Polo Times July 2017

Volume 22 • Issue 6 • July 2017 • £6.50

www.polotimes.co.uk

Biggest Ever Issue!

136 Pages of Polo-Packed News

CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP Cambiaso Conquers with 10th Win TO BLOCK OR NOT TO BLOCK The Polo Community’s Views POLO AWARDS 12th Annual Celebration of Polo PLUS: Interview with Pablo MacDonough & Gloucestershire Festival of Polo

KARLIE KLOSS KARLIE KLOSS

ATELIERSWAROVSKI.COM ATELIERSWAROVSKI.COM

Contents

Contacts Publisher Nick Hine publisher@polotimes.co.uk

What’s inside...

July 2017

Group Editor in Chief Richenda Hine richenda@polotimes.co.uk Editorial Manager Rosabella Hine rosabella@polotimes.co.uk

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PR Manager & Editorial Jen Liggins editorial@polotimes.co.uk

Women’s Polo 75 76 78

Editorial & Subscriptions Sarah Flight office@polotimes.co.uk

Youth Polo

Advertising Sales

81 84

87

Richard Hine richard@polotimes.co.uk Principal Design James Morgan

Additional Design Tony Ruddy

Financial Controller Angie Clark accounts@polotimes.co.uk Accounts & Administration Assistant Rosalind Cutter ads@polotimes.co.uk Overseas Reporter Katie Vickery katie@polotimes.co.uk

Contributors:

News 8 12 16 18

All the Latest News Obituary: Rosemary Harper HPA News FIP Update

Comment 20

Your Views: Letters

Features 22 25 31 36

40 43

Big Picture Cover Story: Polo Awards Para Polo Cover Story: Your Views on Blocking The British Grooms Association Cover Story: Interview with Pablo MacDonough

Reports

Hill Farm Studios, Wainlodes Lane, Bishops Norton, Glos, GL2 9LN Tel: 01452 730770 email:admin@polotimes.co.uk © Polo Times Limited 2017 and Database Right 2017

Club Focus

Contact details

www.polotimes.co.uk

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

Cover photograph: RH Polo’s Adolfo Cambiaso collect his prize from HM The Queen at The Cartier Queen’s Cup, this year marked his 10th win in the prestigious tournament at Guards Polo Club.

By ©www.imagesofpolo.com

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Stephen Biddlecombe, Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, Liz Daniels, Lorna Edgar, Simon Ledger, Rege Ludwig, Kate Martin, Martín Perez, ©Tony Ramirez/www.imagesofpolo.com

Polo Times, July 2017

A Round-Up of Women’s Polo 5 minutes with… Tamara Fox Swarovski: England Ladies Polo Team Partners

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Victor Ludorum Round-Up Cover Story: The Cartier Queen’s Cup Cover Story: Gloucestershire Festival of Polo Chestertons Polo in the Park 2017 Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Military Polo 71

A Round-Up of Military Polo Action

All Aspects of Youth Polo SUPA University Summer Nationals SUPA Senior Schools Summer Nationals

Knowledge 91

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102 104

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Pony Power: Polo Times Best Playing Polo Series Nutrition Focus: Feeding on a Game Day Vet Insight: Essentials for Improved Performance and Rapid Recovery Fitness For Polo: Olympian Pentathlete Heather Fell Gets Fit For Polo Equipment Focus: ‘Gonzalito’ Saddle Polodoc: A Little Twist Too Far Playing Tips with Rege Ludwig: The Shoulder Factor Equipment Focus: Andrew Nebbett Designs

Sidelines 108

110

Gossip: Don’t Be the Last to know!

Sidelines: Social Pages

Polo Directory: 127

What’s On in July?

Final bell: 132

Passions: Peter O’Rorke

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Cover photograph: La Indiana and Dubai battle it out for The 2016 Cartier Queen’s Cup By ©www.imagesofpolo.com

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News from the

Publisher

Gallops of Morocco Both rider and team entries are now being invited to take place in a six day equine endurance race across Northern Africa from 29 October to 5 November.

The starting point of the race will be in Arfoud, in the east of Morocco in the Drâa-Tafilalet region. Over six days, participants will travel for 200 kilometres looping through the high golden sand dunes of Merzouga, which mark the beginning of the Sahara desert. Every night, participants and supporters will be staying under the stars in bivouacs and will be able to enjoy some excellent local Moroccan cuisine. For more information email joanna@gallopsofmorocco.com

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Polo Times, July 2017

The 2017 Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup Draw On Monday 12 June the draw to decide match play in the opening league phase of this year’s Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup tournament took place in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s flagship boutique at 13 Old Bond Street, London.

With ten teams taking part, Cowdray Park Polo Club’s Polo Manager, Chris Bethell, devised a matchplay programme formed by two Leagues. At the top of League A will be the winner of the 12pm Semi Final of The Cartier Queen’s Cup (La Indiana), and the losing team in the 4pm Semi Final of the Cartier Queen’s Cup which took place on Wednesday 14 June (El Remanso). Habtoor, La Bamba de Areco and King Power were all drawn into this League by the open draw. League B will contain the winner of the 4pm Semi Final of The Cartier Queen’s Cup (RH Polo) and the 12pm loser of the Semi The draw of the 2017 Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup Final of The Cartier Queen’s Cup from Wednesday 14 June (Murus Sanctus), together with Talandracas, Monterosso and Sommelier. Chris is satisfied that this device enables fairness in each League, in which all teams play against each other before playing across the Leagues.

2016 winners, King Power, will be trying for a hat trick of wins, having won The JaegerLeCoultre Gold Cup for the first time in 2015 and repeating their success in 2016. Whilst at the other end of the experience ladder, making their debuts in the 2017 Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup is one of Dubai’s leading businessmen, Mohammed Al Habtoor, with his Habtoor team and Italian patron Alessandro Bazzoni with his Monterosso side.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup for the British Open Polo Championship begins on Tuesday 27 June when the Carlos Gracida Memorial Trophy will be played. Quarter Finals take place over the weekend of 15 – 16 July, Semi Finals on Wednesday 19 July and the Final on Sunday 23 July.

Turn to our Sidelines pages for pictures from The 2017 Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup Draw.

For all the team listings, please see our June issue High Goal Guide.

The Polo Magazine is Out Now! The delectable Summer issue of The Polo Magazine is out now. The latest issue is packed full of interviews, features, lifestyle, reports and stories including: Interviews: Sapo Caset Pablo MacDonough The Polo Magazine Introduces Young Gun Charles Cooney Features: Beautiful Argentine Photos from Abi Hancock with Martín Gómez Polo in Zurich British Polo Gin Lifestyle: Dates for Your Diary The Hot List Holland & Holland Not to miss: La Martina Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Centenary Trophy Prince Harry in Singapore Thrilling Trippetts Plus all the usual features including HPA News, the hilarious Polo Stereotypes, as well as Voyeur, My Favourite Things and Dog of the Month are on hand for your enjoyment. If you are not already a subscriber or wish to gift a subscription to friends or family, visit www.thepolomagazine.com or call 01452 730770.

www.polotimes.co.uk

Photograph by Dominic James for Jaeger-LeCoultre @jamesesq @jaegerlecoultre

As temperatures soar into the mid 30s, British summertime has definitely arrived with the first official heat wave for many years. Following the theme of ‘firsts’, Adolfo Cambiaso has become the first ever player to win The Queen’s Cup a staggering 10 times, proving to the polo fraternity that he is undoubtedly the most successful polo player of all time.

This July issue of Polo Times is also the biggest in its publishing history at a whopping 136 pages, proving that there is still much to watch, play in, and read about in British polo across all levels. Thank you in particular to all contributors and advertisers for making this possible – not forgetting, the Polo Times Team, many of whom joined us in recent months. The Youth Polo section is a staggering eight pages, a testament to the sheer amount of grassroots polo being played across the country and a great sign of the strength of polo. As well as reports from the major high goal matches, we also strive to include polo from all levels and the Club Focus pages highlight the variety of polo being played. Plus the Knowledge section is overflowing with equine advice and interesting information.

Accolades aside, we spare many a thought and prayer, for those affected by the recent tragic events in Manchester and London.

News

Tally Ho Farm Polo Festival 1st - 13th August 2017 FINALS SUNDAY 13th AUGUST -2 to 2 Goal Tournament and Jeff Thomas Trophy 7-10 Goal Victrix Ludorum Ladies 12-18 Goal 5th-13th August

Calling all patrons and teams!

Would you like to take part?

Get in touch to be involved – entries close 10th July

Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club 01344 890060 polo@rcbpc.com

News Aspall Polo on the Beach

Photograph by Lewis Pinder Press

The deluges of rain finally abated and the organisers of Aspall Polo on the Beach could breathe a huge sigh of relief as Watergate Bay basked in sunshine. With beach polo, Segway polo, fireworks, jousting displays and beach parties, there was something for everyone which brought in the crowds. Joules took on Champagne Jacquart for the pinnacle of the weekend – The Aspall Trophy on Saturday 20 May. Following fast-paced, beach polo action, the final score rested on 9-6½ in favour of Team Joules.

Action from Aspall Polo on the Beach

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Polo Times, July 2017

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Lipogems® works by micro-fragmenting adipose tissue (tissue harvested from fat) obtained from Lipoaspirates, through a non-enzymatic, mechanical processing using the closed system and disposable device. Adipose tissue is harvested using a vacuum syringe from around the flank of the dog under general anaesthetic, after the region has been anaesthetised.

The harvested fat tissue using the Lipogems® device is washed in saline and gently agitated so that the all-important Pericytes detach from small vessels and activate. These cells, with the stromal vascular structure of adipose tissue, act as a local scaffold to maintain regenerative activity for many months. The whole procedure from harvesting to the injection is completed in less than 40 minutes in surgery. One of the important points about this procedure is that it is quick to perform and promotes healing as early as 10 days after treatment and involves very little requirement for drug usage.

Brooke, an international charity which protects and improves the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules, has welcomed British show jumping star Jessica Mendoza as a new ambassador. Last year Jessica became the youngest British rider in 40 years to join the Team GB Olympic squad and has been Jessica Mendoza is now a Brooke Ambassador a long term supporter of Brooke. She is currently promoting Brooke’s new How The Other Horse Lives campaign which highlights the desperate lives of the world’s hardest working equines compared to well-kept horses in the UK. Jessica said, “I am so proud to take on the role of Brooke Ambassador. Brooke is a brilliant charity helping the world’s most desperate horses, donkeys and mules and I feel honoured to have the chance to help the millions of less fortunate equines than ours and thereby secure the livelihood of people in developing countries.

I look forward to giving something back to the animals I love and I hope my own involvement will inspire more people to become involved with this fantastic cause.”

News

Photograph courtesy of Rovinj Croatia Beach Polo

Team Miller were the champions of the 2nd Rovinj Croatia Beach Polo

Rovinj Croatia Beach Polo 2017 was the second edition of Croatia’s premier beach polo event from 18 – 21 May. Six teams competed throughout the competition, with players from Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia, Brazil and the UK, to name but a few. After intense action and an exclusive performance from ex-Spandau Ballet star Tony Hadley, Team Miller (Sebastian Dawnay, Cedric Schweri & Matteo Beffa) took on Veuve Cliquot (Frank Kirschke, Phillip Zimmermann & Agustin Kronhaus) in the Final and with less than a minute to spare Sebastian Dawnay slotted in the winning goal.

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Groom of the Month

Osvaldo and Terri Gallitelli pictured with Chris Adkins of Tally Ho Farm, Nic Roldan and pony New York

The Tally Ho Farm Guards Polo Club Groom of the Month Award has been presented to Terri Gallitelli and Osvaldo at the Semi Finals of The Cartier Queen’s Cup on Wednesday 24 June. They groom for Nic Roldan and were delighted to receive recognition of their efforts and also the £250 prize money from Tally Ho Farm.

Obituary

Photograph courtesy of Cowdray Park Polo Club

Rosemary Harper

Cowdray Park Polo Club has sadly announced the death of Mrs Rosemary Harper at Ambersham, on 25 May. Rosemary’s late husband, Colonel Alec Harper, was the first Chairman of Cowdray Park Polo Club, and together they played an enormous part in the post-war development of the Club.

Having moved back from India with their children Sandy and Caroline, in the early 1950s Alec Harper presented himself to the late John Cowdray. He recorded in his diary, “Taking a letter of introduction from Colonel Tony Sanger, I went to Cowdray Park to try my luck. I ended up playing for the English team against a visiting Argentine team whom we defeated in three matches.”

Thus began a life-long association and friendship between both families. The Harpers initially rented a house at Graffham before being offered Ambersham Farm where Alec started to make polo ponies. Rosemary recalled in the Cowdray Park Polo Club Members’ Year Book marking the centenary year of the Club, “John Cowdray rang or visited Ambersham Farm every day to talk ‘polo business’ although the Polo Manager was left to get on with the job of running the tournaments.” And, on the subject of the first Cowdray Park Gold Cup in 1956 she said, “This was John Cowdray’s big dream and it was a huge success. Alec was delighted to be in the Cowdray team despite losing in the Final.”

Rosemary was a true hostess, renowned for her superb, welcoming demeanour at Ambersham Farm, hosting the greats of the polo world. She remained a huge supporter of the Club after Colonel Harper’s death and her birthday was often celebrated at the side of the pitch during the period of the Gold Cup.

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Polo Times, July 2017

RoR’s Racing to Polo Challenge The charity, Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) is pleased to announce that this year’s Racing to Polo Challenge will be held for the first time at the illustrious Cowdray Park Polo Club.

The event will take place at the West Sussex venue on Wednesday 19 July between the two Semi Final matches for the prestigious Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup. The RoR Racing to Polo Challenge is for horses that have raced in Great Britain and have since successfully forged a second career as polo ponies.

The RoR Racing to Polo Challenge boasts a total prize fund of £3,200, with £1,500 to the winner and prize money down to sixth place. The winning connections also receive a rug, courtesy of Lycetts the insurance company, and the striking ‘Balding Trophy’. Judging the class will be racehorse trainer, Martyn Meade, who recently saddled Eminent to finish fourth in the Investec Derby and whose sons George and Freddie play polo regularly.

The RoR Racing to Polo Challenge at Cowdray Park will comprise of one class for ponies aged five years and older, entries close on Friday 30 June and entry will be granted to the first fifteen that apply. To be eligible ponies must have raced in Great Britain and be currently registered with RoR, following the launch of their new database in March 2017. For more information visit RoR’s website: www.ror.org.uk

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Former racehorses excel in pol

News Support Southwell

Photograph courtesy of NOMAN

Tarquin has been training hard for the ocean rowing race, but needs your support

Tarquin Southwell is getting ready and training hard to compete in an ocean rowing race, and contacted Polo Times to explain about the competition, “Leaving on Monday 24 July, my challenge is to row 200 miles

against three other teams including, amongst others, Alex Gregory – double Olympic gold medallist and multiple World Champion. The purpose is to raise money and awareness for an HPV vaccine to prevent cancer. HPV is a skin virus that 80% of people will contract in their lifetime and is linked to causing all types of cancer. This challenge is a race to end HPV and therefore prevent 5% of all cancers.

Four teams are competing in the NOMAN race. We set off from Barcelona and will hopefully arrive in Ibiza three days later – weather dependent.

The NOMAN Mediterranean premiere ocean rowing race was launched in 2013, and raised over £1m in its inaugural year. Each individual rower is committed to raising £10,000. Therefore I would be very grateful if you could support me with any donation, large or small. On the website you can meet the ‘NOMEN’ and click on my profile to make a donation at nomancampaign.org/ ocean-rowing/ If you would like to get more involved in the race and align your brand then I would be delighted to discuss the benefits for your company as part of a larger sponsorship package.” Tarquin’s email is tigs@tigrepolo.co.uk

Julius Bär Beach Polo World Cup Sylt Photograph courtesy of Polo Club Sylt

Over 3 – 4 June, six teams took part in the 10th Julius Bär Beach Polo World Cup at Hörnum beach. Unlike most beach polo, this event features teams of just two players. Despite the strong efforts of all six teams, in the end it was Team Maus Immobilien Sylt (Frank Kirschke & Agustin Kronhaus) who defeated their opponents’ Team Polo Club Sylt & Hörnum (Kutlay Yaprak & Lukas Sdrenka) 12-8 in the Final to take home the trophy.

In an unusual turn of events, Christian Grimme who has retained the title since 2012, shared fifth place with Maserati.

Six teams competed in the 10th Julius Bär Beach Polo World Cup

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Polo Times, July 2017

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www.flannels.com

HPA News

HPA News The latest updates from the HPA

Coronation Cup On 29 July the greatest polo players in the world will be walking the turf at Guards Polo Club for The Royal Salute Coronation Cup. Each year this event showcases the very best of this fast-paced sport, with guests enjoying a quintessential day of sporting action and entertainment with some of the world’s leading international players competing for the winning title. For tickets, please head to www.coronationcuppolo.com. HPA Members should keep an eye on their emails for exclusive members’ discounts.

Mid Season Handicap Changes These became effective from Monday 19 June and can be viewed in the latest news section on the home page of the HPA website.

High Goal Handicap Meeting The next High Goal handicap meeting will take place on 26 July.

Ladies International The 26 goal Ladies team for the 25 June International Test Match against the USA has been announced. The team is as follows: England Ladies Team (26): Nina Clarkin (Capt) (10), Tamara Fox (7), Heloise Wilson-Smith (5) & Izzy McGregor (4) – Substitutes Hazel Jackson & Lottie Lamacraft

Gloucestershire Festival of Polo Congratulations to the Flannels England team who, on 10 June, beat the Magee 1866 Ireland team with a final score of 5-4, at Beaufort Polo Club. The teams were as follows: Flannels England (17): Josh Cork (2), Tom Brodie (3), Jack Richardson (6) & Mark Tomlinson (6) Magee 1866 Ireland (17): Michael Henderson (4), Niall Donnelly (4), Richard Tyrone (6) & Freddie Horne (3)

British Junior Tournaments From 10 July, the British Junior Tournament series will begin. The first tournament will be the Buckmaster on 10 July, followed by Hipwood on 11 July and Rocksavage on 13 July.

Polo Training Foundation We are looking forward to welcoming a group of youngsters from the Polo Training Foundation in Florida between 9 – 16 July.

Lifestyle Rewards In other exciting news, the HPA has joined forces with a company called Lifestyle Rewards, to provide members with exclusive deals on luxury goods and getaways. Members can access their rewards on the HPA website under the tab Members > Members Rewards. This page is password protected as it is exclusively for members, there will be an email going out to all members with the all-important password, so keep your eyes peeled!

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Polo Times, July 2017

Job Vacancy An exciting opportunity for a Communications Officer has become available at the HPA. A fulltime position is available for the right candidate in Membership, Communications and Equine Passports. For more information, please contact the HPA on enquiries@hpa-polo.co.uk.

Umpiring Clarifications The HPA have announced some umpiring clarifications: Attacker Hits Behind (Hit or Knock) in (Rule 12): In the case of any infringement or delay by the team facing the hit, a Penalty 5b may be awarded.

For example, if the infringement is deliberate or is for coming onto the field of play from offside it should be a Penalty 5b but otherwise may be a Penalty 5a.

Penalties 2 & 3 (Rules 33, 34 and 38 and Annex B, paragraph 18) If the team facing the hit infringes the rules, the umpire shall raise an arm and allow the penalty to be taken as normal; if a goal is scored or awarded (as per Rule 38a), play will be started with a throw in as normal from the centre unless the infringement is deliberate or dangerous in which case the umpires should blow the whistle to stop the clock and restart play with a Penalty 5b, teams having changed ends; if a goal was not scored or awarded then a Penalty 7a will be awarded (Penalty Retaken).

