KAZAK KINGS OF CHANTILLY e 23rd Open De France
JUAN CARLOS HARRIOTT
Passing of a Polo Legend
OFFENCE AND DEFENCE
Rege Ludwig’s Strategic Insights
PLUS: End of Season Socials, How to Adopt a Winning Mindset & Energy Boosting Tips
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Publisher Nick Hine publisher@polotimes.co.uk
Editor in Chief
Rosabella Hine rosabella@polotimes.co.uk
Principal Design James Morgan
Design Alice Ruddy
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, Diana Butler, Sam Churchill, Dr.med. Andreas Krüger, Philipp Müller, Rege Ludwig, India Park-Smith, Tony Ramirez/ ©www.imagesofpolo.com,
Tom Reynolds, Sheryl Rollinson, Emma Sheridan, Paul Stalker & Felicity Townsend
Cover photograph:
Nico Pieres celebrates his first Open de France win. By Adèle RenauldonR&BPresse
The promise of early autumn sun did not disappoint, with Clubs around the UK bathed in unusually balmy temperatures providing the perfect tonic to the wet and chilly weather which beset too many summer months this season; yet all good things must come to an end and as September draws to a close and this issue of Polo Times hits the press, it is hard to believe that another season has come and gone in the blink of an eye.
Of course, it has been jam-packed with energy, excitement and emotion at every level from -8 to 22 goal, but it is always a little sad to turn out the ponies, hang up the tack and slowly watch the leaves turn as the steady march of winter descends upon Blighty.
For some however, the relentless pursuit of polo continues as the action begins in Argentina, where the season is just starting to get into gear with the 130th Hurlingham Open. Speaking of Argentina, this issue sadly includes Juancarlitos Harriott’ Obituary following his death on 11 September at the age of 86-years-old – he was truly one of polo’s greats, reaching 10 goals in 1961, winning The Argentine Open a record-making 20 times between 1957–1979 and receiving the Golden Olympia in 1976 – an award presented annually to the best athlete in Argentina, and this is not even half of his achievements.
As well as rounding up the last summer tournaments of the year in the UK, including the Victor and Victrix Ludorum series, The Adjutant General’s Corps Cup, this issue also has a European focus with The 23rd Open de France, The Deauville Gold and Bronze Cups and the Electrolit Gold Cups in Sotogrande. As ever, our Club Focus pages celebrate every level of polo; the sport wouldn’t be where it is today without the passion and enthusiasm of players competing at levels below the high and medium goal, with the clubs supporting them real anchors in the polo community.
It is an often-repeated statement that polo is 80 percent horse and 20 percent player, so it is wonderful to see our equine elites being celebrated in the inaugural Lycetts Thoroughbred Polo Championship, which aimed to showcase the Thoroughbred’s agility and temperament for polo. With classes for three-year-olds, four-year-olds, five-year-olds and a class for six to eight-year-olds, there was an opportunity for the progression of Thoroughbreds in training to be celebrated. At Polo Times HQ we have been training our three-year-old homebred all summer and while currently he is still a rather stubborn little monkey, we hope one day he will be able to compete alongside athletes such as those in the Lycetts Thoroughbred Polo Championship.
With just two more issues of Polo Times in 2023 to go and the autumnal weather providing the perfect excuse to sit down with a cup of tea, or perhaps something stronger, sit back, relax and reminisce on another successful polo season.
As always, keep well and play safe
Nick Hine
This international competition, organized in honour of His Highness Gaj Singh II – Maharaja of Jodhpur, saw the participation of four countries representing four continents: India for Asia, the Kingdom of Morocco for Africa, the Czech Republic for Europe and USA for North America. His Highness Sawai Padmanabh Singh – Maharajah of Jaipur, took part in the tournament with the Indian team. Various tournaments are organized each year in Morocco and this tournament saw six matches played over 28 – 31 August at the PGH Palmeraie Polo Club. Patrick Guerrand-Hermès, organizer of the tournament and founder of the PGH Palmeraie Polo Club, commented, “The role of organizing this type of international event is to further enhance the level of polo in Morocco. These are also events that highlight the Kingdom of Morocco, as a welcoming land for sport and tourism, par excellence”. This year saw India claim the title after defeating USA 6-4 in the Final.
The Tournament of H.H. Maharaja of Jodhpurs in Asilah Teams: India (9): Angdi Kalal (4), Hamed Randawa (1), Pacho SA (3) & Rajhab (1) Morocco (8): Colonel M’Hamedi (2), Ahmed Kadiri (-1), Segundo Fernandez Llorente (4) & Nacho Tejerina (3)
Czech Republic (8): Martina Lowe (0), Andrea Vianini (4), Pedro Ferrero (2) & Taissir Kadiri(2) USA (9): Davis Coley (0), Lucien Guerrand Hermes (-1), Michel Doricnac (5) & Horacio Heguy (5)
Who’s up and who’s down?
The World Polo Tour, the international ranking of polo, has updated its professional and amateur rankings as the European season winds down (except for The French Open) and the start of the Argentine season is on the horizon.
In the professional rankings, Facundo Pieres remains at the top spot, with Barto Castagnola the new number two following his 2023 win in The Cowdray Gold Cup for The British Open with UAE, as well as his Sotogrande Gold Cup win with Dubai; his team mates Lukin Monteverde (UAE Polo) has jumped from 16th to 11th place and Rufino Laulhé (Dubai) has moved from 155th to 69th place at the age of just 13-years-old.
Poroto Cambiaso is in third place, Hilario Ulloa retains his fourth place, while Adolfo Cambiaso has dropped from third to fifth place. Fran Elizalde joins the top 10 for the first time in his career. Meanwhile in the amateur rankings, Rashid Albwardy, winner of The Electrolit Gold Cup in Sotogrande, moved up from fifth place to third and MB Polo’s Prince Mateen Bolkiah, runner up in The Electrolit Gold Cup has jumped from 259th to 37th.
The World Polo Tour Professional Top 10 Rankings:
1) Facundo Pieres
2) Bartolomé Castagnola Jr.
3) Poroto Cambiaso
4) Hilario Ulloa
5) Adolfo Cambiaso
6) Camilo Castagnola
7) Polito Pieres
8) Juan Britos
9) Juan Martín Nero
10) Francisco Elizalde
The World Polo Tour Amateur Top 5 Rankings:
1) Andrey Borodin
2) David Paradice
3) Rashid Albwardy
4) Curtis Pilot
5) Sheikha Maitha Al Maktoum
The World Polo Tour Ladies Top 5 Rankings:
1) Hazel Jackson
2) Nina Clarkin
3) Lía Salvo
4) Catalina Lavinia
5) Mia Cambiaso
The Hurlingham Polo Association has announced their Victor Ludorum End of Season Handicap Changes:
7 to 8 goals: Facundo Sola
6 to 7 goals: Ignacio Negri & Carlos María Ulloa
5 to 6 goals: Javier Guerrero, Kristos Magrini & Simon Prado
4 to 5 goals: Juan Manuel Garcia Grossi,
3 to 4 goals: Shaun Brokensha & Segundo Darritchon
2 to 4 goals: Rufino Laulhe & Rufino Merlos
2 to 3 goals: Toby Bradshaw, Beltran Di Paola, Pierandrea Mueller & León Donoso
1 to 2 goals: Thomas Ballesteros, Maximiliano Fernandez, Benjamin Mancini, Christian Oberschneider, Felix Toccalino, Rufus Uloth & Joshua Nimmo
0 to 1 goals: Logan Anderson, Estanislao Mariano Darritchon, Archie Heseltine, Zoe Reader & Kaspar Budd
Paul Sweeney Memorial Final Teams:
Twelve Oaks (4)
Tatty Wooldridge (0)
Georgia Sweeney (1)
Charlie Wooldridge (3)
Rosina (4)
Ola Kelly (0)
Will Newman (2)
Charlie Simpson (2)
Chukka Score: 3-2, 5-5, 11-11, 14-13, to Twelve Oaks
Juan Carlos Harriott, known as Juancarlitos or Juancar, was one of polo’s greats having won The Argentine Open no less than 20 times between 1957 and 1979 – more than anyone else in history – as well as 15 Hurlingham Open, seven Tortugas Open titles and four Argentine Triple Crowns (1972, 1974, 1975 and 1977). As Captain of the Argentine team he also won The Americas Cup in 1966, 1969, 1979 and 1980.
Where: Ash Farm Polo Club, Surrey
Juan Carlos Harriott passed away on Monday 11 September at the age of 86-years-old and was considered one of the greatest players in the history of polo.
Juan Carlos Harriott was born on 28 October 1936 in Coronel Suarez, the son of Juan Carlos Harriott and Elvira de Lusarreta, and was a polo fan from the start. In 1953 he achieved a 1 goal handicap and in 1957 he began playing with his father, who he later won The Argentine Open with several times. The Harriott father-son duo were joined by Antonio Heguy and his son Horacio in 1958 and playing as Coronel Suárez they remain the only line-up of fathers and sons to have won The Argentine Open. In 1976 he was presented with the Golden Olympia by the Circle of Sports Journalists of Buenos Aires, which is awarded annually to the best athlete in the country, making him the first polo player to receive this accolade.
Harriott held a continuous 10 goal handicap from 1961 until his retirement after the 1980 Americas Cup (which he won for the fourth time) when he decided to retire. After retiring, he modestly requested his handicap to be lowered to 9 goals so he could continue to play at his Club, Coronel Suárez. In 2015 he was inducted to the Polo Hall of Fame in America and his home town of Coronel Suárez erected a statue in his honour and one of the Club’s main fields is named after him.
Juan Carlos Harriott was known as a true gentleman both on and off the polo field, and in the words of another great 10 goaler, Gonzalo Tanoira, “Juancarlitos’ superiority is so obvious that it breaks all comparisons, because he truly played at a level much above any of his contemporaries”.
Georgia Sweeney
Jubilee, owned and played by Will Newman
Ferenc Flamm grew up in Budapest and from an early age fell in love with horses. At The Art College of Budapest and The Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts he closely studied the horse’s anatomy, muscular structure and movement; trips to the Hungarian countryside allowed him to study horses in their natural habitat. Ferenc collects photographs and images which he uses to make sketches for paintings, with a passion for painting horses his focus is polo, harness racing and dressage with his works exhibited internationally at locations such as the HTA Equine Art Exhibitons in Lexington KY, Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly and Club Polo de Paris.
w Paintings by Ferenc Flamm
Guards Polo Club hosted a new event and competition designed to showcase the Thoroughbred’s agility and temperament for polo – The Lycetts International Thoroughbred Polo Championship.
The competition consisted of four separate classes, accommodating four different age groups, three-year-olds, four-year-olds, five-year-olds and a class for six to eight-year-olds. The winner of each class won a £1,000 prize, and the overall champion won a further cash prize of £1,000. In each class the Thoroughbreds were judged on conformation, turnout, and polo schooling ability.
Photography by Art of Polo
1st – Chattonga Girl by Highland Reel out of Gabardine. Owned by Pedro Harrison Chattonga Girl also received the class Best Turned Out prize
2nd – Royal Sygnet by Hot Streak out of Air Biscuit. Owned by James Mann
3rd – Alice Diamond by Dawn Approach out of Elouges. Owned by Earl of Tyrone
1st – River by Epaulette out of Anytimeatall. Owned by Earl of Tyrone. River went on to win Overall Champion
2nd – In It Again by Kodi Bear out of Englishwoman. Owned by Philip Elliott and ridden by Charlotte Elliott
3rd – Miss Prancealot out of Sir Prancealot out of Intellibet One. Owned by Thilo Sautter
Best Turned Out – Roseacre by Prince of Lir out of Balla Rose. Owned by Robin Ormerod
1st – Dark Hedges (eight-years-old) by Zebedee out of Bella Chica. Owned by Ed Morris
2nd – Chiarodiluna (six-years-old) by Kyllachy out of Falling Angel. Owned by Jack Richardson
3rd – Liberty Diva (seven-years-old) by Palavicini out of Alpine Mysteries. Owned by Hon Lila Pearson and ridden by Marcus Cork
Best Turned Out – Eight-year-old Melinoe, by Maxios out of Hecate. Owned by Jenn Sponer and ridden by Max Sponer
Where: Deauville International Polo Club, France
Guests braving the rainy weather in Normandy on Sunday 27 August were treated to not one but two Finals as The Barrière Deauville Polo Cup concluded.
The first Final of the day saw Standing Rock battle against Mungo in a close and hard-fought match for The Engels & Völkers Coupe de Bronze title. Standing Rock took the lead in the first chukka, 3-1, but Mungo brought themselves back into contention in the second chukka and managed to level the scores at 4-4 by half-time. After the break Mungo managed to take the lead for the first time, 5-6 but the scores were once again level again at the end of the fourth chukka, 7-7, which pushed the Final into an extra chukka. Thanks to a golden goal from Standing Rock’s Jaime Roberts, Philipp Müller’s team took the title for 2023 with an 8-7 win against four French players.
