Polo Times Feb 2019

Volume 24 • Issue 1 • February 2019 • £6.50

THAI POLO OPEN La Familia Secure Success PRODUCING PERFORMANCE HORSES From Fresh Filly to BPP US HIGH GOAL GUIDE All Change in America PLUS: 17th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup & Fit to Play?

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Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

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Contents

Contacts Publisher Nick Hine publisher@polotimes.co.uk

What’s inside…

February 2019

Editor in Chief Richenda Hine richenda@polotimes.co.uk Editorial Manager Jen Liggins editorial@polotimes.co.uk

28

Operations Manager Rosabella Hine rosabella@polotimes.co.uk Advertising Sales Richard Hine richard@polotimes.co.uk

Club Focus 51

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Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Military 58

Advertising & Subscription Sales

HACKETT Army Tour India

Women’s Polo 60 62

Rebecca Hastie sales@hinemarketing.co.uk Principal Design

A Round-Up of Women’s Polo II Women’s Argentine Open

James Morgan

Youth Polo

Additional Design

Knowledge

64

Tony Ruddy

Subscriptions & Administration Assistant Rick Jones admin@polotimes.co.uk Financial Controller

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Angie Clark accounts@polotimes.co.uk

News

Accounts & Administration Assistant Rosalind Cutter ads@polotimes.co.uk Overseas Reporter Katie Vickery katie@polotimes.co.uk

Contributors: Stephen Biddlecombe, Shane Borland, Imogen Burrows BVetMed CertAVP(EM) MRCVS RCVS, Lorna Edgar, Dr.med. Andreas Krüger, Simon Ledger, Angus Olds, Pippa Outtridge, Ainsley Polo, ©Tony Ramirez/www.imagesofpolo.com

Contact details

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

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© Polo Times Limited 2018 and Database Right 2018

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All the Latest News

Features 18 20 24

Big Picture Cover Story: Fit to Play?

Cover Story: US High Goal Guide

Reports 28

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37 42 44

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Cover Story: 17th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel Cover Story: BMW B. Grimm Thai Polo Open Final 126th Argentine Open Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2018 The HPA National Club Championship Victor Ludorum Playnation Arena Polo Masters

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72 74 76

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All Aspects of Youth Polo Pony Power: Polo Times Best Playing Polo Series Equipment Focus: Bits: Polo Mare That Leans & Pulls Performance Analysis: The Future of Your Polo Training Programme Nutrition Focus: Making Sense of the Back of a Feed Sack Polodoc: Broken Wings Vet Insight: The Acutely Painful Eye Fitness Insight: Your Season Starts Now! Cover Story: From Fresh Filly to BPP

Sidelines 81 82

Gossip: Don’t Be the Last to Know!

Sidelines: Social Pages

Polo Directory: 91

What’s On in February?

Final bell: 96

Passions: Tito Gaudenzi

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Polo Times Limited holds the copyright & database right to the information it publishes in Polo Times and on the Polo Times website. No content may be reproduced or distributed without the consent of the Publisher. ‘Polo Times’ is the trade mark of Polo Times Limited. ISSN 1461-4685

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Polo Times, February 2019

Cover photograph: La Familia, winners of The BMW B. Grimm Thai Polo Open Final, in action. By Dominic James Photography

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Polo Times, February 2019

The Polo Magazine 10th Anniversary Edition Out Now!

Wow! This is our sister publication The Polo Magazine’s 10 year anniversary edition. And what a decade it has been, with The Polo Magazine still going as strong as ever!

In celebration we feature our 10 year “2008 Edition Throwback” over 20 pages, reviewing the first published pages from all those years ago. It has certainly been fun revisiting those early features and taking a trip down memory lane. Much has changed on the polo scene, but, as always in our dynastic sport, trusted faces and families are a comforting constant and this is reflected in the sibling duos of James and Tom Beim and Nina and Tamara Vestey being our original interviewees, but still very much top of their games today.

As well as celebrating 10 years at the top, this special edition is also jam-packed with exciting reports, social extravaganzas and candid interviews. The Queen of UAE polo, HH Sheikha Maitha Al Maktoum, shares with us what makes her tick as well as La Martina’s Becky Simpson talking about her 13 years with the quintessentially polo brand.

We take a look at the all-important Christmas Gift Guide, the ultimate luxury and

polo gifts for your nearest and dearest as well as take a turn around Meriski’s finest luxury chalets in the French Alps. What’s more, if art is your thing, Sara Grayson, curator extraordinaire shares with us her tips for picking the perfect piece.

This anniversary issue takes a look at fashion on the polo field, whilst on a sad note, we also remember two British polo legends – Greta Morrison and Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. Of course, where would we be without all of our regular features?

This issue The Polo Magazine introduces a new young gun, Henry Porter, who is making waves all over the world. Meanwhile, we get up close and personal with Baloo, the Brad Pitt of the pug world!

With the latest lifestyle, interviews, polo reports and social, as well as some of the best polo highlights from the past 10 years, take us on a far-flung holiday, read us in the pony lines or curl up next to the fire in comfy slippers with the latest issue of The Polo Magazine.

Please visit www.thepolomagazine. com/subscriptions or by contacting the subscriptions team on 01452 730770.

South Africa Defeat Ireland In Christmas International On 29 December, an Irish team travelled to Plettenberg Bay to take on a South African team in the annual International Match.

Following a closely fought match, the home team made good use of their knowledge of the fields and ponies taking home a 5-3 victory.

Irish back Chris Lund was awarded the Most Valuable Player prize.

Photograph courtesy of Polo Ireland

Happy New Year to all! As the December and January issues of Polo Times are merged into one, this February issue is our first of the new year.

In the UK, the arena season is in full swing, with spectators across the country no doubt glad of the unseasonably warm temperatures, whilst those ponies out at grass are reaping the rewards of the dry and mild winter.

No doubt many of the polo community were hoping that the visa issue would have been solved in 2018, but unfortunately the issue continues to cast a cloud over British polo. The HPA has announced it has received confirmation from the Home Office that the Immigration Minister has agreed to extend the 2018 criteria for players and grooms moving forward into the 2019 season. Whilst this allows an amount of breathing room, it would seem a permanent solution is still a way off. Hopefully, post-Brexit the Home Office will have more time to focus on the issue, additionally FIP’s newly appointed President, Horacio Areco, will help to support and nurture Anglo-Argentine relations in these uncertain times.

This issue of Polo Times has a broad and varied focus, reflecting the plethora of polo being played across the globe. With reports from Argentina, Dubai, Thailand and Kitzbühel as well as here in the UK, it is fantastic to see the strength of polo both home and abroad. Our US High Goal Guide provides all the answers to your questions after the season across the pond has seen a variety of alterations and new additions to its tournament season. As always, the Knowledge sections are overflowing with tips and insights to help improve your game and manage your string. Kitzbühel Snow Polo World Cup founder and organiser Tito Gaudenzi explains what makes him tick in Passions, whilst Pippa Outtridge asks the difficult question of whether player fitness and health should be more regulated than it currently is.

With another issue of Polo Times wrapped up, I wish all of Polo Times’ readers and supporters a prosperous new year and good luck with the new year resolutions and season ahead!

News

South Africa defeated Ireland in the annual International Match in December

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News

Photograph courtesy of USPAGL

USPA Name New Global Brand Ambassador

Jared Zenni has been appointed as a new USPA Global Brand Ambassador

The U.S. Polo Assn and USPA have announced the appointment of young gun high goal player Jared Zenni as their newest

Global Brand Ambassador. Zenni has recently played in The Argentine Open series with the La Cañada team as well as scoring two goals, including the game winner, in the 2018 US Open Polo Championship as a key member of the winning DRF Polo Team.

In his role as Ambassador, Zenni will serve as a spokesperson for USPA programmes, a mentor for young American players and will be outfitted with U.S. Polo Assn gear on and off the field. Zenni has said in his response to his appointment, “I am very excited to be partnering with USPAGL and USPA to continue to bring more awareness to the sport of polo and further reinforce the authenticity of U.S. Polo Assn.”

Mid Season Arena Handicap Changes The Hurlingham Polo Association have ratified the mid season arena handicap changes, which came into effect on Wednesday 2 January. There have been 20 changes in total, with the most notable changes happening at the higher end of the spectrum. Former 10 goal arena international Chris Hyde has been reduced in handicap from 9 to 8 goals, whilst HPA umpire and arena regular Tim Bown has also seen his handicap demoted, from 5 to 4 goals. Chris Hyde’s eldest son Jack has seen his handicap raised from 5 to 6 goals, whilst in the lower echelons, two players have seen their handicaps raised by two goals, Dorian Bulteau from 3 to 5 goals and Edward Williams from -1 to 1 goals respectively. In addition, as we went top press it was anounced that following thier stellar performances in the HPA National championships 15 goal Final Max Charlton has had his arena handicap raised to 10 and Gaston Devrient to 5.

Furthermore, the HPA has amended a number of rules following a meeting in late December. The changes are as follows:

Australia International Test Match On 6 April 2019, a Flannels England team will travel to Australia to take part in the 22-24 goal 2019 International Test Match.

The NSWPA has announced that, following a few years’ hiatus, they will be pleased to welcome an international team on the first Saturday of April for the next three years to take part in an International Test Match.

The event will feature three matches, with a Colts match at 11am, showcasing Australia’s young talent, followed by a Ladies’ Match at 1pm. The main event Test Match will take 8

Polo Times, February 2019

Blocking – When the play is resumed with a hit after a break in play or when a goal is scored, it is not permitted for any member of the team taking the hit to ride-off or block an opponent attempting to make a play on the hitter. If the ball is left for a team mate following, the player leaving it may not ride-off or block an opponent attempting to make a play on the player who has been left with the ball.

Whips – Whips must not be more than 48 inches long including any tag. Broken whips are not allowed.

Use of the whip – Any use of the whip by a player must be appropriate, proportionate and professional and only when the ball is in play. A whip may only be carried in a player’s left hand and unless there are exceptional circumstances a player may not take that hand off the reins to use the whip. No part of the whip may be raised above the height of the player’s shoulder prior to striking. Any infringement of the above will result in an automatic yellow flag and an appropriate penalty.

For more information about either the handicap or rule changes, please visit the HPA website www.hpa-polo.co.uk place at 3.30pm, with the winners taking home The Mountbatten Memorial Trophy following six chukkas. The HPA have announced the names of the shortlisted players for this exciting match, with the Flannels England team due to be announced nearer the time. The shortlisted players include James Beim, James Harper, Jack Richardson, Tommy Beresford, Max Charlton, Ollie Cudmore, Tom Brodie and Jack Hyde. Click here to purchase tickets for this event.

APSPH Announce Changes to Regulations The APSPH have announced changes received from The British Horse Council and DEFRA following the Annual General Meeting at the Royal College of Surgeons in November. The changes were extensive, but only a few amends will affect polo establishments.

To view the new regulations, please visit the APSPH website apsph-polo.org.uk

Gauntlet of Polo Following the December announcement of the proposed teams for The Gauntlet of Polo Series, due to commence in February at The International Polo Club in Florida, the Brookshire Polo Team has now elected not to play the Series. On 1 January, Stewart Armstrong entered a team to fill the space. The proposed line up is as follows: Tomas Schwenke (2), Polito Pieres (10), Lucas James (7) & Stewart Armstrong (3). The Series will still welcome 16 teams to compete.

New Zealand International Polo Day On Saturday 9 February, The Nga Rakau Polo Ground in Kihikihi will host The 2019 International Polo Day, a celebration of top quality New Zealand polo. To begin the day’s proceedings, The New Zealand Colts will take to the field against a young Argentine side. Later on in the day, spectators and guests will be officially welcomed by sponsors and organisers just before the big match commences. At 3pm, Piquet Hill New Zealand will take on Fullerton AG Argentina in this year’s International Test Match, which will be followed by the presentations. Tickets for the event begin at $20 NZD for general admission, with VIP tickets available and children under 13-years-old going free.

For tickets and more information, please email international@kihikihipolo.co.nz www.polotimes.co.uk

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News

The HPA has received confirmation from the Home Office that the 2018 visa criteria will continue in 2019

On 17 December 2018, The Hurlingham Polo Association received confirmation from the Home Office that the Immigration Minister has agreed to extend the 2018 criteria for players and grooms moving forward into the 2019 season. Consequently, the HPA is now able to provide endorsements for the upcoming season, as follows: Non-EEA players with a handicap of 4 goals or higher may play 15 goal and above (medium and high goal) subject to the tournament conditions which remain the same as 2018.

Non-EEA grooms may work for those

playing in the 15 goal and above Non-EEA grooms may work in polo below 15 goal (low goal), but only for those sponsors who employed non-EEA grooms in 2018 (limited to a maximum of two) The HPA have also commented that, “In all cases, those brining in a non-EEA player or groom on a visa have to agree to and then meet certain criteria which are set out within the application process for an HPA endorsement.”

They also commented further, “We intend in the New Year to have further discussions with the Home Office to seek a more flexible arrangement for players and coaches consistent with the aims we recently set out in a joint press release with the AAP. In the short term, it is recognised that there is a mood in the Home Office that until they have a clearer view of the Brexit ‘deal’ they are reluctant to make any change which might be subject to a further change after 29 March.

Nevertheless, they have agreed to discuss players playing for their employers at levels below the 15 goal, and coaches.” As further news is received, we will update our readers accordingly.

FIP Welcomes New President

Photograph courtesy of FIP

In December, The Federation of International Polo (FIP) welcomed new President Horacio Areco to the helm.

The new President, who hails from Argentina, takes over from British President Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, and will hold the position for the next four years, with the aim to support and nurture AngloArgentine relations.

Horacio Areco has been appointed as the new FIP President

Brooke’s Mascots Steal the Show at Olympia

Photograph courtesy of Brooke

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Visa Update for 2018 Season

La La, Alfie and Harry made appearances at The London International Horse Show in December

Brooke’s famous mascots, Alfie the Dinky Donkey and miniature Shetland ponies La La and Harry, made exciting appearances at The London International Horse Show in late December, spreading awareness of the charity. As well as raising awareness of their excellent work, Brooke invited guests to try their 360 degree virtual reality film, captured within a brick kiln in Pakistan, showcasing the hardship and strain put on working mules in the region. For further information about the 360 degree virtual reality film and Brooke’s work, please visit the Brooke website www.thebrooke.org In other news, bestselling Yorkshire children’s author Hannah Russell has been named as Brooke’s newest Ambassador, focusing on engaging young people between the ages of eight and 25. In her role, she will help Brooke grow its profile within schools and inspire more young people to engage with the charity’s goals. Hannah joins the list of Brooke Ambassadors including Charlotte Dujardin and Richard Waygood.

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News

Tickets for The Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo Cape Town 2019 are available now

On Saturday 2 March, the prestigious Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo Cape Town will return to the Val de Vie Estate, set against the spectacular backdrop of the PaarlFranschhoek mountains. The ninth annual event is a highlight in the South African polo calendar and is expected to welcome more than 3,000 guests who will all be dressed to impress with this year’s theme, Colourama.

Tickets are available now, with prices starting at R380 per person.

Changes to American Handicap System The United States Polo Association (USPA) has announced that the handicaps below -1 will revert to numerical values, following a period of time as alphabetical values. The changes are as follows: B = (-1) B.5 = (-½) A = (0) A.5 = (½) The C (-2) handicap will no longer exist.

2019 German Polo Tour IGO Launch Weekend Challenges

The dates for the 2019 German Polo Tour have been announced. Play will commence on 17 May with the 2-6 goal Bucherer Polo Cup in Berlin, followed by the 6-8 goal Bucherer Polo Cup Aspern Bei Hamburg between 14 – 16 June.

Later that month the 6-8 goal Berenberg Polo Derby will take place in Hamburg, followed by the 2-6 goal Bucherer Polo Cup in Munich between 5 – 7 July. To finish the Series, the 8-12 goal Düsseldorfer High Goal Cup will take place between 30 August – 1 September followed by the 2-6 goal Bucherer Polo Cup in Frankfurt.

If you are interested in entering, please email polo@poloevents.com

APSPH Joins The British Horse Council The APSPH has become part of The British Horse Council, formerly known as the Equine Sector Council, which is made up of representatives from across the equine industry, from vets to the British Racing Authority. The Council offers information and guidance on a variety of topics as well as acting as the main port of call for any government legislative consultations and reviews. For more information about The APSPH’s involvement, please visit the APSPH website apsph-polo.org.uk

Photograph courtesy of IGO

Photograph courtesy of Val de Vie Estate

Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo Cape Town 2019

IGO Adventures has launched its brand new Adventure Challenge Series

Bobby Dundas and George Bullard’s IGO Adventures has recently launched its brand new Adventure Challenge Series. Taking the form of six Weekend Challenges and one week-long Ultimate Challenge, this new series is designed to make real adventure challenges accessible to everyone.

You can participate as either a completer or competitor and what’s more, if you finish one of the Weekend Challenges in first place (fastest pace), you could be in with a chance of winning a free spot in the week-long Ultimate Challenge in Montana, USA.

Passage to India On Saturday 10 March, Polo for Life will present the sixth annual edition of Polo For A Purpose’s Passage to India event.

The evening will be held in aid of The Kids Cancer Foundation at The Santa Rita Polo Farm in Wellington, Florida. For more information, please visit poloforlife.org

Hagley Park Polo Classic Returns

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Polo Times, February 2019

Photograph by Elise Rutherford Photography

The 2019 Hagley Park Polo Classic is set to return to Christchurch, New Zealand, for its second year on Sunday 27 January. The event is one of the polo and social highlights of the South Island’s summer, showcasing a series of excellent players and ponies from around the world. The teams will compete for The Hagley Park Polo Cup, whilst spectators can enjoy an exciting day filled with fashion, friends, champagne, fast cars and fast polo.

Tickets are available at www.hagleyparkpolo.com now and news will follow in the next issue of Polo Times.

The Hagley Park Polo Classic Teams: Louis (15): Pete Dormer (1), Glen Armstrong (4), Glen Sherriff (5) & Dirk Gould (5) Bayleys (14): Zoe Reader (0), Ash Reader (3), Sam Martin (4) & Jack Richardson (7) Style (15): George Cooper-Dixon (0), Lachie Appleby (1), James Harper (7) & John Paul Clarkin (7) Waireka (14): Roddy Wood (2), Henry Wood (3), Charlie Wood (4) & Jimmy Wood (5)

Action from the 2018 edition of The Hagley Park Polo Classic

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News Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series 2019 Silver Cup, The Julius Bär Gold Cup and The Dubai Challenge Cup: Habtoor Polo (18): Mohammed Al Habtoor (0), Hugo Lewis (3), Facundo Sola (9) & Tommy Beresford (6) Mahra Polo (18): Rashid Al Habtoor (0), Diogo Gallego (5), Jaime Huidobro (7) & Pelayo Berazadi (5) Dubai Wolves (18): Habtoor Al Habtoor (1), Justo Cuitino (3), Manuel Crespo (7) & Marcos Araya (7) Abu Dhabi (18): Faris Al Yabhouni (0), Santiago Gómez Romero (4), Guy Gibrat (5) & Alfredo Capella (9) Play began in The Silver Cup on 25 January, with the Final scheduled for 8 February.

Photograph courtesy of Land Rover NZ Open

The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series 2019 has announced this year’s teams. Thus far, eight teams have been announced, taking part in a minimum of two tournaments apiece. The following teams will take part in The Silver Cup and The Julius Bär Gold Cup: Desert Palm Dubai (17): Rashid Albwardy (2), Camilo Castagnola (4), Martín Valent (5) & Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. (6) Ghantoot (17): Yousef Bin Desmal (0), Bautista Begueri (4), Juan Griz Zavaleta (8) & Martin Donovan (5) UAE Polo (18): HH Sheikha Maitha (0), Alejandro Muzzio (8), Matias Benoit (6) & Tomas Panelo (4) Zedan (18): Amr Zedan (0), Martin Gandara (5), Santiago Laborde (6) & Raul Laplacette (7) The following teams will take part in The

Land Rover New Zealand Polo Open

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Kihikihi International Team Announced

John Paul Clarkin will play in the 24 goal international side at Kihikihi

The New Zealand team who will play Argentina in The International Test Match on Saturday 9 February has been announced.

The match will take place as part of The International Day, hosted by Kihikihi Polo Club. The team will be as follows: Kit Brooks (5), Craig Wilson (6), Tom Hunt (6) & John Paul Clarkin (7). The event is due to welcome over 2,000 spectators.

Photograph by Gonzalo Etcheverry

Dubai Polo Gold Cup Press Conference

Action from the 2018 Dubai Gold Cup

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Polo Times, February 2019

On Monday 21 January, the Dubai Polo Gold Cup organisation welcomed the world’s press to the annual press conference at Habtoor Palace in Al Habtoor City. The conference saw the introduction of the eight teams, as well as the live draw for the ninth annual Dubai Silver Cup which began on Friday 25 January with the Final scheduled for Friday 8 February.

The Land Rover NZ Polo Open will take place in February

The Land Rover New Zealand Polo Open, will be held in Clevedon on 23 February 2019 and for the first time in the competition’s 42 year history, the tournament will be played on a Saturday making the event more accessible to the growing interest from wider public in the sport.

The Southern Hemisphere’s most prestigious and competitive polo championship, which sees professional players from around the world compete for the coveted title, will now be held across a week of competition, including two weekends. This new format spreads out the playing days, which hopes to enhance the strength of the competition, giving horses more time to recover and players more time to plan their strategies.

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News Argentine Polo Tour of India

Ylvisaker Cup is Underway

Photograph courtesy of LA Pegasus Polo

Photograph by David Lominska

2018 Ylvisaker Cup winners, Valiente

Argentina secured the title in the first Test match of The Argentine Polo Tour to India

In the first Test Match of the 22 goal Argentine Polo Tour of India on 29 December, Argentina defeated the home team 14-13. Argentina’s Ignacio Arbelbide scored the most goals, with six to his name, whilst team mate Joaquin Pittaluga scored four goals. The team also saw AAP President Eduardo Novillo Astrada and his son Cruz take to the field, playing against a strong Indian team consisting of the highest

handicapped polo player in the Indian Army, Col Ravi Rathore.

The Argentine Polo Tour Test Match Teams: Argentina: Eduardo Novillo Astrada, Cruz Novillo Astrada, Ignacio Arbelbide & Joaquin Pittaluga All Stars La Pegasus India: Abhimanyu Pathak, Dhruvpal Godara, Simran Singh Shergill & Col Ravi Rathore

HPA Announce Flannels England Squad

Photograph courtesy of ©www.imagesofpolo.com and Polo Times

The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) has announced the 22-24 goal squad for the upcoming International Test Match between Flannels England and Australia, scheduled to take place on 6 April 2019 at Windsor Polo Club, Sydney, Australia.

The following players have been shortlisted for this exciting opportunity: James Beim, James Harper, Jack Richardson, Tommy Beresford, Max Charlton, Ollie Cudmore, Tom Brodie and Jack Hyde.

