Polo Times August 2013 v18 i7

Volume 18 • Issue 7 • August 2013 • £6.50

Zacara wins Gold Cup to complete high-goal double

PLUS: Preparing for Pony Club, Victor Ludorum round-ups and the British Beach Polo Championships

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Contents

55

38

Contacts Publisher Margie Brett margie@polotimes.co.uk Editor John O’Sullivan john@polotimes.co.uk

70

What’s inside...

August 2013 News

Youth polo

Deputy editor

8 All the latest news

50 School profile – Sherborne School

Georgie May georgie@polotimes.co.uk

16 The big picture

52 SUPA National Schools Championship

Junior editor Polly Bryan polly@polotimes.co.uk Advertising manager Lily Cox lily@polotimes.co.uk Art editor Nicki Averill nicki@polotimes.co.uk Marketing & PR

Comment 18 Backchat with Clare Milford Haven 20 Herbert Spencer’s Global view 22 Umpire’s corner 24 Your views: letters

Features 26 Cover story: Behind the scenes with The Pony Club

Reports

54 SUPA National University Championship 55 HPA four-chukka league 56 England 21s round-up

Knowledge 58 Know your game 60 Know your horse 62 Ones to watch

Sidelines 66 Gossip: Don’t be the last to know 68 Social: Gold Cup final; Sandbanks

PJ Seccombe pj@polotimes.co.uk

32 Cover story: British Open for the Gold Cup, Cowdray Park

70 Social: La Martina fashion show; Engel & Voelkers in Majorca

Subscriptions

36 Young England vs South America Suffolk Test Match, Trinity Park

72 Social: British Polo Day; Fifth Chukker at Ham and Bluey’s Sugar Bowl

Sarah Foster sarah@polotimes.co.uk

38 Cover story: Asahi British Beach Polo Championships, Sandbanks

74 What’s on in August 82 Passions: Hiro Suzuki

Accounts Philippa Hunt - accounts@polotimes.co.uk

40 Cover story: Comprehensive Victor Ludorum round-up 44 Home and abroad

Cover photograph: Zacara patron Lyndon Lea lifts the Gold Cup. By John O’Sullivan

Tel: 01993 886885 Fax: 01993 882660

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Polo Times, August 2013 7

from the Editor

Lyndon Lea’s side brought a whopping 42 ponies to Cowdray Park for the Gold Cup final as they added that famous trophy to their win in the Queen’s Cup the previous month. Of those 42, a massive 25 are owned by the patron, who provided 15 ponies for his players. Brazilian Rodrigo de Andrade has been one of the stars of the high-goal season, however, he doesn’t have a single pony in England. This means that without the help of his patron he would not have been able to play. I wonder how many other patrons could almost single-handedly mount a player?

Of course, the most impressive thing about Zacara’s ponies isn’t the volume of them, but the sheer quality and strength in depth.

The team has polo operations in the US and the UK and they source horses from all over the world as they continually look to improve their string.

Lancashire-born patron, Lea, has really raised the bar this season. It will be fascinating to see how other patrons respond over the coming years. See page 32 for our report from the Gold Cup final.

As I write, the Westchester Cup is only two days away (and it will have been and gone by the time you read this) and The Pony Club Polo Championships are in two weeks. See our next issue for in-depth coverage of both of these events. Before then, turn to page 26 for a fascinating behind the scenes look at what it takes to run the Pony Club event.

The summer is flying by. Enjoy it while you still can!

Email me: john@polotimes.co.uk 8

Polo Times, August 2013

British players head off to sunny Sotogrande Photograph by James Mullan

One of the most common phrases we hear said about polo by people in the know is that the game is 90 per cent about the horses and 10 per cent about the players.

The fact is, horsepower is key if you want to succeed at any level of the game, and one of the best illustrations I have seen of this has come this summer with the dominance of Zacara in the high-goal.

News

The eye-catching clubhouse and packed grandstands at the Santa Maria Polo Club in Sotogrande, Spain

WITH THE HIGH-GOAL season now behind us in the UK, players have flooded to Sotogrande in Spain to contest the 42nd Land Rover International, which is already underway at Santa Maria Polo Club. Three cups – Bronze, Silver and Gold – will be played for at three levels, with more than ten British players amongst the line-up.

In the high-goal, five-goalers Charlie Hanbury, Ollie Cudmore and Max Routledge have teamed up with Guillermo Terrera to represent Halcyon Gallery. Malcolm Borwick is playing for Royal Salute, while 22-yearold Jason Warren – who filled in for Ayala patron Inigo Zobel in last year’s high-goal Silver Cup final – is playing for Dos LunasHola this season.

Rashid Albwardy’s Dubai is fielding a 22-goal team, featuring 10-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso and polo manager Martin Valent – their fourth player had not been confirmed as Polo Times went to press. Other ten-goalers include Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres, who are playing for James Packer’s Ellerston.

UAE Polo and HB Polo, who both played in the Cartier Queen’s Cup and Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup this season, will appear in the high-goal line-up in Sotogrande. HB Polo are fielding the same side as they did in the UK and UAE Polo will comprise patron Sheikha Maitha, Sebastian Merlos, Lucas Monteverde and Santiago Stirling. Last year’s high-goal Gold Cup winners Lechuza Caracas are not returning this year.

Sixteen teams will contest the medium-goal titles. These include last year’s medium-goal

Gold Cup winners Marques de Riscal, featuring Luis and Alejandro Aznar. British players James Beim and Tommy Beresford are teaming up for Peter Stirling’s Equus and young players Matt Perry and Freddie Horne are playing for Michael Bickford’s La Indiana. Richard Fagan returns with his Silex team, which will feature Edward Morris-Lowe in the medium-goal.

Fagan has also entered a low-goal team.

Last year the side won the low-goal Bronze and Gold Cups, while Kaveh Shakib’s Shakib Polo won the low-goal Silver Cup – they also return this August. Berkshire-based Jamie Morrison is playing for Bickford’s low-goal La Indiana team and Paul Knights’s Windmill Farm are also fielding a six-goal team.

Keep up to date with all the latest results at www.polotimes.co.uk.

Sotogrande dates for the diary Bronze Cups Low Goal: 29 July – 3 August Medium Goal: 27 July – 3 August High Goal: 26 July – 2 August Silver Cups Low Goal: 7-17 August Medium Goal: 6-17 August High Goal: 4-16 August Gold Cups Low Goal: 20 August – 1 September Medium Goal: 19 August – 1 September High Goal: 19-31 August www.polotimes.co.uk

News

Busy month for the royals with plenty of polo and the arrival of Prince George

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The match was held in aid of INSPIRE Foundation, a charity that fights the effects of spinal cord injury by researching the latest medical and mechanical technology.

Despite having only announced her pregnancy a few days earlier, Phillips teamed up with fellow eventers Rodney Powell, Dan Jocelyn and Mark Corbett, as well as polo player Christopher Thome.

They faced a team comprising jockeys Sam Waley-Cohen, Andrew Thornton and Dominic Ellsworth, actor Tom Ward and polo player Max Lopez Valido. To help raise funds, Phillips auctioned off a shirt she wore during the Olympics, which fetched £6,000.

There wasn’t much of a break for the princes as they headed to Cirencester Park the following day to take part in the Jerudong Trophy. This time, the pair joined forces to represent Cirencester Purple, playing alongside

Photograph by LA(Phot) Ian Simpson

JULY WAS A busy month for the royals. As well as the Duchess of Cambridge giving birth to Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge on 22 July, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Zara Phillips were all out playing polo earlier in the month.

Prince Harry and his brother William took part in the Kent and Curwen Royal Charity Polo Cup at Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Watership Down estate on 13 July. More than 400 privately invited guests watched the GCBS team of Prince Harry, Charlie Gordon Watson, Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Harald Link defeat Westcombe Group by one goal. The Duke of Cambridge, Kola Karim, Nic Roldan and HH Sheikha Maitha represented the latter.

On the same day, Zara Phillips was 30 miles down the road playing in a charity match at Tidworth Polo Club on Rundle Cup Polo Day.

HRH Crown Prince Ismail Ibrahim and Satnam Dhillon. However, the opposing side of Guy Schwarzenbach, Tom Beim, Simon Keyte and HH Prince Abdul Rahman Ibrahim proved to be the stronger combination, winning 7-5½.

A week later, Phillips took part in another charity polo match – turn to page 14 for more.

Left: new father Prince William at the Kent and Curwen Royal Charity Polo Cup. Above: Zara Phillips enjoys a joke while playing at Tidworth

Polo Times, August 2013

9

News News in brief w THE GANNON FINALS of the Audi Pony Club Polo Championships will be held on Friday 9 August, instead of the main finals day on 11 August.

This allows more time for the other finals on the Sunday and frees up the Gannon players who have other playing commitments over the weekend. See pages 26-30 for a feature about the Audi Pony Club Polo Championships. w RETRAINING OF RACEHORSES’ Racing to Polo Challenge will take place on Monday 2 September at RCBPC. The competition will be split into three age groups and monetary prizes will be awarded down to tenth place in each class.

Horses must have raced in the UK and be registered with RoR. To enter go to www.ror.org.uk or contact 01488 648998. w THE PRIVATE AIRPORT of Gstaad Saanen, Switzerland, will host the Hublot Polo Gold Cup from 15-18 August. The high-goal tournament will feature players from across the world including Brazilian Olavo Novaes, who will play off eight goals. Each year more than 6,000 spectators turn out to watch the tournament and enjoy various luxury hospitality over the four days. w STAY IN TOUCH with the latest polo news on our website: www.polotimes.co.uk

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Polo Times, August 2013

Argentina confirmed as England’s rivals for 2014 Coronation Cup IT HAS BEEN confirmed that England will face Argentina for the Coronation Cup next year. The high-goal contest will take place in July 2014 on Audi International Day at Guards Polo Club.

The two sides last faced each other in the Coronation Cup in 2009, when the team of Gustavo Usandizaga, Facundo Pieres, Adolfo Cambiaso and Martin Valent were too strong for the British boys – James Beim, Malcolm Borwick,

Mark and Luke Tomlinson. They defeated them 12-5.

This year was the first time since 1997 that the Coronation was not played for on International Day at Guards. Instead England played the USA for the Westchester Cup. w See the next issue of Polo Times for a full report from this year’s Audi International Day

Polo community helps Matt Oram THE SON OF Midhurst-based saddler Geoff Oram, who is renowned for his handmade knee-guards, has been able to buy a wheelchair and power bike thanks to the generosity of the polo community.

Matthew Oram, pictured, sustained a spinal injury last August which left him paraplegic and therefore a wheelchair user. Having been discharged from the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Unit in Salisbury in March, Oram realised that the NHSprescribed wheelchair that he was given would not allow him to be fully independent and live a happy, healthy and fulfilled life.

As Oram could not afford

to buy an active ultra-lightweight wheelchair, his parents rallied around to try and help raise funds.

They were overwhelmed by the response, with several of Geoff Oram’s clients donating money – including La Bamba De Areco, HB Polo, Les Lions, Emlor S, Black Bears and Aravali polo teams. It is also understood that Zacara were very generous to Oram’s cause.

Les Lions polo manager Nick Evans was instrumental in helping raise funds, by coordinating other teams involved in the Holyport Cup to donate money towards the cause. Oram has now been able to purchase the equipment he needs, which will arrive in September.

“I would like to offer my sincere appreciation and gratitude for the polo community’s consideration and generosity with my wheelchair fundraising,” Matthew Oram said.

“It just goes to show how accessible the polo world is to ordinary people.”

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News

Cowdray Park keep their ponies cool WITH TEMPERATURES ROCKETING during July, organisers of the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup put pony welfare at the top of their list.

Marquees were erected over the pony lines and cool air and mist sprays were put in place for the ponies to walk through.

“The semi-finals and finals of the Gold Cup were very hot,” said Chris Bethell, polo manager of Cowdray Park. “The mist fans proved very popular with all of the vets and the shaded pony lines meant that the grooms could loosen the ponies up, warm them down and then put them back in the shade. I believe the mist fans have been used in Argentina and the US before, but not in the UK.” Two big fans and two humidifiers were positioned in the shade behind the pony lines, producing a cool stream of air and mist for the grooms to walk the ponies through after they had played. As well as the coverings over the pony lines, both measures attracted much comment and appreciation from players, vets, patrons and other observers.

“Cowdray Park is to be applauded for its foresight in providing covered pony lines and

cooling equipment to counter the extreme heat at both the semi-finals and the final,” said Zacara vet Shane Fouhy. “It made the job of the attending vets much easier and is exactly what we need in polo to demonstrate our concern for pony welfare.

“Coupled with the perfect condition of the grounds, I can say that Zacara brought 42 horses to the final and we took home 42 horses all sound and happy. You couldn’t do that at any other club in the world.”

The fans at Cowdray Park, which kept the ponies cool.

Above: the shaded pony lines at the West Sussex club

Polo Times prize draw for loyal subscribers IN RECOGNITION OF our loyal subscribers, we will be holding a special prize draw and announcing a winner in every issue until the end of the year. Starting with this issue, all our readers that have subscribed for longer than five years are automatically entered into the draw.

This month’s winner is Devon-based Tom

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Harris, who is a one-goaler and the polo manager at Vaux Park Polo Club. Tom will receive a limited edition Polo Times golf umbrella.

“While we provide incentives for new subscribers to join us, we realise that we must not forget our most loyal subscribers, some of whom have

been reading Polo Times since it first began more than 18 years ago,” said Margie Brett, publisher of Polo Times. “This is our way of thanking our long-term subscribers and letting them know how much they are appreciated.”

Polo Times, August 2013

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News

after-party “Glassonbury” made its return. Around 500 people attended the event.

Zacara: Lyndon Lea’s team < took home the Cowdray Park Gold Cup in July, continuing their run of success after winning the Queen’s Cup and US Open earlier in the year. See pages 32-34.

JACK KIDD: the polo player < was on his way to Spain to collect his ponies as Polo Times went to press. The ponies had been impounded by Ayala since last July after patron Simon Welsh failed to pay the team’s bills. It is understood Ayala and Kidd had managed to come to an agreement.

Swinging low CHARLIE HANBURY: the = four-goaler was forced to miss the majority of the Gold Cup, after breaking his ankle. Brad Mallett replaced him on the Enigma team.

OUNG ENGLAND: the = YYoung England team that was due to play in the Test Match at Suffolk only featured two youngsters in the end, after Eden Ormerod and George Meyrick pulled out. See page 36.

Ferne Park lose three ponies THREE OF FERNE Park polo team’s ponies were killed when their horsebox collided with another HGV vehicle on 23 July. A further four ponies were recovering at Endells Equine Hospital as Polo Times went to press and a remaining three ponies returned to Druids Lodge Polo Club, where the team is based, with only minor injuries.

Having reportedly collided with another vehicle on the A303 near Thruxton, Hampshire, the horsebox overturned, trapping the ten ponies inside. Animal specialist crews worked with a vet to help sedate the ponies and then remove them one by one. It is understood that one pony died in the accident, while two were put down by the vet.

Fortunately no people were seriously injured in the crash and it is not known who was driving the horsebox at the time.

Photograph by Tony Ramirez, ImagesofPolo.com

Aiming high OLO PARTY-GOERS: After a < Ptwo-year absence, the Gold Cup

In happier news for the team, patron Jonathan Rothermere and teammates Eden Ormerod, Dirk Gould and Joaquin Pittaluga recently won the 15-goal Royal Windsor Cup at Guards Polo Club, pictured. Rothermere was replaced by his son Vere Harmsworth in the final of the tournament.

Beverley Polo Club member dies BEVERLEY POLO CLUB member Karen Nuttall (nee Barraclough) died on 5 July, aged 42. Karen started her polo career aged 16 as a groom for the Seavill family. She then moved to Midhurst, Sussex, where she was spotted by Kerry Packer. Following a swift visa application, Karen moved out to Australia where she spent a year working as a groom. She celebrated her nineteenth birthday at Ellerston.

After moving back to the UK, Karen took up office work, but maintained her love of horses, riding and polo. She

Effective horsemanship requires perfect communication

met her husband John in 2002 and introduced him to the sport. They subsequently joined Beverley Polo Club in 2003, where Karen managed to achieve a handicap of minus-one goals. Karen and John married in 2008 and carried on playing polo both at Beverley and on their own polo ground at their home in North Kelsey, Lincolnshire. Karen played actively until 2012, when she was forced to stop due to ill health. She will be sadly missed by her husband John and all her family and friends.

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For stockists, call Equine Management: 01825 840 002 To buy, call: 01825 841 303 or visit www.bombersbits.co.uk / www.worldwidetack.com 12

Polo Times, August 2013

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HPA News

News

Latest from the HPA HPA chief executive David Woodd rounds up the news from UK poloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s headquarters Audi International at Chester Racecourse On Saturday 7 September the third Audi International of the summer will be played at Chester Racecourse between England and Australasia. Tickets are available through the Chester Racecourse website www.chester-races.co.uk/

Development course A development course for selected young players will be held at Beaufort Polo Club on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 August. This course is targeted at players aged 12 or 13. For further details please call the HPA office.

Junior HPA and Pony Club Polo Championships The Junior HPA and Pony Club Polo Championships are being held at Cowdray Park Polo Club from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 August. The Gannon finals will be played on Friday evening and the finals for the other sections along with the parade will be on the Sunday.

Spectators are welcome.

Coaching If you wish to obtain an HPA Coaching Qualification then a course is due to take place at Beaufort Polo Club from Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 September.

This is open to all paid up members over the age of 18 who hold a handicap of zero-goals and above but spaces are limited so if you are interested in attending please apply before the end of August. Enrolment forms are available from the HPA Office. For further information on HPA coaching please see the HPA Year Book (page 292) or the HPA website www.hpapolo.co.uk/membership/coaching.asp.

The Colts Cup (formerly the 21 Cup) Four teams, made up of young players with a target age of 15 selected at the Junior HPA and Pony Club Polo Championships, will play for The Colts Cup at Cowdray. The first two games will be played on Tuesday 13 August. The winners will then play for The Colts Cup on Thursday 15 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: Saturday 17 August, Kirtlington Park: The Alan Budgett Trophy Sunday 18 August, Ham: The Stagshead Trophy Wednesday 21 August, Rutland: Whitbread Trophy

Transporting horses Please be aware that Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) are clamping down on lorry drivers, pulling more and more equestrian vehicles over to check any of the following: - The vehicle - Driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s license - Tachographs (if applicable) - Operators license (if applicable) VOSA have put together an informative guide to transporting horses. This can be viewed on the HPA website: www.hpa-polo.co.uk/ponies/transport.asp Photograph by Nico Morgan

The HPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s John Tinsley presents the Tankard Trophy to Nick Winterton at last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Whitbread Trophy tournament at Rutland

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Polo Times, August 2013

6) 3ROR 7LPHV [ LQGG

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News

Club news

News in brief w SUFFOLK POLO CLUB organised a charity day in aid of the Riding for the Disabled Association.

The day followed the Suffolk Test Match in July, and featured exhibition polo, a dog show, an impressive afternoon tea and various other family entertainment. w EASTWOOD POLO CLUB held its inaugural charity tournament, for the Midsummer Cup, in June.

A Binfield Heath team took on the hosts, Eastwood Polo Club, in the 6-goal match, with the visitors running out the winners 5½-5 after a goal in the final seconds.

The Buckinghamshire club, which became an HPA provisionallyaffiliated club for the first time this year, raised more than £4,000 for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research from the event. w SIX-GOALER MALCOLM Borwick has been running regular masterclasses at FHM Polo Club this season. Borwick has encouraged those taking part to improve their riding to be more in tune with their ponies’ natural movement. “Malcolm has had a massive positive impact on those taking part in the masterclasses,” said club owner and HPA instructor Francis Matthews. “For me it has been totally inspiring and for my clients, a revelation.”