The sun came out for the second Final of the day as Barrière and Los Dragones Rouge went head-to-head for The Coupe d’Or Marta & Lucien Barrière Cup. This year was Barrière patron Isabelle Larenaudie’s second season competing at this level and she returned with the same family line-up from last year, with two Zavaleta brothers (Simon and Ramiro) playing alongside cousin Juan Martin Zavaleta. Barrière received a one goal handicap advantage but trailed behind their opponents in the first three chukkas, as they drew level on 10 goals apiece in the penultimate chukka, spectators were on the edge of their seats for the fifth chukka. Simon Zavaleta finally gave his team a first lead at the very beginning of the fifth chukka, but with Los Dragones Rouge battling hard, it took two additional penalties from Juan Martin Zavaleta to seal Barrière’s first Deauville Coupe d’Or win. Juan Martin Zavaleta after scoring 10 goals for his team in the Final was named Most Valuable Player and commented after the match, “It’s incredible. Winning The Coupe d’Or is something you think about all the time. It’s one of the most beautiful tournaments played in France, and to win it as a family... there are no words to express the emotion it creates. It’s an important victory in one’s career, and now it’s done”.
Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly first opened in 1996 and as the brainchild of Patrick Guerrand Hermes continued to grow throughout the 1990s and helped to raise the profile of polo in France. In 2000, Patrick Guerrand Hermes created The Open de France, a competition played every September between teams up to 16 goals and attracting some of the best polo names in the world.
11 years later, The Women’s Open de France was introduced and also draws some of the top ladies polo players to Chantilly each year – to read more out this year’s Women’s Final, please turn to our Women’s Polo pages.
The 23rd Open de France saw a record number of 18 teams up to 16 goals take part and the Final
was between 2021 finalists, Kazak searching for their first win in this prestigious title, up against Amanara, with Nicky Sen in her first Open de France Final. The power of young players was demonstrated with not one but two 15-year-olds competing –Lorenzo Chavanne (Amanara) and Beltran Lauhle (Kazak).
Kazak began with a crucial one goal handicap head start and with two competitive line-ups, the score stayed close throughout the Final with neither team managing to gain more than a one goal advantage and the lead flipflopping between both sides. The fifth chukka began with Kazak leading 8-7, Benjamin
Panelo’s and Nico Pieres shots at goal in the opening two minutes went wide, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats with the promise of a thrilling chukka as both teams tenaciously attacked their opponent’s goal. Panelo stole the ball, raced downfield and levelled the scores, 8-8, with the Final threatening to push into overtime. Santiago Chavanne launched the ball towards goal from a penalty shot 120 yards out and it slotted straight through the posts, bringing Amanara in front 9-8 and within touching distance of the title, but Nico Pieres kept his cool and seized his 30 yard penalty opportunity to tie the scores, 9-9, and push the match into over-time.
Both sides kept up the pressure in an extra chukka, but a drive down the ground from Pieres found its way onto the stick of Antonio Heguy who carried the ball to the goalmouth and set up the goal for his team mate Lauhle to send through the posts. What a year 2023 has been for Lauhle – at just 15-years-old, reaching The British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup Final with Dubai and now scoring the winning goal for Kazak in his first ever French Open Final. For Nico Pieres, this was his first time competing in The Open de France and also his first win, “It was a very complicated game to win and I knew it was going to be tough because I have watched Amanara’s games. I knew the score was going to be very close. In the extra chukka, I had to be patient and not rush things and that worked.”
Kazak (16)
Sébastien Aguettant (0)
Beltran Laulhe (3)
Antonio Heguy (5)
Nico Pieres (8)
Amanara (17)
Nicky Sen (0)
Lorenzo Chavanne (4)
Santiago Chavanne (7)
Benjamin Panelo (6)
Chukka scores: (1-0) 3-2, 4-5, 6-5, 8-7, 9-9, 10-9 to Kazak
Mariano
Paco
Diego
Tomás
David
Poroto
Barto
The 58th Jockey Club Open for Thai Polo Cup Final took place between Scone and La Dolfina at Jockey Club San Isidro.
Scone returned to defend their 2022 title, with a 10 goaler Castagnola/ Cambiaso familial line-up of Jeta and Barto Castagnola alongside their cousin Poroto Cambiaso. Adolfo Cambiaso had been due to play for La Dolfina, which would have pitted the uncle/father against his Castagnola nephews and his son, but due to illness he was unable to play and Diego Cavanagh stood in his place, reducing La Dolfina’s handicap to 28 goals.
Scone’s Cambiaso kicked off the scoring with a converted penalty in the opening minute of action, but Tomás Panelo levelled the scores, 1-1, for La Dolfina. A further penalty conversion and a field goal from Barto Castagnola ended the opening chukka 3-1 in favour of Scone. With three 10 goalers on their side, Scone leapt ahead 6-2 in the second chukka and 12-6 in the third chukka – not that the scoreline was an accurate reflection of the frenetic energy between both teams on the field, but unfortunately for La Dolfina many of their attacks were thwarted and Scone seized every penalty opportunity.
La Dolfina moved up a gear in the second half and got a handle on Scone’s lethal attack, but still struggled to reduce the chasm between the scores, while Scone continued to combine together to score goal after goal, a blaze of red upon the green grounds of the Jockey Club. Going into the final chukka the scoreboard read 16-9 and La Dolfina had a lot of ground to make up to level the scores; while they managed to score two goals as well as keep Scone goalless in this last chukka, the gap was simply too vast and Scone retained The Jockey Club Open title.
The action in Argentina now moves its focus to the 2023 Triple Crown, which begins on Tuesday 26 September with the start of the 130th Hurlingham Open (Final on 7 October) and will see the formidable Castagnola/ Cambiaso combination broken up as Poroto Cambiaso joins his father, Adolfo, in the 2022 Argentine Open winning La Dolfina team, while the Castagnola brothers will return to La Natividad but will be joined this year by Facundo Pieres and Pablo MacDonough.
The 52nd Andalucía International Polo Tournament concluded over the August Bank Holiday weekend with The Electrolit Gold Cup Finals. The tournament included a plethora of polo at all levels, with Bronze, Silver and Gold Cups being played for at low, medium and high goal level. The winners from the 2023 tournament are:
The Electrolit Gold Cup
High Goal: Dubai
Medium Goal: Brunei
Low Goal: Jeju
The Terralpa Silver Cup
High Goal: Park Place
Medium Goal: Almasanta
Low Goal: Aguilas
The ATL Marine Energy Bronze Cup
High Goal: Sainte Mesme
Medium Goal: Amanara
Low Goal: Cotton House
The High Goal Final between MB Polo and Dubai on Saturday 26 August saw MB Polo get off to a strong start, but Dubai fought back in the fifth chukka and outscored their opponents, 3-0, to take the lead. MB Polo struggled to get ahead again in the last chukka, while Dubai’s Camilo ‘Jeta’ Castagnola and Pablo Mac Donough produced goals to secure a 9-8 win and take the title for the second year in a row. Jeta Castagnola received the Most Valuable Player award, Mateen Bolkiah was presented with the Fair Play Award and Irenita Kiosquera, played by Mac Donough, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony. Irenita Kiosquera has had a phenomenal season, picking up a series of BPPs including six in The Cartier Queen’s and Gold Cups, plus the Polo Times BPP in The Indian Empire Shield Final –Irenita Kiosquera was featured in the Polo Times Pony Power pages in our September issue. The Electrolit Gold Cup High Goal Final Teams:
Dubai (22): Camilo Castagnola (10), Rashid Albwardy (2), Barto Castagnola (9) & Rufino Laulhé (1)
MB Polo (22): Mateen Bolkiah (0), Santos Merlos (4), Pablo Mac Donough (9) & Facundo Pieres (9)
The Electrolit Gold Cup Medium Goal Final between Brunei and Ayala kicked off the last weekend of the tournament on Friday 25 August. Brunei made a remarkable comeback in the second half from an 8-5 deficit to win the match, 13-9. Matías Mac Donough received the Most Valuable Player award, Iñigo Zóbel was presented with the Fair Play Award and Irenita Gobernadora, played by Mac Donough, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.
The Electrolit Gold Cup Medium Goal Final Teams:
Brunei Polo Team (14): Bahar Bolkiah (1), Santiago Tahier (1), Min Podestá (7) & Matías Mac Donough (5)
Ayala (14): Iñigo Zóbel (0), Jesús Cobino (3), Benjamin Panelo (7) & Santiago Gomez Romero (4)
On the same day as the High Goal Final, the Low Goal Final was also won by just one goal, with Jeju defeating Esso 8-7 in an extra chukka, Santiago Irastorza was named Most Valuable Player, Ian Gallienne received the Fair Play Award and Doña Bambina, played by Javier Guerrero, chosen as Best Playing Pony.
The Electrolit Gold Cup Low Goal
Final Teams:
Jeju Polo Team (8): Marlon Vecinal (0), Danielle Lussi (0), Alejo Badano (3) & Santiago Irastorza (5)
Essso (8): Ian Gallienne (0), Elliot Gallienne (-1), Cristian Bernal (4) & Javier Guerrero (5) Jeju,
22 Goal
1st – UAE Polo Team (120 points)
= 2nd – Black Bears, Dubai, Murus Sanctus & Park Place (90 points)
= 3rd – La Magdeleine & Vikings (60 points)
18 Goal
1st – Ojo Caliente (240 points)
2nd – La Irenita (180 points) = 3rd – Emlor & Emlor Black (130 points)
15 Goal
1st – Emlor (150 points)
2nd – SONA (95 points) = 3rd – White Crane & Estancia Lamar (90 points)
12 Goal 1st – Awaiting ratification by HPA
2nd – Awaiting ratification by HPA
3rd – Awaiting ratification by HPA
8 Goal 1st – Awaiting ratification by HPA
As the 2023 outdoor season draws to a close here in the UK, all but one of this year’s Victor Ludorum Finals have now been played, with The Autumn League at Cowdray Park Polo Club culminating as we went to print on this issue. While some levels are still awaiting the final point ratification by the Hurlingham Polo Association, it can be announced that UAE Polo Team have won the 22 goal, Ojo Caliente topped the 18 goal, Emlor secured the 15 goal title, Summit took the inaugural 4 Goal Super League title and Semper Anticus secured the Victrix Ludorum.
2nd – Awaiting ratification by HPA
3rd – Awaiting ratification by HPA
6 Goal
1st – Awaiting ratification by HPA
2nd – Awaiting ratification by HPA
3rd – Awaiting ratification by HPA
4 Super League Goal
1st – Summit
Victrix Ludorum
1st – Semper Anticus (330 points)
2nd – Maize Dulce (135 points)
3rd – Cowdray Vikings (120 points)
Beaufort Polo Club – The Wichenford Bowl – Sunday 27 August
Number of teams: Five
Winners: Nelson Polo
Points: Awaiting ratification by HPA
The Wichenford Bowl has always been a competitive tournament between players making it an exciting Final for spectators. This year’s Final saw Nelson Polo play against Kulin Rock, the second chukka saw Nelson leading 5-0 but in the beginning of the third chukka Nelson seemed to ease on their defence which allowed Kulin Rock’s Charlie Walton to score three goals to Nelson Polo’s six. The end of chukka three saw players getting heated and horses being swapped, it was clear that Nelson Polo needed to regroup and prepare for the fourth and final chukka.
After a brief tie in the beginning of the fourth chukka, Kaspar Budd scored the seventh and final goal of the tournament which resulted in Nelson Polo winning this year’s Wichenford Bowl. Kaspar Budd was chosen as the Most Valuable Player and Matias Amaya’s chestnut gelding, Perico, was named Polo Times Best Playing Pony and to read more about Perico please turn to our Pony Power pages.
Cirencester Park Polo Club – The Kingscote Cup – Sunday 10 September
Number of teams: Eight
Winners: Syreford
Points: Awaiting ratification by HPA
The Kingscote Cup Final was played in glorious September sun on Ivy Lodge. Sponsored by R&R Catering, the tournament had eight teams enter in a bid for a spot in the Final, but it was Syreford and Coppid Owls who met head-to-head in the Final. The first chukka began with a strong start from Syreford as Will and Hugo Tobin and Ed Morris scored four goals between them. Coppid Owls made their first appearance on the scoreboard in the second chukka with a goal by Mikey Henderson. This didn’t deter Syreford who scored two more goals, again by Will Tobin and Morris, finishing the first half of the game 6-1 in favour of Syreford. Henderson, determined to catch up with Syreford, slotted three more balls through the goal posts for Coppid Owls putting them back in the game with a chance to secure the win. The fourth chukka was tense, but Coppid Owls continued to push for victory with both Henderson and Tristan Phillimore scoring a goal each. This was no issue for Syreford’s Ed Morris who scored his fourth goal of the game, separating the gap between the two teams. With the win in sight, Will Tobin scored the ninth goal for his team, ending the game 9-6 and Syreford lifted the historic Kingscote Cup Trophy. Most Valuable Player was awarded to Ed Morris and Best Playing Pony was given to Poppita, owned and played by Ed Morris.