James Beim

James Harper

Jack Richardson

Tommy Beresford

Max Charlton

Ollie Cudmore

Tom Brodie

Jack Hyde

Eight players have been announced in the 2019 Flannels England International squad for the Test Match against Australia

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Polo Times, February 2019

At the time of going to press, the 20 goal Ylvisaker Cup was underway at The International Polo Club, Palm Beach with the Final scheduled for Sunday 10 February.

There are eight teams competing in this year’s tournament with an abundance of international players taking part, a full report will be included in the next issue of Polo Times.

AAP Announce End of Season Handicap Changes The Argentine Polo Association (AAP) has announced the end of season handicap changes following the end of the high goal spring season. The changes are as follows: Up to 8 Goals: Julián ‘Negro’ de Lusarretta, Juan Britos, Juan Martín Zubía & Bautista Bayugar From 6 to 7 Goals: Martín Aguerre Jr, Bartolito Castagnola, Santiago Cernadas, Raúl Colombres, Lucas Díaz Alberdi, Santiago Loza, Mín Podestá, Genaro Ringa & Isidro Strada Up to 6 Goals: Santiago Araya Jr, Tommy Beresford, Jesse Bray, Peke González, Iván Lariguet, Alfonso Pieres & Alejandro Traverso Players who have been demoted: Fred Mannix from 9 to 8 goals, Lucas Monteverde from 8 to 6 goals & Alejandro Agote, Gonzalo Deltour, Silvestre Donoan & Gonzalo Von Wernich from 7 to 6 goals.

For more information, please visit the AAP website www.aapolo.com www.polotimes.co.uk

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PONY POWER & HORSE POWER What better way to kick off one of the most prestigious polo tournaments in Asia than with a BMW i8 Roadster escort? The BMW B. Grimm Thai Polo Open is held annually at Thai Polo & Equestrian Club in Pattaya, Thailand, a Polo Club where they certainly know how to put on a memorable show. Not only were there convertible hybrid supercars, but also a dressage display plus cuisines from around the globe to tantalise the spectators’ taste buds. w Photography by Dominic James | www.dominic-james.com

Feature

Fit to Play?

Fit to Play?

Opening the discussion on player health – whose responsibility is it?

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et’s face it, we play a fast, exhilarating and dangerous sport and that’s why we love it. Eight horses and riders travelling at 30mph in various directions, in varying degrees of control with the added risk of champagne filled spectators and miscellaneous dogs on the field is a recipe for risk. Last year’s helmet debate and changes have thrown safety more into the spotlight as polo is brought into line with recognised helmet standards.

Like many equine disciplines it is also a sport that can be enjoyed well into our later years, with many players still participating competitively and at a high level into their seventies or even older. The age difference on the field can commonly range by fifty years or more and along with this, relative fitness levels must vary dramatically.

As a community we pride ourselves in making sure our horses are fit to play.

Ensuring they are turned out immaculately, shod regularly, vaccinated annually, backs done, teeth done, the list goes on… with many of the HPA welfare and game rules set to ensure pony welfare and reduced risk of injury. Welfare of our ponies is paramount and if a horse is lame, there is no question of play being stopped for it to be safely taken back to the boxes and assessed by a vet. But what about our own health on the field?

When should we be thinking about hanging up our boots?

The list of medical conditions that could potentially affect one’s ability to ride safely is endless. A Pandora’s Box I’m a little scared to open. The difference with polo is, if you were to lose consciousness or control because of a medical condition whilst playing, the potential for risk to others on the field would be presumed to be higher than say that of an individual equine discipline, purely because of proximity to the other players and spectators. The counter argument being, accidents happen and are very difficult to predict, as are medical events such as heart attacks, strokes, blackouts or seizures, to name just a few. Also, according to the HPA, there have been no actual documented incidents where a player’s medical condition has caused an accident or injury to others. However, it is difficult to know how many events may have actually occurred as formal documentation of accidents and falls is patchy.

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Polo Times, February 2019

An example to compare and consider – if a horse had a significant heart murmur that affected its performance, would it continue to play or be retired? Would a player with significant aortic stenosis (heart murmur) find their performance play was affected? Would they be aware?

Would they choose to stop? If you had been advised to stop playing other contact sports, such as rugby, because of a bleeding disorder or anticoagulant medication, would you reconsider your safety to play polo? Is it your own risk to take? How about your visual acuity and hearing?

Do they ever impede your ability to play safely? Do you have to wear glasses to drive on the road, but do you always wear contacts on the polo field? Have you ever not heard someone shouting, “Get out the way”, only to have a near miss as they cruise past you? There are so many view points and variants to consider.

Dr Pippa Outtridge MBBS read medicine at Barts and The London Medical School before completing her GP training in East London. She now practises as a full time GP in rural Essex. She plays low goal polo at Cambridge County Polo Club at the weekends with her husband.

Though only a mere 43-years-old, Adolfo Cambiaso is old in professional sportsman years, and still remains world-number-one

www.polotimes.co.uk

Fit to Play?

Feature

We also cannot forget that polo and other equine sports can also have a fantastic role to play in the rehabilitation of players from injury. With the right support it can offer a safe environment for recovery and the recent ‘From Write-off to Ride off ’ article in November’s issue, describing Fran Townend’s polo journey is particularly inspiring in this context.

How do we compare to other equine sports?

www.polotimes.co.uk

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Unlike other equine sporting governing bodies, such as the British Horse Racing Authority (BHRA) who have very strict rules on participation, the HPA has no formal advice or rules regarding general player health. With the exception of their drugtesting rules, which really only applies to the medium and high goal and on player participation post-concussion.

In comparison to the HPA, most other equine disciplines provide some guidance to their members, although the content and detail is vastly varied between the sports. The British Show Jumping Association states, “A rider under a medical suspension may not compete in another equestrian discipline without the permission of the appropriate governing body”. The British Eventing Association states that, “It is the competitor’s responsibility to wear a BE medical card during all cross-country phases if they have a medical condition that may impact on their care in the case of an emergency”. They clarify, these conditions include “serious past injuries/ surgery, chronic health problems such as diabetes, long term medications and allergies”.

Their medical cards must be visible and worn on the arm or shoulder. Even the Pony Club dressage rules provide some guidance about competitors with medical conditions.

The most formal and detailed advice is from the rule book of the British Horse Racing Authority – this has a lengthy list of conditions that would be refused a licence and those that would be ‘deferred’ – requiring a specialist opinion and/or examination by the Chief Medical Officer.

They split medical issues into cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic, hearing, vision, neurological and mental health and also consider comparisons to the DVLA driving licence requirements.

This is an interesting comparison to consider – is our coordination and concentration similar to ‘drive a horse’ as it is to drive a car? As many of us consider polo as ‘rugby on horseback’, could we take guidance from other high impact sports such as boxing or rugby who have far more safety and health advice readily available on their websites?

As a low goal player, I am an advocate for inclusion in the sport and encouraging retention of players and new members. As a doctor, people’s wellbeing and safety is my primary concern. Your health is your responsibility and provided you are

Polo can still be enjoyed in all its forms at any age, as demonstrated by Adrian Laplacette in St. Moritz in 2017

Polo Times, February 2019

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Fit to Play?

aware of the risks, you are free to take them, but what about the potential risk to others?

Have you ever considered if your preexisting medical condition could impact on the safety of your fellow team mates?

It would be sad to see a sport which for most is a hobby, becoming overly regulated and restrictive, and is it really the role of the HPA to be the ‘health police’ for our sport? I really hope not. Currently the HPA rule book provides an entire chapter on pony welfare, but little to no guidance on player welfare, perhaps some guidance would be beneficial?

This piece isn’t intended to provide all the answers and may in fact open up more questions to be considered.

My personal opinion is that players should be responsible for their own health and should be aware of their own restrictions and should themselves consider stopping playing before an accident or injury occurs

rather than waiting for it to happen.

I hope that this article will stimulate some thought and consideration in our playing community regarding our own health and the responsibility we have to each other to ensure we are healthy to be playing safely. Also to consider, if you have a significant pre-existing medical issue or high risk medications, what would you need someone to know in an emergency if you fell or were knocked unconscious? Even if this is as simple as ensuring your regular team mates or polo manager are aware. This information could be vital in an emergency.

The HPA safety committee is keen to receive feedback from the polo community regarding player fitness to play and is grateful to receive any comments or thoughts on the subject. Just think… are you fit to play? If you are not sure, consider reviewing with your specialist or GP.

‘The HPA as an organisation acknowledges the need for players, at an individual level, to be fit and well to play polo. Most of the rules have been written because they have become necessary due to an incident; rules that can be found in the Blue Book and subsequently also feature on the website. The mix of polo, professionals and amateurs sets polo apart from any other organisation such as the BHA, but the HPA has historically tended to adapt rules from other organisations, adjusted to suit our game and members.

If members feel that rules are necessary, then we are only too happy to look at them in the interest of all players.’

Photograph courtesy of Camilla Williams

In 2015, Sir Charles ‘Cow’ Williams became the Guinness World Record holder as the world’s oldest polo player

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Polo Times, February 2019

www.polotimes.co.uk

Feature

US High Goal Guide

All Change in America Your guide to the USA High Goal Season

Katie Vickery

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The Gauntlet of Polo

On a more positive side it has meant a huge increase in teams playing for the three most well-known American tournaments that make up 24

Polo Times, February 2019

Photography by Joel Auerbach

his year’s season in Florida looks like it’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons yet. There are big changes afoot which are shaking up the season, big time. The first big change was announced last year when the USPA decided, due to lack of teams playing in their highest level 26 goal polo, to lower the level to 22 goal. This has had several large repercussions, which will be explored in this article.

Firstly, it has affected entries for the previously popular 20 goal series that runs throughout January to March. Already underway, the 20 goal series comprises of The Herbie Pennell Cup (won by Dutta Corp 11-10 against Patagones on Sunday 30 December after a one match tournament), The Joe Barry Cup (won by Dutta Corp 11-8 against Patagones Sunday 13 January) and The Ylvisaker Cup (Final will take place on 10 February). This year counts just eight teams at its highest point in The Ylvisaker Cup, with most team sponsors choosing to save themselves and their horses for the new 22 goal series.

The US Open will have a $250,000 prize money pot

the American Triple Crown, now renamed The Gauntlet of Polo: The C.V. Whitney Cup, The USPA Gold Cup and The US Open Championship. Whereas in last year’s USA Triple Crown there were only six teams, this year with the lower handicap level, there are 16 teams. This will make for a fantastic few months of high level, high excitement sport.

The lower handicap bracket is not the only motivation behind so many teams joining the new Gauntlet of Polo.

Big money prizes adding up to a tempting $1million means that there is even more to play for than just pride and worldwide polo recognition. There are $125,000 prizes for The C.V. Whitney and The USPA Gold Cup, $250,000 for The US Open Championship

plus a bonus of $500,000 if one team wins all three. That’s a potential $1 million up for grabs. Not to be sniffed at by anyone.

As stated by Robert Puetz, CEO of the USPA, the objective of adding prize money is to elevate the level of competition, “Vying for $1 million dollars in prize money over the course of three months, the strongest teams and most talented players in the game will arise, elevating both their preparation and horses for the chance to etch their names in American polo history as the Gauntlet Champion.”

This will certainly be a competition never seen before in polo and has without doubt brought the American season back from the brink of extinction. www.polotimes.co.uk

US High Goal Guide

The Gauntlet of Polo Teams:

Aspen (22): Tomas Schwencke (2), Lucas James (7), Pablo ‘Polito’ Pieres (10) & Stewart Armstrong (3) Cessna Polo Team (21): Chip Campbell (2), Ezequiel ‘Gallego’ Martinez Ferrario (7), Felipe Marquez (6) & Felipe Viana (6) Coca Cola (22): Gillian Johnston (2), Wesley Finlayson (4), Julian ‘Negro’ de Lusarreta (8) & Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Novillo Astrada (8) Daily Racing Form (22): Jared Zenni (6), Geronimo Obregon (4), Santiago Cernadas (6) & Agustin Obregon (6) Equuleus (22): Joe DiMenna (0), Iñaki Laprida (7), Magoo Laprida (8) & Mariano Gonzalez (7) Iconica (22): Maureen Brennan (1), Peke Gonzalez (5), Sebastian Merlos (9) & Matias Magrini (7).

La Indiana (22): Michael Bickford (2), Facundo Obregon (6), Jeff Hall (7) & Tomas Garcia del Rio (7) Las Monjitas (22): Camilo Bautista (0), Hilario Ulloa (10), Francisco Elizalde (8)

& Matthew Coppola (4) Park Place (22): Andrey Borodin (0), Juan Britos (8), Nico Pieres (9) & Tommy Collingwood (5) Pilot (22): Curtis Pilot (0), Facundo Pieres (10), Gonzalito Pieres (9) & Matias Gonzalez (3) Postage Stamp Farm (22): Annabelle Gundlach (0), Valerio ‘Lerin’ Zubiaurre (8), Mariano Aguerre (8) & Joaquin Panelo (6) Santa Clara (22): Nico Escobar (3), Mariano Obregon Jr. (6), Ignacio ‘Cubi’ Toccalino (8) & Luis Escobar (5) SD Farms (22): Sayyu Dantata (2), Peco Polledo (6), Juan ‘Tito’ Ruiz Guiñazu (8) & Jesse Bray (6) Stable Door Polo (21): Henry Porter (3), Santino Magrini (4), Victorino Ruiz (6) & Santiago Toccalino (8) Tonkawa (22): Jeff Hildebrand (0), Agustin ‘Tincho’ Merlos (8), Guillermo ‘Sapo’ Caset (10) & Sterling Giannico (4) Old Hickory Bourbon (21): Will Johnston (2), Jason Crowder (6), Miguel Novillo Astrada (9) & Stevie Orthwein (4)

Feature

The C.V. Whitney Cup 13 – 24 February Prize Money: $125,000 The USPA Gold Cup 24 February– 24 March Prize Money: $125,000 The US Open 27 March – 21 April Prize Money: $250,000 Triple Crown Winner: Bonus $500,000 Total Prize Money: $1 million!

The World Polo League

Not everyone was happy to hear the news of the handicap drop in the US Triple Crown however, and a whole new league of polo has been born from the desire to keep the 26 goal alive. Started by the Ganzi family and Bob Jornayvaz, The World Polo League (WPL) will be hosted between the families’ farms, Grand Champions Polo Club and Valiente Polo Farm to maintain the level at 26. Although they have scheduled

This year The Gauntlet of Polo will run alongside The WPL

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, February 2019

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US High Goal Guide

the tournament series to take place at the same time as the USPA’s Gauntlet of Polo (including the famous Sunday polo 3pm match kick-off times) they are keen to stress that it is not a competing association, but just another league to give all players and team sponsors the option to continue to play 26 goal polo (the highest level of polo played outside of Argentina).

The aim of the league is to give more power to the sponsors of the teams who are investing in the sport, so they have more say in the way the tournaments they are playing are run. In a press release, WPL commissioner Dale Smicklas, talks about the reasons and objectives behind the new league. “This World Polo League will be about team owners all working for the good of the sport. The owners should be able to have significant input in all aspects of the league. The team owners and players will play a tremendous role in how we operate.

It will be about taking care of those owners, players, grooms and all participants as well.

We want to listen to them.

Throughout history they have always provided the teams that played the sport.

These are the people who have financially provided the teams that allowed us to watch the highest goal polo in America. They have always been responsible for high goal polo but never really had a voice in how polo is run. The time has come.”

An All-Star draw is set to take place at a kick-off draw party where team sponsors will pick from the list of All-Star players, giving them a chance to play in teams with players they have only played against before. So far there are nine team sponsors confirmed as taking part.

All-Star players currently confirmed include Adolfo Cambiaso, Juan Martín Nero, Gonzalito Pieres, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, David ‘Pelón’ Stirling, Rodrigo de Andrade, Nico Pieres and Nic Roldan.

With the power of ChukkerTV (the Ganzi family) and Horseplay Productions (Jornayvaz) behind them, their livestream 26

Polo Times, February 2019

Only Brit from the season Henry Porter on playing in the inaugural Gauntlet of Polo:

“I’m very excited to play the brand-new Gauntlet of Polo. There are 15 other very competitive teams, so every match is going to be a big challenge. I think we have a good team and I have played a lot with Santino, and Toro over the last few years and we have good chemistry and the horses are looking really good. We have a few more coming over from Argentina at the moment for Stable Door breeding. We will try our best and hopefully we can come out with the win.

“It is also a big step forward for my career in polo. It’s the highest competitive level I have played so that’s exciting. Prior to this I have played 20 but this is a big step and to be playing the US Gold Cup and the US Open is awesome!

“Obviously having prize money is always a huge incentive so I think it’s going to be the most competitive polo we’ve all seen for a while. It’s also a great way to help sponsor some four-man teams and means more teams can be created to play in the tournaments.” and filming will be a huge highlight of the series and should attract a large global audience. Historically it has not been easy to get a new polo series up and popular, especially when the timings clash with such traditional and well-known tournaments, but with the power of the two largest

polo families in the US behind it, it will be interesting to see how the World Polo League stands up in its inaugural year.

The All Star Challenge: 6 – 17 February The Founders Cup: 20 February – 3 March The Palm Beach Open: 6 March – 24 The Triple Crown of Polo: 27 March – 14 April www.polotimes.co.uk

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Reports

17th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel

Cîroc Premier With A Win 17th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel

Jen Liggins

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reports from Austria

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Polo Times, February 2019

Photography by Cymon Skinner Photography

ith record-breaking snow fall in the Austrian Alps this winter, the Wilder Kaiser mountains were alive between 17 – 20 January with the sound of horses’ hooves and cheering crowds as eighteen players from eight nations battled for the coveted 17th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel title.

With two days of qualifiers under their belts, and their snow polo legs well and truly worn in, the Engel & Völkers ‘Red Devils’ were once again set with a spot in the Final.

This year, however, they were up against a brand-new team, Cîroc. Despite being under the new title sponsor name of Cîroc, the team included two snow polo veterans,

The victorious Cîroc team celebrating their win

www.polotimes.co.uk

17th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel

Top Scorer Photography by Reinhardt & Sommer

MVP

Aki van Andel “It was amazing this year. The field was in such great condition and the polo was fair, but tough, but my team mates were incredible. What more can you ask for?”

Sebastian Schneberger and Valentin Novillo Astrada, who made their mark early on in the tournament, with their sidekick, looking to make a triumphant return to Kitzbühel, Aki van Andel.

Earlier in the day the other podium positions were determined in which host team and last year’s champions Bendura Bank secured a 13-6½ win over former champions Maserati for fifth place, swiftly followed by a 7-6 win for 2017 winners Corum for third place, against the fresh line-up of Bernd Gruber, which included the Frenchman Pierre-Henri Ngoumou’s Kitzbühel debut.

However, the third and final match of the day was the reason we were all there in the www.polotimes.co.uk

Reports

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FINAL

JAN

Valentin Novillo Astrada

JAN

‘The Voice of Polo’ Jan-Erik Franck Handicaps – Outdoor handicaps + 1 are used for snow polo, unless the player’s arena handicap is higher, in which case the arena handicap is used.

Where: Kitzbühel, Austria

BPP

Mark Holmes Pantera, owned by Fernando Gomez and played by Valentin Novillo Astrada

Chukka Scores: 1-1, 4-2, 6-3, 9-5 to Cîroc

Tournament Action at a Glance Friday 18 January Corum defeated Bendura Bank, 11-9½ Engel & Völkers defeated Maserati, 8-4½ Cîroc defeated Bernd Gruber, 8-4½ Saturday 19 January Cîroc defeated Maserati, 13-6½ Corum defeated Bernd Gruber, 9-7½ Engel & Völkers defeated Bendura Bank, 9-6

Sunday 20 January Match for 5th and 6th Place Bendura Bank defeated Maserati, 13-6½ Kitzbühel Country Club Cup (Subsidiary Final) Corum defeated Bernd Gruber, 7-6 17th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel (Final) Cîroc defeated Engel & Völkers, 9-5

Polo Times, February 2019

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Reports

17th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel

fresh Austrian air – The 17th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Final. It was set to be an exciting extravaganza of international snow polo prowess, as six players from four countries took to the arena to a collective roar from the crowd. Sebastian Schneberger was in search of his third title, to equal the record breaking three Snow Polo World Cup wins held by Brit Jonny Good, and coincidentally 20 January was also the day of St. Sebastian, so perhaps divine intervention would play a key role.

Engel & Völkers, four-time finalists yet with only one previous title, were looking to be the crowd’s favourite, but as the first ball was thrown-in, Aki van Andel came flying out of the mêlée with the ball seemingly glued to his stick. His 7 goal team mate Valentin Novillo Astrada wasn’t far behind him, in his usual form. Despite their initial fervour, Engel & Völkers were the first on the scoreboard with a fantastic field goal from Captain Kutlay Yaprak.

Following a brief horse change, Novillo Astrada found his rhythm, scoring the first of his many goals. The game was full of tension and high spirits, as players went into ride-offs with extreme energy. By half-time, 2019’s newest team, Cîroc, were 4-2 ahead, to the dismay of the assembled ‘Red Devils’ fans. Adrian Laplacette Jr, usually the one to watch for the boys in red, was consistently shut out of plays by van Andel, who was later named Most Valuable Player, using his pony’s strength to ensure Novillo Astrada always had a clean run on the ball.

By the end of the third chukka, Cîroc continued to hold the lead 6-3, with Engel & Völkers hoping for a polo miracle to bless them in the final six minutes. As if having found renewed energy, Novillo Astrada scored three goals in as many minutes

Agustin Kronhaus & Aki van Andel congratulate each other

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Polo Times, February 2019

to open the final chukka to only one in response from Laplacette Jr. With 9-4 on the scoreboard, Agustin Kronhaus tried desperately to bring his team back into the game, but the clock was not in his favour. As the bell tolled at the end of the 17th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup 2019, Cîroc rode off the field to elated cries of congratulations from the crowd and the coveted trophy in their hands.

Cîroc Captain Sebastian Schneberger said after the Final, “This was a great event and I’m so happy we’ve walked away with the title. It was a tough match, but we rallied together and did what we came here to do.”

Event Organiser, Tito Gaudenzi continued, “What an exciting weekend this has been. Our team may have not made it to the Final, but this year’s tournament has been the best yet, with record crowds and fantastic players. I can’t wait for next year’s edition and we hope to welcome everyone back for The 18th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup. But for now, off to St. Moritz!”