Visa Update In an open letter sent to all members of the Hurlingham Polo Association, Chief Executive David Woodd expanded upon the legal fees mentioned in the HPA’s previous letter on 19 May, published in the June issue of Polo Times:

To All Members of the HPA, Further to my letter of 24 May, I would like to emphasise that the £52,420 incurred for legal fees is only for the work done by Charles Russell Speechlys and then only from December 2016, when it was decided that we had to go for a Judicial Review, until April 2017.

The HPA was very fortunate in that the Federation of International Polo (FIP) agreed that we could use their Legal Counsel, Robert de By, who is a member of Guards Polo Club. In addition, Michael Mylonas QC, Chairman of Binfield Heath Polo Club, provided advice.

Both Robert and Michael provided entirely pro bono their time and legal advice and neither charged any expenses. In Robert’s case this included travel from Buenos Aires and New York at various times.

Their input was extensive and critical, not only in getting the Home Office to lift its suspension of the HPA’s ability to endorse but also in getting an extension to the visa scheme to allow some grooms to be brought in for the low goal.

The two civil servants with whom the HPA has been dealing have recently been moved and we are waiting to meet their replacements which will not be until after the election. As far as any lobbying is concerned, this is on hold as there is no point lobbying until we know who will be in the relevant appointments post the election.

Yours sincerely, David Woodd Chief Executive

www.polotimes.co.uk

FIP News

FIP Update President of the Federation of International Polo, Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, gives us an update on the latest FIP news from around the world as well as the resurgence of polo in France in preparation for the new season

Peter Higgins & Alex Taylor with the World Cup Championship Trophy

Firstly, FIP congratulates Eduardo Novillo Astrada on his recent election as President of the Asociación Argentina de Polo (AAP) and we look forward to working closely with both he and his new AAP Board to the benefit of our sport. We are delighted to announce that Eduardo has agreed to join the Executive Committee of FIP meaning that we now, for the first time in the Federation’s history, have the heads of the three major polo associations the AAP, HPA & USPA, working together in unison on what is effectively FIP’s Board, along with elected representatives from both the B & C countries. The Executive Committee look forward to working with Eduardo on all levels of polo within the Federation. We are also delighted to welcome Delfin Uranga as a new member of FIP’s Council of Administration and it is a great pleasure to have a member of our Founding President’s family on board.

Alberto Marina will remain as the Federation’s Treasurer and we sincerely thank Adrian Laplacette for his time and dedication whilst on the Council of Administration.

It has been a very busy year for FIP so far hosting two Ambassador Cups, one in Santa Barbara, California and the other in Courances in France, four FIP World Championship Play-Off Tournaments; Zone A in Palm Beach, Florida; Zone B in Punta del Este, Uruguay; Zone C in Chantilly, France and Zone D in Pattaya in Thailand with the fifth Zone E scheduled to start in Tehran, Iran in a few weeks time 29 June to 7 July.

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Polo Times, July 2017

Our CEO Alex Taylor has just returned from Australia where he was coordinating and overseeing the preparations for the World Championship Finals to be held at the Sydney Polo Club towards the end of October 2017. Alex accompanied the magnificent World Polo Championship Trophy, which was generously donated to the International Polo Federation by HH the Maharaja of Jaipur back in 1987 and had to be shipped from Chile, who were the last winners of the Championship in Santiago, Chile in January 2015. The official handover ceremony was held at Parliament House

in Sydney where it was put into the care of Peter Higgins the owner of the Sydney Polo Club. Alex confirmed that; “After seeing the calibre of the grounds, professionalism of the World Cup Polo management team and knowing that the Championship will be supported with a world class equine festival, I have no doubt that this will be the best Polo Championship in our history.”

During his visit our CEO met with the NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall as well as the Minister for Planning Anthony Roberts, Minister for Sport, Stuart Ayres and Member for Hawkesbury and Minister for Industrial Relations, Dominic Perrottet. Alex also complimented the Australian Polo Community on their great support and the provision of ponies for the event. It is expected that the XI FIP World Polo Championship will attract up to 50,000 attendees and incorporate an array of equine disciplines including jousting, show jumping and vaulting as well as a festival with family friendly activities, village market stalls and art activations.

In 2015 Peter Higgins, along with the backing of Destination NSW, bid and won the rights to host the 2017 World Polo Championship in Australia. Peter Higgins said; “This is a major accomplishment for polo in Australia, which will have spin-off benefits for the Hawkesbury region and state of New South Wales”. Speaking after Sydney Polo Club had been awarded the event, Member for Hawkesbury and Minister for Industrial Relations, Dominic Perrottet said; “It’s a great win for the Hawkesbury region. The World Championship will give this historic sport a great boost locally, and see our polo fields broadcast around the world.” Please visit www.wpcsydney.com for more information.

Having searched far and wide we found no guides to polo commentating and yet it is the one medium which can not only explain the game to newcomers but it is often the best way to encourage interest and participation in the sport. A good commentator can turn the meanest low goal match into a spectacle and yet we do not train or encourage those brave enough (or foolish enough!) to offer to commentator.

A dreary commentator on the other hand can utterly destroy a spectator’s enjoyment of a game. We decided to challenge a well-known commentator from the Newport Rhode Island International series, ex-5 Goaler William Crisp to write a booklet for FIP on the subject. With the assistance of Chris Graham, the Chief Commentator for many years at HPC, The London Polo Club, as editor the booklet was printed recently and will be sent out to all UK polo clubs with this issue of Polo Times. Should anyone interested in improving their commentating skills want a copy, please e-mail office@fippolo.com

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Letter of the month The writer of letter of the month wins a bottle of British Polo Gin @britishpologin 18 years and over only

Letters

Dear Sirs, With the season barely underway we had cause this week to stop and reflect as the sport threw us a curved ball. My son, Lukey took a ball clean in the face in a Dollar Cup match down at Cowdray. In the few hours that followed it felt as though we were in an episode of Casualty as Lukey was taken to Chichester hospital A&E, X-rayed and theatre, to be stitched up. There is no doubt in our minds he was lucky, but in the following days we have had a chance to reflect on what happened and for us there were three things that have really stood out.

I know there are some who still question the merits of wearing glasses. Without doubt wearing good quality glasses on this occasion saved his eye – the ball struck right into the centre of the lens and while the force of impact resulted in the lens rims cutting deep into his cheek, the lens did not break and his eye is undamaged. For me the lesson is obvious, never play without good glasses ever, the risk of doing so is just too great.

I appreciate the HPA has to be aware of legal liability but it must do everything it can to ensure this happens and for the kids (and their parents) starting out in the sport understanding how important this is, so that wearing glasses is just second nature from the very start.

Secondly, the fantastic support and huge number of get well messages Lukey has received over the past few days is a timely reminder of what a great community we have in the sport of polo.

JP Clarkin, from the opposing team was immediately to his aid, showing why he is so respected in the game. And, ever since there has been a stream of warm messages from throughout the sport.

Finally, what a great job the paramedics did at the ground and in taking charge of the situation. It’s easy to take these guys for granted, yet when it matters they leap into action and for Lukey were outstanding.

For Lukey it’s early days in his polo career and in no time he will be back playing again but he is wiser from this episode – hopefully he has more respect for the inherent dangers in the sport, for sure we will never again need to discuss wearing glasses for a game, he recognises what a great community he is part of, with some excellent role models to look to and at the end of a game he will now make a point of thanking the paramedics sitting quietly on the side of the ground. So as always there is a silver lining to everything in life.

Write to the editor in the following ways: w letters@polotimes.co.uk wL etters, Polo Times, Hill Farm Studios, Wainlodes Lane,

Bishops Norton, Glos GL2 9LN

Dear Sir, I’ve been meaning to write this letter for some time and after the sad news of Sunny Hale’s passing a few months ago it felt particularly fitting.

Much has been done for women’s polo over the past two decades and Sunny for one was an instrumental force in this and it’s important that we keep up the good work in the UK. I’m an amateur, but enthusiastic, female polo player. I take great pride and enjoyment in what is an incredibly unique and special feature of our sport, that we are able to play and compete not only across age groups but most importantly genders. I have played in chukkas spanning teenagers and septuagenarians and ridden off men twice my age. There are very few sports left in the world where this would be possible.

It has therefore been a great frustration of mine that over the years Polo in the Park held at Hurlingham Park, has failed to showcase not only this amazing and truly singular aspect of our sport but also the incredible female polo talent in our country.

Having attended on several occasions and followed it in Polo Times I cannot think of a time when I have seen a female polo player included in any of the teams. I may be wrong about this, however it makes me think that if I, someone who is actively interested in the sport, doesn’t get the impression that many women have participated then I doubt the average attendee does.

My understanding of the event has always been – drinking and corporate entertaining aside – to engage a new and unfamiliar audience with polo. Given the array and volume of people who attend, it seems to me a missed opportunity to show off one of the most unique and exciting parts of our great sport, namely that women are as welcome as men on the field. From what I can see the percentage of female players, if any, is so low that you’d be forgiven for thinking as a spectator that this is purely a male sport that women might dabble in for fun.

I really hope this Summer that Chestertons Polo in the Park and any other event seeking to popularise our sport works hard to make sure women are as included and celebrated as they are at the places I have played over the years.

Kind regards Helen Libson Editor’s Note At the time of going to print, Hazel Jackson had just played at Chesterton’s Polo in the Park and Murus Sanctus’s Corinne Ricard had played in The Cartier Queen’s Cup Semi Final. Perhaps this is the sign of a positive shift.

Nick Wiles

Quick Question In what year was the Queen’s Cup first played?

For a bonus point….

Who won the Queen’s Cup in its inaugural year?

A: Turn to page 128 to check your answer.

Correction We would like to issue an apology to Cambridge County Polo Club for incorrectly publishing news regarding an event on 17 – 18 June at a different Club.

The next tournament to take place at Cambridge County Polo Club will the 0-4 and -4-0 Timba Cup on 1 – 2 July. For entries and more information please contact info@ cambridgecountypoloclub.co.uk or call 01223 812922.

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Polo Times, July 2017

Caption Competition What do you think Adolfo Cambiaso is saying to HM The Queen on our front cover? The winning caption will receive a pair of ONA Polo Pro-tech gloves. (Answers that will not result in us being sent to the Tower of London only please!)

Email answers to letters@polotimes.co.uk

Volume 22 • Issue 6 • July 2017 • £6.50

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CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP Cambiaso Conquers with 10th Win TO BLOCK OR NOT TO BLOCK The Polo Community’s Views POLO AWARDS 12th Annual Celebration of Polo PLUS: Interview with Pablo MacDonoug

h & Gloucestershire Festival of Polo

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Polo Times subscriber Paul Girdham, Sporting Designs Ltd, sent in this snap from the sidelines to the Polo Times HQ. It was taken at The Queen’s Cup Semi Final at Guards polo Club on Wednesday 14 June, and features world number one player Adolfo Cambiaso shooting at goal for RH Polo. Have you got a picture you’d like to see in Polo Times? Send in your submissions to editorial@polotimes.co.uk

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As HRH The Duke of Edinburgh winds down his official duties he has time to enjoy the finer things in life

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the

Big

picture

No Polo Like Beach Polo Beach polo seems to be flavour of the year, with ponies parading on pristine coastlines from Thailand and Australia to our own sunny shores in the UK. Aspall Polo on the Beach has become a mainstay in the British beach polo calendar and over Friday 19 – Sunday 22 May, the tenth edition of the event took place at Watergate Bay. This year saw the largest festival to date and drew huge crowds to the beach – and who can blame them?

With sea, sun and sand aplenty, plus buckets of polo action, 2017 was certainly a vintage year. Segway polo, beach polo, jousting, sword fighting, an asado, fireworks and live music, it was the perfect start to the summer. w Photograph by Aspall Polo on the Beach

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Polo Times, July 2017

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12th Annual Polo Awards

Feature

12th Annual Polo Awards

The results plus Polo Times’ post-award interviews

Rosabella Hine reports from Guards Polo Club

M

uch more than just a black-tie dinner and awards ceremony, the annual Polo Awards is an international gathering of players, patrons and polo aficionados all under one roof with the aim of celebrating the best names in polo. This year marked the 12th Annual Polo Awards, often hailed as the www.polotimes.co.uk

‘Oscars of Polo’, and once again Guards Polo Club played host to the glamorous evening.

On Tuesday 30 May, as another busy day in polo drew to a close, guests were welcomed into the Clubhouse with a Laurent-Perrier champagne reception accompanied by mouth-watering Mosimann’s canapés, which tempted even the most steadfast slimmer.

Everyone had the chance to catch-up and speculate who the winners of each award would be. As the sun set over the pristinely preened Queen’s Ground, guests were ushered to their seats. Before appetites could be sated, the first awards got underway with The Swarovski Most Outstanding Lady Player. Despite the tough competition from last year’s winner Sarah Wiseman as well

as leading lady players Tamara Fox, Lucy Coddington and Claire Brougham, Hazel Jackson with a ladies handicap of 8 and a mixed handicap of 2 walked away with the prize.

The awards were interspersed with yet more Mosimann’s deliciousness, much to the delight of the foodies in the room, and testing everyone’s willpower. Next-up on the awards schedule was The Tally Ho Farm Most Outstanding British Professional.

2014, 2015 and 2016 winner Max Charlton was nominated alongside James Beim, Jack Richardson and Tommy Beresford, but in the end it was English polo stalwart James Harper who deservedly took to the podium to receive his award. Tally Ho Farm’s Chris Adkins commented, “Harps brings a wealth of experience, he’s also a very talented player Polo Times, July 2017

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Feature

12th Annual Polo Awards

and he’s got some great horses, and Tally Ho are really proud to highlight him as the Most Outstanding British Professional.”

The third award of the evening saw La Indiana patron Michael Bickford scoop up The Hedonism Wines Most Outstanding High Goal Patron, which no doubt made up for lastminute losses in both the 2016 Cartier Queen’s Cup and Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup Finals, as well as the more recent loss against RH Polo in this year’s Queen’s Cup Final.

The Polo Awards is not all about the high goal, as the HPA Victor Ludorum awards recognised the 2016 successes of all the Victor Ludorum teams from 6 to 18 goal.

Max Kirchhoff ’s Snake Bite picked up their 6 goal trophy after a super successful 2016 season, whilst Katie Jenkinson’s Chester/ Stobart collected their trophy for the 8 goal Victor Ludorum. The Maiz Dulce team were en masse to collect the 12 goal trophy, and it was an especially poignant evening as patron Peter Barfoot, who suffered a serious injury in 2016 which meant he could not take part in the season, was also in attendance to witness the achievement of his team. Lottie Lamacraft who stood in for Peter Barfoot spoke to Polo Times, “Peter Barfoot was an added motivation, every time we won a cup we took it to him in hospital, so that was a huge motivation and also a feeling you can’t really describe.” Patrick and Ludo Ephson took to the stage to collect the huge 15 goal trophy, which would definitely take at least a few cases of Laurent-Perrier to fill! Last, but not least in the Victor Ludorum category, was the 18 goal, which was picked up by Black Bears. 2016 saw the first ever Winter League Victor Ludorum, and Mindi Byrne’s Tex8n Polo secured the inaugural trophy.

The fifth prize of the evening saw the first of many awards collected by the Pieres brothers on the evening as Sarmiento, owned

by Marcos di Paola and played by Facundo Pieres was named as The Pololine Most Outstanding High Goal Pony. The Pieres magic continued as they took to the podium as part of The Polofix Most Outstanding High Goal Team, King Power Foxes. The flurry of awards and constant clapping required, were broken up by speeches from The HPA Lifetime Achievement Award winners. This year’s accolades went to John Tinsley, who was HPA Chairman from 2001-2004, retired in 2015 after being an HPA Steward for 25 years, and during his time as Steward was on nearly every committee that the HPA had – he chaired the Handicap Committee in 1995, Development Committee in 1997 and also the International Committee. Current HPA Chairman, Stephen Hutchinson remembered John as “Rarely missing a meeting, he would travel down from Scotland for a day to attend meetings, watch a game and return to Scotland in the evening, so he knew who was playing well.”

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Sir Charles ‘Cow’ Williams also received an HPA Lifetime Achievement Award, a committed supporter of polo both here in the UK and Barbados, where he has been instrumental in building the Apes Hill complex. From 1973 to 1991 Cow came to the UK every summer, flew to Barbados on Thursday or Friday and after a weekend of polo would return to Barbados on a Monday – true dedication to English polo.

Cow’s support of British polo was rewarded in 2009 when his Apes Hill team won The Queen’s Cup. The competition was incredibly strong for The Guards Polo Club Most Outstanding High Goal Player, with the nominations reading like a Who’s Who of high goal polo as the list included World Number One Adolfo Cambiaso, the indefatigable Pieres duo of Gonazlito and Facundo Pieres, plus Agustin Merlos and Juan Martin Nero. Last year’s winner Facundo lost the trophy to his brother Gonzalito who received the most nominations and took home the award, a welcome nod to his polo prowess and skill on the field.

Young Brit player Tom Brodie fought off competition from an army of young players and was awarded The Talacrest Young Player Award and the generous £15,000 bursary, an investment in British polo kindly donated by John Collins in order to support the sport’s development in Britain. When asked on the podium which player he most looked up to, Tom diplomatically replied “My father”, a wise choice given the array of polo talent in the room.

Charles Bertand was posthumously awarded with The King Power Polo Recognition Award, following his death on 27 November 2016. Charles, or French Charly as he was more widely known, was a memorable figure in the polo community, who latterly ran his own transport business, Bertrand Transport. Fluent in English, French and Spanish, Charly was wellsuited to the international horse transport business and as a horse lover, who always prioritised the health and happiness of the horses in his care.

Whilst the guests had been enjoying the delicious three course dinner and exhilarating yet mystifying magic display, each person had been nominating their Thai Polo Club Dream Team, and this year’s fearsome foursome were voted as Pite Merlos, Nic Roldan, Agustin Merlos and Facundo Pieres. A big congratulations to all of the winners and nominees and good luck for the remaining season. As the awards came to a close, the revelry spilled out into the Clubhouse bar, and guests, fuelled by yet more Laurent-Perrier and entertained by a dance inspiring DJ, the Polo Awards were danced away, at least until next year – for social pictures from the evening, please turn to our Sidelines pages.

Hazel Jackson, The Swarovski Most Outstanding Lady Player

“Winning this award was a massive shock, especially as it is my second year being nominated and the ladies I was up against are so talented, which meant the competition was super tough. I am still playing at my roots in the New Forest, plus Tidworth and I’ll head to Cowdray after the Gold Cup to do all the big ladies tournaments. I’m also taking part in the new Victrix Ludorum, plus tournaments in St. Tropez and Zurich, so it’s going to be a busy season. I look forward to playing one of my favourite horses Song, although she’s probably too good for me! She is originally off the track and then sold on by Harry White, and she is a bit of a machine.”

James Harper, The Tally Ho Farm Most Outstanding British Professional

“I didn’t really expect the award, but it is always great to receive these awards. My early career was fairly quiet to start with, but it’s been a bit nuts really in the last few seasons, I’m in a good place at the moment. Horsewise, all of the El Remanso team have improved 3-4 horses each, I’ve got one that I bought over from Australia called Lobster, which I am hoping will go well. She’s a big chestnut mare, I bought her off Sam Gardner in Australia and then flew her over from there.” www.polotimes.co.uk

12th Annual Polo Awards

Feature

Michael Bickford, The Hedonism Wines Most Outstanding High Goal Patron

Michael Bickford: “2016 was really fun. To get to three major Finals was amazing. We’re already raring to go and are fully into the 2017 season.

The horses we bought over last year have matured really well, especially the greats like Nirvana and Lanex. We’ve also got some new surprises, so keep an eye out!”