The Kingscote Cup Final Teams: Syreford (6): William Tobin (0), Hugo Tobin (0), Ed Morris (2) & Kelvin Johnson (4)
Coppid Owls (6): Olivia Lamphee (0), Zoe Reader (0), Mikey Henderson (4) & Tristan Phillimore (2)
Guards Polo Club – The 4 Goal Super League Final
– Sunday 3 September
Number of teams: 35
Winners: Summit
Points: Awaiting ratification by HPA
With a new format for 2023, Summit and TimbPly qualified for the 4 Goal Victor Ludorum Final through the Super League system, which saw 35 teams competing in the series. Timb-Ply returned as defending champions and started the match with two unanswered goals in the first chukka.
However, Summit reorganised themselves in the second chukka to add four goals to the scoreboard with two apiece for Most Valuable Player Corey Meikle and Bauti Funes riding the Best Playing Pony La Meca. In the third chukka, Timb-Ply rallied to score two more goals, but a third goal from Funes meant Summit maintained their lead. Fierce defences in the final chukka meant neither team could score, and with a final score of 5-4, a difference of just one goal saw Summit lift the trophy.
The 4 Goal Super League Final
Summit (4): Headley Aylott (1), Fede Gomez (-2), Corey Meikle (2) & Bauti Funes (3)
Timb-Ply (4): Don Gibbs (-1), Bobby Bell (0), Will Padden (2) & Ben Malasomma (3)
Victor Ludorum
The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club – The Polo Festival Ladies Victrix Ludorum 16 Goal – Sunday 20 August
Number of teams: Eight
Winners: Semper Anticus
Points: 60
On Sunday 20 August the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club hosted the annual Polo Festival Finals Day. Over 2,000 people gathered to watch the final of the 4 Goal level and The Ladies Victrix Ludorum 16 Goal. Polo was not the only thing on offer, guests enjoyed delicious local food stalls, mounted games competitions, a kids’ zone, charity raffle, shopping and lots more! To read more about the 4 Goal match, please turn to our Pony Power pages.
The Polo Festival Ladies Victrix Ludorum 16 Goal Final saw Semper Anticus and Team Tonic/ Smiths Polo take to the Number 1 ground, both keen to take home the silverware, but with Semper Anticus holding more wins so far in the series. An incredibly close match throughout saw some amazing goals from Nina Clarkin and impressive defensive work from Lottie Lamacraft, with the
match too close to call until the final bell sounded and the scoreboard read 7-6 in favour of Semper Anticus.
Bella Lavinia was named Most Valuable Player and Missy, owned and played by Nina Clarkin, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony. The Ladies Victrix Ludorum 16 Goal Final Teams: Semper Anticus (16): Bella Lavinia (0), Imogen Blake-Thomas (1), Lucy Coddington (5) & Nina Clarkin (10) Team Tonic/Smiths Polo (16): Catherine Isted (2), Lisa Smith (2), Lottie Lamacraft (6) & Sarah Wiseman (6)
Cirencester Park Polo Club – The Cirencester Ladies 16 Goal
– Tuesday 29 August
Number of teams: Six
Winners: Semper Anticus
Points: 30
Both Dandora and Semper Anticus were unbeaten going into The Cirencester Ladies 16 Goal Final, but on the day it was Semper Anticus who were able to race ahead and secure a convincing 7-2½ win to take the title. They were presented with The Wood Trophy by Natalie Meridith, Lolly StanhopeWhite was chosen as Most Valuable Player and Lovelocks Florin, played by Nina Clarkin, was the Best Playing Pony. The Subsidiary Final was fought between Maize Dulce and Smiths Polo and with an even score after the fourth chukka, the game went to an extra fifth and a sixth chukka to determine Maize Dulce as the winners.
The Cirencester Ladies 16 Goal Final Teams: Dandora (14): Nicola Hodges (1), Alice Walsh (3), Lolly Stanhope-White (5) & Rosanna Turk (5) Semper Anticus (16): Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi (1), Imogen Blake Thomas (0), Lucy Coddington (5) & Nina Clarkin (10)
Photography by Polo Photo
Points: 60
The last Victrix Ludorum Final of the season was played at Guards Polo Club on Saturday 2 September, with Vikings and Semper Anticus battling it out in The Clé de Peau Beauté Guards Ladies Charity Polo Tournament for the Lord Patrick Beresford Trophy.
Vikings dominated the first three chukkas and were leading 7-4 heading into the final chukka, but Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi’s Semper Anticus fought back strongly in the final chukka, with Lucy Coddington and Nina Clarkin delivering some excellent teamwork to close the gap. However, Vikings’ early lead ensured they were able to take the win, 7-6, to lift the Lord Patrick Beresford Trophy. Lia Salvo’s confident play was rewarded with the Most Valuable Player prize and the Best Playing Pony honours went to Nina’s Lovelocks Florin, who also won Best Playing Pony at Cirencester Park Polo Club the week before.
The Clé de Peau Beauté Guards Ladies Charity Polo Tournament Final Teams: Vikings (16): Siri Evjemo-Nysveen (2), Angela Moran (0), Lottie Lamacraft (6) & Lia Salvo (8) Semper Anticus (16): Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi (1), Imogen Blake Thomas (0), Lucy Coddington (5) & Nina Clarkin (10).
The Club had a busy Bank Holiday weekend of polo with three Finals. On Saturday 26 August, Mountgerald Polo Team (Sarah Grant, Georgina Brittain, Jonathan Gregory and Tariq Dag Khan) won The 1868 Maipur Polo Pony Trophy. On Sunday 27 August, Cedar Polo Team (Bilal Shaykh, Alex Hayman-Joyce, Scarlett McCoy and Eleisha Carson) won The George’s Trophy against the very competitive Odosan 1485.
On Monday 28 August, The Telemark Polo Final between Mayura and Grand Cru was level at 1-1 until the last chukka when Scarlett McCoy scored an amazing under the neck shot from the corner of the field, then Jonathan Gregory went on to hit an outstanding full swing, smashing the ball down the field which then passed straight through the goal posts and another converted penalty left Grand Cru behind and unable to catch up with a final score of 4-1.
Over 2 – 3 September, teams competed for The Mountgerald Polo Tournament with a silver Quaich sponsored by Sarah Grant as the trophy.
Carpe Diem and Mount Loftus won their matches on Saturday to qualify to play in the
Final on Sunday, where Carpe Diem (Dominic Cunningham, Tariq Dag Khan and James and Jack Spring) won the Final 4-2. Malcolm Ford of the Mount Loftus Polo Team, won Most Valuable Player and Dominic Cunningham’s Castellano won Best Playing Pony.
On Saturday 9 September, Carpe Diem Polo Team (Dominic Cunningham, Malcolm Ford, Georgina Brittain and Georgy Armitage) won The Esperanza Cup Final. Carpe Diem played extremely well as a team and Georgy Armitage won Most Valuable Player.
On Sunday 10 September, Shakib Polo Team (Kaveh Shakib, Gonzalo Bazan, Claire Graham & Jonathan Gregory), were presented with Carlitos Polo Pony Bronze by Claire’s mother, Janice. Claire scored a great penalty to equalise and Kaveh scored the winning goal just seconds before the final whistle. The prize presentation was followed with an Argentine asado and homemade carrot cake to celebrate Claire’s birthday. Jonathan and Claire were both awarded Most Valuable Player as the judges could not decide between the two.
On Saturday 16 September The Tai Tai Final took place with Grand Cru (Alexandra
On Sunday 20 August, Tonkawa defeated Santa Rita 14-12 in The Rocky Mountain Open. Gonzalito Pieres secured the Most Valuable Player award and his nine-year-old mare, Open Efectiva, as chosen as the Best Playing Pony.
The Rocky Mountain Open Final Teams: Tonkawa (18): Jeff Hildebrand (0), Marc Ganzi (1), Gonzalito Pieres (9) & Nic Roldan (8) Santa Rita (19): Melissa Ganzi (0), Alejandro Novillo Astrada (7), Polito Pieres (10) & Stewart Armstrong (2)
Skeggs, Alex Hayman-Joyce, Scarlett McCoy and Danny Muriel) defeating Cedar Polo. The following day, Sunday 17 September, The Royal East Berkshire Agricultural Association Polo Tournament Final was won by Sarah Grant’s Mountgerald Polo Team against Bilal Shaykh’s Cedar Polo Team and the winners were presented with engraved wooden seed boxes.
Photography by Tom Reynolds
Bluestone Insurance, winners of The Chairman’s Cup
On Sunday 20 August, R&R secured The Cirencester Non-Playing Members Tournament with a 6-4 win against Noon Giraffe. Ollie Jones’ Lovelocks Vienetta, was awarded Best Playing Pony and Theo Fagan won Most Valuable Player.
Congratulations to Bluestone Insurance who defeated Tafia Mafia, 7-6, in The Chairman’s Cup Final on Sunday 3 September.
The Chairman’s Cup Final Teams: Bluestone Insurance (9): Paula Rushton (-1), Kelvin Johnson (4), Mikey Henderson (4) & Harry Tucker (2) Tafia Mafia (10): Dom David (0), Tom Beim (4), Dave Allen (4) & Ed Morris (2)
On Sunday 10 September the Club hosted a double day of Finals with The Kingscote Cup and The Lisa Llwellen-Palmer Memorial Inter Hunt Polo Day, to read more about The Kingscote Cup Final please turn to our Victor Ludorum pages.
The Lisa Llwellen-Palmer Memorial Inter Hunt Polo Day saw the Semi Finals held earlier in the day, followed by the Final and Subsidiary Finals. Following The Kingscote Cup Final, The Inter Hunt Final began between Cirencester Park and Beaufort Hunt with Beaufort Hunt lifting the trophy. Most Valuable Player was awarded to Melba Fox and Pixie, owned and played by Elizabeth Clarkin and bred by Lisa Llewellen-Palmer, was the Best Playing Pony.
The Kingscote Cup Final Teams: Syreford (6): William Tobin (0), Hugo Tobin (0), Ed Morris (2) & Kelvin Johnson (4) Coppid Owls (6): Olivia Lamphee (0), Zoe Reader (0), Mikey Henderson (4) & Tristan Phillimore (2)
Over 9 – 10 September, teams gathered for the annual Beautiful Emma Trophy hosted by Bramham Polo Academy (BPA). This trophy is in memory of one of the founders of BPA who sadly lost her battle with cancer in 2019. Each year BPA hold a tournament in her memory and raise money for a cancer charity, this year it was MacMillan. Twelve teams entered across 3 levels from home and away clubs. Teams from Toulston, Rutland, White Rose and Thoresby Park played on both days in some hard-fought matches.
The Low Level (-3 to -4) was won by Bramham Polo who beat Red Rogues to take the Trophy. Most Valuable Player was awarded to 14-year-old Lincoln Bentley-Smith who scored three goals including a penalty. In the Middle Level (-1 to -2 goal), SWAPI beat BPA by one goal in the final 30 seconds of the game. Most Valuable Player was awarded to Patrick Wilkinson who scored the winning goal. In the Higher Level (0-2 goal), La Luchona stormed to victory over Dervento with a winning score of 22-9. Most Valuable Player was awarded to Jodie Burnley who had an incredible weekend. Best Playing Pony was given to Fran Stüven Ortelli’s Milanesa after scoring three goals in one chukka.
Emma’s daughter, Lucy Hookway, and sister-in-law, Esther, attended and gave a heart-warming speech. Over £1,000 was raised for MacMillan so overall it was a great weekend to finish a successful 2023 season for Bramham Polo Academy.
The Beautiful Emma Trophy Winning Teams:
The Low Level (-3 to -4): Bramham Polo Academy (-3): Fran Stüven Ortelli (2), James Bell (-1), Beth Wright (-2) & Lincoln Bentley-Smith (-2)
The Middle Level (-1 to -2 goal): Swapi (-1): Tony Wesche (2), Patrick Wilkinson (0), Sean Wilkinson (-1) & Lucy Wilkinson (-2)
The Higher Level (0-2 goal): La Luchona (1): Fran Stüven Ortelli (2), Harrison Patrick (1), Jodie Burnley (-1) & Adam Cutler (-1)
Congratulations to J & R Polo, who secured The Crawford Cup with a 5-4 win. Phil Seller was chosen as the Most Valuable Player and Oli Fanshawe’s Corroza was named Best Playing Pony.
Congratulations to M Polo Team, who beat King Power 9-8 in a fast-paced game on The Queen’s Ground on Sunday 27 August in The Duke of Cornwall Trophy Final. Ollie Cudmore, who substituted for an injured Chris Mackenzie in the second chukka, was named Most Valuable Player and Jeronimo del Carril’s Monja received the Best Playing Pony rug.
It was a busy Bank Holiday weekend at the Club with three Finals played over the weekend. The Midsummer Cup concluded on Sunday 27 August with an 8-4 win for Bamboleo against Farrington, with Flower Girl played by Nick Johnson, and owned by Alan Kent, chosen as the Best Playing Pony.
The Brecknock Cup Final on Monday 28 August saw Vendetta score four goals in the first chukka and continue their goal scoring into the last chukka to take the win, 8-5. Bella, owned and played by Nick Clague, was the Best Playing Pony.
The last Final of the weekend was for The Selham Cup, which was won by Trancredi Minerals with a 9-4 score and Chrispa, owned and played by Leon Donoso, was chosen as Best Playing Pony.