For social images from the event, please turn to our Sidelines pages. www.polotimes.co.uk

17th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel

The 17th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Teams: Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel 2019 17. Januar - 20. Januar 2019

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Reports

Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel 2019 17. Januar - 20. Januar 2019

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POLO TEAM

Cîroc (12): Sebastian Schneberger (2/GER), Aki van Andel (3/NED) Valentin Novillo Astrada (7/ARG)

Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel 2019 17. Januar - 20. Januar 2019

Corum (10): Eckhardt Juls (0/GER – substituted by Eno Grans 0/GER) Patrick Maleitzke (4/GER) Juan Ruiz-Guiñazú (5/ARG)

3 POLO TEAM

Engel & Völkers (12): Kutlay Yaprak (1/TUR) Agustin Kronhaus (4/ARG) Adrian Laplacette Jr. (7/ARG)

Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel 2019 17. Januar - 20. Januar 2019

Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel 2019 17. Januar - 20. Januar 2019

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POLO TEAM

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3 POLO TEAM

POLO TEAM

Bendura Bank (12): Melissa Ganzi (1/USA) Alejandro Novillo Astrada (8/ARG) Tito Gaudenzi (3/CH)

www.polotimes.co.uk

Bernd Gruber (10): Eduardo Greghi (0/BRA) Grant Ganzi (3/USA) Pierre Henri Ngoumou (7/FR)

Maserati (10): Marc Aberle (1/GER) Caspar Crasemann (4/GER) Thomas Winter (5/GER)

Polo Times, February 2019

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Reports

BMW B. Grimm Thai Polo Open Final

La Familia Find Form Thai Polo lose out in final seconds

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Polo and La Familia. Both teams had faced each other previously in the 2017 Thai Open Final, however neither team had claimed victory as after Harald Link’s pony slipped and fell, both team Captains decided to gentlemanly share the title – the first time The Thai Open title had been shared and highlighted the emphasis on sportsmanship shown throughout the tournament.

This year, the title was hard fought from the outset between the old adversaries, with the ball being passed from end-to-end; however the frenetic pace was not illustrated in the half-time score, which rested on just 1-1. Unfazed, the second half continued in earnest with the players battling in close quarters for possession, but once again there was limited success in finding the posts and the scores were tied 2-2 going into the fourth and final chukka. The last chukka kicked off in the same intense manner as all the others, and Shaik Raismann scored for La Familia which seemed as if it would be the final goal of the tournament. However, Thai Polo’s Facundo Fernández Llorente had other ideas and as the crowds counted down

Photography by Dominic James | www.dominic-james.com

he BMW B. Grimm Thai Polo Open is one of the most prestigious polo tournaments in Asia, held annually at Thai Polo & Equestrian Club in Pattaya, Thailand. This year the tournament also marked the start of the Royal Malaysian Polo Association International League 2019, which will continue in August in Malaysia when the three remaining tournaments of the series (the Royal Selangor Polo Club Open, RMPA Classic and RMPA International League Final) will be played.

Four 14 goal teams competed in the tournament, and on Saturday 19 January crowds gathered at Thai Polo & Equestrian Club to watch the Final between home team Thai Polo versus La Familia. Before the main event of the day, guests were entertained with an equestrian show jumping demonstration and music from the Wat Suthi Wararam Marching Band.

The crowds were warmed up with the Subsidiary Final between 22BR and Axus, which saw 22BR secure victory and third place with a score of 8½-5. The polo action then continued with the Final between Thai

La Familia celebrating their win

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Polo Times, February 2019

www.polotimes.co.uk

BMW B. Grimm Thai Polo Open Final

Reports

Harald Link on the ball in the Final

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, February 2019

33

Reports

BMW B. Grimm Thai Polo Open Final

The BMW B. Grimm Thai Polo Open Final was hotly contested

the last seconds of the chukka he slotted a last minute goal through the posts to level the scores to 3-3.

The umpires consulted and called in the third man for the third time in the match and it was decided to go to an extra chukka with a golden goal. You could feel the tension in the air with both teams eager to secure the win. The spectators were on the edge of their seats, excitedly waiting to see what would unfold in the extra chukka. The extra chukka started as fast and furious as all the others, with Agustín Andrada taking the first run and almost scoring the winning goal, then Facundo Fernández Llorente was given a 60 yard penalty but failed to convert the opportunity. Juan Manuel García Grossi made a play but was stopped by La Familia’s Mohamed Moiz. La Familia were awarded a penalty midfield, which led to another spot penalty in front of Thai Polo’s goal, taken by Matias Vial, whose hit gave La Familia the win and victory title of The BMW B. Grimm Thai Polo Open 2019.

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Polo Times, February 2019

FINAL

19 JAN

Where: Thai Polo & Equestrian Club

MVP

BPP

Mohamed Moiz

Paz, owned by Mohamed Moiz & played by Matias Vial

The BMW B. Grimm Thai Polo Open Final Teams: Thai Polo (14) La Familia (14) Juan Manuel García Grossi (2) Shaik Raismann (2) Carlos Pando (5) Mohamed Moiz (1) Facundo Fernández Llorente (7) Agustín Andrada (5) Harald Link (0) Matías Vial (6)

Juan José Díaz Alberdi & Ben Turner

Chukka Scores: 0-1, 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-3 to La Familia www.polotimes.co.uk

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What about playing polo in Switzerland ?

Learn to play polo or join us for chukkers or tournaments Polo Park and Country Club Zürich is one of the oldest clubs in Switzerland. Open from April until October.

Take your customers, friends or family to watch our games on Sundays. More than 10 tournaments each season.

We offer kids and adults polo school - discovery days - low and medium goal club chukkers.

Clubhouse, changing rooms, apartments, stables, everything is ready to welcome you and play the best polo on full size fields in Switzerland.

e ebsit dates! w r June 1-2: Zürich Championship Low Goal nts k ou Chec ourname k.ch June 21-22: Kensington Polo Trophy ore t opar for m ww.pol June 29-30: Zürich Championship Medium Goal w July 5-7: 20th Zürich International Ladies Polo Cup August 31-sept 1: San Francisco de Asis Polo Cup september 7-8: Vecinos Cup

Polo Park & Country Club Zürich - info@polopark.ch - Join us on Facebook : Polo Park Zürich - www.polopark.ch

Unstoppable La Dolfina

Reports

Unstoppable La Dolfina The Argentine Open Legends

Las Monjitas came up against La Dolfina in their first Argentine Open Final

Katie Vickery

his year the polo community was in for a treat as it turned its collective eyes to Argentina for the culmination of the world-famous Argentine Triple Crown. With the classic rivals Ellerstina and La Dolfina battling for The Tortugas and Hurlingham Opens, with La Dolfina taking home The Tortugas Open title and Ellerstina ensconcing The Hurlingham Open trophy safely on their family mantlepiece once again, it was time for a mix-up. After one of the most exciting and surprising matches of the Argentine season, Ellerstina were forced to admit defeat in the Semi Finals and take their seat in the stands to watch Las Monjitas take to the Palermo stage in the Final against La Dolfina. The young Las Monjitas team had www.polotimes.co.uk

Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

T

reports from Argentina

La Dolfina secured their 12th Argentine Open victory

stormed through the zone stage matches, defeating all teams in their path with their powerful line-up of Hilario Ulloa, Guillermo ‘Sapo’ Caset, Facundo Sola and Santiago Toccalino and a killer performance against

the Pieres boys saw them within touching distance of their ultimate goal. With some huge wins under their belts and riding the high of defeating the 40 goal Ellerstina lineup, Las Monjitas had just one match standing Polo Times, February 2019

37

Reports

Unstoppable La Dolfina

Las Monjitas fans were out in force

between them and history, and they arrived at the field to a sea of orange on Sunday 16 December. The excitement was palpable as the teams started their warm up and the fans were buzzing with the twist of the tale that saw some of their favourite players get their chance to fight for ultimate polo glory.

As was the case throughout much of

this Argentine season, rain stopped play on the scheduled Finals day, thus delaying the big match by one day to allow the field to dry as much as possible. The big day dawned sunny though, and Palermo was in perfect condition to host firstly The II Women’s Argentine Open Final followed by the men’s at 5pm. The ‘Cathedral of Polo’

%

Throw Ins: La Dolfina 16 Las Monjitas 18 Best Mounted Player of the Tournament: Facundo Pieres

Best Mounted of the Final: Adolfo Cambiaso

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Polo Times, February 2019

was filled with eager onlookers and after an intense and exhilarating ladies’ Final, the big moment arrived as La Dolfina aimed to match their ladies’ team with a win, while Las Monjitas remained determined to do their best to topple the reigning champions.

The match got underway and it didn’t take long for La Dolfina to draw first blood.

Within 30 seconds of the first throw-in, Adolfo Cambiaso had worked his magic to score a magnificent field goal that put La Dolfina ahead for the first two minutes of the game. Las Monjitas were relentless in their attack however, and their golden boy, ‘Sapo’ Caset was quick to reply to the La Dolfina goal with one of his own. A string of fouls followed, and three penalties were scored in the first chukka with Las Monjitas out in front by one. La Dolfina were unruffled however, never panicking even when Las Monjitas started to stretch their lead in the second chukka with ‘Sapo’ scoring three times. As the third chukka got underway it was clear that La Dolfina coach Milo Fernandez Araujo had tired of watching his team trail and had told his superstar to step

Top Scorer of the Triple Crown: Guillermo ‘Sapo’ Caset – 85

Penalties: La Dolfina 8/9 – Las Monjitas 5/6

Biggest Fouler: David ‘Pelón’ Stirling, with 6

Field Goal Accuracy La Dolfina: 53% (9 goals from 17 shots to goal)

Result: La Dolfina 17 – Las Monjitas 12 Chukka Score: 2-3, 3-6, 6-6, 9-6, 11-8, 14-9, 15-10, 17-12 to La Dolfina MVP Adolfo Cambiaso Argentine Open Facts and Figures: 43-years-old 26 Argentine Opens 22 Finals 15 Wins 90 Matches Won 942 Goals Scored

www.polotimes.co.uk

Unstoppable La Dolfina

Dolfina B09 Cuartetera Clone 9 (Genetic Lambada/Sportivo), played by Adolfo Cambiaso

The Argentine Open Final teams: La Dolfina (40)

Las Monjitas (37)

Adolfo Cambiaso (10)

Facundo Sola (9)

Position: 1 1st Argentine Open: 1992 Played: 26 Champion: 15 Triple Crowns: 4

Position: 1 1st Argentine Open: 2012 Played: 7

(1 with Ellerstina 1994 and 3 with La Dolfina in 2013, 2014 & 2015)

David Stirling, Jr. (10) Position: 2 1st Argentine Open: 2009 Played: 10 Champion: 7 Triple Crowns: 3 3 (with La Dolfina in 2013, 2014 & 2015)

BPP

Hilario Ulloa (10) Position: 2 1st Argentine Open: 2008 Played: 11

Guillermo ‘Sapo’ Caset (10) Position: 3 1st Argentine Open: 2004 Played: 12

Top Scorer of the Final: Adolfo Cambiaso – 12

Pablo Mac Donough (10) Position: 3 1st Argentine Open: 2002 Played: 17 Champion: 9 Triple Crowns: 4

Reports

Fouls: La Dolfina 12 – Las Monjitas 12

Santiago Toccalino (8) Position: 4 1st Argentine Open: 2014 Played: 5

(1 with Ellerstina 2010, 3 with La Dolfina in 2013, 2014 & 2015)

Field Goals: La Dolfina 9 Las Monjitas 7

Juan Martín Nero (10) Position: 4 1st Argentine Open: 2004 Played: 15 Champion: 9 Triple Crowns: 4

(1 with Ellerstina 2010, 3 with La Dolfina in 2013, 2014 & 2015)

10 NOV

FINAL

16

Fair Play Award: Juan Martín Nero

DEC

Umpires: Guillermo Villanueva Jr & José Araya, with Jason Dixon third man (the first British umpire to do so in Argentine Open history)

MVP Adolfo Cambiaso

www.polotimes.co.uk

Where: Field 1 Palermo, Buenos Aires

Top Scorer of the Tournament: Guillermo ‘Sapo’ Caset – 45

%

Field Goal Accuracy Las Monjitas: 50% (7 goals from 14 shots to goal)

Polo Times, February 2019

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Reports

Unstoppable La Dolfina

Santiago Toccalino holds his own against La Dolfina might

it up. This he duly did and six goals later from Cambiaso and two chukkas with no orange goals, La Dolfina were back out in front 9-6 at half-time.

Half-time Stats: Score: La Dolfina 9 – Las Monjitas 6 Throw-ins: La Dolfina 10 – Las Monjitas 7 Fouls: La Dolfina 7 – Las Monjitas 4 Penalties: La Dolfina 4/4 – Las Monjitas 3/4 Field Goals: La Dolfina 5 – Las Monjitas 3 Try as they might, the powerful Las Monjitas side were just no match for the pure team synergy of the long-time team mates. It was clear from the moment Cambiaso put pedal to the metal and accelerated past, that Las Monjitas would need a miracle to pull off a win. La Dolfina rarely make mistakes and with a confidence gained from years of playing together, they soared effortlessly around the field with precision passes and spot on backhands leading to team goal after team goal. It may have been Cambiaso slotting the ball between the posts, but his team mates were working hard to feed it to him throughout the game.

There may have been a change in the 40

Polo Times, February 2019

Little could rival the La Dolfina fans

line-up, but there was no change in the result as the legendary La Dolfina team stormed to their sixth consecutive victory in The Argentine Open and their 12th Argentine Open victory overall with a 17-12 win over the underdogs. It seems this powerhouse team is not to be toppled yet as they quickly quashed any rumours there might be going around about them not playing next year’s Triple Crown. 43-year-old Adolfo Cambiaso

was unsurprisingly given the Most Valuable Player Award in recognition not only of his incredible field play and the way he brings his team together seamlessly, but also of his whopping 12 goals (of which seven were penalties) that saw La Dolfina raise their trophy high once again. There is certainly no slowing down for this paragon of polo and the team that he has led to glory time and time again. www.polotimes.co.uk

The best players and teams around the world use our polo equipment. www.rjpolo.com

01285 238228

Reports

Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2018 The Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2018 Final Teams:

FINAL

13 14 DE

C

Team Tonino Lamborghini: Rashid Albwardy Saoud Khoory Maxi Malacalza

Team HILLS Advertising LLC: Tariq Albwardy Sam Instone Ramiro Cordero

DEC

Victory On The Beaches Dubai beach polo glamour

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Polo Times, February 2019

www.polotimes.co.uk

E

Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2018

Where: The Marina, Dubai

Photography courtesy of Beach Polo World Cup Dubai

www.polotimes.co.uk

very year in mid-December, Skydive Dubai is alight with The Beach Polo Cup Dubai, now in its ninth year. This exciting event welcomes players from across the globe to revel in polo excellence for the last time before the festive season truly begins, and this year the competition was as strong as ever. Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of The Dubai International Marine Club and His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, four teams were welcomed to participate in this year’s tournament over two days of thrilling night polo. Unlike other beach polo tournaments across the world, this event is held in the evenings, due to the extreme Dubai daytime heat.

Following a glamorous red carpet reception, Altaaqa Global and HILLS Advertising LLC began the tournament proceedings. Despite fighting in the first two chukkas to draw 4-4, Altaaqa Global could not hold the match against their rivals’ powerful drives. HILLS Advertising LLC secured their first victory 12-5 and with it a spot in the Final.

Team Tonino Lamborghini Residences’ first match was a similar affair, against Team Lindt Chocolate. The new face for 2018, Team Lindt Chocolate featured the first female player to ever grace The Beach Polo Cup Dubai sands, as Austrian Dr Sabine Schaffer made her debut. Unfortunately, Lindt Chocolate’s early strength in the first chukka, drawing 2-2 with Tonino Lamborghini, was short lived. Though they did not give up the fight throughout, Tonino Lamborghini remained in the driving seat throughout, taking home their ticket to the Final with a 10-5 final score.

Alongside the exciting matches, the audience were treated to an artistic horse action lightshow, to really embrace the festive feel of the event. This year’s event also welcomed a brand new free grandstand, not only increasing audience numbers, but enabling more polo fans to get as close as possible to the action in the arena.

With the scene set, the two strongest teams set up for the final day. The Final was to be a family affair, as brothers Rashid and Tariq Albwardy led their teams against each other for the coveted trophy. From the first throw-in, Tariq Albwardy’s HILLS Advertising LLC took the lead, which they held until the third chukka, but as Tonino Lamborghini Residences evened the scoreboard 5-5, then took the lead in the fourth, there was no room for a late comeback from the HILLS Advertising LLC side. Rashid Albwardy’s Team Tonino Lamborghini Residences Dubai emerged victorious 7-6 at the final bell, thus securing the 2018 Beach Polo Cup Dubai title.

Tim Bown

Action from the fast-fought Final

Reports

Gabriela Noser-Katiela, Event & Tournament Director of the Beach Polo Cup Dubai said after the event, “Dubai is on a mission to be the most active city in the world and we want to make our mark supporting this goal.” It was also Gaby’s initiative to extend the public grandstands this year and to invite the people of Dubai to enhance their polo experience, with free entry to the tournament and learn about the powerful charisma and breathtaking action of polo. The 2018 edition of the tournament also saw the first ever Holiday Christmas Market, which offered unique and stylish gift ideas from small businesses across the UAE. Polo Commentator Jan-Erik Franck, known worldwide as ‘The Voice of Polo’ concluded, “There is no doubt that the Beach Polo Cup Dubai ranks among the top polo events in the world. The 2018 tournament has demonstrated again, how electrifying the spirit of beach polo is and how much easier it is to watch from the grandstands than field polo on grass. This unique event will remain at a high standard and we are already looking forward to the 10th Jubilee edition in 2019.”

Polo Times, February 2019

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Reports

The HPA National Club Championship Victor Ludorum, Westcroft Park Polo Club

Roaring Good Victory HB Polo Lions secure title at Westcroft Park

Jen Liggins

n a windy, chilly December Sunday, Westcroft Park Polo Club opened its doors for the Final of The HPA National Club Championship Victor Ludorum 8 Goal.

Following a week of close play between the teams, Hugo Baldwin’s HB Polo Lions came up against Nadia Whitelock’s Twyford Polo to battle for the coveted trophy. From the off, Niall Donnelly and Harry Muddle’s cool as a cucumber play, ensured HB Polo Lions took the early lead, ending the first chukka 6-1. Taking their time to get into the swing of things, Adolfo Casabal’s increased frustration throughout the first half, with extensive whistle from umpire Howard Smith, meant HB Polo Lions retained their lead 8-5 at the half-time bell. Both teams left the arena with tensions at their peak, but

Photography by Polo Times

O

reports from Surrey

following stern team talks on both sides, the atmosphere appeared calmer as the teams lined-up for the second half. Two successful penalties from a now more subdued Casabal and a perfectly timed Penalty 1 narrowed the scores to 9-7 very quickly into the third chukka. With a nearside tap into goal, Will Newman brought the scores to 9-9, which meant Twyford Polo were now back in the game. Following another flurry of activity and goals, as well as another Penalty 1, the chukka ended with Twyford Polo now holding the lead 11-10. As has now become the norm in this close season of arena polo, it all came down to the final chukka, and as the first ball was thrown-in, the teams flew out of the starting blocks. With tempers high, three Penalty 1s were awarded in as many minutes, as well as expertly timed goals from Casabal and Muddle, putting HB Polo Lions back in the lead 14-13. As the clock ticked down, it looked like Twyford Polo might come back with another goal to push the match into extra time, but it wasn’t to be. HB Polo Lions held their 14-13 lead to take home The HPA National Club Championship Victor Ludorum 8 Goal title.

HB Polo Lions win The HPA National Club Championship VL 8 Goal title

Will Newman was presented with The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player award, whilst John Horswell’s pony Sweet William, ridden by Newman, a seven-yearold homebred (recently gelded) gelding, was awarded the Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug. To read more about Sweet William, please turn to our Pony Power pages.

Action from Westcroft Park

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Polo Times, February 2019

www.polotimes.co.uk

The HPA National Club Championship Victor Ludorum, Westcroft Park Polo Club

The HPA National Club Championship Victor Ludorum 8 Goal Final Teams:

Reports

FINAL

8

16

DEC

DEC

Howard Smith

HB Polo Lions (8) Hugo Baldwin (0) Harry Muddle (3) Niall Donnelly (5)

Twyford Polo (8) Nadia Whitelock (0) Will Newman (1) Adolfo Casabal (7)

BPP

Sweet William, owned by John Horswell and played by Will Newman

Where: Westcroft Park Polo Club

MVP Will Newman

MVP Will Newman on the nearside

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, February 2019

45

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Playnation Arena Polo Masters, AEPC, Hickstead

Reports

T

Tom Morley controls the play

www.polotimes.co.uk

Astra Astonish Playnation Arena Polo Masters

Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

he Final and Subsidiary Final of the annual Playnation Arena Polo Masters Tournament hosted by John Bunn at the All England Polo Club, Hickstead was played on Sunday 13 January with a plethora of players and spectators lining the arena. The Finals day was the end of an amazingly fun and competitive weekend, which had started on Friday night with the draw for the tournament and a funfilled supper in the Hickstead Clubhouse.

The following day saw Team Playnation take on Team Astra in the first game. A narrow victory for Team Astra put Simon and Joseph Arber, along with Tom Morley, immediately into the Final and they had to wait to see who they would play against when Team Bell-Fruit Games played Team Gamestec next. The second game was hard fought and ended in a win for Team Gamestec securing Ana Escobedo, Nell Jacob and Jonny Good a spot in the Final. Another wonderful night followed at The Ockenden Manor Hotel preparing all the players for the following day.

After a hearty breakfast, John Bunn, Guy Harrison and Seb Dawnay of Team Playnation opened the day, just missing out during an open and fast game against Team Bell-Fruit Games with Romilla Arber, Manny Arber and Max Charlton. The tempo of this game set the tone for the day and the Final to come.

Team Gamestec began the Final with a one goal head start on handicap and from the word go there was a lot of pressure from Team Astra, but Nell Jacob got on the end of a deflection and finished extremely well to put her team two goals up in as many minutes.

More furious action followed with the first chukka, ending 3-3.

Simon Arber won the ball from the first line-out in the second chukka and converted a great goal. Morley then, unusually, missed a 15 yard penalty which let Team Gamestec off the hook. Goals from Arber and Morley then put Team Astra up by three goals, but a goal from Good and a penalty reduced the deficit to one at half-time. The arena was put back to pristine condition whilst the players had a quick breather before the second half got underway.

Jacob and Good scored quick goals at the start of the third chukka, putting Team Gamestec into the lead and another 15 yard penalty missed by Tom Morley kept Team Gamestec up. Arber then collected the ball, coming across the arena and powered around the Gamestec defence to even the score. Team Astra then scored another two unanswered goals to finish the chukka winning ten goals to seven.