Nic Roldan: “La Indiana has a style of polo that is very open, we’ve stuck to that system and it works. The four of us are working quickly and trying to play fast and open polo. It’s definitely exciting for us and I think it’s exciting for the spectators too. Playing in the UK and the US is different, it’s fun to come back and play here in England, everyone is very passionate. In America we have a lot of other sports although polo is popular, especially in Palm Beach. They are two very different seasons – but I love them both. I left five of my horses here last year and I bought six new ones, so I have 11 over here for the UK season of my own, plus La Indiana have lent me four more, so I have a playing string of around 15 this year.”

Sir Charles Williams & John Tinsley, The HPA Lifetime Achievement Awards

John Tinsley: “I would particularly like to say thank you to the HPA and thank you to Stephen [Hutchinson], to be honoured by one’s peers is a very great honour and I thoroughly appreciate it.”

Sir Charles Williams: “I never expected the award. I have been a supporter of British polo for a long time, occasionally to my detriment. To say that I enjoyed playing in England is an understatement, I really enjoyed it. I never let anything, work or otherwise, get in the way of polo. I had a wonderful time and I met a lot of friends, much more than I was able to mention in my speech tonight.”

King Power Foxes, The Polofix Most Outstanding High Goal Team

Hugo Lewis: “King Power are a great organization with fantastic horses, and they really helped me to progress whilst I was playing with them in 2016.”

Gonzalito Pieres, The Guards Polo Club Most Outstanding High Goal Player

“The English season is a great competition, with a good atmosphere. I think outside of The Argentine and US Opens, the JaegerLeCoultre Gold Cup and Cartier Queen’s Cup are the most important. But here you always feel a lot of respect for the sport.

I have to say, the crowds in the Gold Cup Final are always amazing, hopefully The Queen’s Cup to be the same.” www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, July 2017

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12th Annual Polo Awards

Tom Brodie, The Talacrest Young Player Award

“Winning this prize was very unexpected, I had no idea that my name would be called and the support Talacrest are showing young players is amazing.

At the moment I am playing full time professional polo, I am doing everything from 8-15 goal, based mainly at Guards. My 2016 highlights would have to be getting to the Semi Finals of The Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup with Zacara, and playing in Sotogrande with Facundo and Gonzalito was another highlight.

Horse-wise I get a lot of mine from the racetrack and train them up at home, but I am always buying at the same time – I always look for something powerful, strong in the ride-off, fast and with a good mouth. At the moment it’s hard to say one pony in particular who is my best, my top three would be Nebraska, Zero and a gelding we made at home called Sambo.”

Poulton Balvanera, The 2016 HPA 15 Goal Victor Ludorum Award

Maiz Dulce, The 2016 HPA 12 Goal Victor Ludorum Award

Jack Berner: “It was a great season, I also has success in the 6 Goal Victor Ludorum with Snake Bite. Playing as Maiz Dulce was amazing, we played together in both 2016, and also the year before as well which was really nice. When we won the 12 goal it was a real thrill.”

Lottie Lamacraft: “It was a great team, the Glenn, Thomas and Jack combo with Peter was awesome and then when he was injured I stepped in and we won some great polo”

Patrick & Ludo Ephson: “We won the 12 goal the year before, it was a good fun team.

After doing 12 goal, the 15 was the next step up really as we used the same horses. We get on really well as a team, it’s pretty relaxed and we don’t shout at each other on the pitch. For 2017, we aren’t doing too much, mainly low goal tournaments at Cirencester Polo Club, plus a couple of 15 goals, but unfortunately we can’t play as a team again this year as 50% percent of the team aren’t over in the UK. One of our 2016 season highlights would be the Royal Windsor Final and playing Black Bears at Black Bears’ grounds in our first ever game.”

The King Power Polo Recognition Award

Awarded to Charles ‘French Charly’ Bertrand who sadly passed away at the end of 2016

Photograph courtesy of Jonathan Powell

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Polo Times, July 2017

Black Bears, The 2016 HPA 18 Goal Victor Ludorum Award:

Simon Keyte: “The team got on fabulously, they were chosen for their horses, this combined with the infrastructure with Black Bears makes a real team and is instrumental to the team winning. James Lester was good, we used him when things broke down a bit, replacing injured players, and he was fantastic and he had been with us in Australia and we enjoyed James’ company. You can’t have someone who is an outsider, they have to be part of the team.

2017 is rather quiet, we are selling off the bottom lot of the horses and we are playing a little bit of 10 and 12 – as much as Guy can fit in with his business commitments.” www.polotimes.co.uk

12th Annual Polo Awards

Feature

Chester/Stobart, The 2016 HPA 8 Goal Victor Ludorum Award

Katie Jenkinson: “Part of our success is definitely due to the fact that we play a lot, we all encourage each other and we are all quite positive.”

Charlie Walton: “Jonny taught me how to play from when I was 10-yearsold and my first ever game was with Christian, so I’ve been playing with these guys for 10 years. My team highlights for the 2016 season would have to be the Archie David, that was a great tournament at Guards, and the last match at Beaufort was tough as it went to an extra chukka against the team we had battled against all season.”

Snake Bite, The 2016 HPA 6 Goal Victor Ludorum Award

Max Kirchhoff: “The 2016 season went amazingly. The Victor Ludorum tournament is our happy place. Everyone came to the field and did what they needed to do. Some days it went well and some days it didn’t, but we really enjoyed playing together. We’ve been together as a team for a while so we couldn’t have hoped for better. It’s just fantastic when things come together like that.”

Tex8n Polo, The 2016 HPA Winter League Victor Ludorum Award Mindi Byrne: “With the overall win it was a brilliant season for us, we might have an 8 goal team for this winter, but unfortunately our 2016 8 goal team is now an 11 goal team due to handicap changes. Team Tex8n is continuing this summer at Guards in the 4, 6 and 8 goal. We’re also playing a bit at Cowdray as well this year.”

Sarmiento, owned by Marcos di Paola (played by Facundo Pieres), The Pololine Most Outstanding High Goal Pony

Facundo Pieres: “Sarmiento is an 11-year-old gelding and last year was the first time I played him. He was from our breeding but Marcos bought him, and Marcos always said to me that he had an amazing horse that he wanted me to ride and he was right as last year Sarmiento did amazingly for me. Sarmiento is now in Argentina where he played in the Open. Cube is still a highlight in my UK string, as well as Galactica, and I bought over three mares from Argentina this year – they should do well and I’ll be playing them in the UK high goal.” www.polotimes.co.uk

The Thai Polo & Equestrian Club Dream Team

As voted for by the guests during the evening, Pite Merlos, Nic Roldan, Agustin Merlos and Facundo Pieres.

Polo Times, July 2017

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Para Polo

Para Polo

Feature

Jen Liggins

reports from Tidworth Polo Club

Tidworth Polo Club welcomes Help for Heroes veterans for the annual Heroes Day

O

n Sunday 28 May, summer officially arrived at Tidworth Polo Club for the annual Heroes Polo Day, as record crowds gathered in front of the absolutely pristine Fisher Ground. With an estimated 3,000 people attending, the trade stands were buzzing, private parties with gazebos were hosting their picnics, the champagne tent was full and the hospitality tents enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere.

The day was divided into a triumvirate of military matches. The opening match was the annual skirmish between the Royal Navy and the RAF, the Duke of York Cup. A great game to open the day with some excellent skills on show from both sides; however, if the RAF had access to the Royal Navy’s classified information, they would have seen that Lt Hiro Suzuki was not to be left unattended. Sadly it was evident that the memo never reached the RAF HQ and Lt Suzuki came out fighting. Lt Cdr Steve Spiller for the Royal Navy showed that he was clearly happy to be back in the driving seat having arrived back from Afghanistan just 24 hours prior to the match and to celebrate his 12 days back for R&R, he displayed his happiness with a wonderfully angled backhand, straight through the posts.

www.polotimes.co.uk

The RAF fought with fervour, but lost drive in the final chukka leaving the final score: Royal Navy 7 to the RAF’s 3½.

Duke of York Cup teams: Royal Navy (0): Capt Dean Bassett (-1), Surg Cdr Harry Rourke (-1), Lt Cdr Steve Spiller (0) & Lt Hiro Suzuki (2) RAF (-2): Flt Lt Mark Lynch (-1), Flt Lt Andy Waldron (-1), Sqn Ldr Vicky Woodhead (0) & Gp Capt Martin Adcock (0) However, it was the second match of the day that the thousands of spectators had turned out for. As the home of military polo, Tidworth has the honour of hosting the annual Help for Heroes Heroes Cup, showcasing the talents and hard work of a selection of injured veterans through the Help for Heroes Sports Recovery Programme, Para Polo. The programme seeks to give those who have suffered life changing injuries or illnesses the opportunity – through sports – to regain a sense of freedom, independence and self-confidence and a belief that they truly can live beyond injury.

As part of their Sports Recovery Programme, Help for Heroes has been working with the team at Cool Hooves Polo Club, who have been teaching wounded,

injured and sick Service personnel and veterans how to play polo for a number of years. For The Heroes Cup, for most players, the match was the culmination of months of hard work, effort and determination and win or lose, they overcame their own obstacles just to saddle up and play.

With the poignant setting and backdrop of the Help for Heroes rehabilitation centre Tedworth House, the Independent Living Solutions Team Red went to battle with the Wilsons Solicitors’ Team White in the most courageous and bold two chukka match, showing that despite life changing injuries, they continue to go from strength to strength. Cliff O’ Farrell, (otherwise known as the ginger James Bond due to his love of all things extreme sports), was continuously ready in defence and eager in attack, taking his team Wilsons Solicitors to victory finishing 1 goals to 0.

Heroes Cup Teams: Wilsons Solicitors’ Team White (-5): Cliff O’Farrell (-2), Vicky Adams (-2), Angela Mason-Matthews (-2) & 2Lt Jamie Drummond-Moray (1) Independent Living Solutions Team Red (-5): Elaine Corner (-2), Fran Townend (-2), Lucinda Barker (-2) & Lt Paddy Selfe (1)

Polo Times, July 2017

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Feature

Photography by Peter Meade Photography

Polo Times spoke to the players before the match about their amazing journeys to the field CAPTAIN, ELAINE CORNER Elaine had her left leg amputated below the knee and injured her back following a motorbike accident in 2011. A Staff Sergeant in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers she was medically discharged in 2012 having served for over 25 years. She has been given the mammoth task of managing the Help for Heroes team.

When did you start playing polo?

I started playing in 2013, when it was first offered up by Cool Hooves Polo at RCBPC, then 2 years ago it moved to Tidworth Polo Club. It gave me the opportunity to do a sport that I would never have got a chance to do if I hadn’t been injured. I sometimes think, ‘If I hadn’t been injured, where would I be now?’ I certainly wouldn’t be standing in the middle of a polo ground about to play a match.

I’m a below knee amputee and I have back injuries and nerve damage in my lower back.

I’m in constant pain no matter what I do, but I feel that I could lay in bed and feel sorry for myself or get out and play polo. It hurts a little bit more if it’s been a fast game! But equally so, lucky for me if I ride people off it doesn’t hurt as I have a special riding off leg!

This will be my fourth Heroes Cup and I’m so excited! In theory, I know what I’m doing, but I wouldn’t go by that.

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Who suggested you start playing polo?

I grew up riding horses, but after my injury I was given the opportunity to do a week horse-riding course at Sandhurst. It wasn’t that I was desperate to get back on a horse, but I wanted to explore what I could now do. I really enjoyed it and achieved far more than I had hoped, even jumping by the end of the week! I carried on riding until I was given the opportunity to try polo and I thought, ‘This sounds interesting. Why don’t I give it a go?’ I love it. It’s like gymkhana games for adults.

What did it feel like; the first time you mounted a polo pony?

The first time I stopped, if my pony hadn’t had its head in the air, I would have been on the floor in front of it. They stop so quickly and as I’ve lost my leg, I can’t get my heel down. But now, when I hit the ball, I brace myself with my hand on the horse’s neck, so I can lean forward without having to put my heel down and keep myself secure. Some ponies don’t like that, but Herman who I’m riding today, doesn’t mind that. He’s gorgeous and more than welcome to come and live with me (hint hint).

What would you say to anyone thinking about polo as a therapeutic aid?

It’s just fantastic. You’ve got the opportunity to play a fast moving team sport and it doesn’t matter that you’re injured. You’ll see some of our players walking round and they look injured, but you see them out on the polo field and they’re just like a normal person. It really is liberating and it doesn’t matter that I don’t have a leg.

We had a guy on the Introduction to Polo course two weeks ago, who has PTSD (Post Traumatic Shock Syndrome), which is an illness that you can’t see; it’s completely internal. He looks like a normal able-bodied chap, but mental health can be completely debilitating. But, he got off the horse at the end of the first day and said, ‘I’m concentrating so hard on riding the horse, I haven’t got room for PTSD in my head. I get a break from it, because I have to concentrate so hard on everything, on every inch of my body on playing polo. There’s no room for anything else. It was the first time I’d smiled in six months.’ So it’s a fantastic escape from reality and just such good fun.

And we have a laugh as a team which is the most important thing.

“I haven’t got room for PTSD in my head. I get a break from it, because I have to concentrate so hard on everything, on every inch of my body on playing polo.” www.polotimes.co.uk

Para Polo

Feature

Miles Underwood – Deputy Polo Manager at Tidworth Polo Club What does the Heroes Cup mean for Tidworth?

It’s a huge day! Heroes Day is one of the biggest days in our season. The Help for Heroes teams have been affected by amputation, PTSD and other problems throughout their lives and the match is the culmination of a lot of hard work here at Tidworth with Jess Andrews and myself. This is the real showcase for their talent.

You have other military teams playing today as well. Does it have a good effect on them as well?

It’s fantastic! It really goes to show that disability, whatever it may be, doesn’t matter, as long as you have the knowhow, you can get out there and compete on an equal basis. Having the Royal Navy and the RAF playing, and the WIP and Hackett Army on the same bill is awesome. What a testament to Armed Forces polo!

FRAN TOWNEND Fran was injured while providing first aid to a civilian involved in an RTA. Her injuries were life threatening and include a broken back in two places, a broken pelvis and two broken legs, internal organ damage and nerve damage which has resulted in the loss of function of her right leg. At the time of injury she was a member of BUOTC and starting a career with the RAMC as a doctor.

When did you start playing polo?

I started playing polo when I went to university in St. Andrews and then Bristol. I joined the Club at Tidworth in 2011. Following my injury in 2013, it was one thing that I really, really wanted to do again and I wasn’t sure whether it was actually going to happen. In June 2015, Jess Andrews, Tidworth Polo Club Manager, pushed me back onto a polo pony. We weren’t sure how it was going to go, but it’s just gone from strength to strength. With the breaks, I also got quite bad nerve damage. My right leg doesn’t work overly well, but I do have two extra ones (pointing to her trusty crutches, Scrumpy & Jack).

What did it feel like; the first time you mounted a polo pony?

Absolutely amazing! I wasn’t terrified per se, I just think it was such a novelty, it was so nice to do something that I never thought was going to be possible. So I didn’t really have room to be scared!

What would you say to anyone thinking about polo as a therapeutic aid?

It’s an absolutely fantastic sport that people with quite severe injuries can play. You don’t need any extra equipment, you don’t look disabled when you’re on a polo pony and then to be able to play a team ball sport against able-bodied people; you just completely forget about being injured, for the 7½ minutes that you’re playing a chukka.

“you don’t look disabled when you’re on a polo pony” LUCINDA BARKER Lucy suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. She was a Major in the Adjutant General’s Corps (Staff and Personnel Support) and was medically retired from the Army in February 2015.

When did you start playing polo?

About 18 months ago, in 2015, post illness. I got welcomed into the fold by all the players and to be able to play a team sport again is just fantastic.

I didn’t think I’d be able to.

What did it feel like; the first time you mounted a polo pony?

I’d exercised the ponies at Sandhurst when I was there about ten years ago and so knew vaguely how they responded, but being able to get on a pony again, when at the time I was struggling to walk any great distance and struggling to stand up for long periods, was the most amazing feeling. I got off, and although I was exhausted, I had the biggest smile on my face, which I’ve still got now.

What would you say to anyone thinking about polo as a therapeutic aid?

It’s fantastic! Definitely, definitely do it. All of us have noticed differences and changes to our injuries and how we respond to them in the last 18 months to two years. We’ve all got stronger which has helped our physical injuries and mental injuries – polo has been brilliant. www.polotimes.co.uk

VICKY ADAMS Vicky was injured playing Army rugby and has had three operations on her left ankle including reconstruction and needs at least another two. She is still serving with 5 Bn REME as a vehicle mechanic and has been in the army for nearly seven years.

When did you start playing polo?

November 2015 Who suggested you start playing polo?

I was on a Battle Back course at Headley Court where I met Elaine. I have always ridden horses and actually had a horse at the time. I started the Introduction to Polo Course and immediately got addicted.

What did it feel like; the first time you mounted a polo pony?

Great! Really, really good. The first time you hit the ball at a canter is a real sense of achievement. It feels great to participate in a team sport again because I didn’t think I’d ever be able to.

What would you say to anyone thinking about polo as a therapeutic aid?

Definitely do it. Mentally, it helps because of the relationship you form with the horse, but you also get a lot more rehab without realising it. You’re actually doing rehab in the riding movement and it has no negative impact to your injury. It really does start to make things work again.

“it feels great to participate in a team sport again because I didn’t think I’d ever be able to”

Polo Times, July 2017

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Feature

Para Polo

CLIFF O’FARRELL Cliff served as a Lance Corporal with the Household Cavalry Regiment and was medically discharged in September 2015. He was injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) strike in Musa Qala in Afghanistan in December 2009 with injuries which included fractured heels, a left tibia/fibia that was shattered in 10 places, right calf missing, fractured right neck of femur, pelvis and spine with a dislocated shoulder and a lot of shrapnel wounds.

When did you start playing polo?

I started playing just over five years ago up at RCBPC, post injury. I was ex-Household Cavalry so knew my way around a horse. I thought, ‘Can I still ride?’ and with the opportunity of playing polo coming up, I thought I’d give it a try. Turns out it was pretty good!

Who suggested you start playing polo?

It was initially suggested to me through the Battle Back Centre, in Lilleshall. Battle Back is a programme in the Army that provides adapted sports to injured servicemen and women.

Anything you can think of: whether it’s rock-climbing, sailing, scuba diving, it’s on offer. Low and behold, polo came up and I was the only one on the course for the first four months, because no-one was really interested and things just grew from there. Elaine Corner, Captain came on to the programme and all of a sudden we got more members and we began to exceed training sessions. From there they suggested matches, which no one expected!

What did it feel like; the first time you mounted a polo pony?

I knew how to ride from my time in the Household Cavalry, but the horses are exceedingly different. Initially, I was really stiff in the saddle. I was used to riding single-handed carrying a sword, sitting deep in the saddle. The first time I rode was about three years post-ceremonial duties and afterwards I ached like hell! But I thought, that even though my back’s in pieces and my bum is constantly hitting the saddle, my legs were feeling really good.

I was caught up in an IED strike in Musa Qala, Afghanistan, in December 2009. The vehicle did its job – it was really good, but it was the shockwave that travelled up that did most of the damage. My left leg was wrapped around the gear selector, so I had to have that reconstructed three times. I have a lot of metal works, screws and plates in there. My right heel has fused in a kind of banana shape and my right calf was missing. I’ve got this really rubbish flap of skin to cover a shrapnel hole and it looks like a heart. The worst war wound ever! That’s not manly at all!