The Club has also announced a new Marketing and Communications Manager – Martine Hartridge, who will be joining the Club’s team.
Over the August Bank Holiday Cambridge and Newmarket Polo Club hosted the Polo4Ukraine Charity Day. The day was well supported by spectators and teams. There were generous donations by local businesses and players, with a very successful silent auction and raffle, raising just shy of £4,000 for the charities. On the field, the 0 goal tournament was won by Cropley Grove (Paddy Ferguson, Rory Ferguson, Jamie Peel & Juana Lavinia) who won all their games in spectacular style, both days winning by seven or more goals. Edward Barlow was chosen as the Most Valuable Player and Feedmark Champagne, owned by Charlie Townsend, was the Best Playing Pony. The highlight of the day was an 8 goal exhibition match which saw Freddie Farquharson secure the Most Valuable Player award and Matuza Cardenal, owned by Francis Molyneux, chosen as the Best Playing Pony.
On Sunday 20 August the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club hosted the annual Polo Festival Finals Day which included two Finals.
Semper Anticus defeated Team Tonic/Smiths Polo 7-6 to secure the ladies Final, turn to our Victrix Ludorum pages to read more.
The second Final of the day was The Festival of Polo 4 Goal Final between Elemental, with an average age of just 15-years-old, versus the Wooldridge family, ably assisted by James Emlyn. At the beginning of the final chukka the scoreboard read 8½-4 in favour of Twelve Oaks and Elemental looked to be down and out, but the last four minutes had the crowd on the edge of their seats. The youngsters scored three consecutive goals bringing it back to 8½-7 but unfortunately for them though it was too little too late and Twelve Oaks walked away the winners. Charlie Wooldridge received the Most Valuable Player award and Olivia, owned by Mariano Darritchon and played by Tani Darritchon, was the Best Playing Pony.
The Festival of Polo 4 Goal Final Teams:
Elemental (4): Tani Darritchon (0), Rafi Bruckner (1), Felix Toccalino (1) & Josh Hyde (2)
Twelve Oaks (3): Tatty Wooldridge (-1), Rhett Wooldridge (-1), Charlie Wooldridge (2) & James Emlyn (3)
On Sunday 3 September, the high goal season at Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club came to a close with the 2023 NetJets Pacific Coast Open Final between Brookshire and Farmers & Merchants Bank; both teams had met just two weeks earlier in The America Cup Final where Brookshire had taken the win, who would take the title this time around?
Throughout the first half, both teams struggled to connect with the ball and find their flow, Pelon Stirling commented, “We just hoped we missed less than they did”, both teams kept pace with one another in a back-and-forth rally that left the score 6-4 at the end of the third chukka. Brookshire began to break away midway through the fourth to almost double their lead. FMB was able to close the gap to three from penalty conversions at the end of the fifth, but it was not enough to stop the team in orange. Brookshire sealed the deal in the sixth, scoring another three goals and shutting out their opponents to end the match with an impressive six goal lead, 14-8.
The NetJets Pacific Coast Open Final Teams:
Brookshire: Tomas Panelo (8), Mariano ‘Peke’ Gonzalez (7), Paco ‘Paquito’ de Narvaez Jr. (4) & Scott Wood (0)
Farmers & Merchants Bank: David ‘Pelon’ Stirling (9), Lucas ‘Luckitas’ Criado Jr. (7), Will Busch (2) & Alonso Andrade Gamez (2)
On Sunday 3 September, the Club hosted the 2023 Hospitality Action Charity Polo Day – the Charity raises money for individuals who work in the hospitality industry who face challenges from physical illness or mental health issues to financial difficulty, family problems, addiction and more and provides support to get them back on their feet. The day raised £57,000 overall, to donate to the charity or find out more click here.
On Saturday 9 September, Shibumi and Beaufort Centaurs went head-to-head in the late summer sun in The Solitaire Salver Final. Both teams played well but in the end it was Shibumi who took the 5-3 win. Mark Baldwin’s Poppet was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.
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The Paul Sweeney Memorial was founded by Lesley, Charlotte and Georgia Sweeney in memory of Paul Sweeney after his unexpected death in 2009 at just 48-years-old in order to keep his spirit and legacy alive. Each year, the tournament attracts a number of players and spectators, gathering at Ash Farm Polo Club to cheer on the finalists. This year saw a record number of teams and after a two-year postponement due to Covid-19, the grandstands were packed. Twelve Oaks managed to stave off a last-minute attempt by Rosina to claim the title and took a 14-12 victory.
Cambridge County Polo Club* 01223 812922 info@cambridgecountypoloclub.co.uk
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On Sunday 27 August, Avengers in red took an early lead in The Godbold Trophy and although Jet Set managed to stay in contention, Avengers edged ahead 5-4 to take the win.
The second game of the day saw Savant take on Hollywood with an early goal from Savant’s Aidan Christofferson and three more goals
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Ojo de Agua, winners of The Autumn Cup in the second half saw them secure a 4½-2 win in The Bannister Bowl. On Monday 28 August, the Dandy Lions defeated Flower Power 4 goals to 3 in The Humour Trophy Final.
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On Sunday 3 September the Club was a hive of activity with three Finals; The Household Cavalry defeated East Asia 7-3 in The Robert Guy Peter Hunter Cup Final. Ubuntu outscored Gupaos Malditos 6-5 in The Polo Challenge and Ojo de Agua secured The Autumn Cup with an 11-3½ win against Jet Set.
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The 4th Diamond Ladies Polo Open was another success with eight teams in the 14 goal section and four teams in the 6 goal section. The Final was played on Sunday 10 September between Quattro Invicta and QMS and saw 8 goalers Milly Hine and Izzy Voorspruy put on a great display of polo for the spectators. While Quattro Invicta led most of the game by three to four goals, QMS had an excellent last chukka and were able to narrow the gap to just one goal. However, there was not enough time to level the scores and Quattro Invicta ran out the winners, 8-7.
The Plate Final was won by the Cherry Bombs team (Kayla Swart, Soss Santini, Ritali Cronje & Sarah van Wyk). The B section was won by the Barbie team (Hannah van Wyk, Amy-Lee van Wyk, Zara Smith & Heather Hunter Whittle). MVP in the B Section went to Hannah van Wyk.
Polo Times spoke to 4th Diamond Ladies Polo Open finalist Milly Hine after the match, “For my first time in South Africa I was invited to come and play the Diamond Ladies Polo Open at East Rand Polo Club with the QMS Medicosmetics Polo Team. There was an incredible turnout of 8 teams in the 14 goal section, and 4 teams in the lower level. The tournament was run over the 3-day weekend
with one game a day in a knock-out draw. It was extremely competitive with all the teams being very evenly matched and results being incredibly close. I could not have asked for a better experience for my first time in South Africa. Being part of a great team with Katherine James, Bayley Evans and Bianca Du Toit, and being so well mounted on incredible horses by City Polo, South Africa owned by Craig and Katherine James. A huge thank you especially to QMS Medicosmetics, Renate Klass, for sponsoring the team and making all of this possible. I really hope to come back next year and play again.”
Hine was joined by fellow Brits Lolly Stanhope-White and Lucy Coddington who both thoroughly enjoyed their experiences, with Coddington returning after 18 years:
“Great fun tournament, I’d not been to South Africa in 18 years! The standard of lady SA players is awesome, with many up and coming players. There were eight teams at a ladies 14 goal level and the final was won by half a goal. The people are welcoming and generous with hospitality – was a fun trip.” Lucy Coddington
Quattro Invicta (14)
Danica Baker (1)
Lenka Bronn (1)
Lee-Ann Spark (4) (substituted by Megan Griffiths)
Izzy Voorspruy (8)
QMS (13)
Katherine James (1) Bayley Evans (2) Bianca du Toit (2) Milly Hine (8)
“This was my second year taking part in this fabulous tournament. There were eight teams in the 14 goal section and the competition was fierce. The standard of polo was great, the atmosphere was lovely and everyone is always so welcoming. The Spark family hosted a vast majority of players with Lee-Ann Spark doing a fantastic job of organising this tournament along with the help of many others. The horse providers are so generous and I was fortunate to have some amazing horses of Cambell McNab’s to play. I have made some friends for life and I very much hope to continue coming back on an annual basis to play in this fantastic tournament.”
Lolly Stanhope-WhiteThe 12th Women’s Open de France Final was a battle between two British 10 goalers as Nina Clarkin (TTR Sotherby’s) and Hazel Jackson (La Mariposa Polo Team) went head-to-head in Chantilly. 2022 champions Hazel Jackson and Rebecca Walters returned once again to defend their title, this year playing for La Mariposa Polo Team, who cruised through the qualifying stages to reach the Final. Meanwhile, longstanding teammates Lucy Coddington and Nina Clarkin joined forces for TTR Sotherby’s, joined by Margaux Guillemin at just 14-years-old and had enjoyed a similarly convincing road to the Final.
La Mariposa Polo Team initially took the lead, but by half-time the scores were levelled at 3-3, leaving the spectators on the edge of their seats as to who would be taking home the prestigious trophy.
TTR Sotherby’s edged ahead in the third chukka, 4-3, and with four goals scored in the final chukka between both sides, TTR Sotherby’s ran out the winners 6-5. Clarkin was named Most Valuable Player and commented after the match, “We were lucky enough to be able to bring our own horses here. It was a really great week, especially as it ended with a win. A game against Hazel is always difficult, she is a great player and very combative. We really had to fight. They got the better of us at the start
of the game, but we recovered at the end of the second half to hold on. Little Margaux (Guillemin) has really helped us and she is a great surprise. We needed a fourth player with a handicap of 0 and the
The arena season is just around the corner and the Schools & Universities Polo Association (SUPA) has a busy schedule of tournaments:
Sunday 8 October – Oxford Polo: Junior Schools Friendly Arena Tournament, Senior Schools Friendly Arena Tournament Open & Intermediate, Senior Ladies Schools Friendly Arena Tournament Open & Intermediate
Sunday 19 November – Oxford Polo: Senior Schools Beginner & Novice Friendly Arena Tournament 2023, Junior Schools Beginner, Novice & Intermediate Friendly Arena Tournament 2023
Saturday 25 November – Rugby Polo Club: Uni Challenge November 2023
Emma Sheridan reports
The annual Potrillos Trophy, hosted by Bramham Polo Academy and played at Toulston Polo Club, was well attended by teams from the Midlands and north of England. There were three teams in the Beginner level and two teams in the Advanced level. All players showed incredible skill and there was impressive and tactical play seen on the field.
The Beginner level played one chukka against each team and fought hard to score goals. The first chukka was tight and both Bramham and Equine Dreams Thoresby scored one goal each. In the second chukka Rutland stormed ahead, scoring two goals against Equine Dreams Thoresby. In the third chukka, Rutland managed to score one against Bramham. That meant that the overall result saw Rutland winning the Beginner level, followed by second place for Bramham and Equine Dreams Thoresby taking the runners up place.
When the Advanced level started, there was a gasp from spectators at the sheer speed of play. It was a hotly contested match ending in the fourth chukka with both Blue and White having scored two goals each. In place of the usual penalties, the Umpire, Fran Stüven Ortelli, decided to ask the players to work as teams in a race to get the ball the length of the pitch, goal to goal. Blue took a very slight lead ahead of White to win the trophy. Isabel Fall was chosen as Most Valuable Player
Polo in the north of England is growing, and the future success and continuation of that sits in the hands of this next generation of players.
The Potrillos Trophy Teams: Beginner Level
1st – Rutland (-8): Alex Cassie (-2), Alec Faye (-2), Imogen Longhurst (-2) & Lacie Handley (-2)
2nd – Bramham (-8): Hunter Finch (-2), Zoe Meikle (-2), Bertie Finch (-2), Enrico Caruti (-2) & Santi Funes (-2)
3rd – Equine Dreams Thoresby (-8): Immy Shields (-2), Marigold Saxelby (-2), Jamie Postlethwaite (-2) & Alysia Shields (-2)
Advanced Level
1st – Blue (-6): Sam Chaves (-1), Lincoln Bentley-Smith (-2), Jasmine Speed (-1) & Fred Leyland (-2)
2nd – White (-7): Isabel Fall (-1), Caleb Meikle (-2) / Alex Herniman (-2), Emma (-2) / Maisie (-2) & Konrad Blake (-2)
Felicity Townsend reports from Tedworth Park Polo Club
Bank Holiday Monday dawned slightly overcast, but cool, the prefect polo weather for the long day ahead.
“The Tattoo Ground looked resplendent in all its glory, perhaps even good enough to rival Lawns at Cowdray, or the Duke’s Ground at Guards. Affectionally known as Speight’s Lawn by the staff at Tedworth Park Polo Club, after the Groundsman, Operations Manager and Tedworth Park Umpire, and Veteran’s Polo member Andrew Speight.
“Nine teams from all three services played over the Bank Holiday Monday, across four divisions.
“Division Four saw the Adjutant General’s Corp -8 goal team play the Royal Horse Artillery
-7 goal team. Final Score AGC 1½-RHA 6.
