Ganzi +3 3 TBA 4 Alejandro Novillo Astrada +7
ARG
Team Perrier-Jouët 1 Team Captain Philipp Müller 2 Nacho Gonzalez 3 Hissam Hyder 4 Max Charlton
CH ENG PAK ENG
0 +4 +4 +6
USA USA
Correct at time of going to press
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News
Photography courtesy of AAP
The Metropolitan Tournament
La Cañada, winners of The Metropolitan High Handicap Tournament
Tortugas, winners of The Metropolitan Low Handicap Tournament
The Metropolitan High Handicap Tournament Finals Teams: La Cañada (24): Facundo Llosa (7), Bautista Arrastúa (6), Tomás García del Río (7) & Tim Dutta (4) Don Urbano (24): Alejo Aramburu (6), Genaro Ringa (7), Facundo Retamar Carnero (6) & Marcelo Garrahan (5) La Dolfina La Natividad (24): Camilo ‘Jeta’ Castagnola (10), Mía Cambiaso (2), Alejo Taranco (9) & Facundo Frayssinet (3) Chapaleufú (24): Silvestre Heguy (4), Federico Panzillo (6), Martín Podestá (7) & Jacinto Crotto (7) The Metropolitan Low Handicap Tournament Final Teams: Copa de Oro Tortugas (14): Don Fourcade (2), Felipe Bond (3), José Riglos (6) & Juan Cruz Carreño (3) Ellerstina (14): Pedro Chavanne (2), Felipe Díaz (1), Simón Crotto (5) & Francisco Irastorza (6) Copa de Plata Don Urbano (14): Artemio Figueras (1), Ferdinando Courreges (2), Gonzalo Ferrari (6) & Marcelo Garrahan (5) La Aguada (13): Jerónimo Llavallol (0), Simón Novillo Astrada (2), Cruz Novillo Astrada (5) & Julio Novillo Astrada (6)
Photograph by ©Global Polo Entertainment
The Metropolitan High Handicap Tournament saw 15 teams between 12 and 24 goal compete for a place in the Final on Sunday 24 September. The Copa de Oro Final between La Cañada and Don Urbano was the first match of the year played on Field 1 in Palermo and saw La Cañada secure a 13-7 win. Meanwhile in The Copa de Plata Final, La Dolfina La Natividad defeated Chapaleufú 13-10. On Tuesday 3 October, The Metropolitan Low Handicap Tournament Finals took place at the Alfredo Lalor Headquarters that the AAP owns in Pilar. The first match saw Tortugas beat Ellerstina 10-8 in The Copa de Oro Final and next up, Don Urbano’s team won The Copa de Plata with a 9-6 victory against La Aguada.
The 2024 Gauntlet of Polo will start on 9 February
2024 Gauntlet of Polo Dates The United States Polo Association (USPA) and the National Polo Center - Wellington (NPC) have announced the 2024 Gauntlet of Polo dates which will begin on 9 February with The C.V. Whitney Cup (Final on 25 February), followed by The USPA Gold Cup (23 February – 24 March), concluding with The U.S. Open Championship (22 March – 21 April).
Tel: 01798 867301/07419 297559 Fax: 01798 867257 equinelogisticscompany@gmail.com www.equine-logistics-company.com
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Polo Times, November 2023
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Reports
The VIII Thai Polo Cup
News News
Argentine BPP Rocksavage Hipwood Merged into Pony The Argentine& Junior Championship Association of Club The 47th New Zealand Horse Breeders’ andBPP Pony Club;LaallNatividad Pony Club members El Overo. made history, Polo Open Best Playing Pony:
Photograph courtesy of AAP
Bellamar Pampa Norte comeback, but by the fifth and sixth chukkas, it was Lavinia who were controlling the action with Carlos Marí a Ulloa and Manuel Giménez Villamil The Hipwood and Rocksavage, which have commanding theJunior team from back and previously been HPA the tournaments, combining with into theirthe forwards, Ramon will now bewell merged Pony Club Cassino Jack Whitman to secure from thisand season onwards, while the Lavinia their first Thaisection Polo Cup title, 10½-4. Buckmaster will be discontinued. The format of Hipwood and Rocksavage will remain unchanged, with three and four chukka matches on private grounds over 4 – 17 July, which will allow players to also compete in other Pony Club tournaments. Hipwood and Rocksavage players will be required to be members of both the HPA
Photography by Matias Callejo
La Natividad, winners of The Argentine Junior Championship
The Argentine Junior Championship saw four teams compete between 23 and 27 goals, with a player age limit of 21-years-old. The Final took place on Tuesday 3 October at the Argentine Association of Polo, in Pilar between defending champions La Natividad
less than the 3 goals willthe play a flat rate of £50 claiming title for fifth consecutive Future Lituania, Best Playing Pony for membership. Andrew Barlow, yeartheir withHPA an 11-7 victory. Jeta Castagnola played by Carlos of the Final: Chairman the HPA Development Gaston Lucero & is the only of player to have featured all Marí a Ulloainand Alberta Belvedere, played by Coaching Committee, commented, vital financial support from Park Place this new Federico Martelli five winning teams (in 2018 the team“Awas Carlos María Ulloa HPA roleLaisEnsenada to promoteLagrassroots and partnership enables us to focus on our named Natividad),polo while his the development of younghas polo players. In structured development pathway whilst cousin Poroto Cambiaso won the title combining previous HPA and with Mia wholeheartedly supporting and promoting three timesthe (2021, 2022Junior and 2023) Pony Club tournaments, this allows us Pony Club Polo”. For more information on Cambiaso, Poroto’s sister, has won the title to enhance of Pony Club polo please contact Charles twice (2022our andlong-term 2023) andobjectives in 2022 became promoting talentto forwin theit.benefit of all victory players Whittington, or for Hipwood and Rocksavage the first woman This year’s and in the generous specifically contact Jilly Emerson. was the the sport first win for future. LorenzoWith Chavanne. The Best Playing Pony award went to Lovelocks Tegal (Open el Padrino x Java), played by Jeta Castagnola and The Machi Trotz Award went to Lorenzo Chavanne. The 47th New Zealand Polo Open will be returning on Sunday 18 February 2024 in The Argentine Junior Championship Clevedon, Auckland and will see some of Final Teams: New Zealand’s best polo players compete La Natividad (27): Camilo Castagnola (10), in Australasia’s longest running high goal Mía Cambiaso (2), Lorenzo Chavanne (5) polo tournament. The day showcases & Poroto Cambiaso (10) the Fair bestPlay action both on and off the field El Overo (25): Beltrán Laulhé (5), Lucas withAward: polo, fashion and hospitality, visit Monteverde (7), Santos Merlos (6) Carlos Braun www.iticket.co.nz for tickets. & Teodoro Lacau (7) Carlos María Ulloa
MVP
USPA 2023 Outdoor Handicap Changes
The United States Polo Association (USPA) has announced their 2023 Fall Outdoor Handicap Changes which include changes at every level from 9 goals to -1 goals and can be viewed via their website. Polo Club Niederweiden will be competing in the 2022 Polo Rider Cup Paco De Narvaez Jr. will see his handicap raised twice this season, moving from 4 to 5 goals from 1 December 2023 and then from 5 to 6 goals on 1 May 2024. Some of the other raises include: Three additional teams have been confirmed for the 8 Polo Cup 2022: to 9Rider goals: Tomas Panelo Araucaria Polo Club will comprise of Fabio Meier (1), 7Luca to 8 Meier goals:(1), Tommy Beresford Fabian Bolanterio (4) & Adrian Laplacette (6); Polo Club willFalabella & Raul Laplacette 6 toNiederweiden 7 goals: Pedro compete in The Polo Rider Cup for the first time, with5 four brothers to 6 Grabosh goals: Kristos Magrini & Ignacio Viana (Paul, Anton and Emil/Michl) competing alongside Santi the 4 toSchweitzer; 5 goals: Christopher Brooks, Cody Ellis & Bautista Micheletti Preußischer Country Club Berlin Brandenburg will be: Call Polo our&friendly subscriptions team: 01452 730 770 3 line-up to 4 goals: MiloKutlay Dorignac, Leon Schwencke, Jason Wates, Tomas Willans II, Kenneth Yaprak (0), Max Boschor (3),visit Valentin Novillo Astrada (6) & Moritz Gädeke (3). Wright & Henry Jones Team Preußischer Polo & Country Club Berlin Brandenburg www.polotimes.co.uk 2 to 3 goals: Hope Arellano, Diego Arguello, Martin Eddy, Rufino Merlos, Juan Peluso & Tomas Panelo in action in the 2023 Cartier Queen’s Cup Robert Payne
Polo Rider Cup 2022
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TRIPLE CROWN RESULTS Hurlingham & Argentine Open Finals SUPA UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE 50 Youth Teams Compete
THE EGYPT ARMY POLO HACKETT British TOUR Army in Cairo
PLUS: Equine Injury
RESULTS TRIPLE CROWN Open Finals Hurlingham & Argentine CHALLENGE SUPA UNIVERSITY 50 Youth Teams Compete POLO TOUR THE EGYPT ARMY in Cairo Army HACKETT British Nutrition Review PLUS: Equine Injury
Prevention, Christmas
Workout & 2021
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Prevention, Christmas
Workout & 2021
Nutrition Review
TRIPLE CROWN RESULTS Hurlingham & Argenti ne Open Finals SUPA UNIVERSITY 50 Youth Teams CompeCHALLENGE te THE EGYPT ARMY POLO TOUR HACKETT British Army in Cairo
PLUS: Equine Injury
Prevention, Christmas
Workout & 2021 Nutrition
Photography by PRC
Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com
Santiago Llavallol & Carlos María Ulloa
Review
POLO IMMIGRATION SPECIALISTS 01798 343693 WWW.POLOPERMITS.CO.UK Authorised by the OISC Ref No F201400827
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Your Views
Letter of the month The writer of letter of the month wins a bottle of British Polo Gin @britishpologin 18 years and over & UK addresses only
Dear Editor I wanted to write in and share my experience of Camrosa Ointment, which has proven a miracle cure for my mare this summer. It is often said that chestnut mares with white socks usually find their way into trouble and for my mare, she managed to pick up scabby inflammation on her hind fetlocks over the spring/ summer, which stubbornly refused to budge. Although mud fever is often associated with wet, muddy and cold conditions typically seen in the winter months, it is an all-year round problem which without treatment can escalate into additional complications as the infection travels up the legs. A few months ago I noticed red, sore patches of skin with yellow scabs on her rear legs, which seemed unusual as the paddock was well draining and relatively dry despite the wet summer we endured. Bathing, E45, antibiotic creams nor udder cream helped to clear up the scabs, all the while the scabs were moving further up the legs. I asked around and a
Letters
Write to the editor in the following ways: w letters@polotimes.co.uk wL etters, Polo Times, Hill Farm Studios, Wainlodes Lane, Bishops Norton, Glos GL2 9LN
family friend suggested Camrosa Ointment and Shampoo (www.camrosa.co.uk) – initially I was sceptical about using another topical treatment, however I was keen to try anything at this stage as the summer was starting to move on and I feared having to treat the mud fever in the autumn/winter as my horses live out all year. I started off by using the Camrosa HypoAllergenic Shampoo (£18.50) to thoroughly wash her legs, after which I applied the Camrosa Ointment (£26.90 for 200g pot) to the affected area every day; I did not have to apply much each time as it spreads easily and lasts well in all weathers. As the ointment promotes the natural healing process of cracks, sores, callused skin, fixed scabs, superficial wounds, sunburn and soothes itchy, irritated, dry skin, I began to see the results after two weeks and after a month the legs were unrecognisable from their previously sorry state. Every horse is different I know, but with winter coming I wanted to share my experience of Camrosa Ointment and Shampoo in case it helps others over the coming months. Kind regards Olive Lise
Quick Question Q: La Dolfina Saudi recently secured their 12th Hurlingham Open title, only one team has won the prestigious title more times. Can you name the team and for a bonus point, how many times they lifted The Hurlingham Open? A: Turn to page 62 to check your answer. www.polotimes.co.uk
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Feature
Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame
Rube Williams
Hubert Winfield ‘Rube’ Williams has been posthumously recognised as a fearless player and an integral member of the winning West team in the 1933 East-West series which was a best of three matches, which saw Williams suffer a broken leg in the second match. Based in Texas, Williams reached 8 goals and won the 1928 Junior Championship (now known as The Silver Cup), The 1930 Monty Waterbury Cup and was a finalist in the 1932 U.S. Open. After retiring from polo, Williams became a well-known horse trainer on the East Coast, where he would purchase prospective polo ponies and turn them into top horses.
Jeff Blake
Photography courtesy of Museum of Polo
Jeff Blake won The U.S. Open in 1996, 1999 & 2008
Polo Hall of Fame
Texan Rube Williams reached 8 goals and retired to be a top horse trainer
The Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame is located in Florida and honours human and equine stars in polo from the past and present. Every year the Board of Directors announce the new inductees and the 2024 additions have been confirmed as: Jeff Blake, Rube Williams, Vicki Armour, Dick Latham, Don Beveridge, and legendary horses Sweet Be, and Royal Diamond. The 35th Annual Hall of Fame Awards Dinner and Induction Ceremony is scheduled for Friday 16 February 2024 at the Museum of Polo. 12
Polo Times, November 2023
Jeff Blake reached a handicap of 7 goals and won some of the most prestigious titles in America several times. Blake won The U.S. Open in 1996, 1999 and 2008, The Joe Barry Memorial Cup in 2006 when he was also chosen as Most Valuable Player, as well as The Pacific Coast Open, Silver Cup, National Twenty Goal, Butler Handicap, Challenge Cup and Sterling Cup. He represented America in both the 1998 14 Goal World Championship and 2009 Westchester Cup and was selected as Young Player of the Year in 1998.
A. D. Don Beveridge
Don Beveridge will be posthumously honoured with The Iglehart Award, established in 2001 to recognise exceptional lifetime contributions to polo at either a regional or national level.
A. D. Don Beveridge’s vision for polo helped rejuvenate the sport through the 1950s – 60s
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Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame
Feature
His playing career and vision for the sport helped to rejuvenate polo in the 1950s and 1960s. He led his Triple C team to victories in The U.S. Open (1954, 1955, 1957, 1960) as well as success in The National 20 Goal (now known as The Silver Cup), in 1954 and 1955, The Monty Waterbury in 1951 and 1954, and The Butler Handicap in 1954 and 1956. Off the field, alongside his brother Bert Beveridge he co-founded Boca Raton Polo Club which helped to bring and promote high goal polo in South Florida.
Vicki Armour
Vicki Armour is recognised as one of the best female polo players of the 80s and 90s and she will receive The Iglehart Award as a positive influence for women in the sport. Armour held her own with the top players in the sport, competing at 22 goal level which at the time was a rarity for women. She reached a handicap of 2 goals and won The Copper and Heritage Cups and The Women’s U.S. Handicap. As well as her playing ability, Armour is recognised for her talents as a horseman and polo pony trainer.
Richard ‘Dick’ Latham
Vicki Armour was one of the best female polo players in the 1980s – 90s
Sweet Be, Horses to Remember Richard ‘Dick’ Latham (pictured left) alongside Lone Oak team mates in 1977
Dick Latham reached a handicap of 3 goals, played at the University of Virginia, won The USPA Gold Cup in 1975 and 1977 as well as The Silver Cup, and 12-Goal Inter-Circuit and represented the United States in The 1976 Camacho Cup. Synonymous with Willow Bend Polo Club, he was also closely involved with the USPA as a Delegate (1966-74), on the Board of Governors (1972-79) and as USPA Secretary (1973-75). He was also a member of the Handicap, Tournament, Umpire and Trophy Committees over the years.