I genuinely thought I’d never get on a horse again. I still get a bit scared that if I come off it could all go terribly wrong. During ceremonial duties, we were wearing so much equipment and you only do things at a canter at most, maybe a sitting trot, but during polo it’s all about hitting the ball and focusing on that.

What would you say to anyone thinking about polo as a therapeutic aid?

Give it a try. There’s nothing stopping you from walking away if you don’t take to it, but guaranteed you’ll build up a rapport with your horse and love working with a team. It might seem like really small steps but it builds up into this fantastic moment of teamwork, taking on four able-bodied players at a full gallop. You’re going all out to chase that little white ball and you don’t even notice when you’re busy working on the horse that your core stability builds up over time and it’s just such a fantastic feeling.

ANGE MASONMATTHEWS Serving as an Intelligence Officer in the Royal Navy, Lieutenant Ange Mason-Matthews received a number of injuries to her knees and spine whilst on active duty, resulting in her being discharged on medical grounds. In February 2017, she gave birth to her first child, Duncan, and the Heroes Cup was her first outing back in the saddle.

When did you start playing polo?

I properly started playing polo post injury, having had a dalliance with it beforehand.

I have always been a horse rider, mostly eventing and then when I was injured I couldn’t take the shock through my spine and knees coming down off the big drop fences. I really missed doing a highadrenaline, high-octane sport and then I got in touch with Elaine Corner, Captain who invited me to come and give polo a go. The adrenaline buzz I was looking for was immediate and wonderfully, my knees could take it.

Who suggested you start playing polo?

Elaine was the driving force behind me taking up the sport, who I’d met through mutual friends at the British Legion.

What did it feel like; the first time you mounted a polo pony?

My first thoughts were, ‘Wow, this horse is tiny! How is this going to work?’ and then I put my leg on and the acceleration was incredible! I was used to the speed having ridden ex-racehorses, but the turning and speed in combination was a shock. I had a big grin on my face straight away, like back in the days when I’d finished a big course.

What would you say to anyone thinking about polo as a therapeutic aid?

Give it a go! I really notice if I don’t play.

It is such great physiotherapy for my back and for my knees, because you’re bending, twisting and turning and because the pony is moving underneath you as well, it really keeps my back nice and supple. During the later stages of my pregnancy when I couldn’t ride anymore, I really noticed the difference. It’s just so welcoming and everyone’s having a great time – a real sense of camaraderie.

“it’s just so welcoming and everyone’s having a great time – a real sense of camaraderie.”

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www.polotimes.co.uk

Para Polo

Feature

Peter O’Rorke – Patron of Strategic Help for Heroes You have changed your name to Strategic Help for Heroes this season.

Why? This year, we’re playing the 8 goal Victor Ludorum series promoting Strategic Help for Heroes specifically for Para Polo, to raise the profile of Para Polo within the polo community, not just the general military community.

What affinity do you feel to the military teams?

My family have been playing polo in the military for a hundred years, so we really feel a link to the Army and Armed Forces Polo.

Have you had the opportunity to play with/against the team?

No, I haven’t had the opportunity yet, but I’d really like to do so. We’ll see how it goes this season, but we’re looking to do this for the long term, so it’ll be one of my conditions next season! I’m a bit scared how good they are, I’ll keep my wits about me.

Martin Colclough Head of Sports Recovery at Help for Heroes was enthusiastic about the polo initiatives.

“The freedom and exhilaration the Help for Heroes Para Polo Team has gained from playing polo up until now is fantastic to see. The influence the sport has on the mental and physical health of someone who has suffered life-changing injury or illness makes this – and all adaptive sport – incredibly valuable.”

The day culminated with the WIP Charity Bowl between the WIP Ladies team and Hackett Army. It was a heart stopping performance right from the first throw-in. Amazing plays from the likes of Lolly Stanhope-White and Rosie Ross had the ball smashing through the goal posts in the first 30 seconds.

Explosions of adrenaline and excitement erupted from the crowds and even more so from the commentary box as Tidworth Polo Club’s very own Miles Underwood thrillingly lifted the volume, leading spectators into roars of commentary induced laughter, with comments of, “Wowsers Trousers!” and “Zut Alors, that was smashing!”

www.polotimes.co.uk

Play was dynamic throughout from both teams and the WIP girls dominated this tactical affair to win 6 goals to the Hackett Army polo team’s 4 ½.

The WIP Charity Bowl Hackett Army (5): Ocdt Giles Bromley-Martin (1), 2Lt Jamie Drummond-Moray (1), Lt Paddy Selfe (1) & Lt John Sleeman (2) WIP Ladies (6): Lolly Stanhope-White (1), Heloise Wilson-Smith (1), Rosie Ross (2) & Sarah Wiseman (2)

Polo Times, July 2017

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Feature

Your Views on Blocking

Your Views on Blocking

A call for the rule to be amended

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e have become aware of increasingly disgruntled feelings towards ‘blocking’ in polo matches. The enjoyment of the sport is spoilt for patrons, players and spectators alike as players are consistently taken out of the action before they even have the ball.

Some members of the polo community have asked for the consideration to be ANTI-BLOCKING Pablo MacDonough (10 Goal Pro): I think blocking should be banned as soon as possible. Polo is turning into a game where good blockers become really important. The

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made to forbid the hitter (at knock-ins) to send blockers to the opposition trying to approach the player hitting in. From the back line it is often maddening for managers to see double and even triple blocks rendering the team immobile.

Blocking has long been an issue in the high goal, but now it is trickling down to the low goal matches too, and there are worries that young players will never game itself is getting really boring to watch and play. The umpire’s job is really difficult when you have so many players together at a slow speed in a small area.

More importantly for the low goal players, when they start playing polo, the

improve their polo if all they learn is how to effectively block. Additionally patrons, the backbone and funding force behind polo should be allowed to enjoy the matches and hit the ball, rather than constantly mark the opposition. No other sport allows players to tackle players without the ball (apart from men’s lacrosse). In American Football, players are even penalised if they ‘Hold’ the opposing players.

There is also a call for the need to prevent the player who is turning the ball in ‘open-play’ from having 1-3 blockers keeping the opposition players away from challenging him as the ball carrier. Some feel that this spoils the game and a rule change to stop this would in principle be the same as preventing blocking from the knock-in.

We have spoken to a number of players, patrons and spectators who have agreed to share their opinions with us: first thing they learn is to block, sometimes even before they can hit the ball.

Ideally, in my opinion the player who is closest to the man carrying the ball from the opposite team, can’t be touched.

www.polotimes.co.uk

Your Views on Blocking

Andy Hine (Former 6 Goal England Captain): I believe it is time to introduce a rule to improve the game for players and spectators. Blocking is so entrenched in all polo, from high to low goal and it’s spoiling the enjoyment of the game for everyone. It’s happening all the time at hit ins and during open play. People are turning the ball and players are blocking anyone trying to challenge the play. In other sports e.g. rugby, rules like rolling away have been put in place to improve the game. I think it is time for our rule makers to step in.

Horace Laffaye (Author of The Polo Encyclopaedia): The curse of years past in polo was the Tap, Tap, Tap. Now we have the curse of blocking. I applaud your call in the Polo Times for a change of the rules of the game.

The Cambiasos and Piereses of our times monopolize possession of the ball (and the scoring) whilst the remaining three players perform the dirty work.

The game of polo, a team endeavour, was meant to be enjoyed by all players, regardless of their individual handicaps.

Personally, I cannot offer a solution.

However I think that the Rules Committee should find a way to prevent the obnoxious tactic of blocking, which currently is for the sole benefit of the superstars.

Navin Khanna (O Goal – Cambridge): I agree. Blocking should be banned!

MIDDLE GROUND Colin Mitchell (-1 Patron from Kinross Polo Club): Highlighting first the definition of blocking: ‘riding in such a manner as to prevent the opponent of getting into position to receive a clean ball or take a clean shot.’ Umpiring and introduction of some sort of block prevention would be very difficult and I am unclear of the benefit either to players or to the watching public.

Perhaps the following could be trial tested for adaptation: - If a player is heading towards goal or retreating from he can be blocked or his line otherwise obstructed.

- If a player is heading across field then no blocking can be promoted.

- If a player is outside of the 60 yard line cannot be blocked?

- If the game has a handicap of 10 or below then no blocking is permitted up to the 30 yard line?

I’m not suggesting that these opinions

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Luis F. Escobar (Argentina): Blocking needs to be stopped. It makes the game boring to watch. It keeps players from learning or playing polo. In the US, as an example, Remi Muller, who played for high goal teams, was the ultimate blocker for Facundo Pieres and Lucas Criado. He is a 3 goal handicap now.

He hasn’t played high goal since that opportunity, I think because he’s not as good with the ball as he is with the man.

He is a young professional but now, all he does is source good ponies. If he learnt to play polo without blocking, his career would be short lived.

Patrons will definitely have more fun playing classic polo and not the blocking type and it’s the same for Remi. Once they’ve learnt to block, they miss the opportunity to make team plays with the ball and use their good horses with speed, handle, speed to play for the pass and the anticipation of the game.

Raymond Mayer (US Patron): We should not send patrons to just block for the pro hitter.

Aurora Eastwood (Editor of Polo Quarterly): I 100 percent agree – ban blocking. It’s ugly, rough, slows the game down and is no fun to watch or be a part of on the pitch. Bring back the fun!

Allen Hoe (President of Honolulu Polo Club): The blocking tactic evolution has obviously

are necessarily good for the game just a consideration to enter the discussion.

Paul Knights (0 Goal Patron – RCBPC): Blocking is unfortunately all part of the game. You can call it excessive marking but it will happen. Whilst there is pressure to win, a pro will always use the relevant player to the advantage of the team or themselves to achieve this goal. Some of the best games I have played, and enjoyed, are some that we have lost but I have managed to have the ball more than usual, which is probably why we lost!

1) Umpires could do more to reduce it by enforcing no contact prior to play of the ball more vigorously as there is more concentration on the actual hitter and that area of the pitch when there is about to be a hit in, especially when there is only one umpire and some contact is most certainly missed.

2) Correct riding off should be enforced and riding across the front of someone just to stop them going forward should be

Feature

become part of the contemporary game. The offensive side of the game will be forced to adjust, i.e. getting back to the long ball hitter at back. Forcing the back to hit the knock in down field past the 60 yard line, which in my mind will generate a much more open style of play vs. the slow tap, tap release game which is occurring now.

Tom Claytor (www.argentinapolo.com): I strongly agree. Ban blocking. Just like making the turn a foul and talking back to the umpire a foul, it will improve the game for players and spectators. Make it happen.

Clive Peddle (Executive Director of South African Polo Association): I couldn’t agree more with your sentiments – blocking should be removed from the game and disallowed. It is spoiling the spectator value of the game and also makes the game less attractive to play. No other sport allows someone to be tackled/blocked if they do not have the ball.

I’m also of the opinion that the one tap rule should be more strictly enforced with no blocking on the tapper’s teammates. Umpires tend to not blow the one tap rule strictly enough.

Julian Gordon (Retired SAPA President) We believe blocking tactics should be strictly curtailed and players encouraged to practice positive teamwork by being aware of the positions of everyone on the field and forwarding accurate passes to their teammates. This will speed up the game for the spectators and players benefit. Blocking can then be watched at polocrosse by its aficionados.

penalised. This would allow for some area for manoeuvre and escape. Maybe a rule for excessive exclusion from the ball by not riding off correctly could be introduced but shouldn’t be a way of just trying to even out the different capabilities of the player or horse.

3) More inclusion of either the patron or the lower handicapped player is very important and it does become something of a joke when watching or playing, and the remarks are that patron ‘XYZ’ has only hit the ball once this chukka. Maybe a way of increasing inclusion and improving the hitting of the ball should be that the patron or the lowest goal player has to take the hit ins or penalties. This could be done rotationally i.e. the patron or the lowest goal player if the patron decides he doesn’t want to take it all the time, but they can’t just opt out, he/she would have to take the next one after the lowest goal player has taken one or he/she can take them all the time. This decision should be the patron’s and not the nominated team captains at the time.

Polo Times, July 2017

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Feature

Your Views on Blocking

4) Clubs should encourage young or new players to umpire more alongside more experienced umpires to help gain more and become experienced umpires and better players in the future and not rely on just any older player sometimes not that experienced at umpiring to do the job.

5) If points 1-4 could be done, a better understanding of the rules would happen naturally and then there might be less of a need for hit ins or penalties. As many fouls are done by patrons trying their best to get to the ball or just get dragged into the wrong position due to not being fully aware of how quick the

game can change and they end up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

6) Pros and clubs should do more to ensure the patron is able to enjoy and compete successfully at the level that they are playing by assisting with coaching and practices that don’t cost the earth and not leave it just to happen by playing a few matches or club chukka’s which are just a free for all without any instruction.

Maybe not the answer or all very relevant, but hopefully food for thought, that may help to improve the game and the patron’s enjoyment leading to a more fruitful sport in the future.

PRO-BLOCKING

season because all the players are similarly skilled. A long pass to a 7-10 goal player is highly advantageous vs. blocking for a player to carry the ball. It’s low handicapped patron doing it in the high goal because that’s pretty much all they can do to help. If you ban blocking, these patrons will be relegated to pretty much watching.

Banning the practice also alters strategy of how a low goal team is composed. Using a pick can force a change to a weaker defender but if a team doesn’t have one, then the pick is useless. I personally play a lot of low goal polo and most new and/or young players could benefit from learning to take the man and play defence so that the pick is not as effective.

Cameron McDougall (Kinross player): Surely blocking is an integral part of the game. The challenge must be for the blocked player to use his/her horsemanship to escape the attention of the blocker. I feel changing this rule would diminish the strategy of the game. Don’t stop the Block!

Austin Figge (American player): I don’t think a rule change is needed. Taking the man with a ride off of a player without the ball is an integral component of the game. I would prefer teams adjust strategy to a rule change. Holding a defender at the knock in is a skill and the player imposing it rarely maintains it for very long. It is also a skill of the opposing number 1 to shed the ‘blocker’ in order to challenge the knock in. The other thing is that the use of a ‘blocker’ creates a man advantage farther down the field preventing rapid advances of the ball with long passes. If the hitter carrying the ball makes a mistake, they will be much deeper in their own territory thus there is a risk reward component as well.

I do think seeing the blockers in high goal patron sponsored games less entertaining but I think that is a symptom of the extreme handicap discrepancy. You don’t tend to see it in the Argentine open

Polo Times is interested in the views of players from both home and abroad, so if this is something which affects you or you wish to express an opinion upon them, please contact us as we’d love hear your opinion. Please send all correspondence to letters@polotimes.co.uk

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup for the British Open Championship Semi Finals Wednesday 19 July The Final Sunday 23 July Cowdray Park Polo Club, West Sussex Enjoy some retail therapy at the Gold Cup Shopping Villages • • • • •

Luxury cars Cashmere Jewellery Art & Sculpture Polo equipment w

• • • • •

Travel Argentine goods Polo belts Swimwear Ladies fashion

A wide range of street food vendors w Funfair

Jack Wills presents the Mucky Pheasant Bar on both days Open until 10pm on Finals Day polo@hodgsonevents.com GCF shopping - Polo Times.indd 1

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Polo Times, July 2017

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Tom Morley plays with Ainsley Polo saddle and tack (and pony) - photo by www.imagesofpolo.com

Ainsley Polo saddles - perfect hitting position and unsurpassed grip for all shots Visit our stand at the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup finals Available from Tally Ho Farm, Polo Splice and www.performance-polo.com

The British Grooms Association

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Feature

Top Tips For Groom Employers The British Grooms Association looks at things to consider when employing a polo groom and how to attract experienced grooms to the industry

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ith the current visa issues, the polo industry has recently undergone, and is still facing, some changes.

Before you think about placing an advert you need to set out the terms in which you want a groom. Such as hours of work, days off, holiday, rates of pay, any extras included (accommodation etc) and also what you require them to do.

Word of mouth has always been an excellent way of attracting grooms, but don’t discount employing grooms from outside of polo. You should make sure that your advertisement clearly describes the role, makes clear how candidates should apply and sets an end date for applications to be received.

Attracting experienced grooms from other sectors of the industry may mean an initial investment of additional time getting them up to speed with the industry, but a good groom from any sector will quickly and easily pick up the ropes.

Grooms who have experience of working at events with multiple horses will be excellent at working under pressure. They will also have excellent organisational skills, 40

Polo Times, July 2017

be motivated, be able to work on their own, be used to delivering a high standard of turnout, understand the demands on the horses, know what to look for when it comes to injuries and, most importantly, value being part of a team.

If you are open to attracting grooms from other equestrian disciplines then make this clear in your advert and consider posting on other job sites such as the BGA Job Board, or contacting a recruitment agency.

Sarah Gregg, a polo employer commented, “Prior to 2017 I have always recruited experienced polo grooms, but this year I thought I would widen my reach and I used the BGA Job Board. I was delighted with the high standard of grooms who applied and their enthusiasm to learn something new. I have employed a lovely girl, Jenny, who has an eventing background and picked everything up really quickly.

She is everything I want in a groom and I have to say that my ponies have never looked better.”

It is important to remember that although it is essential to pay at least the National MinimumWage or National

Living Wage (see boxout), not everyone is motivated by money – research shows that a high percentage of people rate good working atmosphere and job satisfaction alongside fair wages as important aspects of any job. It is during your recruitment process that you will be able to sell what makes it special to work for you and your business.

Accommodation If you are offering accommodation as part of the ‘package’ then be aware that if your employee is on the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage, the maximum which can be deducted is currently capped at £44.80 per week (rates change annually).

This includes all utility bills and it is irrelevant how luxurious the property is.

Insurance We work in a high risk environment, and if you employ anyone you are required by law to have in place Employer’s Liability Insurance. The BGA also recommends that grooms have their own Personal Accident Insurance. BGA policies cover all polo activities and are from just £11 per month. www.polotimes.co.uk

The British Grooms Association

Feature

NMW/NLW

As of 1 April 2017 the new UK National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates are per hour: Apprentice: £3.50 * Under 18: £4.05 18-20: £5.60 21-15: £7.05 Over 25 (National Living Wage): £7.50

*Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate if they’re either: aged under 19, aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship

Grooms’ personal accident cover can be mutually beneficial to an employer; if an injury were to incur then the employer can immediately reduce the wages to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) rate and allow the insurance to kick in to supplement this for the individual.

Employed or Self-Employed?

It is important to ensure that you are aware of the employment status of those that work for you. Just because you say someone is self-employed does not necessarily mean that they are. It is not uncommon for employers to employ staff and tell them that they are self-employed, when in actual fact they are an employee. This is unlawful and can result in major losses if brought to an Employment Tribunal.

If you do take on self-employed or freelance grooms, ensure that you are aware of their rights to avoid confusion and potential disputes which could later result in a claim.

If the answer is ‘Yes’ to all or most of the following questions, it will usually mean that the person is self-employed: • Do they regularly work for a number of different people?

• Do they invoice the employer?

• Do they agree to do a job for a fixed price?

• Can they hire someone to do the work or engage helpers at their own expense?

• Can they decide what work/job to do, how and when to do the work?

Photography by Polo Times

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Once you have found a groom, don’t forget it is good policy to issue them with a job offer letter, outlining the terms and conditions of employment, and within two months is it a legal requirement to issue them with a Written Statement of Employment Particulars (employment contract). It is not a legal requirement to issue a contract if the groom is self-employed.

The BGA has recently launched a Contract Creator, an easy to follow, five stage process, where employers can select options and upload their own company logo to create a Written Statement of Employment Particulars. This is free for all those employers signed up to the BGA’s Employers Zone.