Equestrian VIPs come out for charity day at the Beaufort BEAUFORT POLO CLUB hosted a charity polo day in aid of World Horse Welfare in late July.

The day featured a charity match, with the teams captained by Luke and Mark Tomlinson.

Mark Tomlinson played alongside Amy Guy, 1990 Grand National winner Marcus Armytage and eventer Dan Jocelyn on the Blue team. They triumphed 3½-2 over the White team, captained

by Luke Tomlinson and also featuring eventers Zara Phillips and Rodney Powell and Olympic gold medallist, dressage rider Laura Tomlinson.

HRH The Princess Royal was guest of honour at the lunch and charity auction. The day also featured a polo demonstration and parade of the World Horse Welfare’s rescued horses. Other celebrity guests included former England rugby captain Mike Tindall and actor Robert Lindsay.

Approximately £40,000 was raised on the day for World Horse Welfare, which works to improve the lives of horses both in the UK and overseas. w For more from Beaufort see page 40

Great Oaks win PT brollies THE limited edition Polo Times umbrellas proved to be a real hit at the UK National Women’s Tournament at Ascot Park Polo Club. The umbrellas were given as a prize to the Great Oaks team, who were winners of the -6-goal subsidiary final, pictured right. w F or a report from the popular annual tournament see page 44 14

Polo Times, August 2013

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Club news

News

Renowned coach Rege Ludwig at Ham this month Leading polo coach Rege Ludwig will run a threeday polo clinic at Ham from 16-18 August.

Day one will be tailored to those relatively new to the game, with handicaps of -2-0-goals, and will focus on general polo knowledge, riding, hitting and basic strategy. Day two will focus on set plays and more advanced shots, suitable for those with a handicap of 0-goals and above. Rege will also be available for individual and team lessons on day three of the clinic.

The clinic is open to all HPA members. For more information contact the Ham polo office on 0208 334 0000. w See page 59 for this month’s playing tip from Rege

Painted polo ponies at Sussex

Sussex Polo Club’s annual Lingfield Equine Vets Polo Trophy featured scurry racing and physio demonstrations alongside the polo for the first time. Bridgefield Physiotherapy gave a “painted ponies” demonstration to highlight the ways of keeping polo ponies fit and healthy throughout the season.

The Orchard Scurry Team, complete with matching grey ponies Rough and Tumble, was new to the event and entertained the crowd between matches. www.polotimes.co.uk

Four teams contested the 2-goal tournament, with Team Tonic coming out on top. The line-up of Catherine Isted, Terence Lent, Malcolm Ford and Telmo Maidana defeated the Sussex team 9-6½ in the final.

The club is hoping to feature a hunt demonstration and polocrosse when the event returns next year. w F or more news from the clubs see our Home and Abroad section, pages 40-48 Polo Times, August 2013

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the

Big

picture

A Golden polo venue The inaugural Polo by the Sea was held in June at Doug Jennings Park, situated on a narrow strip of land separating the Pacific Ocean from Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gold Coast canals.

The stunning setting, complete with the Gold Coast skyline as a backdrop, was captured

by Peter Hamilton from a helicopter.

The Gold Coast team triumphed in the eventâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main National Polo League match, defeating Melbourne 8-7.

As a spin-off from the successful Polo in the City series, Polo by the Sea aims to bring polo to a variety of coastal locations around Australia. w Turn to page 56 to find out how Australia Colts got on against England 21s in a two-game Test Match series

Comment

Backchat with Clare Milford Haven

Mismatch in horsepower led to two forgettable Gold Cup semi-finals

W

e have been truly blessed with amazing weather throughout all the weeks of the Gold Cup and many of the league games were nail-bitingly gripping, extremely well-attended, and we all looked forward to equally thrilling semifinals and the ultimate climax of the final. But, after all that promising build up, shrouded in Sussex sunshine, the semis proved to be nothing short of a massive disappointment. To sit and watch two games where the goal difference in the final scores was six and ten goals respectively hardly made for riveting viewing.

I would like to think that these scores, unusual for a Gold Cup semi-finals, did not reflect the standard of play and certainly there were many moments of brilliance. However, I fear that it more likely reflected the quality and quantity of horses. In the Talandracas versus Zacara semi, Facundo Pieres had 13 horses at his disposal whereas Juan Martin Nero had to perform on a mere six, less than half of his fellow ten-goaler. Take into account the unusually high temperatures as well, and the necessity to have as many horses available as possible

Facundo Pieres had an overwhelming amount of horsepower at his disposal during the Gold Cup. Here he is pictured with his grooms and his 10-year-old bay mare Open Top Model, who won the best playing pony prize in the final against Dubai

Whether or not Cambiaso saw the Gold Cup as his revancha we will never know, but retribution was not to be had. The polo community have a tendency to

Photograph by John O’Sullivan

In the first semi, Facundo Pieres had 13 horses whereas Juan Martin Nero had a mere six was indeed paramount to the outcome of the game.

The final was always going to be labelled as a grudge match between Adolfo Cambiaso and Facundo, the former maestro having lost, in fairly quick succession, the Argentine Open, US Open, and the Queen’s Cup semi-finals to the young rising star.

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Polo Times, August 2013

judge quickly and to have been the best ever polo player for 20 years and to feel that you may finally be losing your grip to a younger, equally dashing model cannot be easy. No one will ever imitate that unique brilliance of Cambiaso – that ability to carve through one’s opponents like a knife through butter, to ride onto the field with

the presence of a superstar and to wow the crowd with a sudden tennis shot at a flat out gallop. I don’t see him giving up without a fight, though. Maybe Sotogrande will provide the next platform for pay-back time. Watch this space.

A bit of stick And on the subject of travelling to Europe, I recently flew to Germany to play in another epic British Polo Day at the fabulous home of Prince and Princess CarlEugen zu Oettingen-Wallerstein.

I was only going for 24 hours so arrived at the airport with just one small suitcase and a stick bag.

The slightly scary gruppenführer at the Lufthansa check-in desk

eyed my stick bag with disdain and demanded £50 in excess baggage – despite my protestations that polo sticks were sporting equipment and therefore free of charge. Apparently not these days.

If someone could invent a polo stick that folded up and fitted into a suitcase then this problem would be solved. The alternative is to fly Turkish Airways who have a very relaxed policy on sporting equipment, but to my knowledge there is no polo in Turkey and a looming civil war, so it’s unlikely to become a popular polo destination any time soon. F w Read more “Backchat” from Clare at www.polotimes.co.uk www.polotimes.co.uk

Comment

Global view with Herbert Spencer

Do we need so many teams in high-goal tournaments in England and in the US?

I

t sometimes seems to be a matter of pride here in the UK and in the US that the top high-goal polo tournaments draw large entries.

In reality, however, the drive to maximise the number of teams is less about pride and more about pounds, shillings and pence.

The big clubs that stage these competitions are keen to attract as many teams as possible, as the profits from the hundreds of thousands of pounds and dollars which team owners pay in tournament entry fees help the clubs to maintain their facilities.

This year in the UK, there were 16 teams playing for the Cartier Queen’s Cup at Guards Polo Club. Tournament entry fees were £19,450 for Guards teams and £23,340 for others. Cowdray Park Polo Club attracted 17 teams for the British Open Championship for the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup, charging entry fees of £33,000.

Across the Atlantic, the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPCBP) drew 11 teams for the US Open Championship and the Piaget Gold Cup tournaments early this year. Entry fees in America were up to $39,940 (£26,436) for the US Open and $34,410 (£22,774)) for the Gold Cup.

Is there value in the US and UK high-goal seasons mimicking the quality rather than quantity approach of Argentina?

level in the UK and the 26-goal level in the US, every team needs three professional players to support the patron, an amateur player who rarely has a handicap higher than 0 or 1. Every team needs dozens of expensive ponies in its string. The team owners’ spend on pros’ fees and ponies bring in further millions of pounds and dollars for the “polo industry”.

Photograph by Rolex

In Argentina there are never more than eight teams in the Triple Crown tournaments Add it all up and it is easy to see that the equivalent of almost £1.5m in tournament entry fees, the total paid by 28 teams in the UK and the US, could be crucial to the three big clubs’ finances.

There are, of course, further financial benefits in the large number of high-goal teams competing. At both the 22-goal 20

Polo Times, August 2013

With so many teams competing, there are scores of high-goal league matches being played on club and private grounds during the seasons. But for most of the matches there are only a few hundred spectators. Only the semi-finals and finals draw really big crowds.

Leaving club finances aside for

the moment, what effect would a cap on the number of high-goal teams have on the sport here or in America? Might restricting entries in the top tournaments to, say, eight teams produce just as exciting a high-goal season?

Could it attract bigger crowds, more television coverage and lucrative sponsorship?

In Argentina, where quality not quantity is the watchword, there are never more than eight teams in any of the tournaments in that country’s “Triple Crown”, considered to be the pinnacle of high-goal polo worldwide: the Tortugas, Hurlingham and Argentine Open Championships.

Argentina’s top guns, mainly players with handicaps of 8 to 10, combine to form 7 or 8 teams in the Open at Tortugas Country Club. The teams, rated at 28 to 40 goals, go on to play the Open at the Hurlingham Club. Then on to the greatest prize of all, the Argentine

Open, in which the Argentine association officially restricts the number of teams to eight.

To achieve anything anywhere near comparable in the UK and US, the polo associations and clubs would have to drastically rethink their approach to high-goal.

The tournament handicap levels would have to be raised to around 30 goals or more. This would rule out some low-handicapped patrons, so teams would have to seek other funding. Clubs would have to restructure their financing by charging higher entry fees for high goal and depending more upon income from a second tier of high-goal.

Taking all this into consideration, any idea of reducing the number of teams seems to be thinking too far out of the box – at least for now. F w Read more from Herbert at www.polotimes.co.uk www.polotimes.co.uk

Metropolitan Polo Club An Exceptionally Refined World at Your Service www.metropolitanpoloclub.com Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club, 16 Hai Tai Hua Ke Jiu Lu, Bin Hai Gao Xin Qu, Tianjin 30384, China.

T: (86) 22 8372 8888 F: (86) 22 8371 7733

Comment

Umpire’s corner

The pitfalls of changing ponies during the middle of a chukka

T

here was an interesting incident during the second semi-final of the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup at Cowdray Park on Thursday July 18 that we thought worth flagging up.

Midway through the second chukka of the match between Dubai and El Remanso on the pristine Lawns 1 ground at the West Sussex club, El Remanso’s talisman, ten-goaler David “Pelon” Stirling, scored a goal. Rather than all eight players galloping back to the centre for the restart, as they should have done, every single player used the opportunity to change ponies behind the goal where Pelon had just scored.

This same thing had already happened earlier in the match, after a goal by Nico Pieres in the first chukka.

On the first occurrence, the umpires turned a blind eye to the slight delay to proceedings.

However, on the second occasion, umpire Julian Appleby clearly felt enough was enough and he threw the ball in, even though five or six

The El Remanso grooms and players in the designated changing zone during the Gold Cup semi-final at Cowdray Park in July

as if from the backline. When he reaches the centre the ball should be thrown in to restart. Should a team cause unnecessary delay, the whistle should be blown and a Penalty 5b should be awarded against them.”

As the last two sentences dictate, if umpire Julian Appleby

Photograph by Polly Bryan

The HPA Blue Book is very clear about what should happen after a goal is scored players were still making their way back to the centre.

This led to a bit of a panic among the players and, suffice to say, none of the players were late getting back to the centre again after a goal.

The HPA Blue Book is very clear about what should happen after a goal is scored.

Rule 18a (Changing ends; After goal scored) states: “Except in the case of a Penalty One, ends shall be changed after every goal is scored. One umpire should canter 22

Polo Times, August 2013

felt that one of the teams was specifically responsible for the delay, another course of action could have been to award a Penalty 5b against that team.

However, on this occasion, it was clear that both teams were as culpable as each other.

When it comes to changing ponies, the Blue Book states that the umpire may award each player a “free change” when a pony is injured (Rule 30c). The Blue Book also underlines the areas where grooms and ponies can wait, and

where changes can take place.

Beyond that, there is no specific mention of when players are allowed to change. The unwritten rule is that a player is free to change their pony whenever they choose. However, as this incident shows, the game will not wait for them. If a player is caught out of position because they decided to change at an inopportune moment, they only

have themselves to blame. F w Read more from Umpires Corner in our online archive at www.polotimes.co.uk w At this time of the year the HPA is starting to consider potential rule changes for the 2014 season.

Do you think any of the current rules need to be changed? Email letters@polotimes.co.uk

Whistle blower…

Q: Staying with the theme of the main article, there are only three reasons that a player is allowed to leave the field of play during the course of a chukka without the approval of the umpire. The first is to

change a pony. What are the other two?

A: See page 75 www.polotimes.co.uk

Comment

Your views

Letters Write to the editor in the following ways: w letters@polotimes.co.uk wT he Editor, Polo Times,

Holbrook Farm, North Leigh, Oxon OX29 6PX

It’s not cricket Sir, I refer to the article by Jamie Peel in your last issue. I strongly disagree with handicaps being given with the intention of affording an opportunity to a particular player. Once special treatment is given to one player all other players are disadvantaged. Thus the competition is corrupted.

In golf, tampering with handicaps to assist an individual by a club is frowned upon.

To mix metaphors, fiddling a handicap to give advantage is “not cricket”. Always try for a level playing field.

Wallace Ashton Australia

Letter of the month

Handicaps should be based on players’ abilities Sir, the first part of Jamie Peel’s column in the July 2013 issue contained some valid points - in that handicapping ought to be transparent and the meetings open to members.

However the second half rather contradicts the first half, but more worryingly it appears to clearly state (and encourage) that handicapping committees in the UK are manipulating certain players’ handicaps in order to further the career of said player.

A handicap should be an accurate and just reflection of the ability of a player. Nothing more and nothing less. It should absolutely not be used to increase the chances of a player securing or retaining a job in high-goal polo. This makes the entire process a political one, open to abuse, lobbying and pressure from all sides.

The pool from which players are selected is therefore being artificially skewed and this is fundamentally wrong.

Not only that, but it simply isn’t fair. If a four-goal player who should be five-goals is going for the same job as other four-goal players, what chance do the other players have? Jack Richardson is highly talented and arguably didn’t need to be “helped” in this way. There were slots in the highgoal for five-goal players too (three, in fact).

British players should of course be supported, but the support should be in the form of (more) funding and training, not handicap manipulation.

We either want polo to be a truly professional and transparent sport or we allow it to simply be a game, manipulated to suit the agenda of individuals.

I strongly believe the process ought to be opened up and that HPA members be allowed to sit in on the handicap meetings. Polo in the UK needs to be the benchmark for integrity and beyond reproach.

Aurora Eastwood Hampshire The writer of the Letter of the month wins a bottle of BLOOM Gin

The USPA handicap committee are an honest bunch Sir, I read with great interest Jamie Peel’s article “A handicap hullabaloo.”

Mr Peel is correct in stating that “getting player’s handicaps right seems to be one of polo’s biggest problems.”

This is nothing new. As a matter of fact, this issue has bedevilled handicap committees since the very start of the system, and continues to this day.

How can Nicolas Pieres be rated at seven goals in England when he is rated nine goals in Argentina and in America?

Regarding Jack Richardson’s handicap, David Woodd has repeatedly stated that it is not the province of the HPA Handicap Committee to look after player’s opportunities for 24

Polo Times, August 2013

gainful employment.

My main concern with the article is Mr Peel’s opinion that the USPA decision to raise Lyndon Lea’s handicap from one to two goals has cost the Palm Beach season a team in the 20-and 26-goal season.

Besides a factual error – the Committee is composed of 19 members, not 13 – Mr Peel agrees with Mr Lea’s opinion questioning the integrity of the Committee and the need for checks and balances.

I have carefully read the interview granted by Lyndon Lea to PoloLine. I believe strongly that his statements are not in the best interest of the game.

Mr. Lea stated: “Zacara went up two goals, and Valiente went up

one goal, and to me, that’s not fair. The most important thing in the game is to be fair and that decision was unfair.”

Mr Lea conveniently forgot that last year, after Zacara took the U.S. Open Championship, the loser, Lechuza Caracas, went up one goal on handicap, whilst Zacara’s handicap remained untouched. Was that fair?

Juan Martin Nero, a 10-goal handicap player, did not think so. In his analysis of the final match (Polo Times, June 2013, page 35, Nero said: “I think that was a mistake from the handicap committee.”

Mr Lyndon Lea’s charges that the USPA Handicap Committee is corrupt and led by political agendas are

libelous. I defy Mr. Lea to prove those charges.

Mr Daniel Walker has been Committee chairman for a couple of years, not “ages”.

Patrons are represented in the Committee, (Beal, Donahey, Jornayvaz, Muldoon, Orthwein) as are high-goal and international players (Armour, Biddle, Devrient, Gobin, Orthwein).

I personally know more than half of the Committee members. In spite of what I consider some errors of judgement, I am convinced they carry out their duties honestly and to the best of their abilities.

Horace Laffaye Connecticut, USA www.polotimes.co.uk

Your views

Comment

Time to move on to SAPA Sir, university polo ensnared me at the start of my first year of university, and after three immensely enjoyable years it was with deep lament that I bid farewell to the SUPA championships. However, like many of my peers I shall doubtlessly be back next year to play in the SAPA section; the SUPA National University Championships are too good to let go of just yet.

Kian Gheissari Birmingham w See page 54 for Kian’s report from the SUPA Nationals

Coming to a polo club near you soon: the Royal polo team has a new member!

Tweets worth re-tweeting

Lovely painting Sir, please find attached a little painting I have done of Facundo Pieres’s best playing pony from the Queen’s Cup final, Galactica. I would be delighted if you wanted to include it in next month’s Polo Times.

After the prize-giving she was away from the crowds with her groom, and her intelligent head caught my eye. The joy of my job is to try to capture that spirit.

We follow them on twitter, to save you bothering: Nikki Keene @nikkikeene – 27 June It’s bad news when you are drawn against your bf in your 1st ever polo game. He had SO better not hook me or there will be trouble!!!

Debbie Harris Hampshire

Please help to find my unique polo pendant Sir, I have waited a year to write this letter, in the hope that my pendant will probably, by now, have reached the polo world.

The pendant, which was given to me by my father 20 years ago, was stolen a year ago. It is very lovely and I very much hope that it will be returned to me. I am offering a reward of £500 to anyone who might have found, or bought the pendant.

The front shows five polo www.polotimes.co.uk

players, in turbans, on rounded ponies, against a golden, greeny background. The polo players take up the bottom and main body of the pendant. The front is in perfect condition.

The reverse side of the pendant has tiny green stars against silver with a little fingernail abrasion. The pendant is approximately two and a half inches by one and a half inches and is mother of pearl. The

pendant had a gold rim and a gold chain.

Whoever has it, I know he/she will be reluctant to give it up.

But it is mine and I really love it.

If anyone has seen my pendant, or knows where it is can they please email me on paula@homecall.co.uk

Paula Fletcher Wiltshire

Ollie cudmore @CudmoreOllie – 28 June @laurarobson5 What about a swap of tickets to @Wimbledon and #veuveclicquotgoldcup finals if we both get there?! #idareyou The Polera Ltd @ThePolera – 4 July Money can’t buy you happiness.

But it can buy horses – which is pretty much the same thing...

Holly Baird @hollybaird – 22 July I think they should call it Facundo...in a tribute to the British High Goal Season! #staroftheshow #RoyalBaby Polo Times, August 2013

25

Feature

Audi Pony Club Polo Championships

What does it take to get the show on the road?

