Polo Times August 2014

Volume 19 • Issue 7 • August 2014 • £6.50

www.polotimes.co.uk

100 page bumper issue

Cambiaso leads Dubai to Gold Cup victory Ladies’ polo special and Pony Club legends PT Aug14 Covers.indd 1

Guest Edited by

Nina Clarkin 24/07/2014 12:11

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The private bank for polo

facebook.com/EFGInternational

Proud sponsors of: Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup EFG Aravali Team, UK High Goal XLIII International Polo Tournament, Sotogrande 40 Goal Challenge, Palm Beach RMA Sandhurst Polo Cambridge University Polo

University of St Andrews Polo Veytay Masters, Switzerland Haryana Polo Club, Delhi Thai Polo Open Kakira Nile Polo Club Copa Desafío, Punta del Este

Photos: www.imagesofpolo.com (EFG – Aravali Team); Abhishek Acharya; Elsa Ochoa.

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EFG – polo montage – Eng – 230+230x300mm + 3mm bleed – quadri – publication: Polo Times, August 2014 (25.07.2014)

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Practitioners of the craft of private banking

EFG is the marketing name for EFG International and its subsidiaries. In the UK: EFG Private Bank Limited, Leconfield House, Curzon Street, London W1J 5JB, T + 44 20 7491 9111. EFG Private Bank Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

5 EFG Private Bank Limited is a member of the London Stock Exchange. Registered in England and Wales no. 2321802. Registered office as above. Member of EFG International. www.efginternational.com

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EFG – polo montage – Eng – 230+230x300mm + 3mm bleed – quadri – publication: Polo Times, August 2014 (25.07.2014)

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Tally Ho Farm HORSE NUTRITION

Official Equestrian Supplier to the England Polo Team

Congratulations to Dubai and King Power Polo Teams for reaching the final of the Gold Cup. Both teams powered by Tally Ho Farm Feeds.

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Contents

Contacts Publisher Nick Hine publisher@polotimes.co.uk

Nina Clarkin

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30

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Photographs by Clive Bennett, James Ram, Tony Ramirez and Polly Bryan

Guest Editor

Production Editor Richenda Hine

Deputy Editor Polly Bryan polly@polotimes.co.uk

Polo Reporter and Researcher Tilda Woodd tilda@polotimes.co.uk Advertising Manager Ben Bovill ben@polotimes.co.uk

Principal Design James Morgan

What’s inside...

August 2014

News Additional Design

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Tony Ruddy

Financial Controller Angie Clarke accounts@polotimes.co.uk

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Comment 22

Subscriptions Sarah Foster sarah@polotimes.co.uk

Foreword by Nina Clarkin, Guest Editor All the latest news HPA news Herbert Spencer obituary

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The process behind international team selection Your views: letters

Features Subscription Sales Richard Hine renewals@polotimes.co.uk

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Reports 30

Contributors

Lorna Edgar, Mark Emerson, Sarah Gardener, Lottie Goldstone, Emily Herbert, Liz Higgins, Charley Larcombe, Tony Ramirez, Alison Schwabe, Winston Squire, Charles Whittington, David Woodd

Contact details Hill Farm Studios, Wainlodes Lane, Bishops Norton, Glos, GL2 9LN Tel: 01452 730770 Fax: 01993 882660 email:admin@polotimes.co.uk

www.polotimes.co.uk

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The rise and rise of women in polo

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Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup for the British Open Audi International, Beaufort BLOOM British Ladies’ Open Championships Suffolk Young England Test Match Beach polo round-up Victor Ludorum round-up

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Women’s handicaps: a help or a handicap?

Three young players to watch

Knowledge 56 61 64 66 68 70 72 74

Get chukka-fit with Winston Squire Pony running reports Know your horse Pony power Accountancy matters Equipment Equine legal advice In polo – London Executive Aviation

Youth polo 78

La Aguada Guards Youth Tournament

Sidelines 80 82 85 94 98

Gossip: don’t be the last to know Social pages What’s on in August Polo Times Marketplace Passions: Luke Tomlinson

Guest editor special 48 50

The psychology of reaching the top Guest editor comment: is polo becoming too professional for its own good?

Cover photograph: The winning Dubai team lift the magnificent Gold Cup aloft after a thrilling final against King Power

By Tony Ramirez, www.imagesofpolo.com

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News

News

England team decided for FIP European Championships

It was with a mixture of excitement and trepidation that I accepted the gauntlet thrown at my feet to guest edit this issue of Polo Times. Having never written so much as a few words for any magazine I felt somewhat daunted at the project but I surprised myself and actually thoroughly enjoyed the process!

Last weekend, I played in the final of the FIP qualifiers on International Day. I think the HPA’s idea of a tournament to qualify for the FIP European Championships is a great one and I hope it is something they will continue to do. Congratulations to Apache, who beat Richard Thomas’ Chester Racecourse team, (in which I played). I am confident Apache will represent England admirably and have every chance of a victory across the Channel. If this new initiative continues with more teams entering next year, the competition will be tougher therefore affording the winning team an even better chance of coming out on top in the championships. It also gives a rare opportunity for patrons to represent England and in the process eases the financial burden on the HPA: win, win in my mind.

I am also at the tail end of playing two weeks of ladies’ polo, which has been really interesting and mostly lots of fun. The standard of ladies’ polo continues to grow and grow across the board and there are some exciting talents coming through which is encouraging for the future of ladies’ polo as some of us old stalwarts are exactly that…. a bit old!

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Polo Times, August 2014

Photography by Tony Ramirez www.imagesofpolo.com

From our Guest Editor Nina Clarkin

Apache with Brigadier John Wright, Prince Charles and André Konsbruck of Audi

ENGLAND WILL FIELD an 8-goal team for the FIP European Championships in Chantilly, France from 4–14 September. For the first time, the HPA ran a qualifying tournament, with the winning team being given the opportunity to represent England in Chantilly. Four teams contested the qualifiers including Spencer and James McCarthy’s Emlor and Clare and Chris Mathias’ Clarita with Chester Racecourse and Apache reaching the final played as the morning match on Audi International Day. Richard Thomas’ Chester Racecourse team featured Lucy Taylor, John Martin and Nina Clarkin, while Max Dear teamed up with George Pearson (who stood in for Ralph Richardson who was playing in Sotogrande), Freddie Dear and Ollie Tuthill for Apache. The Beaufort-based Apache side ran out the winners, 6–4.

The championships will be hosted by the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly, and seven other European nations have been invited to send a team: France, Spain, Austria, Ireland, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. Spain will return to the championships as defending champions. Qualification matches will be played on 4–9 September, with the semi-finals on the 12 September and the final on 14 September.

The European Championships will follow the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, which conclude on 7 September. Within the World Equestrian Games, France will take on the Rest of the World in an exhibition polo match, on 6 September.

The FIP European Championships were last held in Chantilly in 1999, when England defeated Belgium in the final. England has won the title five times in the 21-year history of the championships, having last triumphed in 2008.

Previous action at the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly www.polotimes.co.uk

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News

Pony Club and British Junior Polo Championships this month

The teams line-up at the 2013 Pony Club Championships at Cowdray Park

THE AUDI PONY Club championships will take place this month at Cowdray Park, on 8–10 August. Teams will take to the field to contest the Handley Cross, Surtees, Loriner, Hipwood, Langford, Ledner, Rendell and Gannon sections. The Jorrocks Championships, for children up to 11 years old, will be held at Hurtwod Park Polo Club on Wednesday 6 August.

This year, the Gannon and Langford sections will return to being run under Pony Club rules, as reported in the July issue of Polo Times, with the HPA running the new British Junior Polo Championships during the weekend of the Pony Club Championships. Three trophies will be contested: the John Cowdray Trophy (U21), the Buckmaster Trophy (U18) and the Hipwood Trophy (U15). Players are able to take part in both Pony Club sections and British Junior Polo sections, if they wish.

Prince Harry helps the Army to Rundle Cup victory THE ANNUAL BATTLE between the Army and the Navy for the Hackett Rundle Cup at Tidworth Polo Club celebrated 100 years of Army polo. Record crowds were in attendance to see the Army team, featuring HRH Prince Harry, defeat the Navy 7-4.5. Prince Harry was joined by Maj Rupert Lewis, 2/Lt Rishi Ahluwalia and O/Cdt Paddy Selfe, who was named most valuable player after scoring five of the Army’s seven goals.

The Navy began with a 1.5-goal advantage on handicap, but it wasn’t long before the Army had overtaken this lead, being 4-2.5 ahead by the end of the first chukka. The Navy was able to edge back into the lead in the second chukka with great play from Cdr Adrian Aplin, but Selfe soon put the Army back in front. A second chance for the Navy to come back into contention was blown when a penalty shot taken by Lt Hiro Suzuki bounced off a pony and went wide, leaving the Army to defend their lead and secure the victory.

In addition to the Rundle Cup, the day also featured a match between the Combined Services Polo Association and www.polotimes.co.uk

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The victorious Army team with the Rundle Cup at Tidworth

a visiting team from South Africa, with the South Africans running out the winners 6-5.

Spectators were also entertained by

a jockeys versus eventers game, raising money for the INSPIRE foundation, as well as a Pony Club Jorrocks exhibition match.

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News

Photograph by www.imagesofpolo.com

Brits and ten-goalers take to the fields of Sotogrande

Last year’s winning high-goal Gold Cup team, Ellerston

SEVERAL BRITISH PLAYERS will be in action in Sotogrande, Spain this month, contesting the 43rd Land Rover International Tournament at Santa Maria Polo Club. The tournament, which is already underway, will once again feature three cups – Bronze, Silver and Gold – each played for at low, medium and high-goal levels.

Ellerston will be back to defend their high-goal Gold Cup title from 2013. This year, James Packer has teamed up with Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres, plus young British onegoaler Tom Brodie. Charlie Hanbury will lead a Halcyon Gallery side, with Jota Chavanne, Guillermo Terrera and five-goaler Max Routledge, while six-goaler Malcolm Borwick has teamed up with Roger Carlsson, Lucas James and Jaime Garcia Huidobro for Royal Salute.

Four-goaler Matt Perry will also be in action, joining Victor Vargas’s Lechuza Caracas side along with Francisco Elizalde and Juan Martin Nero.

Michael Bickford will also return to Sotogrande with his La Indiana side, featuring Marcos Araya, John Paul Clarkin and Ruki Baillieu.

A total of five ten-goalers will play the high-goal, with Adolfo Cambiaso playing for Robert Jornayvaz’s Valiente team, and Pelon Stirling in action for Ayala.

British Open finalist Top Srivaddhanaprabha’s King Power will also contest the high-goal, with Marcos Di Paola, Alejandro Muzzio and Martin Espain making up the team.

Meanwhile, fourteen teams will take part in the Sotogrande dates for medium-goal section, with British three-goaler Ali the diary Paterson, who lifted last year’s high-goal Gold Cup in Sotogrande, as well as winning this year’s Gold Cup for Bronze Cups the British Open, playing for Lebeau-Courally. SevenLow-goal: 25 July–31 July goaler James Beim will join Peter Silling’s Equus line-up Medium-goal: 25 July–31 July with Hugo Lewis who experienced his first taste of high High-goal: 26 July–1 August goal polo with El Remanso earlier this year, while 17-yearold Seb Hancock will play for Roger Carlsson’s FCT. Silver Cups Five teams will contest the low-goal with British Low-goal: 2–14 August patron Kaveh Shakib’s Shakib Polo team among them.

Medium-goal: 2–14 August This year’s tournament also offers increased High-goal: 2–15 August entertainment and facilities, with the shopping and restaurant area open every day from 25 July to 31 Gold Cups August, and Grey Goose After Polo Sotogrande Low-goal: 16–29 August providing evening entertainment.

Medium-goal: 16–29 August Keep up to date with all the latest results from the High-goal: 16–30 August tournament at www.polotimes.co.uk.

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News Club Newsnews in brief

BRAZILIAN FOUR-GOALER Juracy Santos is currently in a coma after suffering head injuries in a fall during a ARGENTINA LIFTED THE Phoenician Cup match at Guards. He Coronation Cup at Audi COWDRAY PARK POLO Club has appointed Peter was playing for BHC Polo.

Polo Times Day, after beating BLUEY’S POLO CLUB is BarfootInternational as its new club chairman for the 2014 season. wishes himoffering a speedy recovery.

England 13-8.

Despite gutsyhas retired after currently membership He takes over from Robin Butler,a who for the 2014 season just RENOWNED POLOforJOURNALIST performance from the home team, seven years in the role. £400, ifSpencer taken uphas before Herbert died, aged 85. The Barfoot the is unstoppable combination of Forest Polo the former chairman of New Tuesday 15 April. For more long-time Polo Times columnist died Club, where he alsoFacundo worked as treasurer, and has ten-goalers Pieres and information please contact played at Cowdray Park with his Maiz Dulce team for peacefully at his home in Berkshire on Adolfo Cambiaso proved just polomanager@blueyspolo.co.uk. from 4-goal to 12-goal level.James Beim, Mark Tomlinson and Ollie Cudmore to Tuesday 1 July. Turn to page 20 to readthe pasta 14 littleyears, too much for Luke Tomlinson, “It would be with. difficult to replicate the special Cowdray they held on handicap, England were unable to HEATHFIELD POLO CLUB will his obituary. reckon Despite the one-goal advantage run two new tournaments this atmosphere anywhere else,” he said.

“I know all theCambiaso and Pieres teamed up with three-goalers THE HPA WILL hold the end of season regain the lead after the second chukka. season. The La Golondrina Cup, playing members really well and I also look forward handicap meeting for all 22-goal and Francisco Balaustegui and Julio Ruggeri, with Pieres named most valuable player. for players aged 18 and below, is to meeting as many of the non-playing members as Victor Ludorum players Monday 11 England also lost to Argentina when the two nations last played for the Coronation Cup in on 12-13 July, while theon ladies’ possible during the course of the season.”

August. meeting had Tie PoloThe tournament runsalready from been 2009. This is the first year they relinquished the title since 2009 however. The loss ends a 17-18 August. rescheduled for Thursday 4 September, string of victories for England, who won the Nations Cup at Palermo in April, as well as the Peter Barfoot, the new chairman at Cowdray Park Polo Club but has been brought forward. The first two internationals of the English season.

RUTLAND POLO CLUB’S meeting for all other players will take England will take on the Rest of the World in the final Audi International of the year, at 6-goal Assam Cup tournament place onadded Thursday 9 September.

Chester Racecourse on Saturday 6 September. will be to the Victor Ludorum listNations for 2014.

It has THE FIP fixture SUPER Cup takesconfirmed place from June. been to12-22 be taking place once again in 2014. The 24-goal as a 20-goal four-a-side arena tournament.

DALLAS BURSTON POLO Club has announced ST ALBANS POLO Club will tournament, which is hosted by the The winning teams of each tournament will it will host two new tournaments in 2014, with a once again host Polo for Heroes receive £10,000 in prize money. Entries are Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club this summer.

The charity eventin Tianjin,combined prize pot of £20,000. will take place on Saturday currently open for the 12-goal tournament in July, China, is provisionally scheduled for 1–5 The first of two IXL Gold Cups will be played at 28 June and feature matchare yet to 12-goal level on 12-13 July, as part of the club’s with team entries costing £400.

October, though thesea dates between military and civilian Please email phil@rugbypoloclub.com for Fine & Country Polo Day. It will be the highest be confirmed. teams. To find out more email furtheratdetails or to handicapped A WEBSITE HAS been launched LUKE TOMLINSON HAS stepped down as England captain, it was revealed the press info@stalbanspoloclub.co.uk. enter a team. tournament the for the Association of Pony Schools conference on Audi International Day. The Coronation Cup clash with Argentina was to be club THE OUTDOOR POLO season was Warwickshire and Pony Hirers. The association the seven-goaler’s last international as captain, with seven-goaler and long-time England has hosted to date. is already underway at the Vale launched in May 2013, to try to improve stalwart James Beim taking over the reins.

The second IX of York Polo Club, with the first standards for students andon horses in Gold Cup will Tomlinson has captained the England side since 2006, when he took over from Henry Brett. chukkas played on grass be The Dallas Burston polo.

The9website found at “It’s time for me to step aside and hand over the reins,” Tomlinson said.

“Therewhich are lots of SuperArena, Sunday March. can The be club’s played in the club’s will host theit20-goal polo field is built on glacial sand www.apsph-polo.org.uk new in guys now coming up, I’ve done a long stint as captain and we should keep fresh.

SuperArena arena tournament in deposits, giving it great drainage.

Polo Times.

November, “I will continue to play for England, as long as I am selected!” he toldNovember

Club news in brief

Photography by www.imagesofpolo.com

Argentina beats England to win Coronation Cup New chairman at Cowdray Park

Two new events at Dallas Burston

Luke Tomlinson steps down as England captain

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News

Polo comes to Horse Guards Parade this month INTERNATIONAL ARENA POLO will be played at Horse Guards Parade in London this month. Teams representing England, Ireland, Thailand and Wales will be in action on Thursday 14 August. It is thought to be the first time polo has been played at the iconic central London location.

The event coincides with the opening day of the London leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour show jumping event, with polo taking place in the evening. The first match will be between Wales and Ireland at 6.30pm, while England will play Thailand at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £20 and can be purchased at www.citypolo.com

Aiming high BEACH POLO AT WATERGATE BAY The Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach event has been confirmed as returning to Cornwall’s Watergate Bay in 2015, after attracting record numbers once again this year LOS POTRIOLLOS Zac Beim scored two goals on the Smiths Lawns, Queen’s Ground, to take his team to victory POLO IN AZERBAIJAN The Arena Polo World Cup is set to return to Azerbaijan in September. The second edition of the event will take place from 5–7 September in a brand new purpose-built polo stadium in Baku

Swinging low COPENHAGEN OPEN Organisers were forced to cancel the 2014 Copenhagen Open due to the withdrawal of title sponsors, it is understood. The event, which was held for the first time in 2013, is set to return in 2015

RoR Racing to Polo Challenge 2014

THERE ARE JUST five weeks to go until this year’s Racing to Polo Challenge.

Held at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club on Monday 1 September, the competition is divided into four classes in the following age groups: 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds and 6-year-olds and above. There is a cash prize for first place in each class of £1,000, with further prizes up to sixth place. In order to qualify your horse must have raced in Great Britain also be registered with RoR. For further details and competition conditions please visit http://www.ror.org.uk/series_polo.php

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RICHARD LE POER The five-goaler broke his collarbone in a nasty fall during the final of the 18-goal Indian Empire Shield at Guards. His Dell Park team still went on to triumph over Cadenza Juniors/Cowdray, with Dirk Gould standing in. After undergoing surgery and the installation of a metal plate Richard was back playing in a matter of days PABLO MACDONOUGH The ten-goaler received two yellow cards in UAE’s Gold Cup match against Dubai. As a result he was not allowed to play their final league game against Halcyon Gallery

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Photography by www.imagesofpolo.com

Young Brits King’s Royal Hussars retains Inter-Regimental Cup at Guards honoured in Barbados

The King’s Royal Hussars celebrate their second consecutive Inter-Regimental victory

THE KING’S ROYAL Hussars proved stronger than the Royal Navy, to lift the Inter-Regimental Cup for the second straight year at Guards Polo Club.

With the same line-up as in 2013, the team of Capt George Walker, Capt Philip Kaye, Capt Robert Freeman-Kerr and Col Nick Hunter put on a class display of polo to defeat the Royal Navy’s L/Cpl Max Kamper, Lt Hiro Suzuki, Commodore Adrian Aplin and Lt Cdr Steve Spillar 8-5.5, and win the oldest polo trophy still competed for in the world. The KRH’s number three, Capt Freeman-Kerr was named most valuable player, receiving the Pringle Trophy. All the winning players were presented with prints by artist Jeremy Houghton, whose work has been exhibited in the Guards clubhouse this month in commemoration of the centenary of the First World War. Earlier in the day, the Combined Services Polo Association team beat a visiting team from Cape Town Polo Club 8-3 to win the Connaught Search United Services Cup. The match was played as part of the Chapple Cup series, with the overall title going to South Africa.

TWO YOUNG BRITISH players travelled to Barbados for the Burger King Junior International tournament at Kingston Polo Club. Seventeen-year-old Jamie Scott, who plays at Sussex Polo Club, captained the BK Black team, while seventeen-year-old Rosanna Turk, who is based in Gloucestershire, captained the ICWI Blue team.

A round-robin tournament featuring three teams followed a week-long training camp for the players, who were all aged between 11 and 17 years old, based at Kingston and the Caymans Polo Club, and led by Heidi Lalor and five-goaler Jose Laritirigoyen.

Young players were also invited from the USA, Spain and the Dominican Republic.

This is the second year the Burger King Junior Polo has been run as an international tournament, with players borrowing horses primarily from Shane Chin and Paul and Dennis Lalor.

The overall winners were the ATL Red team, with Turk leading her ICWI Blue team into second place, and earning herself the most valuable player award after two impressive performances. Scott received the sportsmanship award.

ROYAL SALUTE WAS proud to offer its support to Royal Salute’s Official Ambassador, ten-goaler Facundo Pieres, who captained the victorious Argentina team for the Audi International for The Coronation Cup. Facundo could not help but demonstrate his remarkable stickwork throughout the match, even lofting the ball and playing it forward a number of times mid-air during the final chukka.

Royal Salute continued to be the official whisky sponsor for this unique event, and hosted guests to discover its prestigious whisky, which starts where other whiskies end; for only whiskies aged 21 years and more are used in the creation of this unparalleled blend.

After playing a full English summer polo season for Zacara – winning the 22-goal Queen’s Cup – Facundo will be playing next at this year’s 43rd International Land Rover Polo Tournament in Sotogrande, in August. From there, he will play in the third annual USPA Royal Salute Jubilee Cup, played at 22-goal level on 7 September, at Peter M Brant’s Greenwich Polo Club in Connecticut, USA. Regarded as the ultimate whisky and leading international supporter of polo, Royal Salute and Facundo will continue to honour the game of kings and the longstanding traditions of Royal Salute with VIP special guests and media – who together will celebrate their mutual commitment to the sport.

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Dominic James www.dominic-james.com

Royal Salute Ambassador’s successful season

Royal Salute Ambassador and 10-goal player, Facundo Pieres

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News

Guards welcomes Kauto Star to World Horse Welfare charity polo day

The importance of proven nutrition HORSE NUTRITION SPECIALISTS Tally Ho Farm was established in 1986 by Jeff Thomas, an ex-racehorse trainer. Tally Ho supplied the horse feeds for both of the Gold Cup finalists – Dubai and King Power. Following Dubai’s victory, Adolfo Cambiaso commented, “to win the Gold Cup for the fourth time means everything. My ponies felt terrific and I had a good game, I cannot ask for more.”

Tally Ho are also official suppliers to the England polo team, cementing their position as Europe’s largest polo supplier. Tally Ho Polo Mix is the only horse feed, specifically produced for polo with the aim to provide power, together with control. It has become the best selling mix for polo simply because it takes care of all the needs of a polo pony.

Tally Ho Farm feed more winning teams – low, medium and high-goal – than any other feed manufacturer in the U.K.

Photography Courtesy of World Horse Welfare

GUARDS POLO CLUB hosted this year’s World Horse Welfare charity polo day, on Thursday 10 July.

Guest of honour was dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star, whose owner Clive Smith explained how Kauto Star has moved into a second career in dressage.

The day also featured a 12-goal Phoenician Cup Racing legend Kauto Star was the guest of honour at Guards Polo Club for the semi-final match between World Horse Welfare charity day Mad Dogs and Gaucho.

It was the Mad Dogs team of Pedro Harrison, Alan Fall, Guy Gibrat and Dirk Gould who triumphed 8-7.5 over the Gaucho side of Faisal Al-Rifai, Charlie Pidgley, Adolfo Casabal and George Meyrick. Mad Dogs went on to win the tournament.

Almost £30,000 was raised on the day, with an auction conducted by Russ Williams and a raffle, with lots that included a place on the charity’s adventure ride in Colorado and a trip to the Dubai World Cup racing.

World Horse Welfare works to rescue and rehabilitate neglected and abused horses, and helping horse owners in the world’s poorest countries improve horse welfare.

HURTWOOD PARK POLO Club held its Rock n’ Horsepower event on Saturday 14 June, raising money for Prostate Cancer UK. Two matches were played on the day, the first between England Under 21 players.