“In Division Three, The Royal Navy played the Royal Signals. Final Score RS 6½-RN 2.
“Division Two was an American Style Tournament between the Royal Artillery, The Army Medical Services and the Royal Logistic Corps. RLC 4 v AMS 0, RLC 2 v RA 5, AMS 2 v RA 4, which meant first place went to the Royal Artillery, the Royal Logistic Corps in second place and The Army Medical Services in third place.
“Division One saw the Royal Airforce Force playing the Household Cavalry Regiment for The AGC Trophy. A strong start from the HCR saw goals from Col Tom Armitage and 2Lt Ben Humphries putting the HCR 3-0 up at the end of the first chukka, in chukka two the RAF upped their defence, and the HCR were unable to sneak
another goal. Chukka three saw both teams attacking and defending strongly but neither team were able to put the ball through the other’s goal. In the final chukka Ben Humphries scored from a 60-yard penalty and the RAF were able to sneak past the HCR defence and put a goal on their side of score board, 4-1 to HCR. “The Winners of The AGC Trophy were the HCR. MVP was Captain Ed Richards of the Royal Signals.
“Many thanks to Col (Retd) Simon Ledger for commentating, Col Vicky Whiting of the AGC for presenting prizes and to SSgt Lorraine Money for organising another wonderful Tournament for The AGC Cup and to all the staff at Tedworth Park Polo Club for their continued support of military polo.”
Division One
Royal Airforce Force (-3):
Fg Off Mimi Figgins (0),
Flt LT Paul Erhahiemen (-1),
Sqn Ldr Ross Thomson (-1) & Flt Lt Mark Sizzey (-1)
Household Cavalry Regiment (-3): CoH Anthony Kitchen (-1),
Tpr Conor Beukes (-1),
Lt Col Tom Armitage (-1) & Lt Ben Humphries (0)
Division Two
Royal Artillery (-4):
Lt Col Col Morrison (-2), Maj Claire Blakiston (-1), Maj Luke Wadman (-1) & Capt Will Young (0)
Army Medical Services (-4):
Lt Will Corner (-2),
Maj Sam Bunyan (-1),
Cpl Mollie Darwin (-1) & Capt George Linfield Brown (0)
Royal Logistic Corps (-4):
Pte Nick Akuffo/Maj Nicki Hemsworth (-2),
Capt Nick Lowe (-1),
Maj Nigel Prescott (-1) & Lt Col Lucy Anderson (0)
Division Three
Royal Navy (-6): Liam Molloy (-2), Jodie Abisgold (-2), Michael Avery (-2) & Dean Bassett (0)
Royal Signals (-7):
Lt Imi Stillwell /Sig Freja Galliven (-2),
Sgt Mel Vernon / OCdt Lizzie Mayo (-2), Lt Henry Whichelo-Page (-2) & Capt Ed Richards (-1)
Division Four
Adjutant General’s Corp (-8):
Cpl David Osborne (-2), Capt Sara Allen (-2)
Cpl Sophie Needham (-2) & SSgt Lorraine Money (-2)
Royal Horse Artillery (-7): Gunner Robyn Locke (-2)
Capt Matt Cornell (Retd) (-2), Col Tom Ridgway (Retd) (-2) & Capt Alex Lewis (-1)
Obesity is generally not conducive to being a successful polo player. Polo is a physically demanding sport that requires strength, agility, balance, and endurance. The players must simultaneously ride the horse and engage in quick and precise movements while controlling a mallet to hit the ball. Being outside of the optimal weight target will not only impact your health but also provide challenges for your polo game. New treatments with pharmaceutical products like injectable semaglutid (Hollywood injection) and physical treatments (EMS) can help you to be slimmer and faster – maybe also healthier.
Limited Mobility: Extra kilos around your abdomen will restrict the range of motion and make it difficult to move quickly and effectively on the horse. This can impair a player’s ability to navigate quickly on the field, react to swiftly changing game situations and to compete at the highest level.
Decreased Endurance: Polo matches
can be physically exhausting, lasting anywhere from one to two hours (including breaks) under demanding climate conditions. Carrying excess body weight (and extra fat) needs more energy and can lead to fatiguing faster, affecting a player’s ability to perform at their best throughout the match.
Risk of Injuries: Obesity can increase the risk of injuries, both on and off the horse. The extra strain on joints and muscles can make players more susceptible to sprains, strains, and other injuries.
Horse Welfare: Obesity can also impact the welfare of the horse. Carrying excess weight can be uncomfortable for the horse and affect its performance. Researchers have found that an average adult, light riding horse can comfortably carry about 20 percent of their bodyweight which includes the rider and tack. The bottom line is that you don’t need to be overweight by much to exceed the 20 per cent ratio, especially if you are riding lighter Thoroughbreds.
Competitive Disadvantage: In competitive sports like polo, where every
advantage counts, being overweight can put a player at a significant disadvantage compared to fitter, more agile opponents. To excel in polo, players typically need to maintain a high level of physical fitness, including cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility. Many polo players engage in rigorous training and conditioning programs to prepare for matches. Maintaining a healthy diet and body weight is often an integral part of their training regime.
Alongside the well-known training methods like cardio and HIIT methods, Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) system is a style of training that‘s designed to work with you. With the EMS system, you wear a body vest and straps around your arms, legs and glutes. These electrode straps carry a small electrical impulse through to your muscles. This then creates a harmless and painless stimulation that actually boosts the muscles’ effectiveness. It enhances and boosts your metabolism, producing a more intense and
Bellamar Pampa Norte comeback, but by the fifth and sixth chukkas, it was Lavinia who were controlling the action with Carlos María Ulloa and Manuel Giménez Villamil commanding the team from the back and combining well with their forwards, Ramon Cassino and Jack Whitman to secure Lavinia their first Thai Polo Cup title, 10½-4.
required to be members of both the HPA
Former competitive rower and cross-country skier
Email: iam@stevehiestand.ch
Tel: +41796059557
Web: www.stevehiestand.ch
targeted workout in a fraction of the time. It aids weight loss and intensifies your workout, so you can get results quickly. It also works without moving for example during a rehabilitation interval. Optimising your nutrition with regards to swapping to more a vegan, protein-based diet is recommended so that your muscles are protected from self-combustion. When your BMI (BodyMass-Index) is above 30, additional weekly application of semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovx) after a basic lab test with your doctor to check your overall health and if you
Argentine Association of Horse Breeders’ Best Playing Pony: Future Lituania, played by Carlos María Ulloa
and Pony Club; all Pony Club members less than 3 goals will play a flat rate of £50 for their HPA membership. Andrew Barlow, Chairman of the HPA Development and Coaching Committee, commented, “A vital HPA role is to promote grassroots polo and the development of young polo players. In combining the previous Junior HPA with Pony Club tournaments, this allows us to enhance our long-term objectives of promoting talent for the benefit of all players and the sport in the future. With generous
Sport scientific expert and performance diagnostician
Best Playing Pony of the Final: Alberta Belvedere, played by Carlos María Ulloa
are eligible. About 15 percent of your body weight can be reduced due to the impact on the GL-1 receptor from semaglutid, which leads to a slower emptying of the stomach and also the a reduction in the hunger feeling in your brain. Also, the pancreas is stimulated to produce more insulin so that the release of glucose in the liver is reduced.
Gaston Lucero & Federico Martelli
In the modern world, we all live in a high calorie environment. While being active and in a full sport routine most athletes are aligned with their weight in reasonable range. There are some exceptions, but the there is an optimal weight for each specific sport to deliver constant top performance. Nearly every athlete changes his weight in their career, so different techniques are commonly used to keep the weight low with lean musculature. The toughest point is a return to the sport after a break or an injury. Struggling with obesity is especially game changing in polo because it must be carried around and needs to be accelerated – so weight loss also helps your equine partner for the perfect ratio. As David Morley illustrates the problem of arbitrary percentages and how horsemanship plays a huge part. “A lot has to be said for how you ride, and the type and conformation of horse is obviously vital. A spindly Thoroughbred, no matter how fat you get it, can’t carry the same weight as a solid, part-bred pony with good conformation. The ratios for those two types won’t be the same”.
Many ways lead to quick weight change, but some are quite exceptional from extreme diets to heat training in non-breathable
Obesity may not be conducive to success in polo, but also for those aspiring to play polo at a competitive level, maintaining a healthy weight and fitness level is a basic essential.
financial support from Park Place this new partnership enables us to focus on our structured development pathway whilst wholeheartedly supporting and promoting Pony Club Polo”. For more information on Pony Club polo please contact Charles Whittington, or for Hipwood and Rocksavage specifically contact Jilly Emerson.
clothes to lose water like in boxing. But is this healthy? However, a ‘normal’ lifestyle with a good balanced sport and nutrition routine in both non and competitive sports environment is crucial. Therefore, I recommend that everyone who has the same goal should follow the steps below:
Consultation with a professional:
The player should first consult a physician or nutritionist to check basic body parameters to develop a safe and healthy weight loss and fitness recovery plan.
Fair Play
Award: Carlos Braun
Diet and exercise:
Depending on how much weight loss is needed, a long term program is needed to achieve this is in a safe and sustainable way. A balanced nutritional program and targeted training are critical. Start with submaximal step test with spiroergometry over three months to monitor cardiovascular advances, followed by body composition measurement every two weeks.
Carlos María Ulloa
Two weight training sessions per week to speed up basal metabolism, 45min of cardio (OMT – Oxygen-Multistep-Therapy). HIIT (High-Intensiv-Interval-Training) can be started when the body is ready to do 120 Watt with 2mmol lactat (blood test).
Probation:
Once the target weight is reached, time should be invested in technique and riding skills. This may take some time as previous form and skills may needed to be rebuilt to maintain performance level.
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
Regardless of whether you are a novice polo player, 10 goals, a patron, a trainer, a parent whose kids are taking their first trots into the game, a husband/wife, girlfriend/ boyfriend of somebody involved in the game, or simply a polo fan who loves the social side of the sport, I’d like you to ask yourself a few simple questions:
• Are you happy with your present state of mind, body and soul?
• Do you have abundant mental, physical and emotional energy on a daily basis?
• Are you making the very best things happen at home, work, rest and play – for yourself and those around you – no matter what challenges you may encounter?
As a mindset coach I have always been as immersive as possible, spending as much physical, face to face time with my clients, observing and understanding their world, their lifestyle and the quality of their relationships.
Putting my clients’ lives in context allows me to diagnose and deliver the most effective, holistic programmes for them. ‘Seek to understand before seeking to be understood’ has been one of my core values for the last 25 years.
When I first started working in polo, this approach proved invaluable and helped me swiftly establish a stable of polo teams and individual players. This is because, in common with other elite sports, peak performance on the field relies upon precise, uncluttered thinking, the ability to immerse yourself in the moment and reach a state of flow uninhibited by off the field worries. It relies on answering ‘yes’ to the questions above.
There are many, many players I’ve coached, at various stages of their career from novice to 10 goals, whose form and confidence have suffered due to a failing relationship, an unhappy domestic life, a destructive lifestyle or by simply not looking
after themselves properly.
The same goes for the corporate world too – if you knew how many high achievers were consistently de-stabilised by life outside the boardroom, solely meeting their needs through their work life rather than through their private life, you’d be stunned. Why be the wealthiest person in the cemetery when you can go to bed each day having done something wonderful with wonderful people around you?
I have always flourished in the company of people, animals, nature and outdoor activity, massively preferring it to virtual environments. And, as someone with ADHD, dyslexia and a smattering of other ‘learning difficulties’, I’ve never been a great fan of long classroom sessions nor the written word. For me, coaching has always been about being shoulder to shoulder with my clients.
Therefore, like many polo devotees, I had to dig very deep into my personal reserves of mental resilience when the world went into lockdown and social restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. Being denied my freedom and my favourite ways of working hit me like a ton of bricks; until I discovered the wonders of Zoom, Teams and various other online platforms.
As educational provisions around the globe were widely moved to online classrooms, with both children and adults of all ages being taught via remote learning, me and my RAISE team rapidly adapted our coaching materials for an online environment too.
We soon gathered together a wonderful community of fellow mindset coaches, physical and mental health practitioners and educators who all came together to offer a series of free, live online coaching sessions and resources to people who needed a motivational boost and practical tips to maintain optimum health and resilience throughout lockdown and beyond.
These online ‘RAISE Your Game’ sessions were richly attended by all kinds of people who, regardless of status, profession, age, culture and sex were united in their desire to support each other and emerge from lockdown with a passion to live life to the full and make the most of their livelihoods and their personal relationships. And yes, there were a number of polo families amongst us! Friendships made in those tough times have sustained and flourished.
So now, a few years later and wiser, with COVID restrictions (hopefully) a thing of the past, online coaching is now part and parcel
of every top-notch coach’s offering.
For my part, I’m thrilled to have established a vibrant RAISE online community of life enthusiasts, the goal of which is to provide a supportive and engaging environment where like-minded people can connect, grow, and explore the everyday benefits of positive psychology, physical and mental wellbeing.