Theresa Hodges – Pony Club Polo chairman Georgie May reports

Illustrations by Kate Scurfield

With the Audi Pony Club Polo Championships taking place from 9-11 August, we take a look into the organisation that goes into running a successful summer of Pony Club polo, culminating in the highly anticipated championships at Hurtwood Park and Cowdray Park. Here we speak to some of Pony Club polo’s most familiar faces

26

Polo Times, August 2013

Theresa Hodges took over from David Cowley as chairman of Pony Club Polo in 2008. Having been a branch manager of the Royal Artillery since the mid 1990s, Theresa took over from Sue James as Jorrocks section manager in 2005 before then taking up her post as chairman.

As chairman, Theresa has three main roles: facilitating interface between The Pony Club, HPA, clubs and Pony Club branches; driving the strategic direction of polo in The Pony Club and Junior HPA, and enforcing the rules.

Theresa will attend around 30 days of polo a year – including friendlies, Junior HPA matches, qualifiers and development committee matches. On top of that there are numerous meetings to attend: branch managers meetings, Pony Club Committee meetings and HPA Council and Development Committee meetings.

Theresa will attend the Jorrocks Championships at Hurtwood Park and the main championships at Cowdray Park to oversee everything, resolve any conflicts that may occur and run the prize-giving.

Despite there being a zero tolerance for bad behaviour, most years she has to oversee a disciplinary committee – however, last year was the first in many seasons that there wasn’t a need for one.

“Audi have been immensely supportive of youth polo,” Theresa said. “It is great to have them supporting polo from grassroots all the way up to international level.

“I am retiring from my position at the end of this year.

I don’t think the position of chairman should be held onto by the same person for a long period of time. I have loved my time as chairman but I think The Pony Club needs some fresh thinking.” www.polotimes.co.uk

Audi Pony Club Polo Championships

Mike Smith – Cowdray Park

Photograph by Georgie May

For the past 15 years Mike Smith has been a member of The Pony Club Committee and primarily overseas health and safety. Prior to this he had been a Pony Club parent and subsequently a branch manager of the Enfield Chace. His role is a huge all-year round task to ensure everything is in place at Cowdray Park for the championships.

“The first thing that takes place is an analysis of the cost of the championships,” Mike said.

“Since the inception of the Junior HPA this is then followed by a meeting between David Woodd, Theresa Hodges and myself where we apportion the overall cost between the two organisations.”

In September, he will meet with the team at Cowdray Park and then meet up with The Pony Club’s Laura Armstrong to arrange bookings of all the major elements, such as marquees, loos and temporary stabling. By October everything is usually in place and attention can be turned back to it in February.

“Prior to our spring meetings I have meetings with the Cowdray Park team where any proposed changes are discussed. This meeting is very important and it is from this point that we are busy on a weekly basis.”

On the Thursday of the championships, as well as the 600 campers and 280 horses, the loos, skips and sound/lighting systems arrive. It’s a mammoth task getting everything in place but once it’s done there is only the odd small thing to be attend to.

“A few years ago we did encounter quite a huge problem on the Saturday. The butcher that usually supplied the barbeque didn’t turn up. We had five and a half hours to clean out the local butchers and Tescos, hire barbeques from two separate places and cook all the food ready for 7.30pm. But we managed it and it turned out to be one of the best barbeques we’ve had.”

Over the three days, Mike must ensure that the children are safe and this means staying up until the last of them have gone to bed – he usually gets to bed at around 2.30am.

On finals day, Mike ensures that all the children and ponies are well turned-out for the parade (pictured below) and that it goes ahead on time. Following the afternoon’s matches it’s prize-giving and then the mass exodus. Come Monday morning work begins dismantling the stables and tents and by Wednesday everything is back to its normal state.

Chris Eaton – Jorrocks section manager Chris Eaton has been involved with the Pony Club polo for 30 years and spent ten years as a branch manager. Five years ago she joined The Pony Club Polo Committee as Jorrocks section manager.

At the start of the year, umpires and commentators are booked and Chris liaises with Pony Club HQ with regards to paramedics. On the day, she will award prizes and ensure the day runs smoothly.

“At the Jorrocks Championships we have children playing at different levels. Division Three is for beginners that have just learnt the basic skills. Two or three years later in Division One it is serious game and they have developed brilliant ball skills and learnt many of the rules and tactics of this complex game.

“The Jorrocks section had grown recently but the price of travelling has made parents think twice about going such long distances to tournaments. Saying that, this year we have 12 teams, including a team from Scotland, so I think parents are realising the opportunities polo provides: teaching the children polo skills, team play, as well as them making friends for life from all over the country.

“I try to encourage all children to have a go. It is a Pony Club discipline and is available to all. If there are any Pony Clubs that would like help getting a team together, please get in touch. I am very keen to get more Pony Clubs involved with grassroots polo.” www.polotimes.co.uk

Feature

Jayne Jones – Hurtwood Park Hurtwood Park, which has been a huge supporter of Pony Club and junior polo over the past 20 years, has hosted the Jorrocks Championships for more than 13 years. Some of the teams arrive from the Tidworth qualifier the night before. The older players will join in on chukkas, while the young children tear around on bikes.

“There is not much for us to organise nowadays as we have been doing it for so long and it is almost like second nature,” Jayne said. “The Old Surrey and Burstow and The Pony Club set all the times, organise the umpires and goal judges and

“We try to let them play on our number one ground as it is a very special day for them” we give them the grounds to play on.

We try to let them play on our number one ground as it is a very special day for them and they hardly make a dent in it!”

Holding the championships at Hurtwood means that every player, in every division, is able to play. They don’t get knocked out or have to deal with failure at such a young age.

“What I love most about Jorrocks is the unbridled passion they have for the game. The original thrill and excitement that hooked us all into the game is still untainted. We have seen some amazing young raw talent emerge. Most have risen from the ranks of Jorrocks and are now playing high-goal today. Special recognition must also go to Viv Good, without whom junior polo and Pony Club polo would not be the same. There are so many players today who owe their careers to her and people like her.”

Audi – principle sponsor Of course the championships wouldn’t run without the support of Audi, who took over sponsorship from 3C in 2010. Although Audi do not have a huge amount to organise, as the HPA and Pony Club do this on their behalf, Audi’s Kaulai Harwood Scorer always attends finals day and presents some of the prizes.

Every player is issued with an Audi bib, which has to be sewn to the front of their polo shirts before the qualifiers. Audi also provide the rosettes, which are awarded to u all the teams at prize-giving.

Polo Times, August 2013

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Feature u

Audi Pony Club Polo Championships

Clare Walkeden and Laura Armstrong – Pony Club HQ This is Laura Armstrong’s fourth year with The Pony Club and she splits her time looking after polo and dressage. Typically, and slightly unfortunately, the dressage championships take place the weekend after the polo championships, making August a very busy time of year.

Before the polo championships Laura will book the suppliers, paramedics, horse ambulance and vets, accommodation for helpers, organise the trophies to be returned, liaise with Audi about the rosettes, receive entries and stable bookings, organise lunch invites and replies, liaise with the caterers and put the programme together with tournament organiser Amelia Pemberton.

“I find prize-giving the biggest task – it seems to get bigger every year!”

– Laura Armstrong Clare Walkeden was originally Pony Club secretary before taking over as press officer in 2008. As well as making sure she knows which media plan to attend, she also tries to attract any others who may be interested in giving coverage. On the day, she is responsible for coordinating the official photographers, ensuring that they capture the shots required.

“At the event I will support our tournament manager and the committee, set up officials’ lunches and help set up for the party,” Laura said. “I find the biggest task is the prizegiving; with 19 team awards (and placings further down) and 12 individual awards with trophies, prizes and rosettes, it seems to get bigger each year!”

After the event Clare ensures the results are checked and publicised as soon as possible.

Press releases are sent out to the equestrian media and local releases are sent to regional media for each of the winning branch teams.

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Polo Times, August 2013

Helen Dalton-Morgan – Pony Club mother Devon-based Helen Dalton-Morgan has three children playing polo in The Pony Club and/ or Junior HPA – Tom (16, Loriner), John (14, Hipwood) and Bella (nine, Jorrocks). All three are members of the Eggesford branch of The Pony Club but as there are no other players in the branch they have to go into a “pool” and get teamed up with children from other branches.

Helen has attended the Jorrocks Championships for the past five years and the main championships for the past four.

“The children play polo at Taunton Vale Polo Club every weekend so do lots of practice individually but it is a struggle to get together with members of their teams especially when they are playing with children who live some distance away,” Helen explained. “Once The Pony Club season begins we spend a lot of time in the lorry. We leave home as early as 5am for tournaments at places such as Kirtlington Park and if we’re not staying up for another tournament nearby we’ll arrive home at about 11pm.

“We leave for the Tidworth qualifier at the beginning of the week and then stay over for Jorrocks at Hurtwood Park and then go on to Cowdray Park as it is too far to travel back and forth from Devon. We have made some very good friends over the years and I am extremely grateful to all those families who have generously invited us to stay with them, which is not an easy thing when you have four people and five ponies descending on you!”

The children help with packing kit and tack, but Helen has a list which they check everything off against – on the occasions there has invariably been something left behind and it’s not a quick drive home to get something. The children tack up their ponies and Helen does all the bandaging and tails.

“We are pretty much in a routine but I usually run around madly checking everything whilst the children “catch up” with friends!”

Helen said. “We’ve had a few hiccups along the way, including one year at the Tidworth qualifier when we didn’t realise you could camp at the ground and set up in a field with the horses. Going back to the ground to get water for the horses we unhitched but didn’t lock the jockey wheel tightly. My son stood on the bar to guide me back to re-hitch and the jockey wheel collapsed – no horses were on board. The tow hitch for the Land Rover was too high to hitch up so we dug two trenches for the back wheels to lower the vehicle into – it worked! However, after proudly telling my husband the next day about our initiative, he asked why we hadn’t used the Land Rover’s jack to raise the trailer bar. Don’t worry Tidworth, we replaced the turf!” (See illustration below)

www.polotimes.co.uk

Audi Pony Club Polo Championships

Feature

Jilly Emerson – Junior HPA manager League – run during the school term but by introducing it into Pony Club too, it means children can play during the holidays.

Children generally sort out teams themselves but Bridget Baxter and Jilly help put teams together if need be. Teams must nominate a team manager, which is usually a parent, and put in their team entry to the HPA in May. Bridget, Jilly and Jeremy Barber, who look after Junior HPA, will sit down with the HPA in June and put together a schedule of play for the league matches.

“Between us, we’ll go to all the league matches, qualifiers and championships,” Jilly said. “I also attend the schools polo

and if I see anyone that plays particularly well I’ll encourage them to give Junior HPA a go. From April onwards it gets very busy, although the HPA do a lot of the work. I’ll stay over at the championships just in case anything happens or if I need to answer any queries.”

Photograph by Crewe-Read Photography

Jilly Emerson has been involved with Pony Club polo ever since her sons, Mark and Will, started playing some 25 years ago. Jilly became manager of Junior HPA when it started four years ago (taking over the Gannon and Langford sections and introducing the Hipwood section). Her husband Tony is also a familiar face on the sidelines at Pony Club polo tournaments.

Players from the same area can form a team in the three Junior HPA sections – they do not need to be in the same Pony Club branch or from the same polo club, although they must be members of both. Junior HPA tournaments – such as the Four Chukka

The HPA

Clare Musgrave – Loriner section manager

The Hipwood, Langford and Gannon sections are now run as Junior HPA, increasing the HPA’s involvement over the years. Amanda Gauntlett, who helps with development and coaching alongside Olly Hughes, will make sure all the trophies are collected from the previous year’s winners and ready for presentation at the next event. There is a lot of liaising with The Pony Club and the HPA arrange drug testing (for the players) on their behalf.

Having been section manger for Rendell and Ledner in the past, Clare now looks after Loriner.

Organisation starts at the beginning of the year, working out how to put teams together.

“The most difficult problem when putting teams together is when a Pony Club branch only has two players of Loriner standard,” Clare said. “This means I need to match them up with two players from another branch to form a team. Ideally they need to be in the same location but this is often impossible!

“Teams are declared at the start of the summer but sometimes people pull out and I need to fill the space. I’ve also had to fill spaces at the championships – last year one child cut open her foot on the Saturday night and I had to desperately try and find someone to take her spot on the team in the final the following day.”

As well as attending two meetings in the spring, Theresa Hodges holds two or three telephone conferences before the championships.

Then there is emailing and telephoning to be done throughout the summer months.

Clare will attend the friendlies and the qualifiers, as well as the championships. Like Jilly Emerson, Clare will attend some of the schools polo to see whether she can encourage them to join The Pony Club and play in a team. She runs the two-day Cirencester Park qualifier with Anne Lodwick, making sure everything is in place and helping anyone who has any problems.

“Everything usually runs smoothly,” Clare said. “The only real problem I encounter each year is the issue of jewellery. They are asked to remove it but before you know it, it’s back on again!”

The Hipwood, Langford and Gannon sections are now run as Junior HPA, increasing the HPA’s involvement over the years The Development Committee has a meeting before the championships and they go through the list of players taking part. They’ll select those that they think will perform well and be in the running for the Junior HPA tournaments that follow immediately after the championships. Olly Hughes, Amanda Gauntlett, Bridget Baxter, Jeremy Barber, Simon Tomlinson and David Woodd will attend the championships and watch all the players that are in contention – they will then make a firm decision on who will represent the teams in the Colts Cup and Stagshead Trophy, which are announced at the prize-giving.

Aside from that, the HPA team make sure that everything is running smoothly and that the timekeepers and teams are in the right place at the right time.

“The only real problem I encounter is the issue of jewellery – they are asked to remove it but before you know it, it’s back on!”

Amelia Pemberton – tournament organiser Amelia took over from Alicia Wright as tournament organiser in 2012. Her role is to take in all the entries and put together a schedule of play for the qualifiers and championships.

“As my role is not full time, I start getting involved in mid-July. I help run and attend the friendlies, qualifiers and championships. Some clubs are very well organised, while others need more help running the day. Beforehand I’ll send out the schedule to everyone and make sure there are umpires lined-up and that they have kit.

“Last year with all the rain we had to organise arena polo matches for the kids to play in.

They played four three-a-side chukkas so that all four team members could play. All players have to play in the friendlies so it was essential we ran some form of polo for them.”

This will be Amelia’s last year as tournament organiser. Despite Alicia holding the position for many years, the role usually changes hands every year or two. u

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, August 2013

29

Feature u

Audi Pony Club Polo Championships

Lolly Stanhope-White – Pony Club polo player Fifteen-year-old Lolly Stanhope-White is a member of the Beaufort branch of The Pony Club and this year will be playing in Langford. As a member of Taunton Vale Polo Club and a zero-goaler outdoors Lolly is well prepared when it comes to The Pony Club polo season.

“Despite playing in tournaments around the country and abroad, I believe it is important that you and your Pony Club team have a qualified coach, numerous amounts of training days and team selections,” Lolly said. “It is essential that each member of the team is familiar with one another’s strengths and weaknesses so that when it comes to the qualifiers the coach knows exactly how the team is structured and how to develop its teamwork further.”

For a lot of Pony Club players, polo is not the only sport they play and in Lolly’s case she gives up a lot of time to hockey (she is a member of the U16 West of England team), county netball, team chasing, hunting and hunter-trialling in and out of school.

“When it comes to packing for championships it is extremely important to, unlike me, not leave it to the night before,” Lolly explained. “My mother is very well organised and has endless lists of things that need to be taken with us. Packing all the tack, rugs, feed,

“When it comes to packing for the championships it is extremely important to not leave it until the night before” sticks, hats, bandages, food and not to mention the endless amount of clothes each child insists on taking, is not something you really want to be leaving to the night before.

“With all the success and experiences polo has given it is important to remember that polo is a team sport,” Lolly continued. “If it wasn’t for my team mates, coaches, great horses, The Pony Club and the HPA I would never have been given the opportunities in polo that I have.

“I’ve had some really memorable experiences including one that I encountered while on a trip to Argentina this year. Our chaperone Bridget Baxter had claimed to have lost her glasses and was adamant that they were somewhere in her hotel room. In an attempt to find them she turned the whole hotel room upside down to discover that her glasses were still nowhere to be seen. The next day Bridget turned up wearing some rather odd looking glasses, with one lens missing and the ear piece hanging off. She claimed to have found them on the road after being told that they had survived the crushing of a seven tonne lorry!”

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Polo Times, August 2013

Justin Stanhope-White – team coach As chairman of the coaching committee and head of Pony Club training, Justin is in a good position as a team coach. He has been coaching the Beaufort teams for the past seven years, having been posted to nearby Malmesbury with the Army. Although he and his family now live in Somerset, his two children (Lolly – see left – and Jasmine) still play with the Beaufort and he continues to teach the teams. Aside from coaching, he is also section manager for Rendell.

Beaufort’s Claire Tomlinson, Caspar West, Jason Dixon and Sean Brokensha also teach the children all year round and clinics are held during the holidays.

“Teams in the older sections must be declared by 1 May and for the younger sections by 1 June,” Justin explains. “This gives everyone enough time to train and practice. Friendlies start in July, followed by the qualifiers and championships. I’ll go to as many of these games as possible and on top of that I coach on the weekends and during my holidays.”

Both he and his wife Trini stay on site at the championships and Trini organises three meals a day for the Beaufort camp – around 80 people. It’s a busy three days, especially as Justin helps to coach even more teams at the championships.

Diana Wethered – branch manager Diana Wethered has been involved with Pony Club polo for the past 15 years and is currently branch manager for the Avon Vale.

Depending on the year, between two to eight children in the branch will play, ranging from 12 to 21 years old.

“I’ve seen the number that play fluctuate over the years,” Diana told Polo Times. “Quite often a historical or family background of polo is the trigger for a child to take it up or others playing locally inspires an interest in the sport.

For the boys, it may be that they are frustrated with brushing their ponies’ tails and not interested in doing dressage – a contact, team sport is more attractive.”

Diana’s job as branch manager is a year-round role. Beginners start in the arena in October and the outdoor players get going in the arena in April and then start on grass. The branch is fortunate to be near Druids Lodge Polo Club, with Giles Ormerod providing the tuition.

“Some will play with school teams in May and June,” Diana continued. “Schools polo has really escalated, which is brilliant because it extends the junior polo season. Pony Club teams form up in May with practices at half term and the beginning of the holidays.” F www.polotimes.co.uk

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Reports

British Open for the Gold Cup, Cowdray Park

Zacara wins Gold Cup to complete stunning UK high-goal double Facundo Pieres overcame his little brother Nico and the might of Adolfo Cambiaso to help guide Zacara to a memorable victory over Dubai at Cowdray Park

John O’Sullivan at Cowdray Park

11 8

gone the way of the Zacara ten-goaler. It also ensures that Lyndon Lea’s team joins an elite list of teams that have won the Gold Cup and the Queen’s Cup in the same year.

The Zacara class of 2013 are the tenth team since the launch of the Queen’s Cup in 1960 to achieve this rare feat, following in the footsteps of the great Stowell Park team of the 1970s, who won both on three occasions, and this year’s fellow-finalists Dubai, who did the double in 2005 and 2010.

These recent triumphs come on the back of Zacara winning the US Open title in April.

Photographs by

Zacara Dubai

L

yndon Lea’s Zacara completed a rare UK high-goal double by beating Dubai to win the British Open for the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup on a beautiful day at Cowdray Park on Sunday 21 July. Facundo Pieres and Brazilian Rodrigo de Andrade were the star men for Zacara during the 11-8 victory, as the impressive team added the coveted Gold Cup trophy to the Queen’s Cup, which they won at Guards in June.