Astra secured The Playnation Arena Polo Masters 2019

Tom Morley and Arber started the fourth chukka with a brace of two pointers to put their team up by seven. Good replied with a 15 yard penalty, but strong defensive play from Simon Arber and Ana Escobedo meant the scores didn’t change for a long period in the chukka. Good finally broke the game’s drought of goals with a cracking nearside neck shot. There was some debate as to whether it was worth one or two goals, but eventually the officials ruled it was only worth one. Finally, Morley managed to convert a 15 yard penalty to restore Team Astra’s six goal

lead, taking home the trophy, 15-9.

Lee Jefferson from Playnation presented the trophy and prizes to the winners and runners-up, followed by a celebratory lunch for over 80. Now in its third year, this tournament is well and truly set on the polo winter calendar.

The Playnation Arena Masters Final Teams: Gamestec (8) Astra (8) Ana Escobedo (1) Joe Arber (2) Nell Jacob (2) Simon Arber (1) Jonny Good (5) Tom Morley (6) Polo Times, February 2019

47

Reports

Playnation Arena Polo Masters, AEPC, Hickstead

It was a close competition between Astra and Gamestec

11 JAN

Blue, played by Tom Morley

FINAL

13 JAN

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Polo Times, February 2019

BPP

Where: All England Polo Club, Hickstead

Niall Donnelly & Chris Bethell

www.polotimes.co.uk

Test Match 2018 Polo Times_Layout 1 24/01/2019 12:47 Page 1

Saturday 2 March 2019B

O TIC OK KE NO TS W

ADMISSION £5, LUNCH £49.50

10.30am Gates Open 11.30am 12 Goal Challenge 1.30pm Playnation Polo Test Match for the Bryan Morrison Trophy - Flannels England v France 4.00pm Post Match Lunch

PLAYNATION POLO TEST MATCH

www.hickstead.co.uk

hannah.robinson@hickstead.co.uk

01273 834315

WINTER ARENA SEASON 2018/19 NOVEMBER 10th - 11th

Weekend Tournament

10th - 11th

Arena Challenge Trophy

17th - 18th

The Richmond Trophy

17th - 18th

The Metropolitan Trophy

20th - 2nd Dec

HPA National Club Championships

20th - 24th

Ladies Nations Tournament

1-3 7 - 10 4 -6 10 - 12 1-3 / 10-12 4-8

DECEMBER 4th - 9th

The Paul Castle High Goal Challenge

8th - 9th

Weekend Tournament

12th - 16th

The Chairman’s Trophy

19th - 23rd

The Chrismas Open

JANUARY Fri 4th - 20th

HPA New Year National Club Championships

12 - 15 0-4 4-6 10 - 12

4-6 / 13-15

23rd - 26th

Minuty Ladies Cup

26th - 27th

The Katie Tunn Trophy

4-6

29th Jan - 3rd Feb Winter VL Tournament

5-8

29th Jan - 3rd Feb FCT Invitational Challenge Trophy

1-3

12 - 15

• Membership Stabling Available • Club Chukkas 4 days a week • Tournament Polo every week

FEBRUARY 9th - 10th

Weekend Tournament

12th - 17th

The Olin Trophy

Tues 12th - 23rd The Arena Gold Cup 19th - 24th MARCH Sat 2nd

0-4 7 - 10 13 -15

Ladies British Open Tournament

The Bryan Morrison International Trophy

4-6

Open

@ AEPC Hickstead

Polo Office – 01344 890060 – polo@rcbpc.com

• Challenge Matches • Cantina & Clubhouse Facilities

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Photograph courtesy of Aspen Valley Polo Club

Aspen Valley Polo Club

Richard Mille secured The St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship

In the Final of The St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship at Aspen Valley Polo Club on 20 December, Richard Mille captured the title with a 6-5 final score

against rivals Flexjet. 10 goal Argentine powerhouse Pablo Mac Donough was named Most Valuable Player in the Final, whilst Richard Mille Captain Marc Ganzi received The Intermix Tournament Most Valuable Player honours.

Furthermore, Kit Kat, a seven-year-old mare owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm and played by Alejandro Novillo Astrada, was selected as the match’s Best Playing Pony.

The St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship Final Teams: Richard Mille: Marc Ganzi, Martin Pepa & Pablo Mac Donough Flexjet: Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada & Juan Bollini

Photograph courtesy of Iberian Polo Tour

Ayala Polo Club

CQ Polo Team lifted The Copa Casa Fagliano trophy

In the final tournament of The Iberian Polo Tour 2018, CQ Polo Team lifted the trophy in The Copa Casa Fagliano at the Ayala Polo Team headquarters. After three days of intense competition, CQ Polo Team defeated Sotovila in the Final, in which Roberto Iturrioz was named Most Valuable Player and La Elegida, played by Santiago Laborde, was awarded the Best Playing Pony rug.

The Copa Casa Fagliano Final Teams: CQ Polo Team: Cristóbal Méndez de Vigo, Carlos Gómez, Mariano Iturrioz & Pelayo Berazadi Sotovila: Carlos Piñal, Luciano Irazábal, Patricio Neves & Hugh Arbuthnott

Beaufort Polo Club

Gloucestershire based Beaufort Polo Club has announced their 2019 fixtures list, with some highlights worth mentioning.

Between 8 – 9 June, the renowned Gloucestershire Festival of Polo will once again grace the Gloucestershire grounds, with an international match, The Javier Novillo Astrada Memorial Tournament and a celebrity match. The following week, the Club will host The Alzheimer’s Society Charity Polo Day on Friday 14 June, marking the charity’s 40th anniversary.

Marking the Club’s own 30th anniversary, The Beaufort 30th Anniversary Ball will take place on Saturday 10 August. The charity days will continue with The Forever Friends & Neverest Charity Polo Day on Sunday 1 September and The Hospitality Action Charity Polo Day on Sunday 15 September.

For more information about the upcoming season, please visit Beaufort Polo Club’s new website www.beaufortpoloclub.com

Black Bears Polo Club

Photography courtesy of Barbados Polo Club

Barbados Polo Club

Club Focus

Over the weekend, two teams reigned supreme during The Polo Against Prostate Cancer Day

Between 12 – 13 January, the season got underway at Barbados Polo Club with two matches taking place at Holders Polo Club in aid of The Barbados Cancer Society during The Polo Against Prostate Cancer Day. The Green Team (Team A) were successful in the first match, winning 3-2, whilst The Blue Team (Team B) secured victory in the second match 6½-4.

The Polo Against Prostate First Match Teams: www.polotimes.co.uk

Team A (4): Linda Williams (-1), Richard Deane (1), Luis Clerici (1) & Jamie Dickson (3) Team B (4): Ashleigh Deane (-1), Roddy Davis (0), Wayne Archer (2) & Lucas Nicolao (3) The Polo Against Prostate Second Match Teams: Team A (7): Philip Atwell (0), Philip Tempro (2), Salvador Duggan (2) & Adam Deane (3) Team B (6): Rhys Odle (1), Stephen Williams (1), Harry Manning (1) & Pablo Crespin (3)

Black Bears Polo Club has announced their 2019 summer tournament schedule. Their season will start in early May with the 18 goal Black Bears Trophy and finish on Sunday 8 September with the Final of The Black Bear’s Farewell tournament.

For more information about the upcoming season and entry deadlines, please email lh@ues-admin.com Polo Times, February 2019

51

Club Focus

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Club de Polo Ampurdan

Photograph courtesy of Lucy Ainsley

Bombay Hills Polo Club

The New Zealand season is well underway

Colonel Suarez Polo Club

Photograph courtesy of Club de Polo Ampurdan

Last season was unfortunately a bit of a non-starter for the Bombay Hills high goal sections, with the two biggest tournaments of the New Zealand polo calendar, The International and The Land Rover NZ Polo Open, unfortunately being cancelled due to record breaking rainfall through January and February. The low goal calendar battled through the dismal weather, to still ensure some good polo fun was had even if it was in a raincoat. The annual Walker Tournament was a raging success with 22 teams entering, thankfully falling later in the season once the sun had come out and saw husband and wife duo Nina and John Paul Clarkin take home the 16 goal trophy. The 2018/2019 season is already hotting up to be bigger and better than ever, with Argentina confirmed to be returning for The International this year at KihiKihi Grounds to battle New Zealand in what is now a two year build up. The 2019 Land Rover NZ Polo Open takes on a new format to run over eight days, ensuring more recovery time for the horses as well as strategical planning time for the teams. The Finals have been moved to a Saturday to encourage its continued growth from an event side and as always it has attracted some great team entries with some fantastic international polo stars back in New Zealand for a chance at the coveted trophy. The polo in New Zealand continues to attract the big-name players both for its fantastic polo, laid back attitude and great polo ponies.

Club de Polo Ampurdan defeated their rivals to win The XXXVII Principiantes Dario Campos Tournament

Between 10 – 11 November, The Club de Polo Ampurdan hosted The XXXVII Principiantes Dario Campos tournament, which saw Club de Polo Ampurdan (Paule Poype, Ignacio Briones, Olivia Shea & Dario Campos) take home the title. Damas Portes from the opposing team was named Most Valuable Player.

Photograph by Martina Riviello

Ham Polo Club Agro de Souza/Case took home victory at Colonel Suarez Polo Club

On 31 December, Colonel Suarez Polo Club welcomed players from across the globe for the Final of The 25th Torneo Internacional La Esperanza, in which ten 10 goal teams had participated. The Final saw the two undefeated teams, Agro de Souza/Case and La Esperanza Myl Colores compete in a single chukka to decide the winner, due to poor weather conditions. The former team took home the 52

Polo Times, February 2019

victory 3-0 after seven minutes of play.

The 25th Torneo Internacional La Esperanza Final Teams: Agro de Souza/Case: Siobhan Fagan, Giordano Magini, Joaquín Perkins & Benjamin Araya La Esperanza Myl Colores: Chris Fagan, Matías Bertola, Mariano Molinari & Martin ffrench Blake

Ham Polo Club are looking for work experience individuals who would be interested in employment at the Club between 1 March – 30 September.

Applicants must have experience in event coordination, membership coordination, polo, social event planning, Club administrative methodology, social media management, data management and be available from Tuesdays to Friday between 9am and 5pm, and 10am to 5pm on Sundays. Applications should be sent to fj@hampoloclub.com www.polotimes.co.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 1842 862 068

Fax: +44 (0) 1842 861 936 Email: info@greenheath.co.uk Website: www.greenheath.co.uk

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Club Focus

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Mangorace took home The Opening Tournament win 7-5

Four teams gathered for the opening tournament of the 2018 season between 20 – 24 November. Following three days of heated play, La Constancia came up against Mangorace in the Final, which began with La Constancia taking the initial lead.

Mangorace quickly evened the scoreboard and from then on they took control, with the scores resting at 4-2 at half-time. Mangorace ultimately prevailed to win 7-5, with the traditional tequila served to mark the end of the match. The Club is open until April with the next tournament having taken place during the Festive period.

Emsworth Polo Club

Photograph courtesy of of NFPC

Photograph courtesy of Costa Careyes Polo Club

Costa Careyes Polo Club New Forest Polo Club

Megan Barnes was named the Most Improved Female Player

Photograph courtesy of Emsworth Polo Club

On Saturday 8 December, New Forest Polo Club marked the end of their 2018 season with a Wrap-Up/AGM party and awards at The Huntsman of Brockenhurst. Megan Barnes was named the Most Improved Female Player, Jacob Watson the Most Improved Junior Player, Alice Walsh received the Umpire Award and Charlie Hatfield was named the Most Improved Male Player.

Jodhpur Polo Club Four Quarters Black were victorious in The Ambassadors Winter Cup

Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly The Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly has begun their 2019 spring season. Play began in early January with the 0-4 goal Paprec Cup, and was followed by the -1-1 goal Paprec Challenge, which will be shortly followed by the Chantilly instalment of The Arena Polo Tour. During the tour, teams will play at Deauville then Paris, with the Chantilly instalment falling between 9 – 10 February.

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Polo Times, February 2019

Cerisano presented the prizes, followed by a lunch and celebratory drinks in the Clubhouse.

The Ambassadors Winter Cup Final Teams: Four Quarters Black (10): Romilla Arber (0), Manny Arber (1) & Max Charlton (9) Four Quarters Orange (10): Joe Arber (2), Emil Arber (1) & Tom Morley (7)

Photograph by Ashok Chandna

In December, Emsworth Polo Club welcomed players and guests for the annual Ambassadors Winter Cup. In the Final, it was Arber versus Arber as Four Quarters Orange took on Four Quarters Black. Following an exciting match, Four Quarters Black took home the victory 23-21. The Argentine Ambassador Renato Carlos Sersale di

The Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup marked the end of the season

On 31 December, the 19th annual Jodhpur polo season came to an end with the Final of The Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup, with five teams having participated. Despite starting the match half a goal behind (due to handicap difference), Chandna Cavalry Polo defeated Central Academy 7-3½, following four goals in a row from Argentine Manolo Fernández Llorente.

The Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup Final Teams: Chandna Cavalry Polo: Mrityunjay Singh, Ashok Chandna, Ravi Rathore & Manolo Fernández Llorente Central Academy: Vikram Aditya Singh, Bhawani Padmanabh Singh/Kuldeep Singh, Singh Kalvi & Abhimanyu Pathak www.polotimes.co.uk

Club Focus

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Aero defeated PX in the Final of The Copa Sotoestates

Between 7 – 9 December, four teams battled for the 8 goal Copa Sotoestates at Santa María Polo Club, the first leg of the 2018 Iberian Tour. In the Final, Aero defeated PX, 8-4 to take home the title following a close to perfect tournament, with three wins under their belt up to that point. Briec Rigaux was presented with the Most Valuable Player award whilst Rosendo Torreguitar’s pony Tai Tai was awarded the Best Playing Pony rug.

The Copa Sotoestates Final Teams: Aero (8): Antonio Gallego (0), José Manuel Ponce de Leon (1), Pedro Beca (1) & Briec Rigaux (6) PX (8): Carlos Gomez (0), Veronica Desmas (0), Hernan Pieres 3() & Pelayo Berazadi (5)

In the Final of the opening tournament of The Thai Polo 10 Goal League, on Sunday 30 December, The Thai Equestrian Federation Cup, The Next Level took home the title following a round-robin final day, securing the top spot in the League thus far. 22 BR came second in the League, with Thai Polo coming in third. Aron Harilela was named Most Valuable Player, whilst Mistica, played by Nicolas Pieroni and owned by Ronnie Lim, was awarded the Best Playing Pony rug.

The Thai Equestrian Federation Cup Top Two Teams: The Next Level (10): Aron Harilela (1), Pierre Jauretche (2), Damián Marcos (3) & Nicolás Pieroni (4) 22 BR (8): William Zhao (0), Claude Haberer (0), Nacho Garrahan (3), Pedro Fernández Llorente (5)

Tidworth Polo Club

Photograph courtesy of Tidworth Polo Club

Photograph courtesy of Santa María Polo Club

Santa María Thai Polo Polo Club Club, Pilar

Tidworth emerged victorious at home

The Tidworth team emerged victorious in the Final of The Nine Trophy on Sunday 13 January. According to the Club, John Houlden was on fire, “Netting a two pointer that made Cambiaso look a bit Sunday League.”

Cholderton led for much of the game, young Max Rennie’s poaching ability netting a brace of goals for his team, but the match ended 10-9 in the favour of the home side.

Westcroft Park Polo Club The 2019 Club Challenge Weekend, scheduled to take place between 4 – 5 May. Throughout the season, the Club will welcome a host of teams from across the country for their 13 tournaments across a breadth of handicap levels. The Club will welcome ladies’ teams for The WIP Women’s League Weekend at the beginning of June as well as The Chukka for Life Tournament (Cancer Research UK) multi-level tournament between 15 – 16 June. In August, the Club will once again host The Westcroft Park Ladies Championships, in both 4-6 goal and 8-12 goal.

Photograph courtesy of Westcroft Park Polo Club

On Sunday 6 January Los Techos defeated Centtrip 15-14 in the Final of The New Year Trophy. In the Subsidiary Final, J&R beat Westcroft 10-9. Furthermore, on 15 February, Oxford University will be taking on Cambridge University in the annual Alumni match at Westcroft Park Polo Club at 2pm.

Following the match, players and spectators will be welcomed to The Queen’s Club London to celebrate the day with the annual black-tie alumni dinner.

The Club has also announced their 2019 summer fixtures list. Summer chukkas will begin on 20 April, with the first tournament,

Los Techos defeated Centtrip in the Final of The New Year Trophy

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Volume 23 • Issue 11 • December 2018

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Volume 23 • Issue 11 • December 2018

INTERVIEW Helen Cruden

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Cup & 12th Manipur

Polo International

THE HURLINGH Ellerstina VictoriousAM OPEN REPORTING FROM The 3 & 12 Goal HPA RCBPC National

Polo International

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nal Cup & 12th Manipur

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Military

A Round-Up of Military Polo Action

HACKETT Army Tour India Success in the home of polo

Simon Ledgers reports

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Polo Times, February 2019

Photography by Sam Churchill

“For the eighth consecutive year, the HACKETT British Army Polo Team toured in India with a 6 goal team. The tour started in Delhi based out of the newly acquired La Pegasus Polo base at Gurgaon south of Delhi, with two days of intensive coaching by Gaston Devrient. Mr Sanjay Jindal ensured we had some good ponies for the first match on Friday 7 December against the 61st Cavalry-Indian Army, a 7 goal team with 5 goal Ravi Rathore and rising Indian 4 goaler Chauhan. A fine start by the HACKETT Army side saw some excellent polo and two quick goals off the stick of Giles Bromley-Martin rather surprised the home team who were determined to avenge their defeat in this year’s British High Commissioner’s Trophy.

The 61st were rotating players and ponies and thus they began to fight back and at the half-time break HACKETT Army were 3-2 down. Matters did not improve in the third chukka when the pressure of some excellent work by Rathore saw the margin increase to 5-2. The fourth chukka began at pace with Devrient combining very well indeed with Powell and Ahluwalia and HACKETT Army fought back to 5-6. An unlucky divot prevented Bromley-Martin from a certain score and in the dying seconds, Chauhan on a brilliant run escaping Powell’s grasp, scored on the bell to secure a win for the 61st by 7-5.

The whistle only went three times throughout the whole match which was a fine example of sportsmanship by both teams in front of a large, knowledgeable crowd of 600 or so. The field was quite excellent and the facilities fantastic. Sir Dominic Asquith presented the prizes and Lt Rishi Ahluwalia LD was awarded the MVP prize.

“The team then moved on to Jaipur where they practiced with the British Polo Day teams out from the UK. Giles BromleyMartin played with Malcolm Borwick in a 10 goal game, which saw him being awarded the MVP. “After a journey by car from Jaipur to Jodhpur, the team had two days of stick and balling in preparation for meeting a Jodhpur team to compete for The Umaid Bhawan Palace Cup. The 7 goal HACKETT British

HACKETT Army secure The Peninsula Cup

Army side maintained the same line-up and again were up against some of the leading Indian Players, in particular, Abimanyu Pathak, who at 5 goals was well mounted and an athletic player. The HACKETT Army team held them to a one goal lead in the first chukka, but Abi Manyu finding his range, leaked two more with one off the stick of Bromley-Martin after a very fine run the length of the pitch. So, with two goals to find, Gaston Devrient scored from way out to get the HACKETT Army Team back to just half a goal adrift by the end of the third. Another goal well into the last minute saw the team ahead by half a goal and an unlikely victory on the cards with the large British Polo Day crowd of guests and local dignitaries bellowing for their teams. It was not to be, a foul meant a 60 yard penalty to the Jodhpur team with 11 seconds on the clock remaining. 5 goalers do not miss such opportunities and Abi Pathak sent the ball soaring high and scored to edge them ahead by half a goal to win 6-5½. It was judged to be the best match of the two day Series of the British Polo Day matches and once again the whistle rarely went.

The HACKETT Army Team, despite losing, were happy and coach Gaston Devrient said afterwards that this was the best Army team for a while and with youth on their side the 6 and 8 goal teams seem set for the summer, military duties allowing.

Huge thanks are due to the British High Commission in Delhi and also for the eighth time to British Polo Day, Tom Hudson,

Ben Vestey and the team for their hospitality and generosity.”

The HACKETT British Army India Tour Team: HACKETT Army (6): Lt Rishi Ahluwalia LD (0), Lt Giles Bromley-Martin IG (1), 2Lt Oli Powell WG (2) & Gaston Devrient (3)

Gaston Devrient holds the ball for HACKETT Army

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Women’s Polo

Supported by

International & Home

La Aguada Polo Club invites you to learn to play polo or join us for chukkers or tournaments

Polo Park and Country Club Zurich is one of the oldest clubs in Switzerland and opened this season with a brand new clubhouse. Take your customers, friends or family to watch our games on Sundays.

We offer kids and adults polo school - discovery days - low and medium goal club chukkers.

More than 12 tournaments each season.

In the Final of The XI La Aguada Ladies Cup at La Aguada Polo Club on 9 December, Nipas remained undefeated, taking home the title 4-1 against Ditrisio. Fátima Balzano was awarded the Most Valuable Player honours, whilst Nik Sarina Hashim was presented with the Fair Play Award.

The XI La Aguada Ladies Cup Final Teams: Nipas (14): Annita van der Hoeven (1), Clarissa Marggraf (1), Fátima Balzano (5) & Clara Cassino (7) Ditrisio (13): Lucy Bowman (4), Stephanie Haverhals (3), Ginevra D’Orazio (4) & Sofia Scuitto (2)

Photograph courtesy of La Aguada Polo Club

Clubhouse, changing rooms, apartments, stables, everything is ready to welcome you and play the best polo on full size fields in Switzerland.

Nipas remained undefeated in The XI La Aguada Ladies Cup

Hazel Jackson-Gaona Goes to 10 PPZAddPoloTimesl.indd 2

20/06/17 15:11 I

Hazel Jackson-Gaona is now 10 goals in Argentina

Westcroft Women’s Championships Westcroft Park Polo Club will host The Westcroft Women’s Championships between Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 February, across both 0-2 and 3-4 goal handicap levels. The Club will welcome four teams on each level and are excited to continue to champion women’s polo in the UK.

Photograph courtesy of Hampshire Polo School

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

International player and Flannels England International Day Most Valuable Player two years running, Hazel Jackson-Gaona, has been promoted to 10 goals in Argentina, following an extremely successful run in the high goal with the El Overo UAE Z7 team. The team unfortunately lost out to La Dolfina Brava in The II Women’s Argentine Open Final on Sunday 16 December, but her exciting and strong play singled her out to the Argentine authorities for promotion.

Alongside fellow Brit Nina Clarkin, she is now one of only two 10 goal female players the world over, but to date, has yet to beat the world-number-one, Nina Clarkin. She remains 9 goals in the UK and the USA.

The Women’s Arena Polo Series

Hampshire Polo School defeated Hickstead to win The Ladies Arena Polo Series at AEPC HIckstead

In the second instalment of The Women’s Arena Polo Series, The Ladies Arena Polo Series at AEPC, Hickstead, Hampshire Polo School (Aurora Eastwood, Nadia Whitelock & Heloise Wilson-Smith) secured the trophy with a 14-13 final score against a Hickstead side, and with it a luxury prize from Reservation Barbados – a five night stay in a villa at Apes Hill, Barbados.