The impact that this type of coaching has on the polo community is nicely described by Jose Araya, one of the game’s top professionals, “When you’re happy and feel good, you play better, you feel more confident in your team-mates. This mental part helps you win games and tournaments”.
So, whether you’re a player, parent of a polo player, patron, coach or simply a fan who’s passionate about the sport, RAISE Polo is delighted to invite Polo Times readers and their families, friends and colleagues to join us on a totally FREE, live RAISE Your Game ‘Winning Mindset’ course which will take place online for 45 minutes at 5.30pm on Tuesday 31 October continuing to 1 – 2 November 2023.
What to expect from a RAISE Your Game ‘Winning Mindset’ Course: Based on simply explained psychological science, the outcome of the course is to embed the habits that underpin mental
and physical wellbeing, self-motivation and resilience into a ground-breaking interactive learning experience.
Whatever your personal starting point, learning and applying the Winning Mindset sessions to your life, will enable you to achieve peak performance, happiness and fulfilment from playing the game of polo and in your wider life.
The course consists of a 45 minute interactive Zoom session with myself and my RAISE Your Game team of mindset, wellbeing and health experts, all of whom are great fun to be around.
On our free course you will understand how to remove any of the negative moods, stress and anxiety you may have and replace them with an abundant, positive mindset. This includes exercises around:
• How much of your personal power you are currently giving away to other people and situations and the negative consequences this can have on your life/performance
• How to replace a blame mentality and moaning with self-esteem, faith in your ability to take action and how to always choose the response that serves you best
• Understand the personal drivers behind negative and positive decision making with the outcome of making clear, proactive decisions on and off the polo field
• The psychology and physiology of fear,
Pheobe Falconer
Hi, I’m known as Stalkie or Paulie, and I have been working in the field of human development for 37 years and am still as passionate now as when I first started. My why in life is to ignite your potential within and help you live strong and share your newfound knowledge to inspire a friend or family member.
My wife, Dawn, joined me in business 26 years ago and has been a part of the team in transforming people’s lives all over the world ever since.
Hi, my name is Phoebe and am lucky enough to be Stalkie’s yoga teacher… turned newly appointed RAISE coach! Boosting moral and creating a calm and positive atmosphere is what I bring into my yoga classes. It’s so important to take some time out of your day to find gratitude, be proud of what you’ve achieved or give yourself confidence to persevere despite all the obstacles we face in life. This, a healthy balanced diet thrown in with a bit of breathwork/ yoga and you’re on the path to success! During the 3-day course we are hosting together, I’ll explore nutrition tips, breathwork, a gratitude meditation and some seated stretching exercises. See you there.
what fear looks like when playing polo and the consequences it has on your mental and physical wellbeing
• How you can choose a negative or positive approach to fear, how to welcome it and treat it as a motivator and tool for improvement
• The science of gratitude, the proven benefits of a gratitude mindset and how brain training will help you rethink and reframe life’s challenges
• Learn the transformational impact that looking for the good in yourself and praising others has on mood and performance
If you wish to answer ‘yes’ to the questions I asked at the top of this article, we’d love you to join us. We’re especially grateful to our Polo Times friends to allow us the opportunity to invite you.
Simply visit www.raisepolo.com and mention ‘Polo Times’ when entering your details via the ‘Book Your Free Discovery Call’ link. We’ll then be in touch with the details of how to join the ‘Winning Mindset’ course for FREE.
“Stalkie is good news. He is different. He is buoyant. He inspires you, working on your positivity. He brings freshness to the day and is really good at promoting being a family within the team”, David Morley (HPA Welfare Chairman and ex-England Manager).
Hello. I’m Chris, after spending 20 years as a sales director/ publisher and 18 years earning coaching stripes, I am now a personal and business communications coach. My main coaching specialisms are engagement, culture and cultural turnaround, people development, one to one coaching, internal and external communication and customer relations. I am a facilitator and mediator across all environments and am a qualified counsellor and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.
Hi, I’m Tim, a medical doctor trained in London with experience of working in hospitals and in general practice. After training as a GP, I additionally trained in pharmaceutical medicine and worked as medical director in the world of clinical trials, drug safety and efficacy, medical communications and ethical leadership. Additionally, I studied neurolinguistic programming and coaching during my time as a consultant and now focus on coaching with an emphasis on health and life balance.
Renowned polo coach, Rege Ludwig gives his expert advice on how to get more out of your game
Because the offence and the defence sides of the game of polo necessitate their own actions and reactions, and because some players are more inclined toward one side of the game than the other, the strategy aspect of the game must be taken into consideration when forming a team.
To help better understand how to respond to an opponent, when your team is playing under the defence mode of play, consider the defence mode of play as representing a honeymoon; i.e., you cannot get to the opposing player close enough soon enough! Contrastingly, when playing within the offence mode of play, consider that situation as representing a divorce – you can’t get away far enough, fast enough!
A way of conceiving the difference between the two modes of play is to consider that any time a player on your team is in the process of hitting the ball, your team is playing within the offence mode of play. Under those conditions, all players of your team should get away from the opposing player as far as possible, as quickly as possible to enable receiving a pass unobstructed.
Contrastingly, when the opposing team is hitting the ball, your team is playing within the defence mode of play. Within the defence mode of playing, you and your teammates should get to the opposing players as quickly as possible to keep them from receiving a pass of the ball, or, if possible, even preventing the opposing player with the ball from executing a pass.
There will be times when your team is playing under the offence mode of play and a defence manoeuvre is appropriate. For example: consider that a teammate is bringing the ball downfield behind you, and there is an unchallenged opponent in front of you. Under those conditions, it could prove to be a good offensive manoeuvre for you to move forward to that opposing player; make contact with that player and push them away from where your teammate will be going with the ball. Under those conditions, you are executing what typically would be considered a defence manoeuvre; however, you are doing it within the offence mode of play.
It has not been unusual in my coaching career for me to suggest to the lowest rated player on the team to holler, “DEFENCE,” every time the team is put into the defence mode of play. I do that for two reasons:
1. To make sure the whole team is reminded to get into the defence mode of thinking, and within that process get to the nearest
opponent, as quickly as possible, to control them.
2. To teach the lower handicap player to be continuously looking around for the purpose of knowing:
A. Where their opponent is
B. Where the ball and the Line of the ball are
C. Where each teammate is
As quoted from the book, An Introduction to POLO, by Marco, written by Lord Louis Mountbatten, “in polo half of the battle is to decide quickly and to anticipate .... You should know at any given moment where your opposing and opposite number.... and the enemy goal are…Otherwise it will be impossible for you to think one or two strokes ahead and take quick decisions.”
The gist of that quote is, you should be constantly looking around to identify where you are relative to: 1. the ball, 2. the LOB, 3. the opposing player, 4. your teammates, and 5. the goal.
To give you an idea of how much you should be looking around, I present the following scenario: assume you are riding to the ball to execute a back shot; and, you are approximately thirty yards from the ball. Look back to identify where an unmarked teammate is to whom you can hit the ball. About ten yards from the ball look back again to make sure where that unmarked teammate is now. Continue riding to the ball so as to hit the ball where you remember your unmarked teammate being, and where that teammate should be now. Immediately after having hit the ball, look back again to verify that your teammate received the ball. If they did, turn immediately to follow that teammate in support. If your teammate did not receive your pass, immediately go to the closest opponent and stay with that opponent until your team is again in possession of the ball.
In that same book, under the chapter entitled ATTACK, the author states, “The primary factor in a successful attack is speed. The great thing is to waste no time in getting the ball to the enemy goal, while giving your opponents as little of a chance as possible to take up their defensive positions.”
In an effort to make this article applicable to every handicap level of polo player and game, and to stay within the realm of, “waste no time,” I refer you to former seven goal player, Dr. John D Richards in his book, Observations Upon the Nature of the Gallop and the Timing of a Polo Stroke and Form in Striking, (circa 1939) “Every student of the game has observed “that there are players who strike well when the game is
moderately fast but whose hitting deteriorates noticeably with an increase of the pace. While other factors enter into the result upon the aforesaid principle hangs the explanation of why many a player, giving great promise when playing in slow polo, shows up lamentably at international speed.”
Dr. Richards also states, “His nervous system is not geared to the pace, and he lacks the greatest of all assets in the game, quickness. Quickness in thinking, quickness in action, quickness in hitting. Lacking in this great attribute, ... no one can hope to become a fine player”.
Because of that assessment, I quite strongly suggest that when stick and balling, do not do stick and ball at a continuously slow pace of approximately ten miles per hour. Within just about every stick and ball session, hit all shots and dribble the ball at varying speeds, up to and including the fastest pace at which you are comfortable.
Stick and balling at a slow speed allows the opportunity of working on developing the techniques associated with hitting any particular shot. While stick and balling at speed allows becoming familiar with and comfortable with hitting the ball under the intensity of game conditions.
From my understanding of playing the sporting game of polo, it is critical to play the defensive side of the game more intensely, more aggressively, and more correctly than the offensive side. I come to that conclusion by realising that if a team achieves the amazing offensive task of scoring 15 goals in a game but blows it on the defensive side by allowing the other team to score 16 goals, the team that scored the amazing 15 goals still loses. And, it does not make any difference how or why a team loses – losing sucks; even if that losing team scored an amazing fifteen goals.
From the other side of that scoring perspective, if your team does not score any goals, while preventing the other team from scoring any goals, your team still does not lose the game; which, is a much more acceptable situation as compared to losing.
In the final analysis, winning is more a matter of how many goals your team prevented (defence) than how many goals your team scored (offence). I am not suggesting that the offence side of the game is not important. However, I am unequivocally stating that the defence side of the game, i.e., prevent goals from being scored, is much more significant to the possibility of winning than is the offence side of score more goals.
When working with clients in polo, I am generally focusing on ponies that come into work in March to get fit and finish the season in September to have a break for the winter. Some ponies have a short break and come into work to play some arena polo, but some stay in work to hunt, do a bit of show jumping, or just be an ‘all-rounder’.
As I thought about this subject, there was one yard that sprung to mind that really does have a busy summer of polo alongside a winter full of hunting and show jumping, using some of the same ponies for both, summer and winter.
Having worked with Toby and Mellie Pejkovic since my early years at Baileys, the welfare of their horses has always been paramount, and this is something their three children – Marcos, Florentina and Lucas, have all embraced. “Our horses are our pets and we enjoy looking after them as much as we enjoy competing them, we try to give them a happy home for life, where they can live together and be as they are meant to be.”
The horses live out all year round in groups or pairs, depending on their feeding requirements and how they get on together.
They always have hay available in the lorry whenever they are travelling, grazing at the side of the lorry and are even known to allow the horses to have a makeshift corral whilst they graze after polo! Water buckets are always at the ready and they are allowed to drink WHENEVER they like – before they play, in between chukkas and after they have played – the horses are all very relaxed and very much a part of the family.
Both Toby and Mellie play polo, as do all three of their children, primarily playing at Eastwood, Kirtlington and Binfield – in addition, they are now found on the busy Pony Club and Pony Club Polo circuits too!
In the winter months they will be hunting regularly, plus the children will be show jumping when spare daylight hours permit. Some of the polo ponies have a winter break, but some stay ticking over in work – this may seem unfair to some, but these older ponies actually benefit from staying in work as it keeps muscles strong and joints moving, rather than coping with the additional stresses to the body of letting their fitness go and building it all back up again.
So how are these horses fed during the summer and winter to maintain condition, especially as many of them are not ‘youngsters’?
Q: Are the horses fed the same in winter and summer?
A: Yes, the mainstay of the diets for all of the horses is grass in the summer and hay in the winter, which is complemented with Performance Balancer to ensure a balanced diet is received as it provides all their daily quality proteins, vitamins and minerals. For those needing some more calories they will receive Conditioning Cubes, or if they can have a little too much energy, Ease & Excel Cubes.
Q: What is fed if the horses lack energy at all?
A: Generally, if the horses have a constant supply of forage when travelling, at polo or at home and they are well hydrated, lacking energy doesn’t seem to be a problem. But if it was, we would again try the Conditioning Cubes before looking at anything else – we have always opted for these cubes before looking at oats or competition mixes, whether it be for the winter or summer.
Q: Not all your horses are ‘spring chickens’! Do you manage them any differently with their age in mind?
A: Not really, we find that living out really allows them to stretch and always be moving, as the horse has evolved to be! We work closely with a physiotherapist which we find is of huge benefit to the older horses and how they maintain their fitness and health. And, of course, ensuring they are well fed all year round is a must.
Q: When you are busy in the summer with polo and Pony Club Polo, do you change anything with their management?
A: We really don’t, their diets stay the same, but what we find really helps is keeping them relaxed, hydrated and constantly in front of forage. When they have played they all have
a drink, and because they are always offered water they are in the routine of drinking – it takes a while for new horses to get into this routine, as often they are not used to it. They are given electrolytes when it is hot and sweating regularly, and about half an hour before we load them to go home we give them a bucket of Alfalfa Oil chaff and water (third of water and a huge double handful of alfa) and hay in the lorry as they travel.
Q: Any other tips in managing these older horses and keeping them happy?