This success is the latest in a growing list of recent battles between Pieres and long-time world number one Adolfo Cambiaso that have

32

Polo Times, August 2013

www.polotimes.co.uk

Reports

Analysis

by Chris Bethell We talk to Cowdray Park Polo Club polo manager Chris Bethell who tells us why he think Zacara have had the edge in this season’s high-goal and looks back on the Gold Cup as a whole

Brazilian eight-goaler Rodrigo de Andrade was mounted by patron Lyndon Lea and Facundo Pieres for the season

It is the first time in the illustrious history of the game that a single team has won all three of these tournaments in the same season and even Lancashire–born patron Lea has been left shocked by the success. “I can’t even describe this feeling – it is crazy. Just to win one of them would have been amazing, but to win three in a row is very special,” he said.

“You never think it is possible to come over to England and win the Queen’s Cup and the Gold Cup; it is such an outlandish thing to do. But then when you have Facundo around anything can happen.”

Both teams recorded resounding victories in the Gold Cup semi-finals – Zacara beating Talandracas 14-8 and Dubai trouncing 2012 finalists El Remanso 17-7 – to set up the “clash

Photographs by Alice Gipps

“When you have Facundo around anything can happen” – Lyndon Lea of the titans” final that all neutral fans had been hoping for.

It will always be a pleasure to watch Cambiaso and Facundo go toe-to-toe but, while the contest remained intriguing until the final moments, it is fair to say that the 15,000 spectators at Cowdray Park didn’t quite get the breathless, all-action treat of open, passing, four-man polo they had been hoping for.

Instead the final proved to be a slower, more tactical game of cat and mouse u

Left: The Zacara team of Facundo Pieres, Lyndon Lea, Matt Perry and Rodrigo de Andrade

www.polotimes.co.uk

Previous high-goal double winners Zacara are the 10th in UK high-goal history to win both the Queen’s Cup and the Gold Cup in the same season. Here are the other previous UK high-goal double winners: 1967 – Woolmers Park E Zorrilla, Dr J Marin-Moreno, JL Lucas, C Garros 1973 – Stowell Park Lord Vestey, Hon Mark Vestey, E Moore, H Barrantes 1977 – Foxcote P Palumbo, Hon Mark Vestey, E Moore, D Devrient Kidd 1978 – Stowell Park Lord Vestey, JN Williams, E Moore, H Barrantes 1980 – Stowell Park P Elliott, Hon Mark Vestey, E Moore, H Barrantes 1998 – Ellerston/ Ellerston White J Beim, A Cambiaso, G Pieres, J Fisher 2000 – Geebung D Allen, A Cambiaso, B Heguy, R Stowe 2005 – Dubai A Albwardy, L Castagnola, A Cambiaso, M Lodder 2010 – Dubai R Albwardy, F Vismara, P MacDonough, A Cambiaso

We had two great teams in the Gold Cup final this year, the two best players in the world in Adolfo Cambiaso and Facundo Pieres and a very high quality of ponies on display, so we were very pleased with all of that.

I think on the day the best team won.

Throughout the tournament Zacara proved to have the best ponies and I think as the final went on that showed more and more. In the last two or three chukkas the strength in depth of their ponies made the difference. I think that was one of the keys to their win.

I also think they selected a very good team for 22-goal polo. Matt Perry was excellent off three goals and their Brazilian Rodrigo de Andrade was very good for eight goals.

To be fair to Dubai, Alec White and Nico Pieres were also very good on their handicap throughout the tournament too. Picking the best team available is all part of it, and I think that is

“In the last two or three chukkas the strength in depth of the Zacara ponies made the difference” – Chris Bethell another reason why these two teams have done so well this season.

You have to have the right players, the right horses and the right organisation to back them all up, and I think Zacara had all of that.

Overall I was very pleased with how the tournament went. We had glorious sunshine for the whole tournament, which believe it or not really helped because everyone was in a great mood. It was a pleasant change after all of the rain we have had the last few years.

It is much easier to work with an even number of teams, but we were delighted to have 17 teams this year, one up on last year, and we came up with a format that worked and that we think was fair for everyone because every team played the same number of games.

The semi-finals were both very one-sided, but I think they were the exception rather than the rule throughout the tournament. There were a few league games that were like that, but overall I think there were more games that were close and exciting. F

Polo Times, August 2013

33

Reports

British Open for the Gold Cup, Cowdray Park

How the Gold Cup final unfolded...

First chukka Adolfo Cambiaso opened the scoring for Dubai after robbing Facundo Pieres of the ball. Rodrigo de Andrade levelled for Zacara after an excellent pass from Facundo. Both Pieres brothers then cleared the ball off their respective lines to keep the score level.

Dubai 1, Zacara 1

Third chukka

Fifth chukka

Alec White dribbled between the posts to score with Facundo breathing down his neck to level the scores before Facundo’s second goal of the game put Zacara back in front at 3-2. Both Pieres brothers then scored penalties to make sure there was just one goal between the side at half time.

Dubai 3, Zacara 4

Dubai mounted a comeback early in the chukka with two quick goals. Cambiaso hammered the ball between the posts after Facundo Pieres missed a backhander, before a Nico Pieres penalty narrowed the gap to one goal. Two goals in a minute by Facundo Pieres weathered this storm but another Nico Pieres penalty kept Dubai in the game heading into the final chukka.

Dubai 7, Zacara 9

Fourth chukka

Photograph by John O’Sullivan

Matt Perry scored his only goal of the final to open up a two-goal lead for Zacara, but the Second chukka Englishman then missed a good chance to score when he miscued under pressure from Nico Pieres missed a glorious opportunity to put Cambiaso. Cambiaso narrowed the gap with a Dubai back in front as he hit the post. His brother cut shot after a Nico Pieres pass, but two goals Facundo made no such mistake after being put

by Facundo Pieres gave Zacara a commanding clear by Andrade to make it 2-1 to Zacara. three-goal lead with two chukkas to play.

Dubai 1, Zacara 2 Dubai 4, Zacara 7

The sidelines at Cowdray Park Polo Club on Gold Cup finals day were packed with gazebos and picnicking families

the first chukka, but this was soon cancelled u dominated by the four highest handicapped out by an Andrade goal and this would prove players on the field – Cambiaso, Andrade, to be Dubai’s only lead of the game. Facundo Facundo Pieres and his younger brother Nico, Pieres got on the scoresheet in the second who once again looked great value playing off chukka and he dominated the scoring for the seven goals for Dubai. rest of the game. He scored nine of Zacara’s While English three-goaler Matt Perry 11 goals as they led excelled in the semi4-3 at half time on the finals, winning the Stat of the day way to their three-goal most valuable player and best playing pony Facundo Pieres took 10 shots at goal in open victory. play – four more than Adolfo Cambiaso – with “I was a bit scared prizes, he was rarely a 70 per cent conversion rate of this match, because given the opportunity to show his attacking IPA Stats Powered by Dartfish and PoloCam I knew that Dubai was improving match prowess in the final. after match, after the The same could be Queen’s Cup and an amazing semi-final against said for excellent Australian three-goaler Alec El Remanso,” he said. “I thought it would be White, as well as Lyndon Lea and Rashid hard for us. They played really well in the first Albwardy, who are usually two of the handier half but the second half was better for us.” patrons on the high-goal circuit.

This latest achievement means that Zacara It was Cambiaso who opened the scoring in 34

Polo Times, August 2013

Sixth chukka Facundo Pieres hit the post before a long delay after Cambiaso comes off his pony. A Facundo Pieres penalty put Zacara three goals ahead again before his brother Nico scored to keep Dubai’s thin hopes alive. Facundo’s ninth goal of the game with three minutes to play finally put the game beyond Dubai.

Result: Dubai 8, Zacara 11

have finished the English high-goal season unbeaten with 13 wins out of 13. With Perry impressing so much off three goals and Andrade looking such good value off eight goals, patron Lea is fully expecting handicap changes to break up the team for next season.

“I don’t think we’ll be able to keep this team together,” he admits. “But it has been a special season. This has been one of my favourite teams I have ever played with.”

A last word must go to the Zacara’s unrivalled horsepower, which has certainly given them an edge during the high-goal season. As well as using 10 ponies himself, patron Lea provided 15 further ponies for his teammates. This included eight for Andrade and he also added powerful South Africanborn grey mare Moscow Mistress (Moscu) to Facundo Pieres’s already impressive stable.

With this sheer volume of top quality ponies at his disposal, I suggest that whoever Lyndon Lea has in his Zacara team in 2014, they will be one of the teams to beat. F u B ritish Open for the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup; 19 June – 21 July 2013; Cowdray Park Polo Club Result: Zacara beat Dubai, 11-8 Principal sponsor: Veuve Clicquot Handicap level: 20-22-goal Number of team entries: 17 Most valuable player: Facundo Pieres Best playing pony: Top Model, owned and played

by Facundo Pieres Finalists Zacara (22): Facundo Pieres 10; Lyndon Lea 1; Rodrigo de Andrade 8; Matt Perry 3 Dubai (22): Rashid Albwardy 2; Nico Pieres 7; Alec White 3; Adolfo Cambiaso 10 www.polotimes.co.uk

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Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup, Cowdray Park Cartier Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup, Guards Maserati US Open, International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPCPB)

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Reports

Suffolk Test Match – England vs South America, Trinity Park, Suffolk

Visitors triumph in Suffolk Two goals each for Richard Le Poer and John Martin proved to be too little, too late for Young England in the second annual Suffolk Test in Trinity Park Young England South America

Photograph by Brian Tyler

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oung England were made to pay for starting sluggishly as they narrowly lost against South America in front 6,000 spectators in the second annual Suffolk Test Match at Trinity Park.

The 17-goal England side of Dave Allen (5), Richard le Poer (5), Nick Pepper (4) and John Martin (3) started with half a goal advantage against an 18-goal South America lineup. However, the visitors, featuring five-goalers Manuel Plaza de Ayala and Juan Carlos Harriet alongside four-goalers Martin Aguerre and Rikki Furno, scored four goals in the first of four chukkas to take a strangle hold on the game early on. England’s Allen South America’s Manuel Plaza de Ayala in action in Suffolk

36

Polo Times, August 2013

admitted afterwards: “Like in Formula One a good start is crucial, and we stalled! After that we went well, but it was too late.”

Plaza de Ayala was the main architect of South America’s early dominance, scoring three goals on his best playing pony Pancake.

South America’s silver fox Aguerre was also

an excellent neck shot, the other an assured finish after a long Allen penalty – and a le Poer penalty gave the hosts hope. But a penalty by Plaza de Ayala right in front of the posts was enough to secure South America victory. F

“Like in Formula One a good start is crucial, and we stalled!” – England’s Dave Allen

u S uffolk Young England Test Match, Trinity Park, Suffolk Result: South America beat Young England, 5-4½ Principal sponsor: Hopkins Homes Handicap level: 16-18 Hopkins Homes rug for best playing pony: Manuel Plaza de Ayala’s Pancake Polo Times best playing pony: Richard Le Poer’s Jet

on the scoresheet during the opening chukka, while le Poer scored England’s lone reply after being set up by Pepper.

England played much better in the remaining three chukkas and two goals by Martin – one

w See page 56 for a round-up of this month’s England 21 action

Teams South America (18): Rikki Furno 4; Manuel Plaza de Ayala 5; Juan Carlos Harriet 5; Martin Aguerre 4 Young England (17): John Martin 3; Nick Pepper 4; Richard Le Poer 5; Dave Allen 5

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Reports

Asahi British Beach Polo Championships, Sandbanks

England reclaim their British beach polo crown on Sandbanks Polo, volleyball, champagne and fashion made for two days of glamorous entertainment on the sun-drenched Sandbanks beach, for the British Beach Polo Championships

xxxxxxxxx

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Polo Times, August 2013

www.polotimes.co.uk

Asahi British Beach Polo Championships, Sandbanks

Polly Bryan reports from Sandbanks

S

andbanks beach, near Poole, was once again the stunning setting for the Asahi British Beach Polo Championships, held in July. Four teams representing England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland took to the sand and England put their disappointing result from last year behind them with victory over Wales in the final. The team got off to a good start in the tournament, with Roy Prisk, Charlie Wooldridge and Jack Kidd thundering past Ireland in their opening match to win 16-11, despite their opponents starting with a 7-goal advantage on handicap. With Wales beating

Scotland by a similar margin, the final was set for the sunny Saturday evening.

The final was certainly the closest match of the tournament, with the teams looking far more evenly-matched than in the previous day’s one-sided affairs. Jamie Morrison took Kidd’s place in the final, and despite being two goals up going into the final chukka, the Wales side of Ricky Cooper, Seb Dawnay and Roddy Matthews couldn’t quite do enough in the closing stages, as Morrison converted a 15-yard penalty to clinch the title with a 10-9 win. “We played very well and couldn’t have done anything better,” Dawnay told Polo Times. “England had a very good team, and Jamie [Morrison] has been playing in the arena

“It is hard to beat playing polo 50 metres from the sea” – Jack Kidd longer than me. It is difficult on the sand and there is a lot of luck involved.”

Now in its sixth year, the glamorous beach event has grown into far more than just a polo tournament. Being blessed this year with glorious sunshine, around 5,000 people flocked to what is often lauded as Britain’s best beach, to get a taste of the action.

Guests were treated to a fashion show between matches, with England’s Morrison, Prisk and Wooldridge modelling, as well as a beach volleyball match featuring Olympic players and the traditional polo pony versus Audi Q7 race, won by Sophie HeatonEllis aboard her speedy pony. The summer weather lent itself perfectly to the Friday

Reports

night floodlit match, with the Beau Design team of Emma Lloyd, Tim Vaux and Harold Hodges triumphing over Project Kudos. But undoubtedly, it was the after-parties that proved to be the real highlight of the weekend, with Amika hosting a spectacular finale on the Saturday night.

With the grandstand packed with polo rookies getting behind their favourite team, the event certainly fulfilled its aim of bringing polo to a wider audience. The standard of play was varied, with ponies struggling to get up to speed in the deep sand and more balls seeming to find the stands than the goal, but the stunning backdrop of the glistening English Channel, fresh sea air and flowing champagne, meant that it didn’t really matter.

“It is always a challenge to win on sand,” said England’s Kidd. “It takes away skill and makes it more of a rugby match than a polo match at times. The surface does need attention, but it is hard to beat playing polo 50 metres from the sea. The whole experience of playing in that location is exceptional. Yes, the polo is secondary to everything else going on at the event, but that is the way polo is going for the future.” F w For social pictures see page 69 u A sahi British Beach Polo Championships; 12-13 July; Sandbanks beach, Dorset Result: England beat Wales, 10-9 Principal sponsor: Asahi Number of team entries: four Teams England: Jamie Morrison; Charlie Wooldridge; Roy Prisk Wales: Ricky Cooper; Seb Dawnay; Roddy Matthews Photographs by Paul Froud and Polly Bryan

xxxxxxxxx Left: England’s Charlie Wooldridge plays the ball in the air during the opening game against Ireland. Above: Beach volleyball

Polo Times, August 2013

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Reports

Home and abroad – Victor Ludorum round-up

18-goal HPA Victor Ludorum round-up

Photographs by Tom Reynolds and Gordon Lindsay

Dell Park have chance to outrun La Indiana

Michael Bickford’s La Indiana team after winning the Apsley Cup at Cirencester Park Polo Club

WITH JUST ONE 18-goal Victor Ludorum tournament left this season, two teams are in contention for overall victory: Michael Bickford’s La Indiana and Nikolai Bahlsen’s Dell Park. La Indiana will not be playing in the final 18-goal tournament, the Cowdray Park Challenge, and will finish the season on 180 points. This leaves the ball firmly in the hands of Dell Park, who are currently on 130 points and will topple La Indiana if they can win the tournament, which finishes on 4 August.

Bahlsen’s team got off to a good start in their Victor Ludorum campaign when they lifted the impressive Indian Empire Shield back in May at Coworth Park. The team of Bahlsen, George Meyrick, Max Charlton and Malcolm Borwick also did well in the Duke of Sutherland’s Cup at Cowdray Park, but were defeated 10-8 in the final by the La Indiana side, which featured Fabio Lavinia, Marcos Araya and Juan Zavaleta.

Bickford’s team went on to triumph in the Apsley Cup at Cirencester Park, with Juan Ambroggio replacing Araya. The quartet won all of their league games before facing the Cirencester Park team in the final. La Indiana took an early lead, but Cirencester Park replied strongly to bring themselves back into contention. A goal from a spot hit in the sixth chukka finally sealed a 7-6 victory for La Indiana, which secured them the top spot on 40

Polo Times, August 2013

the 18-goal leaderboard.

La Indiana, Emlor and Golden Falcons contested the Duke of Beaufort’s Cup in July.

Golden Falcons got the better of La Indiana on this occasion.

The team of Amin Badr-El Din, Juan Zavaleta, Ed Hitchman and James Harper came out on top with a convincing 12-7 win – a complete reverse of when the two teams had met in the tournament’s opening match.

Having only taken part in the one tournament so far, Golden Falcons remain in fourth position on the leaderboard with 70 points, but will contest the Cowdray Challenge along with Dell Park and Cowdray Vikings.

However, with only Dell Park within touching distance of La Indiana, it will all come down to whether Bahlsen’s team can finish the season as they started it – with a win.

Malcolm Borwick, who played for La Indiana in the Duke of Beaufort’s Cup, rides-off Juan Zavaleta, playing for Golden Falcons

w See next month’s Polo Times for the latest news www.polotimes.co.uk

Home and abroad – Victor Ludorum round-up

15-goal HPA Victor Ludorum round-up

News in brief

Four teams in contention for the 15-goal crown

w C owdray Park – Clashleigh won the Texaco Cup at Cowdray Park, narrowly defeating Athena 7-6 in the final.

Nine teams took part in the 12-goal tournament, with the Clashleigh line-up of Richard Davis, Jonny Good, Tarquin Southwell and Lucas Fernandez staying unbeaten to reach the final against Angelos Damaskos’s Athena team.

in the final of the hotly-contested Coworth Park Challenge elevated them from seventh to the top spot.

McCarthy will be joined by Ollie Cudmore and Manuel Plaza de Ayala in place of White and Araya for the Harrison Cup, while the Four Quarters line-up will remain the same.

Both sides have earned 170 points from the opening four tournaments.

Ferne Park are hot on the heels of the leaders, currently sitting in third place on 160 points, just ten points ahead of Dell Park. Jonathon Rothermere’s Ferne Park team won the prestigious Royal Windsor Cup in June. Rothermere’s son Vere Harmsworth stood in for his father, playing alongside Eden Ormerod, Joaquin Pittaluga and Dirk Gould and the team defeated Kassem Shafi’s Shalimar 9-8, having led from the first chukka.

Roger Carlsson’s FCT caused a stir in the Eduardo Moore Tournament, snatching the lead from Rhys Cole’s Gales in the closing stages of the final. Having only contested the one tournament so far, FCT remain in eighth position overall.

The 15-goal Victor Ludorum is due to conclude with the Harrison Cup at Cowdray Park on 3 August. With so little between the top teams, there is still everything to play for.

w G uards – The King’s Royal Hussars (KRH) won the Hackett Inter-Regimental Cup for the first time in 26 years on the Duke’s ground at Guards. The team of Col Nick Hunter, Capt Robert FreemanKerr, Capt Philip Kaye and Lt George Walker (pictured below) hammered the opposition, the Royal Navy, to win 9-3½.

Photograph by Tony Ramirez, ImagesofPolo.com

w D allas Burston – The Dallas Burston Polo Club Ladies Day was held on Sunday 23 June, in aid of Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer. The day featured the 6-goal Stoneythorpe Cup, which was won by C.A.N.I/Rigby & Rigby. Rutland beat the Pololine team in the 0-goal Champagne Cup, and the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) defeated the Grenadier Guards. w G uards – Adolfo Cambiaso teamed up with UAE team patron HH Sheikha Maitha, Habtoor Al Habtoor and Amr Zedan to win the annual Gulf CoOperation (GCC) Trophy at Guards Polo Club. The GCC team faced the Guards team of Clive Reid, Saad Audeh, Peter Webb and Manuel Plaza de Ayala, and GCC ran out the winners, 7-5, in the 10goal match. w H urtwood Park – The third Aviation Polo Challenge took place at Hurtwood Park Polo Club in July. Last year’s winners London Executive Aviation (LEA) took on RotorMotion and event newcomers Stobart Air, who came out on top in the round-robin tournament.