The Series is continuing in 2019 with tournaments having already been played at Westcroft Park and RCBPC at the time of going to press. Looking forward RCBPC will host The British Open between 19 – 24 February, followed by The Ash Farm Ladies Tournament between 9 – 10 March.

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Volume 23 • Issue 11 • December 2018

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INTERVIEW Helen Cruden THE HURLINGHAM OPEN Ellerstina Victorious

INTERVIEW Helen Cruden REPORTING FROM RCBPC The 3 & 12 Goal HPA National

INTERVIEW Helen Cruden

PLUS: USA International

OPEN THE HURLINGHAM Ellerstina Victorious RCBPC REPORTING FROM National Club Champs The 3 & 12 Goal HPA

Club Champs

Cup & 12th Manipur

Polo International

THE HURLINGH Ellerstina VictoriousAM OPEN Polo International Cup & 12th Manipur REPORTING FROM PLUS: USA International The 3 & 12 Goal HPA RCBPC National Club Champ s PLUS: USA Internatio

nal Cup & 12th Manipur

Polo International

For Women’s polo dates for your diary, turn to our What’s On pages

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Women’s Polo

Supported by

The II Women’s Argentine Open

La Dolfina’s Day invites you to learn to play polo or join us for chukkers or tournaments

Polo Park and Country Club Zurich is one of the oldest clubs in Switzerland and opened this season with a brand new clubhouse. Take your customers, friends or family to watch our games on Sundays.

We offer kids and adults polo school - discovery days - low and medium goal club chukkers.

More than 12 tournaments each season.

Clubhouse, changing rooms, apartments, stables, everything is ready to welcome you and play the best polo on full size fields in Switzerland.

Reigning Champs of The II Women’s Argentine Open

Katie Vickery

reports from Argentina

What a way to start the most exciting day of the women’s polo year! In its second year, The Women’s Argentine Open did not disappoint and was once again an incredible testament to the growth, strength and popularity of ladies’ polo around the world.

Even with just four teams, the tournament was exciting throughout, with some incredible performances, shock wins and cliff hanging results. There were certainly two favourite teams straight from the off and with early walkover wins El Overo UAE and La Dolfina Brava proved themselves to be contenders from the beginning. Both 30+ handicap teams, they had no trouble defeating the two 24 goal teams, but it was all to play for when they came up against each other. Both led by the powerful Brits and friendly rivals Nina Clarkin (La Dolfina Brava) and Hazel Jackson-Gaona (El Overo UAE), they had scores to settle and points to prove.

The searing hot Finals day arrived and the ladies were ready for battle. With a previous win over La Dolfina Brava under their belt, El Overo UAE were ready to press home their advantage, but with last year’s championship title still fresh in their minds PPZAddPoloTimesl.indd 2

Mia Cambiaso and Nina Clarkin celebrate their second consecutive victory

Argentine Open Final teams: La Dolfina Brava (31) Mia Cambiaso (6) Milagros Fernández Araujo (7) Nina Clarkin (10) Candelaria Fernández Araujo (8)

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Polo Times, February 2019

La Dolfna Brava were keen to make it the double and would not go down without a fight. And they were off, the giants of ladies’ polo, both British and Argentine, locked in a fierce match where talent, cool headedness and horsepower would all play their part.

It was El Overo UAE’s Lia Salvo with the first goal, followed by a long-distance goal from Sarah Wiseman which the tone was set for the first half of the match. There was big, fast and open polo from both sides, but it was El Overo UAE who seemed to be gelling best, with Sarah shutting the back door effectively, Jackson-Gaona and Salvo playing flawlessly together in the middle and Clara always well placed out in front, ready to jump onto any loose ball or pass and run, winging it down the field in long, easy strokes.

A couple of close calls and missed opportunities from Brava meant they were still in the game throughout but just couldn’t quite catch the other side, and UAE certainly had the advantage, going into half-time two goals up. Just as it had been last year, it was within UAE’s grasp, but Clarkin and her feisty team mates made a herculean effort in the fifth chukka, really coming together to show exactly what they were made of and clawing their way back to finish the penultimate chukka 7-7.

Jackson-Gaona was relentless in her defence and attack but was no match for Clarkin’s faultless long precision backhands to her nippy team mates. The Fernández Araujo girls were mesmerising to watch as they played incredible team polo, scoring nearside under-the-neck goals worthy of 10 goal status and Mia Cambiaso, quick as a cat, was 20/06/17 15:11 I

Nina Clarkin and Lia Salvo fight for possession

everywhere on the field at once.

All of a sudden, the tables had turned, and it was El Overo UAE at the disadvantage and on the defensive. La Dolfina effectively closed down the UAE runs in the last two chukkas giving themselves more opportunities to score. They capitalised well on these with fantastic runs that were consistently backed up by Clarkin, ready

A week before, also on Field Two of Palermo, more Brit ladies were making their mark on the historic polo site. The all-Brit ladies’ team Alegria/HPA 1875 came up against the North American side Santa María de Lobos in the Subsidiary Final. With a win against this team already in the bank, the girls were confident as they rode onto the field, and if they felt the pressure of their surroundings or the crowds that had come to watch them, they certainly didn’t show it and rode to a comfortable 10-4 win. Their strong attacking play gave them the advantage throughout the match and they were leading from the go, proving to be a solid, strong team and proudly flying the flag for British polo talent.

El Overo UAE (32) Clara Cassino (7) Hazel Jackson-Gaona (9) Lia Salvo (9) Sarah Wiseman (7)

Argentine Open Subsidiary Final teams: Santa Maria de Lobos Alegria/ HPA 1875 (24) Dawn Laurel Jones Lottie Lamacraft (6) Paige McCabe Annabel McNaught-Davis (6) Courtney Asdourian Emma Wood (5) Tiva Gross Tamara Fox (7)

(24) (6) (6) (6) (6)

For Women’s polo dates for your diary, turn to our What’s On pages

The II Women’s Argentine Open

Supported by

Women’s Polo

invites you to learn to play polo or join us for chukkers or tournaments

BPP

Polo Park and Country Club Zurich is one of the oldest clubs in Switzerland and opened this season with a brand new clubhouse. Take your customers, friends or family to watch our games on Sundays.

We offer kids and adults polo school - discovery days - low and medium goal club chukkers.

More than 12 tournaments each season.

Fair Play Award: Clara Cassino

Clubhouse, changing rooms, apartments, stables, everything is ready to welcome you and play the best polo on full size fields in Switzerland.

BPP AAP: Fax Cherokee, owned by La Dolfina and played by Mia Cambiaso

BPP BPP Argentino Pony: El Overo Alcachofa, owned by Lucas Monteverde and played

by Hazel Jackson-Gaona

MVP Nina Clarkin

Winners: La Dolfina Brava, 9-8

Chukka Score: 0-2, 0-2, 1-3, 3-5, 7-7, 9-8 to La Dolfina Brava

PPZAddPoloTimesl.indd 2

Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Hazel Jackson-Gaona on Going to 10 Goals: “Going up to 10 goals was a complete surprise – I wasn’t expecting it. I had a fantastic season out in Argentina and I was really well mounted by an amazing organisation so that made the difference. It does make it harder to make teams, but it’s also everyone’s biggest goal when they are playing polo so it’s amazing to have got here. Now my aim is to get to 10 in the US and the UK. You have to always be striving for more. I am super stoked and I think it’s amazing that there are two English girls on 10 who are the best in the world. I’m pretty proud about that, but for me 10 goals is just a number until I start to actually beat Nina. I still feel like I have so much to improve and that’s the exciting part. When you go up in handicap, you start to play better because it’s a psychological challenge. You have to play better so that’s another good thing. Big things to come.”

Mia Cambiaso races ahead

All handicaps are HPA women’s handicaps, unless stated otherwise Is your women’s polo not featured? Email editorial@polotimes.co.uk with all your women’s polo news!

20/06/17 15:11 I

to jump in and slot the ball through the posts should her front runners be unable to complete and were in the lead halfway through the last chukka. An epic goal from Clara Fernández Araujo to equalise at 8-8 with a minute left had the audience on the edge of their seats and screaming for their team, but with the ball down in the Brava half for the final minute it was heart in the mouth stuff. Cande Fernández Araujo pounced on a loose ball and showing skill and cool headedness far beyond her years, powered it through the posts, to seal the 9-8 win for the reigning champions who look to be following in the namesake’s lead as legends of The Argentine Open.

Once again it was a nail-biting Final with glory snatched from the jaws of defeat by an incredible goal just seconds before the final whistle. The crowds were on their feet and the cheers could be heard across Buenos Aires even as everyone headed over to watch the men’s Final on Field One where La Dolfina took their lead from the girls and powered through to glory.

A win for Nina Clarkin, a well-deserved raise to 10 goals for Hazel Jackson-Gaona and a Subsidiary win for the all-British ladies’ team Alegria/HPA 1875 signifies a successful trip across the pond for the UK representatives in Argentina.

Polo Times, February 2019

63

Youth

All Aspects of Youth Polo

Intercollegiate Challenge Cup On Saturday 26 January, a young England team will travel to The International Polo Club, Florida to compete for the 2019 Intercollegiate Challenge Cup against an American side. The SUPA team will be comprised of Robyn Evans (Hartpury), Michal Zurawski (University of Nottingham), James Glew (Northampton University) and Jamie Grayson (Oxford Brookes), whilst the USPA Intercollegiate team will be represented by Fiona McBride-Luman (California Polytechnic State University), Demitra Hajimihalis (University of Virginia), Christian Aycinena (Texas A&M University) and Liam Lott (Skidmore College).

“We are excited to bring the International Intercollegiate Challenge Cup back to US soil this year,” said Amy Fraser, Director of USPA Intercollegiate/Interscholastic (I/I) Polo. “This tournament has grown to become a

The SUPA England Intercollegiate Cup Team:

Jamie Grayson (2)

James Glew (1)

cornerstone event for both the USPA I/I and SUPA programmes. Established in 2013, the exchange between the two countries has been positive for both programmes, giving up-and-coming players something tangible to strive for, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be able to compete

Michal Zurawski (0)

Robyn Evans (0)

for their school, the I/I program and their country. The comradery between the two programs continues to grow each year and the tradition is strong.” The USA currently leads the series 4-2 after a victorious win last year in England. The match will be live streamed on www.uspolo.org/video

WIP University Ladies Tournament

Photograph courtesy of OUPC

On 19 January, ladies youth teams came together at Tidworth Polo Club for the first annual WIP University Ladies Tournament.

All the teams fought hard in their respective games, but it was Oxford University Ladies Team that ultimately came out on top, beating Harper Adams Ladies Team 12-10. OUPC’s Tamara Gibbons was presented with the Most Valuable Player honours.

The WIP University Ladies Tournament Final Teams: OUPC (-2): Freddie Schrager (-1), Natascha Dominsen (-2) & Tamara Gibbons (1) Harper Adams (-1): Annabel Twinberrow (0), Harry Cutts (-1) & Lisa Ives (0)

OUPC Ladies Team took home the WIP University Ladies honours

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Pony Power

Knowledge

Sweet William Height: 15.1hh Age: Seven-years-old Colour: Black Sex: Gelding Owned by: John Horswell Played by: Will Newman Tournament: HPA National Club Championships 8 Goal Winter Victor Ludorum at Westcroft Park Polo Club Where is he from/breeding? He was homebred by John Horswell.

Photograph courtesy of John Horswell

How long have you had him? Only for a short time. This winter I have been riding him at Lyfords and last winter at Westcroft Park.

Tell us about his background? Josh Clover broke him in, in 2014 and since then Ed Morris-Lowe and I have been smoothing off the edges.

What are his strengths? He is very handy and will go into any play without hesitation.

Has he won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? No, not yet.

How has he gone this season? Since we had him gelded in October 2018, he has really started to enjoy his work.

What are your plans for his in the future? Well, I think he is for sale – you’ll have to ask John about that!

Does he have any special quirks? Sometimes he forgets he’s not a stallion anymore. He likes the ladies.

Describe him in three words. Athletic, powerful, fearless.

Chance to win £2,500 with your former racehorse (raced in GB and registered with RoR)

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Polo Times, February 2019

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Knowledge

Equipment Focus: Bits

Stephen Biddlecombe of Equine Management Ltd offers a reader bitting advice

Polo Mare That Leans & Pulls

A. Leaning on the bit is a good sign that the pony feels the bit is utilising too much tongue pressure. The leaning is the pony’s way of trying to numb the pressure, thereby creating some relief. I believe the curb is also perhaps playing a part in her leaning. We see many horses that object to the curb on a Pelham bit.

I recommend a Bombers Bits Happy Tongue T Bar 3 Ring; it’s ideal for a pony with a sensitive tongue. All of the Happy Tongue bits have a medium port, creating space for the tongue and result in relieving pressure, allowing the horse to relax.

The T-Bar was developed by Bomber for polo; it has the same effect as the traditional Fulmer, in that it will prevent pinching on the

The Polo 3 Ring T-Bar Happy Tongue is ideal for a pony with a sensitive tongue

sides of the mouth; however the shortened and extended pins above and below the bit prevent the bit being pulled through the mouth, and guide the pony or horse’s head into the direction the bit is facing.

Furthermore, this bit is great for training purposes, to help hone your ‘brakes’ ahead of this season! The T-Bar has a Loose Ring fitting, which allows for immediate release, whilst the shortened pin extensions prevent it from being hooked up. A ring cheekpiece

Photograph courtesy of Bombers Bits

Q. My polo pony is currently in a Don McHardy Polo Pelham. She is generally good in it during schooling sessions at all gaits. But during play, when she is put under pressure and speeds increase, she becomes very strong and checking/ stopping becomes a real challenge – she leans on the bit, and becomes incredibly ‘heavy’. She has a neutral head carriage with this bit. Is there another bit that you would recommend I try with her?

HG

introduces poll pressure as well creating leverage on the mouthpiece. The 3 Ring is our most popular version.

You presumably have the Bombers Pelham 55 McHardy, which has relatively shorter shanks, at 55mm; the mare will therefore be used to the poll pressure that the ring cheek also introduces. The Pelham bit is usually a stronger bit than a 3 Ring, so this is a nice sideways step, rather than seeking a stronger bit.

Bombers Bits include hundreds of off the shelf bitting solutions, and customers can even design their own bespoke bit from a selection of mouth pieces, cheek pieces and widths, using a ‘design your own bit’ service. Bombers bits are made from blue sweet iron – the metal oxidises easily, creating a warm, sweet taste in the pony’s mouth and encouraging the pony to salivate. Visit www.worldwidetack.com. Submit your bitting questions to info@equineman.com to enter a prize draw to win a voucher towards the Bombers Bit of your choice, or Tweet us at @WorldwideTack with your bitting question.

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Polo Times, February 2019

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Playing Tips

Playing tips with Rege Ludwig Plane of Swing and Direction of Hit

Neck

Polo Times, April 2018

Barbados Polo Club

On Saturday 10 February, the Canadian Polo Team travelled to Barbados to play the Barbados Polo Club team. Following an exciting match, the Canadians were victorious against the home team.

The ideal Body Condition Score?

Personally, I like to see a FIT polo pony sitting between a Condition Score of 4 and 5, (using the American scoring system of 1-9). A polo pony coming in from a winter break should ideally be a 5, and I wouldn’t be upset if it was a 6, but coming in at 3 is going to mean a lot of food to put on condition whilst getting fit.

Chester Polo Club

Back

Hind quarter

Natural arm and shoulder movement An aspect of natural body mechanics to be aware of, relative to the plane of swing concept, is how your arms naturally move when walking. They do not move straightforward or straight back – they move,

The shoulder should be set at the correct angle to achieve the desired shot

Ribs

Key fat areas

instead, forward and in, on an approximate 30 degree angle during the forward portion of the arm swing, and back and out on the same angle during the back swing.

As a consequence of that natural arm movement, when you swing the stick, your right arm has the tendency to move in that same natural swing fashion. Furthermore, if your shoulders are perpendicular to your horse, your arm will move forward and in towards your horse on an approximate 30 degree angle, causing the stick to move in a similar manner.

The stick will hit the ball to the left producing an approximate 30 degree angle offside neck shot.

If a 45 degree angle neck shot is desired, your right shoulder should be rotated fifteen degrees from perpendicular, forward and in towards your horse to create a plane that is consistent with the desired fifteen degree increase in the angle of the neck shot.

If you want to hit the ball straightforwards, then you must change the angle of movement of your right arm by rotating your right shoulder back approximately 30 degrees from perpendicular. That 30 degrees

Key muscle areas Key muscle & fat areas

Can the ribs be felt easily?

As a general rule, if the ribs can be felt, being fat is not usually a problem and the area being focused on is most likely the ‘belly’, which stands out significantly when top line muscle is lacking. Being able to feel ribs easily is indicating a BCS of 4 – which is NOT FAT!

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19/03/2018 10:50

Polo Tech Knowledge

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Untitled-7 1

As part of a 12-year, £122 million investment programme, DBPC has announced that it will be moving ahead with extensions to its Clubhouse facility. With groundworks underway already, the new marquee is expected to be completed by April this year, in time for the beginning of the 2018 polo season, and will provide space for an additional 220 guests within a 450 square metre space.

The planned investment programme aims to add to the unique ‘Olde World Colonial India style’ Clubhouse, which plays hosts to a wide variety of events from wedding receptions, dinners and family celebrations, to the all-important polo events. On Saturday 3 February, DBPC welcomed guests for the 12 and 2 goal Charlotte Trophy tournaments. To start the day, Catherine Varney’s Toasty Tips team beat Towcester Equine Vets, 9-8 in the 2 Goal Final, which was followed by the 12 Goal Final, where CANI took home the trophy 9-5 against DBPC. Grant Collett was awarded the Most Valuable Player award whilst his pony Maggie was presented with the Best Playing Pony rug. For social images of the event please turn to our Sideline pages.

NWA, USA – Middle School League: 30 September – 1 October Aiken, USA – Middle School League: 14 – 15 October Garrison Forest, USA – Middle School League: 21 – 22 October Bluewater Creek, USA – Middle School League: 28 – 29 October

Between 1 – 14 April, the $100,000 World Cup will be returning to Grand Champions Polo Club, Florida. The tournament will feature 16 teams ranging from 0 to 26 goals and will continue its main aim to highlight young American talent. This tournament is unique to the USA because it welcomes such a variety of handicapped teams, with last year seeing entries as low as 4 goals. This year’s tournament will see Adolfo Cambiaso and his son Poroto play for the first time together in a USA tournament.

In other news, on Saturday 10 February, Patagones won the Sieber Memorial 12 Goal Opener with an impressive 13-9 victory over Sebucan. Patagones led for most of the game and at half-time they broke away with a 5-2 lead. By the fifth chukka, they led by as many as nine goals, 11-2, before Sebucan came back in response. 19-year-old Benjamin Avendano was named Most Valuable Player, whilst Pablo Pulido’s pony Burbuja was presented with the Best Playing Pony rug.

The Sieber Memorial 12 Goal Opener Teams: Patagones (12): Joaquin Avendano (1), Robi Bilbao (4), Benjamin Avendano (2) & Santi Wulff (5) Sebucan (12): Pablo Pulido (2), Marc Ganzi/Grant Ganzi (2), Jesse Bray (5) & Stewart Armstrong (3)

NWA, USA – Great Plains Circuit Women’s Challenge: 30 September – 1 October Timor, Aus – Timor Polo Club Ladies Tournament: 30 September – 1 October Virginia, USA – National Women’s Arena Championship: 19 – 22 October

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Polo Times, March 2018

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Youth Polo

Grand Champions Polo Club

Between 15 – 18 February, the Juan Carlos Harriott Cup took place at Coronel Suarez Polo Club. The international tournament was split into two categories, 16 goal and 10 goal. In addition to the tournament, a children’s tournament also took place for kids under 14-years-old.

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Polo Times, March 2018

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Coronel Suarez Polo Club

3 - Thin Hips and ribs slightly covered. Some hollowness through quarters and tucked up. Top line undeveloped, angular appearance.

4 - Moderately thin Outline of ribs discernible although covered. Scapula and hips covered. Neck reasonably well covered with some top line.

5 - Moderate Ribs not easily distinguished but can be felt.

Well muscled top line, shoulders and neck blend smoothly into body. Fat around tailhead feeling spongy. No hollowness through quarters.

6 - Moderately fat May have slight crease down back. Fat over ribs feels spongy. Fat around tailhead feeling soft. Starting to deposit fat down withers and behind the shoulder.

RCBPC – HPA National Club Championships (1-3 & 10-12): 21 November – 3 December RCBPC – HPA National Club Championships (4-6 & 13-15): 5 – 21 January RCBPC – Arena Gold Cup (13-15): 13 – 24 February

Dallas Burston Polo Club

Key fat and muscle areas

How to score condition 1 - You need to touch them – not just stand and look at them, especially when they come in from the winter with thick, hairy coats!

2 - Look at them from different angles – from the side, standing behind, standing in front.

3 - Watch them move – riding ‘sets’ is a great viewing platform to look at the condition/top line of the lead horses.

4 - Taking photos regularly – especially if there is an individual you have concerns for – take at fortnightly intervals, from different angles to help you see their progression.

UK Key Arena Dates

The DBPC Clubhouse will undergo further improvements before the 2018 season begins

Tickets and hospitality packages are now available for Chester Polo Club’s 2018 fixture list, including the LDF International Polo and The Boodles Roodee Challenge Cup. The season will begin on Friday 8 June, with the LDF International Polo tournament and will continue until The Boodles Roodee Challenge Cup Final on Saturday 8 September. A complete fixture list as well as ticket information can be found on the Club’s website www.chester-races.co.uk/polo

Behind Shoulder

If your shoulders are perpendicular to your horse your arm will move to hit the ball producing a 30 degree angle offside neck shot

Photograph courtesy of Cirencester Park Polo Club

The Canadian Polo Team beat the Barbados Polo Club team on Saturday 10 February

Croup

Rugby – Toft Triathlon (Open): 30 September – 1 October Ranelagh – Copa Ranelagh Farm (-2-0): 30 September – 1 October Binfield Heath – Farewell Tournament (-4-0): 30 September – 1 October Hurtwood – Farewell Cup (0): 30 September – 1 October White Waltham – The Ultimo Polo Trophy (-2-0): 30 September – 1 October RCBPC – Club Weekend Tournament (-2-2): 30 September – 1 October Wicklow – Opening Day of the Season: 1 October Vale of York – First Beach Chukkas: 8 October Druids Lodge – First Club Chukkas: 26 October Rugby – Lagrima Trophy (-3-0 & 0-4): 28 – 29 October

12/10/2016 11:43

Sidelines

Gossip

A ROYAL RETIREMENT After 14 years of royal service, The Queen’s carriage harness horse, Windsor Grey, Daniel, has announced his retirement from public life.