For more practical and easy to follow information on employing your staff visit www. britishgrooms.org.uk Polo Times, July 2017

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

Interview: Pablo MacDonough

Feature

A Horse, A Horse, My Kingdom For A Horse

Photograph courtesy of Renaud Corlouer

We talk to 10 goaler Pablo MacDonough ahead of his season in Sotogrande to learn about how he feels Argentine bloodstock has progressed since he started playing

I

n an age where sportsmen and women are much revered and upheld on a pinnacle, it is easy for athletes to become complacent and perhaps over confident in their extraordinary abilities.

With a plethora of high goal achievements to his name, most notably in recent years winning the Triple Crown of The Tortugas, Hurlingham and Argentine Opens in 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015 it would be easy for Pablo MacDonough to rest on his laurels at the top of the polo tree.

We were therefore refreshed, as we so often are when meeting players at the pinnacle of our sport, when we met Pablo at Richard Mille’s polo masterclass in Chantilly. Instead of wanting to talk about his own sporting achievements, Pablo was more than happy to talk openly and candidly about the great heroes and heroines of polo – the horses.

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What follows below is a real insight into the world of breeding top level horses that we hope you will enjoy!

What do you look for in a horse?

Everything. It is very difficult to breed or find the perfect pony because they have to be exceptionally quick to do everything but at the same time be very comfortable. This being said, for me, the mouth is key. Every horse has to have a great mouth and to not move the head around too much. I also personally like very easy horses that are on the small side, as this means that you are closer to the ball!

At what age do the horses come into their prime?

For me, they are at their best at nine or 10-years-old. At seven-years-old, they are still green but by nine they are at their best.

I will of course play some mares that are exceptional as five year olds but generally, I leave them until they are seven. It can be dangerous as a player to play young horses in competition as they are more unpredictable and at the speeds that we go at, I have to be completely confident in what my horse can and cannot do.

Who has been your best pony?

Nuera who was a homebred pony. She took to polo rapidly and she could handle everything; I actually played her in The Open when she was only five as she was too good to leave behind.

Since you started playing professionally have the horses changed?

Yes of course, the quality of the average horse in the last 20 years has increased dramatically.

Polo Times, July 2017

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Feature

Interview: Pablo MacDonough

Photograph courtesy of Evelina Jakovlevskaja & Richard Mille

Polo Times’ Rich Hine interviewing Pablo MacDonough in Chantilly

Why do you think that this is?

The ability to breed from mares that are still playing in The Open via embryo transfer has made a big difference and has really helped to speed up the evolution of the race.

Is embryo transfer now common?

The majority of the mares that I am now playing are from embryos. We don’t do any natural insemination on our property, La Irenita.

How does embryo transfer speed up the breeding process?

Traditionally, when you had a fantastic mare that was playing The Triple Crown, unless she became injured you would have to wait until her retirement before you bred from her. Embryo transfer has changed this as it means that I can breed from my mares that are currently playing without having to give them one to two seasons off. Embryo transfer also means that I can have more than one foal a year from a single mare. Whilst the really top champions are probably of a similar standard, the average horses below the top level are now much better than they were 20 years ago. This is because the embryo transfer programmes of players creates a surplus to their own needs. As such, other players have had the opportunity to purchase horses with top pedigrees, that would historically not be available for sale, to improve both their strings and their own bloodlines.

Is that because it is safer or because you want to keep playing?

Of course, from the playing mares it’s great as I can keep playing them. And then from the mares that are retired, with embryo transfer, we can breed three or more a year out of them, instead of potentially just one, so it’s fantastic. That’s why 99% of our horses are from embryo transfer.

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Do you perform embryo transfer on your farm?

We are one of the big embryo centres. We have our own stallions standing which people can bring their mares to. We do everything. People like La Irenita because it allows people to do everything under one roof. 30% is for us and 70% is for others. It is located four hours south west of Pilar.

Do you find that foals are easier to train following the introduction of embryo transfer?

We have always selectively bred which is still the key tenet in breeding horses. One

of the key attributes you want to breed into your bloodline is the innate propensity to understand and/or learn polo. This means that that if I had a pool of ten mares to potentially breed from, and five of the ten as youngsters learnt quickly, I would prefer to breed from the five mares that took to polo more naturally than their peers.

This means that every time you breed, the stock should become easier to make.

Of course, this process is accelerated with embryo transfer as you can have more fillies from one mare and can breed from her at an earlier time in her life. However, I think the human element of the selection process where we choose which mares to breed from and which stallions to use is essential. I do therefore think that human ingenuity will always have a part to play.

What are your thoughts on cloning polo ponies?

I think I’m somewhere in the middle. I’m not a fanatic but I think it does give us the chance to recover a bloodline that you lost.

If you have a really good brood mare or a filly that is playing and she dies, you of course can’t breed from her which is a real shame for both the player and the breed.

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Interview: Pablo MacDonough

Feature

My best mare Nuera actually died when she was seven-years-old which was devastating.

I have fortunately been able to clone her with her first foals being born this year. In this case, it’s fantastic because you can have a chance to have a wonderful horse again.

Similarly, some of the best horses to have ever played the game are geldings and it’s therefore such a pity that you can’t breed from them. What really excites me about cloning is that if you find a gelding that is a real machine you can clone him and then you have a stallion to breed from which widens the gene pool. Personally, I am behind everything that helps to progress the race.

One great example of a cloning success is Cambiaso’s Cuartetera whose clones have been very good. The cloning of Cuartetera does also bring me to one of my concerns with cloning which is that it may displace the experimental aspect of using different stallions which I feel is key to the development of the bloodlines.

For example, Cuartetera’s mother was outstanding and if Cambiaso had cloned her, we would never have had Cuartetera!

Therefore my main concern with cloning is that if we all clone our best horses, then we may lose the chance to breed exceptional and progressive horses.

Even with all of the science behind your breeding programme, is it still possible to find a one in a million horse at clubs around the globe?

You can still of course find amazing mares from all over the world. That will always happen so long as we have guys doing their thing making their horses. This does of course improve the bloodlines of the breed but we cannot rely solely on this process only to get the best horses, which is why embryo transfer is so key.

Photograph courtesy of ©www.imagesofpolo.com

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Has the English trend of retraining racehorses made an impact on the Argentine breed?

Although there are some great horses coming out of England, we have of course always had English Thoroughbreds here in Argentina. It is also expensive to bring horses to Argentina and as such, although they are great to buy to add to an Europe based string, we have not seen a huge influx into Argentina. As such, I don’t think English Thoroughbreds from the racetrack have made a particularly big impact on the Argentine breed.

What are your plans for the rest of 2017?

I’m currently based in Brunei practicing for the next few weeks, before heading to Sotogrande with the team to play the high goal season.

I love playing out in Sotogrande because the horses love the fields there and the atmosphere of the place is great. After Sotogrande I’ll then go back to Argentina to prepare for, and compete in The Triple Crown!

Polo Times, July 2017

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Photograph courtesy of Cowdray Park Polo Club

Reports

Victor Ludorum

Victor Ludorum Round-Up The first round of games has begun around the country

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he 2017 Victor Ludorum series has now begun with tournaments in four out of the five handicap sections held in different locations around the country. The 15 Goal Victor Ludorum at the time of going to press, had yet to commence, however five teams in the 18, 12, 8 and 6 goal have emerged at the top of the leader boards; Marchfield, Foxcote, Snake Bite, Shibumi & Thompson Local.

18 Goal Victor Ludorum

Cowdray Park Polo Club – Duke of Sutherland Final – Sunday 11 June Number of teams: 12 Winners: Marchfield Points: 100 On a bright Sunday 11 June afternoon, Marchfield and Park Place battled it out in the Final of the Duke of Sutherland. 12 teams took part in the 18 goal competition at Cowdray, and in the end Marchfield took 46

Polo Times, July 2017

the win after defeating Park Place 8-4. In a fast-moving first chukka, Marchfield were swift to open the scoring with a goal from the 8 goaler, Terrera, quickly answered with a goal from Park Place’s Bigatti. A spot penalty awarded to Marchfield enabled Plaza de Ayala to increase the team’s score to 2-1 before the chukka end. Despite plenty of effort by Park Place’s players in the second chukka, good marking prevented the team from scoring.

Meanwhile Terrera worked doggedly to find every advantage for his side, scoring a huge 60 yard penalty shot to take Marchfield on to 4-1 to finish the second chukka.

Park Place won the throw-in at the start of the third chukka, but when the whistle blew to award Borodin’s side a penalty, the 60 yard shot went wide. Following the hit in, during a messy situation that developed in front of the goal, a Penalty 1 was given enabling a goal for Park Place. Terrera tapped the ball forward, accelerated past Mackenzie and left the ball for Plaza de Ayala who carried on going until he was through the posts to put 5-2 on the

Duke of Sutherland winners Marchfield

scoreboard for Marchfield. Another missed 30 yard penalty was a surprise, but at the chukka’s end it was Marchfield whose score moved the board to 6-2.

The second half was no calmer, with Terrera dominating much of the play and Mackenzie working hard to rein him in. A foul

by Britos for Park Place gave away a penalty which Plaza de Ayala put straight through the posts for a 7-2 score. Both Bigatti and Britos attempted shots at goal but were unlucky.

After plays up and down the field Britos didn’t disappoint, finally rolling the ball between the posts to bring Park Place up to 7-3.

Early in the final chukka, the whistle blew for a penalty against Park Place and Plaza de Ayala scored again from an undefended 30 yards to increase Marchfield’s lead to 8-3. A massive high ball from Mackenzie after a 60 yard penalty was awarded, giving Park Place another goal. Park Place were kept busy in defence until the end of the match, which showed a convincing win for Marchfield of 8-4. Guillermo Terrera was named The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player and his horse Notable won the Polo Times Best Playing Pony.

Duke of Sutherland Final teams: Park Place (18): Andrey Borodin (0), Alfredo Bigatti (6), Juan Britos (6) & Chris Mackenzie (6) Marchfield (18): Gregorio Gelosi (4), Manuel Plaza de Ayala (6), Guillermo Terrera (8) & Saad Audeh (0) For more information about the Best Playing Pony Notable, please turn to our Pony Power pages www.polotimes.co.uk

Victor Ludorum

12 Goal Victor Ludorum

Cowdray Park Polo Club – Dollar Cup Final – Sunday 4 June Number of teams: 13 Winners: Foxcote Points: 100

Photograph courtesy of Cowdray Park Polo Club

Thirteen teams entered the 2017 Dollar Cup, the first of Cowdray Park’s annual series of six HPA tournaments. Emma McCarthy’s Emlor C made it through to the Final ready to face Darko Horvat’s Foxcote.

Emlor C made a strong start with Richardson and Fisher steering the ball away from Foxcote and setting up McCarthy for a shot at goal. The whistle blew and a 30 yard penalty gave Richardson the chance to put Emlor C in the lead. With the action flying along at a great pace, the first chukka concluded with the score 1-0 in Emlor C’s favour.

The first score in the second chukka saw another penalty awarded to Emlor C and Richardson sending a 60 yard shot through the posts to bolster their score, 2-0. Crotto, for Foxcote, won the throw-in and raced away, riding through Richardson’s defence. Cudmore joined in the attack and the whistle was blown again. Crotto sent a 30 yard penalty shot in Foxcote’s favour between the posts with

considerable ease. The pace continued with attacking play by both sides. Finally, Araya chased Cudmore to grab the ball from him and pass to Richardson who, with sufficient space around him, carried the ball all the way through Foxcote’s goal posts to take his team on to 3-1. Following a missed penalty, Crotto brought the ball in, Cudmore latched onto it and although a brave defence was made by McCarthy, Crotto regained possession and was off, racing down the field to bring the side within one goal of Emlor C at half-time.

A surprising third chukka saw the red shirts of Emlor C racing all over the pitch but they were unable to consolidate their position. A 30 yard penalty was given away enabling Foxcote to equalise at 3-3. Cudmore won the ball from the throw-in, Richardson tried to stop him, but a bouncing ball enabled Cudmore to steal it back and gallop away to score a goal. Foxcote were ahead for the first time in the match, 4-3.

Crotto won the next piece of play, grabbed the ball and helped Foxcote end the third chukka ahead, 5-3.

Foxcote dominated the match from the beginning of the fourth chukka. Once again a whistle stopped the match and a 60 yard penalty was awarded. Crotto sent an accurate ball high over the goal posts and Foxcote went 6-3 ahead. Unfortunately, Emlor C were not

Reports

so lucky. When Richardson tried to send a 60 yard penalty shot through the posts, the tricky wind was not in his favour. Cudmore raced away from the line-out with Fisher in pursuit. Into the frame once more came Crotto who raced off to score his fifth goal of the afternoon putting 7-3 on the board for Foxcote. Following a missed goal from Cudmore, the ball came in, Fisher passed to McCarthy, Richardson took over and passed to Araya who found the space to turn and with excellent control sent the ball between the posts. But Emlor C had left it too late and the Foxcote side were able to claim victory with a final score of 7-4. The Polo Times Best Playing Pony award went to Fiasco owned by Ollie Cudmore and Jacinto Crotto was awarded The Polo Magazine’s Most Valuable Player prize.

Dollar Cup Final teams: Foxcote (12): Darko Horvat (-1), Tom Beim (3), Ollie Cudmore (5) & Jacinto Crotto (5) Emlor C (12): Emma McCarthy (0), Jose Ramon Araya (2), Jack Richardson (6) & Henry Fisher (4) more information about the Best For Playing Pony Fiasco, please turn to our Pony Power pages

Dollar Cup winners Foxcote

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Polo Times, July 2017

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Reports

Victor Ludorum

The Final of the John Prestwich Challenge Trophy saw Clarita and Previse Conosco go head-to-head on Ground One at the Royal Berkshire. With the two teams having already met in the earlier stages of the tournament, the pressure was on for Previse Conosco to turn their last result around. Due to unforeseen circumstances both teams forwarded substituted players, Alejandro Muzzio substituting for Hissam Ali Hyder for Previse Conosco and Segundo Darritchon taking the place of Chris Mathias for Clarita.

From the word go, the game was fast, open and competitive. The first chukka saw Previse Conosco take the lead 2-1, however this didn’t last long as the well drilled Clarita team came out in the second chukka showing some excellent team play taking control of both the second and third chukkas.

Clarita scored a further three goals in the second and third chukkas, whilst Previse Conosco failed to find the posts. After a quick team tête-a-tête, and possible change to team tactics, Previse Conosco found their rhythm. Muzzio converted a 40 yard penalty, followed by Emerson being awarded a spot penalty a mere 15 yards from the goal, which Muzzio coolly converted. The scoreboard read 4-4 as the first bell sounded with all to play for. As the teams raced end to end in the last 30 seconds, Muzzio had a chance to convert a 40 yard penalty for the win, but put it wide. As the whistle was blown to mark the end of the chukka, the scoreboard still rested on 4-4, ensuring an extra chukka for the excited spectators.

The fifth chukka started with a fast throwin on the far side of the field, well into Clarita’s half. Meyrick kept his cool and won the ball.

He drove down the field to teammate Horne, who carried the ball further downfield, with the pressure mounting as he got closer and closer to the goal. He aimed for a perfect approach shot but, to the crowd’s dismay, he put the ball just wide of the post. Muzzio brought the ball back into play and after some good teamwork and excellent blocking from Pemberton and Sund, Muzzio was able to get the ball well into the Clarita half. He stopped on the ball, looking for a pass but with no one perfectly placed he decided to launch a huge drive from over 100 yards out towards the goal and found the posts! Previse Conosco ran out the winners 5-4.

The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player was awarded to Alejandro Muzzio whilst the Polo Times Best Playing Pony was awarded to George Meyrick’s mare, Hope. Due to an error, the award was actually given to a mare called Christmas, owned by Harry White and ridden that day by George Meyrick.

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Polo Times, July 2017

Photograph by Cymon Skinner: People of Polo

Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club – The John Prestwich Trophy Final – Saturday 17 June Number of teams: 4 Winner: Previse Conosco Points: 40

John Prestwich Final winners Previse Conosco

The John Prestwich Trophy Final teams: Clarita (12): Segundo Darritchon (0 substituting for Chris Mathias), Freddie Horne (3), Mat Lodder (3) & George Meyrick (6) Previse Conosco (12): Stefan Sund (0), Jeremy Pemberton (0), Will Emerson (5) & Alejandro Muzzio (7 substituting for Hissam Al Hyder)

more information about the Best Playing For Pony Christmas, please turn to our Pony Power pages

www.polotimes.co.uk

8 Goal Victor Ludorum

Cirencester Park Polo Club – Gerald Balding Final – Monday 29 May Number of teams: 5 Winner: Snake Bite Points: 90 On an exceedingly damp day, Snake Bite started their 2017 Victor Ludorum series with a bang, winning against AFB with a score of 7-4 at Cirencester Park Polo Club, in a real battle of wills. They came storming out the first throw-in to take control of the first half of the game. Snake Bite had the upper hand and went into the third with a 3-1 lead. With only Beaufort Polo Club – The Eduardo Rojas Lanusse Cup Final – Saturday 17 June Numbers of teams: 7 Winners: Shibumi Points: 90 The summer finally joined the crowds at Beaufort Polo Club for The Fairfax & Favor Eduardo Rojas Lanusse Cup Final and Semi Final followed by The Fairfax & Favor after party. The sun shone gloriously all day providing fantastic grounds for the games, a wonderful evening for a party and a great day to welcome back the plethora of spectators.

5½ minutes left of the game, AFB snuck two goals in quick succession to bring the scores closer together at 5-4, but Snake Bite managed to hold on and scored a further two goals to secure the win.

Cirencester Park Polo Club were delighted to welcome Judy Balding to present the prizes for both the Final and the Subsidiary Final.

Gerald Balding Final teams: Snake Bite (8): George Deverall (0), James Fewster (1), Nick Pepper (4) & David Ashby (3) AFB (8): John Gunn (0), Jonny Good (4), Pete Webb (5) & Clive Reid (-1)

Reports

Photograph by Tom Reynolds

Victor Ludorum

As both teams were cheered along through a close game, the third chukka welcomed Shibumi’s competitive edge to battle through tied scores with Thompson Local just pulling away and to wrap it all up with a three goal lead in the fourth chukka to win the tournament. Despite the heat, players and ponies worked hard and it paid off all round with Shibumi’s pony Nica taking the award for Best Playing Pony, for being both talented and hard working throughout the match.

The Subsidiary Final followed between La Quinta and Chester/Jenkinson and promised another fantastic display of polo. It was a

Gerald Balding winners Snake Bite

tightly fought match, with the fourth chukka closing on a draw calling for a fifth extra chukka in which La Quinta just pushed ahead to take the win.

Following each game the sponsors, Fairfax & Favor, presented an array of wonderful prizes to the participating teams.

