All the Latest News

First out of the stalls, I would like to extend our very best wishes for a peaceful and joyous Christmas to the whole polo community, followed by what I hope will be New Year celebrations which are full of positive thoughts and energy for a fantastic 2022.

Second, thank you to our readers for their continued subscriptions and feedback, to our editorial contributors – it never ceases to amaze me how far and wide the reach of Polo Times is; and last, but by no means least, to our advertisers. Without your collective support, the show would simply not happen.

As this issue of Polo Times was going to print, polo for many, had already moved to sunnier climes. I hope you will enjoy reading about the polo which is being played at all levels overseas. However, let’s not forget that here in the UK, the arena season is in full swing, and despite the winter weather, the stalwarts of arena polo are keeping the faith.

Looking ahead to 2022, the first, the original and arguably the best, snow polo event is being played in St.Moritz on three days, 28-30 January ’22 . Spearheaded by the godfather of snow polo, Reto Gaudenzi and Jürg Reinger, (Managing Director, Evviva Polo St. Moritz AG), this three day sporting and social event is an extravaganza which sees polo’s top human and equine athletes vie for the coveted title, all set to the backdrop that is the magnificence of St.Moritz. If you haven’t yet been, then you simply do not know what you are missing! Getting there is easy and is surely right up there at the top of any bucket list; and whether you take the jet, airliner or humble car, the journey out is always an adventure and once there, I guarantee you will love every minute.

The optimism contained in this issue for the year ahead, is tinged by our reporting on the passing of Sir Charles Williams. Known affectionately as ‘Cow’ to everyone that knew him, words cannot express the kindness of spirit and true friendship that Sir Charles gave to those he liked. From the humble beginnings as reported in Cow’s obituary, through to his hard work, determination and charisma, Cow was deservedly knighted by H.M. The Queen, whilst being revered back home as ‘Mr Barbados’.

Despite being elevated to ‘Sir’, Cow remained remarkably humble. A font of wisdom, Cow’s hard work, combined with his laughter and blunt speaking always made spending time in his company an honour and privilege. His adage, “Wear out – don’t rust out” perfectly sums up his work ethos. A staunch supporter of polo for decades, Sir Charles particularly supported the Brits. The polo community the world over is a much poorer place for his passing: R.I.P Sir Charles. Nick Hine, Publisher

News 37th Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz Tickets & Teams

Six teams will take to the snow for this year’s Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz

Photograph by Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz

The organisers of the 2022 Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz have announced all six team lineups that will be taking part in the prestigious tournament in January 2022.

Team Azerbaijan Land of Fire will be returning once again, no doubt keen to build upon their second place position in 2020; 2019 winners Team Badrutt’s Palace once again have Team Captain Melissa Ganzi at the helm, who became the first female player to win the tournament; Team Clinique La Prairie are one of two new teams to the competition and are certainly ones to watch, with snow polo maestro, Max Charlton featuring on this strong lineup; Team Casablanca will showcase 10 goaler Sapo Caset, on his St. Moritz debut alongside Brit, Jimbo Fewster; Team Perrier-Jouët return once again to the ice and Team World Polo League join the fray for the first time this year, with Team Captain Riley Ganzi at the helm. As always, admission for the general public is free of charge, but sales for the VIP and Chukka Club tickets are in high demand.

2022 Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz Teams:

Team Azerbaijan Land of Fire (16): Elcin Jamalli (Team Captain) (2), Adrian Laplacette Jr. (6), Raul Laplacette Jr. (6) & Tito Gaudenzi (2) Team Clinique La Prairie (15): Dillon Bacon (Team Captain) (2), Aristide Faggionato (2), Max Charlton (6) & Robert Strom (5) Team Casablanca (16): Ivan Romanovsky (Team Captain) (0), Jimbo Fewster (4), Misha Rodzianko (2) & Sapo Caset (10) Team Perrier-Jouët (15): Kutlay Yaprak (Team Captain) (0), Luca Meier (0), Valentin Astrada (7) & Isidro Strada (8) Team World Polo League (TBC): Riley Ganzi (Team Captain) (2), Nic Roldan (8), Tommy Biddle (5) & TBC Team Badrutt’s Palace Hotel (16): Melissa Ganzi (Team Captain) (0), Alejandro Novillo Astrada (8), Jason Crowder (5) & Grant Ganzi (3)

Harald Link Selected as Director of THANOC

It was announced on Monday 1 November, that Dr. Harald Link, President of the Thailand Equestrian Federation, has been nominated and selected to be one of the directors of Olympic Committee of Thailand Under Royal Patronage (THANOC) Year 2021 – 2024.

Photograph by Thai Polo Equestrian Club

News HPA Lifetime Achievement Awards

Jilly Emerson & Jeremy Barber with their HPA Lifetime Achievement Awards In 2019, Jilly Emerson and Jeremy Barber were given Lifetime Achievement Awards by the Hurlingham Polo Association but due to Covid-19 they had been unable to be presented with their awards. However, on Sunday 21 November, the HPA put together a lunch for 40 guests in the Clubhouse at Cowdray Park Polo Club and Jeremy and Jilly were finally presented with their awards!