The Atlantic Polo Team of Bobby Dundas, Henry Brett, James Glasson and Fergus Scholes took to the field for the second match, beating the Clogau Wales Polo Team of Ricky Cooper, Oli Hipwood, Roddy Matthews and Andrew Blake Thomas.

The polo was followed by a concert, with Hurtwood Park owner Kenney Jones teaming up with Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey as The Who for the first time in 25 years.

Photography by Dominic James

Hurtwood hosts Rock n’ Horsepower

Ladies in action at Wicklow this month

Crowds gather at Hurtwood Park for the club’s Rock n’ Horsepower concert

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IRELAND’S WICKLOW POLO Club will hold its International Ladies tournament on 1–2 August. So far, two teams have been confirmed to be playing, representing Germany and Ireland. The tournament will be played at 0-goal level.

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HPA News

The grassroots view Pony Club Polo chairman Charles Whittington rounds up the latest youth polo news

Being new to the job of chairman of Pony Club Polo, I have so far resisted getting into the debate about how we develop young players, but I can’t resist the temptation any longer.

I am involved, as non-executive chairman, with a group of City Academies, which has the mission to help students in the 11-18 age range to get the most they can out of education.

We have been very successful, with children from disadvantaged backgrounds achieving Oxbridge entrance, international sports rankings, national debating winners and entry to national drama and dance academies. We do this by: a) making sure the facilities and teachers are there for all students to learn and b) fostering a very positive and competitive attitude towards learning and success. In a school, the differing rates of development in the 11-18 age group is very noticeable, and there are many “late developers” who don’t necessarily show talent early on.

Applying these principles to young polo players tells me that we need to attract a wide range of young players and encourage a positive attitude to developing their game. The development infrastructure needs to include facilities, coaches, opportunities to experience polo around the best players and teams in the world, openings with patrons and high-goal teams, and competition with peers. Information about all this can be disseminated by the HPA, clubs, the Pony Club and schools. If all this is in place, the system will get all young players to the highest level consistent with their talent and commitment, and if the talent is there, we will have a ten-goaler. If not, at least we will get the best players we can. So, my personal view is that we should focus on perfecting the development system.

Meanwhile, much work is going on in the Pony Club to foster learning and development in polo. In particular, congratulations go to those Pony Club Branches who have organised team camps (including Heythrop and Scotland) and Tidworth Polo Club who, enterprisingly, have organised young players’ courses. If others are organising good quality training, please let us know. I am sure all the training will pay off when the competition starts for real.

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Latest from the HPA

HPA chief executive David Woodd rounds up the news from UK polo’s headquarters AUDI INTERNATIONAL AT CHESTER RACECOURSE On Saturday 6 September the third Audi International of the summer will be played at Chester Racecourse between England and the Commonwealth. It is hoped the team that is selected to play in the 24-goal Super Nations Cup in China will also play in Chester.

The following are on the short list: Tom Morley, George Meyrick, Max Charlton, Jack Richardson, Max Routledge, Richard Le Poer.

Tickets are available through the Chester Racecourse website www.chester-races.co.uk BRITISH JUNIOR POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS AND PONY CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS The British Junior Polo Championships and Pony Club Polo Championships are being held at Cowdray Park Polo Club from Thursday 7 August to Sunday 10 August. To see a schedule of the games to be played, please visit www.hpa-polo.co.uk. Spectators are welcome.

THE COLTS CUP Four teams, made up of young players with a target age of 15 selected at the British Junior Polo Championships and Pony Club Polo Championships, will play for the Colts Cup at Cowdray. The first two games will be played on Tuesday 12 August. The winners will then play for The Colts Cup on Thursday 14 August and the losers will play off in a subsidiary.

YOUNG ENGLAND SELECT The HPA will also be selecting young players to play for each of the following trophies: Sunday 17 August - The Stagshead Trophy (12 – 14 years) – Ham Polo Club.

Wednesday 20 August - The Whitbread Trophy (Under 21’s) Young England v Young Scotland – Rutland Polo Club.

Saturday 23 August - The Alan Budgett Trophy (England under 21’s) – Kirtlington Park Polo Club.

DEVELOPMENT COURSE A development course for selected young players will be held at Longdole Polo Club on Wednesday 13 August and Thursday 14 August. This course is targeted at players aged 12 or 13. For further details please call Oliver Hughes at the HPA 01367 242828.

COACHING If you wish to obtain an HPA Coaching Qualification there will be a course at Beaufort Polo Club from Wednesday 17 September to Friday 19 September. This is open to all paid up members over the age of 18 who hold a handicap of ‘0 goals’ and above. Spaces are limited, therefore if you would like to attend please apply before the end of August; enrolment forms are available from the HPA Office. For further information please visit the HPA website www.hpa-polo.co.uk/membership/coaching.asp.

CHANGES TO THE COACHING COURSE IN 2015 In order to improve the standards of the HPA Coaching accreditation, the format of the course and qualification is under review and is set to change from 1 January 2015. The coaching committee have been discussing with existing qualified HPA coaches how best to implement the changes and a full description of the qualifications going forward will be available in due course. For further information please contact the HPA. TRANSPORTING HORSES Please make sure you are aware of the policies in place for owners and drivers of horseboxes and trailers. VOSA have put together an informative guide to transporting horses, and this can be viewed on the HPA Website: www.hpa-polo.co.uk/ponies/transport.asp www.polotimes.co.uk

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News

22-goal round up

RCBPC – Prince of Wales Trophy

La Indiana wins Prince of Wales

Photograph by Tony Ramirez, www.imagesofpolo.com

Marcos Araya, Ruki Baillieu and James Beim and the foursome proved effective from the start, overtaking HB Polo’s starting two-goal advantage to lead 6-5 by half-time.

La Indiana displayed fierce defence in the fourth chukka, which somewhat backfired as they brought HB Polo’s goalposts down in an attempt to prevent Pite Merlos scoring.

The Pailloncy brothers’ team were awarded a penalty, converted by Ignacio Toccalino.

Another goal from Merlos kept HB Polo firmly on La Indiana’s heels as just a goal separated the two teams with two chukkas to go. But La Indiana produced some clever play as the match drew to a close, pulling ahead by two goals and retaining the lead to secure the 10-8 win.

Three-goal patron Sebastien Pailloncy was named most valuable player and received a pair of silver spurs from Memo Gracida, in memory of his late brother Carlos. Beim’s 13-year-old Ellerston gelding Yacht was selected as best playing pony.

The subsidiary final was played between Black Bears and Sifani and it was Guy Schwarzenbach’s Black Bears who prevailed, beating Hilali Noordeen’s team 12-11. The trophy was presented in honour of renowned polo journalist Herbert Spencer, (who died two weeks later, aged 85).

La Indiana receive the Prince of Wales Trophy from Greta Morrison

LA INDIANA LIFTED the prestigious Prince of Wales Trophy in June, after defeating HB Polo 10-8 in the final. This year, the 22goal competition was run as a stand-alone tournament at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club, having in recent years, been contested by those Queen’s Cup teams

who did not make the quarter-finals. Four teams put themselves forward for this year’s tournament – Black Bears, HB Polo, Sifani and La Indiana – and in a nod to the change, it was the only non-Queen’s or Gold Cup team that came through to win.

Patron Michael Bickford joined forces with

Warwickshire hat-trick for Halcyon Gallery HALCYON GALLERY COMPLETED a hattrick of Warwickshire Cup wins, as they lifted the prestigious 22-goal trophy for the third straight year in June.

The final proved to be a repeat of last year’s and unfortunately for fellow finalists Black Bears, the result also went the same way. The all-British foursome of George Hanbury, James Beim, Mark Tomlinson and James Harper successfully saw off their rivals with a 10-8 win, making it a second 22-goal victory in just one week for Beim, who won the Prince of Wales Trophy the week before with La Indiana.

But it was in fact the Black Bears team of 18

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Guy Schwarzenbach, Facundo Sola, John Paul Clarkin and Paco O’Dwyer who took control early on in the match. Following two scrappy and whistle-ridden chukkas, Black Bears held a promising 4-1 lead, with Harper only able to make it 4-2 before half-time.

But Halcyon Gallery proved that no lead is certain in polo, as they turned their game around in the second half and fought their way into the lead, with four goals in the fourth chukka. The team’s confidence was boosted further by field goals from Beim and Tomlinson, plus a dramatic goal from Harper from 80 yards out. Black Bears were unable to close the gap, and it was Halcyon Gallery

Photograph by Tom Reynolds

Cirencester Park Polo Club – Warwickshire Cup

Action from the Warwickshire Cup final

who achieved the perfect introduction to their Gold Cup campaign as they ran out the winners. The best playing pony prize was awarded to Milly, a thoroughbred played by Tomlinson.

Both teams went on to contest the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup, as did King Power, winners of the subsidiary final. Top Srivaddhanaprabha’s team defeated Adriano Agosti’s Altamira 13-8 to take third place. www.polotimes.co.uk

28/07/2014 17:49

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Obituary

Herbert Spencer

Herbert Spencer, 1929 – 2014 Renowned polo journalist, and former Polo Times columnist Herbert Spencer died on Tuesday 1 July, aged 85.

HERBERT WAS BORN in Alabama, the son of a civil engineer. He studied journalism and political science at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

After a few years with The Atlanta Constitution as a political reporter, he was reeling from a failed love affair, and got himself sent on a US Air Force press junket.

Captivated by Europe, he promptly jumped ship – and never looked back. He joined United Press as a foreign correspondent, based in London, and then Rome. He covered major stories in Europe, Africa and Asia, including the first Lebanon rebellion, India’s takeover of Goa and the Rome Olympics.

In Rome he met his wife-to-be, Judith, who was from Boston and worked in publishing. They moved to Paris after Herbert was promoted to chief editor of United Press International (UPI) Magazine Services. It was around this time that Herbert had his first brush with polo, as he explained to Polo Times in 2009: “I was at a nightclub with [the playboy and diplomat] Porfirio Rubirosa and [the restauranteur] Claude Terrail – both of whom played polo.

They invited me to a match in the Bois de Boulogne; I went, and decided one day to write about polo.”

While at UPI, Herbert had photos and articles published on European royal families.

In the next two decades he became a trusted writer and photographer for various “Herbert’s publication of Chakkar in the early 70s and the editing of the magazine of the same name started a new era of polo journalism. He never avoided saying exactly what he thought and despite never having played, he was one of the keenest observers and commentators in the polo world. He was a dear, cantankerous old friend and I will miss both he and his sage advice dearly.”

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Herbert Spencer royals – from the kings of Greece, Spain and Jordan to the Monaco royals – producing articles for around 100 magazines, including Paris Match, Stern and Marie Claire. He also wrote a biography of Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark, who married King Constantine.

In 1965, Herbert and Judith moved to London, and he turned freelance in 1966 when UPI’s magazine division closed. His polo idea persisted, and after a few visits to Guards, he decided to get to work on a coffee-table polo book. He brought in as photographer a Swiss colleague Fred Mayer, with whom he had done other assignments.

He was introduced to famous players and breeders by Ronnie Ferguson and Patrick Beresford and in 1970-71, Herbert and Fred spent a year travelling to countries such as Argentina, Iran, India and Pakistan. They watched, interviewed, photographed and researched, going to museums in India and Iran and looking at manuscripts in the British Library. Herbert called the book Chakkar, which is a Hindi word for round [which became ‘chukka’].

As well as chapters about polo’s history and contemporary scene, Chakkar – Polo Around the World, featured essays by Rao Raja Hanut Singh, Juan Carlos Harriott, Ricardo “Dicky” Santamarina, Cecil Smith, Baron Elie de Rothschild, Robert Skene, Prince Philip and Lord Mountbatten.

Herbert visited the first six to ghost-write their essays, staying everywhere from Jodhpur to Texas to the pampas. Prince Philip and Lord Mountbatten wrote their own. Ronnie Ferguson, Paul Withers and Patrick Beresford acted as consultants, vetting pictures and captions. They printed 5,000 copies, including 600 limited editions, which came with a set of handmade sepia prints of polo in India and at Hurlingham.

The standard edition cost £18, and is now a collector’s item. Chakkar made its authors’ names in polo – a fact illustrated by a comment of Memo Gracida’s years later.

Memo told Herbert that when he read it aged 14, he vowed he’d be in the next issue – as a ten-goaler.

After Chakkar, Herbert continued his work with royalty, and wrote another book…about cognac. He helped with King Constantine’s campaign in 1974 during the referendum on the Greek monarchy, then after General Franco’s death in 1975 he was retained for two years by the Spanish Royal House and ministry of information to highlight King Juan Carlos’s role in bringing democracy to Spain. He produced the first film portrait of the king, a book www.polotimes.co.uk

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and magazine articles, and advised the monarchy on media. Herbert considered this the pinnacle of his career, being a part of history: “There’s never been such a change from dictatorship to democracy without bloodshed – and the king played a key role,” he told Polo Times in 2009. Herbert remained good friends with the family.

In the mid-80s he returned to polo. An Italian publisher approached him to produce a magazine called Polo International. But, as he explained at the time, “it was to be about glamour, rather than sport” and Herbert thought he could do better. With polo booming, he remortgaged his flat and started his own magazine. He and Judith had two daughters, but with their Chiswick flat as the office, Herbert as publisher and editor and Judith as associate editor, plus a designer and circulation/advertising manager, Chakkar the magazine was born.

Issue one, with Memo Gracida on the cover, appeared in 1986. It was sold in London stores such as Harrods and Selfridges, and at tack shops and high-end bookshops in Paris and the US. As with his book, Herbert travelled the world. His assignments included visiting Susan Stovall – then manager at Eldorado Polo Club, California, chronicling the birth of the Berkshire and – a particular perk – flying to Miami on Concorde.

Sadly, after four editions, the bank pulled the plug, but by then Herbert was established. He set up the communications consultancy World Polo Associates, which

“Herbert was always a terrific supporter of Polo Times, but it wasn’t until 2000 when the magazine was published in colour for the first time that Herbert started to write for the magazine. I don’t think I have ever known anyone with such an elephantine memory – he could remember literally everything and his knowledge of what went on in polo was wide and deep. Always being hot on the gossip, his favourite subject was ‘polotics’ and he never missed the opportunity to throw a small pebble, or sometimes a brick, into the pond. He was a dedicated professional in his work and even though we sometimes had to wait for his work to arrive we knew it would be in perfect order for publication when it did. The polo world will surely miss his encyclopedic knowledge of the game – I know I will – and I’ll miss those ‘polotics’ telephone calls too.” Margie Brett, founder of Polo Times

Obituary

Sailing with King Juan Carlos of Spain

became Herbert Spencer Media, working with clubs and organisations to promote polo and in 1994 produced another book, A Century of Polo, to coincide with the 100th birthday of Cirencester Park. In the 1990s, he was contributing editor for John Goodman’s magazine Polo, and consultant to Goodman’s team in the title copyright case against Ralph Lauren. He has written for nearly every English-language polo magazine, from Polo Times, where he was a regular columnist until 2014, and Horse & Hound, to Polo Player’s Edition in the US. He was also deputy editor at Hurlingham.

As communications director at the HPA from 2000-2002, Herbert was behind the first Pony Club parade at Cartier International Day. In 2011, his contribution to polo was recognised by the HPA as he was made a Life Member.

Surprisingly, Herbert never played the game himself, preferring not to repeat his first experience of riding. He told Polo Times: “I was staying with John Oxley at Boca Raton. I’d never sat on a horse, but he told me it was simple. It was a spooky day, and suddenly the horse reared. I reacted badly, pulling at her mouth. Then she went right up and we both fell back. I got back on and rode back, covered in dirt. That’s when I discovered I’m not a rider, much less a player.”

Not a player, no, but Herbert Spencer’s own professional approach, thorough understanding of the game and grounding in mainstream reporting have given polo something special.

First published as a feature in Polo Times to celebrate Herbert’s 80th birthday in January2009. Words by Yolanda Carslaw.

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Your views

Photograph courtesy of Audi

Comment

Deciding which players will represent England at internationals depends on several factors

International team selection is a tricky business

I

n principle, the selection procedure is reasonably straightforward. In practice, of course, it is rarely so. There is a selection committee chaired by John Tinsley, which comprises Mark Vestey, Alan Kent, Andrew Hine and Nicky Evans. An email is circulated to all members of the England squad setting out the various international games planned, at home and overseas, with the handicap level if known. Players are requested to inform the HPA of their availability for each. From that availability list, the selection committee first selects a team 22

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captain for each international match. The team captain will then be consulted as to a team coach and the team coach is then brought into the selection discussions along with the team captain.

If the selection committee feels strongly that the team should include certain players or have a particular focus then the team captain and coach will be informed. In some cases, if there is a long lead-up, the HPA may circulate a longlist followed by a shortlist of players at various stages so that players not included can organise other polo.

The team captain or coach will then inform the chairman of the selection committee of their preferred team with reserves, and the reasons for their choice.

Until Audi came on board as sponsors for the England team there was really only one international at home each year, for The Coronation Cup.

Selection was still a major issue, especially for those not selected, but including the St. Regis at Cowdray there are now four high-goal internationals in the summer which provides an opportunity for other players to be seen wearing England shirts.

The HPA has no real control over the overseas internationals but has been a consistent supporter of taking every opportunity to field an England team overseas when invited to do so. For the 26-goal Copa de las Naciones at Palermo, the ability of the players to mount themselves for the tournament is inevitably a major factor in selection and England has been the only team apart from Argentina to have consistently fielded a team for that tournament. This has largely been due firstly to the very flexible financial input of Harald Link, who is content that the HPA put his sponsorship wherever they think it is needed, and secondly

to the fact that the players have helped to keep costs to a minimum. The introduction of the 24-goal Super Nations Cup tournament in Tianjin, China, which offers both appearance and prize money, has produced some different dynamics. Out of the equation goes the horses, as they are provided and pooled, and into the equation comes the prize money, as the bonus for winning is considerable. For other overseas internationals, the availability of players in country and their access to ponies is often a major factor.

Very few international matches are without hitches and dramas, but the HPA has been, and is, extremely fortunate that the players have always been keen to play for England both here and overseas. Looking ahead, it is hoped that that will not change, although with the increasing number of very good England players, the selection of teams is not going to get any easier. www.polotimes.co.uk

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Comment England coach Ruso Heguy on the selection of this year’s Coronation Cup team It was not easy to make a choice about who was selected for the team as there are so many English players competing and playing at a very good level. The team for this year’s Coronation Cup was chosen on the basis of it being the same four players who won the Nations Cup in Argentina. There, they played really well as a team. All four had also been playing in the Gold Cup and did really well. With the Argentina team we were playing, including two of the best players of all time in Facundo and Adolfito, we needed somebody who is used to playing against similar players. It is a great challenge and Ollie Cudmore is one of the best upcoming players. I’m aware there has been some controversy about choosing a four-goaler to play at the front, but we felt this was the best combination.

When selecting teams it is important to consider the positions. At number one, it needs to be somebody well mounted and fast, who works really hard. There were so many great players that were considered for this team. The four we chose are those who we felt were the best four players for this particular match.

Luke Tomlinson gives the team captain’s view on the selection criteria When choosing a team as captain, you start by looking at pre-selected players. In the case of this year’s Coronation Cup, that was Beimy and myself. We then work out, with the coach, which of us will play which position, and that will vary depending on the opposing side and the formation of their team. Positioning is the very first thing to look at when selecting a team; it is the most important. So the next step is finding two other players who play the two positions left over, and we’ll narrow down a shortlist.

After considering positions, the next set of criteria is firstly who is better-mounted, followed by who has been playing that level of polo over the last six months or so. In four-man polo, you need players on the team who have all been playing 22-goal plus as their main level of polo. Four-man polo is a very different game to patron-based polo: the plays are different, and you’ve got to be playing a team game. In some ways, you have to do less, but you also have to be more disciplined and not get lost in the fast polo. Being up to speed is massively important. As you rise up the levels from 15-goal to beyond 22goal the speed difference is exponential. You can compare it to racing, in that riding out is completely different from actually racing on the track. The importance of being used to the speed is also illustrated in the fact that at the very start of the Argentine season, it usually takes around three weeks for even the ten-goalers to be able to play at that level and speed. With a few exceptions, most look pretty bad for the first three weeks of the season. It’s about thinking fast, and in advance of the plays, and timing. You have to be able to change your game-card, and some players would struggle with that.

Once we have looked at the level of polo the players have been playing, we would then look at who is on form at that time, and then, in internationals played on handicap such as The Coronation Cup, we would assess who would be the best value off their handicap.

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Comment

Your views

Letters

Write to the editor in the following ways: w letters@polotimes.co.uk w The Editor, Polo Times, Holbrook Farm, North Leigh, Oxon OX29 6PX

Letter of the month

Safe helmets must be made compulsory Dear Sir I hope that you will include this open letter in your next issue, which was sent to the Hurlingham Polo Association.

It is with a heavy heart that I climb on my soapbox. Having been an advocate of using safe helmets for several years, recent accidents have only compounded that view. Seeing a strong, good man, a friend to so many, lying in a hospital bed, stricken with a critical brain injury following an accident on the pitch, has removed the final vestiges of ambivalence towards the issue.

Polo is the last governed equine sport in the UK to not insist upon helmets that meet a European safety standard. Show jumping, eventing and more recently, dressage, all insist on hats that are kitemarked and certified to at least PAS015. A critical factor is the presence of a three-point harness. As for racing – it has been decades (since 1978) that jockeys have had to wear proper helmets.

Polo is played at high speed and is inherently dangerous – with 10 horses on the pitch at any one time, going at a gallop in different directions – collisions, stumbles and falls are common.

The only comparable sport really is racing, which also involves speed and the possibility of collisions bringing horses down – with jump racing carrying even more risk. And yet British racing has not seen a fatality due to a head injury for well over 20 years, even though falls are far more frequent than in polo, the number of participants far higher, and jockeys are often trampled/rolled over by a horse.

By highlighting the most common “excuses” given by opponents to a blanket rule, I have tried to dismantle each one.

Personal choice There is of course the argument that the usage of safety equipment should be left to the individual. That it is a matter of personal choice.

Nonsense!

The HPA have a moral and ethical and increasingly legal responsibility to keep its members safe. They owe it to player’s families, friends and to the reputation of the sport.

People left to their own devices often make poor choices and take foolish risks. It is up to the governing bodies to take matters into their own hands and insist upon safe headgear.

Cost This is simply a non issue. Charles Owen sell polo helmets starting from just over £100. That is little more than the cost of a set of shoes for one pony.

Confusion over safety standards Charles Owen make a helmet to PAS015 and this came out top in a test conducted on behalf of the HPA. Casablanca produces helmets 24

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that meet the standards of the USA (NOCSAE). La Martina’s helmet has been endorsed by the Mark Davies Injured Jockey’s fund.

More information here: http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/testshow-most-polo-helmets-offer-little-protection/ Helmets won’t save everyone Of course they won’t. Motorcyclists are still killed even with helmets.

Event riders still die from crush injuries. Car drivers still perish in crashes despite seatbelts. The point is that the numbers who die or suffer serious injury is vastly reduced.

Difficulty in enforcing the rule The other sports seem to manage! Aside from anything, it’s pretty easy to spot a three-point harness, even from a distance. Apart from that, it is a simple matter of cascading responsibility down. The HPA inform the clubs. The clubs inform the players and umpires. The umpires make sure that every player on the pitch is wearing a proper helmet before he/she rolls the ball in. This is no more taxing than a quick look around – once more, the three-point harness is very easy to spot.

Another option is to employ a tagging system, like BE do once hats have been checked. It is very simple. Before any player sets foot on the ground for the first time that season, their hat must be checked for standards by a club official. They get a tag. The tag stays in place for the rest of the season.

Vanity and tradition Yes, low profile “traditional” helmets look cool. However safe helmets are no longer the “mushrooms” of yesteryear and once a blanket rule is adopted everyone will look the same anyway. Vanity is a pretty ridiculous reason to take a risk and is one that many players will sheepishly admit to.

There simply isn’t any reasonable argument against an enforced rule. Who remembers the furor regarding the seatbelt rules? There was uproar when it became law, but who now would challenge the fact that seatbelts save lives? Wearing one is second nature now. Of course there are still un-survivable crashes, as there are un-survivable falls from horses, but by using proper equipment we reduce the odds of death and permanent brain injury by a hugely significant amount.

Let us not forget insurance It will only be a matter of time before insurers state that unless clubs demonstrate that all reasonable steps have been taken to ensure player safety, they will not provide cover. Or they will raise premiums to unaffordable levels to reflect the risk. Ditto personal accident providers.