A: Keeping them happy is what we aim for, we work around any ‘quirks’ they may come with and very much try to keep everything relaxed, which the horses very quickly adapt to. The children are involved in the day-to-day care and riding of the horses, so they relax and adapt to different disciplines if it feels right for the individual. Keep things as simple as possible – work, diet, management, everything!
Q: Do you find you need to use supplements to keep the horses performing all year round?
A: No, we use very little in the supplement department, electrolytes of course, and very occasionally a pre/probiotic if we have a new polo pony that is needing a bit of support in the hind gut whilst it adjusts to living out and a new way of life, but other than that we find they thrive off the more holistic approach to management.
Q: When you have new horses come to you, how do you manage them?
A: Quite often when we have new horses come to us they have a few ‘quirks’ that need ironing out, so we take them off all hard feed and just use the balancer, they find their friend in the herd and we manage them if they don’t! We are then all involved in riding them and not putting any pressure on
them whatsoever and just get the horses to relax – the children are great at allowing this to happen as they are relaxed around the horses themselves and the horses literally feed off it!
If I was a polo pony, I for one would love to spend my twilight years with the Pejkovic family!
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
An ancient medicine
The Equine Therapy industry has grown over the last few years with more owners and riders recognising the necessity of regular physical maintenance for their equine partners, as after all, they are in many cases extreme athletes. Although Shiatsu is an ancient form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), it is probably one of the lesser known holistic therapies in the equine world today.
The earliest evidence of Shiatsu is said to be found in a series of translated philosophical dialogues between The Yellow Emperor Huang Di and his physician Ch’i Po in the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, dated around 240 BC. This first known Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) script describes the ‘life force’ energy meridian channels, Ki (pronounced ‘chi’), Tsubo points, Yin and Yang,
and the Five Element Theory (also known as the Five Transformations of Energy).
Traditional Chinese Medicine is known to be the oldest form of therapeutic and preventative medicine based on the theory of Ki, the Japanese word for energy. Due to modern medical and veterinary laws and legislation surrounding the terms diagnosis and medicine, Shiatsu is now classed as a complementary or alternative therapy as only doctors and vets are allowed by law to diagnose and prescribe treatments and medicines.
What is modern day Zen Shiatsu?
Shiatsu has both Chinese and Japanese origins and is holistic, whereby the integrity of the body and mind along with lifestyle
influences are considered. As Ki flows through the network of Meridian channels it connects the body on both physical and emotional levels. Shiatsu translates to mean ‘finger pressure’ and as horses are highly attuned sentient beings with extreme sensitivity to external physical and mental stimuli, Shiatsu has proven to be a most gentle but effective form of therapy to assist them emotionally, mentally and physically, as it does with humans.
The Shiatsu Practitioner makes an assessment of the horse from case history, visual observations and palpation. Where Zen Shiatsu differs to most therapies is that although we are feeling for physical tension and restrictions in the soft tissue structures and assessing overall mobility, we are also seeking
information from the Meridian network about the integrity of the internal organs, emotional state of the horse, type of horse in relation to the Five Elements, compatibility with their rider, and helping the owner/rider to evaluate their horse’s current lifestyle and implement any necessary changes required.
The Meridians
Meridians are a fascinating network of vessels, a separate system entirely to the Vascular System. During research for my own dissertation, it was exciting to find that researchers had found physical evidence of their existence and that it is not an imaginary system!
Within the Mammalian body there are fourteen meridians, seven pairs, which ‘connect’ to internal organs, and in six of the pairs there is a Yin and Yang meridian and organ. Each pair represents an element of the Five Transformations of Energy (The Five Element Theory). The pairs are:
Lung and Large Intestine – Metal energy, Stomach and Spleen/Pancreas – Earth energy, Heart and Small Intestine – Fire energy (Primary), Liver and Gall Bladder –Wood energy, Bladder and Kidney – Water energy, and Triple Heater and Heart Protector (Pericardium) – Fire energy (Secondary). The Triple Heater and Heart Protector are connected to the Heart. The last two pairs are the Governing Vessel which is found dorsomedial connecting all the Yang meridians, and the Conception Vessel situated ventromedial connecting all the Yin meridians.
Yin energy is said to rise upwards, flowing from the Earth with Meridians found to the front and inner body surfaces of arms and legs (fore limbs and hind limbs in the horse). Yang energy is said to descend from the Heavens with the Meridians located along the back and sides of the body and outer surfaces of the arms and legs (fore limbs and hind limbs in the horse).
Within each Meridian there are ‘access’ points known as Tsubo points, pressure points. When an imbalance in the flow of energy occurs, these points can become blocked by being too full (Jitsu) or too empty (Kyo). Imagine a hosepipe with a kink or knot in it, the water cannot flow through this blockage and the flow of water is disrupted with one part being too full of water and the other part with little to no flow of water.
By applying gentle, controlled and directed pressure to the Tsubo points in the Meridians with our thumbs, fingers, palms, elbows (and knees on humans), along with effleurage, mobilisations and stretches, we can release trapped ki to stimulate a smoother flow of Ki and rebalance the flow of Ki through the Meridians where we found the blockages. Sounds simple enough? But remember there are pairs of Meridians with Yin and Yang connections and Energy Elements so
we’ve still got some translating to do from this information!
The information we have gathered from our observations and rebalancing the Ki through the Meridians can then be translated to pinpoint which organs need some attention. This does not equate to any form of diagnosis of any condition or illness and if in any doubt or any concerns raised from a Shiatsu session then a vet must be consulted.
This diagram shows us the direct links between all the internal organs and energy elements with Yin and Yang in harmony in the middle, this is what we aim for in Shiatsu, harmony and balance for the horse to feel safe, calm and confident.
The outer circle of arrows shows the Shen Cycle and the inner arrows show the Ko Cycle, these influence and control the Five Transformations of Energy by:
Shen Cycle
Wood is fuel for Fire = the burning of Wood. Fire enriches the Earth = through the ashes of the wood. Earth contains Metal = an element found in minerals. Metal vitalises Water = permeation through minerals. Water feeds Wood = nourishes trees. Wood is fuel for Fire…. and so on.
Metal cuts through Wood – restricts and controls the growth and expansion of wood. Wood covers the Earth – restricts the expansion and growth of earth. Earth restricts Water flow. Water controls Fire – brings fire under control and puts out fire. Fire melts Metal – reduces the strength of metal.
From this understanding of the Five Elements we assess which Meridians are needing more Ki or less Ki. There can be
imbalances in just one pair, or multiple pairs, and the Practitioner can address the disruptions in the flow of Ki through the application of therapy at the time, and also discuss the horse’s needs with the owner to formulate a care plan to improve the horse’s well-being longer term. It might require more than one visit by the Shiatsu Practitioner to fully address any imbalances and to monitor the progress of the horse over a longer period of time.
Through the intricate connective tissue structures of fascia, nerves, blood, lymph and the meridian systems, the body is one whole connected structure, hence the term holistic, and Zen Shiatsu is a form of therapy that links all this together and can assist in addressing the cause of the imbalance.
Internal organ pain and dysfunction will present as stiffness, soreness, anxiety, depression, lethargy, fatigue, etc, and will be seen in changes in behaviour and performance as the nervous system is relaying signals from the affected organ to the brain through the spinal cord in the spine, hence we often see back related problems recover from addressing dietary and environmental related problems that have affected one or more internal organ functions.
Web: www.dbequinetherapy.co.uk
Tel: 07739 416781
Donna Barker Equine Therapy & Rehabilitation
India Parker-Smith is the founder and owner of Chukka Wellness which provides the leading training and movement methodology designed for the equestrian athlete to enhance suppleness, stability and strength in the saddle. India is a Personal Trainer who offers online and offline fitness training designed to elevate the well-being of the equestrian athlete. Using her knowledge of seven years she has created a series of masterclasses, a virtual membership hub and online training programmes all designed to complement the equestrian’s health and wellness both in and out of the saddle. You will find more information on India’s services on her website www.chukkawellness.co.uk and Instagram page @chukka_wellness
How often do people complain about their lack of energy? On a regular basis I would say. By the end of the season just about every rider is complaining of tiredness and body fatigue.
As players, it is essential to allocate a substantial amount of time to recovery; sleep, eat right, breathe effectively, stretch, and hydrate. This sounds time consuming and a lot of effort however it doesn’t have to be and is completely worth putting the time aside for.
Nutrition and Hydration
“We are what we eat” – cliché I know, but it’s true! What you put in your body contributes to your overall health, energy, skin & hair quality and of course recovery. Fuelling your body with:
• Protein in the form of clean lean meats and organic fish
• Good fats such as nuts, seeds, avocado, eggs
• Carbohydrates such as rice, potatoes, root vegetables
• Filtered water with electrolytes (to achieve optimal hydration)
Pre-Game Snacks include bananas, eggs on toast, peanut butter on toast, tuna, chicken strips, electrolytes.
Post-Game Snacks include electrolytes, bananas, nuts and seed mix.
Morning Stretch
I tell all of my clients to start their day with a five to ten minute mobility routine. Not only does this energise the body physically but mentally too. The early morning movements pump blood and oxygen around the body and ease any tension or muscle tightness you have. Include some deep breathing to set yourself up for a good day!
This is always a popular conversation at the dinner table, and I am amazed at how bad most people’s sleep patterns are. Ideally, we should be getting seven to eight hours of undisrupted sleep to allow the body and brain to recover. The polo season will be very long if you are constantly chasing sleep and slowly burning the candle at both ends. Try to create a pre-sleep routine i.e. no blue light one hour before bed, read instead of
scrolling, some deep breathing, lying down on your back with your legs in the air up against a wall for ten minutes.
Workout
Even if you don’t have the ‘energy’ to exercise, an easy walk or swim will suffice. Exercising boosts energy levels and
endorphins so you may start your workout feeling tired and unmotivated but by the end you will feel much better. The exercise boosts the transportation of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and improves the cardiovascular system. This gives you more energy in the saddle and a quicker recovery rate!
If you are looking for motivation to kickstart your workout regime; check out our fitness App in the Apple Store and Android store – ‘Chukka Wellness’.
Breathing
Starting your day with the 5-3-3 breathing technique will improve energy and focus for the day ahead. Start with five deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth. Continue with three quick breaths and then end with three loud breaths.
Women – Menstrual Cycle
Women’s hormones also play a role in energy levels. Throughout each month our estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate which can lead to reduced energy, increased fatigue, slower recovery levels and low motivation levels – sucks huh? Ladies forgive your body during certain times of the month:
Follicular Phase: As estrogen and progesterone levels rise, your energy levels will too. At this point, you may feel like your most productive, energized self!
Ovulation Phase: Estrogen and testosterone levels peak during ovulation, which can make you feel more energised.
Luteal Phase: Your progesterone levels will peak then decrease rapidly (if you don’t become pregnant), which may impact your sleep patterns and leave you feeling low on energy. During these low energy times switch your high intensity workouts for low impact ones such as yoga, Pilates, a gentle jog, a swim.
These are a few suggestions of ways that you can energise your body throughout the season. Listen to your body and if it requires rest – then sleep and take a day off. If it requires food – feed it and if ladies, you feel weak and tired for no reason –check where you are in your menstrual cycle.
Struggling with your polo-fitness?
Chukka Wellness has launched their fitness App that has been designed to help riders become twice as supple, stable and strong in the saddle. The App contains a wide variety of rider-specific workouts, mobility routines, stretches, nutritional guides, educational webinars on rider preparation & recovery PLUS so much more. If you are a travelling athlete with a busy schedule – this App is Perfect for you!
Number one female player Nina Clarkin, “I have used the App for my core and stretching – it’s easy to use and I would recommend”
Download the App in the Apple Store now – Chukka Wellness
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Height: 15.1hh
Age: 11-years-old
Colour: Grey
Sex: Gelding
Owned and played by: Played by Andrea Vianini
Tournament: The Duke of Wellington Final at Guards Polo Club
Where is he from/breeding? He is a Forest Galgo x.
How long have you had him? I bred him, broke him and made him, so I have had him all his life.
What are his strengths? He has a very soft mouth and good sides, a big heart and he never lets you down. He is a two chukka pony and my best pony.
How has he gone this season? This has been his best season so far.
Height: 15hh
Age: 14-years-old
Colour: Chestnut
Sex: Gelding
Owned and played by: Owned and played by Matias Amaya
Tournament: The Wichenford Bowl Final at Beaufort Polo Club
Where is he from/breeding? Perico is a homebred from Argentina.
How long have you had him? We have had him forever.
What are his strengths? He is powerful and fast, he is always loyal, typical gelding.
Has he won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? This is his first BPP award.
What are your plans for him in the future? In the future he will retire on the farm with us.
Has he won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? He is my Best Playing Pony!
What are your plans for him in the future? My plan is to continue playing him for as long as possible.
Does he have any special quirks? Not really, he is an amazing pony and anybody could play him.
Describe him in three words? Very soft mouth.
Does he have any special quirks? He has a cheeky character.
Describe him in three words? Loyal, strong, committed.
Height: 15.2hh
Age: Nine-years-old
Colour: Dark Bay
Sex: Mare
Owned and played by: Owned by Rob Wilson
Tournament: The Robert’s Cup Final at Guards Polo Club
Where is she from/breeding? She is from Argentina, I bought her from Fabio Lavinia.