Clinton McCarthy, right, and his Emlor team beat Black Cats to win the Coworth Park Challenge in mid-July

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Polo Times, August 2013

41

Photograph by Tony Ramirez, ImagesofPolo.com

FOUR QUARTERS AND Emlor C are currently level at the top of the 15-goal Victor Ludorum leaderboard, with two tournaments left to go. Both teams will contest the Harrison Cup at Cowdray Park, which was due to get underway as Polo Times went to press, and the pressure will certainly be on both teams as they battle it out for the title.

Simon Arber’s Four Quarters team, featuring Tom Morley, Matt Lodder and Rob Archibald, has taken part in all four Victor Ludorum tournaments to date, winning the Arthur Lucas Cup at Beaufort Polo Club in early June, but failing to reach the finals of the subsequent tournaments. However, the points earned for participation and winning league matches have kept them at the top of the table so far.

Clinton McCarthy’s Emlor C team, featuring Harry White, Manolo Fernandez Llorente and Marcos Araya, were unspectacular in their first two Victor Ludorum tournaments of the season. They started their campaign with the Royal Windsor Cup, but were defeated by EFG Bank Aravali in the subsidiary semi-finals.

They then lost out to Gales in the semi-finals of the Eduardo Moore Tournament at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club. An 1110 victory over Richard Wadhwa’s Black Cats

Reports

Reports

Home and abroad – Victor Ludorum round-up

12-goal HPA Victor Ludorum round-up

News in brief

Two-horse race for 12-goal title

w G uards – Black Eagles won the inaugural President’s Trophy at Guards Polo Club in mid-July. The 10-goal tournament was a new addition to the Guards fixture list this season and was well supported, with 12 teams taking part. Jonathan Munro Ford’s Black Eagles, which also featured father and son combination Chris and Jack Hyde, and Jonny Good, defeated Stefan Sund’s Lost Boys 10-6.

Cadenza Juniors and Poulton are currently fighting it out at the top of the 12-goal Victor Ludorum leaderboard, having dominated the four tournaments that have been played so far. With the Cheltenham Cup at Cirencester Park and the Autumn League at Cowdray Park left to play, both teams will fancy their chances of finishing top of the leaderboard come the end of the season.

The two teams met in the final of the Dollar Cup, held at Cowdray Park in May, where Charlie Pidgley’s Cadenza Juniors, consisting of Matias Carrique, Pete Webb and Will Emerson triumphed over Martin Ephson’s Poulton. Then, Poulton went one better to win the John Prestwich Trophy at the Berkshire, defeating Richard Davis’s Clashleigh. They followed this up with victory in the Queen Mother Trophy at Cirencester Park. The team, which included Ludo Ephson, George Meyrick and Jean du Plessis, defended the title when they got

w F rance – The 10-goal Trophée du Coquetier d’Or at the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly concluded with victory for Sainte-Mesme. The team of Robert Strom, Clément Delfosse, Alexis Pouille de Balkany and Nicolas Sobrac achieved a resounding 10-5 win over Marquard Media La Victoire. w G uards – Four ten-goalers took part in the Laureus Polo Cup which took place at Guards. The AMG team of Mohammed Al Habtoor, Jonathan Munro Ford, David Stirling and Juan Martin Nero beat the IWC Schaffhausen side of HH Sheikha Maitha, Shilai Liu, Pablo MacDonough and Adolfo Cambiaso 5½-4. The event raised funds for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation Argentina.

the better of Max Hutchinson’s Tayto side, winning the final 5-4.

But Cadenza Juniors brought themselves right back into contention when they lifted the Prince of Wales Cup at Beaufort Polo Club in July, downing Kassem Shafi’s Shalimar 7-6 in the final.

Steve Rigby’s Creed Polo and Simon Arber’s Four Quarters Black are the only other two teams to have contested all four tournaments to date. Creed Polo are currently sitting in third position on the leader-board but having not reached the final of any tournament so far, remain more than 100 points shy of the two top teams.

As Polo Times went to press, it was not confirmed which teams would play in the final two tournaments, the first of which – the Cheltenham Cup – will begin on 27 August.

But with such a wide margin separating the leaders from the rest of the field, it looks as though a two-horse race for the title could be on the cards.

w W icklow – A team from Polo Wicklow travelled out to Rhode Island, USA on 6-7 July to compete in the annual Newport International Polo Series. The Irish side was made up of captain Siobhan Herbst, Caroline Keeling, Robert Hogg and Paddy Casey, and the quartet defeated an all-ladies USA team 12-8.

w S ussex – The popular Square Peg tournament concluded with a win for Tony Lorenz’s TLC team in the 2-goal section. The Sussex Polo team, led

by Oscar and Helen Wehtje, were the winners of the -2-goal tournament.

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Polo Times, August 2013

Photograph by Tom Reynolds

w W hite Rose – The annual Paladin Capital Castle Howard Cup, hosted by White Rose Polo Club, was won by the Paladin Capital team of Hedley Aylott, Matt Yeo, Lord Manton and Hugo Suarez.

Six beginners then battled it out in the White Rose Pro-Am Challenge and it was Torbellino – Verena Treml, Judy Jackson, Nick Latcham and professional Ollie Yeo – who triumphed.

Action from the final of the Queen Mother Trophy at Cirencester Park between Poulton and Max Hutchinson’s Tayto

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Home and abroad – Victor Ludorum round-up

Reports

HPA 8-goal Victor Ludorum round-up

Windmill Farm blow away the competition Photograph by Tony Ramirez, ImagesofPolo.com

WINDMILL FARM HAS jumped to the top of the 8-goal Victor Ludorum leaderboard, after two impressive victories. Paul Knights’ team stand 120 points clear of their nearest rivals, sitting on 250 points with two tournaments left of the season.

Knights joined forces with Max Charlton, Tim Bown and Ed Banner-Eve for the Archie David Cup at Guards. Twenty-four teams contested the tournament, which is one of the leading 8-goal competitions in the UK. Windmill Farm faced Jonathan Munro Ford’s Black Eagles in the final, and found themselves 3-0 ahead at half-time. Black Eagles made a strong second half comeback, scoring all their goals of the game in the third chukka, but they couldn’t get ahead of Windmill Farm. The 5-4 victory was enough to knock Chester Polo, who won the Gerald Balding Cup at Cirencester in June, off the top spot in the Victor Ludorum standings.

The same Windmill Farm line-up also took the honours in the Julian & Howard Hipwood Trophy at the Berkshire in late July, fending off strong competition from Richard Davis’s Clashleigh to win the final 8-7 after a golden goal in the fifth chukka scored by Bown.

As Polo Times went to press, Windmill Farm were contesting the Holden White Trophy at Cowdray Park, but without their secret weapon from previous tournaments

Max Charlton, Tim Bown, Paul Knights and Ed Banner-Eve of Windmill Farm lift the Archie David Cup at Guards

in the shape of sixteen-year-old Ed BannerEve. Banner-Eve, who played well above his zero-goal handicap to be named most valuable player in both the Archie David Cup and Julian & Howard Hipwood Trophy, is replaced by zero-goaler Charlotte Sweeney.

Twenty-three teams are taking part in the Holden White Trophy, including Apache, who are currently sitting in second place

in the standings on 130 points. The team includes Max and Janie Dear playing alongside Ollie Cudmore and Richard Le Poer. The Holden White Trophy will conclude on 4 August, and will be followed by the Wichenford Bowl at Beaufort Polo Club, which will run from 9-26 August. w See September’s Polo Times for the final results

HPA Victor Ludorum 6-goal round-up

Chester chases the top spot in the 6-goal THE 6-GOAL Victor Ludorum championship has now reached the halfway point, with Four Quarters Blue sitting at the top of the leaderboard, 30 points clear of their nearest rivals, Chester Polo.

Four Quarters Blue got off to a great start, winning the Eduardo Rojas Lanusse Trophy at Beaufort Polo Club in June. Emil Arber’s team, also featuring Juan Manuel Guevara, Nico San Roman and Matias Ballesteros, continued their form in the Junior County Cup at Cheshire Polo Club, reaching the final and coming up against Chester Polo. But it was the Chester Polo side of Hugo Taylor, Cristian Chaves, Kelvin Johnson and Richard Thomas who came out on top of the very tight final, winning 8-7 to propel themselves up the rankings.

The next 6-goal Victor Ludorum tournament, the Budgett Everett Trophy, will begin on 6 August at Kirtlington Park Polo Club. This will be followed by the Kingscote Cup at Cirencester, which gets underway on 20 August.

Nico San Roman of Four Quarters and Kelvin Johnson of Chester Polo race for the ball

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w Find out how Joe Arber did at the SUPA National Schools Championship on page 52 in our Youth section Polo Times, August 2013

43

Reports

Home and abroad - Ladies’ round-up

Cowdray Park – BLOOM British Ladies’ Open Championship

Lila leads Vikings to British Ladies’ Open title Photograph by Clive Bennett

COWDRAY VIKINGS WAS the winner of the BLOOM British Ladies’ Open Championship, held at Cowdray Park in late July.

The final took place the day before the Gold Cup final for the first time, with spectators treated to an excellent display of ladies’ polo.

Lila Pearson led her Cowdray Vikings side, which also featured Hazel Jackson, Lia Salvo and Louisa Evans, to a 8½-7 victory over the higher-handicapped Los Hamblinos team in the four-chukka final. Jo Stuart was joined on her Los Hamblinos team by Marianela Castagnola, Rosie Ross and Lucy Taylor.

Both teams had remained unbeaten on the route to the final and the match proved to be pacey and exciting, with the teams scoring goal-for-goal and neither managing to get ahead by more than one goal.

With two minutes to go, Cowdray Vikings were clinging to a 7½-7 lead, until Jackson stole possession and streaked down the field to slot it between the posts, securing the title for her side.

Lia Salvo, Hazel Jackson, Lila Pearson and Louisa Evans of the Cowdray Vikings show off their bottles of BLOOM gin

Two-goaler Salvo, who displayed impressive defending skills playing at back, was named most valuable player. Pearson received the best playing pony prize for Joe.

Five teams took part in the tournament, with team handicaps ranging from one to four. w See more from Cowdray Park on page 40

Ascot Park – National Women’s Tournament

Photograph by Peter James Photography

Glasgow are surprise winners at Ascot Park ASCOT PARK POLO Club hosted the annual UK National Women’s Tournament in early July. As the UK’s biggest women’s polo event, the tournament featured sections for -8, -6, -2 and 2-goal teams across the two days.

Glasgow Polo produced a shock victory over Pink Power to win the UberPolosponsored 0-2-goal final. The 1-goal team of Hazel Jackson, Gaynor Hutton, Lucy Bowman and Sam Buckles faced the 2-goal Pink Power line-up of Sarah Wiseman, Mandie Beitner, Rosie Ross and Nell Jacob, and it was Glasgow Polo who took control during the first half. A succession of errors

by Glasgow Polo in the third chukka gave away several penalty opportunities, but Pink Power were unable to capitalise on them, despite a big effort. With Jackson showing enviable consistency in her penalty-taking, it was Glasgow Polo who achieved a resounding 10½-4 victory.

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Polo Times, August 2013

Glasgow Polo (in purple) shocked Pink Power (pink) in the 2-goal final at Ascot Park

Despite losing out in the 2-goal, Wiseman captained three young Pony Club players to victory in the -2-goal final. Laudia Thornett, Keira Bosley and Katy Bernard joined Wiseman on the Boscom side, and with good team organisation they triumphed 6-5 over the High Heelers – Phillippa Fitz Henry, Luci Surridge, Anita Mitchell and Charlotte Sweeney.

Fit 4 Polo took the -6-goal title, the team of Nell Jacob, Olivia Lamphee, Lucy Sones and George Wood attacking relentlessly throughout the match to beat Maldonado Polo Girls 6½-3.

Three teams played a round-robin tournament in the -8-goal section, with the EGF side taking the title with two decisive wins over Los Villanos and IWPA. w To find out what is coming up at Ascot Park in August, see page 74 www.polotimes.co.uk

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Reports

Home and abroad

Tidworth Polo Club – Rundle Cup

Army deny Royal Navy Rundle Cup title Kicking off the day was a charity match in aid of INSPIRE Foundation. Zara Phillips teamed up with other eventers to represent the Forensic Risk Association team. They defeated a team of jockeys and Silent Witness television star Tom Ward. Following this there was a wheelchair race, a parachute display and Pony Club exhibition match.

A Combined Services Polo Association team played a visiting USA team for the Indian Cavalry Trophy, which preceded the Rundle Cup. In an extremely close game, the USA clinched a 7-6½ victory.

Photograph by LA(Phot)Ian Simpson

Two-goaler Colonel Nick Hunter led the Hackett Army team to a win in the 2013 Rundle Cup at Tidworth Polo Club in midJuly. Despite the baking sun beating down on their backs, the Army denied the Royal Navy the trophy, rallying to a 7-5 win on Tidworth’s number one ground.

Tedworth House, which was recently opened by Help for Heroes as a Personnel Recovery and Assessment Centre for sick and injured servicemen, provided the backdrop to the ground, where more than 5,000 people turned out for a day of polo and displays.

Action from July’s Rundle Cup match between the Hackett Army team and the Royal Navy at Tidworth Polo Club

Royal Navy were awarded a two-goal handicap advantage at the start of the Rundle Cup match – the highlight of the day – and managed to hold onto their lead in the first chukka. However an eventful second chukka ensued. Not only did the Army’s Major Matthew Eyre-Brook score the equaliser, but Hunter scored his best goal of the match – a cut shot from the 40-yard line that landed smack between the posts – to put his team ahead for the first time. The Navy’s twogoaler Lieutenant Hiro Suzuki then made a gutsy attempt to get one back. As the 30 second bell rang, Suzuki hit the ball so hard his stick broke; still charging after the ball, he pulled too hard in towards goal and his horse fell, unseating Suzuki but fortunately damaging nothing more than his pride. The score therefore remained at 4-3 at the end of the first half.

Suzuki redeemed himself in the third and scored the equaliser but from then on the Army got stuck in and refused to let the Navy get the better of them. Scoring three more goals, the Army ran out the winners.

Nick Hunter was named most valuable player and Eyre-Brook won the best playing pony award for Georgie. w See page 82 for an interview with Hiro Suzuki

Rutland Polo Club – Assam Cup

Los Chinos hold nerve to win Assam Cup EIGHT TEAMS FOUGHT for the prestigious Berkeley Insurance Assam Cup in late June at Rutland Polo Club. The silverware finally went to the Los Chinos side of Alison Clarke, Jake Lomberg Williams, Justo Mourino and Lochie Hunter, who defeated Three Oceans C.A.N.I in the final. The hard-fought 6-goal final looked to be anybody’s game, featuring some fast end-to-end polo. But moments of brilliance from five-goaler Hunter, combined with a steady nerve when converting penalties, clinched the 6-4½ win for Los Chinos and earned Hunter the most valuable player award.

The day also featured the Polo Splice Findlay Cup, with ten competitive teams coming forward. Sporting Designs defeated Holmefield 6-4 to claim the cup. w See page 14 for our club news section 46

Polo Times, August 2013

The victorious Los Chinos side of Lochie Hunter, Jake Lomberg Williams, Alison Clarke and Justo Mourino

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Polo Times, August 2013

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Reports

Home and abroad

Denmark – Copenhagen Polo Open

Home side seal title at inaugural tournament Photograph by www.pablopicassaphotography.com

IT WAS A fitting end to the inaugural Copenhagen Polo Open when the Maserati Copenhagen team defeated Shamballa Jewels London 9-8 to be crowned winners. Four teams took part in the event, which was held in Copenhagen’s most central park, Fælledparken, on 22-23 June. British players Ryan Pemble and Matt Lodder teamed up with Danish patron Leah Hamdan for Maserati and the 10-goal trio successfully saw off Michael Husted, Ross Ainslie and the Danish Polo Association polo manager, Brit Greg Greening, in front of large crowds on the Sunday afternoon.

The final started in style, as both teams emerged onto the field in Maseratis to the sound of the Rocky theme tune to the delight of the spectators, as well as the crowds that had gathered outside the main fence to catch a glance of the polo.

The score remained close throughout the match, and was tied at 8-8 with 30 seconds to go, until a converted penalty by Pemble sealed

Matt Lodder covers his teammates in champagne after winning the inaugural Copenhagen Polo Open in Denmark

victory for Maserati. The Copenhagen Polo Open followed in the footsteps of other city centre polo events around the world, with teams of three and a smaller field.

This was the first event to be run by the newly-formed Danish Polo Association, which opened as Denmark’s first ever polo club in April.

Zimbabwe – Jamaica and USA tour of Zimbabwe

Jamerica earn draw on Zimbabwe tour PLAYERS FROM JAMAICA and the USA joined forces for a tour of Zimbabwe in June, writes Shane Chin. The “Jamerica” team, made up of captain Shane Chin and John G Byles from Jamaica and Kelly and Marisa Wells from the USA, took on a mixed 6-goal Zimbabwean team over two days at Bushman Rock Polo Club in Ruwa, hosted by the Passaportis and Gwaradzimba families.

The Zimbabwe team of David Meikle, BJ Bowen, Barry Brown and Nicola Elcombe

led by four goals at the end of day one, but by the second day, Jamerica had adapted to the horses and altitude, and adjusted their team-play, fighting back strongly to finish the match with a 5-5 draw.

The Jamerica team took in the sights and (right) met the locals during their Zimbabwe tour

48

Polo Times, August 2013

Bushman Rock Polo Club also hosted a match between young Zimbabwean and South African players over the same weekend. This time it was Zimbabwe who struggled to control the match on day one, but rallied on the second day of play to beat South Africa 6-5.

The polo relationship between Jamaica and Zimbabwe began when international female players Lesley Masterton FongYee and Sherri-Lyn Hensman, decided to encourage intercountry polo between them.

This is the third polo tour to take place between the two countries and, as well as polo, the visiting players had the opportunity to take part in African Lions and Pangolin Conservation programmes, as well as elephant polo, white water rafting and polocrosse. w See pages 68-73 for social pictures from across the globe www.polotimes.co.uk

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Sherborneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boys fly the flag for polo in Dorset Sherborne boys have enjoyed many polo successes over the past ten years, participating in lessons every Thursday afternoon at Druids Lodge and taking part in SUPA and Junior HPA tournaments throughout the season 50

Polo Times, August 2013

P

upils at Dorset-based Sherborne School have been playing polo for just over a decade. The all-boys school, which has around 600 pupils, currently has seven active players, some of whom took part in the SUPA National Senior Schools tournament at Dallas Burston Polo Club in June.

There are even more pupils that play polo outside of school, but they choose to prioritise others sports, such as rugby or cricket, during school time. Games afternoons take place on Thursdays, so those that choose polo as their sport travel to Druids Lodge Polo Club near

Salisbury for lessons and chukkas. Beginners share lessons with Marlborough beginners on the same day, playing before the more experienced players.

Matches take place on Sundays and currently Sherborne fields one team â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this varies from year to year and they have had up to three teams in the past. The team regularly features in the Junior HPA Four Chukka League and SUPA tournaments, playing Above: Sherborne's impressive buildings Right: The Sherborne School team of Xander Cooper, Hassanal Shah, Luis Aznar and Nicholas Tobin

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School Profile: Sherborne School, Dorset

2011 winning team, were joined by Xander Cooper and Luis Aznar for this season’s tournaments – the four boys are currently the school’s leading players.