We all need to take responsibility for the lives and well being of both ourselves and our fellow players. To allow a cultural change will simply take too long. This has to be pushed through, and now.

I call upon the HPA to enforce the use of helmets with a threepoint harness in the UK from January 1st 2015.

Aurora Eastwood, Winchester @auroraeastwood #saferpolo www.polotimes.co.uk

28/07/2014 17:49

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Comment

Tweets worth re-tweeting

Laura Tomlinson @LauraB_dressage Jul 17 Mark and I are very proud to announce that Annalisa was born last night at 10.30, we are all doing great so far..!

The Fox and Hounds @thefandh Jun 16 Great to see @PoloTimes here this evening with @GeorgeMeyrick @richardsonjmn1 @kingmorls #maxroutledge

Louisa Dawnay Polo @LouisaDawnay Jul 20 good luck to all ponies, players, managers, grooms, coaches, vets, trainers etc. a real polo team is far more than 4 players! #polofamily

We follow them so you don’t have to

Louise Glover @LouiseGlover06 Jun 30 New @PoloTimes has arrived! :) Perfect reading to keep me occupied on my long coach journeys tomorrow :) #HappyLou #Polo Malcolm Borwick @mborwickpolo · Jul 4 Also very sad to hear of the passing of Herbert Spencer.

He was the most inquisitive of polo journalists.

Best wishes to his family.

Ricky Cooper @Ricalino92 Jul 10 @polotimes Jasper-Felix just subscribed and has been reading this (the pictures) for over an hour.

He loves it!!!!!! (+ pic) George Meyrick @GeorgeMeyrick Jul 21 Many congrats Dubai on their @VeuveClicquotUK #GoldCup win yesterday @cowdraypolo. They timed their win perfectly @jaegerlecoultre. #Polo

“With Emma, Mark and Luke Tomlinson all welcoming new babies this year, the next generation of polo players had better look out!”

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Feature

The rise and rise of women in polo

Coombe Farm Wines made history when they won the Gerald Balding Trophy in 2007

Following the BLOOM British Ladies’ Open Championships and with the National Women’s Tournament just around the corner, Emily Herbert assesses the position of the women’s game, and speaks to some of polo’s leading ladies about the challenges they face and where women’s polo is headed 26

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N

o longer merely the game of kings, over the past 40 years polo has had its share of queens, with ladies increasingly taking up the reins. Freud and Greer may hold strong theories on gender differences but when it comes to women who are playing, and often outplaying, men on the polo field, these characteristics are smacked aside with a 51” stick and a whole lot of grunt. www.polotimes.co.uk

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Feature

It was in the 1970s that the Boadicea of the polo world, former five-goaler Claire Tomlinson, petitioned for women to be allowed to play in high-goal tournaments.

Since this, and her subsequent victory in the 1979 Queen’s Cup, ladies and their mallets have proved a force to reckon with.

Indeed, there aren’t many sports that mix the genders on an equal playing field.

But polo’s leading ladies are doing the sport proud. At four goals, Polo Times guest editor Carina ‘Nina’ Clarkin is currently the highest-rated female player in the world, and the only woman to have won the Gold Cup, back in 2003. But Nina doesn’t dwell on the challenges women face playing the game, in comparison to their male counterparts. “I have always felt that you are judged on your skill as a player and hopefully that can speak for itself,” she said. “Obviously there are challenges, but we are never going to change the fact that polo is a male-dominated sport.

We must embrace that and in many ways ignore it and concentrate on playing as good as polo as possible.”

Like any professional sport, competition is stiff and hopefuls numerous. To be a woman, judged equally among the men, is without a doubt challenging, simply in terms of biological comparison, if not anything else.

Men, inarguably, have physical advantages to women. However, Nina believes the lady pros bring an extra edge to the game. “Women have to work harder to find ways to narrow the margin of difference between the sexes,” she explained. “We know that we cannot always win every physical battle, so need to develop other areas to excel in and make sure that we are as well mounted as possible to alleviate the pressure on our physicality.

“For me polo is not always about being physical; it is all about the timing. Men www.polotimes.co.uk

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Claire Tomlinson (pictured far left) reached a 5-goal handicap, the highest ever reached by a lady player. Her daughter Emma (pictured playing alongside above in the number 3 shirt) reached an impressive 3-goal handicap

can get away with more as they can use strength and force if their timing is a bit out. We cannot, so we must make sure that everything is as accurate as possible to allow our timing to be correct, thus negating the need for excess physicality.”

The USA’s top female player Sunny Hale thinks that with enough hard work, there is no reason why lady players shouldn’t make it, but that they shouldn’t lose sight of who they are at the same time: “If you want to succeed at polo you have to understand the fact that the highest rated and best players in the world are men who have worked hard to be there,” she explains. “You have to first respect their position in the sport and then do everything you can to improve your abilities and learn from all who are better than you. My advice is simple: never expect something you have not earned and always remain a woman, no matter what the pressure. But in my experience, if you go to the field thinking you are a girl and are looking for some kind of special treatment, you have already defeated yourself. I just wanted to compete with the best, but it was the ones who saw me as a girl only that were beatable.”

In the UK, there are more than 450 active female members of the HPA. Of that number, more than 90 women are handicapped at zero goals or above. Ascot Park Polo Club, home to the International Women’s Polo Association (IWPA), has been integral in this rise, holding regular international and national women’s tournaments, including the upcoming Women’s National Tournament on 23-24 August.

Founded by renowned instructor and author, the late Peter Grace, the club boasts an all sister team, the only of its kind, made up of the Grace sisters, Victoria, Pippa,

Janey and Katie. Players are expected to come from as far as America and Jamaica for this month’s two-day national tournament.

“Now that women’s polo has become so huge in this country it’s a really fun tournament,” Janey Grace enthused. “The only other country who would match us in women players is America. Women’s polo has gone from strength to strength.”

Whilst acknowledging challenges faced by female players, Janey believes they are not always simply down to gender, and women do have a place in the professional

Photograph by Peter James

Milly Hodges, a former 2-goal player, was a force to be reckoned with until her retirement from the game in 2008 following a neck injury

Action from last year’s National Women’s Tournament at Ascot Park

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Feature

Lucy Taylor has become one of the most successful female players of recent times

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world of polo. “Women’s matches are far more aggressive than mixed matches,” she laughed. “The boys are playing quite happily with the girls now, there is no ‘oh she’s only a girl’ sort of thing.

“There is space for women professionals, especially if you are one goal or above. But like in men’s polo, when you are at that narrow low-goal stretch it is tough, and you have to be able to diversify; you have to be able to umpire, you have to be able to teach, if you can commentate that’s another avenue.

Unless you are right at the top of your game or have family backing, it is difficult.”

Women make up a large percentage of Ascot Park’s players, with 50 per cent of all students and 35 per cent of the total playing membership female. The IWPA, founded in 1989 by Janey’s sister Pippa, holds the mission statement to increase the number of women playing and promote the use of female professional players, an admirable aim which many women players are thankful for.

One of those professional players is Rosie Ross. At two goals outside and three goals in the arena, Ross instructs and plays at Ascot Park Polo Club as well as running her own string and yard of 30 clients’ horses. A local with no family history in polo, Rosie spent 12 years grooming and schooling young horses before turning professional aged 23.

“There are more girls coming into the sport than guys, especially at university and school level,” Ross said, sporting an arm in plaster after an unfortunate fall.

“Whatever your sport, there is always politics. But I think it is cool that men and women are competing against each other. I think that is one of the best things about it.

The only way you get better is by playing against better people. The more you put in, the more you get out. For a young girl pro, teams are always looking to pick a stronger boy so you’ve got to be better than you really are. It’s about establishing your horses.”

Ross’s challenges have been like that of any young professional, wavering between moving up the handicap system and creating a sustainable career.

“I made a decision a few years ago where I thought I can either keep ploughing the money, holding on to my good horses and trying to go up the levels, or run into debt.

Unless you have the financial backing you only have the time frame of chasing your dream for so long before you have to think long-term. www.polotimes.co.uk

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Feature “I don’t want to be trying to fight for games when I’m forty. I’d rather have a setup. You always have to have a back-up plan for your back-up plan.”

A current contentious issue that poses potential challenges for women is the different goaling system in Argentina that separates grading of men and women handicaps. The system elicits dubious responses from many women players.

“The movement started by Claire Tomlinson was a little bit like a suffragette movement.

I feel she fought so hard for the handicapping system. We shouldn’t take that for granted,” Ross said. “So many people fought for it and it seems like it is defeating all that work by submitting to our own goaling system. I think we should be on the same handicap as the guys.”

Janey Grace held similar views: “The handicaps are what they are and if you start having different handicaps because you are a woman I don’t think that’s right,” she said.

Whether hailing from polo dynasties or having worked up the ranks as a groom, these women have clawed their way into the saddle and onto the field. But despite their diversities, the common denominator amongst the women is the same thing that holds most players in their tracks: the horses. “You’re only as good as your last game and you’re only as good as your horses,” Ross shrugged. “It’s the horses for me. I love polo, but I love training the thoroughbreds.”

Clarkin could not agree more: “I partly owe my success to the ponies that I ride; being as well mounted as possible allows me to even things up a bit. I am only ever as good as the horses that I ride,” she said simply.

The movement for women in polo is shifting and the pioneers of the sport, from the gutsy Tomlinson to Clarkin and all those who are coming up the ranks, battling to play the sport they love, are a credit to themselves and the game itself. For the sport of polo is, at the end of the day, neutral. It is the passion for it, and the filter you apply to it, that counts.

For more about handicapping of female players from guest editor Nina Clarkin, see page 54

For our report from the British Ladies’ Championships at Cowdray Park, turn to page 38

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“We are never going to change the fact that polo is a maledominated sport.

We must embrace that and in many ways ignore it” Nina Clarkin

Girl power With polo unique in the fact that women are able to compete on a level playing field with men, we take a look some of the most memorable occasions where an all-female team has beaten the boys 2007 – Nina Vestey Clarkin, Tamara Vestey, Emma Tomlinson and Lucy Taylor made history when they became the first all-female team to enter an HPA Victor Ludorum tournament. Not satisfied with merely taking part, they turned heads when they went on to win the 8-goal Gerald Balding Cup at Cirencester Park, as Coombe Farm Wines 2008 – The same four ladies proved their Gerald Balding victory was no fluke as they went on to lift the 8-goal Holden White Challenge Cup at Cowdray Park the following summer, playing as Diamonds International. The team also had enormous success playing in Barbados, in particular the annual “Battle of the Sexes” event 2010 – The HPA fielded an all-female team to represent England at the 2010 FIP European Championships (pictured above). The team of Nina Clarkin, Tamara Vestey, Clare Milford Haven and Emma Tomlinson finished a very respectable third, out of ten national teams

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Reports

Cambiaso strikes gold for Dubai Polly Bryan reports from Cowdray Park

Dubai King Power

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t was a well-written script: the tournament favourites coming up against the newcomers in the final of the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup. It was a close one to call, with King Power looking to be more than a match for the formidable Dubai. But experience prevailed, and it was Dubai’s Rashid Albwardy, Diego Cavanagh, Ali Paterson and the main man Adolfo Cambiaso who would return to the podium, 30

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Dubai went one better than last year’s final, as Adolfo Cambiaso inspired the team to a brilliant win over Gold Cup newcomers King Power. having been runners-up to Zacara in 2013, this time as British Open champions.

It was a new-look Dubai team that claimed victory this year, with Albwardy joined by Cambiaso once again, this year with seven-goaler Cavanagh and threegoal Brit Paterson alongside. Leicester City Football Club vice-chairman Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha provided a new face for this year’s high-goal season. But

although commentators found it tricky to pronounce his name, those of his teammates were far more familiar. For the third year running, a member of the Pieres family featured in the final and this time it was the turn of Gonzalito, who was joined by the solid and dependable Marcos Di Paola at back and the young player who had already turned a few heads, Pablo Llorente. www.polotimes.co.uk

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Photographs by Tony Ramirez, www.imagesofpolo.com and Polly Bryan

Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup for the British Open

Despite neither team making it past the quarter-finals of the Queen’s Cup, both progressed to the climax of the Gold Cup without dropping a single match. As a new line-up, King Power illustrated the value of the preceding Queen’s Cup tournament as they swept through the Gold Cup league and knockout stages, winning all their games by a two-goal margin or more. By the final, their goal record was unmatched, having 82 goals to their name, and just 58 scored against them. Dubai on the other hand had only squeezed past UAE Polo by a single goal in the quarter-finals, and was also pushed right to the limits by the all-English Halcyon Gallery foursome in the semis, finally coming through with a 9-8 win. George Hanbury, James Harper, Mark Tomlinson and James Beim had caused the biggest upset of the English high-goal season when they put an end to Zacara’s Gold Cup title defence with a well-deserved 10-9 quarterfinal victory. With nothing to lose, and almost the whole crowd loudly behind them, the English combination made Cambiaso and co work until the bitter end to secure their place in the Gold Cup final.

But while there were musings among spectators over whether such tight quarter and semi-final matches would be evident www.polotimes.co.uk

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Reports

Treading in on Finals Day

“Last year we were in the final, but lost it, so we simply couldn’t lose this one” Adolfo Cambiaso

in Dubai’s performance on finals day, such is the strength in horsepower of the Dubai organisation that the team shot out of the starting blocks looking as though they had hardly broken a sweat all season. Albwardy showed he meant business as he whisked the

ball through the posts to put the first goal on the scoreboard. But Pieres quickly reminded everybody that Cambiaso was not the only ten-goal player on the field as he swiftly put King Power in front with two converted penalties.

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Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup for the British Open

Dubai’s Ali Paterson takes on King Power’s Gonzalito Pieres during the Gold Cup final

This was to begin the theme of the first half. Despite the experience of the final’s protagonists, both teams looked to be feeling the pressure as they tested each other out during the opening chukkas, resulting in a stilted first half that was peppered with whistles. Of the 24 goals scored throughout the match, exactly half of them were from penalties, with six of the 12 within the first two chukkas. The quality of the game began to improve in the third chukka however, 32

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with a beautiful lofted goal from Llorente and Cambiaso’s first real flash of brilliance as he carried the bouncing ball the length of the field, picking it out of the air and popping it though the posts.

Dubai held a tender 7-5 lead at half-time, but after the tread-in – almost unnecessary such is the condition of Cowdray Park’s Lawns Two – both teams returned to the field ready to make up for the somewhat tentative early play. Dubai stretched the

lead to 10-6 at the beginning of the fifth chukka, but then King Power took it up a notch. Pieres suddenly came alight, firing four consecutive goals through the posts like a man possessed to bring King Power level. The game had moved up a gear, with the crowds appreciating the fast, end-to-end polo, as both teams worked hard marking and blocking in order to give their key men space to run. Cambiaso produced another stunning goal, finding himself all the space www.polotimes.co.uk

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Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup for the British Open

Reports

Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup for the British Open; Cowdray Park Polo Club; 24 June – 20 July

Adolfo Cambiaso’s Dolfina Primicia was named best playing pony in the Gold Cup final

he needed, with the ball seemingly attached to the end of his stick. Then Cavanagh put away his eighth penalty of the afternoon, and a final goal from Llorente was not enough, as Dubai celebrated a 13-11 Gold Cup victory: the fourth for the Albwardys, the sixth for Cambiaso, but the first for Cavanagh and Paterson.

“Today is a great day,” said Paterson after the prize giving. “We all played well and did our work. Adolfo played amazingly today. Our horsepower was there; we hadn’t doubled all season so today was the first time we brought them back in. They felt fresh and it showed.”

For Albwardy, victory was especially welcome, after suffering a bitter defeat at the hands of Zacara in last year’s final: “It wasn’t a good feeling [being runners-up] and coming into this final, Adolfo and I decided we didn’t want to have that feeling again this year. We have worked really hard this season and I’m glad it has paid off towards the end.

This is an amazing team.”

It was a somewhat whirlwind win for Albwardy who, until the semi-final, hadn’t played with the team since their first league match and had more or less stepped from the plane to the saddle to face Halcyon Gallery. Eighteen-year-old Brit Tommy Beresford stepped into his boots during the league stages, and was rewarded as he joined the team on the podium.

But undoubtedly the star of the show was Cambiaso, proving to all his doubters that he is still very much at the pinnacle of the game. Having outshone fellow tengoaler and tournament top-scorer Pieres for much of the final, he was named most valuable player, and also picked up the best playing pony prize for Dolfina Primicia, an eight-year-old mare he is proud to have bred. “She is one of my best mares and I’m so happy to have bred a horse that is such a www.polotimes.co.uk

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champion,” Cambiaso told Polo Times.

“She is complete, with a good mind and a really good mouth and can stop and turn like nobody else.”

And even the great man himself couldn’t hide his delight at the victory, his first Gold Cup since 2010: “We are very happy with today. Last year we were in the final, but lost it, so we just couldn’t lose this one!”

Result: Dubai beat King Power, 13-11 Handicap: 20-22 Principal sponsor: Veuve Clicquot Number of teams entered: 14 Tournament top-scorer: Gonzalito Pieres, with 48 goals Most valuable player: Adolfo Cambiaso Best playing pony: Dolfina Primicia, owned and played by Adolfo Cambiaso Chukkas scores (Dubai): 1-1, 4-3, 7-5, 9-6, 11-10, 13-11 Teams Dubai (22): Rashid Albwardy 2; Ali Paterson 3; Diego Cavanagh 7; Adolfo Cambiaso 10 King Power (22): Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha 0; Pablo Llorente 5; Gonzalito Pieres 10; Marcos Di Paola 7

Analysis by Chris Bethell The Cowdray Park polo manager assesses both finalists’ performances and the tournament as a whole

During the first chukkas the teams were testing each other out and looked a bit nervous of each other. They were very tense and apprehensive as they tried to gauge what the other could do. As a result there were lots of fouls early on. But then Cambiaso started working out a few plays and Gonzalito started knocking them in, and the play opened up. All four Dubai players played very well off their handicaps and in their positions. Diego Cavanagh proved himself to be a very good penalty-taker, and Ali played very well. He is improving all the time and to have a British player win the Gold Cup again is fantastic. Cambiaso has been knocking on the door in recent years and has finally won it again. He played better than Gonzalito on the day, and the rest of his team did a lot of blocking so he could come through. It was also very nice of Dubai to get Tommy Beresford up on the stand with them come the end. He played in place of Rashid in all but the first league game, as well as the quarter-final and he did really well, especially in the quarters where he made two amazing hooks on Pablo MacDonough to keep Dubai in the game.

King Power has done really well for their first year as a team in the Gold Cup; they have a very good management system. I would say they did have an easier trip to the final than Dubai, and a slightly easier time of it in the semi-finals. Dubai had a very tough final league game against Zacara and another tough match against UAE Polo in the quarters.

Then in the semis the English boys played really well and very nearly took Cambiaso to the sword. Dubai had to really pull it out of the bag.

Both teams in the final managed their horses very well. The final is the seventh game in the Gold Cup; they’ve had six hard games already and so the management of the horses is very important. Both Dubai and King Power seemed fairly equal in terms of horsepower.

Overall, it was one of the better Gold Cup tournaments we’ve had. The ground was fantastic and it was sunny. In fact, I don’t think any of the games had rain!

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Reports

Audi International, Beaufort

James Harper and Hong Kong’s Guillermo Terrera race for the ball

England’s youth prevail at Beaufort It was a fitting victory for England, who took first blood in the Audi International Series with victory at Beaufort in the club’s anniversary year

England Hong Kong

ngland continued their run of international success when they won the first Audi International of the year against Hong Kong at Beaufort Polo Club in June.

The HPA chose not to field the senior England team for the match, but instead gave the opportunity to younger players: 26-year-old George Meyrick, 24-yearold Max Charlton and 22-year-old Jack

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Polly Bryan Reports from Beaufort

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Richardson, gaining his first England cap, who played alongside the slightly more senior James Harper. It was a brave move against a formidable Goldin Group Hong Kong side, featuring former nine-goaler Luis Lalor, eight-goalers John Paul Clarkin and Guillermo Terrera plus the skilful John Fisher, particularly as a senior England side went down to Hong Kong on the last occasion the two nations met, in the final of the Super Nations Cup in October. But, despite the odds being firmly against them, England showed their calibre as they led from the start to win 10½.-8. www.polotimes.co.uk

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Audi International, Beaufort

celebration of the continual growth of polo in China.

Due to a two-goal handicap difference between the two teams, England started the match with a one and a half-goal advantage, and with advice from Luke Tomlinson ringing in their ears as they left the players’ tent. Once on the field, they quickly built on this advantage with Richardson finding the posts to be the first scorer in his first main international for England. A quick reply came from Lalor, running downfield and displaying his status as a former nine-goaler.

But it was England who stepped on the gas in the second chukka, putting away three goals courtesy of Charlton, Meyrick and Richardson. Hong Kong woke up as the third chukka got underway, with impressive

goals from Clarkin and Terrera, but it was England who held the advantage at halftime, 6.5-5.

A period of very defensive play followed in the fourth chukka, with Terrera showing characteristic flashes of brilliance, and Lalor and Clarkin putting in one goal apiece. But the goals kept coming from England, who were putting on a classic display of excellent four-man polo, using each other effectively and moving the ball well around the field.

There was momentary panic as Meyrick took a heavy hit in the face during a scuffle on the boards. The six-goaler was left on the ground with his face in his hands, but showed he is made of stern stuff by jumping back on board and swiftly finding the posts to bring England’s score up to 10½.

Photographs by Tony Ramirez, www.imagesofpolo.com

For the first time in the Audi International Series, England faced a team representative of a nation, but which featured no native players. Instead the home side lined up alongside two Argentines, a New Zealander and a Brit and as such, the occasion could not strictly be called a Test Match. Much speculation has been made about the nature of international competitions involving “Hong Kong” teams fielded by the Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club in Tianjin, but the fact remains that Pan Sutong’s Goldin Metropolitan has brought a lot to the sport of polo over the last few years, in terms of international recognition and coverage, and while England’s rivals at Beaufort had no Chinese faces among them, the objective was the promotion and

Reports

The jubilant England side of James Harper, Max Charlton, George Meyrick and Jack Richardson

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Reports

Audi International, Beaufort

in April and the St. Regis International at Cowdray Park in May. Interestingly though, it was the first time England has ever beaten a team other than New Zealand in the Beaufort International, making it a particularly fitting result to celebrate Beaufort Polo Club’s 25th anniversary year.

The question now, as Polo Times goes to press, is how will England fare in the toughest test of all, when they face Argentina for the Coronation Cup on Audi International Day on 26 July? The performance of the four young England players at Beaufort will certainly have provided food for thought for the team selectors, and proves that the future of the England squad is in very good health.

Audi International: Saturday 21 June 2014; Beaufort Polo Club

George Meyrick on his way to scooping the most valuable player prize

A rare missed penalty from Clarkin in the fifth and final chukka saw Hong Kong’s chances falling away, and despite the eight-goaler putting a second penalty safely through the posts, it was not enough, with the scoreboard reading 10.5-8 in England’s favour as the final bell rang.

Meyrick was rewarded for his mature and skilful performance as he took home

individual honours, as well as a swollen lip. He was judged to be the most valuable player, a decision few would have disputed, and his 11-year-old retrained racehorse Miss Boogie Woogie won the best playing pony prize and also best retrained racehorse.

The victory made it the third international win in a row for an England side, having clinched the Nations Cup in Argentina

Result: England beat Goldin Group Hong Kong, 10.5-8 Handicap: 23-25 Principal sponsor: Audi Most valuable player: George Meyrick Best playing pony: Miss Boogie Woogie, owned and played by George Meyrick Teams England (23): Jack Richardson 5; George Meyrick 6; Max Charlton 6; James Harper 6 Hong Kong (25): Luis Lalor 5; Guillermo Terrera 8; John Paul Clarkin 8; John Fisher 4

Analysis by Malcolm Borwick Six-goaler Malcolm Borwick shares his thoughts on why the young England team was so impressive against a team that was stronger on paper First of all, the composition of the England team resulted in a very balanced team. We selected three young players who all had a great deal to prove, and also had very good horsepower.

Hong Kong had problems with the delivery of their ponies, and in the first chukka Luis Lalor gave a very good demonstration of how to play ponies he had never sat on. They had a good first chukka but we got into the game by playing a very open game of polo. Max Charlton was particularly disciplined, and was doing a great deal of work in the number three position creating space for George Meyrick.