How long have you had her? I have had her for three years.
What are her strengths? Mainly acceleration and speed, but luckily still with brakes.
How has she gone this season? She has been amazing, Vanessa my groom has done a great job looking after her and my friend Josh Clover is a serious jockey if any of my horses ever need a little tuning up.
Height: 15hh
Age: 14-years-old
Colour: Bay
Sex: Mare
Owned and played by: Will Emerson
Tournament: The Chairman’s Tournament Final at Guards Polo Club
Where is she from/breeding? She was bred by La Dolfina (Chimento x La Dicha) and bought as an embryo by Nacho Figueras. Then she was sold to HB Polo when she was fully made (Pailloncy brothers).
How long have you had her? I have had her for five years.
What are her strengths? Super lateral and very powerful in the short plays. She also has a big heart.
How has she gone this season? Since the day I bought her she has been one of my best horses every season.
Has she won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? This is her first BPP, but hopefully many to follow.
What are your plans for her in the future? Hopefully just to keep playing her and having fun.
Does she have any special quirks? She has a very funny slow canter, she basically doesn’t like going slowly.
Describe her in three words? Determined, rapid, pretty.
Has she won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? Yes, she has won a few with me before, and a few with her previous owner, Seb Pailloncy.
What are your plans for her in the future? To breed from her.
Does she have any special quirks? She’s feisty.
Describe her in three words? Gives 110 percent every day.
Tell us yours at gossip@polotimes.co.uk
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Congratulations to Bramham Polo Academy Coach, Fran Stüven Ortelli and Kirsty Huggins who tied the knot surrounded by family and friends on Saturday 23 September.
Marcos Araya and his partner Victoria welcomed baby Olivia to their family in mid-September – congratulations!
David and Judy Ragland’s OKC Polo Club in Oklahoma, USA, is up for sale and offers those passionate about polo the perfect stateside home. As well as the main house and guest apartment, there are two barns (one with two bedrooms), 10 stables, tack rooms, polo field, practice grounds, arena, turnout paddocks, swimming pool and garage. Listed for a cool $4.5million, this equestrian set up will surely be snapped up soon.
End of Season Awards; Saturday 16 September; Guards Polo Club, Windsor
With a Great Gatsby theme there were feather boas in abundance, a delicious Searcys dinner and Laurent Perrier aplenty. Entertainment was delivered by The Counterfeit Stones, a reminder of the Club’s late Chairman Brian Stein’s rock and roll credentials as he had made the arrangements for this Rolling Stones tribute band to play at the Club. The Club’s Chairman Lt Col Sean O’Dwyer paid tribute to Brian in his welcome address and everyone was delighted that Brian’s partner, Platina Tong was among the guests. There was plenty to celebrate as the Club hosted some 604 games this season and welcomed 12 new home elected players to the playing membership.
During the evening John Collins presented his Talacrest Best Young Player of the Year Award to Alfie Hyde. Alfie’s prize is a year’s playing membership of Guards Polo Club, the perfect reward for a strong season. The Club’s other annual awards were:
Best Team: Heiko Voelker’s Tchogan
Most Useful Umpire: Riley Leake
Best Professional: Simon Prado
Most Improved Player: Logan Anderson
Best Player off their Handicap: Rashid El-Ashkar
Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com
Antony Fanshawe & Ana Escobedo Julian, Phoebe, Lisa & Riley Leake Harry Wilson, Jane Hebditch & Grahame Wickham Logan Anderson & Abi Mowat Anderson Liz & James Neighbour Petra Hofer, Enrico Meneghetti with Beatrice & Antonio Menard John Collins & Alfie Hyde Lt Col Sean O’Dwyer & Ramzy El-Ashkar Alexander Nix Georgie & Ed Morris-Lowe, Will Melville-Smith & Ash Price Nicolas San Roman, Eduardo Greghi & Mindi Byrne Matias Ballesteros, Romilla Arber & Tom Morley Simon Arber, Juana del Carril & Nico Roberts Laura King, Mark Emerson & Fi Watson2023 End of Season Awards; Sunday 17 September; Cheshire Polo Club
Club Members, family and friends came together at Cheshire Polo Club for the annual End of Season Awards, celebrating the triumphs of the season.
Club Chairman Martin Kidd presented all of the prizes which recognised everyone from those new to the Club, youngsters and of course the ponies:
Most Improved Young Lady Player: Annebelle Kelly
Most Improved Player (Under 12): Otto Malasomma
Junior Polo Awards: Oliver Conway-Johnson, Atticus Burnett, Taylor Coddington & Ceci Armitage-Lyon
Most Improved Senior Player: Guido Basile
Best Playing Pony: Molly Crutchley Ainscough’s Fernanda
Most Improved Young Gentleman Player: Sam Chaves
Best Newcomer: John Archer
Best Turned Out: Oulton Lowe – Will Padden & Nicki Grant
Best Groom: Nataliya Varley/Briar Thatch
HPA Millenium Umpire Award: Oliver Conway-Johnso
HEP Trophy 1968 in memory of David Rollinson: Molly Crutchley Ainscough
Photography by Nigel Pugh & Michael Tyrells
Martin Kidd & Sam Chaves
Martin Kidd & Annebelle Kelly Martin Kidd & Otto Malasomma
Martin Kidd, Oliver Conway-Johnson, Atticus Burnett, Taylor Coddington & Ceci Armitage-Lyon
Martin Kidd & Guido Basile
Martin Kidd & John Archer
Martin Kidd, Will Padden & Nicki Grant
Martin Kidd & Oliver Conway-Johnso Cheshire Polo Club Young Players with Martin Kidd
Martin Kidd & Molly Crutchley Ainscough
Martin Kidd & Molly Crutchley Ainscough – winner HEP Trophy 1968 in memory of David Rollinson
Martin Kidd & Nataliya Varley
End of Season Party & Awards; Friday 22 September; Tedworth Park Polo Club, Tidworth
Members, friends and supporters of Tedworth Park Polo Club gathered together at the end of September for an evening to celebrate the successes of the 2023 season. British Polo Gin was on hand with their delicious handmade, sourdough pizzas and refreshing drinks menu to keep everyone fed and watered throughout the night.
Bob McNab was awarded the 2023 Most Valuable Member for all his voluntary work as the Club scorer and time keeper, Rosie Talbot Rice accepted the Scarlett Lancers Trophy on behalf of Team Legal Action for the team with the most accumulated points for the 2023 season, Fred Frampton was chosen as the Most Improved Player of the 2023 season and Helen Greddington was selected as the Most Improved Student of the 2023 season. Congratulations on another successful season and we are already looking forward to 2023 at Tedworth Park!
Photography by Lolly Stanhope-White
Christine Thome, Tom Beese, Debbie Beese, Clare Macnamara & Chris Thome Andrew Speight, Helen Greddington & Rob Greddington
Justin Stanhope-White & Tom Ridgeway
Henry Carter & Morgan Dutton
Fred Frampton, Lily Frampton, Sheeran Crawford & Ila Khagram Jo Steele & Dani May
Carmel Hooper, Alice Gregory, Scarlett Picksley, Katie Callingham, Olivia Allen & Lara Gregory
Katrina Stanhope-White & Henry Whichelo-Page
Justin Stanhope-White & Rich Hine
Lolly Stanhope-White & Flic Townend Bob McNab – 2023 Most Valuable Member
Fred Frampton – Most Improved Player of the 2023 season
Helen Greddington – Most Improved Student of the 2023 season Rosie Talbot Rice
Polo Club
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19” Saddle
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
Trailer from 1960s Fire Engine
Ex fire engine hose trailer. Solid, no rust, mechanism for ball hitch needs releasing, beautiful colour red, rolls smoothly over rough terrain. (Bude, Cornwall). £400 ovno.
Tel: 07956 106705
15.3hh 7-Year-Old TB mare. Broken in and produced onsite. Safe and easy in every way. Hacks, farm rides, beach rides, polocrosse, arena and grass polo. Played 8 goal with a pro and does pony club with young novice riders. Fit and ready to try at private grounds. (Cheshire). £20,000. Tel: 07917 541021
Good quality brown leather/suede polo saddle in good condition. Size 19” medium. £150. Tel: 07801 474086
New Instinct Askari Polo Hat
Navy with white trim. Size 58cm but can be altered Brand new, tried on once but otherwise sat in original box with original packaging. Never been dropped or bumped around. Bought for £495 Postage included in price. £425ono. Tel: 07772 631087
Wooden Practice Pony
Wooden practice pony measuring circa 15” 1’ at the withers. Originally commisioned as a unicorn hence the horn which can easily be removed. Left ready to be painted your choice of colour. Constructed in treated timber except the head and centre pieces which are mdf so need to be painted before putting out to graze. Comes with rear dolley which sits under the rear legs so can easily be moved or repositioned. Collection only (Andover). £300. Tel: 07801 474086
Paddock Field Roller
8’ Paddock Field Roller 2 x 4’ split roller drums that can be filled with water or ballast. 32” diameter. Double frame over bars for additional frame strength and allowing further link points to be added if required (such as for the towing of harrows) Roller has been well-maintained with very little use. In very good condition and has been barn stored. Collection from Barton Mills IP28. £950. Tel: 07802 659120
POLO & PIGSTICKING PAINTINGS,PRINTS,BOOKS KEY RING ETC
TEL 01934 613996
www marlboroughbooksandprints.co.uk
Bits
Loose ring gag 5.5 inch, £20.
Cheltenham gag 5.75 inch, £20. 3 ring cheek gag 5.5inch, £10. Tel: 07784 731929
Philipp Müller started his passion for polo later in life, but has wasted no time and in 2022 secured the 8 goal Victor Ludorum Trophy alongside Nacho Gonzalez, Sebastian Dawnay and his son Pierandrea, making history as the first father/son duo to do so. His success with Standing Rock continued this year and he recently lifted the prestigious Engels & Völkers Coupe de Bronze Cup in Deauville. We caught up with Philipp to find out more
mention is certainly the Snakebite Polo Team this year.
Most prized possession?
I do not have a prized possession as such. I do like art and sculptures in particular, some of which are very dear to me.
What is your all time best polo memory?
I have had many enriching memories in the polo world. What was certainly an exceptional experience was to meet and play against His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Meeting the Prince and HRH the Princess of Wales in person at this year‘s Out-Sourcing Inc. Royal Charity Polo Cup at Guards Polo Club will always be an unforgettable memory.
What is your biggest passion and why?
Sports in general have always been my biggest passion. I believe that you can learn so much about life from sports. I have always found it especially inspiring working with people with a vast sporting experience, preferably team sports.
Who were/are your favourite teammates?
I admire many players for different reasons! Of course, I feel privileged to play with my son Pierandrea. Other than that, I don’t have a favourite player.
At Standing Rock Polo Team, we are one big family, where everyone matters, starting with the grooms. This is part of our spirit.
Hardest opponent?
That’s easy to reply: The hardest opponent is always myself! Other than that, we had some tough games against many great teams – one of them to
Favourite film and why?
Which sports do you like outside of polo? Bob skeleton! But that was before. In my younger days I used to be a member of the Swiss National team for several years racing in the World Cup all over the world. Reaching a speed of up to 85mph and high G Forces is pure adrenaline –almost like in polo.
The Da Vinci Code with Tom Hanks comes to my mind. It is a fascinating mix of nail-biting thriller with some themes like questioning authority and dogmas and power and corruption, which takes place in a historic setting – a great film script!
Favourite song/album?
I couldn’t live without music. My passion and admiration ranges from great musicians like George Benson to George Michael and the classics. There is no doubt that Mozart is the GOAT (greatest of all time)
Favourite food/dish?
Who does not love Italian cuisine? Pasta! Pizza! I also enjoy Sushi. And as a Swiss of course a good Raclette is always great.
Favourite hobby outside of polo?
I take an interest in many different things, but riding a motorbike clearly is and has always been a great passion of mine. It’s when the adrenaline kicks in…
Favourite celebrity and why?
Muhammad Ali – he was not only an incredible sportsman, he was and is an impressive, inspiring personality. I equally admire him for his courage, his principles and his generosity.
Best holiday destination & activity?
I have the privilege to travel the world. You can meet wonderful people, find breath-taking landscapes and awesome culture everywhere. What I especially enjoy and follow throughout the year, is the sun. Warmth and good weather is life changing for me.
Best pony and why?
My best pony is Lunar, a gelding I bought from Lucas Torales. However, my favourite one is still Lilly, even though she almost threw me out of the saddle during a team presentation some years ago. I was lucky to stay on, but what a snapshot of the photographer!
Are you passionately superstitious?
Yes, indeed! Mostly when it comes to sports. My rituals before each game are important.
Describe yourself in three words?
Grateful, passionate, a lifelong learner. Oops, that was more than three words.
One thing which would surprise us about you?
Maybe some would be surprised by my love for life. Others by my standing up for my beliefs. Who knows? It is for each one to find out. That is the beauty of meeting people.
“…nothing short of a paradise.”
“…a word class polo destination for any fanatic.”