The Eduardo Rojas Lanusse Cup Final teams: Shibumi (6): Peter Baldwin (0), Luke Wiles (1), Tommy Severn (2) & Mark Baldwin (3) Thompson Local (6): David Ashby (3), Phil Seller (2), John Martin (2) & Benji Bradshaw (-1)

Note: The Final of the 6 goal Stoneythorpe Cup was played at Dallas Burston Polo Club on 28 May. 18 Goal Duke of Sutherland at Cowdray Park Polo Club No. of teams: 12 Marchfield 100 Park Place 60 Gales 50 Ferne Park 40 HB Polo 40 Bardon Polo Team 40 Emlor 40 Cortium 30 King Power 30 Altamira/ Madams Farm 30 Four Quarters Clarke and Green Black 20

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12 Goal Dollar Cup at Cowdray Park Polo Club No. of teams: 13 Foxcote 100 Emlor C 80 Cowdray Vikings 60 Conosco 60 Clarita Pink 20 Previse Conosco TBC Beaufort Black TBC Hound 50 Gardenvale 50 Yaguara 40 Inspirit/Kildare 40 Cortium 40 Four Quarters Orange 30 Four Quarters Black 20 River 20 Black Bears TBC

12 Goal John Prestwich Cup at The Royal County of Berkshire No. of teams: 4 Foxcote 40 Emlor C TBC Cowdray Vikings TBC Conosco TBC Clarita Pink 40 Previse Conosco 60 Beaufort Black TBC Hound TBC Gardenvale TBC Yaguara TBC Inspirit/Kildare TBC Cortium TBC Four Quarters Orange TBC Four Quarters Black TBC River TBC Black Bears 20

8 Goal Gerald Balding Cirencester Park Polo Club No. of teams: 10 Snake Bite 90 AFB 60 Longdole 50 Strategic Help for Heroes 40 Tayto 40 Silvertown/ Limitless 40 Foxcote 30 Apes Hill 20 Cirencester Polo Academy 20 Lodge Service 20

6 Goal Stoneythorpe Cup at Dallas Burston Polo Club No. of teams: 6 Thompson Local 90 Shibumi TBC CANI 50 Carlton House 50 Supernova/ Strategic TBC La Quinta TBC Rockstars 30 Los Chinos TBC DBPC & RPC 20 Angels 20 Babosas Blancas TBC Chester/ Jenkinson TBC

6 Goal Eduardo Rojas Lanusse Cup at Beaufort Polo Club No. of teams: 7 Thompson Local 60 Shibumi 90 CANI 50 Carlton House 50 Supernova/ Strategic 40 La Quinta 40 Rockstars TBC Los Chinos 30 DBPC & RPC TBC Angels TBC Babosas Blancas 20 Chester/ Jenkinson 20

Polo Times, July 2017

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Tally Ho Farm EUROPE’S LARGEST POLO SUPPLIER

©www.imagesofpolo.com

Congratulations to the RH Polo Team Powered to Performance By Tally Ho Farm Feeds

Tally Ho Farm EUROPE’S LARGEST POLO SUPPLIER order online: tallyhofarm.co.uk or telephone: 01344 885373 or visit us at: Windsor, Berkshire SL4 4RZ

www.tallyhofarm.co.uk

Official Equestrian Supplier to the England Polo Team

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Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

The Cartier Queen’s Cup

The Cartier Queen’s Cup Trophy showing all the teams that have won since it was first played in 1960

G Cambiaso Dictates Result RH Polo scorch to victory in last chukka cliffhanger www.polotimes.co.uk

uards Polo Club looked immaculate to welcome the large crowds who arrived eager with expectation of a great day of polo, socialising and hopefully catching a glimpse of HM The Queen who was in attendance. Car parks were packed with picnickers all fruitlessly trying to keep their champagne cool and search out a bit of shade.

The lucky few had tickets to a lavish luncheon in the Clubhouse, or the blue chip invitation to the Royal Box. Meanwhile, it was celebrities aplenty in the huge Cartier hospitality enclosure Polo Times, July 2017

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Reports The Cartier Queen’s Cup

with an English Garden theme which dominated the corner of The Queen’s Ground. The tinkle of glasses and later on the sounds of DJ Hugo Heathcote and Mark Ronson temptingly could be heard to lesser mortals without the coveted Cartier invitation.

Of course, all of this was just the subtext to the main event – amongst the best high goal polo in the UK and the culmination of 10 teams battling for a slot in the Final.

Large crowds braved the scorching sun which meant challenging conditions for players and ponies amidst a clash of the Titans on The Queen’s Ground as RH Polo took on La Indiana in the Final of The Cartier Queen’s Cup. In a close and thrilling match, it was Adolfo Cambiaso who earned the moniker of ‘the dictator’ from the commentators as he orchestrated the play to lead RH Polo to a victory snatched from La Indiana 10-9 in the dying moments of the final chukka.

Tactically, tight marking and the slowing of play by RH Polo meant that La Indiana’s usual flowing, fast display of four man running play, which has been so effective in the qualifying matches, was rendered useless in the first half.

Nic Roldan was denied the space to show off the skills which have proved him to be the ‘king of stickwork’ in previous matches.

Lacking space, they struggled to convert some beautiful play into goals. Despite flourishes of brilliance from Agustin Merlos and reliable play from Michael Bickford, they were punished mercilessly for any mistakes by sheer polo genius that is Cambiaso. He was more than ably backed up by the brute power and force of Rodrigo Andrade, and a consistent display of polo talent and incredible reach by the youngest player on the field, Tommy Beresford, who was rightly awarded Most Valuable Player in recognition of his amazing performance.

With the score 6-3 against them at half-time, whatever was said in the La Indiana team tent by Coach Pete Merlos, had a profound effect. Nic Roldan and Augustin Merlos in the white shirts of La Indiana came out with all guns blazing in the fourth, notching up five goals in as many minutes to only one in reply for the apparently napping RH Polo. In a complete turnaround, La Indiana deservedly found themselves in the lead for the first time at the end of the fourth with the scores decidedly turned around at 8-7.

Close play continued in the fifth, with Merlos having touches of sheer brilliance, ably abetted by Roldan despite the close attentions of Andrade. Unusually, Cambiaso seemingly felt the tension and to the surprise of the crowds missed 52

Polo Times, July 2017

Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

“So Cambiaso, the once in a lifetime polo genius has done it again, notching up his 10th Queen’s Cup victory and displaying to all that he is still the best of the best”

A determined Nic Roldan clashes sticks with an equally convicted Tommy Beresford in the Final – both played with tremendous skill and tenacity

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Reports “Large crowds braved the scorching sun which meant challenging conditions for players and ponies amidst a clash of the Titans on The Queen’s Ground”

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Polo Times, July 2017

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Reports

MVP James ‘Jimbo’ Fewster played a blinder in the Subsidiary Final, scoring the final goal for King Power in an impressive display of skill and nerve; he was rightly presented the Most Valuable Player Award by HM The Queen. Son of Martin Fewster and nephew to Pete, he honed his skills at Kirtlington Park Polo Club and spent his last two winters in Argentina with Luke Tomlinson. As we go to press it has been confirmed that he will retain his slot on the King Power team for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup.

Agustin Merlos made some fantastic plays on ponies that must surely be related to Pegasus

Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

a penalty, so that going into the last chukka, La Indiana maintained a narrow 9-8 lead.

However, it was not over yet for La Indiana as Cambiaso, the master of the sixth chukka comeback, oversaw an RH regroup as they evened the scores. At this stage, the now sweltering spectators in the stands were preparing to hunker down for an epic extra chukka as the tension rose. Just as it seemed that it could not get any more nail-biting, Cambiaso rode over the ball close to goal and then sent a shot wide – a welcome reprieve for La Indiana. But their luck was not to hold and to the audible despair of La Indiana fans in the grandstands, Cambiaso confidently found the posts, just as the final bell rang.

So Cambiaso, the once in a lifetime polo genius has done it again, notching up his 10th Queen’s Cup victory and displaying to all that he is still the best of the best. Despite a departure from the Dubai setup for 2017, he has delivered victory to Ben Soleimani, proving to all that he is seemingly the vital ingredient in British high goal success.

“Cambiaso, the master of the sixth chukka comeback oversaw an RH regroup” It was double heartbreak for La Indiana as they were defeated in similar style in The Cartier Queen’s Cup Final last year, 12-11, again at the stick of Cambiaso who scored the winning goal against them for Dubai.

All eyes now turn to the Lawns of Cowdray Polo Club for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup as the next prize focussed into the high goal sights. Will La Indiana be denied victory again? Can Cambiaso prove once again that he is indispensable? Will the widely supported all-Brit line up of El Remanso prevail? To say it has been an exciting season so far would be an understatement, and there is so much more to come.

The victorious RH Polo team lift The Cartier Queen’s Cup aloft

21-year-old Tommy Beresford was rightly named Most Valuable Player for an outstanding performance throughout the match – an amazing achievement considering the prowess on the field and the challenging conditions due to the heat. After the match, Tommy told Polo Times that he felt, “Overwhelmed” at winning MVP. “It was an amazing match, but everything up until this moment has been down to my parents as they have given me everything. I’ve been helped by so many people and luckily Adolfo has given me the chance a few times and I’ve been able to accommodate how he likes me to play. I tried to do my best today and it is amazing to have been awarded MVP, but of course, the horses were amazing and it was truly a team effort – after all, Aldolfo scored the winning goal!”

Where: Guards Polo Club

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The Cartier Queen’s Cup

Ben Soleimani on the ball for RH Polo with Agustin Merlos in close attendance

The Subsidiary Final line-ups of Sommelier and King Power at the presentations with HM The Queen and Laurent Feniou, Managing Director of Cartier UK

CHUKKA SCORES: 2-1, 4-2, 6-3, 8-7, 9-8, 10-9 to RH Polo

RH

LA INDIANA

RH Polo Ben Soleimani (0) Tommy Beresford (4) Rodrigo Andrade (8) Adolfo Cambiaso (10) 22

La Indiana Michael Bickford (1) Agustin Merlos (8) Nic Roldan (7) Luke Tomlinson (6) 22

MVP Most Valuable Player Tommy Beresford

Peter Wright and Jason Dixon

Reports

Carter Queen’s Cup Subsidiary Final

Earlier in the day in the Subsidiary Final for the Cartier Trophy, ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha’s King Power beat George Hanbury’s Sommelier 10-6 on the Duke’s Ground. Neither team seemed to find particularly strong form, with the usually indefatigable fraternal force of Gonzalito and Facundo Pieres lacking their usual lustre. Missed goal opportunities from Sommelier meant they also did not capitalise on advantage and in particular Fred Mannix lacked his usual flair. By comparison, James ‘Jimbo’ Fewster played a blinder, scoring the final goal for King Power in an impressive display of skill and nerve; he was rightly presented the Most Valuable Player Award by HM The Queen.

The Cartier Queen’ Cup Subsidiary Final Teams:

King Power ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha Jimbo Fewster Gonzalo Pieres Facundo Pieres

(1) (1) (10) (10) 22

Sommelier George Hanbury Juan Gris Zavaleta Fred Mannix Jnr Alec White

(3) (7) (8) (4) 22

Facts and Figures: Horsepower

BPP Cartier Best Playing Pony Rug A 12-year-old chestnut mare, Caraquenia, owned and played by Adolfo Cambiaso. Played in the third chukka and whom he had previously referred to as his, “Third favourite horse”, hopefully she has gone up in his estimations now!

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

La Indiana: 40 ponies in total UK origin: 7 Argentine origin: 17 Australian origin: 8 New Zealand origin: 1 South Africa origin: 1 American origin: 5 Ireland origin: 1 Mares: 33 Geldings: 7 Pony providers: La Indiana, Nic Roldan, Pite Merlos, Agustin Merlos, Luke Tomlinson and LGT Polo Ltd

RH Polo: 43 ponies in total UK origin: 2 Argentine origin: 37 Brazilian origin: 1 French origin: 1 American origin: 2 Mares: 33 Geldings: 10 Pony providers: RH Polo, Adolfo Cambiaso and Rodrigo de Andrade

Interesting fact: • Lola, played by Ben Soleimani, is the Dam Sire of Lennox, played by Michael Bickford • Adolfo Cambiaso has bred 11 of the ponies riding for the RH Polo team

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Photograph by Charles Westerman

Reports

Exultant England Take The Trophy Thousands flock to Beaufort as Flannels England storm to victory

Before this monster of a match got underway, visitors were treated to the beautifully stocked shopping village, which was full to bursting with tempting treats and trinkets. The Dog and Duck Show was the first to get underway to the delight of hoards of children applauding at the arena edges, followed swiftly by a superb Falconry Display from Ben Long. In time-honoured fashion, the Beaufort Hounds took a turn

Jen Liggins reports from Beaufort Polo Club

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George Gunn Photography

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n a windy Saturday, Beaufort flung open its gates for the first day of the annual Gloucestershire Festival of Polo. As a weekend of celebration of the sport, showcasing topclass matches and fantastic entertainment, unsurprisingly, the Cotswold hoards were out in force to see their favourite polo players battle it out on Ground One. In something alike to an age-old battle for territory, an experienced Flannels England team were set to once again come up against an equally talented Magee 1866 Ireland for their annual skirmish for glory.

For the past two years, it has been a battle to and fro between the English and Irish sides, with England taking home the trophy in 2015 and Ireland doing the same in 2016, against a Piaget Young England side.

The winning Flannels England team

around the field, before play got under way, losing a few along the way, as the smell of barbeque and picnic became intoxicating.

As the final hounds were gathered up, save one bitch who was found hiding in a Wagu burger tent considerably later on that day, and the thousands of spectators happy in their expertly chosen, pitch-side spot, the day’s play got underway.

With the weather threatening to break, the Flannel’s England team strode proudly onto the field, followed swiftly by the Magee 1866 Irish team in green.

Both teams came storming out of the first throw-in with the ball flying at pace from one end of the field to the other. The English were the first to foul, with the penalty, taken

by Ireland’s Freddie Horne, flying wide to the right of the posts, followed by another wide shot, this time from Ireland’s Richard Tyrone. With 3:30 left on the clock, all players changed horses, some choosing to mount Retraining of Racehorses (ROR) ponies, identified by the white stickers on their hind quarters. The first, hectic chukka finished with another whistle blown in England’s favour, but once again it missed the target, leaving the score 0-0. www.polotimes.co.uk

Photography by George Gunn Photography

Gloucestershire Festival of Polo

Freddie Horne & Josh Cork riding for the line

Swapping Silks For Whites

The day’s fun commenced with the Jockeys vs Sporting Legends polo match, which saw a rowdy match between the line-ups, headed by Mark Bradburne for the Jockeys and Victoria Pendleton for the Sporting Legends. The players had a whale of a time as they raced up and down the iconic Beaufort ground to the whoops and cheers of the crowd. Many of the players received some fast track training before the day’s match and both teams had a professional player guiding them around the play.

After a competitive 2-1 victory for the Jockeys, Victoria Pendleton spoke to Polo Times; “I had a week of polo training to get ready for today’s match at Kirtlington Park Polo Club with David Ashby. It’s one of the hardest sports I’ve ever tried, but its still a lot of fun. I’d really like to have some more lessons and work on it.

It’s just good fun and it’s a great sport. I feel fairly comfortable with the horses – it’s just hitting the ball that’s hard work! That’s a whole other level of difficulty. I need a football-sized ball for that. I think arena might be more up my street – bigger balls!

Photograph by Ben Hastie/www.benhastiephotography.com

Jockeys & Sporting Legends Teams: Jockeys: Marcus Armytage, Mark Bradburne, Dominic Elsworth, Sam Thomas & Olly Tuthill Sporting Legends: Lawrence Clarke, Victoria Pendleton CBE, Heather Fell & Tom Beim

The Jockeys and Sporting Legends Teams

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Reports

Jack Richardson flew into the second chukka, as he fired multiple shots on goal, only to have the whistle blown in front of the posts at the last moment. Lucky for Jack, the call was in his favour and a goal was awarded making the score 1-0 to England. As the ground became more and more unforgiving, Mark Tomlinson showed his extensive knowledge of his home field, using its natural bounce to touch the ball through the posts for the second goal of the match. But the second chukka wasn’t to end just yet, as Ireland’s Freddie Horne took advantage of a late penalty bringing the score to 2-1, in England’s favour.

Ireland began the third chukka with complete control, evening the scoreboard in the first two minutes after a penalty in their favour, but the control wasn’t to last, as Richard Tyrone crossed Mark Tomlinson’s line, giving away an undefended penalty. The score didn’t stay at 3-2 for long though as Richard Tyrone evened the scoreboard with 2:15 left on the clock. As the chukka end closed in, Tom Brodie had his run towards goal thwarted by a perfect Irish hook in the goalmouth.

As play moved up against the boards in front of the spectators, Jack Richardson scored his second goal of the match, with a calmly placed chip into goal from a hugely acute angle. The England players were egged on by Mark Tomlinson’s direction encouraging them to, “Work for each other”.

His words played true as the team expertly raced up the field to goal, to once again find a whistle blown in the goalmouth. The call again fell in England’s favour with spectators thinking that was it for chukka four, but Ireland wasn’t done yet, scoring a goal with the clock reading 0:00, ending the chukka with England still in the lead, 5-4.

With one goal separating the teams, play became a game of cat and mouse with Mark Tomlinson taking the first shot at goal with a risky under-belly shot only to narrowly miss the posts. Freddie Horne was the next on the ball, unfortunately leaving a penalty in his wake, but the England players were unable to convert it. So, with three minutes to go, the teams jostled for possession in midfield, with Niall Donnelly taking possession and heading for goal, only to miss in the last moment. With 1:40 to go, Josh Cork’s first, epic run to goal was thwarted by a dangerous T-bone foul from Freddie Horne, but Mark Tomlinson missed the all-important penalty as the ball raced to the right hand side of the posts, caught on the breeze. The Irish were next to gain a penalty opportunity, but as the first drop of rain fell, and with 0:40 left on the clock, Richard Tyrone’s 40 yard hit went wide, again catching a gust of wind. As the final seconds fell away, it was England who took the title to the roar of the crowd and a celebratory buck from Mark Tomlinson’s pony!

Ireland’s number 3, Richard Tyrone, was named Most Valuable Player and his horse Paddy won the Polo Times Best Playing Pony.

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Reports

Gloucestershire Festival of Polo

Chukka scores: 0-0, 2-1, 3-3, 5-4, 5-4 to Flannels England

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Flannels England Josh Cork (2) Tom Brodie (3) Jack Richardson (6) Mark Tomlinson (6) 17

Magee 1866 Ireland Michael Henderson (4) Niall Donnelly (4) Richard Tyrone (6) Freddie Horne (3)

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Where: Beaufort Polo Club

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BPP Shaun Brokensha and Jason Dixon, with Caspar West 3rd Man

Paddy, owned and played

by Richard Tyrone

To read more about Paddy, please turn to our Pony Power pages and for all the social pictures from the day, please turn to our Sidelines pages

Most Valuable Player Richard Tyrone

Post-Match Player Chat

Photography by George Gunn Photography

not like the high goal – it’s gritty and we had to grind the win out. It was a good game end to end, so that’s great and it was brilliant to win having lost last year.

The field however was really unforgiving.

There were a lot of goals that we thought were scored, but were then left at the goalmouth. There’d then be a counter attack and it was all change. The horses had to work really hard.”

England

Josh Cork: “I felt the game went really well. This was the first time we’ve played together as we didn’t manage to have a practice during the week. I feel like we went really well from the start. We all communicated on the field and ultimately it worked well.”

Jack Richardson: “We started a bit slowly.

We didn’t have time to practice much but Mark and I set a fairly simple game plan for us to follow and in the end we managed to execute it. The Irish team were really tough, but it was a great game and I hope that it was entertaining for everyone watching.”

Ireland

Tom Brodie: “I’m really pleased as I think it went well. We were a bit slow off the mark, but we got there in the end!”

Freddie Horne: “It was a fast and open match, and I enjoyed it. We did our best, but coming up against the English boys was tough. They’re always well organised and they go hard. They just pipped us to the post. We had our chances and we didn’t take advantage of it.

Congratulations to them and we’ll come back next year for a rematch!”

Mark Tomlinson, Captain: “It was a good match – a really tough and close game.

The Irish are like that! At this level, it’s

Mikey Henderson: “It was a good match, but it could have been better! We ran the horses pretty hard. By the time we got to

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the third chukka, we were trying to work out which horses to run next. I think it was pretty good for the crowd. It was close right the way to the end and I think it’s credit to England and Ireland for putting out two great teams and playing the sort of polo that’s good for the crowd to watch.

It’s never good to lose, but we’re all happy after the way we played today.”