George had one of the best games I have ever seen him play and definitely deserved the MVP prize. Saying that, Guillermo Terrera

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“We selected three young players who all had a great deal to prove, and also had very good horsepower” scored one of the best goals I have perhaps ever seen.

As the game went on, the difference between them came in horsepower. JP had the Warwickshire Cup final to play the very next day, and Guillermo Terrera had the Gold Cup coming up with El Remanso, whereas England brought the best of everything they had. It was in the third and fourth chukkas that it started to have an impact and the goal difference began to

open up. For international teams, especially non-nation state teams, it is a big ask to come back in situations like that.

Jack Richardson has had a fantastic season and played very well in the four-man team. He has the best ball skills of the four of them. What he was doing brilliantly, as he did for Fox and Hounds in the Queen’s Cup, was making backhand passes back to his teammates. That is a big part of the role of a number one in four-man polo; an understated but very important role. If the number twos and threes manage to cancel each other out and the number one has beaten the number four, he is the last one of the train of players going for the ball, and it is all about turning defence into attack, which Jack did very well.

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Knepp Castle Polo formerly home to Emerging and Azzura teams

High Goal facilities - TO RENT Cowdray: 20 miles, Central London 44 miles 90 Stables full sized high goal standard polo ground stick and ball grounds  all weather exercise track  tack rooms and ancillary accommodation  25 acre lake for irrigation grazing paddocks for summer turnout patrons’ residences available as a whole or in part starting 2015

please contact Jason Emrich at Knepp Castle Estate Office 01403741235 jason@knepp.co.uk www.knepp.co.uk

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Reports

Vikings fight to retain British Ladies’ Open title Lila Pearson’s Cowdray Vikings secured the BLOOM British Ladies’ Open Championships title for a second year on home ground in July Cowdray Vikings GMW Marketing

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he Cowdray Vikings successfully defended their BLOOM British Ladies’ Open Championship title on Saturday 19 July, writes Liz Higgins. The team of Lila Pearson, Laura Ormerod, Hazel Jackson and Lia Salvo met GMW Marketing in the final, which took place the day before the Gold Cup final for the second year. In a tight and closely-contested match in which neither team gained more than a two-goal lead, Cowdray Vikings ran out the winners 6-5.

run down the field, and a shot at goal that just went wide. A threatening attack from GMW Marketing resulted in a penalty going their way, and Walters sent the ball straight through the posts to take her side ahead.

But the teamwork of the Vikings paid off to bring the scores level once more, with Jackson making a huge run to goal, and Ormerod coming in to make the shot, scoring her first of three goals to earn the most valuable player award.

GMW Marketing won the first throw-in following the half-time tread-in, and WilsonSmith took off with the ball, but unfortunately towards the wrong end. Instead Ormerod took the Vikings ahead for the first time in the match with another goal. The zero-goaler followed this up with the fifth goal for her team, stretching the lead to 5-3. A converted penalty from Wilson-Smith to start the final chukka was enough to close the gap for GMW Marketing, and a superb run from Fitzpatrick brought the scores level yet again.

It was Salvo who put the Cowdray Vikings back in the lead with a penalty conversion, ensuring they lifted the British Ladies’ Open Championship silver salver for a second year.

Both teams had remained unbeaten on their route to the final, with Cowdray Vikings getting the better of RJ Polo and Stobart, and GMW Marketing beating RJ Polo and Wild Orchid, which featured the highest-rated player in the tournament, four-goaler Nina Clarkin.

The 0-goal GMW Marketing side of Hannah Fitzpatrick, Lottie Lamacraft, Rebecca Walters and Heloise Wilson-Smith received a two-goal advantage on handicap, but Jackson soon made up one of these goals in the first chukka, as GMW Marketing took a little longer to settle into the game.

Argentine two-goaler Salvo soon scored a penalty to even up the scores, and looked to have second goal in the offing with a great

For more about ladies’ polo, see our feature on page 26

The winning team of Lia Salvo, Hazel Jackson, Laura Ormerod and Lila Pearson enjoy a glass of BLOOM gin

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Photograph by Clive Bennett

BLOOM British Ladies’ Open Championships; Cowdray Park Polo Club; 14-19 July Result: Cowdray Vikings beat GMW Marketing, 6-5 Handicap level: 0-4 Number of teams entered: 5 Principal sponsor: BLOOM Gin Most valuable player: Laura Ormerod Finalists Cowdray Vikings (3): Lila Pearson 0; Laura Ormerod 0; Hazel Jackson 1; Lia Salvo 2 GMW Marketing (0): Hannah Fitzpatrick -1; Lottie Lamacraft 0; Rebecca Walters 0; Heloise Wilson-Smith 1 www.polotimes.co.uk

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Reports

Suffolk Young England Test Match

Young England powers to victory over Wales

Alison Schwabe reports

Young England Clogau Wales

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nternational polo came to Suffolk’s Trinity Park for the third year in June. The Test Match between Young England and Clogau Wales took place in very slippery conditions, but the steady rain failed to dampen the spirits of spectators and supporters as England defeated Wales 7-5½.

George Meyrick and Will Emerson, who played in place of Max Charlton, were joined by 17-year-olds Seb Hancock and Ed Banner-Eve for England, while Ricky Cooper, Oli Hipwood, Roddy Matthews and Peter Webb lined up for Wales, receiving a half-goal advantage on handicap.

Both teams began the match steadily, in heavy rain, but it was Emerson who slotted the first ball between the posts for England, following it up with two more field goals for England in the second chukka, in addition to a penalty. But Wales had warmed up by this stage, with Webb putting two goals on the scoreboard.

It was in the third chukka that Hancock and Banner-Eve came into their own, showing fearlessness and hunger to win.

England held a narrow half-goal lead going into the final chukka, with Hancock sealing the deal as he streaked away with the ball to score and bring the final score to 7-5½ in favour of England.

“We had an enjoyable, if tough, game,” said Wales’ Matthews, who also won the best playing pony prize for Gato. “The Young England Team played with enthusiasm in the wet conditions. Ed Banner-Eve and Seb Hancock had no inhibitions which gave them the edge and England were the better team on the day.”

Visitors to the Suffolk showground were also treated to two other matches, plus displays of camel racing. James Craven’s Las Marias beating Higham Polo Club 9-8 to win the Patron’s Cup. A junior match was also held between Trinity Park and Stowe School, with the Trinity Park team of Millie and Dominic Overy Owen and Chas and Tom Townsend triumphing 4-2½. But the Stowe team of Algy Stanley, Leo Dettori, Henry Frisby and Patrick Robinson were not left too disappointed – with all four children hailing from racing families around Newmarket, they got the chance to ride the racing camels, who had made their debut appearance at the event.

Suffolk Young England Test Match; Trinity Park, Suffolk; Sunday 29 June 2014 Result: Young England beat Clogau Wales 7-5.5 Principal sponsor: Hopkins Homes Handicap: 13-goal Hopkin Homes best playing pony: Gato, owned and played by Roddy Matthews Teams Young England (13): Seb Hancock 1; Edward Banner-Eve 1; George Meyrick 6; Will Emerson 5 Clogau Wales (12): Ricky Cooper -1; Roddy Matthews 3; Oli Hipwood 5; Peter Webb 5

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Reports

Beach polo round up

Sandbanks, Poole – British Beach Polo Championships

Photographs by Richard Budd

Clogau Wales claims Sandbanks crown England – Martin Young, Sebastian Alexander and Jamie Morrison – 11-10 in the opening game. With Scotland beating Ireland 6-4 in Friday’s second game, the final between Wales and Scotland’s Jonathan Tidswell-Pretorius, Max Charlton and Chris Hyde was set.

Of all four matches held across the weekend, the final was won by the largest margin, giving credit to the closeness of scores throughout the weekend. A hardfought match resulted in an 11-8 victory for Wales, giving Le Hardy his second beach polo title of the week, having triumphed at Polo on the Beach in Cornwall just the weekend before.

It wasn’t to be England’s weekend as, in addition to losing the subsidiary final to the Ireland team of Richard Fagan, Santiago Torreguitar and Michael Henderson, the home side was beaten soundly on both days

by Australia in the beach volleyball Oakley Sand Slam, now an annual feature at the event. Also making a popular return was the race between an Audi Q7 and a polo pony,

Roddy Matthews, Ricky Cooper and Jamie Le Hardy celebrate their win

CROWDS OF FUN-loving spectators descended on Sandbanks beach in Poole on 11-12 July for a weekend of polo and partying at the British Beach Polo Championships.

Clogau Wales wrenched the title from England’s grip this year, with the defending champions finishing in fourth position.

Led by Ricky Cooper, and featuring Roddy Matthews and Jamie Le Hardy, Wales came out fighting to avenge their one-goal defeat to England in last year’s final. They duly did so on day one of the competition, beating

Action from the final, with the English Channel providing a glorious backdrop

to raise money for children’s charity Variety.

Once again, the polo was punctuated by fashion shows, a silent auction and flowing champagne. As night hit, revellers took to the dancefloor to enjoy the beach parties that the Sandbanks event has become known for.

Watergate Bay, Cornwall – Polo on the Beach

THE EIGHTH POLO on the Beach event at Watergate Bay near Newquay attracted record numbers for yet another year in early July. Around 10,000 spectators were treated to all manner of entertainment on the stunning Cornish beach, with displays from the Stampede stunt team, live music, a flash dance mob, Segway polo, an off-road Land Rover experience and the traditional Joules welly-wanging competition. But as ever, the emphasis was firmly on the polo, with the event’s first all-ladies match taking place on the Saturday. Two-goaler Rosie Ross led South West Polo, also featuring Phillipa Fitz-Henry and Georgia Sweeney, to a 7-5½ victory over Veuve Clicquot. Amy Guy’s Veuve Clicquot side, which also included Charlotte Sweeney and Emma Boers, had held a narrow lead at half-time but when the final bell rang after four chukkas of play it was South West Polo who held the advantage.

Polo on the Beach regular Jamie Le Hardy inspired his First Great Western team to victory over Joules in the main 42

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Photograph by Josh Coombes

Record numbers flock to Polo on the Beach

First Great Western and Joules put on an exhilarating display of high-goal beach polo at Watergate Bay

15-goal match that followed. Le Hardy was joined by Caspar West and Andrew Blake Thomas, and the trio ran out the winners 7-6 over Tim Vaux, Daniel Loe and Richard Blake Thomas, with Le Hardy named most valuable player.

Cornwall lifted the Carrs Land Rover Trophy in the final match of the weekend.

The team of Tim Vaux, Ben Marshall and Daniel Loe defeating HSBC 5-4, much to the delight of the mostly local crowd.

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Reports

Victor Ludorum round-up

18-goal – Indian Empire Shield, Coworth Park and Duke of Beaufort’s Cup, Beaufort

THE MID-SEASON 18-goal Victor Ludorum tournaments were dominated

by Dell Park, as Nikolai Bahlsen’s team celebrated victory in both the Indian Empire Shield and the Duke of Beaufort’s Cup. Dell Park returned to Coworth Park ready to defend their Indian Empire Shield title, and did so in impressive fashion, thundering past Charlie Pidgley and George Pearson’s Cadenza Juniors/Cowdray Park team 9-2 to win the huge trophy for the second successive year.

But the final wasn’t without its ups and downs. Five-goaler Richard Le Poer was sidelined in the fourth chukka with a broken collarbone, his place ably taken by Dirk Gould, who joined Bahlsen, Max Charlton and Malcolm Borwick on the field. Six-goaler Charlton, on the other hand, enjoyed a particularly successful day, being named most valuable player for the second time in a week.

However, it wasn’t to be long before determined Le Poer was back in the saddle, as he returned to the team in time for their victory in the Duke of Beaufort’s Cup in mid-July. After a night of storms during which three inches of rain fell at Beaufort Polo Club, Dell Park and the all-pro Beaufort team took to a rather soggy field to play for the penultimate Victor Ludorum

Photograph by www.imagesofpolo.com

Dell Park dominates 18-goal finals

Dell Park celebrate their second straight Indian Empire Shield win at Coworth Park

18-goal title of the season. The Beaufort side of Nico Antinori, Martin Rodriguez, Olly Tuthill and Tom Hunt took an early lead but by half-time Dell Park had found their feet in the wet conditions to draw level, before edging into the lead during the second half.

Bahlsen’s team were able to hold onto their lead for a well-deserved win, with the patron being named most valuable player for his impressive work rate throughout the final.

With three wins from four tournaments under their belts, Dell Park currently sits comfortably at the top of the 18-goal leaderboard, with 260 points. The teams were yet to be confirmed for the final tournament, the Cowdray Challenge, as Polo Times went to press, but with closest rivals Four Quarters Orange on 170 points following a subsidiary final win in the Duke of Beaufort’s Cup, Dell Park look in good stead to maintain their lead.

12-goal – Prince of Wales Cup, Beaufort and Queen Mother Trophy, Cirencester Park

BLACK EAGLES CURRENTLY heads the 12-goal Victor Ludorum leaderboard, after victories in both the Dollar Cup and the Queen Mother Trophy. Hot on their heels however are Casablanca, who secured victory in the Prince of Wales Cup, held at Beaufort at the end of June. The team of Nick Wiles, Tom Brodie, Mark Tomlinson and Nico Antinori came up against Vampire Bats in the final, played on the club’s Hope for Tomorrow charity day. The final was a game of cat and mouse, with Casablanca establishing a narrow lead early on and Vampire Bats constantly chasing, drawing level twice in the match, only for Tomlinson to put Casablanca back in front.

But Casablanca were not quite able to secure two tournament wins in a row as they fell to Jonathan Munro Ford’s Black Eagles in the Queen Mother Trophy at Cirencester Park. Munro Ford teamed up with Jonny Good, and Chris and Jack Hyde, and the foursome defeated Casablanca 6-3.5 in the final to hold on to their top spot on the leaderboard, with Chris Hyde named most valuable player.

Four tournaments still remain in the 12-goal Victor Ludorum fixture list, and despite Black Eagles’ early dominance, there is still all to play for.

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Photograph by Tom Reynolds

12-goal wins for Black Eagles and Casablanca

Black Eagles’ Jonny Good gets the hook on Casablanca’s Mark Tomlinson during the Queen Mother final

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Reports

Victor Ludorum round-up

15-goal – Royal Windsor Cup, Guards, Eduardo Moore Tournament, RCBPC, Coworth Park Challenge, Coworth Park

FOUR QUARTERS ORANGE has risen to the top of the 15-goal Victor Ludorum league table, after a particularly successful month.

Simon Arber’s team lifted the prestigious Royal Windsor Cup at Guards in June, before also triumphing in the Coworth Park Challenge.

Dell Park, who won both the Arthur Lucas Cup at Beaufort in June and the Eduardo Moore Tournament at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club, have slipped to second on the leaderboard, after failing to win a match in July’s Coworth Park Challenge.

Four Quarters Orange, featuring Tom Morley, Jack Richardson and Bradley Mallett, came up against Alan Fall’s Mad Dogs in the final of the hotly-contested Royal Windsor Cup, which featured 18 teams. Mad Dogs had arrived at the final unbeaten but it was the black and orange shirts that dominated the match, with South African Mallet producing a class performance that earned him the most valuable player award.

The teamwork of Four Quarters Orange meant the side never looked in danger of losing the match, coming out on top of a 6-3 win, with Arber receiving the Al Habtoor Royal Windsor Cup from HM The Queen.

In early July, it was Dell Park’s turn to once again grace the 15-goal podium, defeating Black Eagles to win the Eduardo Moore Tournament. The team of Nikolai Bahlsen, Zac Hagedoorn, Richard Le Poer and Max Charlton were back to their best, cruising through the tournament unbeaten to triumph 12-7 over Jonathan Munro Ford, Jonny Good, Chris Hyde and Roddy Williams in the final. This put them to the top of the leaderboard, only to be pipped back into second place when Four Quarters Orange defeated Steve Rigby’s Creed to win the Coworth Park Challenge. This time the final was far closer, with Creed making the stronger start and Four Quarters fighting back to take a 6-2 lead. Creed piled on the pressure but it wasn’t quite enough,

Photograph by www.imagesofpolo.com

Four Quarters races Dell Park to top spot

The Four Quarters Orange team are proving the ones to beat in this season’s 15-goal

as Four Quarters edged them out for a 9-8.5 win.

Four Quarters are now 30 points clear of Dell Park at the top of the table, and with Dell Park not contesting the Harrison Cup at Cowdray, Arber and co will be looking to strengthen their advantage as the season draws to a close.

8-goal – Archie David Cup, Guards and Julian and Howard Hipwood Trophy, RCBPC

DELL PARK CAME out on top of 27 teams to win the sought-after Pommery Archie David Cup at Guards.

Sixteen-year-old Sascha Bahlsen was joined on the team

by Charlie Holley, Zac Hagedoorn and Max Charlton, who lifted the trophy for the second year running, as well as being named most valuable player. The team came up against Jonathan Munro Ford’s tough Black Eagles side in the final, and ran out the victors with a 9½-7 win. Dell Park is believed to be the youngest team to have won the tournament, with an average age of just 20.

Youth also prevailed in the Julian and Howard Hipwood Trophy at the Berkshire, with 14-year-old Hugo Taylor lifting the trophy, along with his more senior Conosco IT teammates Jeremy Pemberton, Daniel Otamendi and Will Emerson. The team met Clive Reid’s AFB side, featuring Henry Porter, Pete Webb and Sebastian Dawnay in the final, coming out with an 8-5 win.

However, AFB has proved the value of consistency by currently holding the top position on the leaderboard, despite being yet to win a tournament. Having also reached the final of the Gerald Balding Cup, and winning two league matches during the Archie David, Reid’s team has clocked up enough points to push Dell Park down into second and Chester Polo into third, with the Holden White Trophy and the Wichenford Bowl yet to be played.

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Photograph by www.imagesofpolo.com

Consistency paying off for AFB

Conosco IT take the Julian and Howard Hipwood honours at the Berkshire

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Victor Ludorum round-up

Reports

6-goal – Assam Cup, Rutland and Junior County Cup, Cheshire

STRATEGIC CURRENTLY HOLD the 6-goal Victor Ludorum top spot, after two consecutive victories. With the Eduardo Rojas Lanusse title under their belts, the team of Nick Pepper, Matt Evans, Archie Smyth-Osbourne and Peter O’Rourke met Three Oceans Cani in the final of the Assam Cup at Rutland, in the first year the popular tournament has been included as a Victor Ludorum fixture. Strategic produced open, inclusive polo against their opponents, with O’Rourke proving effective in attack and Smyth-Osbourne reading the game well to turn defence into attack at every opportunity. Strategic finished the game on top with an 8-3 score; the whole side being named joint most valuable player, as a reward for their teamwork.

But in the Junior County Cup at Cheshire Polo Club that followed, it was last year’s 6-goal Victor Ludorum winners that took home maximum points. Richard Thomas’s successful Chester Polo team of Jamie Thomas, Jonny Coddington and Michael Henderson secured a 6-5 victory over Stobart. Chester took an early lead before Stobart drew level, but were able to push ahead once again for the win.

Having not contested the previous two tournaments, Chester find themselves in fifth place on the leaderboard, while Strategic lead, standing 85 points clear of their nearest rivals, Snakebite, with two tournaments left.

Photograph by Nico Morgan

Chester triumph but Strategic hold lead

Strategic currently tops the 6-goal leaderboard after winning the Assam Cup

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Polo Times, August 2014

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Guest editor special

NINA SAYS...

More than ever before, sport psychology now has a recognised place within the world of polo. Nina Clarkin speaks to other sporting professionals at the top of their games and looks at ways in which their advice can be transferred onto the polo field Dave gave some great advice on the tools available to an athlete to help reach and maintain elite performance, but is this something that we are going to see more of in polo? Or are we content to ride out the ups and downs of our performance and hope that the ups are more frequent than the downs? Polo has, finally, caught up with a number of other sports and over the last decade has entered a new era of professionalism. Most high-goal teams, and some well established low and medium-

Photograph by Vanessa Taylor.

The article by Dave Alcock on sport psychology in the June issue of Polo Times really struck a chord with me, as I have long believed that the mental aspect of the game of polo, as with any sport, is incredibly important. What makes a champion tick?

The ability to control your emotions when adrenalin is coursing through your veins is a consummate skill, and getting the best out of your teammates is essential in any team sport. Are elite athletes simply blessed with a gloriously auspicious mix of genetic predisposition, personality, and circumstance, mixed with persistent hard work, drive, and motivation? Elite athletes put tremendous mental and physical reserves into their chosen sport and must cope with huge internal and often external pressures to succeed at the highest level.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF REACHING THE TOP

Getting yourself into the right mindset before playing a game of polo is crucial for maximum performance on the field

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goal teams are equipped with coaches, trainers, and managers. Is the next step a psychologist to ensure we are using all the tools available to us so we can perform to the highest level in every game? I have spoken to a couple of professionals who are at the top of their games in other sports, to get their views on the benefits of psychological help within competitive sport, and have asked them for their advice on how to mentally prepare yourself for a big game.

I asked Matthew Clarkin, captain of Bordeaux rugby team and my brother-in-law, how he personally mentally prepares before a big game and he told me that he tries to stay as relaxed as possible and attempts “to focus on my own performance and not think too much about the outcome of the match”.

He also said that, although he doesn’t do it consciously, on the night before a game he usually finds himself visualising the game and certain situations, and how he would react and make the most of that situation. “It helps if you can tell yourself you are the best prepared you can possibly be,” he said. He also advises only to think about the aspects of the game that you can control and not to stress too much about the things that are out of your control, such as weather, ground conditions, umpiring and your opposition.

All polo players know how challenging poor fields can be, or how frustrating umpiring decisions often are, and having the ability to react in a positive way to these things can make all the difference to the end result.

In terms of the individual athlete, New Zealander and Olympic gold medal-winning rower Eric Murray believes that “you’ve got to have the right attitude, the right drive, and the motivation and desire to win.” After that, coaches, trainers and psychologists can help take you to the next level, but the www.polotimes.co.uk

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Guest editor special

hard work and drive must come initially from yourself. Murray trains every day in order “to get that little bit faster, that little bit better and make it a little bit easier, even if the easier part is just in our minds�. Athletes work incredibly long hours to hone their skills and they subject their body and mind to maximum pressure in the process, which allows them to succeed where others have failed.

For Murray, doubt is the biggest killer of success and preparation is the key to making sure that you go into a match knowing that you are prepared, ready, and that you know intrinsically what you are capable of. Murray recognises that it is the work he does days, weeks, and months before a big race that allows him to go into a race knowing what he is capable of. He reasons that if you don’t think you can win then you probably won’t. Fear of failure can be crippling and this is where I believe the arrogance of youth in polo, and many other sports, can play a huge factor as it bolsters the confidence and gives the player the belief, albeit sometimes misguided, that he can take on and beat the individuals on the opposition that are arguably better.

These young players also, perhaps, have not suffered the losses and therefore not yet succumbed to the inevitable doubt faced by most top athletes at some point in their careers. Murray advises managing doubt and any insecurity by training harder and practising more, in order to make sure you feel as fully prepared as you can before you take to the field.

When it comes to captaining and running a polo team, Murray said: “Because everyone is different, you need to identify that you are only as strong as your weakest link so there is no point in ganging up on that person if things are going badly. It is hard to have everyone on the same page, but if you’re in the right chapter, that’s a start, but if you’re not in the same book, then the team will be a disaster.�

For Murray, who has already been so successful, I wondered what still drives him to train and push his body so hard, and what keeps him focused. At a basic level, he says it is winning more races, but at the moment the real drive is “about trying to go through to the 2016 Olympics unbeaten, as no one in rowing has ever been through two Olympic cycles in any boat class unbeaten�.

Setting goals is clearly an important motivational tool and gives you something to aim towards and focus on through your www.polotimes.co.uk

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Focus

training, keeping you determined and resolute. Murray also believes that it is the journey, rather than just the end result, that inspires him to carry on working. “It’s easy to look at a win and say ‘that was great’, but if you can look back and get satisfaction out of what you have put in to achieve that win, then that’s better for me, and that drives me to want to do more,� he said.