“Some of the children have their own polo ponies, while some hire from Druids Lodge or a club local to a tournament,” said Julia Slade, master in charge of polo. “There are no facilities to keep ponies near to school so parents spend many hours getting them ready and bringing them to wherever they need to be.

“During the summer holidays, most of the children will go home and play Pony Club polo or club polo before term starts again and the children participate in arena polo.”

When Hassanal is not at school, he plays for Royal Pahang Polo Club in Malaysia, which is owned by his family, while Luis plays at Santa Maria Polo Club in Spain. Both Xander and Nicholas regularly play at Cirencester Park and with the Cotswold branch of The Pony Club.

Although none of the school’s alumni have gone on to play polo professionally, two-goaler Freddie Horne and his onegoaler brother Rory are familiar faces on the polo scene. Cowdray Park-based Jack Taylor left Sherborne last year and is a budding one-goaler. F urn to the next page to read about the SUPA wT National Schools tournaments and page 55 for the Junior HPA Four Chukka League

against schools including Millfield, Wellington College, Marlborough College, Harrow, Cheltenham College and Milton Abbey. In 2011 they won the National Senior Schools tournament and this year finished second (the 2012 tournament was rained off). Nicholas Tobin and Hassanal Shah, who played on the

u S herborne School Year established: 1550 Type of school: Independent boys senior school Ages: 13-18 Number of pupils: 600 Headmaster: Chris Davis

Youth polo

Education from every angle Our education expert Adam Caller gives advice each month on dealing with the quandaries facing young players looking to balance their polo and their studies.

The workings of a mobile school (for someone taking a group of players abroad for a long period) There are three major educational systems in the world. The best practice for mobile schooling varies, depending on which of these systems you use.

The British system is the most flexible because it is essentially all end-of-course assessed. Students can follow a course taught by a teacher with only the end-point and rate of progress in mind and there are no rules about age. If students are taken out of school, completely or temporarily, the returning school may specify certain conditions, which the tutor would oversee, but otherwise there is complete freedom.

The US system is more assessment oriented, but is still flexible for home schooling. Depending on the age of the student, there may be the need to have a formal transcript and this is best achieved by enrolling in an accredited online school, with lessons taught by a tutor. For serious sportsmen and women considering college in America, this is by far the best approach.

International Baccalaureate (IB) is the least flexible and cannot be home schooled.

Students taking the IB must be enrolled in an IBO school, and take their classes and exams there. Whichever system is chosen, it is normal for a tutor to create a timetable that allows for training and competition.

The tutor will be responsible for sourcing appropriate resources and for ensuring that material is mastered and keeping a record of this. An experienced and wellorganised tutor is essential for roles involving multiple students with different educational schedules. But, with the right planning, a single tutor would be able to support groups of five or six students at a time. w Adam Caller has been the Senior Partner of Tutors International for 12 years. Tutors International is a specialist private tutoring and educational consultancy headquartered in Oxford

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Polo Times, August 2013

51

Youth polo

SUPA National Schools Championships, Dallas Burston

Dallas Burston is bursting with talented youngsters Two days of schools polo held at Dallas Burston Polo Club in June saw Dean Close, Stowe, Marlborough College and Rugby finish at the top of their respective divisions Stowe Green coming sixth.

Dean Close won the Intermediate section, beating Cheltenham College to top spot.

The latter’s Francesca Dent was named most promising player, while Dean Close’s Robbie Dee’s 11-year-old Argentine mare Naranja won the Polo Times best playing pony rug.

“We have had Naranja for two years, during which time I have been very patient with her as she has a very tricky character,” Dee said. “It’s taken me a long time to gain her trust so that she doesn’t get stressed when I ride her – we used to spend more time spinning in circles and going backwards rather than going forwards!

“She has improved so much and The Pony Club and schools tournaments have enabled me to find a way to calm her down and school her successfully. I’m the only one

who rides and plays her. Luckily we keep our ponies at home, all of which I look after despite my school commitments.”

The weather on the 23 June wasn’t as obliging as the previous weekend, although the hurricane force winds did keep the rain at bay for the Senior Schools Championship.

Eight teams played across two divisions, while Dallas Burston's Ladies Day took place simultaneously at the Midlands venue.

A school managers lunch, prepared by Virginia Thomasson and Caroline Spicer, was followed by the schools polo in the afternoon. All teams played one chukka on

Action from the Senior Schools Division Two match between Langley and Felsted at Dallas Burston Polo Club

Photograph by

Photographs by Peter James Photography

D

allas Burston Polo Club hosted two days of schools polo in June. On 16 June the U16s and Intermediate sections took place while the Senior Schools competition was held the following weekend. Last year’s tournaments were rained off so it was a welcome relief for all the players that this year’s competitions went ahead as planned.

Twelve teams played on the first weekend – six teams in both the U16s and Intermediate categories. With one team pulling out at the last minute, players from Rugby and Princethorpe formed a team and, after playing outstandingly well, finished in second place in the U16s. Stowe fielded three teams in the same section, with Stowe Red coming out on top, Stowe Blue finishing third and

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Youth polo The grass-roots view The latest from Theresa Hodges, UK Pony Club Polo chair, in her regular column Wondrous summer Real polo weather at last and the first five Pony Club "friendly" tournaments at Epsom, Vaux, Taunton, Frampton and Suffolk completed in glorious sunshine – and with a good standard of polo at all levels. Please remember never to leave your pony without a bucket of water at tournaments and preferably park so your lorry or trailer offers some degree of shade.

The SUPA Schools players in front of the clubhouse at Dallas Burston Polo Club in June

Dallas Burston’s number one ground – the Red Ground. Marlborough College were the winners of Division One, taking home the National Schools Challenge Trophy and Rugby were victorious in Division Two. u S UPA National Schools Championships Results Intermediate (16 June 2013) 1st Dean Close 2nd Cheltenham College 3rd Radley Red 4th Radley White 5th St Bartholomews 6th Oakham/Stowe Under 16s (16 June 2013) 1st Stowe Red 2nd Rugby/Princethorpe 3rd Stowe Blue 4th Cheltenham College 5th Rugby 6th Stowe Green Senior Schools (23 June 2013) Division One 1st Marlborough College 2nd Sherborne 3rd Harrow 4th Bradfield College Division Two 1st Rugby 2nd Radley 3rd Langley 4th Felsted www.polotimes.co.uk

Radley were runners up in Division Two and took home the Malvern College Schools Polo Trophy. Thomas Townsend of Langley was named most promising player and was awarded the Polo Paramedics Rug as a prize. Bradfield College’s Joe Arber, whose team finished fourth in Division One, won a Polo Times best playing pony rug, which he shared with Matias Ballesteros, the Four Quarters polo manager.

RJ Polo sponsored both weekends and provided some very generous prizes, while Chukka Clothing donated goody bags for all the players. F Cheltenham College's Frankie Dent with the team's mascot Mimi

Looking forward to the main event The Pony Club Polo Committee (PCPC) is looking forward to seeing everyone through the season and particularly at The Pony Club and Junior HPA Championships at Cowdray. Please don't forget that this year the Gannon final will be played on Friday 9 August at 6pm so that everyone playing in all other sections, their parents and friends can watch the best U21 match for the coveted trophies.

We hope another benefit of this new timing will be that Sunday afternoon will end just a bit earlier than normal.

If you were a winner in 2012 please ensure your trophy is returned to a member of the PCPC before the Cowdray Championships start on 9 August.

Thank you to all the Branch and Section Managers who have worked so hard to put all the teams together. I am delighted to say that team numbers are holding up well so that competition will be tough in all sections of Pony Club and Junior HPA polo.

The Cowdray Championships will, yet again, be masterminded by Mike Smith and to whom we all owe a huge vote of thanks. Mike has been awarded a coveted Cubitt Award for his long, continuous and dedicated service to The Pony Club and we offer him many congratulations on this achievement.

I wish you every success at Cowdray: let the fun begin. w For a fascinating feature about what goes on behind the scenes at the Pony Club Polo Championships, see page 26-30

Polo Times, August 2013

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Youth polo

SUPA National University Championships, Offchurch Bury Polo Club

University stars shine once again in Warwickshire Harold Hodges inspired Exeter to another National title in the Open division while Reading and the University of London Unions also tasted success at Offchurch Bury during a packed weekend of action in mid-June

Kian Gheissari

Photographs by Peter James Photography

reports from Rugby

A

n impressive 93 teams from 24 universities from as far afield as Dublin and Edinburgh descended upon the picturesque grounds of Offchurch Bury Polo Club in the heart of Warwickshire, for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SUPA National University Championships.

Between midday on Friday 7 June and late afternoon two days later a truly remarkable 184 chukkas were played across the two grounds there. Enormous credit must be paid

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to the SUPA team and all those at Offchurch Bury Polo Club as well as the pony suppliers and umpires, without whom the tournament would be impossible.

The organisation that goes into it is certainly one feat, and the other is the quality of polo that is demonstrated by the huge number of enthusiastic students who play across a range of varying levels from Beginner 3 to the Open.

In the Beginner sections, a strong University of London Union side took the Division One title, while Birmingham B won the Beginner 2 section. Although they only had a meagre four weeks of polo experience behind them, the boys from Sandhurst produced a stunning

display of discipline, organisation and team work as they won the Beginners 3 title.

Reading retained the Novice 1 title, which they won last year, and although their line-up had changed, the team was just as strong. RCSI Dublin were rewarded for their endeavours in making the trip across the Irish Sea as they dominated the Novice 2 class, with their C team running out winners over RCSI D in a compelling final.

Numerous teams also fought it out across the Intermediate, Combined and Open Above and below: Eager spectators lined the sidelines at Offchurch Bury throughout the weekend

www.polotimes.co.uk

Junior HPA four-chukka league

Youth polo

Eton win inaugural four-chukka title Eton were too strong for Millfield with Seb Hancock and George Pearson proving great value for their handicaps

reports from Coworth Park

Eton Millfield sections. Echoing Reading’s achievement, Exeter valiantly defended their Open title as the 3-goal side ran out victors over a 2-goal Bristol team in a pulsating four chukka match.

Exeter’s Open team have been completely dominant over the past two years, having now won four national titles (arena and outdoor) on the trot. The indispensable Harold Hodges has been at the heart of much of their success, and the two-goaler duly picked up the MVP award for the second year running.

Entries may have been slightly down this year for various reasons, but the University

“The level of play has improved dramatically over the years” – Tessa Collet Championships have come an awfully long way since their initiation in 2004 when just 24 teams competed. The Chairman of Offchurch Bury Polo Club Tessa Collet was initially involved as a university player herself and now plays a central part of the organisation. She believes the tournament improves each year.

“The level of play has improved dramatically over the years and the students are (believe it or not) much better behaved!” she said. “There are more players playing in the higher level categories and with the introduction of SAPA it encourages old players to come back and support their university whilst being able to get stuck in themselves.” F w For coverage from the SUPA National Arena University Championships see the April issue www.polotimes.co.uk

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11 4

ith more and more schools including polo in their curriculum the HPA decided to organise a proper fourchukka championship during the summer term for which Camino Real of Argentina presented a trophy.

Ten schools entered and played each other in league matches to decide the semi-finalists, who were Millfield, Marlborough, Eton and Cheltenham.

The Beaufort Polo Club was the venue for the semi-finals, and unfortunately the weather for the appointed day was cold, wet and windy. Nevertheless both matches were of good quality. For Millfield Camilla Beresford and Tom Brodie combined excellently to establish a lead which Marlborough never pegged back. Cheltenham received 1½ goals on handicap from Eton, and still held a lead at half time. Only a fourth chukka goal rush decided the match in favour of Eton.

Guards Polo Club kindly gave their ground at Coworth Park for a final played in ideal conditions.

Millfield were heartened to discover that Eton’s Keeper of Polo, Vere Harmsworth, could not play because he was patronning the family team in the final of the Royal Windsor (which they won).

However, Jack Weatherby, the substitute, did an The Eton boys celebrate their victory over Millfield

u C amino Real HPA Four-Chukka League Result: Eton 11, Millfield 4 Number of team entries: 10 Finalists Eton (0): Henry Letts -1; Jack Weatherby -1; George Pearson 1; Sebastian Hancock 1 Millfield (-3): Charles Cooney -2; Will Penfold -1; Camilla Beresford 0; Tom Brodie 0

Photograph by Olly Hughes

Tony Emerson

excellent spoiling job at number two and the teamwork did not suffer.

Eton gave two goals on handicap but the early midfield play showed Millfield well up to the challenge. Only their inaccuracy in front of the posts and a spectacular under the neck goal from Henry Letts let Eton catch up. In the second chukka Sebastian Hancock was allowed a solo run from the Eton back line to take the lead.

The third chukka started with a spectacular tennis shot from Tom Brodie to save an Eton penalty, but then Millfield’s marking let them down. George Pearson and Sebastian Hancock were much quicker on the loose ball and very accurate. Eton had scored eight goals before Millfield got on the board with a penalty two.

With the match decided, the last chukka was a relaxed affair. Brodie finally scored a field goal while Pearson and Hancock both showed how under handicapped they are as the match finished Eton 11, Millfield 4. F

Youth polo

England 21 round-up, Norfolk and Dallas Burston

England 21s record two wins against the Aussies England’s young players showed great promise as they secured two Test Match victories against the Australian Colts

Photograph by Jane Collier

E

ngland Under 21s avenged their defeat to the Australian Colts earlier in the year with two Test Match victories in July. England 21s last faced their rivals from down under during a tour of Australia in April, where they won all three of their warmup matches but fell at the final hurdle, losing to the Colts in the main Test Match.

So the 8-goal team made up of Harold Hodges, Charlie Scott, Ed Winterton and Oscar Mathies had their sights set firmly on revenge when they took to the field at the Norfolk Polo Festival. They faced Luke Reid, Bingham Fitz-Henry, Scott Tonkin and Richard Curran, who had made the journey from Australia, and England ran out the winners 14-11½, after playing eight chukkas across the two-day festival.

Action from the Test Match between England 21s and Australia Colts at the Norfolk Polo Festival

With one victory already in the bag, England faced the Colts one week later at Dallas Burston Polo Club, in the first international match ever to be hosted by the Warwickshire club. Fielding a six-goal side of Charlie Scott, Joe Arber, Freddie Dear and captain Max Hutchinson, England began the match with a half-goal advantage on handicap and the team got off to a promising start.

Strong attacking and well-executed field goals

by Scott gave England a 3½-0 lead by the end of the first of four chukkas. This was quickly followed by a goal from Dear in the second.

But Australia rallied, with a converted penalty by captain Reid and three field goals bringing them back into contention.

However, the whistle went just in time for

“It was a fun match and we were delighted with the win” – England's Max Hutchinson

England to clinch the 4½-4 win and with it the Test Match series.

“Being 4-1 up probably made us a bit complacent towards the end, which allowed Australia to come back strongly,” admitted Hutchinson, who was named most valuable player. “It was a fun match and we were delighted with the win.” F w To find out how Young England got on against South America in the Suffolk Test Match, see page 36

Photograph by

England 21's captain and most valuable player Max Hutchinson with Freddie Dear at Dallas Burston

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Knowledge

Know your game

International Polo Academy – giving injury the elbow The jury is still out as to whether “tennis elbow” in polo players is caused by bad technique or whether it just happens to unlucky individuals. Osteopath Peter Horobin BSc (Hons) DO LFHom discusses the common injury I could have called it by its medical name ‘Lateral Epicondylitis’, but that probably wouldn’t have got your attention. If I wanted to be pedantic, I could have used the more accurate name for it, which is ‘common extensor tendinopathy’, or I could use the common lay term – tennis elbow. However, I will stick to medical name of epicondylitis, even though the “itis” part of the word is Greek for inflammation and we now know that the condition is not an inflammatory one.

Whatever we call it, it is important to have a general understanding of the condition as it can affect polo players too.

So what is lateral epicondylitis? It is a very common degenerative disorder of the tendon that attaches the extensor muscles of the forearm to the epicondyle bone at the elbow. Degeneration of the tendon is caused by repetitive use of these muscles.

The typical symptoms include lateral elbow pain, pain with wrist extension and weakened grip strength. You may develop it if you have been gripping the reins too hard or in your swinging arm, due to poor technique. Over-training or a change in equipment, such as a new mallet, may also cause the condition.

If it is a new minor injury then rest will probably suffice but if it persists then it may be beneficial to consult a sports doctor or a specialist manual therapist, such as an osteopath or physiotherapist for treatment.

If the condition is chronic (often termed a degenerative tendinopathy), then special ‘eccentric’ exercises may be prescribed to

Bandaged elbows like this can be a common sight among polo players the day after a match

surgery if conservative interventions fail.

There is also strong evidence to suggest that acupuncture is effective for short-term pain relief. Steroid injections can reduce pain, however they may cause unknown damage to the tendon cells and, as such, are becoming less popular.

A recent study found that clinical

Treatments for tennis elbow include massage, ultrasound, injections or surgery, if conservative interventions fail improve the tendon structure, reduce pain and speed up return to sport.

Other forms of treatment may include frictions (massage), ultrasound, injections (such as specialised blood injections) or 58

Polo Times, August 2013

outcomes in a group of patients treated with steroid injections for lateral epicondyle pain were worse after one year when compared to the placebo group.

This suggests that steroid injections may

cause more damage in the long term.

As well as seeking treatment, it would also be beneficial to analyse your technique and training schedule to determine the possible cause of the problem. If, for example, you grip the mallet too firmly or overextend your wrist whilst swinging, a good coach with a keen eye should be able to spot this problem and alter it accordingly.

They may also choose to give video feedback with the use of video analysis software, such as Dartfish, which would aid in training analysis. F

w To find out more about this topic of tennis elbow or to get your technique analysed: dartfish@ipapolo.com www.polotimes.co.uk

Know your game

Knowledge

Prevent injury by using the best equipment on offer Osteopath Peter Horobin BSc (Hons) DO LFHom discusses how elbow pain can often be avoided with the use of appropriate equipment lead to altered biomechanics of the upper extremity, placing uneven stress and strain on it.

Using the correct equipment can also help you after you have sustained an elbow injury.

they may be uncomfortable to wear and can impact on the swing due to the restrictive nature of some of the brands.

Forearm strap brace Forearm strap braces may be useful for conditions such as tennis or golfers elbow as they reduce the pressure that the muscle exerts on the elbow tendons. For fast pain relief, a wrist splint can also be used to immobilise the wrist thus enabling the forearm muscles to relax.

Flexible gloves Flexible gloves that have a good fit are also an essential part of any rider’s protective gear. If they are too loose and lack grip, the player may be required to grasp the mallet tighter which will inevitably fatigue the forearm muscles quicker and potentially predispose that player to an overuse injury.

An incorrect grip size on the mallet will also

Taping Practitioners may apply different types of tape to the injured area, such as Kinesio Tape. The aim is to reduce the tension of the surrounding muscles and minimise inflammation. It can also be used to support tendons and ligaments. Due to the increasing public awareness of Kinesio Taping (partly fuelled by the recent

Olympics), some practitioners have started using the taping method on patients despite a lack of formal training in it. It is therefore important that you check a practitioner’s qualifications prior to an initial consultation.

Prevention is better than cure – therefore injury preventative measures, such as protective equipment, should be used by all players. If you are unfortunate enough to sustain an injury, then selecting the correct recovery aid will depend on the type and severity of injury and as such it may be best to seek advice prior to use. w To find out more about this topic email: dartfish@ipapolo.com

International Polo Academy (IPA) works with clubs, teams and players around the world to help improve the level of service, performance and enjoyment of the sport. IPA provides an exclusive column for Polo Times every month discussing fitness, nutrition, psychology and technique

Playing tips with Rege Ludwig – a stable hitting platform Each month, renowned polo coach Rege Ludwig gives his expert advice about how to get more out of your game The stability of the hitting platform is seldom a concern of polo players.