He has taken part in events including state visits, The Queen’s birthday parade and the opening of parliament during his career and has even featured in a 2014 Royal Mail stamp collection. He will now join his harness horse friends Flint, Marsa and Big Tom at the Horse Trust in Buckinghamshire.

Happy retirement Daniel!

Argentina America New Bridge – National Copper Cup (8-12): 15 September – 1 October Aiken – Southeastern Circuit Sportsmanship Cup (0-4): 19 September – 1 October Wagener – Southeastern Circuit Masters Cup (0-6): 19 September – 7 October Willow Bend – Regional President’s Cup (5-8): 27 September – 1 October Congressional – Eastern Circuit Arena Congressional: 30 September – 1 October Barrington – Central Circuit Arena Amateur Cup (0-3): 30 September – 1 October New Bridge – Regional Presidents Cup (4-8): 1 – 22 October Commonwealth – Challenge Cup (5-8): 5 – 7 October Aiken – Southeastern Circuit Players Cup (0-4): 5 – 22 October Aiken – Southeastern Circuit Officers Cup (4-8): 6 – 29 October Seneca – Eastern Circuit Arena Amateur Cup (0-3): 7 – 8 October Skull Valley – Border Circuit Players Cup (0-4): 7 October Barrington – Central Circuit Arena Delegate’s Cup (6-9): 7 – 8 October Wagener – Southeastern Circuit Constitution Cup (0-6): 10 – 28 October Honolulu – Hawaiian Islands Circuit Masters Cup (0-4): 11 – 15 October Denver – Rocky Mountain Circuit Arena Sportsmanship Cup (0-4): 13 – 15 October Club Polo Cabo – Border Circuit Arena Congressional Cup (4-6): 13 – 15 October Westchester – National Sherman Memorial: 14 – 15 October Orange County – National Arena Amateur Cup (0-3): 14 – 15 October Willow Bend – Oktoberfest (8-10): 17 – 29 October New Bridge – USPA Bronze Trophy (8-12): 18 October – 5 November Honolulu – Hawaiian Islands Circuit Governor’s Cup (0-4): 25 – 29 October California – Chairman’s Cup: 27 –29 October

La Aguada – Argentine Amateur Championship (0-4 & 4-8): 14 – 22 October La Aguada – Julio Novillo Astrada Cup (22): 16 – 27 October Tortugas – Tortugas Open (40): 19 September – 7 October Hurlingham – Hurlingham Open (40): 10 – 28 October

FESTIVAL HEN DO

Hazel Jackson celebrated her Hen Do at well known, laid back music festival, Bestival. It was the first time the event has moved off the Isle of Wight and with a peace and love theme, it was the perfect backdrop for the celebrations.

Freddy Trew & Angharad Llewelyn

Assad Hussain & Andrew Tan

Shining Bright at Beaufort

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

On a twinkly Saturday evening, guests gathered at Beaufort Polo Club to celebrate the fast approaching end of the summer season, with lashings of Justerini & Brooks champagne, canapés and most importantly, glitter! The glitter theme was subtly incorporated throughout the beautiful venue with shimmering table decorations, glimmering flower jars and a starlit ceiling.

Each guest came to the evening suitably ‘glittered-up’ ready to dance the night away to local band the Chip Shop Boys, after tucking into a deliciously delectable three-course meal. It’s safe to say, the party carried on until the wee small hours of the morning!

EMPEROR’S NEW ROWING JACKET?

Jono Smail, Edgeworth Polo Club’s Polo Manager tied the knot with Rachel Newman on Saturday 9 September, followed by an evening of revelry at the Gloucestershire Club and bleary eyed matches the following day, luckily held late to allow recovery time!

CPPC has teamed up with local tailor Barrington Ayre to produce a Club blazer in CPPC’s iconic colours.

Those lucky enough to be awarded the Cirencester MVP award will be in with a chance of wearing one of these unique pieces, useful at all polo, tennis, rugby and rowing events.

Tom Morley & fiancée Tessa Foot have welcomed a baby girl into the world. She was born on Monday 11 September and both mother and baby are doing well.

HIGH GOAL RUMOURS On Wednesday 30 August, Rugby Polo Club donned their finest pink outfits for a day of Pink Polo in support of Breast Cancer Now. Even the Club’s Polo Manager, Jeremy Pidgeon, got involved.

North Kenya – Timau 8 Goal Open (8): 13 – 15 October Polo Times, October 2017

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Polo News, Fixtures & Reports

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Norman Bellone

Congratulations to their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who announced the imminent arrival of their third child. Will the third addition to the family grow up to play polo? Will he or she be left-handed like their father or allergic to horses like their mother? Time will tell!

France

Mariana – Challenge de France (-1-1): 7 – 8 October Chantilly – Coupe de l’Automne (0-4): 7 – 15 October Pays de Fontainebleau – Criterium de France (-4 - -2): 14 – 15 October La Tullianna – Coupe Cassoulet: 26 – 29 October

PRETTY IN PINK

Photography by Jocelyn Ridley Photography

THERE’S A THIRD CAMBRIDGE ON THE WAY!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Kenya

Karen Chung, Christopher Sokol, Niul Wood & Kitty Sokol

Beaufort Glitter Ball; Beaufort Polo Club; Saturday 26 August

Libby Snell & Lily Freeman

Australia

Scone – Wootton Cup: 7 – 8 October Scone – Beersheba Trophy (0, 4, 8 & 14): 14 – 15 October Kurri Burri – KH Marshall Cup (0, 4, 8 & 14): 14 – 15 October Sydney – XI FIP World Polo Championships: 21 – 29 October Eynesbury – Mount William Tournament: 28 – 29 October

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20/02/2018 13:38

DBPC PICKS UP ITS NEW WHEELS

Dallas Burston Polo Club has been handed the keys to a brand new, bespoke fitted 5.0 litre V8 supercharged Range Rover Autobiography LWB. The car has been extensively personalised, courtesy of Listers Land Rover Solihull and Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations Divison. Looking swish, DBPC!

The rumours are true! It has now been confirmed that Facundo Pieres will be riding out for La Indiana for the 2018 high goal season. The full team lineup is yet to be confirmed, but we’ll keep you in the loop! In other news, Pablo Mac Donough is set to move to Talandracas for 2018 whilst, according to the rumour mill, Guillermo Caset will be donning the black shirts of RH Polo.

WEDDING BELLS!

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Olivia Castle & Looby Wright

Sarah & Olly Hughes

Chrissy Marshall

Nina Clarkin & Olivia Clowes

Annie Monaghman, Chloe Taylor & Lolly Stanhope-White

Cicely Moore & Frankie Barnes

Congratulations to Jay and Harriet Jones who were married on Saturday 26 August in St Nicholas Church, Itchingfield, West Sussex. Guests were then invited to Shiprods Manor for a downright knees-up with Jay’s father Kenney Jones (of The Who fame) taking to the stage with some famous friends! www.polotimes.co.uk

Posy Ash, Fiona Parker & Minty Bos

19/09/2017 11:28

Shannon Stephenson & Rosie Hutchin

Gwynn Bucket, Nettie Young & Jacob Kirby

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Polo Gossip & Social

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Haden Trueman Greinke & Sarah Burgess

Photograph by Big Love Photography

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Loin

Conformation?

Conformation always needs to be considered, as deep girthed, wide sprung ribs does not mean the horse is fat, as it is more likely a predominant ‘belly’ and lack of top line. So often the horse’s feed and forage is restricted in the hope they lose ‘The belly’ – they don’t, they lose muscle and top line. Those ‘herring gutted’ types can tuck up and look lean very quickly, and often are how the whole string are wanting to look, but this, of course, is not always skeletally possible!

When they are short coupled, compact and deep in the girth they can often look like a ‘good-doer’, but do they have fat pads?

Polo directory

What’s On

October UK Club Fixtures

An email was sent out at the beginning of February following a full review into the Cirencester office organisation and structure over the winter months.

Apparently, the CPPC board has now concluded that a number of organisational changes need to be made to assist with cost saving and to bring stronger leadership. The Assistant Polo Manager and Sponsorship, Events and Office Manager positions will cease to exist with immediate effect. The new structure will introduce Kim Croutear (pictured left) and Gemma Potter (pictured right) the roles of Chief Executive Officer have been made redundant with immediate effect and Administrative Assistant with the intention to respond to the changing environment in which the Club operates.

Photograph courtesy of DBPC

So, where does the horse store fat?

Use a mirror to place your swing like washing the window

The effect of the plane of swing concept is to establish and keep your hand and stick head moving on that same plane or the sheet of glass, so as to have both moving throughout

Spring is in the air and the ponies are coming back into work here in the UK, hooray! Hopefully they have wintered well, and hard feed has been introduced when necessary to minimise weight loss and reduce the uphill battle of having to feed them up whilst they come back into work.

The common misconception, I feel, is that the horse has wintered well because it has a ‘big fat belly’. What is actually often the case, especially after a hard winter, is that the belly is present but the ribs can be felt/seen and the top line has diminished.

The ‘belly’ is not a judgement of fat when the top line is lacking and the ribs can be felt – the ‘belly’ will generally be indicating the horse has lost muscle tone from not being in work and the hind gut is nicely full of indigestible forage!

Dates for Your Diary

Cirencester Park Polo Club

Holidays are Over…

the entire swing and hit process in the desired direction.

To increase the chances of the stick starting on the correct plane at the top of the downswing, the stick head should be pointing in the exact direction the ball is intended to travel.

Position the stick head in the correct plane to create the intended direction

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Lorna Edgar – specialist equine nutritionist

Renowned polo coach, Rege Ludwig gives his expert advice on how to get more out of your game

The Plane of the swing is the trajectory, or path, on which the stick head travels throughout the swing process. The plane should be straight and consistent with the desired direction of the hit. Therefore, no deviation from that straight line, or plane, should take place during the downswing, at point of contact with the ball or up to the end of follow through. More importantly, the Plane of Swing concept applies to all shots (offside, nearside, forward, back, neck, tail and open).

I compare the plane of the swing to a huge sheet of glass. When considering the sheet of glass analogy, imagine having the palm side of your hand on the sheet of glass, not so dissimilar to your hand placement when washing the glass. That is essentially how your hand and the stick head should be positioned at the top of the downswing for all shots.

As your torso is rotating during the downswing, your hand is turning over so at point of contact with the ball, the palm side of your hand is facing perpendicular to the plane. However, after contact with the ball, your hand and the stick head will have turned over to where, at the end of the follow through phase, you could wash the other side of the glass with the palm side of your hand and the stick head.

Club Focus

Nutrition Focus

Photograph courtesy of Barbados Polo Club

Knowledge

01452 730770

19/09/2017 11:30

Knowledge

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

The Future of Your Polo Training Programme

GPS is currently an unutilised tool in all levels of polo

GPS in sport

Photography courtesy of Ainsley Polo

GPS is being used to measure sport players’ performance worldwide

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As the season in New Zealand is in full swing now, Ainsley Polo have been working alongside Wintec scientists Russell Best and Regan Standing to help with their research in trying to further develop and understand the underlying factors that provide the foundation for the science behind polo. Their first area of data we have collected was using GPS, a currently unutilised tool within polo, but as you will see, an extremely valuable one.

Global positioning systems (GPS) are ubiquitous in the elite levels of team sports, such as football, rugby and AFL. These are recognisable as the small squares between athletes’ shoulder blades and are mounted in a vest or woven into clothing.

The use of GPS is continuing to gain traction across all levels of sport, providing valuable measures of performance such as distance, speed, acceleration, deceleration, jumps and impact. All of these metrics contribute to an athlete’s workload for a training session or game

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Performance Analysis which, alongside the coach or trainer’s intuition, allows the optimisation of training methods, game readiness and ultimately reducing the likelihood of injury. Worldleading teams such as the New Zealand All Blacks and Manchester United football team employ GPS technology and openly credit the use of these devices for improvements within their player management strategies.

Similar technology has been used to characterise equine movements such as stride length and stride rates in Thoroughbred racehorses and to detect lameness and abnormal gait patterns. The demands of polo are yet to be expressed using this technology but based on the success of its use in other sports, GPS may be a valid tool to maximise the potential of each pony, inform the effectiveness of a player’s string and increase the longevity of polo ponies’ careers.

As witnessed in team sports, match outcome is strongly influenced by the collective volume of purposeful high intensity activities. In order to perform these effectively, individual training programmes must prepare athletes for the specific high intensity requirements of their sport. In polo, this would capture all ponies within a player’s string and may include outcomes such as acceleration, stops and turns, speed and ride-offs. Some training modifications based on individualised GPS data may include: • Manipulating intensities and durations of chukkas to a percentage of match intensity to either improve pony fitness or outright speed • Utilising a smaller pitch size to modify the number of accelerations, stops and turns, and ride-offs • Inform a progressive rehabilitation programme for injured ponies or an introduction to the game for newly playing ponies Using GPS data, players can further identify strengths and weaknesses within their string. An effective team will address these findings by either altering schooling methods to maximise the playing capabilities of each individual pony, or adjust the order of their string to account for their playing-style.

The combination of playing-style, handicap and horsemanship create a unique signature for each player and their string, therefore individual and repeated GPS observations throughout a season are recommended.

Exposure to a more focused and personalised training environment has the potential to indirectly improve pony welfare and their longevity within the sport. This can be achieved using GPS data by prophylactically managing the high intensity activity a pony undertakes throughout a season, not only decreasing the risk of injury, but furthering the physical robustness of the pony.

To conclude, if used correctly GPS has the capacity to improve polo performance,

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Knowledge

Sports professionals use the results to form training schedules

via maximising and monitoring the technical load and physiological stress on both player and pony.

These findings have the potential to help polo teams at all levels. Teams can understand their players’ and ponies’ most useful positions and roles within the game of play, along with personalising training sessions specified to their strengths, planned order of pony play and game tactics.

By being able to predict how your horse or player will cope in different types of play and game scenarios, winning combinations and tactics will be able to be tailored to horse choice and chukkas. Teams will now be able to play their best set up of horses, as a united team as opposed to their personal best horses, taking teams to a new level of cohesion.

Russell and Regan from Wintech are currently undertaking research with Ainsley Polo in this area specifically investigating the feasibility and potential application of GPS findings, pitch sizes, and in-game demands placed upon players and ponies.

So… watch this space!

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Nutrition Focus

Lorna Edgar – specialist equine nutritionist

Making Sense of the Back of a Feed Sack

Something I have never written about in my years of writing for Polo Times, is what does the information on the back of a feed bag really mean to the end user… YOU! So, inspired by a reader of the magazine who got in touch at the end of last year, I am going to try and explain to you ‘the back of a feed bag’!

The information printed on the feed bag is there to help you make an informed choice about which product is most suitable for your horse. Some details must be there by law, the rest are there at the discretion of the manufacturer. Here we take a look at just what you may be faced with.

Statutory Statement

This is the part that manufacturers must make available on the packaging by law. It may be printed on the bag, on a sticker or on a stitched-on label and includes the following: • The name of the feed – should, but may not, indicate what type of horse the feed is intended for • A description of the feed – i.e. whether it is to be fed as a ‘complete’ feed (nothing else is required) or as a ‘complementary’ compound feedstuff (designed to be fed alongside forage but as the sole concentrate source).

The manufacturer must also state which species the feed is intended for • Analytical Constituents – by law, manufacturers only have to declare the levels of certain nutrients, namely Crude Protein, Crude Fibre, Oil, Ash, Calcium, Phosphorus, and Sodium. Levels of other vitamins and minerals are mentioned at the manufacturer’s discretion and, just because some may not be declared, it does not mean that they are not in the feed. If you need more information about certain nutrient levels, ring the manufacturer direct. o Crude Protein – does not distinguish between essential and non-essential amino acids i.e. the quality of the protein content. Good quality protein helps build muscle and other tissues and does not affect temperament o Crude Fibre – similar to the measure for Crude Protein, this does not indicate how digestible the fibre element of the feed is o Ash – an apparently strange term 70

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•

•

• •

•

which, in fact, is a measurement of the minerals in the feed, such as calcium and magnesium, so is quite useful. It is arrived at when a sample of feed is incinerated so that all the fat, carbohydrate and protein is burned off, leaving just the minerals Composition – this is the ingredients in the feed, listed in order of inclusion, with the greatest first. If the composition is printed on the bag, rather than on a stitched-on label, it is a good indication that the manufacturer sticks to a consistent set of ingredients and doesn’t just use what is cheapest at the time Additives – nutritional additives may be listed under several headings: o Vitamins/Trace Minerals – this covers vitamins and minerals added to the feed and should also list the source(s) from which an individual mineral is derived e.g. sodium selenite. Both vitamins and minerals must be given their appropriate ‘authorisation numbers’. Products often contain other undeclared vitamins and minerals, but which are not required to be listed. o Zootechnical Additives – refers to any yeast culture which has been added to promote digestive efficiency o Amino Acids – protein is supplied by ingredients like soya but, if the formulation requires higher levels of specific amino acids (the building blocks of protein), these may be added separately o Other (non-nutritional) additives include preservatives Bag Weight – is important when used alongside feeding rates for determining value for money Best before date/batch – vitamins break down naturally over time so the ‘best before date’ is based on how long the ones in a particular feed will remain available and useful to the horse.

If there is a problem with the feed, this information is vital should you need to contact the manufacturer Name and Address of Manufacturer – each manufacturer also has an ‘establishment number’ which pin points the exact site of manufacture

Optional Information:

The following is optional, but reputable manufacturers will include as much additional information as they can to help horse owners, when looking at packaging in the shop, as well as to help them use the feed correctly.

• Digestible Energy – quoted as an ‘estimated’ value, this is extremely useful as a guide to the level of energy the feed is likely to give • Feeding Recommendations – may include fairly generic advice on feeding as well as more specific recommendations on how much to feed. Contrary to a popular myth, these are not over-inflated by the manufacturer to get you to feed more than you need to! They are carefully formulated according to guidelines by the NRC (National Research Council) against an average quality forage, and taking into consideration the horse’s bodyweight and workload, ensuring a balanced diet.

Quantities may need to be adjusted according to quality of forage, amount of forage fed or the condition of your horse.

If you find you really can’t feed what it says on the bag, then it is potentially the wrong feed for your horse.

• Logos and other symbols – UFAS & BETA are regulatory bodies that ensure a quality product is produced. o UFAS – most top feed brands manufacture to a strict code of feed safety, accredited to the Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS), and meaning production methods and conditions are carefully controlled and conform to EU and UK legislation.

This considers both the nutrient profile of feeds and any pesticide residues or mycotoxins, from raw materials, which should be absent, or well below UK/EU permitted limits. For most manufacturers, it is not just a question of meeting legal requirements but of ensuring their feeds are safe and nutritious for the horse o NOPS (Naturally Occurring Prohibited Feedstuffs) – are defined by the rules of racing and the FEI and are considered to exert an effect on a horse’s performance. They are www.polotimes.co.uk

Nutrition Focus

Knowledge

Photography courtesy of

either naturally present in certain ingredients or may occur as a result of inadvertent cross contamination of raw materials, before arrival at the feed manufacturer’s facility.

Manufacturers following best practise, according to a BETA-developed code, are showing that they are doing all they can to minimise the risk of feed contamination with NOPS and will display a logo on their packaging o BETA (British Equestrian Trade Association) – the Ulcer Mark is a new feed approval mark which www.polotimes.co.uk

has been developed by BETA, in consultation with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, for feeds designed to be suitable for horses prone to ulcers • Descriptive terms – terms like ‘nonheating’ and ‘free from whole oats’ are used generically by feed producers as they have standard meanings which have been agreed industry-wide I am hoping that when you are next looking at the back of your feed sack you can make a more informed decision as to what

Lorna Edgar

Lorna Edgar delves into what the back of the feed bag actually means

you are feeding, and whether it is suited to that individual polo pony. If you do not understand anything, ring the manufacturer or visit their website.

Hopefully, when you look at your bag of feed you will realise that legislation has to be followed and ‘sweepings off the floor’ it is not!

Next month I am going to go into more detail about the Composition (simply the ‘ingredients’), to raise awareness as to what goes into the bag of feed.

C ontact Lorna Edgar of Baileys Horse Feeds on lorna@baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk Polo Times, February 2019

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Medical Insight: Polodoc

Dr.med. Andreas KrĂźger is a Swiss board orthopaedic and trauma surgeon in Zurich, who specialises in knee and shoulder surgery. Andi is a second generation of tournament doctors for equine sports, known as Polodoc since 2013 and is a member at Legacy Polo Club in Switzerland

Broken Wings Fracture of the humerus Injury pattern

The number one injury on any list of polo injuries is a fracture located on the upper extremity (the upper arm). The upper part of the humerus is crucial as it is the part of the shoulder joint containing all the tendon insertions, which are needed for the movement of the shoulder. Fractures of this upper part of the bone in the arm (humerus) can be complicated due to its anatomic complexity and the high demand of mobility from the area. Symptoms include pain, swelling and a decreased ability to move the shoulder. Complications may include axillary nerve or axillary artery damage.

Additional injuries in the case of luxation can be fractures to the glenoid and shoulder labrum (joint lip). Rotator cuff injuries may also be associated. The cause is generally a fall onto the arm or direct trauma to the arm, whilst risk factors include osteoporosis and diabetes. Diagnosis is generally based on X-rays or a CT scan. The treatment could be conservative for nondisplaced, or green, fractures. For comminuted and displaced fractures of the humeral head/shaft, an operative treatment is recommended.

These fractures are common in sports with the possibility of high-energy/high-speed falls. Young players have a higher risk for concomitant soft tissue problems (rotator cuff and neurovascular injuries) in cases of additional shoulder dislocation. The forces through the surrounding muscles can displace the fragments in unstable fractures (pectoralis major displaces shaft anteriorly and medially, supraspinatus/infraspinatus/ teres minor externally rotate greater tuberosity, subscapularis internally rotates articular segment or lesser tuberosity).

However, associated nerve injury of the axillary nerve is the most common injury. An arterial injury is uncommon and most often occurs at the level of the surgical neck or with subcoracoid dislocation of the head.

A proximal humerus fracture

Classification

The fractures mostly happen at the anatomic neck, which represents the weakened area below the head of the bone and is more often involved in fractures than the anatomic neck.

Diagnostics

Photograph by Katerina Morgan

Radiographs are routinely undertaken after a fall. The recommended views are included in the complete trauma series (true AP, scapular Y and axillary view). Additional views are apical oblique, Velpeau and West Point axillary. In case of comminution fractures, an additional CT scan should be considered (preoperative planning), especially if the humeral head or greater tuberosity position is uncertain and intra-articular comminution is present. An MRI is recommended to identify an associated rotator cuff injury.