Clarkin told me that his team does not have a psychologist on their staff, but they have an external company which provides the club/players with one-on-one sessions, dealing with enhancing performance based on their natural mental characteristics, strengths and weaknesses. He believes that it is a very important aspect to their training as “it is all well and good getting bigger, faster, stronger and more skillful but if you don’t have the mental tools to optimize those attributes it’s a bit of a waste of time.�

I also asked Clarkin how he keeps motivated and positive for the next competition and he responded with a great analogy that we should all heed: “I like to set short-term goals and stay focused on them as I think a long rugby season is a bit like climbing a mountain. It’s long and very physically demanding and if you are gazing at the summit all the time, you aren’t paying attention to the challenges just in front of you, and chances are you will stand on a loose rock and fall.�

Finally, I have often wondered whether, as a woman, I have different factors to consider and different variables to control compared to a man. Does my sex mean that my emotions are harder to control or easier? According to Richard Stander, author of Athletics Omnibus, women physically “have less strength, less speed and less endurance than men�, however psychologically “women are more advanced than men� and they “lose their fear for losing faster and will hope for success much faster than men�. So does being a woman competing in a male-dominated sport add a further complexity to the way I emotionally respond to the challenges I face on the field? I have no idea, but my ultimate drive is to be the best polo player that I can be and to compete to the best level I can whenever I am on the field. To me, gender is just not an issue. I am sure there are plenty of people who have a lot to say on the matter, but when I am out on the field all I want to do is to perform to the best of my ability and compete against my peers whether male or female.

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Guest editor special

Photograph by Alice Gipps

Focus

Is polo becoming too professional for its own good?

NINA SAYS...

Having won the Gold Cup back in 2003 with a similar four-man (and one woman in our case) team, it was not without a sense of déjà vu that I enjoyed the giant-toppling exploits of Halcyon Gallery as they knocked out the mighty Zacara in the Gold Cup quarter-finals before coming up just one goal short against Dubai on semi-finals day. It was a truly remarkable tournament for this 50

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The sport of polo has undergone much change over the last two decades. Nina Clarkin casts a critical eye over the modern world of high-goal polo, and ponders whether increased professionalism could actually be damaging the game team and hopefully we will now see more of these “underdogs” in the future.

It is a well-worn story that polo has changed beyond recognition, from the era of the amateur to the modern professional age.

Perhaps less well-recognised is the more subtle tilt that seems to have occurred around the 2003 season, a year that is writ large in the lives of myself, my husband John Paul Clarkin,

and the two Tomlinson brothers, who made up our winning Hildon Sport team. Back then we were sandwiched between the Gracida/ Pieres dawn of professional polo and what has now become the “juggernaut” professional era that we are witnessing today. Based on my experience at least, 2003 straddled two decades of development that has been as transformative as the earlier post-war period. www.polotimes.co.uk

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Guest editor special

Focus

My whole family was raised with my father’s fond recollections of polo as a competitive but congenial sport, in which players and patrons socialised regularly and probably far too much. The sport was, of course, keenly fought on the field but it was also about enjoying the friendships made within and around it.

The dawn of the professional age has culminated in a fiscal arms-race that has led to all sides using their remarkable improvements in horsepower and player talent to the end of predominantly whistlefilled, scrappy encounters, with intermittent moments of incredible and breathtaking skill and artistry. Has this made for a better game? Or has the increased speed and agility of the horses, the improved talent of the players and the immense pressure to win at all costs combined to make the game much more technical with tactical fouls and an increased pressure on umpires, whose roles seem to be more prominent and influential than ever?

The game is undoubtedly harder than ever to umpire and, if I’m honest, the tendency seems to be for players to get a bit grubby in any grey areas they can find, in order to capitalise on the increasingly high conversion rate of penalties. Long-standing HPA chief executive David Woodd said: “The professional era has ushered in the increased importance of winning, in order to get paid again or collect the bonus, or to not get replaced for the next tournament, or even game. Therefore the rules are exploited to the full, understandably, and the umpires are faced with the task of applying rules that are not well understood or universally agreed.”

There is an immense pressure on players, umpires and patrons alike to “win at all costs” or to be fired, loathed or have egos deflated, depending on which camp they’re in. Too many games for my liking are decided on penalties and we are losing the end-to-end high drama that used to be www.polotimes.co.uk

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Photograph by Alice Gipps

Polo has changed from Land Rover Series Ones scooting about in our fathers’ day, to E-type Jaguars roaring around, and now we have Aston Martins constantly stopping for red lights in between the occasional burst of glory Nina won the Gold Cup in 2003 alongside Mark and Luke Tomlinson and her husband to be John Paul Clarkin

the bread and butter of the high-goal and its trump card for the spectators. Woodd brings up an interesting point, that the rules of polo “have not really changed for years and little account is taken by the players or the associations that, if the game is to grow into a sport that people want to watch, it has to be easily understood and followed, fun to watch and fit the time frame for entertainment/television in the longer run.

Those funding it must enjoy it; the patron needs to be involved as currently he or she is funding most levels of the sport.”

I fear that we are on the cusp of losing many spectators due to the increased technicality we are witnessing today on the back of the advances in individual skill among the top players, and the constantly improving athleticism and speed of the ponies. I hear from many spectators, even the battle-hardened among us, that the interpretation of the rules is becoming increasingly mystifying, and the game is consequently harder to follow. The rules of polo are, in my mind anyway, designed three-fold: to ensure horse safety; player safety; and a free-flowing and joyous experience and spectacle. How can we marry the vastly expensive, incredibly talented, beautifully mounted, highly professional and determined to win teams of today with the mutual desire for the best fast-paced, freewheeling games that the spectators love to watch (and without doubt the players love to play?) Or must we resign ourselves to the analogy that Woodd uses about the state of polo today: “As a spectator sport for those not involved in the teams or interested in horses, it is a bit like fishing; great when there is water and you are catching fish, but otherwise pretty boring unless you are a fanatical fisherman?”

The professionals that I have spoken to don’t think the rules necessarily need

“As a spectator sport, polo is a bit like fishing; great when there is water and you are catching fish, but otherwise pretty boring” David Woodd

changing, but that the consistency with which the games are umpired must be improved. But how is this possible when the game is becoming so technical? I believe that negative plays in the game need to be penalised, and severely. The attempts to slow the game down and cause a foul by constantly tapping under an opponent’s horse and causing a mêlée need to be shut down and the game should be encouraged to be more start and less stop.

As my brother Ben, now globally wellexposed as a result of his exploits with British Polo Day, commented to me, “It seems as though polo has changed from Land Rover Series Ones scooting about in our father’s day, to E-type Jaguars roaring around with Gracida, Pieres et al, and now we have Aston Martins constantly stopping for red lights in between the occasional burst of glory on the track.”

I’m not suggesting that any changes will be easy to agree upon and implement to anything approaching widespread satisfaction within the various camps of patrons, players, umpires and spectators. In fact, I can only say with great confidence that attempts to improve the health of this wonderful golden goose stand every chance of having “oven ready” results. That said, there is great joy for all involved, especially the spectators, in the prospect of more “open road” polo and less of that dreary sense of super cars stuck in a frustrating rush-hour commute.

Polo Times, August 2014

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Focus

Guest editor special

A help or a handicap?

The issue of women having a separate handicapping system to men is one that many players, both male and female, have an opinion on. Nina Clarkin shares her thoughts on the matter, and explains why her view has changed

If I am entirely honest, I am not sure how I feel about women’s handicaps. Until now, I have been loath to play under my allotted rating of nine goals and to this day never have. This is because I am not sure that I necessarily agree with the system and, as a polo purist, couldn’t see the relevance or need to have a separate system. Now, after much thought and reflection, I can see the value in different handicaps for women, in terms of sponsorship importance and corporate value. It is clear that it is easier to sell a high-goal game or tournament to sponsors than it is to market a 0-goal or even a 4-goal tournament. It is obviously good business sense to have finally given women their own rating and the tournaments that are being run under this system overseas are flourishing, and sponsorship is readily forthcoming.

Why then was I so against it? I think it is because I feel that I have worked incredibly hard to reach my four-goal handicap and I am immensely proud of it. I felt like adding another number to my name, however seemingly and falsely impressive it may be at first glance, would only dilute and undermine that achievement. I also love the uniqueness of being rated in the same context as men and being able to compete together on an even playing field as polo is one of the few sports where this is possible.

I do understand that there is an issue with how many women are squeezed into a very small demographic of predominantly minus two goals to two. This means that there are often huge discrepancies between the skill and talent of women players who are on the same ‘male’ handicap. So, with a new system, skill levels are more clearly and accurately defined and in all-female competitions the sport can grow and develop in a more visibly perceptible way.

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Photographs by Tom Reynolds

NINA SAYS...

Hazel Jackson has a one goal handicap in the UK but plays off eight in Argentina

the female side of the sport to grow in correlation with the increased revenue that such a venture has hopefully provided.

I, however, am in no hurry to play off

my ‘other’ handicap, but I do know that eventually I will, and I will no doubt end up enjoying it immensely and having to eat my words.

Zero-goaler Alice Gipps on the need for separate men’s and women’s handicaps The women’s handicapping in Argentina is needed. Everybody starts on a handicap of zero in Argentina, so there would be huge differences in the ability of the women’s polo teams, as many girls would be rated zero but, anywhere else in the world, would be a minus one or minus two. The women’s handicap system is designed to make the teams more even, and the polo more competitive and fun for everyone involved. But the girls also have their official handicaps too, so they remain on an equal playing field when playing mixed polo. www.polotimes.co.uk

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A slice of Argentine life @gauchogroup @gauchogroup

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Guest editor special

NINA SAYS...

Ladies’ polo is constantly growing and developing and has become a solid addition to most clubs’ fixture lists. I have decided to feature three female players this month to showcase the talent coming through. This is something that I am very interested in, as I am always looking for new blood to keep pushing the boundaries of ladies’ polo, and keeping the high level of handicaps that English women have become synonymous with.

Hazel Jackson Hazel has been one to watch for me ever since she emerged on to the professional scene and she has not disappointed.

She is a fierce attacker and pounces on any free ball and always turns defence into attack easily. Her game is developing with her as she is maturing and it is always a pleasure to watch her skill and artistry on the ball. Hazel excels in ladies’ polo where she is an exceedingly tough adversary, but she is also in high demand elsewhere and has a regular slot in the Emlor 8-goal team.

Lottie Lamacraft Lottie is a force to be reckoned with on the field. She is conscientious about marking her man, but also skilled and talented with the ball. She rides with aggression, drive and determination and is an excellent team player. She spends her winters in New Zealand and summers in England where she plays regularly. She is a great horsewoman and this is reflected in the quality of the horses she is riding.

Plum Shrager I have included Plum in my list as, for want of a better word, a wildcard. Although she is only -2 and young, I saw her play at Cirencester Park the other day in the 6-goal and was immediately struck by her style and natural ability. She had an easy confidence on the ball and an excellent swing with a great hit. She is also a confident rider and has all the hallmarks of a great player in the making and a future prospect. I look forward to watching her development and seeing how she progresses in the sport.

Hazel Jackson

Handicap: 1

Hazel has been playing polo since a young age and has gone on to become one of the top professional lady players in the sport. With an older brother and sister who played, she naturally followed their lead, playing Pony Club with the New Forest. Patrons Roger White and Clinton McCarthy noticed her talent early on and selected her to be part of their teams, with Hazel often replacing Clinton in the 8 and 12-goal. Since leaving school Hazel has pursued her polo career, and she now plays off two goals in France and is rated eight goals in Argentina’s ladies’ system. This season she has been playing the 8-goal at Cowdray with Emlor, with whom she is also about the play the 12-goal. At the end of the season Hazel will play overseas, in places such as Malaysia, Singapore and France, and is set to spend the winter in Argentina.

Major wins and achievements: • • • •

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Age: 23

Photograph by Clive Bennett

Focus

Winning the International Cup Ladies’ match with England in Palm Beach, 2012 Winning the Miriam Heguy tournament in Argentina, 2013 Winning the Chopard French Ladies’ Open in Chantilly, 2013 Winning the Ascot, Cowdray and Cirencester Ladies’ tournaments in 2013

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Guest editor special

Focus

Three to Watch ...

Lottie Lamacraft

Plum Schrager

Lottie grew up hunting and show jumping and it wasn’t until she was 14 that her father introduced her to polo, with Lottie being told that she would be useful for marking. As a result, Lottie spent her first couple of seasons only riding off with no intention of hitting the ball. In her gap year, Lottie headed to New Zealand where she spent the year grooming and riding young horses, and she returned once again when she had finished university. Lottie, unusually for a girl, is currently more focused on young horses than actually playing, although she helped her team to reach the finals in the BLOOM British Ladies Championships at Cowdray Park this year. It is due to Lottie’s parents, her brother and Glenn Sherriff that she is so involved with the sport. In the future she hopes to gain more of an insight into the different approaches to polo and making ponies across the world. At the end of this season, Lottie will break in the first lot of her family’s homebreds by their own polo stallion

Plum first started to play polo at the age of seven in Argentina under the tuition of Pancho Marin Moreno before going on to Beaufort where Claire (Tomlinson) and Caspar (West) took charge. Plum played Pony Club Polo with the Beaufort Pony Club preparing her for ‘adult’ polo. In her first season of playing at Edgeworth she had an unbeaten season with her success earning her a place in Alison Clark’s team Los Chinos, for which she was paid in chocolate.

Plum unfortunately had to take some time off polo at the age of 14 after breaking her neck, taking about two years to recover. However this time was not wasted, she spent a lot of time at home playing with Argentines who taught her the best way to be the underdog, returning to the polo field stronger than ever. Plum credits Martin Ffrench-Blake as a huge help to her game, calling her up to play 6-goal and coaching her at the same time, and also Charles Betz who convinced her to carry on playing. One of her favourite matches she’s ever played was with him for the Bucks Club in Chantilly, France on her 14th birthday.

Age: 23

Handicap: -2

Age: 17

Photograph by Tom Reynolds

Handicap: 0

Major wins and achievements:

Major wins and achievements:

• •

•

• •

Winning the New Zealand Ladies’ Open, 2010 Named most valuable lady player in the outdoor National Universities Championships, 2012 Selling a six-year-old she and Glenn produced to Pelon Stirling, 2013 Reaching the final of the British Ladies’ Championships, 2014

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• •

Playing at SUPA International Polo Festival, Cirencester Park Reaching the final of the Associates Trophy at Cirencester Park with Los Chinos Winning Rendell section at Pony Club tournament at Kirtlington Park, 2014

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Get chukka fit

with Winston Squire

This month we are focusing on a Chukka-Fit workout for women. Although the exercises in the main Chukka-Fit programme can be followed by men and women, the fact is that women are generally stronger and more flexible in the legs but tend to be weaker in the central core and upper body. This programme incorporates exercises designed to enhance both core and upper body strength.

I’ve also included a series of wrist exercises, which are very important for female and male polo players in order to grip and follow through when hitting the ball.

Equipment If you are currently experiencing You will need: any medical complaints or haven’t • A resistance band (medium resistance) trained for a while please consult • A towel with your doctor before undertaking • A Swiss Ball (65cm diameter) this programme.

• A yoga mat Don’t forget to follow my warm up exercises prior to undertaking this programme and cool down stretches afterwards. Both are featured in the May issue of Polo Times.

Swiss ball wall squat Targets: Gluteus muscles and hamstrings •

Winston Squire in profile Winston Squire is a health and fitness consultant, personal trainer and lecturer with over twenty years’ experience in the industry. He develops bespoke training programmes, based on a thorough knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics, for a diverse range of private and corporate clients in sports, media and entertainment. He was the first trainer to deliver bespoke strength conditioning, dynamic and flexibility training for polo, improving his team’s fitness levels and reducing the risk of long-term injury. Winston holds a BSc in Sports Science and Psychology, is a Strength Conditioning Coach and an Athletes Performance Coach.

Winston is the fitness trainer for the England polo team and through his regular Polo Times columns he will get you chukka fit for this season.

•

• •

•

Stand against a wall with your shoulders pulled back and down, knees slightly bent and your feet hip width apart.

Place your Swiss ball behind you in the small of your back and keep it pushed against the wall.

Place your hands on the front of your thighs.

Squat down to a 90-degree position driving through your heels. Ensure your knees are in line with your toes and over your ankles. Push back up to standing in a controlled manner.

1–3 sets, 15–20 repetitions.

To contact Winston, please email: winston@squireandwinston.com Our thanks to this month’s guest editor Nina Clarkin for being our model for this issue

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Get chukka fit with Winston

Knowledge

Standing external rotation

Targets: Strengthens the rotator cuff and helps prevent injury • • • • • • •

Attach your resistance band to a secure location, like a tree trunk or fence post, at the same height as your elbow.

Place a rolled towel under your right arm and squeeze your right arm against your body.

Bend your right arm 90 degrees keeping your arm close to the towel.

Take hold of your resistance band with the right hand palm facing inwards.

Pull your band away from your body externally rotating your upper arm.

Return to the start position in a controlled manner.

Perform 1-3 sets, 15–20 repetitions on each arm.

Bicep curl

Targets: Bicep strength •

• • • • •

Take your resistance band and place it under the instep of both your feet. Keep your feet shoulder width apart.

Hold your resistance band in both hands keeping a light tension in the band from the start.

Stand upright with your shoulders back and down, your abdominals engaged and your knees slightly bent.

Pull the band towards your chin moving your arms straight up from the elbow towards your shoulders.

Return to the start position in a controlled manner.

Perform 1–3 sets, 15–20 repetitions.

Upright row upper back Targets: Upper body and upper back strength • • • • • •

Take your resistance band and place it under the instep of both your feet.

Keep your feet shoulder width apart.

Hold your resistance band in both hands keeping a light tension in the band from the start.

Stand upright with your shoulders back and down, your abdominals engaged and your knees slightly bent.

Pull the band towards your shoulders keeping your elbows out to the sides like a butterfly and your palms facing inwards.

Return to the start position keeping the movement under control.

Perform 1-3 sets, 15–20 repetitions.

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Knowledge

Get chukka fit with Winston

Wrist flexion

Targets: The forearm muscles that control the wrist and your core • • • • •

Sit on your Swiss ball.

Step on your resistance band with both feet.

Hold the resistance band with both hands palms facing upwards and curl your wrists towards your forearms.

Lower your hands slowly back to the starting position.

Repeat 1–3 sets, 15–20 repetitions.

Wrist extension

Targets: The forearm muscles that control the wrists • • • •

• •

58

Sit on your Swiss ball.

Step on your resistance band with both feet.

Put your forearms on your thighs with your palms facing down.

Curl your wrists up towards your forearms through their full range of motion.

Lower slowly back to the start position.

Perform 1-3 sets, 15–20 repetitions.

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Wrist radial

Targets: The forearm muscles that control the wrists • • • • • •

Sit on your Swiss ball.

Hold your resistance band with both hands keeping it slightly taut.

Place your forearms on your thighs with your palms facing towards each other.

Rotate your hands with your thumbs lifted upwards toward your forearms.

Lower your hands slowly to the start position.

Perform 1-3 sets, 15–20 repetitions.

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Knowledge

Get chukka fit with Winston

One leg balance pull Targets: Upper body and bicep strength, dynamic balance and core strength • • • •

• • •

Attach your resistance band to a fence or tree a foot off the ground.

Grip the band with your right hand.

Stand on your right leg and bend your left knee at 45 degrees.

Maintaining your balance lean forward slightly, extend your right arm and pull the resistance band towards your right hip.

Keep the movement controlled.

Perform 1-3 sets, 10 -15 repetitions.

Repeat with your left arm and right leg.

Swiss ball inner thigh squeeze Targets: The leg abductor muscles (riding muscles) • • • •

Start by straddling your Swiss ball.

Keep your toes on the floor and lift your heels. Your knees should be pointing straight down keeping your thighs and knees pointing straight.

Hold each squeeze for five seconds, then release.

Repeat 10 times.

Swiss ball roll out •

•

•

Sit on your mat, with your knees hip width apart, facing your Swiss ball (your Swiss ball should be a foot in front of you) and place your forearms and fists on the ball.

Keeping your abdominals engage slowly roll the ball forward, straightening your arms and extending your body as far as you can without allowing your body to collapse.

Use your abdominal muscles to pull the ball back to your knees.

Repeat 10 times.

Side plank • •

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Lie on your right side and prop up on your lower elbow keeping your palm down.

Engage your core and hips to raise your body off the floor so only your elbow and lower foot are touching.

Hold the position for 30 seconds and repeat on the other side.

2 sets, 30 seconds.

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Advertisement Feature

British Polo Season Sizzles

Very few would argue that polo is best watched in England than anywhere in the world when the sun shines, the ponies are in full gloss, and the pitches rich carpets of emerald. Azure blue skies, dazzling white marquees and a plume of colourful polo players provide the setting for unforgettable days spent among friends, sipping champagne and watching some of the world’s most exciting high octane polo.

Dallas Burston Polo Club, nestled in 600 acres of breathtaking Warwickshire countryside, is excited to be hosting the next spectacular annual event DBPC Polo in the Park on Sunday 7 September in aid of

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Help for Heroes, where teams will compete in three tournaments: The Dallas Burston Gold Cup (6), The Amaranther Cup (0) and The Arthingworth Cup (4). Visitors will be treated to a fantastic day of fast paced polo, jousting, a food and shopping village, mounted games and a funfair. All are welcome so please book your parking tickets well in advance (visit the website for details).

Members can enjoy games from premier viewing platforms at the luxurious colonial clubhouse, whilst a thatched roof public house will play host to all visitors from Spring 2015. The Club’s most recent addition to its range of facilities, the 5 Star iXL Events Centre is the only conference and event facility in the world to be located within the grounds of an active polo club.

Boasting a maximum capacity of 3,000 people, the luxurious multi-functional iXL Event Centre provides a variety of flexible spaces suited to any group size with a wide range of uses.

Large scale events, conferences, exhibitions, concerts, corporate entertaining, weddings, theatre productions and screenings

are all catered for. State-of-the-art technology, including a concert standard sound system and lighting as recently used by The Killers on their latest tour to Wembley Stadium are featured. An impressive main auditorium with elevated stage and catwalk, full size cinema screen, dance floor/exhibitor areas are also provided. Exclusive bars and dining areas with terraces and VIP booths are available, while hospitality and VIP zones with wrap around outdoor terraces, overlook Europe’s only full sized all weather polo SuperArena.

Dallas Burston Polo Club also provides a number of alternative, fully catered luxury facilities for smaller, more intimate occasions, including weddings and private parties, and Christmas bookings are being taken now.

Located one hour north of London and 30 minutes from Birmingham International Airport, just a few minutes from the M40, the club also has heli landing facilities and a shuttle service.

We hope to see you very soon pitch side and in the sunshine!

Tel: 01926 811 111 www.dbpoloclub.com

www.polotimes.co.uk

28/07/2014 17:51

J

PONY running reports

Photograph by Tony Ramirez imagesofpolo.com

uly is probably the busiest time in the UK polo calendar as every level of polo reaches its maximum. As the school holidays kick in the Pony Club and Junior HPA swings into action and this is twinned with a flurry of high, medium and low goal activity country-wide. As always, our Pony Running Reports feature has followed the activities of a selection of six polo ponies, playing at various levels across the UK. It continues to be fascinating to see the miles travelled, compare the costs incurred and to offset these agains the chukka ‘output’.

Ollie Cudmore’s Fortune has settled in well following her move from New Zealand in April this year and has excelled this season at

Fortune in action for UAE at the Gold Cup...

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the super-fast and challenging 22 goal level – in July she was played in both the Gold Cup and the recent Coronation Cup against Argentina where she was brought out in both the second and final chukkas. Following Fortune’s success, Ollie plans to reward her by turning her out with the hope that she will return next season in fighting form.

Irish has fully recovered from his suspensory ligament injury last month and Malcolm Borwick is preparing him for the upcoming high-goal in Spain, where he is expected to suit the pristine fields and recover his lost chukkas by playing twice per game.

It hasn’t just been the high-goal ponies which have shone this month, Jerry is

enjoying his new home in East Berkshire and has been playing “like a legend” despite loathing his new stablemate. Meanwhile, Chita is in excellent form and has had winning success in both the Junior HPA and Pony Club with Freddie Younger.

Lanky ex-hurdler Rocky Raccoon has benefitted from Mark Tomlinson’s Guest Editor advice and is now receiving increased feed and water at matches, which has improved both his travelling and performance, so much so he has progressed from relative beginner to a recent debut in the 8 goal as we went to press.

Overall, all of our equine case studies appear to be playing more as the season progresses. It will be interesting to see how the ponies’ regimes alter in the next few months as the UK polo scene begins to tail off for the year. See overleaf for this month’s pony updates.