However, stability is of such significance when hitting the ball that I consider it to be a worthy topic for this month’s training tip.

In a hitting analysis study conducted by Polo Training Foundation Canada, eight players, rated from one to eight goals, hit approximately 200 balls, with close to 90% of those hits displaying a measurable degree of www.polotimes.co.uk

instability. Those numbers would not be so significant if they were related to players rated -2 to 1 goal. However, when you realise that players rated between three and eight goals were part of that group, the study becomes more significant. The truth is, instability of hitting platform is a negative factor for all handicap levels.

One of the major factors related to a stable hitting platform is a strong upper leg grip. That’s true because your upper legs are your strongest source of gripping for the purpose of attaching yourself securely to your horse. An analogy I use to describe that process

is: “Bolt Through The Knees”.

To maximize the security and stability of your hitting platform, grip your horse as though there is a bolt running through your knees holding your upper legs onto your horse’s shoulders. Any lesser degree of gripping pressure at any point within the hitting process will cause a proportionate loss of hitting platform stability, thus increasing the chances of a mishit. w Rege Ludwig is a world renowned polo coach and author of “Polo in the 21st Century” Polo Times, August 2013

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Photograph by IPA

Elbow guards Due to the physical nature of polo, elbow guards are very beneficial in reducing traumatic damage from hard ride-offs.

However, they are not always favoured as

Knowledge

Know your horse

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

A pain in the back Back pain is a common problem in horses and can be a big issue for many polo players.

But equally, a surprising number of players are often not aware that their horses may have sore backs.

Polo players who are aware of back pain often turn to a physical or alternative therapist to deal with the problem. Quite often they get a result from the treatment and although the horse might not be fixed, a solution is found that satisfies the player. Although few people do not know it, only veterinary surgeons are legally empowered to investigate a clinical problem such as a sore back. A vet may then utilise the help of a registered paraprofessional such as a physiotherapist, osteopath, or chiropractor to rehabilitate the horse.

As with humans who suffer back pain, it isn’t always easy to understand the cause and to treat a horse with a sore back. However, the fundamentals of getting to the bottom of

Photograph by Mark Emerson

A surprising number of players are often not aware their horses have sore backs a horse with back pain are no different from investigating and treating a horse that is lame.

The symptoms of back pain can be variable and include a general loss of performance, dipping when mounting, bunny-hopping when warming up (a so called “cold back”), lack of impulsion from the hind quarters, favouring one leg over another at canter, a disunited canter and so on. Often one can palpate a horse’s back to detect a region of back pain, although there can be marked variation in the sensitivity of different individuals.

If back pain is apparent or suspected, a vet will be able to carry out a thorough examination, which may include palpation, watching the horse move in hand and watching the horse ride under saddle. Although in the first instance more advanced diagnostics are not often employed in polo ponies due to 60

Polo Times, August 2013

A polo pony with kissing spines being treated with shockwave therapy by a vet

financial and time constraints, nerve blocks, X-rays and ultrasound scans can be used to diagnose and assess back pain.

Causes of back pain are numerous and, just like in people, some individuals seem to be more prone than others, possibly because of their anatomy. Poor riding and overweight jockeys may well result in back pain, as will poorly fitting or broken saddles. Lack of fitness and poor muscle condition are also risk factors.

From a more clinical perspective, there may be an underlying ailment such spondylosis, arthritis of the vertebral facet joints, kissing

spines or ligament damage. Skin infections are a particularly common cause of sore backs in polo ponies and tend to result from the rubbing of poorly-fitting tack and poor grooming.

There may well be problems elsewhere in the horse such as sore hock joints that result in secondary back pain.

Due to the numerous causes of back pain, there are also numerous treatments. More often than not treatments are employed without having a specific diagnosis of the cause. Sometimes a good response to a treatment may in itself confirm the suspected www.polotimes.co.uk

Know your horse

Knowledge

Lorna Edgar – specialist equine nutritionist

Have your ponies lost any top line? balancer or increasing the quantity of cubes/ mix being fed would be preferable.

Also keep an eye on the quality of the forage being given. Poor quality forage, or not enough forage, will not provide adequate amounts of proteins to complement hard feed. Forage analysis can be a great tool if you feel your forage is the missing link when feeding correct quantities of hard feed.

During the second half of the season many ponies begin to lose their “top line” muscle.

Some may think this is acceptable as it’s nearly the end of the season, however, I feel it indicates an unbalanced diet that is lacking good quality proteins, which are essential for the building and maintenance of muscle. For polo ponies, I feel the maintenance of the top line is essential to performance.

How can we maintain it?

A balanced diet is the key. Ensure a balanced ration is fed and that the correct quantities of feed (as per manufacturers’ recommendations) are being given for the work being asked. If energy levels are adequate and you don’t want to feed any more hard feed then use a balancer to increase protein levels. If you are adding oats to increase energy levels, it is worth bearing in mind that they are deficient in good quality proteins so will unbalance the ration. Adding a

Is it not down to correct work?

Yes, it is that, but you cannot build muscle if

the proteins to build it are not being received – think of human body builders and their protein shakes.

This helpful diagram (above) shows how your ponies top line is meant to look

Case study: Top line Happy, a broodmare, is first pictured on 15 September when she lacked top line (photo one left). After being fed conditioning cubes and Baileys Outshine she was photographed again just four weeks later on 20 October, having put on a considerable amount of condition, despite not being in work (photo two - right). w Contact Lorna Edgar of Baileys Horse Feeds on lorna@baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk and 07808 863864 cause, although it is worth pointing out that a horse may respond favourably to a treatment even if it is not targeting the actual cause of the problem. Most people enjoy a good massage and benefit from it in some way even if there is a more fundamental cause to their back pain.

Drugs such as anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants may be prescribed by your vet. In certain circumstances your vet may chose to inject potent anti-inflammatories and neurolytic agents directly into the back or into joints such as those between vertebral facets or the sacroiliac joints. Mesotherapy involves www.polotimes.co.uk

the injection of low doses of steroids into the back, which is thought to affect subcutaneous nerves and indirectly produce a painkilling effect. Shockwave therapy is a relatively new modality employed by vets to treat back pain of various origins and there are now a number of studies that show its effectiveness. Some conditions such as kissing spines ultimately may require surgery to physically remove the tops of the spines that are rubbing against each other. A new surgical treatment, which appears to be successful when treating kissing spines, involves cutting the ligaments that

connect the spines that are rubbing against each other. Physical therapy by a registered paraprofessional such as a physiotherapist, osteopath, or chiropractor may well prove useful, particularly as part of a rehabilitation programme, which may include strengthening exercises to build up muscle and improve core stability. F wM ark Emerson works as an ambulatory equine vet based near Ascot and has polo clients across the south of England: tel 07973 800383 or email mark@emersonequine.com Polo Times, August 2013

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Knowledge

Ones to watch

Jason Warren is hoping to repeat his high-goal success in Sotogrande this month, writes Polly Bryan

Photographs by Kian Gheissari and Kate Gibbons

Jason Warren made his mark on the European high-goal scene when he was asked to play in the place of Ayala’s patron Inigo Zobel in the semifinal and final of the high-goal Silver Cup in Sotogrande in 2012. The team beat Lechuza Caracas in the final to give Jason a win in his first high-goal tournament. This followed the success

of Jason’s team in the medium-goal section, as he won both the Bronze and Silver Cups alongside Seven Sevens teammates Dmitry Vozianov, Martin Iturraspe and Nicolas Espain.

With his handicap raised to one in last year’s end-of-season changes, Jason has been invited to return to Sotogrande this August, to play in the high-goal alongside Pascual Sainz De Vicuna, Diego Cavanagh and Tomás Garcia del Rio for Dos Lunas-Hola. The 22-year-old will certainly be looking to repeat last year’s success.

Jason was introduced to the sport aged 11, in the Grafton Pony Club. He worked his way through the Pony Club sections, triumphing in the Handley Cross, Loriner and Langford divisions and finishing third in the Gannon at the Pony Club Championships in 2011. He now plays at Cheshire Polo Club and has also enjoyed success in low and medium-goal tournaments, winning the coveted Assam Cup at Rutland Polo Club in 2011 with Bob’s Music and playing for Jonathan Munro Ford’s Black Eagles side in this year’s 12-goal John Prestwich Trophy at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club.

Jason’s attention over the last few months has been working for the final year of his Business degree at Bristol UWE. But with a credible 2:1 now under his belt, and a career in polo in his sights, Jason is now focused on getting match-ready and bringing on his string of young ponies for Spain.

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Gete Chupin, aka Payaso We talk to Longdole-based zero-goaler David Gibbons about his favourite pony Payaso, who he will be playing in the Loriner section of the Pony Club Polo Championships this month How long have you had him and who did you buy him from?

We have owned him for 18 months, and bought him from Diego Richini at El Metejon. I had been playing him regularly in Argentina and we really clicked together. Diego says everyone has a ‘special’ horse that lifts their game, and Payaso is mine.

What is his background?

He was bred by the Tanoiras, and Diego bought him as a youngster. He was being played by Facundo Castagnola before we bought him. Facundo helps me a lot with my polo when I’m in Argentina. Payaso spent the first seven years in Argentina and then came to a very wet and cold England last April which was probably a bit of a shock!

What are his strengths?

His stamina, manoeuvrability and his turn of speed.

Does he have any weaknesses or quirky character traits?

Not to any great extent. He’s a lovely pony to have around the place as well as to play.

Height: 15.2hh Age: 9 Colour: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Breed: Argentine Sire: Gete Galgo Dam: Chispa Owner: Kate Gibbons

Why is he such a favourite?

He is my fastest pony, my sharpest, my all round best playing pony. He is also incredibly easy on the yard and sweet to spend time with.

Is he easy to look after?

Very. Except he does have a habit of untying the most complicated knots and taking himself off to inspect the yard if left to his own devices!

What have you played him in?

Everything from 0-12 goal in England, including Pony Club, and even higher in Argentina.

Has he won any best playing pony prizes?

No, none of my ponies ever do!

What will you be playing him in this year?

He will be doing Pony Club with me as well as normal club polo. I did the Prince of Wales 12goal on him at the Beaufort, and will be doing the Wichenford 8-goal with him after Cowdray Park, all being well.

What are your plans for him for the future?

To stop my mum or my sister stealing him I think!

Would you ever sell him?

Never, not for a million dollars! w See page 26 for more on Pony Club polo www.polotimes.co.uk

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Sidelines

Gossip

Congrats to Tristan and Jemma Members of the polo community turned out in force for the wedding of Jemma Tuomey and Tristan Phillimore, which took place at Shiplake Church, Henley-on-Thames on 1 June.

Ben Vestey acted as best man for the happy couple, with daughter Sophie Vestey being a bridesmaid. Other guests included James Beim, JP and Nina Clarkin, Tamara Fox, Guy Schwarzenbach and Dave Allen.

Tristan and Jemma followed up their wedding with a honeymoon to the Okavango Delta Horse Safari in Botswana as well as some time spent on the beach on Benguerra Island, Mozambique.

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

Iris joins the Hurtwood family Congratulations to Hurtwood Park zero-goaler Nick Alun-Jones and his wife Karina, who are celebrating the birth of their daughter Iris Eve Alun-Jones. Iris was born at 8.30am on 3 July, weighing in at 7lbs 8oz. She is the couple’s first daughter, and a new sister for six-year-old Zachary and four-year-old Finn.

Showjumper tries polo The current leader of the Longines Global Champions Tour, German showjumper Christian Ahlmann, also developed a taste for polo during the Chantilly leg of the tour.

Ahlmann played his first chukka at Chantilly Polo Club alongside Argentine nine-goaler Pancho Bensadon and showjumpers Richard Spooner, Philippe Rozier and Simon Delestre. Seven-goaler Tito Guinazu and French five-goaler Brieuc Rigaux were also on hand to give help and advice. Ahlmann called it “an amazing experience”.

It was back to business later that day, however, as Ahlmann and Codex One finished second in the Grand Prix Global Champions Tour.

Wills sports polo belt as he introduces royal baby to the world All eyes were on Prince William at the end of July as he presented his new baby son, HRH Prince George of Cambridge, to the world. But the more eagle-eyed polo people out there may have also noticed that Wills was sporting a polo belt for the occasion.

To get some of the future king’s waist style for yourself, see www.pampeano.co.uk.

66 Polo Times, August 2013

www.polotimes.co.uk

Gossip

Sidelines

Chris Hyde sleeps easy on Sports Therapy mattress Six-goaler Chris Hyde has become the new face of the Sports Therapy mattress from Vogue Beds.

The mattress is designed to help with therapeutic sleep. It includes a special mesh border designed to help air flow, which is needed to keep the body at the optimum temperature for sleep. It also alleviates pressure points and helps soothe aches and pains. “I’ve really noticed how comfortable the Sports Therapy mattress from Vogue Beds is,” Chris said. “It has helped me sleep well after a long day’s exercising and playing.”

For more information visit www.sportstherapymattress.co.uk.

Duff races to Newbury win on polo pony A charity polo race was held at Newbury Racecourse on 19 July, with nine polo players and ponies going head-to-head over five furlongs. Zero-goaler Thady Duff, who has also ridden in three point-to-points to date, was first past the post, aboard the 10-year-old bay mare Britches.

He was closely followed by Becky Blandford in second and Matt Simpson in third.

The prizes were presented by champion trainer Nicky Henderson, who is also an ambassador for Starlight, a charity which grants wishes for seriously and terminally ill children, as well as providing entertainment in hospitals and hospices across the UK. The race raised more than £130,000 for the charity.

The Westchester Cup is no picnic England captain Luke Tomlinson and the USA’s Nic Roldan temporarily put their polo rivalry aside to enjoy some very civilised tea and cakes in the run-up to the biggest international clash of the year – the Westchester Cup, held at Guards Polo Club on 28 July.

See next month’s Polo Times for a full report

Kate scoops glamorous trip to El Remanso Kate Gibbons was lucky enough to win a trip to the El Remanso estancia in Argentina, thanks to the hard work of her children David and Tamara. They teamed up with Lochie Hunter and Austin Clarke for Cherry White Consulting to win the 4-goal Argentine Challenge at Longdole Polo Club. As nonplaying patron, Kate will enjoy a holiday at El Remanso, which she plans to take in the autumn.

Look-a-likes

George Meyrick and Ryan Gosling www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, August 2013 67

Sidelines

Goodwood’s Lord and Lady March with their family

Penny Smith

Eliza Pearson

Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup final; Cowdray Park Polo Club; 21 July 2013

Golden gathering An estimated 15,000 spectators turned out for this year’s Gold Cup final at Cowdray Park, with the VIPs being treated to hospitality by long-standing titlesponsors Veuve Clicquot. Special guests including chef Raymond Blanc and TV presenter Penny Smith joined Lord Cowdray at the West Sussex club as Zacara lifted the famous trophy.

Lord and Lady Cowdray

Jodie Kidd and son Indio

Prince Albert Esiri and Charles Fraser

w Photographs by Clive Bennett

Hon Lucy Fraser, Emerald and Iona Fraser and Charles and Nicky Reed

Charlotte Olympia Dellal Patrick Grant with his girlfriend

Hon Charles Pearson and son George Pearson Lila Pearson and Charlie Gordon Watson

Carinthia Pearson and Lanto Sheridan

68

Raymond Blanc with his fiancée

Chris Bischofer, Harry Baron, Richard Austin-Rees and Darrel McCarthy

Fran Bowler, Blaine Wood and Jade Berry

Janey Grace

Asahi British Beach Polo Championships; Sandbanks beach, Poole, UK; 12-13 July 2013

Summer on Sandbanks The renowned Sandbanks beach was blessed with warm sunshine and blue skies for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s British Beach Polo Championships. Aside from the polo, guests were treated to international standard volleyball and an entertaining fashion show, but it was once the sun went down that the real party started. Cocoloco hosted an impressive line-up of DJs on the Friday night, and Amika raised the roof with its closing party on the Saturday that had guests dancing well into the early hours.

Ilze Riekstina and Rhiannon Duffin

w Photographs by Polly Bryan and Paul Froud

Nasreen El- Mariesh, Caron Khan and Trudy Brewer

Spectators gather on Sandbanks beach Roy Prisk on the catwalk Spectators were treated to volleyball as well as polo

Debbie Robson, Estelle Adams, Jackie Cross and Louise Hayes The England side: Charlie Wooldridge, Jack Kidd and Roy Prisk

Morgan Brown, Tom Horsfield and Hannah Dicker

Ani James, Vanessa Bird, Richard Austin-Rees and Sarah Austin-Rees

69

The models getting ready backstage Neil Hobday, Tatlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tibbs Jenkins and Enrico Roselli Florencia Cavalieri and Becky Simpson

La Martina Fashion Show; Guards Polo Club, Surrey; 28 July 2013

Models dazzle at Guards La Martina held a fashion show in June, introducing their Spring/Summer 2013 collection. Following the show, guests watched the semi-finals of the Archie David Cup while enjoying an afternoon tea and champagne. w Photographs by Images of Polo

Neil Hobday and daughter Isabel

Henry Conway and Lucy Freedman

Katie Readman and Jonathan Munro Ford 70

Malcolm Borwick and Enrico Roselli

Sidelines

Agatha Herrero and Oliver Winter

Alexandra Douglas and her son Robin

The view from the sidelines

Engel & Voelkers Polo Cup; Port d’es Canonge, Majorca; 13 July 2013

Marvellous Majorca Konstantin Wettig with Anne and Moritz Krossa

More than 600 guests, following the “summery white” dress code, attended the Engel & Voelkers Polo Cup, held at Christian Voelkers stunning private estate in Majorca. Ponies were shipped over from Spain and Germany for the event and had to be ridden to the estate, which is inaccessible to lorries. Team Bentley were the overall winners. w Photographs by TOM SOLO INT

Christian and Ninon Voelkers

The glamorous hospitality area

Christopher Kirsch

Gaston Maiquez

Countess Josefine Hardenberg and Pip Klipken

Christian Philipp Voelkers and Dagmar Viereck Johann Voelkers and Cynthia Russo Christian Voelkers and Bradley Marr

Annelie Voelkers and Kaethe Herr Jose Luis Barreto, Bolko Kissling and Caspar Craseman

71

Isabella Staveley O’Duffy, George Meyrick and Vishwaraj Singh Bhati

Mr Alastair Laurie-Walker and Lord Chelsea

Marissa and Matt Hermer

British Polo Day; Black Bears River Ground, Berkshire; 29 July 2013

British elegance

Jo Renwick

More than 400 VIP guests turned out for British Polo Day held at Urs Schwarzenbach’s Black Bears polo grounds. Following lunch, The Commonwealth defeated the British Exiles in the Charity Polo Cup and Eton won the Hackett Cronan Trophy. “Gin and jazz” and an asado followed in the evening.

Henrietta Frost and Sarah Herring Princess Anna zu OettingenWallerstein, HH Maharaja of Jodhpur Gaj Singh and Miss Yoanna Otto

Lord Clifton Wrottesley, The Hon Tristan Phillimore, Nick Dann, HH Maharaja of Jodhpur Gaj Singh, Urs Schwarzenbach, Guy Schwarzenbach and Ben Vestey

Charlie Mills and Hum Flemming Abercrombie & Kent hot air balloon

Mrs Natalie Lord and Mr Philip Lord Mr Zaeem Jamal and Miss Shazia Jamal

Olivia Christau 72

Paul Kay and Tom Hudson

Ms Vanessa Arelle and Harvey Newton-Hydon

Sidelines

Lord Clifton Wrottesley and Sam Churchill

Nina Lussi and Danielle Lussi

Bobby Dundas has his boots polished

British Polo Day; Wallerstein Polo Club, Germany; 6 July 2013

Bavarian delights Prince Carl-Eugen zu OettingenWallerstein hosted a British Polo Day at his club in July. Guests enjoyed a Bavarian brunch, polo, a Land Rover experience and a black-tie dinner.