Sweet Be (in foreground) with Charles Smith aboard
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Sweet Be, a grey mare, owned and played by Hall of Famer Charles Smith and Richard Latham. Over her playing career Sweet Be earned many Best Playing Pony awards including in the 1976 Camacho Cup and in the 1976 U.S. Open. Smith played Sweet Be in all the major tournaments in the 1970s including The U.S. Open, USPA Gold Cup, Silver Cup, and Butler Handicap to name a few.
Royal Diamond, Horses to Remember
Hall of Famer Harry Payne Whitney reportedly purchased Royal Diamond from the Duke of Westminster in 1916 and the bay mare was a “treasured” pony to Whitney. Royal Diamond was the first winner of the Best Polo Pony in Show Champion Cup at the debut of the National Polo Pony Society Show in 1919 and competed in the 1921 International Games, played by Tommy Hitchcock, Jr.
Royal Diamond, owned by Harry Payne Whitney
Polo Times, November 2023
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Feature
Christmas Gift Guide
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The arena season is underway, the ponies’ rugs are going on and the clocks are turning back, all of which mean Christmas is on the horizon! This year’s Polo Times Christmas Gift Guide has a little bit of something for everyone, whether it’s your ever-picky other half, got it all already children or for your furry four-legged companions, we’ve got you covered for festive inspiration! Bushbells Kikoy Towelling Changing Robe Regular price £65.00 www.bushbells.com
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Christmas Gift Guide
For Her
British Polo Gin Miniature Gift Set £25 www.britishpologin.co.uk
Images of Polo ‘The String’ Fine Art Print on Brushed Aluminium (Limited edition of 5) £200 www.imagesofpolo.com
Polo For The 21st Century By Rege Ludwig £34.95 jhhe.com
ASL Ceramics Five Bright Star Jewellery Holder £45 www.aslceramics.com
Sian Esther Red Striped Short Pyjama Set £95.00 www.sianester.co.uk
Something Cute Good Vibes Sky Blue Phone Chain £8 www.somethingcute.co.uk
The Summer House Collection The Stella Basket £65 www.thesummerhousecollection.co.uk
Thai Polo Club Weekend Polo Clinic POA www.thai-polo-club.com
Sherston Tea Company Japanese Tea Caddy Gift Set No.1 £36.95 www.sherstontea.co.uk
NH Ceramics Blue Vase with Gold (Handpainted) £180 www.nhceramics.co.uk
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Polo Times, November 2023
Indigo Prawn Hot-To-Trot Aga Covers £17.50 www.indigoprawn.com
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Christmas Gift Guide
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LG Leatherworks Hand Stitched Leather Countryman’s Belt £75 www.lgleatherworks.com
Little Plum Key Holder £27 www.littleplum.co.uk
Hayfield England Fuchsia Pink Fedora £60 www.hayfieldengland.co.uk
Manuka Direct Manuka Honey Subscription (MGO 83+ 250g) £15 per month (for 12 months) manukadirect.net
The Pink Pheasant Mustard Velvet Jewellery Case £18 www.thepinkpheasant.co.uk
Atelier18 MIDI Hoops 12.5mm (7 colours) £50 www.atelier18shop.com
Loved by Da Hazel Jumper £55 www.lovedbyda.com Toggi Oakham Paddock Boots £134.99 www.toggi.com
Polo Splice Mate Kit £19.50 polosplice.co.uk www.polotimes.co.uk
Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz VIP Final Ticket £720 www.snowpolo-stmoritz.com Polo Times, November 2023
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Feature
Christmas Gift Guide
For Kids
Bridie & Bert Ottie Swimsuit £34.95 www.bridieandbert.com
Wall Circus Wall Art £12.00 www.wallcircus.co.uk
The LB Collection Cashmere Booties (0-6 months) £25 www.lbcollection.co.uk
Herringbone & Plaid Wool Baby Blanket £35 www.herringboneandplaid.co.uk Bunny & The Dude Stitch Passport Cover £28.50 www.bunnyandthedude.co.uk
Ingifinds Liberty’s Scrunchies £7 www.ingifinds.com
Millie Pink Flamingo Pompom Necklace £9 www.milliepink.com
Pellegrine The Lizard Belt £28 www.pellegrine.co.uk
Three Boys Rock Learn a Language “Lingo” Playing Cards £8.95 www.threeboysrock.com
JF Polo Academy Polo Experience Days POA www.jfpoloacademy.com 18
Polo Times, November 2023
Go Emu Bobby Bag £30 www.go-emu.com
Chuckle Soaps Dinosaur Soaps £6.50 www.chucklesoaps.com
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For Four Legged Friends
Oarsum Doggie Treat and Poo bag Purse £15 www.oarsum.co.uk
Wovenology Cat Basket One-Of-A-Kind No.1 £110 wovenologybaskets.com
Pioneros Dog Collar £25 www.pioneros.co.uk
Lovelocks Stud Lovelocks Chekhov Stud Fee £2,000 lovelocksstallions.co.uk
Paddock Power Paddock Power Horse Lick 20kg £67 polosplice.co.uk
Postman Pooch Large Chomper Natural Dog Treat Box £37 www.postmanpooch.co.uk
Baileys Horse Feeds Tasty Treats £7.95 www.fairyhallanimalfeeds.co.uk
Tally Ho Farm Jolly Ball £30.10 www.tallyhofarm.co.uk
Lords and Labradors Dog Print Pet Treat Tin with Lid £5.99 www.lordsandlabradors.co.uk
TBCo Small Recycled Wool Pet Blanket £27 tartanblanketco.com
Herbie’s Yard Supplies Horse Treat Ball £19 herbiesyardsupplies.co.uk www.polotimes.co.uk
RJ Polo Handmade English Leather and Suede seat Polo Saddle £1,150 www.rjpolo.com
Fortnum & Mason The Man’s Best Friend Hamper £185 www.fortnumandmason.com
Polo Times, November 2023
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Reports
The 130th Hurlingham Open
FINAL
7 6 2 SE
P
OCT Where: Hurlingham Club, Buenos Aires
La Dolfina Saudi
Secure
Hurlingham Historic win for Cambiaso
22
Polo Times, November 2023
www.polotimes.co.uk
The 130th Hurlingham Open
Reports
La Dolfina’s Stats at a Glance
33 Triple Crown Trophies 12 Hurlingham Open Wins 36 Hurlingham Open Titles between this year’s line-up: Adolfo Cambiaso (15), Juan Martín Nero (11), David ‘Pelon’ Stirling (8) & Poroto Cambiaso (2)
T
Open
his year The Argentine Association of Polo (AAP) announced a significant shake up for this year’s Argentine Triple Crown series which began with The Hurlingham Open, followed by The Tortugas Open – the latter having historically opened the competition. The third leg will as usual be the 130th Argentine Open. The change has been agreed between the AAP, the Tortugas Country Club and the Hurlingham Club, in order to preserve the grounds of the AAP Headquarters, in Pilar. The Hurlingham Open (Ayrshire Cup) was played as single elimination, starting with the Quarter Finals on Tuesday 26 September and the finalists were La Dolfina Saudi and La Hache Polo Team who went head-to-head on Saturday 7 October. Before the 130th Hurlingham Open began on the Louis Lacey ground at the Hurlingham Club on Saturday 7 October, a moving homage to the late Juan Carlitos Harriott, who won The Hurlingham Open 15 times, after he sadly passed away on 11 September.
La Dolfina Saudi, winners of the 130th Hurlingham Open
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Polo Times, November 2023
23
Reports
The 130th Hurlingham Open
La Dolfina Saudi got off to a strong start in the first three chukkas with the teamwork between the four players allowing them to take a 10-4 lead by the end of the first half. Poroto Cmbiaso was the day’s top scorer, with 10 goals in total and accurate penalty conversions. By the end of the seventh chukka La Hache Polo Team had managed to get within five goals, 16-11 and halfway through the last chukka they closed the gap to just three goals, but Poroto dashed their hopes with two more goals to seal the deal and secure the win for La Dolfina Saudi. After the match, Poroto commented “It means a lot for me to have won it for a second time, the team is always looking for more and so am I, so I am really happy about having won The Hurlingham Open for the second time. To be honest, I can’t believe it. I’m enjoying this moment a lot, I’m really enjoying playing, I try to have fun every time I enter the polo field and I believe it is the most important thing. Enjoying it day by day, learning from my teammates and that’s really important. There is a huge organisation behind us, working day in and day out with the horses, I also think the breeding is doing really well. I want to thank all the people from La Dolfina, it is thanks to them we remain competitive and we are there putting up a fight. But I also think it has a lot to do with the way the team is playing, we know what we have to do and I think we showed it today on the field.”
24
Polo Times, November 2023
“To be honest, I can’t believe it. I’m enjoying this moment a lot, I’m really enjoying playing, I try to have fun every time I enter the polo field and I believe it is the most important thing”
Poroto Cambiaso
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Photography by Matías Callejo / Prensa AAP
La Hache Polo Team faced La Dolfina Saudi in the Final at the Hurlingham Club
The 130th Hurlingham Open
Reports
The 130th Hurlingham Open Final Teams
Gastón Lucero & Guillermo Villanueva (Third man: Matías Baibiene)
MVP Poroto Cambiaso
La Dolfina Saudi Adolfo Cambiaso David ‘Pelon’ Stirling Poroto Cambiaso Juan Martín Nero
La Hache Polo Team Rufino Bensadón Hilario Ulloa Sapo Caset Francisco Elizalde
(40) (10) (10) (10) (10)
(35) (8) (9) (9) (9)
Chukka scores: 4-0, 6-1, 9-1, 10-4, 12-5, 15-8, 16-11, 18-13 to La Dolfina Saudi
BPP
BPP
BPP
AAP Award to the BPP: Sue Ellen III, played by Poroto Cambiaso
Best Polo Argentino Bred: Dolfina Roxy, played by Adolfo Cambiaso
Daniel Kearney Cup to the BPP: Dolfina Baila Conmigo, played by Poroto Cambiaso
Fair Play Award: Juan Martín Nero
Most Remarkable Player of the Final: Rufino Bensadón
This was Adolfo Cambiaso’s 15th Hurlingham Open title
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Polo Times, November 2023
25
Reports
The Qualification Tournament
Qualification
06 OCT
Tournament Results 23 FIN
OC
La Esquina & El Overo Z7 UAE Victorious
AL
T
Where: Argentine Association of Polo Headquarters, Pilar Cruz Heguy and Teo Lacau it will be their Argentine Open debut, with Cruz Heguy representing the fourth generation of his family to compete in the prestigious tournament – watch this space! Photography by Matías Callejo / Prensa AAP
The Qualification Tournament Final Teams La Esquina (29) Pascual Sáinz de Vicuña (6) Cristian Laprida Jr. (8) Lucas James (7) Ignacio Laprida (8)
La Esquina & El Overo Z7 UAE will compete in The 130th HSBC Argentine Open
Nine teams competed in The Qualification Tournament for two remaining spots in The 130th HSBC Argentine Open and the final day of action on Monday 23 October saw the last two matches decide which teams would take part in the most prestigious tournament in polo, which will begin on Tuesday 31 Ocotber with the Final set for Saturday 2 December in Palermo. The first match of the day on Field 1 of the Alfredo Lalor Headquarters that the AAP owns in Pilar, La Esquina defeated La Cañada LE 12-9 to secure The Copa Veterinaria and therefore qualified to play in Zone A of The Argentine Open where they will join La Dolfina Saudi, La Hache La Roca, Cría La
Dolfina and La Hache Cría & Polo. This will be the third time Pascual Sainz de Vicuña’s La Esquina will have competed in Palermo and their second consecutive year with the same line-up. The second match on Field 2 saw El Overo Z7 UAE defeated La Irenita II 11-7 to win The Copa Remonta and qualify to compete in Zone B of The Argentine Open where they will face La Natividad, Ellerstina Yellow Rose, La Ensenada Brubank and La Irenita Clinova. For El Overo Z7 UAE this is the latest achievement in their successful 2023 season, which has already seen them win The Dubai Gold Cup and The British Open for The Cowdray Gold Cup. For Lukin Monteverde,
La Cañada LE Facundo Llosa Lucas Díaz Alberdi Tomás García del Río Pedro Falabella
(28) (7) (7) (7) (7)
El Overo Z7 UAE Lukin Monteverde Victorino Ruiz Jorba Cruz Heguy Teodoro Lacau
(28) (7) (7) (7) (7)
La Irenita II Valerio Zubiaurre Juan Jauretche Matías Mac Donough Jr. Alfredo Cappella Barabucci
(28) (7) (7) (6) (8)
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Your Club News from Home and Abroad
Club Focus
Photography by Minninnooka Polo
Minninnoka Polo & Riding School
Teams were cheered on by family & friends
The Autumn 2023 Minninnooka Academy Chukka Challenge, sponsored in kind by Polo Times, on Saturday 15 October saw eight teams go head-to-head in glorious sunshine. The teams were split between Adults and Juniors with 12 players in the Adult Division and 12 players in the Junior Division. The challenge was devised for academy players of all levels. The youngest players in the development challenge, aged nine to 13-years-old put into practice their lesson tuition from over the previous six weeks and stole the show with their impressive play, teamwork and sportsmanship. The overall team scores were very close with Minninnoka Polo Ants winning 9-8 overall in the Adult Division and Pink Snail Polo Team winning 5-4 overall in the Junior Division. Teams were cheered on by friends, parents, grandparents and fellow Academy and Club players. In the Adult Division, Coco, played by Kirstie Otamendi, was the Best Playing
Teams were cheered on by family & friends
Pony and Charlie Klein was chosen as Most Valuable Player; in the Junior Division Luna, owned by Fiona Reilly, was the Best Playing Pony and Amber Snow was chosen as Most Valuable Player. The date of the next Academy Chukka Challenge will be Saturday 9 December 2pm – 5pm at Westcroft Park Polo Club. The Autumn 2023 Minninnooka Academy Chukka Challenge Final Teams: Adult Division Minninnooka Polo Ants Team: Kirstie Otamendi, Elizabeth Skrzypecka & Andrea Leigh Saza Polo Team: Amelia Foale, Ella-Rose Parker & Abbie-Louise Bailey Junior Division Pink Snail Polo Team: Joshua Leiva, Chloe Hare & Evie Mickiewicz Minninnooka Polo Rain Team: Ali Otamendi, Alfie Muriel & Mia Ferrini
Photography by RCBPC
Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club
Mirror Polo Team, winners of The John Houghton Trophy
Eight teams battled it out for The John Houghton Trophy, the Club’s last tournament of the season. Congratulations to The Mirror Polo Team who came out on top and to Broadsword for winning the Subsidiary Final. www.polotimes.co.uk
Adult Division MVP, Charlie Klein
Junior Division MVP, Amber Snow
Rugby Polo Club The Warwickshire based Club celebrated announced their 2023 Awards ahead of their upcoming 2023/2024 arena season: Best Retrained Racehorse: Grumpy (Phil Baker) Best Amateur Horse: Rey (Naji Aziz) Best Playing Pony (Overall): Grumpy (Phil Baker) Most Improved Junior: Elliot White Most Improved Adult: Lauren Choma Player’s Player: Angus Willison Most Dedicated Player: Phil Bennett Wooden Spoon: Phil Bennett Umpire of the Year: Jeremy Pidgeon Umpire’s Worst Nightmare: Fran Chappelow Best Turned Out Pony: Lola (Karen Browne) & Stella (Debbie Hoggins) PW of the Year: James Stanwick Polo Times, November 2023
29
Club Focus
Your Club News from Home and Abroad
Photography by HPC
Houston Polo Club
BTA, winners of The King’s Cup Final
BTA, winners of The USPA H. Ben Taub Memorial
The opening weekend of the Fall Season at the Club saw BTA and San Saba go headto-head in The King’s Cup Final. San Saba came out flying in the first chukka, but BTA soon woke up and held a 6-4 lead by halftime. Back and forth action in the second half saw a narrow 11-10 win for BTA at the end of the sixth chukka. Steve Krueger was named Most Valuable Player and Barbara, played by Santi Zubiaurre and owned by San Saba, was the Best Playing Pony. On Sunday 24 September, the Club hosted the 9th annual USPA H. Ben Taub Memorial Final between Tonkawa and BTA. BTA jumped out of the starting blocks scoring 4 unanswered goals to start the first chukka, but by half-time Tonkawa had managed to narrow the gap to 7-6. BTA came out firing on all cylinders scoring three unanswered goals in the fourth chukka and with two additional goals in the fifth chukka the score was 12-6 going into the last seven minutes of play. Both sides scored a goal apiece, but BTA kept hold of the lead and took the title, 13-7. Steve Krueger was named Most Valuable Player and there were two Best Playing Ponies, with Blackberry the Amateur BPP and Angostura the Pro BPP.