...and for England in The Coronation Cup

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Knowledge

Pony running reports

FORTUNE

CHITA

TIBURON

Age: 9 Height: 15.2hh Sex: Mare Owner: Ollie Cudmore Type: New Zealand Thoroughbred From: New Zealand Base: Previously with Sam Hopkinson at Clevedon in Auckland, New Zealand.

She is now based at Anningsley Park, Surrey with UAE during the UK season Level of polo expected: High-goal (22-goal)

Age: 15 Height: 15.1hh Sex: Mare Owner: Freddie Younger Type: Argentine From: Argentina Base: Currently in Kirtlington Level of polo expected: Aiming for the HPA Hipwood. Playing SUPA for Radley College, club chukkas and the Scottish Pony Club Polo camps.

“Fortune has proved her worth. Buying a pony from abroad always involves a slight amount of risk, as you have to pay for the flight as well as the cost of the pony. You also have to hope that they will travel well and maintain their condition. Fortune has now completed her season, and was able to play more than I originally planned, which was a huge bonus.

“She played the Gold Cup with me, doubling in every game and has secured her place as one of the top three horses in my UK string. I think I will turn her out soon as it has been a long season for her – she travelled from New Zealand in May and so understandably is starting to get a bit tired, as every horse would do. Hopefully she will come back next season even better. She was also part of my string on International Day against Argentina.”

“It has been a busy month for both Chita and myself. Her first match of the season was for Radley at the SUPA Schools where she went really well. Now the summer holidays are in full swing, Chita is in the middle of both Junior HPA and Pony Club, playing Hipwood for Kirtlington Polo Club and Surtees with Heythrop Pony Club.

“As I have committed to playing in the south, despite living in Scotland, I thought it made sense for me to do the travelling rather than the ponies, so whilst I went back home, Chita and Trixi (my other pony) stayed at Kirtlington. As well as my matches down South, I have also had Pony Club polo camp week in Scotland, meaning I had to travel back and forth in order to play – polo camp has now finished and as a result my family are now based in the south until the end of Cowdray. Chita and I have won both our Hipwood games, and have won one of the Surtees sections as well as coming second twice. Chita is fit, in great form and performing game after game. I couldn’t ask for more from a pony.”

“Tiburon has continued to excel this month.

He has played in several large tournaments including winning the Julian and Howard Hipwood Trophy at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club and he has been playing four to five times a week at Guards and Cowdray too. I’ve used him for the Junior HPA Buckmaster Trophy at several grounds across England and even some high-goal practices with Lucchese. As he has been playing more and more matches, requiring a larger need for energy, his feed has been increased. He is on one scoop of polo mix, one scoop of oats and some Red Cell supplement, and is being kept in throughout the week but spending a few days in the field after matches to relax.

“Tiburon has been my favourite and most reliable horse; he plays the last chukka of every match and is always the one that people comment on. This month has been his busiest by far, however he continues to show his strength, playing the last game of polo just as well as he played his first. I hope that Tiburon carries on going well and keeps improving; this next month will again be very busy for him so I hope he continues in this direction.

“Finishing school for summer has allowed greater time for my polo, meaning that I am playing more games and can spend more time schooling my horses.”

July Overview: Number of chukkas played: 13 Number of miles travelled: 190 (Chita) 1,233 (rider!)

This month’s cost breakdown: £85 shoeing Total cost this month: £85 plus livery

July Overview: Number of chukkas played: 21 Number of miles travelled: 400 (Cowdray and Guards) This month’s cost breakdown: £80 shoeing Total cost this month: £80 plus livery

July Overview: Number of chukkas played: 10 (over 9 matches) Number of miles travelled: 450 This month’s cost breakdown: £70 (shoeing) £250 (vet) Total cost this month: £320 plus livery 62

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Age: 7 Height: 14.2hh Sex: Gelding Owner: Hugo Taylor Type: Argentine Thoroughbred From: San Antonio d’Areco, Argentina Base: Cheshire, but moved to Trumps Farm, Windsor in April Level of polo expected: 6, 8, 10 and hopefully 12-goal

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Pony running reports

IRISH Age: 13 Height: 15.3hh Sex: Gelding Owner: Malcolm Borwick Breeding: Blue X Norman Pentaquad From: Ellerston, Australia Base: Trippetts, West Sussex Level of polo expected: Medium to high-goal

‘Irish is back! Last month, Irish was recovering from a suspensory ligament. After three sessions of Shockwave therapy, a treatment commonly used in horse racing, my vet, Shane Foughty, gave him the all clear.

“Irish is now back to his best. He is fully recovered from the injury and is raring to go again. Recently he has played the final of the Coworth Park Challenge at Guards and also helped Murus Sanctus to win the final of the Texaco Trophy at Cowdray. The peak of the Spanish high-goal season is about to kick off and so I am currently preparing him for that.

Irish will love the pristine fields in Sotogrande so there is no reason why he won’t be able to play two chukkas a game.”

July Overview: Number of chukkas played: 5 Number of miles travelled this month: 800 This month’s cost breakdown: £500 vet £100 shoeing Total cost this month: £600 plus livery

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ROCKY RACCOON Age: 6 Height: 15.3hh Sex: Gelding Owner: Polo Times “office” polo string Type: Irish Thoroughbred Breeding: My Native Gesture X Presenting From: Originally bred in Ireland, then trained by Jonjo O’Neill Base: Bishops Norton, Gloucestershire Level of polo expected: Low-goal – it’s his first real season “July has a been a busy month of superimprovement for Rocky. He has really gone up a gear and has progressed from being treated as a bit of a rookie to now playing with the main string. This means he is playing for longer periods, being exposed to more challenging play and generally being part of the action. Subsequently he has had a very busy month playing in the 6 goal at Cirencester and the 4 goal at the Beaufort – he was part of the winning combination with Los Chinos at the Henderson Rose Bowl final as we went to press. He also had an unexpected outing for two half chukkas in the 8 goal Holden White tournament at Cowdray.

“For a big, placid horse he has a surprising turn of pace and a strong ride off, which has made him a real asset to the string. He is kept out at grass with extra feeding to supplement his busy playing schedule. We have also taken heed of Mark Tomlinson’s Guest Editor advice and feed them a light ‘snack’ with lots of water on arrival at polo, teamed with a generous water-heavy feed again before travel. It has really benefitted the whole string who are more settled, perform better, are successfully hydrated in this hot weather; whilst also hopefully reducing their chances of developing stomach ulcers. Thanks Mark!”

July Overview: Number of chukkas played: 14½ Number of miles travelled: 1,044 This month’s cost breakdown: £70 shoeing Total cost this month: £70

Knowledge

JERRY Age: 22 Height: 13.2hh Sex: Gelding Owner: Lucas Stern Type: Connemara X From: Various Pony Club families, but most recently from the Chamberlains Base: Lyfords Meadow Polo Livery Yard, Winkfield Row, Berkshire Level of polo expected: Pony Club (Jorrocks) “Jerry has been very tolerant about having to come down several levels in terms of standard of play and ability of player. We have found him to be a very honest, wellmannered pony, which we are lucky to have acquired.

“Lucas has also discovered that he is an excellent hack, even on the roads in East Berkshire. Jerry has also found hacking in Windsor Great Park to be to his liking. He settled in immediately at Lyfords Meadow, despite developing an immediate and mutual loathing for Lucas’ old pony, who he was actually brought in to replace on the polo field.

“During July, Jerry has attended four South Oxfordshire Hunt (South) Pony Club rallies and chukkas near Henley. A few team issues have meant that Lucas and Jerry will be playing with members of other pony clubs, who have kindly stepped into the SOHS Jorrocks team.

“Jerry and Lucas represented their new Jorrocks team, SOH(S), for the first time on 22 July at Kirtlington Park. The team managed a credible second place out of four teams and Jerry played ‘like a legend’ according to his rider.”

June Overview: Number of chukkas played:4 Number of miles travelled: 30 This month’s cost breakdown: £70 shoeing Total cost this month: £70 plus livery Polo Times, August 2014

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Knowledge

Know your horse

Mark Emerson MRCVS is a two-goal polo player and an ambulatory equine vet

Battling horseflies

This has been one of the worst years for horseflies that I can remember. Horseflies are large robust flies that are not too dissimilar in appearance to hefty houseflies. They are members of the Tabanid family and are hence known as “Tábanos” in Spanish.

They attack and feed on a variety of animals including man, although the nuisance they cause to horses in particular has given them their name.

Horseflies can grow up to 2.5cm in length. They are generally dark coloured

with large eyes. Their mouthparts are adapted for slashing through skin and then sponging up the blood – hence why their bites are so painful. Only females have slashing mouthparts – the males are placid vegetarians and feed on nectar.

After a blood meal the females lay eggs in muddy or marshy areas where the hatched larvae live on decaying organic matter – the wet weather earlier this year followed by spells of much warmer weather may explain why there seems to be more

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horseflies this year. Adult flies can disperse many miles from their breeding areas and are most active on warm, sunny days. The adult flies feed every three to four days, causing a great deal of annoyance.

The pain caused by their bites interrupts their own feeding which means they often end up feeding on a succession of animals in a short time, which increases the likelihood of them transmitting disease from one individual to another. Fortunately in the UK, diseases transmitted by horseflies has not been that much of a problem (yet), but in the Americas horseflies are established vectors for a number of debilitating diseases. It is likely that as climate change progresses we will see an increase in the incidence of diseases spread by biting flies, which could seriously impact the UK horse population including polo.

One such disease that Polo Times readers may be familiar with is Equine Infectious Anaemia, also known as Swamp Fever.

This viral disease is present in Argentina and extremely strict control measures have been put in place there to prevent its spread amongst sport horses. All polo ponies in Argentina now carry passport-like documents that record the results of regular blood tests for the disease. Horses that test positive are culled, however valuable they may be. A culling policy also exists in the UK – the last recorded outbreak was in October 2012, when two horses that tested positive in Devon and Cornwall were put down.

In the USA, annual losses due to the nuisance affect of horseflies on livestock and the cost of disease transmission has been estimated to run into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Horseflies undoubtedly negatively impact on polo ponies in terms of cost due to loss in performance and veterinary fees.

On more than one occasion I have also had to provide veterinary attention to horses that have been inadvertently injured by companions kicking out at horseflies. Grooms and players have also been in the firing line!

Controlling horseflies is the best we can do to mitigate the damage they cause.

Unfortunately targeting their breeding grounds is almost impossible and it is unlikely we can do much about the weather and changing climate.

Insecticidal and repellent sprays are the best way to manage them. The most effective sprays are those that contain the insecticide permethrin www.polotimes.co.uk

28/07/2014 17:24

Know your horse

Knowledge

Lorna Edgar - specialist equine nutritionist

Feeding oils

I have written about feeding oils before, but I thought I would mention them again as I am asked questions about why, when and how they should be used on a regular basis.

Traditionally, oil has been fed to horses to promote shiny coats and supple skin. However, it also has huge benefits as an energy-dense source, as well as providing over twice the amount of energy/calories as the equivalent amount of cereal grains. The type of energy that oils provide is slow release energy, thus aiding stamina and endurance, not quick release energy that is acquired from oats, for example.

Key benefits of oil: • Increases the calorie intake but without the ‘bulk’.

• Provides slow release energy aiding stamina/endurance.

Horses that benefit from oil are those which are prone to: • Tying-up – those that have the need for a low-starch, high-fibre high-oil diet.

• Laminitis – those prone to laminitis but needing calories, and not from cereals.

• Excitability/stress – will provide stamina but not exacerbate the ‘fizzy’ individual.

• Ulcers – ensuring calories/energy are provided without using starch/cereals.

Which oils are best?

Rather than using a ‘glug’ of sunflower or vegetable oil from the supermarket, your

horses will reap the benefits of using an oil that is more easily digestible, such as soya or linseed.

Omega 6 is high in pro-inflammatory fatty acids and Omega 3 is high in anti-inflammatory fatty acids – using a combination of both is the ideal scenario to provide a balance of the two: • Omega 6 (pro-inflammatory) – beneficial for maintenance of the immune system, therefore ideal during infection and sickness.

• Omega 3 (anti-inflammatory) – of benefit to horses with very limited time at grass or those with chronic pain, such as joint and arthritic issues and for improving hoof quality, reducing muscle soreness and increasing tissue elasticity, reducing the incidence of ‘bleeders’ (EIPH).

How much to feed?

A scientific ‘glug’ added to the feed will aid coat condition, but when needing to use oils for an energy or calorie source then you can look at using 2-6 half pint coffee mugs (1-3lbs) per day. However, once using more than 100mls of oil per day there is a requirement to add anti-oxidants (vitamin E & C and selenium) to assist in efficient utilisation of oils without the build-up of ‘free radicals’ in the muscle tissues, possibly causing tissue soreness. There are oil supplements on the market that are ‘mess free’, balanced with Omegas 3 & 6 and antioxidants; such as Baileys Outshine.

How to introduce oil When introducing oil into the diet it is advisable to do so gradually to give the body time to adjust to absorbing and utilising the

As well as helping produce a shiny coat, oil is also a provider of slow release energy

oils. When introduced too quickly, oil can cause loose droppings – in this instance, reduce the oils back to a minimum and re-introduce even slower. When wanting to use the oils for performance, I would advise allowing 3-6 weeks for the oils to take effect in providing stamina.

A classic daily diet of a pony playing medium-goal polo with a 5-goal player: 3 heaped round bowl scoops of Conditioning Cubes 2 mugs of a balancer 2 mugs of Outshine oil supplement 2 scoops of Fibre Beet Prebiotic Ad lib hay/haylage – of course!

Levels of Omega 3 and 6 found in well-known oils

and the repellent citronella. Perhaps it won’t be long before we start equipping our stables with built-in spray systems like those used in many polo establishments in Argentina.

A study in Hungary has shown that horseflies are attracted to linear polarised light.

Lighter coloured horses, such as greys and duns, reflect less linear polarised light than dark horses and are therefore less attractive to horseflies. The striped patterns of a zebra blend polarisation signals and appear to confuse horseflies, making them even less attractive.

Perhaps we should be using striped fly rugs to help protect polo ponies from horseflies?

www.polotimes.co.uk

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Knowledge

Pony Power

An excellent choice

Dear Ben As promised - the elements for the artwork.

My thoughts were (but you guys are the pros): - Background colour in our blue (CMYK for the dark blue is C94 M88 Y44 K65).

- Logo in White (including words ‘’ underneath).

- Under that, in white, words: Ten-goaler-Pablo MacDonough has come to the end of a roller-coaster UK high-goal season Towards the bottom our website ( with UAE, But despite team injury and line-upidea, alterations they stillatmade if you guys have a better no problem all! it to the Queen’s Cup

semis and the Gold Cup quarters, but not quite making it all the way to the finals.

Charley Larcombe talks to Pablo about his high-goal stallion Irenita Electo Irenita Electo Height: 15hh Age: 6 Colour: Chestnut Sex: Stallion Breed: La Irenita Owner: Pablo MacDonough How long have you owned him?

I owned and played his mother, Ellerstina Elegida. Electo means ‘the chosen one’ in Spanish. He is out of her and by Irenita Clarin.

What is his playing background?

I first started playing him when he was four

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years old. He was part of my string during the 2013 Argentine season, but I only played him a little in the Triple Crown. He is very young and so I wanted to bring him over to the UK for his first season of high-goal this year.

How has he played during the English high-goal this season?

I played him for a full season with Sheikha Maitha’s UAE team in the Cartier Queen’s Cup and the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup. He went very well and got best playing pony in the Queen’s Cup semi-final against Talandracas. Sadly they beat us for their place in the final, but I was pleased with Electo. I double chukka-ed him in every important game.

“Electo makes me play better” What are his strengths?

He is calm, but very fast and very handy in tight plays. And he is very relaxed and easy to look after in the barn.

And his weaknesses?

At six years old he’s still a bit green, but we’ve already seen a difference in him this season, so I have high hopes for next year.

Why is he such a favourite?

Electo makes me play better! I am in Argentina and the USA for the winter, but I will come back to the UK next summer to play him for another season with the UAE team. www.polotimes.co.uk

28/07/2014 17:24

T A I L O R S T O P O L O P L AY E R S

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020 7837 1452

28/07/2014 17:24

Knowledge

Accountancy Matters

Getting your stables in order For those in the agricultural and equine industries, VAT has always been, and continues to be, troublesome. VAT on livery is exceptionally complicated and particularly relevant to the polo industry, as a number of individuals in the industry often also operate livery yards. It is a common misconception that all liveries are an exempt supply In general, the VAT treatment depends upon the services and type of livery that is on offer.

With regards to “do it yourself” (DIY) livery, this can fall into two categories: • Grass livery (where the supply of grazing rights dominates) is zero rated for VAT. • Stable livery (where the supply of stabling dominates) is exempt from VAT, as this is simply a right over land.

If the livery yard is part of a larger operation, the exempt status of stable liveries can create partial exemption problems.

Livery which includes services (such as feeding, grooming, worming and mucking out) is generally subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20 per cent unless the exclusive right over land mentioned above can be proved (not special purpose yards).

The ability to be able to deal with liveries as an exempt or zero-rated supply for VAT is very important to most livery yards, as customers are usually private as opposed to businesses and therefore not able to recover the additional 20 per cent charge.

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ensure that the exempt or zero-rated status can be achieved. All agreements, terms and conditions and invoices issued by such yards should make the exclusive right very clear i.e. a specifically allocated stable, name on the door etc.

A special purpose yard occurs if the horse owner/livery user has gone to that yard for a special purpose (i.e. polo training).

Special purpose can also include schooling and breaking. In these yards, stabling is no longer the predominant supply and so all supplies you make are standard rated for VAT purposes.

The above summarises the VAT treatment of liveries in isolation. However, the wider tax consequences should also be considered. The treatment of yards as exempt could impact on the treatment for inheritance tax purposes, specifically the availability of agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) in the future. HMRC are increasingly attacking these reliefs, which could result in a higher

inheritance tax charge. Ensuring that farming is maintained in some and that services are supplied in addition to DIY could help to protect both reliefs.

In summary, all livery yards should be reviewing their VAT status and returns, as well as considering any longer term implications of the services and type of livery that is on offer.

If you would like any further information on any of the topics covered in this article or would like to discuss your own position further, please contact Sarah who is the specialist within the Shaw Gibbs team in looking after equestrian and polo related business.

Sarah is an Accounts Manager working at Shaw Gibbs Ltd. Sarah works closely with David Rickwood on all inheritance tax matters. If you have any further questions please contact Sarah in the first instance on sarah.gardener@shawgibbs.com or call 01865 292 286. www.polotimes.co.uk

28/07/2014 17:25

John Hine & Company in association with Shaw Gibbs accountants and business advisers With over 30 years of polo experience we focus on providing polo accountancy services and tax advice to players, clubs and patrons. We understand the intricacies of the polo business.

• Are your accounts and tax affairs up to date?

• Are you getting appropriate tax reliefs for polo?

• Will you have a saleable polo business?

Please contact Sarah Gardener or John Hine, former polo player and patron of the successful Langley Priors team.

T:01865 292200 in strictest confidence sarah.gardener@shawgibbs.com PT Aug14 61-98.indd 69

28/07/2014 17:25

Knowledge

Equipment

Easy on the eyes Goggles are a piece of equipment many professionals refuse to ride onto the field without. Tilda Woodd speaks to several players for whom goggles have already been a sight-saver, and finds out why there are still some people who don’t wear them

Horacio Heguy proved that you don’t have to have sight in both eyes to be a 10-goal polo player, having lost the sight in one eye during his playing career. However, for most people, two eyes are considerably better than one, so if you have the ability to save your sight simply by wearing a pair of goggles, why wouldn’t you?

In polo, you have a dangerous combination: the ball travels, in any direction, at speeds faster than 80mph and there are eight, 52 inch-long sticks that are surprisingly bendy and often move around at head height. Consequently, there is a

George Hanbury suffered a facial injury during the Warwickshire Cup final in 2013

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high risk of getting hit in the face, and when this happens there is more often than not, a significant amount of force involved.

A survey by Dr. Paul Vinger in 1998 for the USPA confirmed that the face is the most common area of the body to suffer injury, with 35 per cent of facial injuries caused by the ball striking the face, and 24 per cent, a result of a hit from the stick, prompting the Argentine Polo Association (AAP) to make protective face-wear mandatory for all players. The HPA hasn’t gone that far, but it strongly recommends players to follow the Argentine’s lead, offering support to players who suffer eye injuries if they are wearing goggles when the incident occurs.

Polo Times spoke to a selection of England’s top players to get their thoughts on the necessity of goggles and the true benefits of wearing them.

Five-goaler Oli Hipwood suffered a particularly bad facial injury, and as a result wears goggles religiously. “I feel very vulnerable without them. It’s definitely part of my routine to wear them,” he said.

Hipwood was hit in the middle of the frame of his Oakley M Frame goggles by a stick: “I guess it did take some of the impact of the hit. I still shattered my cheekbone, broke my nose and broke my eye socket but I can’t imagine what the damage would have been like had I not been wearing goggles.”

It is important to also remember that goggles don’t just protect the eye from

Ollie Cudmore after he received a ball in the face during this year’s Queen’s Cup

impact from sticks and balls, jockeys wear them for racing for an entirely different reason. “There is not just one benefit to wearing goggles, they also stop dirt, dust and mud from getting into your eyes,” explained Hipwood. “When you are tracking behind somebody and something flies up, which it does a lot, your eyes are protected.”

At the beginning of this year, England captain Luke Tomlinson was hit in the face by a ball whilst playing in Argentina, and had to undergo a serious eye operation with high risks involved. However, Tomlinson doesn’t think wearing goggles would have helped him in his particular scenario: “If you get a direct hit to your eye then your socket protects your eye – it’s a side hit that gets you. It had actually started raining just before I got hit so I had taken my goggles off, but I don’t think they would have done anything different.”

However, early on in his career, a similar situation occurred. “Goggles have saved my eye once but that was a few years back,” he said. “I was wearing an older pair of goggles, and they had much more protection round the side. The problem with polo is that it’s such a small industry that nothing gets invented for the particular reason we need them – we simply use the best of what is out there for other sports.”

This summer, four-goaler Ollie Cudmore received a full speed backhand in the eye, www.polotimes.co.uk

28/07/2014 17:25

Equipment

Knowledge

Product Guide

So you don’t have to, the team at Polo Times have been out and about looking for the safest, best-selling goggles currently available from the most respected polo retailers:

Casablanca www.casablancapolo.co.uk Recommended: Oakley Radar®, from £120 • • •

Incorporates HIGH DEFINITION OPTICS® (HDO®) technology Optimise protection with Plutonite® lenses that filter out all UV and meet industrial standards for impact protection Permanent Hydrophobic™ lens coating that also maintains smudge resistance

La Martina

Oli Hipwood with a broken nose, cheek bone and eye socket after a ball hit him in the centre of his goggles

with medics telling him that had it not been for his goggles, there was a high chance that his sight would have suffered. After the incident Cudmore said “the goggles saved my eye when I got hit in the Queen’s Cup – I will wear them for the whole of my career. I think it should be compulsory for under 18s to wear them, like it is in Argentina.”

Thankfully though, a few staples later, Cudmore was able to return to the field for his UAE team’s next highgoal game with no long term damage.

Dubai’s Ali Paterson watched the incident from the sidelines and when his goggles broke the day after, he was adamant not to continue playing until he had replaced them with a new pair.

“Having watched Ollie get hit in the eye, I would now never consider playing without goggles,” he told Polo Times.

“In Argentina it is compulsory to play with goggles and I think it should be the same here. There have been situations where umpires haven’t wanted to wait for a player to replace broken goggles.

Luckily they have eventually understood the potential danger – your eyes are a pretty crucial part of your body.”

Five-goaler Max Routledge is one of the only professionals never seen wearing goggles. However this isn’t because he doesn’t want to. “I want to wear them because I don’t want to lose my eye,” he said. “I have played practices with them in the past and have tried to get used to them but, because I never learnt to play wearing them, they annoy me. One day though, I am going to change!” Routledge assures Polo Times this day will be soon. www.polotimes.co.uk

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www.lamartina.com Recommended: Technical Polo Player Eyewear by La Martina, from £120 • Uses NXT lens technology first developed by the military • Absorb impact so effectively, they are deemed ‘bullet proof’ • Scratch resistant and light reactive

Polo Splice www.polosplice.co.uk Recommended: Ess Ice Goggles, £65 • • •

‘Frameless’ design provides unlimited field view Interchangeable Polycarbonate high impact lenses Lenses provide 100 percent UV-A/UV-B protection

Porto Polo

www.portopolo.com Recommended: X PRO, £40 • 2mm optical grade Polycarbonate coloured lenses provide a lens that has passed the USA military specifications (MIL-Std-105) and EEC safety standards (89/686/EEC) • Set of four frameless glasses in red, purple, brown or smoke • A spare set of side arms Also Recommended: Premier Plus Goggles, £29.95 • Lightweight Polycarbonate protective glasses with five interchangeable lenses • Has additional prescription lenses

RJ Polo www.rjpolo.com Recommended: KED TIGS, £80 • Fulfill European, American and Australian standards • 100 percent protection from UV-A, UV-B and UV-C rays • Coated with anti-scratch and anti-fog treatment Also Recommended: SSG Goggles, £12.00 • Perfect for children who scratch them all the time!