Richard Tyrone, Captain: “Overall we put up a good performance. I felt that the England team were a bit stronger than us in the first half, more organised and I thought in the second half, especially the last chukka, we really came together and had a good comeback. Unfortunately I missed a crucial penalty at the end which I think, if we’d scored, the match would have gone into extra time. But it was a great game, great day and great event. There have been lots of people with amazing support from the crowd and we always try to play a good open style of polo because we want to make a good exhibition of the sport.

I think we did that, we’ve just got to try and close the game out and win next time.

The English were gentlemen on the field and they had great horsepower and great team spirit, as did we. We want to be more clinical next time and try and win.”

Niall Donnelly: “It was a tight match.

There was only really a goal in it until the fourth chukka and then it was just a bit disappointing. We let them get ahead and then we were playing catch up and we missed our opportunities to even the game.

I thought in the last chukka we were the better team, but we had a bit too much to do and didn’t take our chances.”

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An outstanding saddle for an outstanding player

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Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

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Reports

HRH The Duke of Cambridge on the ball for Team Maserati

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www.polotimes.co.uk

Gloucestershire Festival of Polo

Reports

Fun Continues on Sunday Action continues with the Javier Novillo Astrada U15 Memorial Tournament and Maserati Royal Charity Polo Trophy

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Action from the Javier Novillo Astrada Memorial Trophy

excellent lunch in the marquee overlooking the magnificent Beaufort grounds.

Then it was on to the main focus of the day as the Maserati Royal Charity Polo Trophy got underway. Team Maserati sported a half goal on the scoreboard due to handicap difference, but this was soon countered by Olly Tuthill who scored for Dhamani 1969 after a lovely set-up from HH The Maharaja of Jaipur. The action continued with each team matching the other’s attempts at dominance which saw the scores as close as could be at 4 to 4½ at half-time after Bruce Merivale Austin slotted a nifty goal through for Maserati. Some lovely play from Henry Porter, who was aptly described by commentator Peter West as, “an up-and-coming player” saw Maserati fight off Dhamani 1969’s advances like for like. In a game that was refreshingly short of whistle and therefore entertaining for the spectators it was a narrow 6-7½ win for Dhamani 1969 at the final bell, with just half a goal separating the teams.

The Maserati Royal Charity Polo Trophy Teams: Team Maserati (9): Bruce Merivale-Austin (0), Henry Porter (2), Malcolm Borwick (6) & HRH The Duke of Cambridge (1) Team Dhamani 1969 (10): Karan Thapar (0), HH The Maharaja of Jaipur (2), Nina Clarkin (4) & Olly Tuthill (4)

Photography by George Gunn Photography

he Beaufort Festival of Polo is very much a two day event, and whilst guests were entertained on the Saturday by the International Test Match, which saw England take victory from Ireland and fun in the form of Jockeys taking on Sporting Legends there was plenty of polo on the Sunday too.

As the weather improved for Sunday’s action on 11 June, the grounds of Beaufort Polo Club reverberated to the sound of horsepower of a different kind as VIP guests were chauffeured in Maserati cars to the Maserati Royal Charity Polo Trophy.

The turnout for the event was very high, and spectators were not disappointed as mingling with VIPs it was royals aplenty as HH The Maharaja of Jaipur and HRH The Duke of Cambridge were in attendance and set to play on opposing teams later in the day.

The polo action started with the Javier Novillo Astrada U15 Memorial Tournament.

This is played annually in memory of Javier Novillo Astrada who tragically lost his fight against a brain tumour in 2014 at the age of

just 37-years-old. Holding the coveted 10 goal handicap he was a true gentleman and was highly respected in the polo community.

Having been based at Beaufort back in 1996 for his first British season, the Beaufort Polo Club are proud to honour his memory with this iconic tournament. The hope is that the players of tomorrow will benefit from battling it out on the Beaufort grounds, just as he did.

This year four teams took part in a great display of youth polo. At the presentation HRH The Duke of Cambridge joined the young players at the presentation, chatting to them and hearing their experiences from the match. To read more about the results, please turn to our Youth pages.

Spectators took a break from the polo to enjoy a picnic lunch pitch-side or outside the Clubhouse from one of the many foodstalls in between perusing the tempting shopping options in the trade village. Lucky VIP guests were treated to an

Team Dhamani 1969 won The Maserati Royal Charity Polo Trophy

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Reports

Polo in the Park Polo’s elite grace the Hurlingham Park turf

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ver the 9 – 11 June crowds flocked from across London to Hurlingham Park for a weekend of historic and competitive polo. On Day One, whilst guests enjoyed the delights on offer in the Champagne Lanson Garden and a selection of London’s top pop-up restaurants, the players proved their talent and finesse on the pitches. The highlight of the opening day was the International Match between England and India. History was made twice, as not only was it the first time in 70 years that

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India took the grounds in Hurlingham Park, Hazel Jackson also made the history books as the first-ever female player to take part in Chestertons Polo in the Park. ICM Capital Team England secured an early advantage as Jack Richardson opened up the scoring in the first chukka. Although Champions Polo League India fought back with tenacity, it was England’s Hazel Jackson who slotted through the final and winning goal for England, much to the delight of the local crowds. This meant that for the first time since the International

match was first played in 2015, ICM Capital Team England lifted the Olympic Trophy.

Throughout the weekend, six teams tried to gain and maintain the upper hand in a series of matches to secure the Chestertons Polo in the Park Trophy. On day One the first match saw EFG Team Zurich defeat Mauritius Team Port Louis, 6-5, whilst in the second match Air Europa Team Bueno Aires won 9-7 over Argentex Team Dubai.

As Day Two dawned, bicycle polo players from Oxford and Cambridge Universities, plus a contingent of players from the American Ivy League Universities took to the field. Despite the best efforts of the visiting team, it was Oxbridge who won, 1-0. The matches continued for the Chestertons Polo in the Park Trophy, with teams competing www.polotimes.co.uk

Chestertons Polo in the Park

Reports

Argentex Team Dubai secured the Chestertons Polo in the Park Trophy

Photography by Merrick Haydon

Crowds revelled in the polo on display ICM Capital Team England, winners of the International Match

for a place in Sunday’s Final. First-up, Whitley Neill Team Cape Town took on Air Europa Team Bueno Aires, and despite their convincing win the previous day Air Europa were no match for Whitley Neill Team Cape Town who stole the show 5-1. The second match of the second day was between home favourites MINT Team London and EFG Team Zurich and MINT London tasted sweet success with a final score of 10-5. The third and final match of the day saw Argentex Team Dubai book their place in the Final with a 6-1 win over Mauritius Team Port Louis.

On the last day of a balmy and blissful polo in the heart of the capital, it was Argentex Team Dubai who took home the Chestertons Polo in the Park Trophy with a narrow 7-6 win over EFG Team Zurich. www.polotimes.co.uk

Chestertons Polo in the Park International Teams: ICM Capital Team England (18): Jack Richardson (6), Hazel Jackson (2) & Nacho Gonzalez (6) Champions Polo League India (13): HH Maharaja Padmanabh Singh (2), Dhruv Pal Godara (5) & Simran Singh Shergill (6) Chestertons Polo in the Park Trophy Teams: MINT Team London (11): Rico Richert (-1), George Meyrick (6) & Malcolm Borwick (6)

Mauritius Team Port Louis (11): Leon Allen (2), Tomas Palacios-Bacque (3) & Paco O’Dwyer (6) Argentex Team Dubai (12): George Spencer-Churchill (0), Juan Cruz Merlos (5) & Alejandro Muzzio (7) Air Europa Team Bueno Aires (12): Sunjay Kapur (2), Abhimanyu Pathak (5) & Juan Cruz Guevara (5) Whitley Neill Team Cape Town (11): Charlie Wooldridge (1), Joaquin Pittaluga (7) & Jamie Morrison (3) EFG Team Zurich (12): Max Kirchhoff (0), Chris Hyde (5) & Max Charlton (7)

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2017 Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup

Photography by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Royal Salute

Reports

Action from the Royal Salute Polo Cup 2017

Sentebale in Singapore HRH Prince Harry visits Singapore for Sentebale’s flagship fundraising event

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entebale’s Royal Salute Polo Cup is the charity’s main fundraising event and has been taking place in a different country every year for eight years. Polo Times’ sister publication The Polo Magazine has been proud to support the charity as a Media

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Partner and Publishers during this time. To date the international events have raised a staggering £4.5 million for Sentebale’s work providing care, education and critical psychosocial support to children and adolescents coming to terms with living with HIV in Lesotho and Botswana. At last

HRH Prince Harry and Malcolm Borwick defeated Nacho Figueras on team St. Regis

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2017 Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup

Reports

Sentebale ISPS Handa defeated St. Regis in Singapore

year’s Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, hosted in Palm Beach, Florida, Prince Harry announced the charity’s plans to expand its programme of psychosocial support to young people living with HIV into Botswana.

Since then, Sentebale has supported over 2,800 children and adolescents living with HIV across Lesotho and Botswana through monthly Saturday clubs and camps. This year it was the turn of Singapore to host the event and marked the first time the Cup has reached the sun-kissed, tropical shores of South East Asia.

With its history of royal players taking to their pitches, it was only fitting that Singapore Polo Club played host to the event.

As the temperatures soared over 300 guests gathered upon the pristine pitches of the Club in the heart of Singapore city. As Founding Patron of Sentebale, the Charity holds a special place in HRH Prince Harry’s heart, and he was part of the Sentebale ISPS Handa team in the afternoon’s match. Before the match began, a respectful atmosphere surrounded the Club as guests and players gathered for National Anthems and a minute of silence in remembrance of those affected by the London attacks on Saturday 3 June.

Following the remembrance, Sentebale ISPS Handa and St. Regis battled it out in an exciting match. Sentebale’s Santinder Garcha marked the tone of the match with the first goal from a penalty conversion. Despite the www.polotimes.co.uk

best efforts of St. Regis, four more goals followed and Sentebale ISPS Handa ran out the comfortable winners, 5-2.

This year, at the post-tournament dinner, held at the St Regis Singapore, Prince Harry spoke about Sentebale’s newly developed Let Youth Lead programme, “Through youthled campaigning, training and advocacy, the initiative allows young people affected by HIV/AIDS to be heard. We hope this will create a platform where the needs of young people in the region are listened to – from the need for adolescent-friendly health services, more trained counselors in rural areas and

better sexual reproductive health education in schools. Young people know what works for them and their friends, so we must listen and take note.” The programme is aimed at encouraging all youth in sub-Saharan Africa to know and manage their HIV status by 2020, Prince Seeiso launched the initiative at the charity’s first youth summit in Lesotho in April this year.

Later on in the evening the fundraising focus turned to the opening of bids for a one-of-a-kind auction lot of new limited edition Royal Salute 21 Year Old Polo Edition Whisky.

Winners: Sentebale ISPS Handa beat St. Regis, 5-2

Where: Singapore Polo Club, Singapore Sentebale ISPS Handa Alexander de Lisle HRH Prince Harry Malcolm Borwick Satinder Garcha

St. Regis Giles Twiss Patrick Furlong Nacho Figueras J.B. Lee

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Club Focus

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Beaufort Polo Club

Photography courtesy of Beaufort Polo Club

Action from the a’Brassard Cup

Tayto, winners of The Kernow Cup

On Friday 2 and Saturday 3 June, Chester Polo Club held its first annual polo tournament of the season in partnership with local finance provider, LDF. The two day tournament saw four Cheshire teams battle it out on the Roodee LDF with their £10,000 prize for the coveted LDF International trophy and £10,000 prize money. Teams included LDF, Laurent-Perrier, 7 Harrington Street Chambers and Chase Vodka.

The Finals on Saturday 3 June saw LDF and 7 Harrington St Chambers battle it out on the pitch and it was a close match with team LDF pushing into the lead in the final chukka.

The tournament helped to raise £2,600 for LDF’s nominated charity, Welsh Air Ambulance, with generous donations from the public in exchange for having a go at swinging a stick on the ‘have a go polo’ wooden horse.

Polo will be returning to the Roodee on 8 – 9 September, with the Roodee Challenge Cup. Tickets for the tournament can now be purchased from the Racecourse Box Office.

The Florida club hosted The Memorial Cup Final between Dutta Corp (Carlitos Gracida, Timmy Dutta, Piki Diaz Alberdi & Tim Dutta) and Newport (Gene Goldstein, Grant Ganzi, Pablo Dorignac & Julio Arellano). The Final saw the end of the spring season at the Club, and Newport trailed throughout the first four chukkas but rallied in the remaining two chukkas to bring the final score to 18-16 and secure the win. The victory was not only Newport’s first tournament win of the spring season, but also avenged Newport’s 11-7 loss against Dutta Corp last weekend in the Polo Gear Challenge Cup Final.

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Photograph courtesy of Grand Champions Polo Club

Grand Champions Polo Club

Newport lifting high The Memorial Cup at Grand Champions

In a nail-biting Final of the a’Brassard Cup tournament held on Sunday 21 May, Foxcote led by half a goal on the Meadow ground to secure a 4½-4 win over Hascombe Stud.

Cowdray Park Polo Club Photograph courtesy of Cowdray Park Polo Club

Photograph courtesy of Chester Polo Club

Chester Polo Club

in a close Final against Vampire Bats. The Final was swiftly followed by the Subsidiary Final between La Quinta and Porthills.

Despite a win from La Quinta over Porthills earlier in the tournament, Porthills were determined not to let this happen a second time, so battled hard and managed to gain a two goal lead to end on a score of 4-2.

Photograph by Ben Hastie Photography

On Sunday 28 May, a trio of matches were played at the Club. Silvertown took and maintained an early lead in the La Ema Polo Mallet Final against Los Chinos. Despite a valiant comeback from Los Chinos, Silvertown took the win for 2017. The Subsidiary Final was won

by Walker Construction/La Quinta who narrowly defeated Apache. The Club expressed their thanks to the Emerson family, as tournament sponsors. Those eagle-eyed readers will have spotted Polo Times’ feature on the Emerson family in the May issue of Polo Times, in which the Emersons explained the link between La Ema and the family.

The Hutchinsons, this time wearing their team Tayto shirts, once again tasted success, taking home The Kernow Cup

Cirencester Park Polo Club

Foxcote, winners of the 2017 Dollar Cup

Over the weekend 3 – 4 June, The Dollar Cup came to a close at Cowdray Park Polo Club. After an exciting Final, Foxcote defeated Emlor C 7-4 to take home the towering trophy. The Polo Times Best Playing Pony Award was presented to 7-year-old Fiasco, played by Ollie Cudmore and owned

by Adam Buchert. Jacinto Crotto was named as The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player. To read more about Fiasco, turn to our Pony Power pages.

The Duke of Sutherland was played on Sunday 11 June, with Marchfield emerging as winners, for a full report please turn to our Victor Ludorum roundup pages.

In other news, the Club has announced that Apes Hill Club will sponsor the 2017 Texaco Trophy which began on Tuesday 20 June with the Final on Saturday 8 July. Not only will the winning team take home the title of one of the Club’s most iconic trophies, but the winning patron will also receive a week’s holiday in at Apes Hill Club, Barbados. www.polotimes.co.uk

Photograph by Michael Chevis

We have everything for Pony Club and Junior Polo: Sticks from £35.00, Goggles from £25.00, Hand-me-down Boots

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www.satsfaction.com Phone us on: 01285 841 542 Email us on: sats@lineone.net South American Trade Services, Sandpool House, Sandpool Lane, Tarlton, Cirencester, Glos GL7 6PB

Club Focus

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Dallas Burston Polo Club

Guards Polo Club

Photograph courtesy of Dallas Burston Polo Club

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Mad Dogs, winners of The Committee Cup

Action from The Dallas Burston Polo Club’s Ladies Day

The Dallas Burston Polo Club’s Ladies Day took place on Saturday 10 June. A day which historically includes two Club tournaments alongside two invitational Army matches, please turn to our Military Polo pages to read about the Military matches. Despite the tournaments being hampered by rain earlier in the week, matches still took place on the Saturday and were commentated by Col. Simon Ledger.

The first game of the day was the Final of the Summer Cup, between Dallas Burston Polo Club and Environmental Energies. James Glew had a very strong game for Environmental Energies scoring two fantastic goals – one from the halfway line!

Despite this, Dallas Burston Polo Club ran out the winners four goals to two, with strong performances from Ellie Tempest, Jack Ketch, Emma Atkin and Francis Douglas Lamb.

The second Club match was the Final of the Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cup in which Simon Powell and Sally Richard’s Polo Experience team took on Cambridge Neurotech. The Polo Experience team took an early lead in the first two chukkas with goals from Ed Batchelor and three penalties from Huw Beavan. Despite the early lead, Neurotech fought back gaining several goals in the third Chukka from Byron Human and an end to end goal from Talh Holzman. However, Polo Experience ran out the winners 8½-5. Huw Beavan’s Bob Marley was awarded Best Playing Pony.

The Club’s next tournament is the Fine and Country Gold Cup weekend on the 8 – 9 July, when they are running 6, 2, 0 goal and a Ladies 10 goal tournament. If you would like to play or enter a team please email polo@dbpoloclub.com

HPC, The London Club In the Club’s first match on Sunday 21 May Guapos Malditos took on Foxtrot Whisky in what turned out to be a particularly fast paced encounter for the HR Owen Cup. Guapos Malditos had a good first chukka taking a strong lead over Foxtrot Whisky. However, after the first chukka, Foxtrot Whisky regrouped and through good teamwork, pulled back several hard fought goals. The Foxtrot Whisky team benefitted from a half goal handicap, which helped to keep them in contention, and by the third chukka they used that margin to take the lead. Guapos Malditos had a great finish to the game regaining the lead and managing to hold out until the final bell for the win.

Second up in the sunshine on Sunday was the BBVA Bowl with Vendetta taking on Hollywood in a very evenly fought match. Vendetta had the better first half with Garrie Renucci covering the field well in attack and defence. In the second half it was Polo Manager Will Healy’s turn to switch on the afterburners and push Hollywood into the lead.

Vendetta’s Juan Cruz Araya-Martelli was on hand to marshal his team back in front and with some great plays, Vendetta sealed the win to finish what was a great day of polo.

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It’s been a busy few weeks for Guards Polo Club. On the weekend of 28 May, Mad Dogs defeated Leander/El Rosario 6-5 in The Committee Cup Final. In the Subsidiary Final Twelve Oaks secured a narrow 3-2½ win over MHF Polo. Hissam Ali Hyder was named The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player, whilst Modelo was awarded the Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug, to read more about Modelo turn to our Pony Power pages.

Guards have also made two exciting announcements. Firstly, Club Chairman, Jock Green-Armytage, has announced three new appointments to the Club’s main Board of Directors. Spencer McCarthy, well known within the polo community as the patron of the Emlor Polo Team, will now be a new representative of the Home Elected Players as well as taking over the Chairmanship of the Handicap Committee from Joachin Gottschalk.

Thilo Sautter, patron of Kilnwood Park Polo Team, is also a new representative for the Home Elected Players, which is in addition to Thilo’s current role as a key member of the Finance and Audit Committee. Following the resignation of Urs Schwarzenbach from the Board, Colonel Michael O’Dwyer has been appointed as the new representative of Life Playing Members Who No Longer Play.

Guards Polo Club have also announced that it will be opening its Clubhouse doors to the public to help raise funds for the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation (NSIF) – a charity devoted to finding a cure for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury. Non-members are invited to The Clubhouse for the Final of The Hildon Archie David Cup, the UK’s leading 8 goal tournament, on Sunday 2 July.

Tables of 10 are available at a cost of £75 per person and include welcome champagne, lunch by Mosimann’s in the Clubhouse, Final of The Hildon Archie David Cup, passes and car parking.