Rising to the top two spots of an 11 team tournament, BTA and La Portola faced off in the final of the 2023 6 Goal USPA Governor’s Cup. By the end of the first chukka, BTA were leading 3-1 but La Portola changed their strategy in the second chukka, as they held the BTA team scoreless, while Saenz scored back to back goals on his Best Playing Pony Rubia, followed by a goal from Will Mudra. BTA’s Joao Aranha capitalised on the first throw-in of the second half, running the ball from mid-field to tie the game. Saenz was first to score in the fourth and final chukka, bringing his team within one, but BTA’s Aranha was able to capitalise on broken plays and scored back-to-back to goals to have a 9 to 6 score with less than two minutes remaining. Saenz didn’t give up as he scored his sixth goal of the game, but the clock ran out of time and BTA came away with their first 6 Goal tournament win of the season. The second tournament of the 12 Goal League saw BTA face Eureka in the 2023 USPA Keleen & Carlton Beal Cup. Although Eureka’s Santi Zubiaurre was the first to find the scoreboard with a converted penalty, BTA soon took the lead and managed to secure a 6-3 lead going into half-time. BTA
BTA, winners of the 2023 6 Goal USPA Governor’s Cup
BTA, winners of the 2023 USPA Keleen & Carlton Beal Cup
came out flying in the fourth chukka, scoring two more goals to take a five goal lead but Eureka’s Nick Cifuni was able to keep his team in the game as he snuck a goal between the posts to end the chukka trailing 4-8. In the fifth and sixth chukkas, Eureka showed more patience and strategy as they held BTA scoreless, but BTA’s earlier lead proved fatal and they took the win. Cody Ellis was chosen as Most Valuable Player and Angostura, played by Santi Zubiaurre and owned by Nacho Badiola, was the Best Playing Pony.
Carlitos White Waltham Polo Club
30
Polo Times, November 2023
Photograph by WWPC
On Saturday 23 September, the Club held The Arena Company Polo Tournament Final which was played as a round robin match. Team Tonic Polo Team and Shakib Polo Team scores were identical and so were placed joint winners. On Sunday 24 September, an exciting Final between Mountgerald Polo Team and Shakib Polo Team ended the season. Both teams scored five goals each, but a half goal handicap advantage to Shakib Polo Team (Kaveh Shakib, Lt Col Tom Armitage, Jonathan Gregory and Gonzalo Bazan) took the win. The Club looked back on another successful season, “We would like to send a HUGE thank you to all our grooms, tack, coral and stable cleaners, farrier, vet, equine osteopath, nutritionist, hay and feed suppliers, our local farmer and contractors as without all you amazing people, our polo ponies would not have their five star accommodation and playing polo would not be possible. Carlitos would like to wish everyone a wicked winter, spring will come around quickly and we will soon be playing the sport we are so passionate about again. Thank you so much to Polo Times for supporting low goal polo in the UK”.
Shakib Polo Team, winners of the last tournament of the season at WWPC
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Your Club News from Home and Abroad
Club Focus
Cirencester Park Polo Club
Photography by Polo Photo
Dave Allen, winner of The Millennium Umpire Award
The Sue Cudmore Associates winners, Windrush
The last day of the season on Sunday 24 September saw four Finals played for The Sue Cudmore Associates Trophy. The Plate Final was won 4-3½ by Virgo Stone/ Pinpoint Polo against Stonehealed; The Cup Final was played shortly after and it was Dutch Courage who stole the win from R&R Fridges & Freezers, 5-4. The Subsidiary Final was played between R&R Tables & Chairs and R&R Knives & Forks and it was R&R Tables & Chairs who took home The Los Pinguinos Plate, 3-1½. Finally, Windrush were victorious and lifted The Sue Cudmore Associates Trophy after beating Soanza Polo
4-3 in the Final. Most Valuable Player was awarded to Zara Taylor and Best Playing Pony was awarded to Wendy, played by Harry Wood. The RJ Polo Junior Associates Trophy Final was also played for in an American Tournament. Polotastics, The Foxes and Coddington Bracewell went head to head and all the juniors played some brilliant polo and showed great sportsmanship, but ultimately it was The Foxes who took home the win with Jack Fox named Most Valuable Player.
The day also included the Club’s annual End of Season Awards: The Flo Trophy – Long Service Pony: Sirocco, owned by The Beim family Best Playing Pony of the Season: Lovelocks Vienetta, owned by Ollie Jones Best Grooms of the Season: Koren Danby, Lara Wallace and Izzy Horseman Millennium Umpire Award: Dave Allen Most Improved CPA Player: Zac and Julian Ogilvie-Thompson Best Turned Out String: Jack Aldridge Top Dog: Spud and Forest, owned by The Beim Family Domestic 4-Goal Champions: Soanza Polo Best Match Staff: Ned Hawkins and Laura and Sophie Van-Thiel Most Valuable Member: Dom David Best Supportive Parents: Sophie McPherson and Charlotte Earnshaw CPA Best Playing Pony: Tarka, owned by Charlotte Earnshaw CPA Most Improved Junior: Lola Lucas CPA Best String: Louisa Godwin
Ham Polo Club
Photography by HPC
The Club’s 2023 season came to an end with two Finals; Tattleton defeated Hollywood 7-5 in The Peggy Healy Trophy and Tiger Hugs secured The Farewell Cup with an 8-4½ win against Quadriga.
Tattleton, winners of The Peggy Healy Trophy
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Tiger Hugs, winners of The Farewell Cup
Polo Times, November 2023
31
Club Focus
Your Club News from Home and Abroad
Rutland Polo Club
Photography by Mark Beaumont
Cowdray Park Polo Club
Tancredi Minerals, winners of The Park House Cup
Four Quarters Orange, winners of The Autumn Cup
Photograph by RPC
Rutland Polo Club’s Christmas Cards
Rutland Polo Club has used an original piece of polo artwork by the local artist the late Mark Huskinson to create their own Christmas cards. Available in two sizes in packs of five with envelopes (A6: £6.50 and A5: £9.50 including P&P) the sales of the cards will help support the Power of Polo charity. To order yours contact Anna Hunt via email (annahunt05@aol.com) or Tel:07984 696083.
Cheds, winner of The Farewell Cup
On Sunday 10 September, the 4 goal Park House Cup Final took place between Tancredi Minerals and TLC Polo. The Cup has been played for at the Club since 1954. Duncan Hotston and Josh Cork worked hard to claim goals for TLC, they were outplayed in the third chukka with three more goals from duo Leon Donoso and Jose Donoso. Orson Clarke scored the final goal of the match in the fourth chukka to settle the win 10-3 to Tancredi Minerals. Talinda, played by Jose Donoso, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony. The Club’s 2023 polo season came to a close on Sunday 24 September with The Autumn and Farewell Cup Finals. The Autumn Cup Final was a close battle on Ambersham 1 and saw Four Quarters Orange take the lead in the final chukka, with Simon Prado scoring two goals and Jack Richardson playing well for Ice Craft scoring six of their seven goals. The final score of The Autumn Cup was Four Quarters Orange 8 v Ice Craft 7. The Best Playing Pony prize went to Chickpea, played by Jack Richardson and Most Valuable Player went to Simon Prada. In the last match of the season, Maiz Dulce took on Cheds in The Farewell Cup Final and Cheds took the lead in the third chukka and secured their 8-6 win. The Best Playing Pony prize was awarded to Aventura, played by Will Emerson. On the same day, the Club held their annual awards and congratulations to the 2023 Season Winners: 32
Polo Times, November 2023
Most Successful Patron: Hon. Mrs Lila Pearson, presented by Andrew Swaffield
Pimm’s Cup – Most Promising Junior Player: Rufus Uloth, presented by Andrew Swaffield Pony Welfare Cup: Nick Clague, presented by Tam Large Millennium Plate – Best Umpire: John Martin, presented by Pepper Hotston Most Successful Patron: Hon. Mrs Lila Pearson, presented by Andrew Swaffield The Club has announced Jamie Peel as the new Managing Director, Andrew Swaffield, Chairman of Cowdray Park Polo Club said “I am delighted to welcome Jamie back to Cowdray as Managing Director of the Club. His combination of polo and business experience, combined with his deep love of Cowdray and strong local connections, make him ideally suited to help us build on over 110 years of success”. Peel commented on his new position, “Cowdray Park Polo Club has always been a very special place for me, and to now be part of the management team at this great Club is a huge honour”.
Ayala Polo Club
Ayala Polo Club is the first European Club to announce its 2024 calendar which will begin on 28 May with The Bienvenida Cup and will run through until The Farewell Cup on 15 September. The International Polo Tournament will be organised by Ayala Polo Club and will run from 22 July to 31 August 2024. www.polotimes.co.uk
Your Club News from Home and Abroad
Club Focus
Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com
Guards Polo Club
Kusnacht Practice, winners of The President’s Trophy
Kusnacht Practice and CHEDS captured the last two trophies of the 2023 season. Eduardo Greghi’s Kusnacht Practice won The President’s Trophy, beating Limitless Harum Scarum 9-7½ on The Queen’s Ground. Max Sponer was named the Most Valuable Player and Dolfina Naftalina, played by Nicolas San Roman, received the Images of Polo Best Playing Pony prize. Earlier in the day CHEDS claimed The Chairman’s Cup, beating Mindi Byrne’s Tex8n Polo Team 6-5. The Most Valuable Player was awarded to Rhett Wooldridge and Will Emerson’s Aventura received the
CHEDS, winners of The Chairman’s Cup
Polo Times Best Playing Pony prize. The Board of Guards Polo Club has announced the appointment of Lt Col Sean O’Dwyer as a Director and as Chairman of the Board. His appointment will be ratified at the Annual General Meeting in April 2024. Sean has been a long-term life playing Member of Guards, a Vice President since 2008 and acting Chairman since the unexpected sad passing of the Club’s previous Chairman, Brian Stein earlier this year. The Board is delighted that Sean has agreed to continue in his role as Chairman of the Club.
Lt Col Sean O’Dwyer with his wife, Mary
Argentine Polo at its Best!
Luke and Mark Tomlinson are offering the opportunity for players to play at their club in Pilar, Argentina (45 minutes from BA). A typical week’s stay would include: • Between 4 & 6 practices of a good standard on suitable ponies • Stick and Ball whenever • A couple of lessons with Luke or Mark (if wanted!!) • An indoor arena and a polo field that dries out very quickly after rain – enjoy riding whatever the weather
marcotomo@hotmail.com www.polotimes.co.uk
Your time at La Quinta can be intense and structured, or not – it’s your choice! There is limited accommodation at the Club. Otherwise we can help you find a place to stay locally (house or hotel) or you may like to stay in a Hotel downtown Buenos Aires. Guide price for 1 week: US$3,000 (excluding accommodation). Longer/shorter stays possible. Price depends on length of stay and on any personal requests. You may have your own ponies or even ponies to try and are in need of a base to play and practice from. We can offer this too. Whatever your polo needs in Argentina are please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
www.laquintapoloclub.com.ar Polo Times, November 2023
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Club Focus
Minninnoka Polo & Riding School Spotlight
Who founded the Polo School? Kirstie and Daniel Otamendi founded the Minninnoka Polo & Riding School. Kirstie’s love for horses began at an early age when her grandmother, the first-ever lady polo player in Western Australia, gifted her a pony at two years old. Growing up on the Minninnooka ranch, Kirstie competed in show jumping and eventing. She started playing polo professionally after catching the bug from her 5 goaler father, Owen Readhead, who retrains racehorses. Kirstie is the mother of polo playing boys, married to professional Argentine polo player Daniel Otamendi. Daniel began his polo career in Brunei, grooming, playing, and making horses for the Sultan. After a few seasons in Argentina, he moved to the UK in 2000 and has since established himself as a wellregarded professional player. Daniel plays in the UK, India and Australia and takes pride
Photography by Minninnooka Polo
Kirstie and Daniel Otamendi, both professional players, own and operate Minninnoka Polo & Riding School. Their focus is on grassroots polo, the school operates out of Westcroft Park Polo Club, with the Minninnooka HPA coaches specialising in training ladies’, schools’, university, and juniors’ academy polo.
Members enjoying their copies of Polo Times
in watching his sons follow in his footsteps. Throughout the summer months, Kirstie and Daniel play professionally in tournaments at Guards Polo Club on a regular basis and which academy players are invited to watch. 2023 season highlights? The Autumn 2023 Minninnooka Academy Chukka Challenge on Saturday 15 October which saw 8 teams go head-to-head in glorious sunshine. The teams were split between Adults and Juniors with 12 players in the Adult Division and 12 players in the
Minninnoka Polo & Riding School
Junior Division. The overall team scores were very close with Minninnooka Polo Ants winning 9-8 overall in the Adult Division and Pink Snail Polo Team winning 5-4 overall in the Junior Division – to read more about the day, turn to the Club Focus pages. Who else is involved at the Polo School? Josh Leiva started playing polo three years ago at the age of 18 and now plays in 0-12 goal tournaments. In addition to regularly playing professionally alongside Kirstie and Daniel, Josh is also a qualified HPA coach
Championing grassroots polo
Ladies Academy Polo is open to women at all levels
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Polo Times, November 2023
www.polotimes.co.uk
Minninnoka Polo & Riding School Spotlight
Club Focus
Kirstie Otamendi set up the School alongside Daniel Otamendi The School focuses on grassroots polo
summer camps lasting one to five days and their international program has partnered with schools in China, UAE, Japan, Pakistan & India. Their Discover Polo Day Program offers a one-of-a-kind team-building experience for your corporate teams, colleagues, and clients.
Founder, Daniel Otamendi, regularly plays at Guards Polo Club
and is learning about the organisational side of polo and managing polo horses for all players at every level. Charlotte Klein is the Equestrian Coach and as a further education specialist teacher and qualified youth worker, she brings a wealth of experience to her role within the development training program. Charlie holds a BA (Hons) in Equine Sports Performance and is a qualified British Horse Societyaccredited coach (with Stage 5 Performance Manager). Charlie coaches dressage, show jumping, and eventing with a passion for rider development, flatwork, schooling young horses, and, of course, playing in the ladies weekly academy lessons.