• Entry level cost

Sats www.satsfaction.com Recommended: Patagonia Polo Goggles, £25.00 • • •

Designed & assembled in Argentina Lenses are made in the US Options for lenses are dark, clear and reflective

Tally Ho

www.tallyhofarm.co.uk Recommended: Blueye Polo Goggles, £71.30 • Impact resistant vented Polycarbonate lenses • Anti-fog & anti-scratch coating • Have been tested for impact resistance – even at a range of 15 metres, the lens did not shatter Polo Times, August 2014

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Knowledge

Equine legal advice

Protecting yourself against insolvency issues

In recent times I have seen a distinct increase in the number of issues arising for polo players, yard owners and landlords in relation to insolvency matters. Examples of such issues include: “I am in the process of installing a large outdoor arena and the company carrying out the project has gone into administration half way through the job. What do I do?”

“I am having a bespoke horse lorry made and I have paid my deposit. They promised to have it finished a few months ago and now I can’t get hold of anyone to speak to and I have suspicions that the company has gone bust. What do I do?”

To find out firstly what has happened to the person or company carrying out the work, whether it involved installing an arena, building stables, building a horse lorry or horse walker, largely depends on whether the trader was in fact a partnership or an individual (sole trader) or a limited company.

Sole traders/Partnerships With sole traders and partnerships it is possible to find out if an individual has gone bankrupt by checking the Individual Insolvency Register online. If they have, then 72

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an official receiver will take control of the situation. If there are enough assets to meet the costs, then an insolvency practitioner may be appointed. You should first write to the official receiver or insolvency practitioner about your particular situation. They will endeavour to do their best to help you and if they can they will pay you some money, if there is any available. However if the trader has no assets it will not be possible to get any money. You will not normally be able to take legal action in this situation.

There are other options, however, for sorting out the immediate problem that you are facing. If you have paid using a credit card, under Section 75 of the 1974 Consumer Credit Act, which states that the credit supplier is jointly liable with the retailer if something goes wrong, you can get a refund from your card provider. It applies for purchases of between £100 and £60,260, so for any payments over £100 it is prudent to use your credit card. There is the additional benefit that you do not need to be concerned if your credit card limit is not high enough to cover the entire costs of the arena for example, because as long as the items are worth at least £100 and you pay

for all or part of it by way of deposit using a credit card, then the total value of your purchase will be protected. So in short, even if you only pay the deposit with a credit card, this will be sufficient to benefit from Section 75 protection. There is a formal process to go through, but assuming the claim is undisputed it should only take a few weeks for your credit card to be credited. In the meantime, if you have not already paid for the purchase, the credit card provider is likely to freeze that transaction so that you will not have to pay the money when it falls due, and neither will you have to pay any interest.

This does largely depend on the credit card provider however. You will need to provide documentary evidence of the purchase, for example a signed contract, email correspondence regarding the terms and conditions and/or completion date, or anything proving your purchase. Following this you will have to sign a ‘Deed of Assignment’, which essentially moves the debt to your credit card provider and it is then their responsibility to recover the money, not you.

If you have paid by debit card, then you are not protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. However, there is a chance that you could get your money back under the chargeback schemes. There is no upper cap on the amount that you can claim via chargeback but you only have the right to claim within 120 days of realising that there is a problem and you must be able to show that there has been a breach of contract.

You must contact your debit card provider and they will then seek to get the money from the trader’s bank. The main difference between chargeback and Section 75 protection is that Section 75 is the law whereby the credit card provider and the trader are jointly liable for the transaction. Chargeback however is essentially based on customer service and goodwill so unfortunately there is no guarantee that you will be refunded your money.

In summary, it is advisable to use your credit card rather than a debit card for purchases over £100 as you will be in a stronger position in the event of anything going wrong.

In addition to the credit protection and www.polotimes.co.uk

28/07/2014 17:25

Knowledge

chargeback scheme, the goods or services that you bought may have come with a manufacturer’s guarantee or an insurance backed guarantee and you may be able to make a claim under them dependent on your contract at the outset. Alternatively, if the trader was a member of a trade association then it may be worthwhile contacting them to see if they can help you further.

Limited companies If you have suspicions that the company you have instructed is in financial trouble and may have gone into administration, receivership or liquidation, there are various ways of gaining confirmation, such as from trade associations if a trader was a member, from Companies House, or from a local traders association or Chamber of Commerce or local official receiver’s office.

With Companies House it can take several weeks for the details of a company going into administration, receivership or liquidation to go onto the register at Companies House. If you have suspicions that the trader only very recently went out of business then it may be worthwhile trying the High Court in London or the trader’s local County Court to find out if a winding-up petition has been issued.

Limited companies normally have an insolvency practitioner appointed to deal with any claims for monies owed or any problems reported by customers whilst the company is being wound down. The insolvency practitioner may be an administrator, a receiver, or a liquidator. On finding out the details of the insolvency practitioner (these are normally on the company’s website), you should then make contact with them. You should request to be put on the list of unsecured creditors www.polotimes.co.uk

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and enclose proof of purchase such as a copy of your receipt, credit card receipt or cheque stub, retaining copies of your letters and documents in case you need to refer to them at a later stage. Whether you are successful in receiving the money that you are owed will largely depend on whether there is any value left in the company. It is not possible to take a company that is bankrupt to court.

There are other options available in order to obtain a refund and these include whether you have paid by way of credit or debit card as aforementioned, or if the goods came with a guarantee or warranty and this can be verified by the paperwork signed at the outset of the agreement. If you paid a deposit for the goods there is a possibility that you may be able to get your money back.

However the trader will need to have had specific arrangements in place to protect the deposit. Again, this can be verified by close inspection of your initial paperwork between you and the trader. If you have paid for the work and it has not been finished it is always worthwhile to check whether the company is a member of a trade association. The reason being is that they may have a deposit protection scheme or other arrangements that will allow you to get the work done by another member in order to practically resolve the immediate issue in front of you.

If it transpires that the company has been sold then it is worthwhile contacting the new owner. Whilst they are not responsible for sorting out your complaint, there is a possibility that they may agree to help you as a gesture of goodwill in building client relationships. If a trader did not protect your deposit then you will only receive it back if there is enough money after all the trader’s secured

creditors have been paid. Correspondence with the administrator or receiver will keep you informed of the progress. If the work has not been carried or has stopped before it is completed then while the administrator, receiver or liquidator do not have to get the works finished or give you any money back, it is always advisable to ask. In addition you can ask for a reduction in price or partial refund to compensate you for the inconvenience although this is at their discretion and they can refuse.

In summary, the best advice would be to be meticulous with your paperwork at the outset of any agreement that is entered into; be aware of any deposit protection or enquire into this, and if the value is over £100 then pay by credit card so that you are protected under the Consumer Credit Act, which will serve to provide you with some security which is necessary in this current insecure economic environment.

Human nature dictates that we find the most competitively priced trader when sourcing one for a particular job, however, take heed as the most competitively priced trader can potentially be at risk of being in financial difficulty. A low-priced smaller outfit could come with a possible higher risk of insolvency, so proceed with caution and protect yourself.

For more information call Lottie on 07725 240233 or email her lgoldstone@hcrlaw. com. Lottie is the recognised legal partner with the HPA and all HPA members are entitled to 15 minutes free legal advice with Lottie and a 10% reduction in fees upon instruction.

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Knowledge

London Executive Aviation

LEA is flying high

London Executive Aviation will once again field a team for the fourth Aviation Polo Challenge, while continuing to provide the utmost in luxury charter travel The hotly contested annual Aviation Polo Challenge will take place again this year at Hurtwood Park Polo Club on Saturday 30 August. The fourth instalment of the popular event will see aviation leaders London Executive Aviation (LEA), Stobart Air and Inflite The Jet Centre battle for the coveted trophy.

The Aviation Polo Challenge, this year sponsored by Bombardier Business Aircraft, is a great family day out with a traditional Argentine BBQ and live music in the evening. The event will raise money for youth development charity The Prince’s Trust.

LEA is one of Europe’s largest executive jet charter operators and part of Luxaviation Group. It is well-known for its involvement in the world of polo, from fielding teams for some of the aviation industry’s key polo events to flying its clients to tournaments such as the Deauville Gold Cup in France and the Sotogrande International Tournament in Spain. With 18 successful years in the international business aviation market, LEA operates a 26-aircraft business jet fleet based around London, Paris, Nice, Athens and Moscow. LEA’s fleet ranges from the Beechcraft King Air 200 turboprop to the large-cabin, long-range Dassault 74

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Falcon 2000LX business jet. LEA is also the largest European operator of the supermidsize Embraer Legacy 600/650 business jet, with a fleet of eight Legacy aircraft.

LEA is led by co-founders Patrick Margetson-Rushmore and George Galanopoulos. As a keen minus one-goaler himself, Galanopoulos takes on the role of team captain for LEA’s polo events. He says: “I’ve been playing polo for six years and I relish any opportunity to use my experience to beat our rivals on the field. We are looking forward to a great event with Stobart Air and Inflite.”

Stobart Air is part of the Stobart Group which owns and operates London Southend Airport and Carlisle District Airport. Inflite is a prime supplier to the aerospace market and Inflite The Jet Centre offers exclusive lounges, aircraft and passenger handling at London Stansted Airport.

“I encouraged LEA’s interest in polo by sponsoring tournaments such as The Duke of Essex Polo and having a Corporate Polo Day at Ascot Park,” exlains Galanopoulos.

“We initiated the Aviation Polo Challenge as a way for the aviation industry to come together and have some friendly (mostly!) competition, and also to raise money

for some very worthwhile charities. We encourage industry players and the media to come along with their families, relax, socialise and watch some cracking polo.”

August sees the culmination of an exciting financial quarter for LEA. In May, LEA celebrated its integration into Luxaviation, the Luxembourgish business aviation group. With the addition of LEA, Luxaviation Group now operates a combined fleet of 90 business aircraft, with particular strengths in the fast-growing large-cabin business jet market. In common with other Luxaviation Group companies, LEA retains its identity, leadership and operational independence while benefiting from valuable synergies within the group.

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For more information contact LEA on +44 (0)1708 688420 or visit www.flylea.com

LEA managing director George Galanopoulos in action at the Aviation Polo Challenge

www.polotimes.co.uk

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Polo magazine 8.7.13_Layout 1 22/07/2014 16:11 Page 1

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Youth

Stars of the future Guards Polo Club welcomed the next generation of polo players in June, for the La Aguada Guards Youth Tournament. We hear from some of the young La Martina ambassadors about their ambitions in polo

Photographs by www.imagesofpolo.com

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he La Aguada Guards Youth tournament was held on 21 June, showcasing some of the very best up and coming young players.

The tournament was the brainchild of La Martina Brand Ambassador Eduardo Novillo Astrada at La Aguada Polo Club in Argentina. It was so well received that he proposed to Guards CEO Neil Hobday that it might work well in the UK. The team names read like a who’s who of polo, with the children of some of the world’s most well known players taking part, and the ages ranging from six to 16. Now in its second year, the event is supported and encouraged by La Martina, and is a welcome addition to the polo calendar. The children impressed all day, with many commenting that they played better than a lot of adults.

Rufino Bensadon

12 years old Son of eight-goaler Pancho Bensadon When and why did you start playing polo?

I started playing polo as I was learning to walk as my dad is a professional polo player.

Whose horses do you play?

I play with my own horses and some of my dad’s.

Who is your polo idol?

Facu Pieres.

Best tournament you have won or participated in?

I’ve participated in many polo tournaments and I’ve also won the Copa Potrillitos.

Favourite team mate?

My favourite team mate is Aliko Agote.

Who would be on your dream team?

My dream team would be with Javier Guerrero, Camilo Castagnola and Benja Panelo.

Where will you be representing La Martina this year?

I will be representing La Martina playing at the Tolo Polo and the Copa Potrillos this year.

What did you feel when you were chosen to be one of the La Martina Junior Brand Ambassadors?

When my parents told me that La Martina phoned for me I was very happy and proud.

What is your favourite La Martina product?

I love the boots.

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What is your dream as a polo player?

My dream as a polo player is to win the Argentine Open at Palermo more than ten times. www.polotimes.co.uk

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Youth

Mia Novillo Astrada playing at La Aguada

La Martina Kids Team: Lachie Gilmore; Kiki Severn; Jack McLaren Tosh, Luquitas Monteverde

Justo Novillo Astrada Miguelito Novillo Astrada

Cruz Novillo Astrada

14 years old Son of nine-goaler Eduardo Novillo Astrada When and why did you start playing polo?

I started playing when I was 8 years old because I really liked riding and my friends also played.

Whose horses do you play?

I’ve got a couple of my own horses but I also play some of my dad’s.

Who is your polo idol?

My polo idols are my dad and granddad, who teach me everything about polo and horses.

Best tournament you have won or participated in?

My favourite tournament was the one we played at Capilla del Senor, in which I played with all my friends and younger brother.

Favourite team mate?

My granddad – he is the most fun of all.

And your favourite opponent?

No one in particular but I like having strong opponents, as you need a lot of attitude to beat them.

Who would be on your dream team?

My dream team is with Lucas Bosch, Tom Pistone and Justo Novillo.

What did you feel when you were chosen to be one of the La Martina Junior Brand Ambassadors?

When they called me from La Martina it was great as I was already wearing their equipment and clothes. I have a lot of fun representing it.

Where will you be representing La Martina this year?

I will be playing in England, Spain, USA and Argentina.

What is your favourite La Martina product?

I love the hats as you can choose the colours and make them how you want.

What is your dream as a polo player?

I’d love to become a professional polo player, as polo is what I enjoy the most. www.polotimes.co.uk

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14 years old Son of nine-goaler Eduardo Novillo Astrada When and why did you start playing polo?

I started playing when I was eight years old because I was at a place where there was polo everywhere.

Whose horses do you play?

I play with the horses that my dad gives me and sometimes he lends me his horses too.

Who is your polo idol?

My polo idols are my uncle and godfather Miguel. I admire him a lot.

Best tournament you have won or participated in?

The best tournament was one that I played in recently. It was organised by the AAP, with the semis and the final at Palermo.

But the one I had more fun playing was the Copa de Abendano in Palm Beach.

Favourite team mate?

My favourite team mate is my granddad Taio – he is always teaching me.

And your favourite opponent?

My favourite opponent is my brother Cruz. I love beating him!

Who would be on your dream team?

My dream team would be playing with my friends Santino Magrini, Lucas Bosch and Peke Gonzalez.

What did you feel when you were chosen to be one of the La Martina Junior Brand Ambassadors?

I was very happy and thankful. I really like their products and the saddles they gave us.

Where will you be representing La Martina this year?

I will be playing in England and Spain with my dad.

What is your favourite La Martina product?

My favourite is the coloured saddles; they are really good and also fun.

What is your dream as a polo player?

My dream is to travel the world as a professional polo player.

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Sidelines

Gossip

The time has come

Back in April, Polo Times reported that threegoaler Jamie Peel will be riding in the Mongol Derby alongside former British jump jockey Chris Maude. Jamie will be setting off next Friday to undertake this major challenge. The 1,000-kilometre race is expected to take two weeks with riders expected to travelling up to 160 kilometres a day.

Polo Times spoke to Jamie with less than a week to go until the big race. “I’ve got my sat-nav, helmet and sleeping bag so now I’m ready to go.”

Jamie is riding the race to raise money for The James Wentworth-Stanley Memorial Fund. In order to support Jamie and help raise money for a worthy charity, please visit www.jwsmf.org

Future England superstar?

Congratulations to Mark and Laura Tomlinson who welcomed the birth of their first child, baby daughter Annalisa on 16 July. Annalisa was born at 22.30pm and weighed 2.8kg. Mark had already had a successful day picking up most valuable player and best playing pony at the Gold Cup semi-finals with Halcyon Gallery, but the highlight would have without a doubt been the birth of his beautiful baby daughter.

Tell us yours at gossip@polotimes.co.uk Anonymity guaranteed if you want it...

Polo ponies at Paddington

Richard Blake Thomas and Amy Guy greeted bleary-eyed commuters at London’s Paddington Station in July. The players’ appearance was to celebrate the popular ‘Polo on the Beach’ event, which took place at Watergate Bay in Cornwall.

Look-a-likes

Ruki Baillieu and Matt Damon 80

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Business-minded

Former polo player Jamie Dundas recently launched his self-named clothing company, Dundas London. The company produces linen shirts made to the ultimate comfort with hand-picked linen. Dundas says, “I have quietly obsessed over linen shirts for years, frustrated with the quality, craft and dated styles available. In this I saw an opportunity for change and in it, the fulfilment of a long, burning passion.”

T

www.polotimes.co.uk

28/07/2014 17:25

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Caption

Sidelines

Sidelines

Katie Ashby, Stacey Wood, Emily Brooks of The Bombshell Belle

Sarah Wigley & Russell Blakely Matias Amaya, Jenny Rigby, David Jupp, Mrs Sallyann Burston, Jake Rigby, Grant Collett

DBPC Ladies Day; Sunday 29 June; Dallas Burston Polo Club

Leading ladies Karl Ude-Martinez, Katie McPhillemy, Carmel and Victoria Grant

Millie Seneviratne, Gemma Jenkins and Jenna McCabe

Dallas Burston Polo Club held its Ladies Day in June, raising ÂŁ20,000 for the charity Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer. The day featured plenty of stunning hats and outfits, with a fashion show, two polo matches and an auction. Rigby & Rigby took the honours in the 6-goal Stoneythorpe Cup. Photographs by Jane Collier of Janus Photography

Kings Court

Laura-Eve Thyer and Chloe-Jasmine Whichello

Will Farmer

Capt Nick Watson, Capt Johnny Hathaway White, Capt Jamie Garton, Sgt Alasdair Grant, Captain Folarin Kuku, Tpr L Hartley, Tpr Cain Hayward-Hughes, Csgt Tim Johnson Dan Lloyd, James Tynam, Lesley & Jerry Taylor, Suz Carney, Major Les and Karen Kibble Mrs Sallyann Burston Polo Manager Charlotte Barrett-McGowan and Club Secretary Chon Donnelly presented with flowers by the sponsors Square Peg

Sussex Polo grooms Mario, Gonzalo & Carlos enjoying the day!

Square Peg Trophy; Sunday 29 June; Sussex Polo Club

Hincha Pelota with St Catherine’s hospice volunteers

Success at Sussex The annual Square Peg Charity Trophy took place at Sussex Polo Club for the seventh year, with eight teams from across the south of England doing battle for the prize of traditional Claymore swords.

Pink Power were the winners of the 2-goal, while Blackstone won the -2-goal section.

Photographs by Christopher Pollard & Diana Ross Front: Winners of the Square Peg Claymore, Pink Power Back: Runners up Team Tonic

Picnickers enjoying the polo

En Guarde! The beautiful prize table at Square Peg

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Charlotte Downs

Nicole Bardebes, Ben Fisher and Arabella Noortman

Guy Schwarzenbach

Lucy Boorman and John Haigh

John Stevenson and his children

Chloe Arbisman, David Lepann, Deborah Weitzmann

Katie Watkins, Harriet Noble and friends

The glamorous ladies from Harrods

British Polo Day Charity Cup; Black Bears, Henley-on-Thames; Saturday 28 June 2014

British glamour Rosie Bossom, Bella Chichester, Eleanor and Charlie Olver

Hackett Team Singapore’s Nick Britten-Long mingles pitchside

British Polo Day returned to the Schwarzenbachs’ beautiful Black Bears polo ground in Henley. The day began with an entertaining Brompton bicycle polo match, which provided plenty of laughs, before the 800 VIPs and guests enjoyed the Theo Randall authored lunch. Lord Archer led the auction, which raised more than $300,000 for charity. As the clouds rolled away, the Atlantic Polo Team took to the field against the Commonwealth for the British Polo Day Charity Cup, following their success in rowing the Atlantic. The Commonwealth enjoyed a 6-3 win, but it was the home side that triumphed in the following Hackett Trophy, with the British Schools Polo team beating Singapore 8-6.

Photographs by Sam Churchill

Ani Weinblum and Lord Archer

David Lepann and the Duke of Argyll Bethany Russell

Col Jonathan and Georgina Seddon-Brown, The Hon Mark Vestey, Tom Hudson and Rosie Vestey Shuai Yu and Nick Dann

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Oxford Group Holdings British Schools Polo Team Clifton Wrottesley, Jamie Morrison, Guy Schwarzenbach and The Hon Tristan Phillimore

Damien Smalley, Katarina Baliova and Alan Durrant

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Sidelines

Sidelines

Crowds of people turned out to enjoy the sunshine at the Gold Cup final

Spectators were entertained by a air display team following the final

David Woodd, John Tinsley and Christopher Hanbury

Grooms tend to the Dubai ponies before the big game

Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup final; Cowdray Park Polo Club; 20 July 2014

Good as gold

Jock Green-Armytage and David Jamison Gonazalito Pieres and Top Srivaddhanaprabha talk tactics ahead of the final

Sunny skies and the promise of high-octane polo meant the sidelines and bars were packed for this year’s Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup final. The who’s who of the polo world were present to watch Dubai achieve victory over King Power, with glamorous guests and celebrities enjoying lunch and sipping champagne in the Veuve Clicquot VIP Lounge. Families made the most of the children’s entertainment, while those in need of some retail therapy took to the shopping village. Following the presentation, an air display team took to the skies, producing plenty of oohs and aahs from all those making The marching band perform prior to the match the most of the summer evening at Cowdray Park.