The humerus fracture is number one on the polo injury list

An X-ray of a humerus fracture

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Medical Insight: Polodoc

Treatment

Photography courtesy of Polodoc

The treatment is always depending on the fracture type. Non-displaced simple fracture types can be treated non-operatively with sling immobilisation followed by progressive rehabilitation (minimally displaced surgical and anatomic neck fractures). If the greater or the lesser tuberosity is involved and the fracture is displaced, an operative stabilisation is recommended.

A proximal humeral fracture, repaired with screws

Knowledge

To stabilise the fracture, different techniques from transcutaneous pinning over plate or nail fixation, are practical solutions.

In cases of avascularity of the humeral head or massive destruction of the joint, a joint replacement might be advised. In young players a reconstruction of the joint is the primary goal to enable a swift return to play.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is the most important part of the management post-injury. The best results are with guided protocols, or the socalled three-phase programmes. It starts with early passive ROM (range of motion) exercises, followed by active ROM exercises and progressive resistance. The last stage is the advanced stretching and strengthening programme. A prolonged immobilisation that leads to stiffness is not recommended.

Additional continuous passive motion with the help of a machine is also very helpful.

Muscle stimulation with Compex® is recommended. After six to eight weeks, the follow-up X-ray will show the degree of bony consolidation and the active motion rehabilitation can start. When the consolidation is accepted, and mobilisation is regained, the first swing training, under safe conditions, can be started. In cases of high positioned implant plates, an impingement can result with the need of an additional implant removal.

A proximal humeral fracture with a full joint replacement

Recommendation: • Always use Vitamin C prophylaxis for stiffness • If stability is proven, early motion programmes are crucial • Go see a specialist • Comminuted complex cases - multiple fragments and rotator cuff involvement - additional dislocation, nerve injury For more information on Polodoc contact Andreas Krüger at drmedkrueger@gmail.com or www.polodoc.ch

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Vet Insight

Imogen Burrows BVetMed CertAVP(EM) MRCVS RCVS Advanced Veterinary Practitioner in Equine Medicine Imogen graduated in 2000 from the Royal Veterinary College, London and currently practices at Lingfield Equine Vets, Surrey. She achieved her RCVS certificate in Equine Medicine in 2014 and was awarded RCVS Advanced Veterinary Practitioner status the following year. Imogen is passionate about both education and professional development, as well as delivering excellence in practice

The Acutely Painful Eye Uveitis

It is not an unfamiliar scenario to arrive at the yard and find your horse with a closed eye with mucky discharge seeping out, but what should you do? The inclination of many people will be to clean the discharge and apply some form of eye ointment kicking around the medicine cupboard and give it a couple of days. Successful treatment relies on identification of the underlying cause, for example, putting ointment in an eye with a penetrating injury unknowingly will damage the eye irrevocably. This simple, apparently benign, act changes the outcome from potentially full restoration of sight to loss of the eye. Before you rush to self-prescribe, I would encourage you to remember misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment can have catastrophic consequences.

The prominent position of the equine eye predisposes it to trauma and the varied occupations of the horse, often in harsh environments, render the surface of the eye (the cornea) vulnerable to damage. Many conditions affecting the eye and surrounding tissues result in pain, generally manifested in horses as squinting or tight closure of the eyelids, tearing and reddened conjunctiva (chemosis). One less well known condition, uveitis, may present exactly in this manner.

What is uveitis?

Uveitis is a term used to describe inflammation of the vascular middle section of the eye, including the iris, ciliary body and choroid, collectively known as the uvea.

Uveitis begins as a blood-ocular barrier compromise. As the uveal vessels inflame, they become leaky, allowing cells and inflammatory mediators into the aqueous humour (the fluid filling the front of the eye).

Uveitis can occur secondary to ocular trauma – a bang to the head or direct eye injury, but it may also occur as a primary disease. Additionally, certain breeds (Appaloosa) are more predisposed to this condition. The cause of uveitis as a primary disease entity is not entirely understood. In mainland Europe, particularly focal areas of southern Germany, and the USA, uveitis occurs following a bacterial infection with Leptospira spp., yet this has not been the case within the UK population. It is clear, 74

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The equine eye position predisposes it to damage. Old injury to the lower lid margin can be seen here

however, that to understand how uveitis is best approached, it must be thought of as an ocular manifestation of a systemic disease.

Making the diagnosis

It is important to ascertain if uveitis is primary or secondary. This is done by ruling out other ocular problems by taking a concise patient history and performing thorough clinical and ocular examinations. Important information includes any known trauma to the eye – when the horse was last seen normal, what was seen when the problem first started and how it progressed (time scales, improvement or deterioration) and finally, any treatment(s) given so far, and if so, what.

Ophthalmic examinations must be performed in both light and dark environments to allow all ocular structures of both eyes to be assessed. Painful cases will require sedation and specific nerve blocks to be placed, along with analgesia (pain relief) to facilitate examination without damaging the eye.

Alongside the signs of pain described above, uveitis cases exhibit a constricted pupil (miosis) and often patches of white

corneal oedema. Inflammatory debris (hypopyon) and fibrin may accumulate inside the eye. All of these factors create challenges for the vet preventing complete examination.

Hypopyon (inflammatory debris) accumulated in the anterior chamber, visible as the cream area at the five o’clock position

Treatment of uveitis

Both inflammation and the miosis, caused by ciliary muscle spasm, result in marked ocular pain for the horse and both must be addressed as a priority. All uveal structures are inflamed, but topical eye medication www.polotimes.co.uk

Vet Insight cannot reach some of those structures, e.g. the choroid which lines the inside of the back of the eyeball itself. This is the reason behind the crucial need for systemic anti-inflammatories. One molecule involved in inflammation, prostaglandin, has many different effects throughout the body.

Inhibiting prostaglandin decreases the amount of fibrin within the anterior chamber, reducing the chance of synechiae (adhesion) formation. Prostaglandin also contributes to ciliary spasm and miosis, therefore use of systemic anti-inflammatories can help dilate the pupil more effectively than topical treatments alone.

In general, horses with uveitis will be given topical atropine drops to dilate the pupil. Atropine is used every two hours until dilation is achieved, although unlikely, its overuse has been reported to result in colic, so careful monitoring is required. In refractory cases, phenylephrine drops may be added.

Once corneal damage is excluded, topical anti-inflammatory treatment also commences – prednisolone is ideal as it absorbs through the cornea better than dexamethasone.

Systemic non-steroidal antiinflammatories (NSAIDs) should be considered as part of the foundation of treatment and are vital in a successful outcome. They should be used for a considerable length of time, and in the author’s experience early withdrawal is commonly associated with relapse. Flunixin meglumine is the author’s preference, which can be prescribed in oral granules or paste form. Phenylbutazone may be suitable in mild cases or once the initially aggressive inflammatory response is under control. Topical NSAIDs are available should additional analgesia be required.

Hypopyon resolves without specific treatment, as does the corneal oedema.

Oedema is swelling of the cornea secondary to transient endothelial cell dysfunction.

Endothelial cells line the inside of the cornea, as well as the blood vessels, and when inflamed in uveitis they cannot function properly. As uveitis resolves, cell function improves and cell swelling settles. Once this occurs, the corneal discolouration disappears and normal translucency results.

Long term or recurrent cases may also be prescribed cyclosporin A, an immunomodulatory drug, either topically or as a suprachoroidal implant. New implant technology is being developed to improve delivery of long term cyclosporin A as corneal penetration of this medication is poor.

Problems with treatment

Horses in pain are not the most compliant patients. Eye medication is tricky and uveitis cases require frequent and ongoing medication of eyes over many weeks, often months. Add to the mix the reality that most owners cannot realistically perform treatment every one to two hours during the day, and www.polotimes.co.uk

Knowledge

Subpalpabral lavage system in place

even the most well mannered horse may end up resenting treatment. There is a huge range of experience across equine ownership and it is not uncommon to hear such treatment very intimidating to undertake. Subpalpebral lavage systems are incredibly useful for vets and owners alike, ensuring treatment is given in an easy, stress-free manner without risk of further eye damage or injury to the carer from a tricky patient.

Needless to say, management of a uveitis patient can be very financially and emotionally costly, often requiring periods of hospitalisation for intensive treatment, frequent and regular veterinary examinations and ongoing medication costs in recurrent cases, without outcome guarantees.

It is important to have a clear discussion with your vet at the outset to ensure you are both on the same page regarding treatment plans and expected prognosis. Undesirable consequences from uveitis include cataracts, recurrence, synechiae and persistent pain.

Uveitis is cited to be the leading cause of blindness. One USA-based study showed that 30 percent of horses were already

blind in the affected eye prior to presenting to the vet for the first time. This study also showed 30 percent of horses had to be retired from work due to uveitis and 30 percent performed at a lower level than they previously had done. Sadly, 15 percent of horses had to be euthanised due to bilateral blindness or chronic, uncontrollable pain.

Summary

While uveitis presents many frustrations and challenges to owners, carers and horses alike, prompt examination, aggressive, appropriate treatment and diligent management can certainly produce successful outcomes. If in doubt, get the vet out!

Lingfield Equine Vets Chester Lodge, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, East Grinstead, RH19 2RD 01342 300008 info@lingfieldequinevets.com

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Fitness Insight

In this brand new feature, we speak to Angus Olds, trainer to the polo stars, about what it takes to be in peak fitness, ready to battle on the polo field from high goal to low goal. Gus has worked with a number of professional athletes and teams for well over a decade including members of British Ski and Snowsports, UK Polocrosse, British Dressage and England Polo to name a few. Gus worked within the El Remanso high goal operation for two years and saw the team reach the Final of The British Open on both occasions. In the off-season, Gus consults with private individuals on health optimisation and athletic performance

Your Season Starts Now! Though rapidly changing, the sport of polo is somewhat behind other professional sports when it comes to the sharp edge of sports performance.

While athletes in many sports will spend years preparing for a season or event, it is commonplace in equine sports, including polo, to wait until the last minute or to seek to improve performance during the playing season.

This approach means that many players never reach their full potential as one simply cannot make effective progress in terms of fitness or flexibility when faced with the attrition of a number of games or practices during a given week. The solution to this is rather simple, polo players, like all other athletes, need an off season to work on weaknesses and come back stronger, uninhibited by a playing schedule and this, is yours!

One of the interesting things I’ve taken away from working within the English high goal last season was the level of exertion required to play at the

highest level, gleaned from heart rate data. Measurements of heart rates and distances covered minute to minute across different teams and fitness levels yielded some rather surprising results portraying how hard players work. The average heart rate of the players that were well conditioned was 75 percent (a crucial

five percent below the 80 percent lactate threshold point as will be shown later) while those who were less conditioned averaged a whopping 90 percent of their max heart rate over a six chukka game.

Ok enough with the boring numbers, why does any of this matter to you? Well, polo is a sport that demands the highest level of reactions, concentration, staying power and strength, and every single one of these factors is influenced by the changes that happens within your body when you are at elevated heart rates for extended periods, e.g. reaction times drop up to 20 percent (ref 1,2) after five minutes around 80 percent of your max heart rate, well within what is experienced during your game.

Now for the good news, all of these results can be delayed if not mitigated completely by the correct form of training and if you start now, you can look forward to a season of unparalleled performance and enjoyment all due to the effort you have put in now.

Photography by Helen Cruden Photography

This HIIT protocol should only be done two to three times a week

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Fitness Insight

Knowledge

The following is a detailed true HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) protocol to be used to improve your fitness pre-season, it is only to be attempted with your doctor’s permission and to be done two to three times a week as a maximum.

This sort of training is doubly effective as it ensures that the time and exertion required to get you to your higher heart rates is increased as well as equipping you to effectively deal with the negative effects of working at higher heart rates should you reach them.

The choice of equipment for this is crucial as it needs to be one that has you working near maximum capacity in very little time, my favourite options are as follows: 1. Assault bike or WATT bike 2. Deadmill (aka sprinting a treadmill that is turned off) or steep hill sprints 3. Concept 2 Rowing Machine (add 10 sec to the work interval time on this option)

The first is the ‘Bretzel’. Lying on your side in the set-up pictured, the aim is to pull your uppermost shoulder blade back into the floor while keeping your uppermost leg in a fixed position as close to the floor as possible, this leg can be rested on a ball or pillow if necessary.

The Workout

• Start with 2 x 15 second MAX effort work and 60 sec complete rest ratio.

• Increase by 1 interval per week until you reach 8 intervals o At this point repeat the protocol with 20 second work periods to 60 sec rest periods and so on until you are completing 30 seconds of work to 60 seconds rest, by which time if you have been honest with yourself in terms of lung busting leg burning intensity, you should be ready for the high goal!

The second most important aspect of polo performance is the ability to effectively express your new-found fitness in the form of an often misunderstood term, ‘flexibility’ or rather, mobility.

Flexibility describes the ability to access a certain range of motion and ‘mobility’ is the ability to control the body in that range, i.e. being able to force yourself into the splits does not mean that you necessarily have the ability to control the muscles that are stretching in that position. It is vital as an athlete that you can control these muscles as injuries happen to you in the end range position and it is here that control is most important if a long and injury free career is your aim.

Mobility is of the utmost importance in any equestrian sport, but especially one that is as dynamic as polo – it is ultimately the deciding factor in terms of how your position effects your pony! This will be addressed in Sources:

The second is my go-to riding muscle strain prevention exercise pre-game and biases the critical role of the riding muscle in rotation which is often not trained enough. Start with both hands together on the ground and rotate upward following the hand with your eyes to the position shown in the picture. Aim to move smoothly through the movement and don’t be surprised if you get the odd back click as things re-order themselves.

detail in next month’s article but suffice to say that your bodyweight and your ability to control it has huge knock on effects on the performance of the horse you ride.

In order to gain better mobility, we need to move in and out of positions, not simply hang out in the bottom of a static stretch.

The pictured exercises are the two biggest ‘bang for the buck’ exercises for

Mroczek “Changes of Reaction Time and Blood Lactate Concentration of Elite Volleyball Players During a Game”, Journal of Human Kinetics (De Gruyner). 2011Jun 28; 73 - 78.

J. Chmura “Psychomotor performance during prolonged exercise above and below the blood lactate threshold” European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology (Springer Verlag).1997 Dec 77; 77-80.

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polo players and two rounds of 20 per side of each exercise, performed three times a week, ideally right before you ride, will yield immediate gains in stability and performance to lift your game!

The next issue will look into polo performance nutrition and how it can affect your game.

Gus can be reached via email on gusolds@me.com and posts regular health and performance information on Instagram @gofitcoach Polo Times, February 2019

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From Fresh Filly to BPP

Zimbabwean born Shane Borland has made a name for himself backing and developing young horses for some of the UK’s most illustrious yards. Having begun his equine career in polocrosse and later gone on to champion the world stages in reining, Borland has spent his life pursuing knowledge of exceptional horsemanship and refining his training programme accordingly. Over the next few issues, Shane will share the details of his successful programme with our readers, beginning with the programme outline

Photography courtesy of Shane Borland

Shane achieved great global success reining

From Fresh Filly to BPP Producing performance horses Being a life-long equestrian of many disciplines, I left my home in South Africa to move to the UK in 1996, in order to pursue a career training horses. My early years were spent participating in Pony Club events and playing polocrosse and polo, but I always dreamt and desired to become known more as a horseman rather than a pro player. It was this desire that would soon 78

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see me choose a new direction within the horse world. This journey into the world of horsemanship led me to draw inspiration from the cutting and reining industries. In 2003 I decided to dedicate my competitive efforts towards the sport of reining and focused on pursuing levels of exceptional horsemanship and learning about the psychology of horses, importantly what

makes them tick in order to train them no matter what the discipline.

My training programme is one which I have developed over the past 25 years, working with thousands of horses and their owners, having drawn inspiration from family members and some of the world’s best horsemen and women.

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From Fresh Filly to BPP

IV. Corner confidence V. Go anywhere, any place VI. Introduction to stick and ball

Outside

I. Riding out alone and in company II. Learning sets III. Stick and ball

To Conclude

The programme begins in the round pen

Philosophy

There are no short cuts in training horses, and it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to achieve good results and even harder work to keep the results coming. I have some key beliefs and pillars around which my training programme is based, which are as follows: · Know your horse and the type of horse you are dealing with (this is difficult because this only comes with experience) · Consistency is key – repeat, repeat, repeat · Find the ‘starting’ point – it is not the same for all horses · Never allow your horse to be scared of you or your equipment · Always give your horse an option or a way out (this will build confidence) · Imagination – always be willing to adapt the programme and change things up · Keep an open mind, as no two horses are the same · Never ask a question of your horse until you know the answers to your own questions · Try and create a safe and relaxed environment for your horse to learn in · Never be scared to seek help

The Programme

The purpose of my series of articles is to share the outline of my programme and show you how we adapt it to start young polo ponies, taking you through the various stages, explaining what they are, how it works and highlighting the practical purposes behind them. With this programme I start an average of 50 horses per year, with 2018 having been our busiest year to date, having started just under 70 over the course of the year, the majority of which are two and three-year-olds. The programme lasts for six to eight weeks, although it can be adapted to suit individual horses and owner’s needs. By the end of this period, my aim is to develop a horse that is confident, willing and safe to be around, with the necessary foundations in place to ensure a successful future in its intended discipline.

The six week programme is divided into three stages and areas of work. · Round Pen · Arena · Outside During each stage, concepts are introduced and built upon to ensure the smooth transition from one stage to another.

Concepts and lessons in the first stage are introduced within the confines of the round pen and are largely introduced from the ground with later stages involving exercises, which are under saddle and explored in the arena and out around the farm.

Round Pen (ground work)

I. Establishing control of movement, direction and change in direction II. Desensitising and sensitising the horse to objects that have movement and sound III. Introduction to the snaffle IV. First introduction to weight and rider V. Preparation to first saddling VI. Bridle and bitting VII. First ride

Arena Horses are introduced to riders in the arena

www.polotimes.co.uk

I. First ride and passenger exercise II. Follow feel III. Suggestion

At the end of a six to eight week period, I aim to develop horses that are happy, healthy and confident in their work and that understand the lessons and concepts I have shared with them. I would expect them to do the following: · Stand quietly when tied-up · Stand still when being saddled · Stand still when mounting and dismounting · Can walk, trot and canter with good forward motion both in the arena and outside · Can give and yield to bit pressure vertically and laterally when moving forward · Can back-up · Can ride-out alone and in company · Accept the swing of the stick and connection with the ball With these foundations understood and in place, I am confident in returning these young horses back to their owners.

Shane produces calm horses with the right polo foundations

In the next issue, Shane will delve deeper into the first steps of his six to eight week programme, looking at introducing a horse to the round pen.

Shane Borland Coverwell Farm Pillerton Hersey Warwickshire CV35 0QA +44 (0)1789 740119 www.shaneborland.com Polo Times, February 2019

79

unique and inspiring Zßrich – St.Moritz hato-restaurants.com

Gossip

Sidelines

PHOTOGRAPHER TIES THE KNOT!

Dominic James, the man behind the lens at some of the world’s most exciting polo tournaments, has tied the knot with his love, Anna. They were married at Anna’s family farm in Ireland on 13 December and will be living in Kingston Upon Thames for the foreseeable future.

Congratulations guys!

MILLER BABY ARRIVES

Dani and Dave Miller have welcomed their son Enzo Jonny Miller into the world. He was born on 7 January and weighed 8lb 6oz. Congratulations!

WELCOME BABY HANNI!

Mark and Laura Tomlinson have welcomed a second daughter, Hanni Rose. She was born on 15 January and is doing very well.

Congratulations Tomlinsons!

DELTA DOES POLO Melissa Wadley’s 10 month old English Bull Terrier puppy Delta has been learning the polo trucking ropes this past month, sitting patiently in the passenger seat with her copy of Polo Times.

Keep trucking Delta!

MAD ABOUT MANNIX

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

Team Tristar (UK) Ltd

Fred Mannix Jnr and his wife Kelsea have welcomed their third child, Jackson Smith Mannix. He was born on Monday 14 January at 6lbs 4 oz. Welcome to the world Jackson!

Manufacturers of Quality Horseboxes

For details of our current stock or for a new build, please phone or email or visit our website.

www.tristarhorsesboxes.co.uk Tel: 01570 422250 Email: sales@tristarhorseboxes.co.uk www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, February 2019

81

Dr. Andi Kruger & Patrick Maleitzke

Aki van Andel, Valentin Novillo Astrada & Sébastian Schneberger

Richard Hauser

17th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup; Kitzbühel, Austria; 17 – 20 January 2019

Cîroc Crowned Champions in Kitzbühel The European snow polo season kicked off in the heart of the Tyrolean Alps in late January, as thousands of polo fans overcame all weather obstacles to ensure a prime position next to the pristine polo field for three days of spectacular, world-class snow polo. Following weeks of seemingly unstoppable snow, the sun finally shone through for all three days, bathing the fur-clad guests and their overflowing champagne glasses in glorious light.

Post-polo, the entertainment continued in the evenings in all shapes and forms, from the star-packed Welcome Party at Casino Kitzbühel and Captain’s Dinner at Kitzbühel Country Club, to the Players’ Night in the specially decked out VIP tent – there was something to whet everyone’s whistle. As Cîroc made their debut on the polo field, overcoming all their foes to be crowned champions, the celebrations lasted into the final evening with delicious cocktails and Austrian delicacies available for all, ending what has now become one of the most exciting tournaments on the snow polo schedule.

Morgan van Overbroek

Photography by Cymon Skinner Photography & Polo Times

Action from 17th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup

Gordita keeping warm in a Kitzbühel kit bag!

Elmar Balster

Mark Holmes, Jan-Erik Franck & Christian Dunkelberg

Adrian Laplacette Jr, Agustin Kronhaus & Sébastien Le Page

Sebastian Schneberger

Vanessa Maleitzke, Oliver Pocher & Patrick Maleitzke

Alejandro Novillo Astrada with Melissa & Grant Ganzi

Maite Insam & Dr. Andreas Insam

Rosabella, Nick & Richenda Hine

VIP spectators enjoying the polo action

Kutlay Yaprak

Tito Gaudenzi & Dr. Andreas Insam

Team Bendura Bank

Thomas Winter, Casper Crasemann & Marc Aberle

Kian Hall

Joaquin Pittaluga, Pepe & Nachi Heguy

Eduardo Novillo Astrada

Nina & John Paul Clarkin

A true gaucho groom

Jason Dixon

Siobhan Barney & Robert de By

The 125th HSBC Argentine Open; Palermo, Argentina; Saturday 15 December 2018

Dolfina Dominate Again Despite inclement weather delaying The 125th Argentine Open by one day, the polo masses were present and correct at the Final of one of the world’s most illustrious tournaments. With La Dolfina’s age-old rivals Ellerstina knocked out in the Semi Finals, it was the turn of the firecrackers in orange, Las Monjitas, to challenge the world’s best polo team. Their might was strong, but the unquestionable skill of La Dolfina was insurmountable, so as the teams collected their prizes as the sun began to fall, Las Monjitas fans turned their attention to commiserating their beloved players in true Argentine fashion – with a massive party! Whether you sat on the blue and white benches of La Dolfina or amidst the bright orange Las Monjitas throng, the festive vibe was dominant, with flags flying and cerveza flowing in the setting sunlight.