Polo action is combined with social events at the School
Polo Development Training provides the option of three progressive lesson groups throughout the week, as well as academylevel chukkas on weekends and during the school term and holidays. The Global International Schools Development Training Program offers a quintessentially British experience in the English countryside with
Does the Polo School specialise in a certain area of polo? Minninnoka Polo & Riding School focuses on grassroots polo, with a particular emphasis on beginners aged six-years-old and up. Kirstie’s focus is on “creating an inclusive environment where players can be safe and have fun at any level or experience”. Address: Minninnooka Polo, Westcroft Park Polo Club, Windlesham Rd, Chobham, GU24 8SN Polo Coach & Contact: Kirstie Otamedi (07557 343355/ kirstie@minninnooka.co.uk) Website: www.polo.co.uk @minninnookapolo
What are the Polo School’s plans for the future? Minninnooka boasts an active social calendar open to all academy players, encouraging an all-round program of polo, with upcoming events such as the Christmas Gymkhana Fun Day on Friday 17 November and the Argentine Open Academy event on Saturday 2 December. Anything else readers should know about the Polo School? The School caters to all levels with four areas of expertise. Ladies Academy Polo is open to women at all levels of experience, from seasoned riders to those who have never sat on a horse before. The Schools Polo & Junior www.polotimes.co.uk
Action from The Autumn 2023 Minninnooka Academy Chukka Challenge
Polo Times, November 2023
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All Aspects of Youth Polo
Youth
Photography by Kaile Roos
The National Youth Tournament Series (NTYS) Championship
Western (Ryan Kerley, Micaela Saracco, Will Schneider & Piers Bossom), winners of NYTS Championship
Sunday 17 September saw The National Youth Tournament Series (NTYS) Championship Cecil Smith Cup and NTYS Girls’ Championship Finals played at New Bridge Polo & Country Club in Aiken, South Carolina. The National Youth Tournament Series (NTYS) Championship Cecil Smith Cup was played between Central and defending champions Western and the morning downpours did not dampen the competition which was moved to an afternoon start time. Western’s strong teamwork combined with effective offensive power and a disciplined defence resulted in a dominant performance to secure their second consecutive Cecil Smith Cup. The third consecutive National Youth Tournament Series (NTYS) Girls’ Championship culminated on Sunday 17 September as well with Nebraska Sunset vs Electric Charge. Nebraska Sunset controlled the ball from the outset and swiftly scored three goals in the first half and while both sides scored two goals apiece in the second half, Nebraska Sunset’s early lead held them in strong stead and they secured the win, 7-2½. Nebraska Sunset’s Winifred Branscum
Nebraska Sunset (Winifred Branscum, Reagan Leitner, Ava Rose Hinkson & Sofia Ward), winners of NYTS Girls’ Championship
was named Most Valuable Player and commented on their performance, “If Reagan [Leitner] went up, she would tell me to stay back, and if I went up, I’d tell her to stay back. We had a very dynamic gameplay – they [Electric Charge] couldn’t quite track us down. We had two amazing team players in Sofia and Ava, who just pushed so hard and cleared the way for both of us. We all understood our jobs and none of us were selfish. I think that’s what really won it for us in the end.” The National Youth Tournament Series (NTYS) Championship Cecil Smith Cup Final Teams: Central: Robert Pizarro, Lily Lequerica, Joe Bob Lequerica & Will Mudra Western: Micaela Saracco, Will Schneider, Ryan Kerley & Piers Bossom The National Youth Tournament Series (NTYS) Girls’ Championship Final Teams: Nebraska Sunset: Sofia Ward, Ava Rose Hinkson, Reagan Leitner & Winifred Branscum Electric Charge: Isabelle Brockett, Victoria Picha, Sophia DeAngelis & Madison Jordan
Photograph courtesy of AAP
The Torneo de Nacional de Menores
Chapa Uno, winners of The Torneo de Nacional de Menores seniors section
On Thursday 21 September, 34 teams grouped into five categories took part in this year’s Torneo de Nacional de Menores. The results were as follows:
Seniors / Youth (2007 to 2010) – Chapa Uno: Santos Goti, Alfredo Taranco, Facundo Acosta & Juan Vasquetto Minors (2011 and 2012) – Polo Champagne: Isidro Goti, Mora Castagnola, Zoilo de Narváez & Marcelo Guiralde Minis (2013 and 2014) – UAE: Lucero Monteverde, Héctor Facchini, Salvador Ruiz Guiñazú & May Sommer Mini Minis (2015 onwards) – La Irenita: Rafa Mac Donough, Ramón Benoit, Lucio Donovan & Manuel Montes de Oca Ladies (players born between 2007 and 2009) – Las Palmeras: Mora Condomí Alcorta, Sol Varela, Zulu Máiquez & Justina Ruiz
Is your youth polo not featured? Email editorial@polotimes.co.uk with all your youth polo news!
Reagan Leitner & Sofia Ward celebrate their victory
The Copa Pía Pando On Saturday 23 September at the Alfredo Lalor Headquarters in Pilar, Las Palmeras Teens secured The Copa Pía Pando Copa de Oro with an 8-7 win against Ellerstina La Lupita, while The Copa de Plata went to La Ensenada HD after decisive round robin wins against La Victoria Área 60 and Jockey Club Las Ruanas. The Copa Pía Pando Winning Teams: Copa de Oro – Las Palmeras Teens (4): Martina Braun (0), Milagros Santillán (1), Mora Condomí Alcorta (2) & Luisa Goti (1) Copa de Plata – La Ensenada HD (4): Juana Carello (1), Pilar Fernández (1), Rocío Domínguez (0) & Fátima Galván (2) Polo Times, November 2023
37
SUPA Senior & Junior Schools Friendly Arena Tournament
Photography by Melissa Bastin/ Polo Images Photography
Youth
Stowe School in action
SUPA Senior & Junior Schools Friendly Arena Tournament Gill Glimmerveen reports SUPA trialled a new tournament format at Oxford Polo Arena on Sunday 8 October which was an unexpected, late, super sunny day. The SUPA Committee of volunteers decided to host a friendly tournament right as the new school term kicked off. Aimed at the Intermediate and Open players from both the Junior and Senior age groups it was divided into Junior Intermediates, Junior Open, Senior Intermediates, and Senior Open – it was like a polo fiesta, encouraging our young players to keep the summer vibes alive. The day saw many newbies to the SUPA tournament, who had been playing Pony Club and HPA youth polo for a while but wanted a taste of the SUPA action. The idea was so successful that 13 teams signed up for this one-day 38
Polo Times, November 2023
tournament in the beautiful Oxford Polo Arena. The play was absolutely electrifying, maintaining a top-tier standard from start to finish! The Open chukkas were a whirlwind of excitement, with lightning-fast action and incredible team coordination and control that left everyone on the edge of their seats throughout the day. SUPA didn’t go for the typical formal prize-giving ceremony on this occasion. Instead, they kept things light and fun – each player got their hands on a shiny new copy of Polo Times, and some delightful sweet treats. SUPA is planning another friendly tournament on Sunday 19 November for all the Junior and Senior rookies. It’s the perfect chance for school players new to the game to dive into a day of fun, excitement, and polo talent. For Youth polo dates, please turn to our What’s On pages
SUPA Senior & Junior Schools Friendly Arena Tournament
Youth
The friendly tournament was hosted at Oxford Polo Arena
SUPA Senior & Junior Schools Friendly Arena Tournament Results: Senior Open 1st – Stowe A 2nd – Harrow A 3rd – Rugby 4th – Cheltenham A Senior Intermediate 1st – Semper Anticus Combined 2nd – Radley 3rd – Harrow B 4th – Cheltenham B 5th – Stowe B Junior Open 1st – SUPA Juniors 2nd – Summerfields Junior Intermediate 1st – Hertfordshire Polo academy 2nd – Cothill
Is your youth polo not featured? Email editorial@polotimes.co.uk with all your youth polo news!
Polo Times, November 2023
39
Youth
SUPA Senior & Junior Schools Friendly Arena Tournament
Paul Sweeney Memorial
Reports
Paul Sweeney Memorial Final Teams: This time, it’s all about fresh faces, the junior and senior beginners, and the up-and-coming novices. It’s the ultimate chance for those brand-new beginners, who’ve been in the polo game for less than a year, to jump into the arena and experience some thrilling, competitive polo action. Aimed also for the novices who have been working hard to perfect their moves, and now it’s time for them to shine and Twelve Oaks (4) Rosina (4) showcase their stuff in the arena! So, mark Tatty Wooldridge (0) Ola Kelly (0) the date, gather your players and teams Georgia Sweeney (1) Will Newman (2) and let’s make 19 November another day to Charlie Wooldridge (3) Charlie Simpson (2) remember! Where:warm Ashand Farm Players enjoyed unseasonably sunny weather Chukka Score: 3-2, 5-5, 11-11, 14-13, to Twelve Oaks Polo Club, Surrey
MVP
BPP
Jubilee, owned and played by Will Newman
Georgia Sweeney
The friendly tournament was held at the start of the new school term
Twelve Oaks, winners of The Paul Sweeney Memorial Sportsmanship was on display throughout the day
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Polo Times, March 2022
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For Youth polo dates, please turn to our What’s On pages
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Military
Kings Club Polo Tour
Photography courtesy of Army Polo
Egypt & British Army in The Kings Club Polo Tour
Egypt Win Kings Club Polo Tour Simon Ledger reports For the third time Army Polo were invited to tour in Egypt and stay at the wonderful Kings Club near Cairo. It is owned by Mohammed El Sewedy and he has invested heavily with two full sized grounds, a Clubhouse and 12 chalets which overlook the grounds. 160 ponies are stabled in airy, US style barns with high quality grooms overseen by some very professional Argentine staff who are also players and coaches. The Polo Day was coordinated by the British Embassy who generated a crowd of some 450 to watch a six chukka match and contest The Brig Roscoe Harvey Trophy – who when he was stationed in Egypt, played off 7 goals in the 1930s and was also a Reserve for the British Olympic Polo Team in 1936. The past two occasions saw a 7 goal team do battle and both were draws with
The packed stands at Kings Club near Cairo
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Polo Times, November 2023
7 goals apiece. The British Army Team this time were a 3 goal team and some of the players had not had much polo this summer as they were away on operations. Gaston Devrient is the Army coach and three days were spent preparing for the match in order to weld the team together and also shake off the cobwebs, he did a great job. There was some tourism involved and the now traditional ride around the pyramids was, as normal, a highlight as well as a tour of the old Cairo City. A reception was held at the British Embassy where speeches were made by Mohammed El Sewedy and Simon Ledger and gifts were also exchanged. The temperature was very hot on Friday 29 September at 38 degrees and whilst the match was six chukkas, ponies were changed every 3½ minutes along with a water break. The British Army were slow in the first two chukkas and were soon behind with
Best Playing Pony, Lorry
some powerful hitting by Marwan Elafandy finding the stick of Hussain Abozaid on three occasions and Egypt were very quick in attack. Thus, as the match developed it was clear that some hard work was needed to stem the fast pace of the well-drilled Egyptian team. Marking became critical but some sharp work by Jamie Thomas combining with Hector Fair saw the score narrow at the break to 6-3. Some stern advice from the Army coach at half-time saw the Army team beginning to gel and Freddie Benyon and Moss Hamilton began to find the range, working hard in the heat. The gap closed after the fourth chukka to 6-5, but the experienced and hard-riding Egyptian team (they were fresh back from playing in Italy) saw the score move to 8-5 going into the sixth chukka. Despite some great work by Hector Fair to make it 8-6, with a fair few chances going just wide, the match closed with a win for Egypt 9-6 to see HM Ambassador to the UK HE Gareth Bayley present The Roscoe Harvey Cup to Egypt for the first time. Hector Fair was chosen as the Most Valuable Player and the Best Playing Pony prize went to Lorry, played in the third chukka by Mohammed El Sewedy. The Kings Club Polo Tour Teams: Egypt (3): Hussain Abozaid (1), Mohammed El Sewedy (1), Ahmed Abozaid (0) & Marwan Elafandy (1) The British Army (3): Maj Moss Hamilton IG (0), Capt The Hon Fred Benyon CG (0), Capt Hector Fair KRH (1) & Lt Jamie Thomas RHG/D (2)
The British Army and Egypt teams with HM Ambassador to the UK HE Gareth Bayley
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Horse Riding Holidays Worldwide info@farandride.com
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Knowledge
Medical Insight: Polodoc
Dr.med. Andreas Krüger is a Swiss board orthopaedic and trauma surgeon in Zurich, who specialises in knee and shoulder surgery. Andi is a second generation of tournament doctors for equine sports, known as Polodoc since 2013
Separated Shoulder Small joint but big function
The outer edge of the shoulder is an impact area for many collision and contact sports. Acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation is especially prone to impact among young and athletic populations who recurrently sustain falls. This small joint is nearly part of every shoulder movement because it is the anterior fixation of the shoulder to the body. Mainly movements above the horizontal plane bring stress to this small joint. In polo, falling from the horse can occur quite frequently and the first landing point is the arm or shoulder. These injuries can be classified into acute and chronic injuries, and the treatment approach may vary depending on the type and severity of the injury. The Rockwood classification is
the most common classification system in use for acromioclavicular joint injuries and has six types of injury. Surgical management is widely used for high-grade dislocations (Rockwood III – VI) and in athletes who are at a high risk of recurrence. If the joint stays dislocated, aesthetic and functional impairment is possible.
Injury Pattern
Most injuries happen when the player lands on the outstretched arm or directly on the shoulder. The load is transferred through the shoulder with an impact on the joint capsule. Inside the capsule a disc is positioned between the outer part of the clavicle and the acromion (roof of the shoulder). When the impact is high enough, the joint capsule is initially disrupted, but with more impact
additional structures like the caraco-acromial ligaments fail. These ligaments stabilise the clavicle in the horizontal and vertical plane. The initial pain may be bearable with the adrenaline from the fall and can get worse over time, but they are not directly related to the amount of injury. These injuries can be classified into acute and chronic injuries, and the treatment approach may vary depending on the type and severity of the injury.
Anatomy and Diagnostics
With low grade impact, the shoulder may look normal at primary inspection. With higher grades of injury, the initial clinical examination can reveal visible signs. When the AC joint is separated, it means that the ligaments are torn and the collarbone no longer lines up with the acromion. Ligaments are tough, sinewy tissues that act like tethers to hold the bones together. When the outer part of the clavicle is visibly elevated higher and unstable to the back, a high-grade injury which needs stabilisation is obvious. With standard X-ray an additional bony injury should be excluded. A shoulder panoramic view with a load for each shoulder (a load of 10kg according to Rockwood) will show the degree of instability can be estimated according to the classification. When additional pain in the shoulder is present, MRI should be considered to rule out intraarticular injuries.
Treatment
A MRI scan illustrating AC joint separation
An X-ray showing AC joint separation
Rockwood Type I – III The majority of people with Type III injuries can be managed with non-surgical treatment, including rest, ice, immobilisation with a sling, and pain medication. A sling may be recommended for three to four weeks to aid in healing and to relieve pain. Range-ofmotion and strengthening exercises can begin as soon as they are tolerable. The intensity of these exercises should be increased gradually, based upon pain.
Photography courtesy of Polodoc
Return to activities Patients with a Type III injury may return to normal activities between six and 12 weeks following injury, when full range of motion and strength are regained. Some people return to activity sooner or later, depending upon the demands of the specific activity.
A loaded shoulder panorama allows the degree of instability to be estimated
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Polo Times, November 2023
Rockwood Type IV – VI These AC injuries are the most severe. Players who have this type of injury should be seen by a shoulder specialist to reduce www.polotimes.co.uk
Medical Insight: Polodoc
Knowledge
The Rockwood Classification
the skin. If needed, some non-prescription pain medication can be used.