Photos by Polly Bryan and Tony Ramirez, imagesofpolo.com

Patrick Beresford and John Wright The sidelines were packed with polo enthusiasts

Clare Milford Haven with Facundo Pieres The Dubai team parade

Polo Times, www.polotimes.co.uk August 2014 84

84 Polo Times, August 2014 www.polotimes.co.uk Dr. Richard Caleel with Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers

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Dates for your diary

Club contacts UK and Ireland

South East AEPC, Hickstead – 01273 834315 * Ascot Park – 01276 858545 * Ash Farm – 01932 872521 * Belmont, Mill Hill – 020 7318 4490 * Blueys Polo Club – 07930 323263 Binfield Heath – 01491 411969 Barcombe – 07533 213160 Burningfold – 01483 200722 Cowdray Park – 01730 813257 Coworth Park – 01784 470009 Epsom – 07961 232106 * FHM – 07778 436468 * Fifield – 01628 620061 * Guards – 01784 434212 Ham – 020 8334 0000 Hurtwood Park – 01483 272828 Kirtlington Park – 01869 350138 Knepp Castle – 07957 468220 Lacey Green – 07956 525222 Park Lane – 07976 242877* Ranelagh Farm – 01344 885697 RMAS – 07973 174542 Royal County of Berkshire – 01344 890060 * Sussex Polo – 01342 714920 * West Wycombe – 07841 597045 * White Waltham – 07748 670587

East Apsley End – 01462 712444 * Carlton House – 01986 892231 Cambridge County – 01223 812922 Cambridge – 01223 460353 * Hertfordshire – 01707 256023 Little Bentley – 01206 250435 Luton Hoo – 07934 882713 Norfolk – 01508 480400 * Silver Leys – 07535 697854 St Albans – 07438 076644 Suffolk Polo – 07990 576974

South West Asthall Farm – 01367 860207 Beaufort – 01666 880510 Cirencester Park – 01285 653225 Druids Lodge – 01722 782597 * Edgeworth – 01285 821695 Ladyswood – 01666 840880 Longdole – 01452 864544 * Lytchett Heath – 01202 623985 Maywood – 01962 885500 * New Forest – 02380 811818 Taunton Vale – 01823 480460 Tidworth – 01980 846705 * Vaux Park – 07703 524613 * West Somerset – 01884 251632

Midlands Dallas Burston – 01926 812409 Offchurch Bury – 07816 830887 Leadenham – 01400 272980 Ranksboro – 01572 720046* Rugby – 01788 817724 * Rutland – 01572 724568

North Beverley – 01964 544455 * Toulston – 01422 372529 Vale of York – 07788 426968 * White Rose – 01430 875767 * Cheshire – 01270 611100 Chester Racecourse – 01244 304602

Scotland Borders Reivers – 01890 840777 Dundee & Perth – 07879 895780 Edinburgh – 0131 449 6696 * Kinross – 07831 365194 *

Ireland All Ireland – +353 (0) 1 6896732 Bunclody – +353 87 6605917 Curraghmore – +353 51 387102 Limerick – +353 (0) 87 2231690 Moyne – +353 85 1313224 Northern Ireland – 02890 727905 Wicklow – +353 (0) 404 67164 * Waterford – +353 51 595280

Polo directory

What’s on in August 2014 UK highlights High Goal Cowdray Park – Cowdray Challenge (15-18): 21 July – 3 August Medium Goal Cowdray Park – Harrison Cup (12-15): 21 July – 2 August RCBPC – Polo Festival (7-10): 28 July – 9 August Guards – Duke of Cornwall (12-16): 29 July – 10 August Guards – Duke of Wellington (6-12): 29 July – 16 August Cowdray – Mid Summer 12-goal (8-12): 4–25 August Cirencester Park – Cheltenham Cup (8-12): 26 August – 7 September RCBPC – 8-12-goal Championship (8-12): 26–31 August Guards – Autumn Nations (10-12): 27 August – 13 September Low Goal Guards – Flemish Farm Trophy (2-6): 15 July – 3 August Cowdray Park – Holden White (4-8): 18 July – 3 August RCBPC – Tally Ho Polo Festival (-2-2): 28 July – 9 August Taunton – Houldsworth Cup (2-6): 31 July – 3 August Sussex – Terence Lent Trophy (-2-2): 2-3 August West Wycombe Park – Countryside Cup (-6 - -2): 2–3 August Kirtlington Park – Budgett Everett Trophy (2-6): 5–17 August Cambridge County – Fen Tiger Tournament (0-4): 9–10 August White Rose – Yorkshire Open (-8 - -1): 9–10 August Ham – Roehampton Cup (2-6): 12–24 August Cheshire – Farewell Cup (0-2): 16–17 August Rugby – Miller Cup (0-4): 16–17 August

Overseas highlights Spain Sotogrande – Bronze Cup (4-6, 10-12, 20-22): 25 July – 1 August Sotogrande – Silver Cup (4-6, 10-12, 20-22): 2–15 August Sotogrande – Gold Cup (4-6, 10-12, 20-22): 16–30 August France Deauville – Gold Cup (14-16): 12–31 August Deauville – Silver Cup (14-16): 12–31 August St Tropez – Côte d’Azur Polo Cup (8-12, 0-6): 7–17 August St Tropez – St Tropez Polo Open (Open):21–31 August Deauville – Bronze Cup (6-8): 12–31 August Germany Berlin – German High Goal Championships (8-12): 15–24 August

Beaufort – Wichenford Bowl (4-8): 16–25 August Cirencester Park – Kingscote Cup (2-6): 18 August – 6 September Druids Lodge – Emerson Trophy (1-2): 12–24 August Open Blueys – Charity Weekend (Open): 2-3 August Vaux Park – Sponsors Weekend (Open): 16–17 August Taunton – Ethiopian Shield (Open): 31 August – 1 September Youth Hurtwood Park – Jorrocks Championships (Open): 6 August Cowdray Park – Audi Pony Clyb Polo Championships (Open): 8–10 August Cowdray Park – Colts Cup (Open): 12–14 August Kirtlington Park – Alan Budgett (Open): 23 August Ham – Stagshead Trophy (Open): 17 August Rutland – England Colts vs Scottish Colts (Open): 20 August Cheshire – SUPA Home Nations Cup (Open): 23–24 August Combined Services Tidworth – Sasson Cup (Army vs RAF) (Open): 2 August Tidworth – AGC Cup (Open): 25 August Ladies White Rose – Ladies’ Tournament (Open): 3 August RCBPC – Polo Festival Ladies (Open): 28 July – 9 August Kirtlington Park – Thorneloe Ladies’ Tournament (Open): 9 August Ascot Park – women’s National Tournament (-8-2): 23–24 August Dundee – Ladies’ Cup (0-4): 30–31 August

Ibiza Ibiza – Ibiza Beach Polo Cup (8-12): 14–17 August Switzerland Gstaad – Hublot Gold Cup (14-16): 22–24 August Veytay – Jaeger-LeCoultre Polo Masters (6-8): 20–31 August USA Santa Barbara – USPA Lucchese Silver Cup (20): 30 July – 10 August Santa Barbara – USPA Bombardier Pacific Coast Open (20): 14–31 August Other dates Brightwells, Ascot – Ascot Bloodstock Sales: 19 August Doncaster – Premier Sales: 26–27 August For a full list of all the tournaments

see www.polotimes.co.uk

* denotes winter arena polo venue hTo contact the HPA, tel: 01367 242828

www.polotimes.co.uk

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Lux Levels and Spillage charts available for planning applications

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ŵĂůůĞƚƐ ĚĞ ƚŽ ŽƌĚĞƌ

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Polo Times, August 2014

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Polo Times, April 2013 77

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Polo directory

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image copyright protected by Katesart.com 2007

Rob Cudmore England Coach, 2 HPA Instructors

For information on membership, polo lessons and general enquiries please call: Tel: (office) 01452 864 544 Mobile: 07974 532 841 email: rob@longdolepolo.com

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So. Farewell www.polotimes.co.uk Then Margie.

You gave birth to a scruffy flyer And it grew into a Glossy Magazine.

28/07/2014 17:27

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Polo Times, June 2013 77

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PT p76-81 Polo directory and Classified.indd 3

17/05/2013 16:08

PJ’S BAR

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& GRILL | 52 FULHAM ROAD CHELSEA LONDON SW3 | 020 7581 0025 | WWW.PJSBARANDGRILL.CO.UK www.polotimes.co.uk

28/07/2014 17:27

Advertising

Polo directory

KATE HARDING, EQUESTRIAN ARTIST COMMISSIONS TAKEN

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Polo Times, August 2014 93 Polo Times, April 2014 79

Rob Cudmore England Coach, 2 HPA Instructors PT Aug14 61-98.indd 93 â&#x20AC;˘ International PT April14_43-84.indd 79

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28/07/2014 17:28 21/03/2014 17:18

Polo directory

Classifieds

Marketplace Ponies 15.1HH GREY MARE 13 years old, played everything from o goal to 22 goal with -1 upto 7 goalers. Just finished playing Royal Windsor, would be a top class Gannon pont, fit and sound. Location: Cowdray. £12,500. Tel 07770 840650

15.3HH BAY MARE 8 year old dark bay mare, played up-to 6 goal matches and 15 goal practices. Not fully finished but a great low goal prospect. Fit and sound. Location: Cowdray. £6,500. Tel 07770 840650

SOMETHING DIFFERENT? 15.1HH PRE Andalusian gelding, stick & balls, even been low goal umpire! hunts, xc, dressage, hacks, sj (1m), always in snaffle, easy. Location: Billingshurst West Sussex. £5,500. Email for more info andreahandford@me.com SELECTION OF POLO PONIES FOR SALE A selection of ponies for sale. A variety to try that would suit PC, patron or pro. All have been playing from 2-15 goal for the past 2 seasons. All easy to do. Photos on application. £3,000 - £8,000.

Hampshire. 01794 367415

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Polo Times, August 2014

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BAY MARE 15.2, 13 yrs, played up to 18 Goal Polo. Ideal for patron or low goal player looking to go to the next level. Clean legs and no previous problems. Good to shoe/box/clip etc.

Selling because parents are making me get a job. Location: Nr Midhurst.

Price: £8,000. Tel. 07738 557392

AMAZING 7 YEAR OLD GELDING FOR SALE Handsome dark bay thoroughbred gelding. 52” stick, 7YRS. Played both arena and outdoors, low and medium goal. Fast and responsive. No vices, sound. Suit patron or amateur. Location: Ascot Park. Price on application. Contact Trisha 07958-633577 15HH TB MARE - DARK BAY 9 YEARS OLD Played up to medium goal. Ideal ladies’ or patron’s horse.

Requires competent rider. Same owner 7 years. £4,500. Windsor.

07779876757.

7 YEAR OLD TB MARE playing all levels from 2gl to 12goal. Last year played Chester International(24gl). Has super temperament and lots of speed.

Tough in ride offs. Suit competitive patron or professional. £12000.

Location: Windsor. 07771 852871 http://www.pharmapoloponies.com

15.0 ARGENTINE TB GREY MARE, 12 YEARS. Intelligent and extremely brave pony. She is a hugely nimble pony and accordingly has a very light mouth with lots of handle. Has taken current her rider right from Surtees in the Pony Club to now excelling at University Polo and 8 goal polo; will rise to higher levels or happily play lower levels depending on what you need on the given day. Sadly for sale as owner of eight years shifting focus to retraining horses.

Family favourite so must go to a good home. £6,750 ono.

07969 456214

EXPERIENCED AND KIND GELDING. Cleveland. 12 yrs, NZ x TB Bay gelding 15.3hh, kind, easy and comfortable to ride and has played all levels from 2 goal to 15 goal. Would suit amateur or professional player, £6k ono. willhine@tiscali.co.uk or 07778 917209.

SCHOOLMASTER WITH GO. Summer.

12 yrs, bright bay gelding NZ x TB. 15.2hh, gentle, easy ride with a very light mouth. Played all levels from 2 goal to 15 goal, fit and ready to play and a pleasure to have in the yard. Would suit amateur or professional player. £8k ono. willhine@tiscali.co.uk or 07778 917209.

www.polotimes.co.uk

28/07/2014 17:28

Classifieds

Polo directory

Marketplace

STUNNING 5 YEAR OLD PIEBALD MARE 15.1hh 5 y/o mare. Has played both arena and grass. Absolute machine in a ride off. Soft mouth, plays in a snaffle. Easy to do in all ways, anyone’s ride. Also jumps. Great in traffic alone and in company. Location: Rugby Polo Club. £5,000. 07949 248469

PONY CLUB/FIRST PONY Perfect pony club/first pony- Argentine Crillo gelding 7 years old 15.1 hands. Super easy & safe. Comfortable canter & smooth hitting platform. Mother & childs dream pony. Loves human attention and adores TLC. Not sharp or to fast. Fit and ready and up to date with everything Tel 01342 714920. £4,250 ovno. West Sussex. The right home is most important for this special cheeky chappy.

YOUNG PONIES FOR SALE Selection of attractive young ponies for sale all playing chukkas some in low-goal ready to be finished.

Location: Berkshire. £3,000 - £4,500.

Please contact 01488 670484 or templehouse@gmail.com for trial.

15.2HH, 13 YRS, played up to 18 Goal Polo. Ideal for patron or Low goal player looking to go to the next level.

Clean legs and no previous problems.

Good to shoe/box/clip etc. Selling because parents are making me get a job. Tel. 07738 557392

Marketplace Ponies • Equipment • Trucks • Tack • Situations Vacant • Property

2 QUALITY HORSES FOR SALE - PRO NOT PLAYING They have played from 2 - 22goal polo. 10 yr old Mare - quick, agile and handy. 12yr old Tb Gelding - fast and powerful. No vices and they both have very clean legs. Match fit. Offers around 11k.

Gloucestershire. Tel 07713 466123 15.3HH BAY MARE 14 YEARS OLD Easy, fast and agile. Double chukka weight carrier. Suit patron. £6,000ono 07825 170313 (Hertfordshire) GIVEN UP 2 easy ponies ready to play, both played at Cowdray by 3 goaler. £5,000. 07766 732952

Printed by: The Manson Group Contact details Holbrook Farm, East End, North Leigh, Oxfordshire OX29 6PX Tel: 01993 886 885. Fax: 01993 882 660 email: admin@polotimes.co.uk

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PERFECT PONY CLUB/FIRST PONY 15hh 13yo Mare, Played Surtees Langford,Won National Schools. Never puts a foot wrong,strong in ride off,great hitting platform.No vices.Can live out/in.

Massive personality,5* Home only. £3,250. Gloucestershire.

Tel 07740 108572

15.3HH ARGENTINE STUNNING BLACK MARE Salta.

9 years old 15.1hh.

NZ x TB. Played THOROUGHBRED 11 years old, FREE Classified Advertising 2-15 goal, lovely smooth comfortable played up to 12 goal. Well schooled, subscribers ride, soft light mouth, stopsfor and turns smooth and powerful. fit and Ready to & FREE or very LOW COST advertising for non subscribers (non-trade only) well. Won numerous pony prizes last play. serious buyers only. £5,950 ono. season. No vices, fit, sound and ready ✔ On our website – over 44,000 hits per MONTH Norfolk. Tel 07454 141133 / to go. £15,000 ono. willhine@tiscali. ✔ Printed without charge in Polo Times April issue magazine co.uk or 07778 917209.

– mailed directly to all subscribers 01953 452688 On our ‘Polo Times magazine’ Facebook group – over 2,500 members

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Groom wanted for Wiltshire polo yard. Sole charge of 6 pones for 2014 season. Previous polo experience essential. Chance to play some chukkas etc. Reliability essential. On-site accommodation Tel: 0123 000000

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Amazing Bay Schoolmaster. 15.1HH English Thoroughbred gelding. 14 years old. True gentleman. Kind & easy to play. No vices. Ideal for low goal level.

Good to shoe, box, clip. Winters well and has always played sound. Full vetting welcome. Reluctant sale £8,000.

Northants. Tel: 0123 000000

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Amazing Bay Schoolmaster. 15.1HH English Thoroughbred gelding. 14 years old. True gentleman. Kind & easy to play. No vices. Ideal for low goal level.

Reluctant sale £8,000. Northants.

Tel: 0123 000000

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Groom wanted for Wiltshire polo Publishers retain the yard. Sole charge of 6 pones for 2014 season. Previous polo experience essential. Chance to play some chukkas etc. Reliability essential. On-site accommodation Tel: 0123 000000

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yard. Sole charge of 6 pones for 2014 season. Previous polo experience essential. Chance to play some chukkas

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Amazing Bay Schoolmaster. 15.1HH English Thoroughbred gelding. 14 years old. True gentleman. Kind & easy to play. No vices. Ideal for low goal level.

Good to shoe, box, clip. Winters well and has always played sound. Full vetting welcome. Reluctant sale £8,000.

Northants. Tel: 0123 000000

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Amazing Bay Schoolmaster. 15.1HH English Thoroughbred gelding. 14 years old. True gentleman. Kind & easy to play. No vices. Ideal for low goal level.

Reluctant sale £8,000. Northants.

Tel: 0123 000000

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Marketplace Ponies • Equipment • Trucks • Tack • Situations Vacant • Property

FREE Classified Advertising for subscribers

& FREE or very LOW COST advertising for non subscribers (non-trade only) On our website – over 44,000 hits per MONTH Printed without charge in Polo Times April issue magazine – mailed directly to all subscribers On our ‘Polo Times magazine’ Facebook group – over 2,500 members

Print and digital subscription prices

Digital Only subscription prices

(x10 issues yearly delivered to your door plus App and website access)

One year UK £65 EU £80 World Wide £90 SUPA/SAPA £55

(App and website access)

Two years £110 £140 £160 £99

6 months One year Two year

£30 £55 £99

SUPA/SAPA (one year)

£45

SUMMER SPECIAL RATES SUBSCRIBERS

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Groom wanted for Wiltshire polo yard. Sole charge of 6 pones for 2014 season. Previous polo experience essential. Chance to play some chukkas etc. Reliability essential. On-site accommodation Tel: 0123 000000

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Amazing Bay Schoolmaster. 15.1HH English Thoroughbred gelding. 14 years old. True gentleman. Kind & easy to play. No vices. Ideal for low goal level.

Good to shoe, box, clip. Winters well and has always played sound. Full vetting welcome. Reluctant sale £8,000.

Northants. Tel: 0123 000000

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FREE

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NON-SUBSCRIBERS

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Groom wanted for Wiltshire polo yard. Sole charge of 6 pones for 2014 season. Previous polo experience essential. Chance to play some chukkas etc. Reliability essential. On-site accommodation Tel: 0123 000000

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Amazing Bay Schoolmaster. 15.1HH English Thoroughbred gelding. 14 years old. True gentleman. Kind & easy to play. No vices. Ideal for low goal level.

Reluctant sale £8,000. Northants.

Tel: 0123 000000

E

text advert up to 30 words 1x photo in the magazine

£2

for any additional text up to 45 words

FREE

text advert up to 30 words 1x photos online

£2

for an additional 2 photos online

£5

to add a video to your advert online

Advertise on our ‘Polo Times magazine’ Facebook group Absolutely 100% free!

Share your items for sale with the polo community. Remember to ‘like’ us. Tell your friends!

Costs quoted are for one month online and one month in the magazine. Non trade items only eligible.

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The Spanish Boot Company Childrens Polo Boots £165

Beautiful Spanish leather boots...

thespanishbootcompany.co.uk Classifieds

0845 313 8167

Polo directory

From August Judith Norris Limited is moving to Cranbrook and becoming

The Rural Planning Practice

Transport Planning for Stables Barns Arenas Listed Buildings ‘PUKKA POLO’ CHERISHED NUMBER PLATE, POIO PUK ON RETENTION ‘PUKKA POLO’ THE ULTIMATE CHERISHED NUMBER PLATE FOR A POLO FAN - POIO PUK. ON DVLA RETENTION CERTIFICATE. £1,350. Colin Parrott, Email: col.parrott@yahoo.com

HGV IVECO 2004 SLEEPER CAB Immaculate polo lorry, full serviced, mot 2015 192500km Tack room, side lockers, water tank with horse shower. Very low loading ramp with hard rubber. CCTV fitted with screen in cab. Side tack room door with steps.

Hill View House | The Hill | Cranbrook | Kent TN17 3AD 01580 201888 | office@TheRPP.co.uk www.theruralplanningpractice.co.uk

Location: Leicestershire. £35,000.

Call 07751240786

Livery HGV POLO LORRY CARRIES 8 Clean HGV lorry, plated Jun 2015, drives well, takes 8 with ease, smart partitions, side lockers, auto ramp, new batt. Swindon. £11,900.

Tel 07545501763 Simon

POLO RAT Registration plate on retention and ready for immediate transfer Offers Invited Tel: 07860 906032 9 HORSE LORRY Downsizing! 9 horse (plus tack) 18 ton Iveco. Brand new MOT till end of July 2015. Seats 5 people LEGALLY (with seat belts) plus extra storage space in cab.

Water tank with powered pump.

Ultra reliable. Location: Hampshire. £8,950. 07970 697593

e M REG RED LAYLAND DAF 10 HORSE TRUCK new floor, ramp within the last two years.

New batteries, 2 new tyres and exhaust system within the last year.

FULL YEAR MOT. Taxed until Feb 2015. Great reliable truck. £7500 - East Yorkshire. Images available.

07881820961

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POLO PRIVATE REGISTRATION FOR SALE Superb Polo related cherished number for sale. All fees are paid so you just complete the forms and you’re ready to go. £395.

Tel: 07414 521721

Equipment SCOREBOARDS AND CLOCKS ESPECIALLY 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 OUTDOOR RUGS turnout rugs brand new, lightweight or heavy with or without necks. £40.00.

07878673624.

Property FINCA FOR SALE 20 mins Sotogrande. 22 stables, canter track, s & b ground. Two x 2bed/2 bath houses. Pool. Approx 4.5 hectares. email nickandginny@hotmail.com

STABLES AND DIRT PADDOCKS AVAILABLE FOR 2014/2015 Blueys Polo has stables, dirt paddocks, exercise track, arena, turnout, pitches. Location: Windsor area.

Contact stuart@equicentre.co.uk or call 07930323263

GRADE II LISTED PROPERTY FOR SALE IN THE HEART OF POLO COUNTRY This attractive and extremely stylish home forms part of an 18th century grade II listed building which has been sympathetically restored and converted to provide a range of stylishly designed apartments, cottages and town houses set within private landscaped gardens, including an elegant courtyard garden and woodland.

Situated within the popular village of Easebourne which is itself situated just to the north of the town of Midhurst it is in the heart of the South Downs national park and Polo country with Cowdray Park a 2 minute drive away and extensive polo/stable facilities at Graffham and South Ambersham all less that 10 minutes drive. Perfect for The Season Goodwood is 15 minutes drive and the South coast and London are easily accessible. £325,000 ONO. Please email David at davamp513@ orange.net for further details.

LARGE YARD AVAILABLE 2015 yard with 40 boxes, arena, half mile exercise track,turnout, pitches, dirt paddocks, grooms accommodation, stuart@equicentre.co.uk or 07930323263. Windsor area.

GRASS LIVERY AVAILABLE in clean, well-drained pasture on chalk down land in Hampshire. Twice daily checks and turn out in well monitored areas. Separate paddocks for each group with no mixed turnout. Previous clients highly recommend. Visit www. hooked-on-polo.com for testimonials.

Book early to ensure best rates from £25/week including hay

Situations HOUSE/HORSE SITTER AVAILABLE SEPT-MAR Professional lady working 6 month contract (mainly home based) looking for free accommodation in exchange for the above. Impeccable standards and experienced with horses/polo.

Anyone heading overseas for the winter please call to discuss details.

Refs, CRB available. Home Counties.

Tel No: 07867904210

Polo Times, August 2014

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Final bell

In association with Aprés Polo

England captain Luke Tomlinson’s

Polly Bryan speaks to the seven-goaler about leading England against Argentina for the Coronation Cup at Audi International Day, the next generation of polo players and Winston Churchill Favourite sport/pastime outside polo?

Country sports.

What is your favourite polo memory?

Either playing in the Argentine Open or winning the Queen’s Cup and Gold Cup with my brother Mark.

What other sporting teams do you support?

All of the England teams, and Manchester United.

If you could change one thing about polo, what would it be and why?

I think it would be to make it less physical (and slightly safer) if possible.

Person you would most like to meet?

Winston Churchill. Firstly because he is one of my heroes and secondly, just to listen to his wit!

Best teammate?

My brother Mark – he always put 150 percent into each game.

Hardest opponent?

At the moment Facundo Pieres. He has everything that any great player has ever had.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?

Saying the wrong lines in a school play.

Favourite polo venue?

That would be Sotogrande due to the weather, and Palermo in Buenos Aires due to the atmosphere.

What would you do if you were not a polo player?

I would probably be working in an office, maybe in property, which I have a degree in!

Photograph by www.imagesofpolo.com

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Polo Times, August 2014

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Favourite film?

Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid, Four Weddings and a Funeral or Forest Gump.

First album you ever bought?

Now That’s What I Call Music Volume 1.

Most prized possession?

My JaegerLeCoultre Squadra Reverso watch.

Who has had the biggest influence on your life?

Probably my parents.

Last time you fell off?

During one of the Queen’s Cup league matches New car or new horse?

New horse. Luckily I already have a new Audi A6, which I wouldn’t change for anything!

Bottle of wine or bottle of beer?

Bottle of wine. Probably Argentine Malbec.

Which has been your proudest achievement to date?

Marrying my wife Catalina.

Which up and coming British players could you see captaining England one day?

Ooh – there is a great bunch of guys coming through. I think in the near future James Beim and Mark. It is a bit early to tell in the generation below.

What is your most surprising feature?

You tell me – none surprise me!

Describe yourself in three words.

Perfectionist, disorganised, honest.

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T HERE ARE STORIES THAT DESERVE TO BE CAPTURED FOREVER.

Created in 1931 for polo players, the Reverso is one of the rare cult watches in horological history. Its second face that may be personalised will enable you to choose exactly the moment you wish to remember forever. What will yours be? Let our engraving, enamelling and gemsetting artists immortalise your legend. A Reverso just for you.

GRANDE REVERSO ULTRA THIN TRIBUTE TO 1931. Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822.

YOU DESERVE A REAL WATCH.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Boutique,1A Old Bond Street, Mayfair, +44 207 491 6970 Harrods, Fine Watch Room, +44 207 730 1234 Selfridges, The Wonder Room, +44 207 318 3830 Wempe London, 43-44 New Bond Street, London, +44 207 493 2299 www.jaeger-lecoultre.com

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Official Timekeeper of Cowdray Park Polo Club

24/07/2014 12:12