GAM British Exiles : Bobby Dundas, Lord Clifton Wrottesley, George Fox and Tristan Phillimore

w Photographs by Samuel Churchill

Prince and Princess Schaumburg-Lippe

Charlie Hanbury and Miss Yoanna Otto

The teams that participated

Mauro Bergonzoli and Franziska Countess Fugger von Babenhausen

Tom Hudson, Joe Mcloughlin, Edward Craig and Neil Bugler

Herbert Wigwe, Gbenga Oyebode, Aigboje AigImoukhuede and HH Sheikha Maitha Mohammed Al Maktoum

Access Bank Cup; Ham Polo Club; 29 June 2013

High-goal at Ham

Victor Etuokwu, Kemi Elegbede, Kunle Elegbede and Roosevelt Ogbonna Herbert Wigwe speaks with Adolfo Cambiaso

Top players including Adolfo Cambiaso, David “Pelon Stirling and Pablo MacDonough took part in the Access Bank Cup in June, held at Ham Polo Club.

Ernest Ndukwe, Tunde Folawiyo, Jamie Simmonds with a player

Teams JP Morgan (in white) and winners Fit for Polo

Ladies’ Sugar Bowl Trophy; Blueys Polo Club; June 2013

Sweet things Fit for Polo won the Ladies’ Sugar Bowl Trophy, defeating JP Morgan 8-5. Lucy Bowman was named MVP. w Photographs by Kianga Kaute

Subsidiary winners Angry Birds (in black) and runners-up Blueys Nell Jacob and Lucy Sones

Stuart Craig

73

Polo directory

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 – 01403 741007 Lacey Green – 07956 525222 Park Lane – 07976 242877* Ranelagh Farm – 01344 885697 RMAS – 07766 924101 Royal County of Berkshire – 01344 890060 * Sussex Polo – 01342 714920 * West Wycombe – 07841 597045 * White Waltham – 07748 670587

East Apsley End – 01462 712444 * Cambridge & Newmarket – 07769 976781 (back 2013) Carlton House – 01986 892231 Frolic Farm – 01223 812922 Haggis Farm – 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 * Lynt – 07957 468220 * Lytchett Heath – 01202 623985 Maywood – 01962 885500 * New Forest – 02380 811818 Taunton – 01823 480460 Tidworth – 01980 846705 * Vaux Park – 07703 524613 * West Somerset – 01884 251632

Midlands Dallas Burston – 01926 811111 Offchurch Bury – 07816 830887 Leadenham – 01400 272885 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 * Stewarton – 07974 706045

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

74 Polo Times, August 2013

What’s on in August UK and Ireland tournament highlights High Goal

Cowdray Park – Cowdray Challenge (15-18): 15 July – 4 August Cirencester Park – Warwickshire Cup (17-22): 23 July – 11 August

Druids Lodge – Emerson Trophy (1-2): 24-25 August White Waltham – Carlitos Polo Bronze 3 Day Tournament (2-4): 24-26 August

Medium Goal

West Wycombe Park – Ladies’ Charity Festival (Open): 10-11 August St Albans – Polo for Pensioners (UK vs The Rest of the World): 17 August Vaux Park – Sponsors Weekend (Open): 17-18 August Taunton – Ethiopian Shield (Open): 31 August – 1 September

Cowdray Park – Harrison Cup (12-15): 22 July – 3 August RCBPC – Tally Ho Polo Festival (7-10): 29 July – 10 August Guards – Duke of Wellington (6-12): 30 July – 11 August Coworth Park – Valerie Halford Memorial Trophy (8-12): 6-26 August Cirencester Park – National 15 Goal (12-15): 12-25 August Guards – Duke of Cornwall (12-16): 13-25 August Cirencester Park – Cheltenham Cup (8-12): 27 August – 8 September

Low Goal Cowdray Park – Holden White (4-8): 19 July – 4 August RCBPC – Tally Ho Polo Festival (-2-2): 29 July – 10 August Taunton – Houldsworth Cup (2-6): 30 July – 4 August Sussex – Terence Lent Trophy (-2-2): 3-4 August West Wycombe Park – Countryside Cup (-6 – -2): 3-4 August Kirtlington Park – Budgett Everett Trophy (2-6): 6-18 August Beaufort – Wichenford Bowl (4-8): 9-26 August Cambridge County – Fen Tiger Tournament (0-4): 10-11 August Tidworth – King’s Royal Hussars’ Cup (0-3): 10-11 August White Rose – Yorkshire Open (-8 – -1): 10-11 August Ham – Roehampton Cup (6-8): 13-25 August Cheshire – Farewell Cup (0-2): 17-18 August Cirencester Park – Kingscote Cup (2-6): 20 August – 7 September Edgeworth – Last Days of the Raj (0-4): 22-25 August

Open

Youth Hurtwood Park – Jorrocks Championships (Open): 7 August Cowdray Park – Audi Pony Club Polo Championships (Open): 9-11 August Cowdray Park – Colts Cup (Open): 13-15 August Kirtlington Park – Alan Budgett (Open): 17 August Ham – Stagshead Trophy (Open): 18 August Rutland – England Colts vs Scottish Colts (Open): 21 August Cheshire – SUPA Home National Cup (Open): 24-25 August

Combined Services Tidworth – Sasson Cup (Army vs RAF) (Open): 3 August Tidworth – AGC Cup (Open): 26 August

Ladies RCBPC – Polo Festival Ladies (Open): 29 July – 10 August Kirtlington Park – Thorneloe Ladies’ Tournament (Open): 10 August White Rose – Ladies’ Tournament (Open): 25 August Dundee – Ladies’ Cup (0-4): 31 August – 1 September For a full list of all the tournaments see www.polotimes.co.uk

For the latest news, fixtures and results from all of these tournaments, visit:

www.polotimes.co.uk

www.polotimes.co.uk

Dates for your diary

Overseas highlights France

Ibiza

Deauville – Gold Cup (14-16): 3-25 August Deauville – Silver Cup (14-16): 3-24 August St Tropez – Côte d’Azur Polo Cup (8-12, 0-6): 8-18 August St Tropez – St Tropez Polo Open (Open): 8-25 August Deauville – Bronze Cup (6-8): 12-24 August Deauville – Beauty Ladies’ Cup (Open): 8-11 August

Ibiza – Ibiza Style Polo Cup (4-8): 9-11 August Ibiza – European Ladies’ Championships (1016): 14-18 August

Germany

USA

Berlin – German High Goal Championships (8-12): 17-18 August Düsseldorf – German Medium Goal Championships (2-6): 23 August – 1 September

Santa Barbara – USPA Piaget Silver Cup (20): 4-11 August Santa Barbara – USPA Bombardier Pacific Coast Open (20): 18 August – 1 September

Switzerland Gstaad – Hublot Gold Cup (14-16): 15-18 August Veytay – Jaeger-LeCoultre Polo Masters (6-8): 21 August – 1 September

Polo directory

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Other dates Doncaster – August Sales: 6-7 August Brightwells, Ascot – Ascot Bloodstock Sales: 27 August Doncaster – Premier Sales: 27-28 August

TV highlights on Horse & Country TV (Sky 280) 4 August, 1am: Royal Windsor Cup final 2011 4 August, 2am: Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup final 2011 4 August, 3am: Coronation Cup 2011 (England vs Brazil) 4 August, 4am: Sotogrande high goal highlights 2011 10 August, 2am: Cartier Queen’s Cup final 2012 (repeated 31 August) 10 August, 3am: Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup final 2012 (repeated 31 August) 10 August, 4am: Coronation Cup 2012 (England vs South Africa) (repeated 31 August) 10 August, 5am: Sotogrande high goal highlights 2012 24 August, 1am: Argentine Open 2012 (La Dolfina vs Magual) 24 August, 2am: Argentine Open 2012 (Pilará vs Alegria) 24 August, 3am: Argentine Open 2012 (Ellerstina vs La Aguada Las Monjitas) 24 August, 4am: Argentine Open 2012 (La Aguada vs La Natividad) 24 August, 5am: Argentine Open 2012 (Alegria vs La Dolfina) 25 August, 1am: Argentine Open 2012 (La Aguada vs La Aguada Las Monjitas) 25 August, 2am: Argentine Open 2012 (La Natividad vs Ellerstina) 25 August, 3am: Argentine Open 2012 (La Dolfina vs Pilará) 25 August, 4am: Argentine Open 2012 (La Aguada vs Ellerstina) 25 August, 5am: Argentine Open final 2012 (La Dolfina vs Ellerstina)

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Umpires Corner answer

www.polotimes.co.uk

Rule 1b(iv) in the Blue Book (Team and Players; Leaving the Field) stipulates that a players may not leave the field of play during the course of a chukka without the permission of the umpire except to change pony, to change a stick or for a legitimate run-off.

*excluding VAT

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Polo Times, August 2013 75

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His Dam, Forrest, played for Ellerston in the UK. His full sister, Sativa, owned and played by Sapo Caset in the UK 2010 Gold Cup winning team, won best playing pony in the 2011 USPA 26 goal Piaget Gold Cup and went on to excel in the Argentine Open in December 2012.

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Polo Times, August 2013 77

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Polo Times, August 2013 79

Polo directory

Classifieds

Ponies SEVEN SUBERB HORSES **MUST GO** PRO GIVING UP Seven awesome horses for sale. Three machines for high goal (history with La Bamba), three are good and super easy - SO much fun for medium goal.

One youngster playing its first chukkas. MUST SELL as pro giving up so very competitive price.

Cirencester/ £2,500 to £15,000. Tel: 07713 466123 15.2HH ARGENTINE 11 YEARS OLD chestnut Gelding.

A real good sort has played up to 12 goal with patron. Other ponies for sale www. pharmapoloponies.com £6,500. Windsor. Tel: 07771 852871 AWESOME EXELLERSTON GELDING 15.2HH TB played from Langford to 18 goal with patron. A true master of his game, sound, fit, dependable. 17 years old will suit rising pony club star or handy patron. Strong price reflects awesome ability and quality. Gloucestershire. £4,250 ono. Tel: 07860 906032 INCREDIBLE GREY MARE AT TOP OF HER GAME 14.3HH 11 years old, Grey TB Argentine mare. Intelligent, brave, strong, responsive, fast. Truly gives her all. Played from Surtees to 12 goal with young 0 goal player.

Gloucestershire. £7,750. Tel: 07860 906032 VERY HANDY MARE 14.2HH 14 years old, Argentine mare. Very solid–loves the ride off – but still extremely agile and nippy. Never strong.

Easily a stand out pony for patron/young player alike.

Gloucestershire. £6,500 ono. Tel: 07860 906032 PONIES FOR SALE AS OWNER GIVING UP 15.2hh chestnut gelding. Very easy, delight to

80 Polo Times, August 2013

play. 14 years old. £3000. 15.2hh NZ bay mare.

Easy in every way. 19 years old. £1,500. Both fit and playing. 4 year old beginner 14.3hh, nice project. £1,500. Cambridge. Tel: 07711 079089

played medium goal and Pony Club, ready to go next level, handy and powerful. Gelding in second season, will be quality polo pony. £5,000 - £8,000. Henley. Tel: 07887 538843

THREE SUPERB POLO PONIES FOR SALE Three Fantastic ponies for sale, played Pony Club, medium/high goal. Fit and ready to play, fast and very handy. Will suit all abilities. Dorset. £2,500 - £7,000. Call Jamie – 07886 959256

CHISPA 14.3hh, 13 years old mare, currently playing up to 8 goal this season, played by -1 Pony Club girl and 2 goal pro. Very sharp and powerful little pony. Vaux Park. £4,500. Contact Stevie McCraith on 07833182217

15.2HH 13 YEAR OLD BAY MARE FOR SALE - FANTASTIC PONY Sharp, powerful mare, very fast. Will play anything up to medium goal – perfect for patron/pro. Easy to do, box, clip, shoe etc, and will double chukka if necessary. Brilliant pony - sad sale due to university commitments in September. Fit and playing – can be tried at pitch near Winchester. £7,500. Tel: 07738 005804

THREE BRILLIANT 12 YEAR OLDS 15.3hh Appaloosa gelding solid double chukka pony (£4,500) 15.1hh chestnut mare needs competent light rider, awesome speed, agility (£4,500) 14.2hh dun/white gelding total machine (£5,500).

Sussex. Tel: 07889 365757

14HH 9/10 YEAR OLD ARGENTINE MARE Would suit pony club/lightweight adult. Quiet enough for beginner but will also do more if asked. Hacks out, good to stick and ball, clip etc.

Very reluctantly for sale as moving up a gear. Fit and playing. SW Wilts/North Dorset. £6,000 ono.

Tel: 07818 455054 15.2HH ARGENTINE SCHOOL MISTRESS Would suit pony club/adult. 15 years old, quiet enough for beginner but also plays 4 goal at the moment. Played Loriner, playing Rendell this year.

Easy in anyway very reluctant sale, as moving up. Can be seen playing at Longdole Polo Club or Pony Club friendlies. Gloucestershire. £4,750 ono. Tel: 07778 374595 STUNNING 4 YEAR OLD Stunning young Argentinean x 4 year old mare. Stick and balling. Beautiful temperament and nature and is progressing quickly in her training. £3,000.

Tetbury, Glos. Tel: 07894166007 or 07553 972309 ARGI BAY MARE 15.1hh. 16 years old. Very handy, bold, fast and strong. Double chukkas.

Fantastic pony that I have owned for 10 years, I’m now giving up. Pangbourne, Berkshire. £2,500.

Tel: 07970 841490 15.2HH ARGENTINE DARK BAY MARE 10 years old, super easy. Solid double chukka patron pony. Strong in ride offs. Good weight carrier.

Hertfordshire. £6,500. Tel: 07825 170313 TWO SUPERB POLO PONIES FOR SALE Seven year old mare/gelding. Both 15.3hh. Mare

STUNNING BLACK ARGI MARE 15.3hh talented horse, ex high goal. Amazing pace and stamina. Never tires. Needs pro/strong rider to get the best from her. Fit, sound 100% handle/ travel etc. £3000. Cheshire. Tel: 07891 760786 EXPERIENCED POLO PONY FOR SALE 13 year old, experienced and reliable mare to suit all levels. Done everything, high/medium goal, Pony Club. 15.1hh. Great for beginner or old hand.

Offchurch. £3,500. Tel: 07816 830887

Transport IVECO 7.5 TON HORSEBOX (YEAR 2000) Full 12months MOT. Partitioned for 5-6 horses with tack-area. Side lockers, CCTV, new ramp.

Battery-isolator, CCTV. Midhurst. £7,995. Tel: 07710 483225 10 HORSE 17 TONNE FORD IVECO New MOT and Tax - Electric ramp and camera in container.

New flat bed in 2012. FHM Polo Club. £7,000 ono. Tel: 07778 436468

Situations GLOBAL MARKETING COMPANY SEEKS DISTRIBUTORS We are an established market leader in the Personal Development Media Industry that is enjoying continued growth and success. Distributors receive full and ongoing training and support. No boundaries. Lucrative Compensation Plan. Min start up US$3000.

Work from home or anywhere in the world with laptop and phone. For more info visit: www. thepotentialinyou.com

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Listings Livery WINTER GRAZING Winter Grazing available for polo ponies. £30.00 per week, good grazing and well looked after. Surrey. Telephone Shirley: 07810 151529

GENUINE POLO STOCK DISPERSAL 100’S ITEMS Tack, mallets, gloves, team shirts, umpire equipment, club prizes. Ona, Polistas, George Wood etc. All priced to sell, susie@ churchillcountry.com or 07971 129123

Planning 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

PROBLEMS WITH PLANNING PERMISSION? If you need accommodation for yourself or your groom, or you have another equine related planning problem, we are very well placed help you solve it. We have many years of specialist equine planning experience and 100% success rate in 2012. Please call Rebecca Wilson if you would like to discuss your case. t: 01666 880120 m: 07770 526148 e: rebecca@westonbirt.biz w: www.equineconsultancygroup.co.uk

Polo directory

Property RURAL PROPERTY NEAR COWDRAY Rare opportunity to purchase an 1850’s converted school house, stunning views over South Downs, excellent walking/riding from door.

Semi detached, 2 large bedrooms. 2 miles from Cowdray Park. Offers in excess of £450,000.

Woolbeding, Midhurst. Please contact Lesley 07796 814418

Wanted FREE POLO PONY WANTED Looking for first polo pony to own but cannot afford to buy! But can promises a 5* low goal loving home. Must be 15.3hh, fast, turn on a penny, good natured, ‘nice’ pony and pass any inspection. Cheshire.

Tel: 07590 601177

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Contributors – August 2013 Adam Caller, Shane Chin, Lorna Edgar, Mark Emerson, Tony Emerson, Kian Gheissari, Theresa Hodges, Peter Horobin, Rege Ludwig, Clare Milford Haven, Herbert Spencer

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Call Sarah Foster on +44 (0)1993 886885 Subscribe online: www.polotimes.co.uk Polo Times, August 2013 81

Final bell

In association with Aprés Polo

Royal Navy’s Hiro Suzuki’s...

Passions

Popular two-goaler Hiro Suzuki, who regularly represents the Royal Navy, speaks to Georgie May about the dangers of buying ponies while under the influence, cloning players and why the Inter Regimental is his favourite tournament How long have you been playing polo for the Royal Navy?

Since I first joined three and a half years ago.

My first game was at Tidworth and I’ve been a member since.

Where did you first learn to play?

I started playing in Australia 10 years ago with Lance Shepherd, Coloch Lynch and James Archibald. I progressed a lot with them. I then played with the Douglas family during my time at Edinburgh University. They have all been incredible to me.

What is your favourite polo memory?

Playing a match with my father before he retired for the second and final time. I hated him umpiring me, though. He was always biased towards the other team so he was not seen to be showing me any favouritism.

Best teammate?

Tom Lamacraft. He has an amazing backside – I mean, backhand. And the Aplins, but I have to say that because they mount me.

Toughest opponent?

Apart from my own ego, Colonel Nick Hunter.

We have played against each other many times over the years and I am yet to beat him. I need to do that before he retires, which doesn’t give me too much time.

Do you have your own ponies?

Yes, Pocket Rocket. I bought her last year whilst drunk just to impress some girls. She has caused a significant amount of damage to my body and my bank account. She is still a little green but has a lovely temperament and is very quick!

82 Polo Times, August 2013

What is your favourite polo venue?

Newport R.I. The ground and the atmosphere are superb. It’s also a little short so you can score more goals.

Which person would you most like to meet?

Pixie Lott. We made eye contact through the television once. Sparks flew. I’m sure she feels the same way.

What is your favourite polo tournament?

The Inter Regimental Cup. It is the oldest tournament still in contention and the final is played on the Duke’s Ground at Guards Polo Club. The Navy has won it four times in its history and I have been lucky enough to be on the team on two of those occasions.

What is your favourite film?

Hot Shots.

“The last thing I bought was a fairy costume for a fancy dress party” If you could change one thing about polo what would it be?

People talk about cloning horses but I think it would be better if we could clone ourselves and then have our clones umpire the matches.

That would take the meaning of self-loathing to a whole new level.

What would you do if you were not in the Navy?

I would be an orca (killer whale) trainer.

What was the first single you bought?

Zombie by The Cranberries.

Who has had the biggest influence on your life?

I’m still looking for someone to blame.

Who was your “hiro” growing up?

My granddad. Then I learnt he used to be in the RAF. What was the last thing you bought?

A fairy costume for a fancy dress party.

What is your most annoying habit?

Apparently it’s my constant high fiving.

What is your most surprising interest?

If you met me I think you’d be surprised that it’s polo.

Describe yourself in three words Awesome, handsome and modest.

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