AC joint separation & ligament lesion
Refixation & reconstruction surgery
the risk of long-term complications. Surgery is usually required. Different methods are known to stabilise the joint from miniinvasive semi arthroscopic surgery to open approaches with reconstruction of the delto-trapezoid facia. In acute cases, direct repair with suture augmentation of the torn ligaments and capsule as well as the fascia repair is possible. Chronic cases (more than 3 weeks interval between injury and operation) need more surgical intervention. If the intercalated disc and the disrupted capsule are also injured these will need resection or reconstruction. Additional stabilisation of the clavicula in a hybrid technique (cord fixation and fresh-frozen allograft tendon plastic) as well as shortening of the clavicula is recommended.
Conservative Rehabilitation and Recovery Chronic case can require direct repair with suture augmentation
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Initial pain relief: Ice can help reduce pain from AC joint injuries, as the joint is close to
Type I – II Type I injuries are best treated initially with rest, ice, and protection, often with an arm sling. Ice can be applied for 15 minutes every four to six hours as needed. Rest includes avoiding overhead reaching, reaching across the chest, lifting, leaning on the elbows, and sleeping directly on the shoulder. Range-of-motion exercises are recommended as soon as they can be tolerated. – Range-of-motion exercises Range-of-motion exercises are recommended early in the recovery period. These exercises are intended to help maintain joint mobility and flexibility of the muscles and tendons in the shoulder. Pain should not exceed mild levels with any range-of-motion/flexibility exercise. When sharp or tearing pain is present while stretching you should stop exercising immediately. – Weighted pendulum stretch The weighted pendulum stretching exercise performs two functions: Gently stretches the space in which the tendons pass to relieve pressure on the tendons. Secondly it prevents the development of a frozen (stiff) shoulder. This exercise can be started almost immediately after a shoulder injury. This exercise should be performed for five minutes once or twice per day. While standing or sitting, keep your arm vertical and close to your body. Allow your arm to swing forward to back, then side to side, then in small circles in each direction only minimal pain should be felt. The pendulum stretch may be recommended as a warm-up for more localised flexibility exercises and/or strengthening exercises.
Recommendation
Early clinical examination and radiological work up is crucial to define the correct treatment. Type I – II injuries are treated conservatively with physiotherapy. Early surgical biological repair of Type III and IV injuries will bring you back earlier to full function and back into the game. Type V and VI injuries are high speed accidents where the adjunct injuries define the treatment path. Polo Times, November 2023
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Knowledge
Performance Coach
Understanding what it takes to overcome fear and self-doubt has been at the root of Paul ‘Stalkie’ Stalker’s personal transformation. He has proven experience of working with Polo Teams, Patrons and individual players for the past three years achieving outstanding results. With individual clients, Stalkie’s aim is to untap, nurture and focus their passion and potential on becoming the best versions of themselves in all aspects of their lives, whatever their starting point
Why Do Polo Players Do That? Understanding your needs for playing polo
When we think about the frequency and speed of the decisions we have to make in the heat of playing polo and the consequences that they have for ourselves, our horses, our team and our supporters – is it any wonder that we sometimes feel under pressure and get decision-fatigued? The decisions you make and the actions or deeds that they lead to, are all related to the personal needs you have to fulfil in your daily life to ensure your balance, control and happiness. How your basic human needs motivate you I have been lucky to spend time with the world’s most prominent mindset coach, author and psychologist Anthony Robbins (who coaches many of the world’s greatest achievers in business, sport, politics and film) who has distilled the work of prominent psychologists into a definitive list of six basic human needs. These are the six needs that I refer to when coaching the mindset of individual polo players and teams. 1) Need for Security To satisfy the need for security in your polo career, you need to establish consistency and stability. Apart from the certainty of general law and order that we all live by, there are also specific rules, regulations and ways of doing things in polo that provide you with certainty. This certainty or security is the baseline that allows us to pursue success in the game and live free from worrying about what is allowed and not allowed. 2) Need for Variety Some people give variety a very high priority in their lives. If this is you, you tend to get bored easily and always need to be looking for the next interesting thing. You may have a wide variety of friends and hobbies to satisfy this need, but this shouldn’t need to detract from your focus 46
Polo Times, November 2023
There are six basic human needs
when playing. Polo provides plenty of variety within a match – e.g. very few non-static plays are the same and horses behave in a variety of ways. 3) Significance and Importance The feeling of significance comes in two parts: internal and external. Internal refers to satisfying yourself that you are doing something which makes you feel important inside. This is vital for your personal enjoyment of polo. External involves the image that you wish to project to the outside world. If external significance is important to you, then you will be concerned with how people perceive you. You may reflect this in the clothes you wear, the car you drive, the places you’re seen, so that people notice you. There is every possibility that polo will give you the opportunities you need to meet your external significance. 4) Love and Connection This is a key need for most people. If it is a high priority for you, you need to love and be loved by your team, friends and supporters. You want to feel you are appreciated, accepted and involved. 5) Growth and Learning If growth is a strong need for you, you want
to learn continuously, develop and build your experiences in polo. You’re in it to grow as a player and a person. 6) Contribution Contribution will be a high priority for you if you are the sort of person who likes to be doing things for others and getting the best out of those around you – a team player who wants to give as well as receive. Meeting needs negatively or positively We all find different ways of satisfying our needs, positively or negatively. Some are good for you, good for your game and good for your team, others are bad for you, bad for your game and bad for your team. Just to be clear with a few examples: A positive way of meeting your security need might be to have polo coaching lessons with an eye towards improving your game and cementing your career. A negative way might be by avoiding challenges, keeping a low and lazy profile, and not working on your fitness and skills. A positive way of meeting your variety need might be to pursue a season in a different country, play for an additional team, try a new position, try new techniques. www.polotimes.co.uk
Performance Coach A negative way might be eating rubbish, binge drinking, quitting a team, changing your horses when there’s no need. A positive way of meeting your significance need is to become a polo ninja, to maximise your handicap, to win trophies. Maybe to make a contribution off the field to the wider polo community. A negative way might be to seek no improvement, to moan and blame other players for your low self-esteem, to be a bully to your team. Some polo players will meet their love and connection need by being the best team player they can be, to be supportive, caring and inspiring. Negatively, they might meet their need by dominating others, or attention seeking through creating problems and broadcasting them to others. A positive growth need can be emotional, physical or intellectual – through educating ourselves about the game, finding mentors, exposing ourselves to new training methods, nailing our fitness goals. It is possible to fulfil a growth need negatively by becoming a tyrant in your own team, not putting the hard metres in during a game, disrespecting your groom, not caring for your horses. Meeting a contribution need positively looks like always playing full out, leading from the front, promoting team values and treating others as you wish to be treated. The converse to this is to be a lone gloryseeker, not sticking to team values, strategy or tactics and not worrying about team success as long as you are the star. By establishing what your priority needs are, you will understand why you make the decisions that you do, and it will empower to make the best decisions from now on. Prioritising your polo needs By writing down / recording your answers to all the questions below, you will discover your primary list of needs. This list will make you aware of the motivators behind your own decision-making process. When answering the questions, go with your gut, do not over-think your answers. In the list below, tick the need that is most important to you i.e. would you sooner have your Love & Connection need met or your Growth need. Would you put your need for relationships over your need to learn for example? o Which need is more important for you? o Love & Connection OR Growth o Love & Connection OR Variety o Love & Connection OR Significance o Love & Connection OR Security o Love & Connection OR Contribution o Which need is more important for you? o Growth OR Variety o Growth OR Significance www.polotimes.co.uk
o o
Growth OR Security Growth OR Contribution
o Which need is more important for you? o Variety OR Significance o Variety OR Security o Variety OR Contribution o Which need is more important for you? o Significance OR Security o Significance OR Contribution o Which need is more important for you? o Security OR Contribution Now score yourself one point for every need you have just ticked, e.g. if you ticked ‘Love and Connection’ five times in the exercise, you put a score of five next to ‘Love and Connection’ in the list below: Need score for Love & Connection = Need score for Growth = Need score for Variety = Need score for Significance = Need score for Security = Need score for Contribution = Now you can rank your needs. Your top need will have attracted the most points. If any of the scores for each need are the same – e.g. ‘Growth’ scores a total of two and ‘Variety’ also scores a total of two, then take a look at your table and see which need you voted for when you had to choose between the two of them. Give an extra point to the need you originally voted for. Repeat this process between each of the needs that have the same score, to complete your ranking accurately.
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Arguments between players may then occur because they want to feel better by taking the power back. But who loses? The team, of course! Let’s remember that you are all on the same team, so meeting needs negatively benefits nobody. Meeting your needs in a positive way often enables you to feed the needs of others too, resulting in less conflict. The senior player should focus on what their colleagues are doing right, praise them for doing so and ask questions such as, “is there anything you would do to make the team better?” or “if I see anything that could help, do you mind if I point it out?”. This approach is a win-win; not only would the senior player positively meet their needs of contribution, growth and learning, connection and security, but they would also feed the same needs in their colleagues, positively motivating them. All your basic human needs are everpresent, sitting in your subconscious mind, driving every decision that you make. When you understand the needs of both yourself and others, you will not only realise the behaviour you need to adapt, but you will also become aware of what makes others feel good and what motivates them. Act upon this and you will achieve the most favourable outcome from every situation.
Understanding other people’s needs Conflicts can surface in all areas of polo; on the training field, during a game, even in the bar. It undermines team unity. In these situations, if you understand how the needs of your fellow polo players affect their behaviour, you will be able to diagnose why that conflict has arisen and act for the best. Conflicts often occur when people meet their needs in a negative way without taking the needs of others into account. Let’s take the case of a senior player who, because of their status and reputation, has an ego and attitude that winds up their teammates. The player may satisfy several of their human needs such as love and connection, significance, contribution, and security, negatively by humiliating and pointing out bad things about their teammates such as not knowing the rules, lack of physicality, lack of horse control, poor stick to ball technique etc. This approach may make the senior player feel good but it only leads to team disunity. The team may satisfy their own needs by moaning together about the player (the colleagues will feel significant, it will give them connection and security). Polo Times, November 2023
47
Knowledge
Playing Tips
Playing tips with Rege Ludwig The Polo Style of Riding
Renowned polo coach, Rege Ludwig gives his expert advice on how to get more out of your game When it is considered how responsive the polo horse is to the requests made of it by the player on its back; the polo horse almost has to be considered as being amazing. The polo horse is asked to run at top speed, only to be asked to decelerate as quickly as possible just as they reach that top speed. They could then be asked to change direction of travel, often times quite strenuously, and then push aggressively into another horse. The polo horse is doing all of those things because they are being asked to do them by the polo player on their back. When all of that is taken into consideration, it must be realised just how important accurate communication to the polo horse is if the horse is to respond correctly to each of those requests. Relative to communicating to the polo horse from their back, it is imperative to be aware of how you are gripping into the horse’s shoulders with your upper legs; and, how that upper leg griping effort is affected by your upper body movement, intentional or inadvertent.
The upper leg contact is significant because it is the only direct contact you have with the horse for the purpose of communicating your desires of the horse to the horse. The way that communication system works is, your upper body is the first part of your body to move; and, that movement is transmitted into your hips; and, from your hips into your upper legs, groin to knees. When I am teaching the riding aspect of polo, I use the term, ‘bolt through knees’. By that term, what I am referring to is, imagine having a bolt running through your knees and the horse’s shoulders. If you were to lean your upper body forward and down, that bolt is pushing forward and down into the horse’s shoulders, which is effectively pushing the horse forward to be requesting of it to accelerate.
Likewise, if you were to lean your upper body right, your right upper leg is pushing down on the horse’s right shoulder, while your upper left leg is lifting the left shoulder. Under those conditions, the horse is being tilted to the right, causing it to move right. The same mechanics apply to leaning left for the purpose of moving the horse left.
Accelerating
If you were to lean your upper body up and back; your upper legs are effectively lifting the horse’s front end up and back; which is requesting of the horse to decelerate.
Bolt through knees
48
Polo Times, November 2023
Decelerating
Change direction – right
At the same time that you are leaning your upper body either right or left, your rein hand is moving in the same direction. That, in turn, moves the opposing reins against horse’s neck; causing the horse to move away from that rein pressure against its neck. Depending on how quickly and intensely your upper body moves your upper legs and your rein hand, those movements are effectively communicating to the horse to move in that direction to the degree to which your body is pushing upper legs forward and down into the horse’s shoulders; while your rein hand is releasing pressure on the horse’s mouth to allow for that movement. At that point, the horse will most likely respond to your upper body balance pushing it forward, and will accelerate to the degree to which your upper legs are pushing forward and down into its shoulders. www.polotimes.co.uk
Playing Tips
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purpose of facilitating leaning out farther and If the ball was not hit as accurately as rotating your torso a greater degree. That is you would have liked; then get back to the especially true for the upper leg on the side drawing board, i.e., the stick and ball field to of the horse on which you will be hitting the figure out what went wrong, and what must ball. Softening your upper leg gripping effort be changed if that shot is to be hit correctly lends itself to creating an unstable hitting the next time it is used in the game. platform. The fact of the matter is; any lack of stability within your hitting platform cannot help but be displayed within the degree of accuracy with which the polo ball is hit. You will know almost immediately if the ball was hit accurately. If the shot was hit accurately, you can be pretty much assured that your hitting platform was close to being correct. From my understanding of hitting the polo ball correctly, a well hit polo ball strongly suggests that most aspects of the riding and the hitting processes were executed correctly. Correct hitting form timing
W
All of that may seem obvious; however, there are times when the polo player may not be aware of why the horse is moving the way it is moving; and might be wondering, “Why is this horse moving this way”? When that happens, check to see if your upper body is leaning forward and down to the point of pushing your upper legs forward and down into the horse’s shoulders; which, could be affecting your upper leg gripping effort into the horse’s shoulders; and, could be causing the horse to move in a manner you are not expecting. That is especially true if your upper leg gripping effort is comparable to having a bolt run through your knees. From my understanding of gripping with the upper legs, the upper leg gripping effort should be used primarily as a source for stabilizing your seat to the horse; especially when hitting the ball. Therefore, when you lean out and over the ball to hit it, make sure your upper leg gripping effort, on the side of the horse on which you are going to hit the ball, does not soften to where your hitting platform begins to become unstable. The reality of the upper leg gripping effort is, as you lean farther out and over the ball to hit it harder; your upper leg gripping effort should increase rather than soften for the
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Knowledge
Equine Zen Shiatsu
Donna Barker is a professionally qualified and experienced Equine Integrative Support Therapy Practitioner with a broad skill set. Donna continues to develop her knowledge and skills through CPD and ongoing additional qualifications, including Equine Osteopathy and her qualifications also include BSc Hons Equine Therapy & Rehabilitation, Equine Sports & Remedial Massage Practitioner EMAP Dist., Practitioner of Equine Shiatsu and Certified Equine Craniosacral Technique Therapist
Relating the Five Elements to the Horse Zen Shiatsu
horse too, such as a sudden itch of their nose or leg, the need to stretch a limb or their spine. These responses are what we believe to be the result of chi moving around and flowing to these areas.