Juan Pablo Alessandrini & his son

Facu Sola sporting Las Monjitas orange

Greg Keating

Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Segundo Darritchon

Miguel Novillo Astrada & Alejandra Falkinhoff

Simon Tomlinson

Sarah Wiseman & Daniel Acosta

Natascha Baecher

Jota Chavanne

Joao Gaspar Martin Bastos

Stephen & Julia Biddlecombe

Horacio Heguy

Katja Grauwiler & Morgan van Overbroek

Carrie Keep & Duke Stone

Sarah Hyman & Carolyn Cross

Aaron Scirthana & Gia Simon

Chris Siritho & Rosie Dingledein

Gary Lane & Kelly Vockell

Nolan Miracle, Mitch Bram & Gordon Grim

Kim Alexis throwing in the ball

Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships; Scottsdale, Arizona; 10 – 11 November 2018

Mary Mezitch, Bob & Linda Noland

Astonishing Arizona Gail Merritt & Roslyn Dreyer

In Scottsdale, Arizona another record-breaking crowd of 11,000 people attended the 8th Annual Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships. 2019 was the first time Nacho Figueras played at Scottsdale and his championship debut saw him clinch the Molina Cup as part of the winning Barrett-Jackson Aspen Valley Polo Team, along with Melissa Ganzi and Grant Ganzi. Beyond the polo, fans also enjoyed musical and cultural performances, a half-time rugby match, Red Bull skydivers and numerous party and VIP experiences. The event returns once again 2 November 2019.

Braian & Shirryn Padilla with Christina Salvini

Photography courtesy of Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships

Josh Helmich & Keylee Sanders

Shawn Bernhard, Ruth Lewis & Jennifer McCabe

Kurt & Ashley Busch

Megan Van Derflorst, Zack Bille & Hannah Crookham

Caroline & Craig Jackson

Nacho Figueras, Melissa Ganzi & Juan Bollini

Sheriff Paul Penzone

Christian & Valerie Petersen

Mr & Mrs Jan Bladen & Sabine Schaffer with families

Gabriela Katiela

Hossam Hosni & Mia Costach

Patrick Aoun

Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2018; Dubai Marina; 13 – 14 December 2018

Glamorous Dubai

Sam Katiela, Ma Guolong & Tonino Lamborghini

Last December, Dubai once again helped guests get into the festive spiarit a little ahead of schedule thanks to The Beach Polo Cup Dubai and their first ever Holiday Christmas Market.

Packed to the rafters with unique gift ideas, in between polo action, guests milled around the impressive complex whilst being treated to spectacular entertainment of both the musical and equine nature. Once the bell of the final chukka sounded, the fun continued with an after-party the likes of Dubai has never seen, with local DJs such as CN Williams, playing into the early hours, celebrating this iconic Dubai tournament.

Photography courtesy of Mamemo Productions Kathy & Erland Ebbersten

Saki Belitsas & Yasmine Refaat

Sabine Otto & Ramin Salsali

Giselle & Diedrich Halten with Gitta Graefin Lambsdorff

Chris Eberle, Aneta Sablik & Garen Mehrabian

Naser Al Rahma, HE Saeed Mohammad Hareb, HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum with Sam & Shayan Katiela

Satish Seemar

Donata Anderloni & Gaia Gorla

Bem Sim & Alex Grant

Norma Harrison

Leigh-Anne Moore

Paul Watson & Lucy Bunn

Nicci & Chris Bethell

The Arber family with Max Charlton

Jonny Good, Ana Escobedo & Sophie Good

Nell Jacob & Andrew Stewart

Playnation Arena Polo Masters; All England Polo Club, Hickstead; Sunday 13 January Guy Harrison, Seb Dawnay & John Bunn

Action in the Arena This year’s Playnation Arena Polo Masters was, as always, one of the highlights of the January fixtures list, with players both past and present gathering on a chilly Sunday at AEPC, Hickstead, donning their vibrant red Playnation jackets. The action in the arena was just as thrilling as the social action in the Clubhouse, as guests mingled and thawed their chilled winter bones with a delicious Sunday roast, nattering about the 2019 season to come amongst their favourite British arena players. With the silverware handed out to the lucky Astra team, the guests could really turn their attention to celebrating this great event.

Myrtle Morley & Tessa Foot

Lee, Summer & Kerry Jefferson

Photography by Šwww.imagesofpolo.com

Emily & Guy Harrison

Seb & Mary-Anne Baker

Hannah Johnson & Rory Donnelly

Niall Donnelly

David Morley & Martin Stegman

Manuel Cereceda

Rege Ludwig & Harald Link

Nunthinee Tanner & Peter Abisheganaden

Nurul Husna, Caroline Link & Assunta Link

The BMW B. Grimm Thai Polo Open Final; Thai Polo & Equestrian Club, Thailand; Saturday 19 January

Thrilling Thai Open Thai Polo & Equestrian Club certainly know how to enjoy a day of polo, and this year’s BMW B. Grimm Thai Polo Open Final certainly didn’t disappoint. The Final between La Familia and Thai Polo formed just one part of the day’s entertainment, which also included show jumping and the Wat Suthi Wararam Marching Band.

A spectacular day of polo was complimented by superb weather, which made the event even more enjoyable for the gathered crowds who were also treated to a delicious lunch with delights from around the globe.

Wat Suthi Marching Band

Guests treading in at half-time

Photography by Dominic James Photography

Spectators enjoying The Chukka Bar

Luciano Tattioni & Caroline Link

Priya Cornelia

Doreen Vidmann

Emilia Rodriguez Spiller

Shisa J Kavin & Lilla Bunnag

Jean-Louis Graindorge

Claudia Zeisberger & David Munro

Claude Haberer

Ivy Schlageter

Horse Riding Holidays Worldwide info@farandride.com

01462 701110

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ĂŶĞ ŵĂůůĞƚƐ ĂůƐŽ ŵĂĚĞ ƚŽ ŽƌĚĞƌ 'ƌĞĂƚ ƐŚŝƉƉŝŶŐ ƌĂƚĞƐ ĚŽŽƌ ƚŽ ĚŽŽƌ

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Polo directory

What’s On – February’s UK Club Fixtures Club RCBPC RCBPC DBPC Tidworth Epsom Tidworth Ash Farm Polo Westcroft Park Rugby Vaux Park AEPC RCBPC Epsom Ash Farm Polo SWF RCBPC RCBPC Ash Farm Polo Tidworth Westcroft Park Tidworth Druids Lodge RCBPC Vaux Park Epsom Westcroft Park Ash Farm Polo

Tournament Name FCT Invitational Challenge Trophy Winter VL Tournament The English Cup Bayonet Trophy St. Valentine’s Cup Bayonet Trophy Challenge Matches Bolebrook Bowl University Nationals Valentine’s Weekend Victor Ludorum Weekend Tournament St. David’s Cup Valentines Trophy Valentine’s Trophy Olin Trophy Arena Gold Cup Paul Sweeney Memorial Seriously Cool Events Cup Windlesham Bowl Seriously Cool Events Cup Club Match for the Valentine Trophy Ladies Tournament End of Season Tournament St. Patrick’s Cup Club Weekend Challenge Matches

Handicap 13-15 5-8 4 8-10 2-4 -2-2 Open 13-15 Open Open 5-8 0-4 2-4 Open 0-4 7-10 13-15 0-3 & 4-8 4-8 2-6 -3-0 TBC 0-4 4-6 3-4 Open Open

Start Date 29/01/19 29/01/19 01/02/19 02/02/19 02/02/19 02/02/19 02/02/19 04/02/19 07/02/19 09/02/19 09/02/19 09/02/19 09/02/19 09/02/19 10/02/19 12/02/19 12/02/19 16/02/19 16/02/19 16/02/19 16/02/19 17/02/19 19/02/19 23/02/19 23/02/19 23/02/19 23/02/19

End Date 03/02/19 03/02/19 03/02/19 03/02/19 03/02/19 03/02/19 03/02/19 10/02/19 10/02/19 09/02/19 10/02/19 10/02/19 10/02/19 10/02/19 11/02/19 17/02/19 23/02/19 16/02/19 17/02/19 17/02/19 17/02/19 17/02/19 24/02/19 23/02/19 24/02/19 24/02/19 24/02/19

12-15 13-15

29/01/19 12/02/19

03/02/19 23/02/19

UK Key Arena Dates RCBPC RCBPC

FCT Invitational Challenge Trophy The Arena Gold Cup

Club Swan Valley Polo Club Yaloak Polo Club Victorian Polo Club Victorian Polo Club Eynesbury Polo Club Moondyme Mingela Polo Club Walkaway Polo Club

Rugby Rugby Black Bears Polo Club

03/02/19

03/02/19

Open

07/02/19

10/02/19

Open

03/03/19

03/03/19

Kihikihi Clevedon

Open

10/03/19

10/03/19

Ylvisaker Cup 40 Goal Challenge C.V. Whitney Cup Iglehart Cup Heritage Cup

20 40 22 20 12-16

24/01/19 16/02/19 28/02/19 28/02/19 01/03/19

25/02/19 16/02/19 04/03/19 15/03/19 16/03/19

Butler Handicap Carlos Gracida Cup USPA Gold Cup U.S. Open Polo Championship Gay Polo League

22 20 22 22 Open

07/03/19 14/03/19 14/03/19 27/03/19 04/04/19

11/03/19 31/03/19 01/04/19 21/04/19 07/04/19

Australia Yaloak Polo Club Yaloak Polo Club

Yaloak Polo Tournament Ballarat Polo Cup

www.polotimes.co.uk

Swan Valley Polo Club Tournament

Open

09/02/19

10/02/19

Yaloak Polo Tournament Victorian League St Kilda Beach Polo Victorian Polo Association Championships Moondyme Polo Club Tournament Victorian League

Open 0&4 Open 0, 4 & 8-10 Open 0&4

10/02/19 13/02/19 15/02/19

10/02/19 13/02/19 15/02/19

16/02/19

17/02/19

16/02/19 21/02/19

17/02/19 21/02/19

WAPA Carpenter Cup

Open

23/02/19

24/02/19

Open Open

09/02/19 15/02/19

09/02/19 23/02/19

18 14 18 18 10

25/01/19 10/02/19 18/02/19 15/03/19 02/04/19

08/02/19 15/02/19 08/03/19 30/03/19 12/04/19

2 6 6

02/02/19 15/02/19 22/02/19

03/02/19 17/02/19 24/02/19

8-10 Open

08/02/19 16/02/19

10/02/19 16/02/19

8-10

21/02/19

24/02/19

Westcroft Women’s Championships Victorian Ladies Championships

0-2 & 3-4 02/02/19 Open 05/02/19

03/02/19 06/02/19

Grand Champions Women’s League

6-12

06/02/19

06/02/19

King Power International Women’s Tournament

14-20

11/02/19

16/02/19

Grand Champions Women’s League

6-12

13/02/19

13/02/19

British Open

Open

19/02/19

24/02/19

Grand Champions Women’s League

6-12

20/02/19

20/02/19

Alfa Romeo Ladies Day Tournament US Open Women’s Polo Championship Final

Open

23/02/19

24/02/19

22

23/03/19

23/03/19

Sunny Hale Women’s Challenge

10-12

24/02/19

24/02/19

Grand Champions Women’s League

6-12

27/02/19

27/02/19

27/02/19

03/03/19

09/03/19

10/03/19

International Day Land Rover New Zealand Open

DUBAI AL Habtoor AL Habtoor Al Habtoor Al Habtoor Al Habtoor

Silver Cup Polo Masters Cup Julius Bär Gold Cup Dubai Challenge Cup Dubai Cup

SOUTH AFRICA Cape Town Val de Vie Val de Vie

Thai Polo Club Thai Polo Club Thai Polo Club

America IPC, Palm Beach IPC, Palm Beach IPC, Palm Beach IPC, Palm Beach Port Mayaca Polo Club IPC, Palm Beach IPC, Palm Beach IPC, Palm Beach IPC, Palm Beach IPC, Palm Beach

End Date

Cape Town 2 Goal Val de Vie 6 Goal Val de Vie 6 Goal

THAILAND

Junior Schools Arena Championships Open Universities Winter Nationals Championships Senior Schools National Arena Championships Schools Girls Arena National Championships

Handicap Start Date

NEW ZEALAND

Arena Youth Key Dates Black Bears Polo Club

Tournament Name

Chinese New Year Cup Club Chukkas Stephan’s Chimfunshi Cup/Club Chukkas

WOMEN’S POLO Westcroft Park Mingela Polo Club Santa Rita Polo Club King Power Polo Club Santa Rita Polo Club RCBPC Santa Rita Polo Club Victorian Polo Club International Polo Club Vero Beach Polo Club Santa Rita Polo Club

Sarasota Polo Club Sarasota Women’s Challenge - USPA Open Open

02/02/19 08/02/19

03/02/19 09/02/19

Ash Farm

Ash Farm Ladies Tournament

2-4, 8 & 12-16 Open

Polo Times, February 2019

91

Polo directory Club contacts UK and Ireland CLUB

PHONE

EMAIL

CLUB

PHONE

EMAIL

All Ireland Polo Club

00353 01 6896732

dstone@indigo.ie

Hurtwood Polo Club

01483 272828

gary@hurtwoodparkpolo.com

All England Polo Club Hickstead*

01273 834 315

polo@hickstead.co.uk

Kirtlington Park Polo Club

01869 350138

info@kirtlingtonparkpolo.co.uk

Apsley End Polo Club*

01462 712444

tobiana.scott@gmail.com

Knepp Castle Polo Club

07920 023639

info@aspectpolo.co.uk

Ash Farm Polo Club*

07799 812739

ashfarmpolo@hotmail.com

Leadenham Polo Club

07429 299026

office@leadenhampoloclub.com

Barfold Polo Club

07778 808853

mborwick@gmail.com

Longdole Polo Club*

01452 864544

info@longdolepolo.com

Beaufort Polo Club

01666 880510

enquiries@beaufortpoloclub.co.uk

Moor Farm Polo Club

07494 114190

shop@moorfarmshop.co.uk

Beverley Polo Club*

01964 544877

info@beverleypoloclub.co.uk

Moor Hall Farm Polo Club*

01279 450637

alecbeve@btinternet.com

Binfield Heath

01491 411969

bhpcmanager@gmail.com

New Forest Polo Club

07977 224404

annabelparryjoyner@yahoo.co.uk

Blueys Polo Club*

07930 323263

polomanager@blueyspolo.co.uk

Norfolk Polo Club

01508 480400

office@norfolkpolo.co.uk

Bramham Polo Academy

07811 993316

emmadvh@btinternet.com

Northern Ireland Polo Club

07803 020577

info@northernirelandpoloclub.co.uk

Bunclody Polo Club

00353 87 6605917

info@poloclubbunclody.com

Offchurch Bury Polo Club*

07816 830887

info@offchurchburypoloclub.co.uk

Burningfold Polo Club

01483 200722

derrek@burningfold.com

Pangbourne Polo Club

07708 906810

aprice@polofix.com

Cambridge Polo Club*

07711 217004

cambridgepoloclub@icloud.com

Peover Polo Club

07766 016 833

polomanager@peoverpoloclub.co.uk

Cambridge County Polo Club*

01223 812922

info@cambridgecountypoloclub.co.uk

Polo Wicklow*

00353 404 67164

siobhan@polowicklow.com

Carlton House

07901 561113

harrietservaes@hotmail.com

RAF Cranwell

07739 569491

rafcranwellpoloclub@yahoo.co.uk

Chester Racecourse Polo Club

01244 304602

amorris@chester-races.com

Ranelagh Polo Club*

01344 885697

ranelagh@labravapolo.com

Cheshire Polo Club

01270 611 100

info@cheshirepoloclub.co.uk

RCBPC*

01344 890060

polo@rcbpc.com

Chiltern Polo Club

07973 174542

info@chilternpoloclub.com

RMAS Polo Club

07973 174542

rmas-nc-aci-projinters@mod.uk

Cirencester Park Polo Club

01285 653225

info@cirencesterpolo.co.uk

Rugby Polo Club*

01788 817724

info@rugbypoloclub.com

Cowdray Polo Club

01730 813257

enquiries@cowdraypolo.co.uk

Rutland Polo Club

07772 040668

secretary@rutlandpoloclub.co.uk

Curraghmore Polo Club

00353 51 387102

mkennedy@cssgroup.ie

Silver Leys Polo Club

07730 060200

silverleyspoloclub@gmail.com

Dallas Burston Polo Club*

01926 812409

polo@dbpoloclub.com

St. Albans Polo Club

07956 017090

info@stalbanspoloclub.co.uk

Dorset Polo Club

01202 623985

office@dorsetpolo.co.uk

Stewarton Polo Club

07974 706045

info@stewartonpolo.co.uk

Druids Lodge Polo Club*

01722 782597

abi@druidspolo.co.uk

Suffolk Polo Club

07790 576974

aes3@cam.ac.uk

Dundee and Perth Polo Club*

07831 365 194

jamesscrawford@aol.com

Sussex Polo Club*

01342 714920

info@sussexpolo.co.uk

Eastwood Polo Club

07875 743475

frankums@googlemail.com

Taunton Vale Polo Club

01823 480460

nhs.wheelers@gmail.com

Edgeworth Polo Club

01285 821695

edgeworthpolo@gmail.com

Tidworth Polo Club*

01980 846705

info@tidworthpolo.com

Edinburgh Polo Club*

01314 496696

djamesjamie@aol.com

Toulston Polo Club

01422 372529

info@toulstonpoloclub.com

Emsworth Polo Grounds*

01344 883112

info@fourquarterspolo.co.uk

Triskelion Polo Club*

07624 272547

polo@triskelionpolo.club

Epsom Polo Club*

07961 232106

epsompoloclub@hotmail.com

Vale of York Polo Club*

07788 426968

info@valeofyorkpoloclub.co.uk

FHM Polo Club*

07778 436468

frances@fhmpolo.co.uk

Vaux Park Park Polo Club*

07703 524613

vppc@btconnect.com

Fifield Polo Club*

01628 620061

fifieldpoloclub@live.co.uk

West Wycombe Park Polo Club*

07787 560729

secretary@westwycombepolo.co.uk

Great Trippetts Polo Club

01428 741916

charles@trippetts.com

Westcroft Park Polo Club*

01276 858545

info@westcroftparkpolo.co.uk

Guards Polo Club*

01784 434212

polo@guardspoloclub.com

White Rose Polo Club*

01430 875767

info@whiterosepolo.co.uk

Ham Polo Club

020 8334 0000

office@hampoloclub.com

White Waltham Polo Club

07748 670587

kim@playpolo.co.uk

Hertfordshire Polo Club*

01707 256023

polo@hertspolo.co.uk

* Also open for arena polo in the UK winter

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Polo Times, February 2019

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Polo directory Livery

Marketplace Transport

Equipment

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Polo Times, February 2019

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FACILITIES: Private fields, ponies, pros and lovely, comfortable accommodation for up to 16 guests in our beautiful 18th century Great House. Chef, barman and full staff to give you a unique experience.

TYPICAL DAY: Yoga, swim, breakfast, supervised stick and ball, beach, lunch, tactics, match in the afternoon, sunset Bellevue rum chukka punches and asados under the stars.

With 365 days of tropical sunshine, miles of white beaches and warm Caribbean seas, wonderful restaurants, golf, fishing, diving and as much or little polo as you wish.

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Final bell

In association with Aprés Polo

Tito Gaudenzi and snow polo are permanently intertwined, both born in the same year. Since 1985 he has lived and breathed polo in all shapes and forms, and with the creation of The Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel under his belt, as well as The Beach Polo World Cup Miami a resounding success, the sky is truly the limit for this exciting competitor. This year, we spoke to him as he returned to Kitzbühel to defend his 2018 Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel title with the Bendura Bank team What is your biggest passion and why?

Polo – I get to do what I love for work.

What more could anyone ever ask for?!

I am fortunate to have found my path in the business side of the sport, aside from playing. I love what I do and I want to grow the sport commercially – the awareness of the sport and the horses.

horses are having, but the same goes for the other team. Pressure is always good! As long as you turn it into a positive outcome!

Which sports do you like outside of polo?

Boxing – if you can’t find me on a horse, look up the nearest boxing gym! It’s a great balance to polo and a perfect way to stay fit.

What is your all-time best polo memory?

There are almost too many to count!

I’ve won tournaments and made many new friends, but I’m sure my favourite memory is yet to come, when I hopefully one day win The Snow Polo World Cup in my home town, St. Moritz. After which I’m sure I’ll hear from my father that he has won it four times more than me… but beggars can’t be choosers!

Hardest opponent?

Myself. I think that no matter how strong or better your opponent is, you need to give it your best, always, and never go into a game not seeking the win, no matter how impossible it seems. You never know what kind of day you, your team mates, or your 96

Polo Times, February 2019

Most prized possession?

My sneaker collection.

Favourite celebrity and why?

I have no such thing.

Best holiday destination & activity Kitzbühel and St. Moritz for snow polo!

Photograph by Reinhardt & Sommer Photography

Who were/are your favourite team mates and why?

I have been lucky enough to play with some amazing organisations and players.

My mentor from the early days was Adrian Laplacette – I don’t know how he even had the patience with me, but it paid off. I very much enjoy playing with his son Adriancito now. Some of my favourite players that I’ve played alongside are Gonza Pieres and Alejandro Novillo Astrada.

Favourite hobby outside of polo?

Long walks on the beach… Kidding! I love to cook a lot and go fishing. It’s even better when you cook what you’ve fished. I also enjoy reading a lot of history books.

Favourite film and why?

The Hunt for Red October, simply because it’s an unreal movie that I’ve watched over 100 times and some of the best acting from Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin! They simply don’t make movies like that anymore!

Favourite song/album?

Really depends on the day and mood.

Currently I am in between old school stuff from Logic and music by Chris Stapleton.

Favourite food/dish?

Penne al’arrabiata. Walk into any Italian restaurant in the world, order this dish and you’ll know if it’s a real authentic and good Italian restaurant! And if you want the very best version, you would need an invite to eat at my house.

Best pony and why.

Santarita. I was 14 when Lucas Labat passed her to me, she had a previous tendon issue and he didn’t want to risk travelling through Europe with her. She’s never had an issue again. I played her for six more years and beat him in many games!

Are you passionately superstitious – what and why?

I am in so many ways – let’s try to not make this a book!

Describe yourself in three words…

We’d better not.

One thing which would surprise us about you?

My girlfriend forces me to do yoga or pilates once a week. www.polotimes.co.uk