2022 BMW NZ Polo Open

Plans are well underway for the 2022 BMW NZ Polo Open which will take place at Auckland Polo Club, Clevedon on Sunday 20 February, with their 2022 event marking their 45th anniversary. BMW NZ Polo Open, Executive Director, Lucy Ainsley commented, “We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to ensure an exceptional experience for guests and sponsors, the best of NZ polo matched with plenty of side-line action. After a long year of lockdown restrictions, this eclectic mix of sport, fashion and music is where everyone should be, enjoying summer to the fullest.” Health & Safety of guests, sponsors and everyone involved with BMW NZ Polo Open 2022 is paramount. The event will comply with all Covid-19 government regulations and requirements.

Photograph by BMW NZ Polo Open The 2022 BMW NZ Polo Open will be played on Sunday 20 February

Sandpolo 2022 Entertainment Announced

With over 6,000 guests attending each year, Sandpolo has become one of the biggest polo events in Britain and 2022 will see it enter its 15th year. Alongside the polo and the stunning backdrop of Sandbanks, there is of course the evening entertainment, which has been confirmed for 2022 as Boogie on the Beach on Friday 8 July followed by an Encore Beach Party on Saturday 9 July.

Sandpolo will be returning in 2022

Photograph by Sandpolo

Global Polo & ESPN

On Wednesday 1 December, it was announced that Global Polo Entertainment, the entertainment and media subsidiary of USPA Global Licensing Inc. has signed an agreement with ESPN which will bring seven 2022 Finals to ESPN. These include: the 2022 GAUNTLET OF POLO, The U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship and the 2022 FIP World Polo Championship on ESPN3 and ESPN2. “The goal of this symbiotic and historic deal with ESPN and ESPNU is to reach more sports fans in the U.S. and attract new audiences by delivering more polo sport and lifestyle content in new ways” commented J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing.

Hamburger Polo Club team

Hamburger Polo Club (Caesar Crasemann (4), Heinrich Dumrath (4), Caspar Crasemann (4) & Daniel Crasemann (4)) has joined Las Brisas Polo Club of Chicago in the field of the 2022 Polo Rider Cup, which will be held from 8 – 18 June 2022 at the Polo Club do Domaine de Chantilly. Daniel Crasemann, Captain of Hamburger Polo Club, commented: “It’s a great challenge for our team to return to the Polo Rider Cup, potentially the new ‘grand slam’ of European Polo and probably one of the best-organized tournaments of our continent. We are very happy to support all the work and effort that Olivier, Benoît and their team are putting into this special event.”

The late Cornelius Vanderbilt “C.V. or Sonny” Whitney Cynthia Lola & Charles Smith

Photography by Hall of Fame

The Museum of Polo & Hall of Fame has announced that the inductees for 2022 will be: Tommy Biddle, Jr. and the late Cornelius Vanderbilt “C.V. or Sonny” Whitney; the Iglehart Award Inductees for outstanding lifetime contributions to the sport are Danny Scheraga and to be honoured posthumously will be the late Dr. Horace Laffaye; and honourees as “Horses to Remember” are Charles Smith’s great mare Cynthia Lola, and notable pony, Jacobs.

Cámara de Diputados Cup AAP Raise Four Players’ Handicaps

La Irenita, winners of The Cámara de Diputados Cup The Hine & Escobar brothers’ handicaps have been raised

Photograph by AAP

On Tuesday 7 December, La Irenita II defeated La Fija 13-12 in The Cámara de Diputados Cup, one of the most prestigious titles of the Argentine spring season. The first four and a half chukkas saw La Irenita dominate, thanks to the sensational performance of Facundo Fernández Llorente alongside his cousin Tomás Fernández Llorente, while La Fija attempted a comeback in the fifth chukka and came to within just one goal of their opponents, but La Irenita II persevered and scored the winning goal in the final chukka to secure the win.

This result means that La Irenita II will qualify for the playoff on Sunday 12 December, where they will face Alegria, with the winner securing the eighth spot in the 2022 Triple Crown and joining La Natividad, La Dolfina Saudi, Ellerstina Johor, RS Murus Sanctus, LD Brava, La Ensenada Brubank and La Irenita.

Cámara de Diputados Cup Final Teams: La Irenita II (28):

Facundo Fernández Llorente (7), Tomás Fernández Llorente (7), Martín Podestá (7), Juan Agustín García Grossi (7) La Fija (28): Raúl Colombres (7), Ezequiel Martínez Ferrario (7), Ignacio Negri (7), Felipe Vercellino (7) The Argentine Polo Association (AAP) has decided to modify the handicaps of Nico and Lucas Escobar and Ned and Louis Hine in an unscheduled handicap raise. As of Tuesday 9 November, the handicaps of these players will be: Lucas Escobar: 3 goals Nico Escobar: 4 goals Ned Hine: 4 goals Louis Hine: 3 goals

These modifications do not alter in any way their participation in official competitions where they are already registered for more than the total group handicap of the team exceeds the maximum of the tournament in question. These four players will not be affected by their participation in future official competitions that they decide to participate in this season. This will be accepted when the team exceeds the maximum of each tournament only by the same difference of the increase suffered by each player.