Photography by EKS Images
Donna Barker during an Equine Zen Shiatsu session
Zen Shiatsu is a profoundly relaxing, invigorating and cleansing holistic manual therapy due to its deep connections with the internal organs and all functional systems of the body. Through a series of energy channels known as Meridians, a network structure described by the Seoul National University in 2002 as a Primo Vascular System with Primo Vessels and Primo Nodes, the Shiatsu Practitioner can access information from a number of anatomical access points (tsubo points) through gentle stimulation. Access Point Information On the surface, a full (jitsu) tsubo point can feel firm and clammy or cause an irritated response when stimulated, observed through fasiculations of the skin, fascia and muscle. This is where a stagnant pool of chi (energy) has manifested. The horse’s coat may 50
Polo Times, November 2023
appear to lie in a different direction or feel coarser or greasy. An area that has depleted chi (kyo) may feel hollow and dry and there may be some appearance of muscle atrophy. The hair may be more raised with a dry feeling as the myofascia (muscle fascia) has become dehydrated and restricted. Whilst we feel and see reactions at and around these anatomical access points, we may also observe other responses by the
Time of day matters In Traditional Chinese Medicine the internal organs and their corresponding meridians have peak activity times during the day and night in each 24 hour period, referred to as the ‘Chinese Clock’ as seen in the table below. Therefore, as the chi is continually flowing through the body there is a corresponding low activity time 12 hours later, so for example, the Lung meridian is less active for two hours from 3pm to 5pm. This can be a useful reference for observing symptoms, energy levels, moods and emotions in both yourselves and your horses and can help in formulating a training schedule, feeding times, down time, etc! Equine Characteristics in relation to the Five Elements As with humans, horses have their own unique personalities, genetic traits and identifying characteristics. In Zen Shiatsu we can learn a lot about our horses and our relationships and compatibility with them through the Five Elements – Metal, Earth, Fire, Water and Wood. As well as peak activity and low activity times of the day, each element also has a corresponding season in relation to its characteristics.
Element
Yang Meridian
Peak Time
Yin Meridian
Peak Time
Water
Bladder
3 to 5pm
Kidney
5 to 7pm
Wood
Gall Bladder
11pm to 1am
Liver
1 to 3am
Fire (primary)
Small Intestine
1 to 3pm
Heart
11am to 1pm
Fire (secondary)
Triple Heater
9 to 11pm
Pericardium
7 to 9pm
Earth
Stomach
7 to 9am
Spleen
9 to 11am
Metal
Large Intestine
5 to 7am
Lung
3 to 5am www.polotimes.co.uk
Equine Zen Shiatsu
Knowledge
Earth horse can be quite hardy and a gooddoer, appear strong with a good muscle tone and a deep girth. The earth horse is generally well grounded, calm and reliable with a nurturing nature, therefore tends to look after their rider making them suitable for the more nervous and novice rider. Although earth horses tend to be good doers, they still need to be looked after as they can be prone to metabolic conditions such as laminitis and require a carefully managed diet despite their greedy nature and will also need to be kept warm and well exercised in damp conditions as they can be prone to arthritis and rheumatism.
Via Zen Shiatsu we can learn a lot about our horses and our relationships
Metal – Lung and Large Intestine. The season is Autumn and sits between Earth and Water, Later Summer/Early Autumn and Winter. The Metal horse is usually strong and lean with quite an even temperament and has a ‘treat as treated’ relationship with their owner. The metal horse is not an overly affectionate horse but will happily perform for you if you keep to a routine, are kind, patient, strong and energetic to match this horse’s get on with it approach. Their health concerns can be related to respiratory conditions and often need to be kept warm and in regular work to maintain peak muscle tone. Earth – Stomach and Spleen. The season is Late Summer/Early Autumn, is between Fire and Metal, High Summer and Autumn. The
Fire – Heart and Small Intestine/ Triple Heater and Pericardium. The season is the height of Summer and sits between Wood and Earth, Spring and Late Summer/ Early Autumn. Fire horses tend to make good dressage horses as they have a naturally graceful and easy flowing elevated movement. This can also make them good candidates for show jumping and showing too, but not ideal for eventing or endurance sports. These horses are very active and can be prone to spookiness, therefore they require varied work to keep their brain engaged whilst maintaining a controlled level of fitness but not pushed too hard so as not to ‘break their spirit’. Health wise, the fire horse enjoys turnout for good circulation, play time and alone time. Keep them well hydrated as their fire energy can lead to dehydration. These horses require sensitive riders who can ‘feel’ for good pressure and release timing so as not to overly stress the fire horse. Wood – Liver and Gall Bladder*. The season is Spring, sitting between Fire and Water, High Summer and Winter. The Wood horse tends to have good conformation,
Internal organ pain and dysfunction can cause back related problems
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It is important not to anthropomorphise when describing behaviours be physically strong in musculature and athleticism, but can be quite determined with a strong will and self-awareness! Wood horses are most adaptive, competitive and expressive, but they can also be referred to as stubborn whilst being very alert and prone to some spookiness. They have great energy and enthusiasm with emotions that need to be managed through clarity to avoid confusion and frustration. These horses require confident riders who are calm, empathetic and respectful of the wood horse’s sensitive nature. The wood horse is unfortunately prone to injury through their curiosity, playfulness, natural exuberance and enthusiasm! They tend to succumb to muscle, tendon and ligament injuries, exhaustion, dryness in their skin and hooves. *Although horses do not have a Gall Bladder they do constantly produce bile which is why they are grazers and require a constant trickle of forage to maintain healthy levels of alkaline and acid in their stomachs to avoid ulcers. Therefore, they have a Gall Bladder Meridian which is more of an energetic link than a physical link to a specific organ. Water – Bladder and Kidney. The season is Winter, and is found between Wood and Metal, Spring and Autumn. These horses are the most timid, fearful and suspicious horses! The Water horse needs time to develop their trust with their owner and rider and they like their own space, often keeping to themselves in their field. Once you have Polo Times, November 2023
51
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Equine Zen Shiatsu
reflected through the physical and emotional gained the trust of the water horse they will state of the body and mind. It is not to be be loyal and reward the rider with endurance confused with diagnosing something like and talent that they keep hidden until they a water infection or liver dysfunction, but feel secure. Patience, empathy, clarity and Charlie Simpson & it can aid in our understanding our Morgan perseverance are &required withRoss these horses Sandy Mike Warren, Byrne Rhett Wooldridge Jade Louise Wheeler Bridiewhy Courtney horses behave in a certain way, struggle to control their anxieties and help avoid with performance, and Ash require different confusion. Stiffness in the neck and pelvis Paul Sweeney Memorial Final; Farm Polo Club; management routines and diets. may be a recurrence in thePHONE water horse and CLUB EMAIL CLUB PHONE EMAIL Sunday 20 February Home Farm Polo Grounds 07807672120 rachaelkearnet@hotmail.co.uk All Ireland Polo Club all 00353 01 6896732 dstone@indigo.ie The Shiatsu Practitioner can correlate with a tendency to be prone to arthritis, Hurtwood Polo Club 01483 272828 polo@hurtwoodparkpolo.co.uk All England Polo Club Hickstead* 01273 834 315 polo@hickstead.co.uk this information and perform aApsley more targeted these Park horses require careful management Kirtlington Polo Club 01869 350138 info@kirtlingtonparkpolo.co.uk End Polo Club* 01462 712444 tobiana.scott@gmail.com Knepp Club exercise, sufficient 07920 023639 Farm Polo Club* 07799 812739 ashfarmpolo@hotmail.com therapy for the meridians andAsh meridian pairs withCastle turnPoloout, rest and info@aspectpolo.co.uk a Leadenham Polo Club 07429 299026 office@leadenhampoloclub.com Barfold Polo Club 07778 808853 mborwick@gmail.com that are out of balance, therefore bringing well-managed diet. The water horse requires Longdole Polo Club* 01452 864544 info@longdolepolo.com Bawtry Polo Club 01302 773282 info@bawtrypoloclub.co.uk uk Moor Farm Polo Club 07494 114190 shop@moorfarmshop.co.uk Beaufort Polo Club 01666 880510 enquiries@beaufortpoloclub.co.uk back equilibrium to the body and balance the a rider who intuitively understands their alecbeve@btinternet.com Moor Hall Farm Polo Club* 01279 450637 Beverley Polo Club* 01964 544877 info@beverleypoloclub.co.uk yin and yang energies. timid New Forestnature, Polo Club but can support 07977them 224404 with annabelparryjoyner@yahoo.co.uk Binfield Heath 01491 411969 bhpcmanager@gmail.com Norfolk Polo Club 01508 480400 ce@norfolkpolo.co.uk Polo Club* 07930 323263 polomanager@blueyspolo.co.uk TheoffiPaul Sweeney Memorial was foundedBlueys by Lesley, confidence and kindness. Northern Ireland Polo Club 07803 020577 info@northernirelandpoloclub.co.uk Bramham Polo Academy 07811 993316 emmadvh@btinternet.com and Georgia Sweeney in memory of Paul Not horse will fit 07816 one 830887 categoryCharlotte Offchurch Buryevery Polo Club* info@offchurchburypoloclub.co.uk Bunclody Polo Club 00353 87 6605917 info@poloclubbunclody.com References: Pangbourne Polo Club 07708 906810 aprice@polofi x.com Sweeney after his unexpected death in 2009 at just Burningfold Polo Club 01483 200722 derrek@burningfold.com Advertising Hix, S. (2004) Traditional Shiatsu For Horses. GB: Kenilworth so you might recognise traits from one or polomanager@peoverpoloclub.co.uk Peover Polo Club 07766 016 833 Cambridge Polo Club* 07711 217004 cambridgepoloclub@icloud.com Press Limitedto keep his spirit and legacy alive. 48-years-old in order more elements in your horse, co.uk Polo Wicklow* 00353although 404 67164 one siobhan@polowicklow.com County Polo 01223 812922 info@cambridgecountypoloclub.co.uk Lundberg, P. (1992) The Book of Shiatsu –Cambridge A Complete Guide to Club* RAF Cranwell 07739 569491 rafcranwellpoloclub@yahoo.co.uk Each year, the tournament number ofImprove players Carlton House 07901 561113 harrietservaes@hotmail.com Using Hand Pressureattracts and GentleaManipulation to Your element might be more dominant. Ranelagh Polo Club* 01344 885697 Chester Racecourse Polo Club 01244 304602 amorris@chester-races.com Health, Vitality, and Stamina. Gala Polo Books Ltd andranelagh@labravapolo.com spectators, gathering at AshUK: Farm Club to cheer RCBPC* 01344 890060 polo@rcbpc.com Mann, Donna (2016) Does Stimulation by Shiatsu the Club Horse’s CheshiretoPolo 01948 861020 info@cheshirepoloclub.co.uk Pete & George Woodward on the finalists. This year saw a record number of teams RMAS Polo Club 07973 174542 rmas-nc-aci-projinters@mod.uk Bladder Meridian have an effect of the Surface Temperature of Chiltern Polo Club 07973 174542 info@chilternpoloclub.com What does this mean in01788 relation to info@rugbypoloclub.com Rugby Polo Club* 817724 the 5 Viscera Yu Points? Dissertation at Bishop Burton College Cirencester Park Polo Club 01285 653225 info@cirencesterpolo.co.uk and after a two-year postponement due to Covid-19, Shiatsu? Rutland Polo Club 07772 040668 secretary@rutlandpoloclub.co.uk Soh, K-W., Kang, K.A. and Ryu, Y.H. (2013) ’50 Years BongCowdray PoloofClub 01730 813257 enquiries@cowdraypolo.co.uk the grandstands were packed. Twelve Oaks managed to Han Theory and 10 Y)ears of Primo Vascular System.’ EvidenceSilver Leys Polo Club 060200 Curraghmore Polo Club 51 387102 Georgia00353 Sweeney & Gemmamkennedy@cssgroup.ie Byrne As a therapist, we obtain a07730 certain amountsilverleyspoloclub@gmail.com Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Review Article St. Albans Polo Club 07956 017090 info@stalbanspoloclub.co.uk Dallas Burston Polotitle Club* 01926 811 111 enquiries@ixlevents.com stave off a last-minute attempt by Rosina to claim the pp. 1-12 of information from owners and706045 riders of Stewarton Polo Club 07974 info@stewartonpolo.co.uk Dorset Polo Club 01202 623985 office@dorsetpolo.co.uk Tindall, C. and Bell, J. (2006) Shiatsu for your horse – Enhance and took a 14-12 victory. Suffolk Polo Club 07990 576974 Druids Lodge Polooccasion Club* 01722 782597 abi@druidspolo.co.uk Special polo cards for the horses that we see. This is informationaes3@cam.ac.uk your horse’s well-being and happiness. Germany: Sussex Polo Club* 01342 714920 info@sussexpolo.co.uk Dundee Cadmos and Perth Polo Club* 07831 365 194 jamesscrawford@aol.com Equestrian birthdays, anniversaries, get well soon, fromVale a human and480460 there canPhotography Taunton Polo Club perspective01823 nhs.wheelers@gmail.com Eastwood Polo Club 07875 743475 frankums@googlemail.com by Antonia Bullrich Tidworth Polo Club* 01980 846705 Edgeworth Polo Club & baby congratulations; 01285 821695 edgeworthpolo@gmail.com weddings, be elements of anthropomorphism in the info@tidworthpolo.com Toulston Polo Club 07776 234638 info@toulstonpoloclub.com Edinburgh Polo Club* 07971 072336 james.dgls@gmail.com from £2.99 plus p&p Triskelion Polo Club* 07624 272547 polo@triskelionpolo.club translation when describing behaviours. The Web: www.dbequinetherapy.co.uk Emsworth Polo Grounds* 01344 883112 info@fourquarterspolo.co.uk Vale of York Polo Club* 07788 426968 info@valeofyorkpoloclub.co.uk Epsom Polo Club* 07961 232106 epsompoloclub@hotmail.com Five Element Theory is a guide as to how the Tel: 07739 416781 Vaux Park Park Polo Club* 07703 524613 vppc@btconnect.com FHM Polo Club* 07778 436468 frances@fhmpolo.co.uk West Wycombe Park Polo on Club*a daily basis 07787 560729 secretary@westwycombepolo.co.uk body functions and how we Donna Barker Equine www.Katesart.com01628 620061 FifieldVisit Polo Club* fifieldpoloclub@live.co.uk Westcroft Park Polo Club* 858545 info@westcroftparkpolo.co.uk Trippetts Polo Club 01428 741916 charles@trippetts.com can understand the effects01276 of imbalances and Therapy & Rehabilitation Greator txt/tel 07887 678421 White Rose Polo Club* 01430 875767 info@whiterosepolo.co.uk Guards Polo Club* 01784 434212 polo@guardspoloclub.com Chi is continually flowing through the body White Polo Club 670587 theWaltham integrity of the internal 07748 organs which is kim@playpolo.co.uk or email: enquiries@Katesart.com Ham Polo Club 020 8334 0000 office@hampoloclub.com
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Knowledge
Nutrition Focus
Photography courtesy of Lorna Edgar
Lorna Edgar – specialist equine nutritionist
Treat balls help to keep the bored mind occupied for longer
R&R Time of Year Feeding on box rest
As I write, it is so mild it is still T-shirt weather so I’m in denial that we are officially in autumn and winter is around the corner! Arena ponies are in work and summer ponies are out on their holidays, hopefully enjoying this warmer weather whilst they can and the grass still growing. With the majority of horses being turned out for their winter break come autumn, I am reminded of the minority that are not able to go out for their holidays quite so soon as they are staying in to recover from injury. At the end of this season I have had a couple of clients asking about feeding horses on box rest – thus prompting my subject for this edition of Polo Times! I have an injured pony on box rest, I don’t want her to get fat, but feel mean not feeding her anything, what should I do? Firstly, is she actually fat, or are you looking at a tummy that replicates that of a horse not in work, standing still all day and grazing on hay or haylage?! If there are no fat pockets in 54
Polo Times, November 2023
the four classic areas – crest of neck, behind the shoulder, over the top of the ribs and top of the tail head, I would not be worried. However, if she does have fat deposits then we would need to manage her in a different way. Fat pockets or no fat pockets, it is essential to maintain a balance of good nutrition during convalescence in order to support repair and recovery of the musculoskeletal system. A human athlete would not just eat bread whilst recovering from injury, on the contrary, they would be eating a healthy but low calorie diet to support, and hopefully speed up, their healing process. Free access to forage is a must to maintain good gut motility and health as well as also reducing the risk of boredom and vices developing. As far as the bucket feed, I would opt for a balancer, such as Lo-Cal Balancer, to provide essential quality protein, vitamins and minerals, but crucially without calories. Adding a scoop of chaff is ideal to provide bulk and increase chew time.
Allow free and constant access to forage, small holed nets can be used for greedy horses
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Nutrition Focus
Polo pony in a stable rug with hay
What has protein got to do with a horse on box rest, isn’t this important only for horses in work? Yes, it is important for those in work, but also for those recovering from injury. Protein is made up of amino acids, which we call the ‘building blocks of life’ and are essential for soft tissue construction. Some amino acids have to be supplied by the diet as the horse cannot synthesise them and are termed ‘essential’; these are particularly vital for soft tissue repair. Forages alone do not contain the quality protein required to supply plenty of essential amino acids, hence we need to complement the forage with a balanced concentrate diet. I am concerned I have a pony on box rest that is getting bored and grumpy, what can I do? Firstly, I would be looking at how much forage is being eaten – are they standing for periods of time with an empty net? Are they on a concentrate feed that might be providing too much energy? Allow free and constant access to forage – put two nets in the stable, one by the door so they can look out whilst eating and another in the back of the stable, and maybe some on the floor as well. I even have clients that allow the horses to eat straight out of the wheelbarrow of haylage which is parked up outside the stable/chain for them to graze on! Give three feeds a day – if they’re on three cups of balancer per day, why not
A hay slow feeder
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Knowledge
split it over three feeds? So they have a cup of balancer in each feed with a scoop of chaff, or beet pulp. Put a scoop of Fibre Plus Nuggets on the floor at the front of the stable, or in a treat ball, to keep the bored mind occupied for longer. Aim to reduce energy levels in the feed if you are feeding more than a balancer. If you’re still wanting some calories, look at feeds which are high in calories but low in starch – such as Ease & Excel, to reduce cereal-based energy that may fuel the behaviour. If weight loss is becoming a problem and your horse is becoming hollow in the flanks or has loose droppings, I would suggest feeding a pre or probiotic to help settle the hind gut bacteria. Providing a pre/probiotic is ideal if they are on antibiotics as well, again to support the hind gut flora during this time. Be mindful of ulcers developing – have a chat with your vet, but implement the simple suggestions above to help reduce the risks. I have always fed bran to a horse on box rest, but I have been told this is not right? Traditionally, many people would have fed bran to ensure gut motility is not hindered whilst the horse is confined. Studies over the years have shown that bran does not increase gut motility or increase the moisture content of droppings. Bran is very high in phosphorous, and can unbalance the calcium phosphorous ratio, which is not ideal when we are trying to feed a balanced diet to support recovery and healing. Instead, I would be inclined to use a beet pulp such as Fibre-Beet or Speedi-Beet. Adding a soaked fibre source will increase the water content of the diet and, being a very digestible feed, the risks of impaction colics should be reduced. We have a pony on box rest and she is incredibly greedy, what can I do? You probably know what I am going to say what not to do, and that is please, please DO NOT PUT ON A MUZZLE. It happens and it is something I cannot condone, unless the
Ponies on box rest can find it boring, so multiple nets to simulate grazing can help
vet has asked for the horse to be muzzled whilst on box rest for medical reasons. In my opinion, to muzzle a horse when it is in work or on box rest, is wrong on so many levels. She will be bored, and horses are designed to eat 20 hours a day, so that is pretty much what she will be doing. If she is not putting on fat pockets, then let her eat, it will not be doing her any harm, but will be saving her sanity! If you are concerned about her getting fat, try using trickle feeding nets with very small holes and put two or three in the stable to create more of a ‘grazing’ situation. Soaking hay for up to eight hours before feeding it will help to reduce the sugars (fructans) in the forage, and enable you to feed more of it, thus allowing more chew time. Giving three small feeds as I suggested above, but using Speedi-Beet and a low calorie chaff like Dengie HiFi Light to avoid feeding extra calories is ideal to keep her chewing. When I have recommended using prebiotics in a diet before, clients have observed that the frantic eating of greedy horses has slowed down, though please note this is anecdotal evidence and not scientific at all. I hope by adapting some of these suggestions the box rest experience is stress free, whilst maintaining good general health and condition, good injury recovery and a relaxed individual. Please don’t forget those amazing athletes having their winter holidays, keep checking under the rugs (when the temperatures drop enough to warrant them) and if you can give them a scoop of Conditioning Cubes a day to help them out of the winter in good shape, then please do! I hope 2023 has been a good year for you all, I for one haven’t seen enough polo this year, so will need to rectify this in 2024! Polo Times, November 2023
55
Knowledge
Online Veterinary Pharmacy
Dr Charlotte Inness is an experienced Equine Vet, certified Equine Chiropractor and Veterinary acupuncturist. Charlotte set up an online veterinary pharmacy focused on helping animal owners tackle the cost-of-living crisis, making veterinary healthcare more affordable with outstanding personable customer service
Online Veterinary Pharmacy
Photography courtesy of Dr Charlotte Inness
Cut the cost of prescription medicine
Dr Charlotte Inness runs VetMediUK
A review of veterinary services in the UK has been launched over concerns that animal owners could be paying too much. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said vet fees were rising faster than other goods and services during the cost-of-living crisis. We are still awaiting the results of this review. However, did you know that you can buy your horse’s prescription medicine online? This generally offers a substantial discounted price compared to the fee your vet may charge you. The most important point is these prescription-only medicines can only be 56
Polo Times, November 2023
bought on production of a prescription, which you can obtain from your vet. Your vet will need to do an assessment of your horse before they will provide you with the written prescription. If you request a written prescription your vet legally has to provide you with one. Where to Buy Online? There are lots of veterinary pharmacies online, a search engine result will bring up many sites that sell the medicine you require. Beware there are some hoax sites selling counterfeit medicines. Look for an RCVS and
VMD number plus the name of the veterinary surgeon in charge of dispensing the prescription medicines. These details will be displayed, and verifiable, on legitimate sites. How to Buy Online? When you are ready to buy you can upload your prescription at the time of order or your vet may wish to send it directly to the pharmacy. As everything is done electronically the process is quick and simple. Prescriptions are usually dispensed within 24 hours and then delivered straight to your door by a courier. www.polotimes.co.uk
Online Veterinary Pharmacy
Knowledge
Photograph by EKS Images
VetMediUK is an online pharmacy run by equine vet and patron polo player
What is VetMediUK? VetMediUK is an online pharmacy run by equine vet and patron polo player, Dr Charlotte Inness. www.vetmedi.co.uk is a safe and trusted online pharmacy where you can buy your prescriptions. The VetMedi.co.uk platform offers a diverse range of veterinary medicines, supplements, and pet care essentials, all carefully curated to meet the unique needs of all four-legged friends. Dr Charlotte Inness, who set up VetMediUK, said: “We created the business to bring trusted medicines to pets and their owners at a fraction of the price.
LS AL HES W C K OA BRAN D LI S O DI N G OL &H
Look for an RCVS and VMD number plus the name of the veterinary surgeon in charge of dispensing the prescription medicines
“We want to make veterinary healthcare more affordable for customers. Since we launched, we’ve focused 110 per cent on
what our customers are asking for, which is a reliable, professional service and products delivered safely to their doorstep.”
Email: charlotte@thehorsevet.co.uk Web: www.vetmedi.co.uk & www.thehorsevet.co.uk www.facebook.com/vetmediuk www.facebook.com/thehorsevet.co.uk www.instagram.com/vetmediuk www.instagram.com/thehorsevet
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Polo Times, November 2023
57
Sidelines
Gossip
POLO LOGO LOGGERHEADS
JOY FOR JACKSON
Congratulations to Hilary Jackson and Thijs Bax who have announced the arrival of their son Lucas. Hilary Jackson holds a 3 goal women’s handicap and is sister to top women’s polo player and 10 goaler, Hazel Jackson.
The High Court of England and Wales found that Lifestyle Equities’ trade mark rights in the Beverly Hills Polo Club mark had not been infringed by the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club, this case is one of a number brought in recent years by Lifestyle Equities. The court concluded that the crowded nature of the market meant that consumers were less likely to assume a connection between two brands just because they both contained the words “polo club” and a picture of a polo player on horseback.
FIP 2026 News from the polo grapevine is that the 2026 FIP World Championships will take place in either UAE or Saudi Arabia, with the location and the zone playoffs yet to be confirmed.
Tell us yours at gossip@polotimes.co.uk Anonymity guaranteed if you want it...
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Sarai London stall holder Sarah Farrell
The Macmillan Coffee Morning cakes
The Images of Polo stall
Macmillan Coffee Morning, Friday 13 October, Guards Polo Club
£8,000 Raised in Charity Auction
Pam Manku in charge of the tombola
The annual Macmillan Coffee Morning at Guards Polo Club saw Members and Non-Members alike welcomed into the Clubhouse for another fun and relaxed event all with the aim of raising funds for Macmillan through the Club’s auction. Amongst the lots was a stallion fee for Lovelocks Shadow, one of Charlie Hanbury’s talented home-bred stallions, as well as £100 Voucher for Seasons Kitchen from Charlie Wooldridge, Afternoon Tea at the Gherkin from Searcys, Limited Edition Aluminium Art from Images of Polo, a year’s membership at Country Club UK, a tour with drinks for four People to St George’s Chapel, Windsor, lunch for Two in the Barn at Coworth Park, including a bottle of House Wine, a signed Oliver Preston drawing, a Black Hound Winter Jacket and a Polo Times subscription. Overall the day raised £8,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Tissy Sievwright, Karen Gilmore & Tara Bown
Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com
Jane Broadbent & Richard Laughlin
Grahame Wickham
Diana Roberts
Sean & Mary O’Dwyer
Claudia Stadnik, David Dickman & Midge Buckley
Antony Fanshawe
Auctioneer Jamie Hayward
Nikki Keeler
Louise Richardson & Becky Simpson
Holly Smith & David Byrne
Jenn Sponer & Laura Heard
Teresa Taibo & Merly Cuthill
Nick Hebditch & Gerry Gibbs
Rob Morran & Mat Lodder
Nico Fontanarrosa, Klari Gu Toit, Rose Fletcher & Lolo Fontanarrosa
Charlie Budgett, Hazel Baker & Ted Foster
End of Season Party; Saturday 16 September; Kirtlington Park Polo Club
Total Wipeout & Annual Awards Another successful season at the Club ended with a day of Finals, athletic games and awards with a BBQ and dancing until late. Wild Beasts defeated La Rosada 5-3 in The Groundsman Cup Final and after the match four teams went head-to-head in a game of Total Wipeout which was won by the Windrush team (Harry Earnshaw, Lolo Fontanarrosa, Daniel Darke, and Noah Habberfield). The End of Season Awards saw the players, ponies, and supporters recognised for their performance and dedication. Harry Earnshaw & Mat Lodder
David Ashby, Mat Lodder with Lara & Florence Ashby
Best Playing Pony: Rock N Roll, owned by Nico Fontanarrosa and played by Lolo Fontanarrosa Polo Dog of The Season: Mr Steven Sprinkles owned by Sarah Rippon and Christopher Crawford Goal of The Season: Benji Hickman. An impressive tail backhand from near the backline. Young Player Award: Lolo Fontanarrosa Best String: David Ashby Most Improved Player: Harry Earnshaw MVP Professional: Nico Fontanarrosa and David Ashby MVP Amateur: Sally Turner Most Committed to Polo: Charlotte Pykett Best Fall: Rob Morran (Ground 1) Best Groom: George Trust Mangena. Best Umpire: Martin Fewster Most Helpful Non-Club Member: Noah Habberfield and Daniel Darke Best Support Crew: Sally Grant Most Successful Team of The Season: La Rosada Most Helpful Club Member: Amanda Fontanarrosa
David Ashby, Nico Fontanarrosa & Mat Lodder
Amanda Fontanarrosa & Mat Lodder
Photography by KPPC
Daniel Darke, Mat Lodder & Noah Habberfield
Roger Brown, Neil Cox, Kim Cox, Christopher Crawford & Sam Cox
Rob Morran, Dane Csaszar, Nico Fontanarrosa, David Ashby & Charlie Budgett
Darra Carr
Polo directory
What’s On – Polo Fixtures
AUSTRALIA
Correct at time of going to press
Winter Victor Ludorum 2023/24 15 Goal Oxford Polo Kemsley Stone Beaufort Beaufort 15 Goal Emsworth National Championships Black Bears New Year Trophy RCBPC Arena Gold Cup 10 to 12 Goal RCBPC National Champioships Longdole The Jubilee Cup Emsworth The Ambassadors Winter Cup Westcroft Park Surrey Hills Winter Trophy 4 to 6 Goal Oxford Polo The 2022 Cup Black Bears Lower Bolney Farm Arena Cup Black Bears The Christmas Cup RCBPC National Championships Emsworth Emsworth 4-6 Goal Westcroft Park Westley Green Farm Plate Druids Lodge Bodensee Trophy Victrix Ludorum Hickstead Hickstead Ladies Ash Farm Ash Farm Ladies Oxford Polo Oxford Polo Ladies Silver Leys Silver Leys Ladies Black Bears Black Bears Ladies RCBPC The Ladies Arena British Open
28/11/23 04/12/23 02/01/24 19/01/24 07/02/24
03/12/23 10/12/23 13/01/24 28/01/24 24/02/24
14/11/23 04/12/23 12/12/23 29/01/24
26/11/23 16/12/23 23/12/23 04/02/24
07/11/23 08/12/23 26/12/23 02/01/24 19/01/24 09/02/24 20/02/24
12/11/23 17/12/23 31/12/23 14/01/24 28/01/24 18/02/24 25/02/24
01/12/23 06/12/23 02/01/24 23/01/24 06/02/24 17/02/24
03/12/23 10/12/23 07/01/24 28/01/24 11/02/24 25/02/24
UK Oxford Polo RCBPC Rugby Beaufort/ Longdole Beaufort/ Longdole Druids Lodge RCBPC Silver Leys Rugby Westcroft Park Oxford Polo Westcroft Park
Gallos Brook Open The Richmond Trophy Pytchley Trophy The Winter Low Goal Challenge
0 to 4
31/10/23 04/11/23 04/11/23 10/11/23
05/11/23 05/11/23 05/11/23 12/11/23
The Silverwood Cup
6 to 8
10/11/23
12/11/23
Poppy Sunday Trophy Arena Challenge trophy Poppy Trophy Glow Company Cup The Opening Cup James Cup The Clubhouse Cup
Invitational 7 to 10
11/11/23 11/11/23 11/11/23 18/11/23 19/11/23 21/11/23 26/11/23
12/11/23 12/11/23 12/11/23 19/11/23 20/11/23 26/11/23 27/11/23
2 to 4
Melbourne Polo Cup Killarney Spring 4, 0, subz Gundalong Challenge Eynesbury Tournament
Gundalong Garangula Yarra Valley
Gundalong 8 Goal Garangula Spring Tournament Flowerfield Cup
Windsor
Hawkesbury Twilight Series
0 to 4 8 2 to 6
130th HSBC Argentine Open Julio Novillo Astrada Cup International Trophy Spring Cup
New Bridge Polo & Country Club Aiken Wagener Mokarow Farm Legends Legends Arizona Lakeside Grand Champions La Bourgogne Southern mehtodist Texas Tech Texas Tech New Orleans Oak Bend Grand Champions Yale New Orleans Texas Military Lakeside
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Gardertown
22 14
31/10/23 30/10/23 14/11/23 27/11/23
02/12/23 08/11/23 23/11/23 07/12/23
0 to 2, 4 & 8 to 10 16 0 to 2, 4 & 8 to 10
31/10/23 04/11/23 11/11/23 18/11/23
12/11/23 05/11/23 12/11/23 19/11/23
18/11/23 18/11/23 25/11/23
26/11/23 26/11/23 26/11/23
25/11/23
26/11/23
Bronze Trophy
8 to 12
29/10/23
05/11/23
Southeastern Circuit Players Cup Southeastern Circuit Masters Cup Southwestern Circuit Sportsmanship Cup Southwestern Circuit Admiral Chester W. Nimitz National Arena Amateur Cup Molina Cup Pacific Coast Circuit Admiral Chester W. Nimitz North American Cup
0 to 4 0 to 6 2 to 4
26/10/23 25/10/23 02/11/23
06/11/23 04/11/23 05/11/23
0 to 3
03/11/23
05/11/23
0 to 3 2 to 10 0 to 3
03/11/23 04/11/23 05/11/23
06/11/23 04/11/23 06/11/23
16 to 20 6 to 8
07/11/23
15/11/23
08/11/23
12/11/23
09/11/23
12/11/23
–2 to 8
10/11/23
13/11/23
–2 to 8
10/11/23
13/11/23
0 to 6
11/11/23
12/11/23
0 to 2
11/11/23
13/11/23
16 to 20 2 to 8
11/11/23
21/11/23
17/11/23
20/11/23
0 to 2
18/11/23
19/11/23
0 to 2 3 to 6
18/11/23 19/11/23
19/11/23 20/11/23
0 to 4
19/11/23
20/11/23
0 to 6
25/11/23
27/11/23
0&6
17/11/23
17/11/23
0&6
19/11/23
19/11/23
0,4 & 8
24/11/23
25/11/23
Southeastern Circuit General George S. Patton Jr Southwestern Circuit Arena Constitution Cup Southwestern Circuit Arena Sportsmanship Cup Southwestern Circuit Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Southeastern Circuit Governor’s Cup Southwestern Circuit Amateur Cup National Twenty Goal Northeastern Circuit Arena Challenge Cup Southeastern Circuit General George S. Patton Jr Teddy Roosevelt Pacific Coast Circuit Arena Sportsmanship Cup Northeastern Circuit Arena Sportsmanship Northeastern Circuit Arena Masters Cup
NEW ZEALAND Rangiora Rangiora
Open
12 & 6 0&4
USA
Stage Hill
ARGENTINA Alfredo Lalor La Aguada La Aguada La Aguada
Melbourne City Killarney Gundalong Eynesbury
Wigram
Christchurch Show Weekend Tournament Canterbury Show Weekend Tournament SIPA President’s Invitational
Polo Times, November 2023
61
Polo directory
What’s On – Polo Fixtures Correct at time of going to press
WOMEN’S Texas Tech, USA Southwestern Circuit Arena Sportsmanship Cup Westchester, Northeastern Circuit Arena USA Women’s Challenge Windsor, Aus Windsor Ladies Thai Polo, Arg Pink Polo Cup Houston, USA U.S. Open Women’s Handicap Houston, USA Greater Nigeria La Aguada, Arg
Southwestern Circuit Women’s Challenge Northeastern Circuit Arena Women’s Challenge Ladies Cup
0 to 8
6 to 9
16 to 20 8 to 12 –3 to 6 16
10/11/23
10/11/23 11/11/23 13/11/23 14/11/23 14/11/23 18/11/23 27/11/23
13/11/23
13/11/23 12/11/23 24/11/23 19/11/23 19/11/23 20/11/23 07/12/23
YOUTH POLO
CLUB
PHONE
All Ireland Polo Club
00353 01 6896732
dstone@indigo.ie
All England Polo Club Hickstead*
01273 834 315
polo@hickstead.co.uk
Apsley End Polo Club*
01462 712444
tobiana.scott@gmail.com
Ash Farm Polo Club*
07799 812739
ashfarmpolo@hotmail.com
Barfold Polo Club
07778 808853
mborwick@gmail.com
Bawtry Polo Club
01302 773282
info@bawtrypoloclub.co.uk
Beaufort Polo Club
01666 880510
enquiries@beaufortpoloclub.co.uk
Beverley Polo Club*
01964 544877
info@beverleypoloclub.co.uk
Binfield Heath
01491 411969
bhpcmanager@gmail.com
Blueys Polo Club*
07930 323263
polomanager@blueyspolo.co.uk
Bramham Polo Academy
07811 993316
emmadvh@btinternet.com
Bunclody Polo Club
00353 87 6605917
info@poloclubbunclody.com
Burningfold Polo Club
01483 200722
derrek@burningfold.com
Cambridge Polo Club*
07711 217004
cambridgepoloclub@icloud.com
Cambridge County Polo Club*
01223 812922
info@cambridgecountypoloclub.co.uk
Carlton House
07901 561113
harrietservaes@hotmail.com
Chester Racecourse Polo Club
01244 304602
amorris@chester-races.com
Cheshire Polo Club
01948 861020
info@cheshirepoloclub.co.uk
Chiltern Polo Club
07973 174542
info@chilternpoloclub.com
Cirencester Park Polo Club
01285 653225
info@cirencesterpolo.co.uk
Cowdray Polo Club
01730 813257
enquiries@cowdraypolo.co.uk
Curraghmore Polo Club
00353 51 387102
mkennedy@cssgroup.ie
04/11/23
05/11/23
Dallas Burston Polo Club*
01926 811 111
enquiries@ixlevents.com
Dorset Polo Club
01202 623985
office@dorsetpolo.co.uk
19/11/23
19/11/23
Druids Lodge Polo Club*
01722 782597
abi@druidspolo.co.uk
Dundee and Perth Polo Club*
07831 365 194
jamesscrawford@aol.com
19/11/23 24/11/23
19/11/23 26/11/23
Eastwood Polo Club
07968 300063
frankums@googlemail.com
Edgeworth Polo Club
01285 821695
edgeworthpolo@gmail.com
Edinburgh Polo Club*
07971 072336
james.dgls@gmail.com
Emsworth Polo Grounds*
01344 883112
info@fourquarterspolo.co.uk
Quick Question
Epsom Polo Club*
07961 232106
epsompoloclub@hotmail.com
FHM Polo Club*
07778 436468
frances@fhmpolo.co.uk
Fifield Polo Club*
01628 620061
fifieldpoloclub@live.co.uk
to the question posed on our Letters page A: Coronel Suárez hold the record for the highest number of Hurlingham Open titles with 21 overall.
Great Trippetts Polo Club
01428 741916
charles@trippetts.com
Guards Polo Club*
01784 434212
polo@guardspoloclub.com
Ham Polo Club
020 8334 0000
office@hampoloclub.com
Hertfordshire Polo Club*
01707 256023
polo@hertspolo.co.uk
Home Farm Polo Grounds
07807672120
rachaelkearnet@hotmail.co.uk
Hurtwood Polo Club
01483 272828
polo@hurtwoodparkpolo.co.uk
Kirtlington Park Polo Club
01869 350138
info@kirtlingtonparkpolo.co.uk
Knepp Castle Polo Club
07920 023639
info@aspectpolo.co.uk
Leadenham Polo Club
07429 299026
office@leadenhampoloclub.com
Longdole Polo Club*
01452 864544
info@longdolepolo.com
Moor Farm Polo Club
07494 114190
shop@moorfarmshop.co.uk
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Moor Hall Farm Polo Club*
01279 450637
alecbeve@btinternet.com
New Forest Polo Club
07977 224404
annabelparryjoyner@yahoo.co.uk
Print and digital subscription
Norfolk Polo Club
01508 480400
office@norfolkpolo.co.uk
Northern Ireland Polo Club
07803 020577
info@northernirelandpoloclub.co.uk
Offchurch Bury Polo Club*
07816 830887
info@offchurchburypoloclub.co.uk
(inc App & Website access) UK (direct debit only) UK EU WW SUPA/SAPA
Pangbourne Polo Club
07708 906810
aprice@polofix.com
Peover Polo Club
07766 016 833
polomanager@peoverpoloclub.co.uk
Polo Wicklow*
00353 404 67164
siobhan@polowicklow.com
RAF Cranwell
07739 569491
rafcranwellpoloclub@yahoo.co.uk
Ranelagh Polo Club*
01344 885697
ranelagh@labravapolo.com
RCBPC*
01344 890060
polo@rcbpc.com
RMAS Polo Club
07973 174542
rmas-nc-aci-projinters@mod.uk
Rugby Polo Club*
01788 817724
info@rugbypoloclub.com
Rutland Polo Club
07772 040668
secretary@rutlandpoloclub.co.uk
Silver Leys Polo Club
07730 060200
silverleyspoloclub@gmail.com
St. Albans Polo Club
07956 017090
info@stalbanspoloclub.co.uk
Stewarton Polo Club
07974 706045
info@stewartonpolo.co.uk
Suffolk Polo Club
07990 576974
aes3@cam.ac.uk
Sussex Polo Club*
01342 714920
info@sussexpolo.co.uk
Taunton Vale Polo Club
07771 931541
Chairman_tcvpc@btinternet.com
Tedworth Park Polo Club*
01980 846705
info@tedworthparkpolo.com
Toulston Polo Club
07776 234638
info@toulstonpoloclub.com
Triskelion Polo Club*
07624 272547
polo@triskelionpolo.club
Vale of York Polo Club*
07788 426968
info@valeofyorkpoloclub.co.uk
Vaux Park Park Polo Club*
07703 524613
vppc@btconnect.com
vO Polo Club
01536 639018
membership@vopoloclub.com
West Wycombe Park Polo Club*
07787 560729
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Westcroft Park Polo Club*
01276 858545
info@westcroftparkpolo.co.uk
White Rose Polo Club*
01430 875767
info@whiterosepolo.co.uk
White Waltham Polo Club
07748 670587
kim@playpolo.co.uk
Beaufort Oxford Polo Oxford Polo Rugby
South West Varsity Senior Schools Friendly Arena Tournament Beginner & Novice Junior Schools Friendly Arena Tournament Beginner & Novice Uni Challenge
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* Also open for arena polo in the UK winter
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Polo Times, November 2023
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Polo directory
Marketplace In association with Chukkout Polo Equipment Two 52” Polo Sticks Last two of my 52 sticks as no longer play polo. Made for my grip by Jeremy at shaftpolo.com in Windsor. Collection only Hartley Wintney near Hook. £35 for the red/yellow one. £10 for white one or £40 for both. Tel: 07796 318564
Mobile Tack Locker This is a bespoke mobile tack locker takes 6 saddles and bridle sets hardly used like new cost over £3,500 when purchased made by tack locker any questions please ask. (Bungay). £1,500. Tel: 07774 136003
Misc
Polo Boots (NEW) Size UK 9 / EUR 43Worn once, wrong size but I was too slow to send back! Perfect condition, bought for £450. (Salisbury). £150 + postage. Tel: 07714 292198
Australian Stock Saddle Lovely Australian stock saddle for sale in great condition. Collection Onley Park, CV23. £350. Tel: 07477 563312
SCOREBOARDS AND CLOCKS DESIGNED FOR POLO Outdoor and arena sizes. Fully electronic, displaying the time counting down, both scores and chukka number. Automatic bell/ horn. Controlled wirelessly by a remote control you can even wear on your arm. Visit www.SportingDesigns.co.uk or call +44 (0)7860 303217
Equissage Pulse Equissage Pulse, complete with three batteries, charger, bag, and leg attachments. Collection Onley Park, CV23 or can post for additional cost. £1,500. Tel: 07477 563312
Polo Art POLO & PIGSTICKING PAINTINGS,PRINTS,BOOKS KEY RING ETC TEL 01934 613996
www marlboroughbooksandprints.co.uk
Submit your classified adverts
Size 7 Polo Boots Leather polo boots. Worn but not had much use, still in nice condition. (Dorset or Winchester). £150. Tel: 07792 622400
Polo Boots Size 8½ The boots have been used a few times and they are in very good condition. Made from nice durable leather. You are welcome to come and try them on. Based in Newmarket. Or can post out recorded for additional £6. £80. Tel: 07793 203977
60 Haylage Bales 60 round bales wrapped herbal leys and ryegrass mix. Cut end June baled and wrapped early July. Good quality horse hayledge. Can help with loading. (Near Tenbury Wells WR15). £38 each. Tel: 07979 494553
online
www.polotimes.co.uk
or contact
01452 730770
GRASS LIVERY
GRASS LIVERY FOR POLO PONIES Gloucestershire www.colgatefarm.co.uk Charlie Llewellen Palmer
Large Bates Hold All Bag Never used but has collected some dust whilst stored. (Newquay). £20. Tel: 07808 736234
Childs Just Chaps Just Chaps leather half chaps. Child’s size small. (Christchurch). £15. Tel: 07909 085123
400 acres of top quality grass for wintering www.polotimes.co.uk
Polo Times, November 2023
63
Final bell
In association with Aprés Polo
Jack Richardson is one of England’s strongest home-grown talents, currently holding a 6 goal handicap and this year reaching The Warwickshire Cup Final as part of the Confido line-up, as well as pioneering the inaugural Lycetts Insurance Thoroughbred Polo Championship at Guards Polo Club in September. Career highlights include captaining England in the Westchester Cup in Florida 2019 and also making a high goal string comprising of 99 percent self-made retrained racehorses
What is your biggest passion and why? I think this has changed as I have gotten older. It used to be just horses and polo whereas now I am working out what my next passion will be. Maybe starting a different kind of business! What is your all-time best polo memory? I have loads, but winning The Holden White and Harrison Cups at Cowdray on the same weekend with my brother Ralph was amazing.
Who were/are your favourite teammates? I have been so lucky to play with amazing players. Tom Morley was a great help to me when I was younger and I loved playing with my brother as he would put everything on the line for the team. More recently it is Matt Perry, Ollie Cudmore and Tommy Beresford. Hardest opponent? Not many people would have heard of him, but Ed Gall was extremely difficult to play against. You never knew what he was going to do next! Which sports do you like outside of polo? I love rugby, cricket and athletics.
Most prized possession? Reebok trainers. Favourite celebrity and why? Christian Bale, as I think he is the most amazing actor. Best holiday destination & activity? I was lucky enough to go to the Maldives last year, but won’t be going back too soon as it blew the budget a bit haha! It has amazing snorkelling. Best pony and why? I’ve had some amazing horses. But the best one is called Nobu that I sold to UAE in 2019. I made her from a three-year-old, she has an awkward head carriage, but does everything so well and has the biggest heart.
Favourite film and why? Forrest Gump... So many stories in one film. Favourite song/album? ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin’ by 50 Cent. Favourite food/dish? Roast beef with all the trimmings. Favourite hobby outside of polo? I’m interested in investing and helping start-up businesses, so investing in them has become a hobby/learning exercise.
Are you passionately superstitious? No, I never really understand why people need more to worry about! Describe yourself in three words? Passionate, competitive, forward-thinking. One thing which would surprise us about you? I know every word to the rap ‘Professor X’ by Dave.
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Polo Times, November 2023
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“Equus are Arena refurbishment experts”
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Our Polo Build locations include: • Poland • Spain • China x 2 • Ireland • France • Germany (in design) • UK x 4 Arena Netting, Lighting and Surface Maintenance For service and repair of all arenas
Call our team for a free quote to service/ upgrade your arena. enquiries@equusworks.co.uk 01865 920200 Boston House, Grove Business Park, Downsview Road, Wantage, OX129FF Equestrian, Car garaging design and Build
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POLO TIMES
November 2023
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