The Committee Cup Final Teams: Mad Dogs (8): Alan Fall (0), Andrew Dechet (2), Ralph Richardson (2) & Pedro Harrison (4) Leander/El Rosario (8): Thilo Sautter (1), Hissam Ali Hyder (6), Jamie Grayson (1) & Louisa Donovan (0) www.polotimes.co.uk

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Longdole Polo Club

Photograph by Tom Reynolds

Photograph courtesy of White Waltham Polo Club

White Waltham Polo Club

Club Focus

Mountgerald, winners of the 2 Goal Handicap May League

0 Goal Final teams: La Esperanza (-1): Rebecca Hurn (-2), Jennifer Hazell-Smith (-1), Albany Mulholland (0) & Ryan Conroy (2) Telemark (0): Howard Flood (-1), Tele Kyriacou (-1), Sarah Grant (0) & Alejandro Bombin (2) www.polotimes.co.uk

Hurtwood Park Polo Club

RCBPC

Photograph courtesy of Hurtwood Park Polo Club

2 Goal Final teams: Mountgerald (2): Sarah Grant (0), Nicola Davidson (0), Georgina Brittain (0) & Carlitos Gonzalez (2) Telemark (1): Tele Kyriacou (-1), Dominic Cunningham (0), Barnaby Levy (0) & Alejandro Bombin (2)

On Friday 26 May, polo players from across the country congregated at Longdole Polo Club for the annual Electric Bicycle Polo Tournament in aid of the RDA. Alongside teams with the likes of Ollie Cudmore, Tom Beim & Dave Allen (on his stag do), spectators were also treated to a world-class Dressage by Music display by Pippa Hutton, the international Grand Prix rider.

A BBQ, cake stand and bar were on site with all proceeds going to the worthy charity.

For all the social pictures from the event, please turn to our Sidelines pages.

Photography courtesy of RCBPC

Telemark & Mountgerald fought a hard battle on 27 May in the May 2 goal, with Telemark winning the 2 Goal Handicap May league by 7½-6 goals. It was an even match up until the third chukka when Telemark fought ahead by two goals, Carlitos Gonzalez captained the Mountgerald team who came back by one goal in the last chukka, but they couldn’t make up the difference against the Telemark team whose work improved through each chukka. It was a sad weekend as one of White Waltham Polo Club’s best and most popular polo players moved to Hong Kong with work for the summer, such bad timing, and Barnaby Levy will be greatly missed by everyone at White Waltham. The Club wishes him luck in HK and hope to see him back again next summer.

In the second tournament of the weekend, Mountgerald won the International 0 Goal Polo Tournament. It was once again a close Final. La Esperanza Polo were winning by two goals at the end of the third chukka, but two unanswered goals by Mountgerald left the final score at 7-6½. Alejandro Bombin scored an incredible winning goal and the teams didn’t even have time to get back to the centre of the field before the final hooter went.

An Argentine mare called Soledad and owned by Sarah Grant won Best Playing Pony.

The teams celebrate following a successful Electric Bicycle Polo Tournament

Valiente, winners of the RCBPC 4 Goal

El Venado/Los Diablos, winners of The Barbados Cup

Amos Polo Team, winners of The Clubhouse Trophy

The weekend of 10 June saw a flurry of action at Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club. In the 4 Goal, Valiente secured a win during extra time, whilst Amos Polo Team secured The Clubhouse Trophy in the 0 Goal.

TLC ended Los Diablos’ winning streak with a definitive score of 8-5½ in a three aside tournament for The Jubilee Cup following an exhilarating match and some interesting goals from TLC’s Guy Harrison.

Over the weekend of 10 June El Venado/Los Diablos won The Barbados Cup. Jay Jones came out of polo retirement to substitute for Ben Sim and didn’t show any signs of being a bit rusty, as he scored the opening goal for El Venado/Los Diablos and set the tone for the rest of the match. At the end of the four chukkas, El Venado/Los Diablos secured a convincing 11-2 victory over Barbados Polo Team.

Polo Times, July 2017

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Club Focus

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Sainte Mesme, winners of the Tournoi de la Ville de Paris

The Victorious Maple Rose with Mike Timmis

really flow and was a great advert of how low goal polo can and should be played.

Photograph courtesy of Vaux Park Polo Club

Vaux Park

Congratulations to Team St Davids with Sophie Turner, Tallan Dudd, Zanna Stanning and Roddy Stanning for running out the winners of The Candil Cup, in honour of Candil the horse owned by Alison Hunter.

Howells-Black gave a good run in the Cup coming second with Harry Pittard, James Pittard, Greg Dudd and Andrew Gebbie.

Great thanks go to Phillip for timing and keeping scores, two umpires Tim Vaux and Tom Parry-Jones, the goal judges and all the Vaux Park team.

St Davids, winners of the Candil Cup

Photograph courtesy of ClickPolo

Villa Sesta

Brigade One, winners of the Vas Polo Tournament

Brigade One Polo Team (Berdine Odendaal, Secundo Condesse, Eduardo Menendez & Riccardo Tattoni) were winners of the Vas Polo Tournament at Villa Sesta Polo Club.

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Polo Times, July 2017

Polo de Paris Photograph courtesy of Polo de Paris

Moor Farm Polo Club had a feast of low goal polo for the people of Shropshire over the May Bank Holiday with the Club playing at the Shropshire Show on the 27 May, followed by the inaugural Timmis Cup on Sunday 28 May. The polo was competitive but played in a spirit of inclusion as most knew the polo was the backdrop for a jolly good party! The Timmis Cup on Sunday was played in glorious Shropshire sunshine and attracted around 300 spectators all clambering to see a bit of the action. With picnics out and hooves thundering, the travelling Maple Rose came out victorious.

A three a-side tournament all led by a zero goal player, with at least three players making their tournament debut and on an amazing full sized pitch allowed the polo to

Photograph courtesy of Steve Wall Equestrian Photography

Moor Farm Polo Club

Rutland

The Rutland Polo Club Hollywood Summer Ball is taking place on Saturday 1 July at The Barn at Barnsdale Lodge, during a weekend of fantastic polo to be provided from the Westerby Assam Cup and Findlay Trophy. For further details or to book your tickets please contact Marissa Watts by emailing: treasurer@rutlandpoloclub.co.uk

On Sunday 4 June, Red Falcon took on the defending champions Sainte Mesme in the Tournoi de la Ville de Paris. Both teams had flown through the qualifying stages, and Red Falcon looked set to steal the show in the Final as they maintained a 1 goal advantage throughout the opening chapters of the match. However, just minutes from the final whistle, Robert Strom converted a penalty to bring the scores even at 5-5. With the threat of a fifth chukka looming, it was once again Robert Strom who converted another penalty to give Sainte Mesme the lead and the title.

This win was Sainte Mesme’s fifth year as champions. Next up on the Club schedule is the 123rd Open de Paris, six teams are set to compete and the Final is scheduled for Sunday 25 June.

Polo Club Saint-Tropez On Sunday 28 May the Finals of the Sun Trophy were played at Polo Club SaintTropez. In the main Final, VT Wealth Management took on the local F Polo Team in a tough match, which was reflected in the final score of 8-7 in favour of VT Wealth Management. In the Subsidiary Final, SaintTropez Polo Team defeated sea Breeze 9-7½ to take third place.

Four teams up to 10 goals took part in the Club’s third tournament of the season, the Silver Whips Cup 2017. VT Wealth Management and Saint-Tropez/Sea Breeze battled it out for first place, with VT Wealth Management securing the win 7 goals to 5. Firk Ice beat F Polo Team 7½-7 to take third place.

Silver Whips Cup Final Teams: VT Wealth Management (10): Agustin Canale (6,) Matias Carrique (4), Thomas Fedier (0) & Sacha Fedier (0), Saint-Tropez/Sea Breeze (8): Carlos Farinati (5), Willf Fine (-1), Estéban Panelo (4) & Corinne Schuler (0) www.polotimes.co.uk

A Round-Up of Military Polo Action

Military

RAF Cranwell Polo Tournament 2017 The annual RAF Cranwell Polo Tournament held on 20 – 21 May saw nine teams compete in three different leagues for the Martyn Bebbington Memorial Trophy. Teams consisted of members from the RAF Senior and Development squads, the RAFC Cranwell Polo Club, the Army Development Squad (Hackett Army), the Army Reserve Team, Rutland, HPC The London Club, Toulston Well Hill Farm and Leadenham Polo Club.

Day One started with the first League, consisting of teams from the RAF Hawks, Rutland and the Army Reserves who competed for the top spot to go forward to the Final on the second day. The Army Reserves came through strong as the winners of League One, securing themselves in the Final for the following day, with the RAF Hawks second, followed by Rutland.

Whilst the weather held out nicely for League One, the second RAF team would experience some heavy downpours at midday, whilst battling out in the second League. Flt Lt John Sweet, played a great game in the RAF Hurricanes team, with some great saves, however, this League saw the Hackett Army Team come through with a four point lead. The RAF Hurricanes came in second, with Toulston Well Hill third.

The final League of the day commenced with the RAF Cranwell Polo team taking on their neighbours, Leadenham Polo Club, followed by the well-known HPC, The London Club. HPC came through as the winners of the third League, with Leadenham, last year’s winners, in second place followed by RAF Cranwell.

The sun brought many spectators out to witness the final day of the tournament. The day was kick-started with the RAF Hawks playing their sister team, the RAF Hurricanes. The Hurricanes then took on Leadenham. League Two culminated with the RAF Hawks against Leadenham, with Leadenham coming through as winners of the second League, followed by the RAF Hawks and then the RAF Hurricanes.

With the Pimm’s flowing, the sun shining, spectators a plenty, it was time for the top three teams from the previous day, Hackett Army, the Army Reserves and HPC, The London Club, to battle out for the Martyn Bebbington Memorial Trophy. With invaluable commentary from British Army Polo Director Simon Ledger, and spectators on the edge of their picnic blankets by the last match, the Hackett Army took the title, with the Army Reserves in second place, followed by HPC in third.

The third League Final witnessed teams from the hosts RAF Cranwell, Toulston Well Hill and Rutland play for seventh place.

Toulston Well Hill fought hard for a well-deserved seventh place in the third League.

The RAF Cranwell Polo Tournament Teams.

This year the Best Playing Pony was awarded to a chestnut mare, named Pico, from Offchurch Polo Club, who was played by Albany Mulholland. The Most Valuable Player was awarded to Lt Guy Hennings-Haarh of the Hackett Army Team who on his first outing in Army colours, had an outstanding tournament.

This tournament was a great success and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support it received. Flt Lt (Ret’d) David Black and his team were on hand to organise the tournament and support personnel on the day and the umpires were praised for their efforts, particularly Paul Maxwell-Gullet, who umpired a phenomenal 36 chukkas over the course of the two days!

RAF Cranwell Tournament Teams: RAF Hurricanes (-4): John Sweet (-2), Ben Lane (-2), John Perry (0) & Sami Lomri (0) RAF Hawks (-3): PO Georgie Harwood (-2), Flt Lt Ellie Hoogewerf (-1), Sqn Ldr Vicky Woodhead (0) & Gp Capt. Martin Adcock (0) RAF Cranwell (-3): Flt Lt Sara Darby (-2), Gp Capt. Mark Smith (-1), Flt Lt David Black (-1) & Joe North (1) HPC (-4): Stephen O’Kane (-1), Ed Foster (0), Mark Sheldon (-2) & Simon Chamberlain (-1) Toulston Well Hill (-3): Rob Fawcett (-2), Rachael Oddie (-1), Georgina Armitage (-1) & Fran Stuven Ortelli (1) Rutland (-3): Paul Girdham (0), Joe Davis (0), Jocelyn Habershon-Butcher (-2) & Neil Berry (-1) Leadenham (-4): Scott Crosby (-2), Tom Mayfield (-1), Martin Brookes (-1) & George Vere-Laurie (0) HACKETT Army (-3): Lt Guy Hennings-Haahr (-2), Capt. Hugh Richardson (-1), Capt. Albany Mulholland (0) & Rishi Ahluwalia (0) Army Reserve (-3): Trpr Stewart (-2), Capt. Dan von Barloewen RY (-1), Ocdt George Cadogan (0) & Maj Will Mawby RY (0)

Coronation Cup Photograph courtesy of White Waltham Polo Club

The winning Household Cavalry Polo Team

www.polotimes.co.uk

The Household Cavalry Polo Team won the Final of The Coronation Cup on Sunday 4 June against Maple Leafs by 8 goals to 6. The Best Playing Pony was awarded to Tango who was played by Joaquin Bossington Temes.

This was another great match at White Waltham Polo Club followed by a delicious asado. Lt.Col. Howard Flood sponsored the prizes with players travelling from as far as Germany to enjoy entering a tournament.

The Coronation Cup Teams: Household Cavalry Polo Team (0): Tele Kyricou (-1), Albany Mulholland (0), Cameron Bacon (0) & Joaquin Bossington Temes (1) Maple Leafs (0): Lt. Col. Howard Flood (-1), Nicola Bonito-Oliva (0) Dominic Cunningham (0) & Tariq Dag Khan (1)

Polo Times, July 2017

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Military

A Round-Up of Military Polo Action

Royal Artillery Tournament The last May Bank Holiday Monday saw 12 Army and RAF teams gather at Tidworth Polo Club to play for the Royal Artillery Cup (The Gunners). An Open competition for any Service team, it is now divided into three divisions and attracts teams from across the country. The cup itself is the Hurlingham Polo Cup, presented to the Gunners on winning the Inter-Regimental Competition in 1932.

This year, four Gunner teams took part.

The competition began early with Division Three. A determined Help for Heroes team competed fiercely against the Gunners and the Adjutant Generals’ Corps (AGC). Many of the players were new to the sport, with Captain Luke Wadman surprising both spectators, and himself, by scoring his first 60 yard penalty like a pro, and the wily and superbly placed Major Sam Hewitt popped in four goals. The Gunner B Team picked up the trophy by beating the AGC in the Final.

Having won the lower division competition in 2016, the Honourable Artillery

Company moved up to Division Two this year. Nonetheless, despite being the least experienced on paper, they had played together a number of times and trained hard. They played so well as a team that they narrowly beat The Royal Lancers in the Final. It was good to see an exceptionally close match between RAF Brize Norton and the Welsh Guards, with the latter popping in a goal in the last few seconds to make third place in the division, Division One witnessed some very fast polo with outstanding individual performances. The Reserves pipped the Gunner A team by half a goal in a very fast paced match, with the RLC putting up a spirited performance against a well drilled and talented Household Cavalry team. The Gunner A team then put it all together to soundly beat the RLC to secure third place.

Particular praise went to the Gunner Captain, Jess Wood who engineered the win with some clever calls. Captain Darryn Wilson

Heslop-Charman Cup On the 10 June, the Royal Dragoon Guards hosted the 5th HeslopCharman Cup at Epsom Polo Club. The event was in aid of the Regimental Association as well as veterans aid. The weather couldn’t have been better as guests started to gather around the marquees to enjoy bespoke cocktails courtesy of Yorkshire Dales Distillery. The first match saw the RDG B team pitted against Royal Holloway University of London. The two -4 teams put on a great performance with the RDG B team eventually closing out the win with 5 goals to 1. As hors d’oeuvres were served between the two fixtures, the Regimental Pipe Band struck up to play the Regimental Quick March and welcome onto the pitch the RDG A team. The RDG A’s featured Lieutenant Guy Hennings-Haahr playing at 3, who co-organised the event with his teammate and brother officer; Lieutenant Blake Heslop-Charman playing at 4. The fixture also saw Lance-Corporal Dewis-Goodman pick up his first cap for the Royal Dragoon Guards Polo team who is first ever non-officer to play for the team. Despite the best efforts of the RDG, the skill and finesse of the allgirls team of The Tarantulas saw them gallop to a convincing 6-1 win with Captain (Retd.) Cy Lloyd-Jones being the only goal scorer for the RDG. The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel JJS Lane MBE awarded the prizes to the players and awarded the trophy to the Tarantulas as opposed to his own boys in Maroon, Gold and Green. Next up was the awarding of the Prize for the ‘Best Dressed Lady’ of the day, which this year went to Gabrielle Greenwood in a striking all white matching outfit.

The last item on the day’s itinerary was the charity auction which featured everything from signed Jilly Cooper books to suits from Jermyn Street.

The hugely successful day closed with drinks into the early evening and VIP tables at Embargoes Nightclub later that night.

The sun shone on the Heslop-Charman Cup

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Polo Times, July 2017

Action at Tidworth

enjoyed a stormer of a game, picking up Most Valuable Player for the day. His 120 yard under the neck shot, from an acute angle, while being ridden off, flew 30 yards in the air and through the goal post and surprised goal judge and umpires so much that only some well placed spectators saw that it was a goal. In the Final, the Household Cavalry triumphed against the Reserves, with some cracking polo played by Captains Cameron Bacon and Albany Mulholland.

BARBOUR Household Cavalry vs Harvard University On Thursday 8 June, the BARBOUR Household Cavalry were victorious at White Waltham Polo Club, against the USA’s very own Harvard University team. It was a thrilling match with the final score settling at 4-2.

BARBOUR Household Cavalry Team (-4): LCpl Jacob Reuter (-2), Lt Henry Vaughan (-2) / Capt Arthur Soames (-1), Capt Cameron Bacon (0) & Capt Albany Mulholland (0)

The BARBOUR Household Cavalry and Harvard University teams

www.polotimes.co.uk

A Round-Up of Military Polo Action

Military

The Rupert Thorneloe Memorial Trophy This year’s Rupert Thorneloe Memorial Trophy, on Saturday 3 June, saw a younger HACKETT Army team take on Kirtlington Park Polo Club for the annual memorial trophy to allow some of the new members to experience this special day. The weather and grounds conditions were perfect for some exciting polo.

The KPPC team took an early lead and were 3-½ up after the first chukka with the experience of Archie Smyth-Osbourne showing through and deserving his handicap rise from last season. Chukka two was a much closer battle and saw the start of the HACKETT Army’s team resurgence, getting to grips with the opposition tactics.

The third Chukka was exceptional from the Army team with quick goals in succesion, two from Capt Sleeman and one from the 2Lt Drummond–Moray stealing the lead for the first time in the match.

The final chukka was a goal-fest by both sides, with neither wanting to concede this year’s trophy. Two goals from the KPPC and three from the Army team meant an exhilarating finish for Rupert’s friends and family to enjoy, as The HACKETT Army team, who started the match as underdogs, ended up as the victors 7½-6.

HACKETT Army beat KPPC at the Rupert Thorneloe Memorial Trophy

The Rupert Thorneloe Memorial Trophy Teams: KPPC (1): Karina Kaute Brown (-1), Charlie Peagram (0), Archie Smyth-Osbourne (2) & Archie Rutland (0) HACKETT Army (0): Capt. James Marsden (-2)/Capt. Alex Major (-2), Maj. Gen. Robert Talbot-Rice (-1), Capt. Johnny Sleeman (2) & 2Lt. Jamie Drummond–Moray (1)

RAF vs HACKETT Army at DBPC On 10 June, the RAF beat the HACKETT Army by 4 goals to 3 in a match of mixed fortunes and missed opportunities by HACKETT Army. In the second match of the day, the Army Reserves were also beaten 4 to 3 by a strong mixed side of RAF and Army players.

Army Res (-5): Col Simon Goldstein (-1), 2Lt Paul Erhaamain AMS (-2), Maj Marain Van Strateen AGC (-1) & Maj John Morgan RWxY (-1) RAF (-5): Gp Capt Mark Smith RAF (-1), Flt Lt Dave Black RAF (-1), Capt Matt Fincham RY (-1) & PO Georgia Harwood (-2) HACKETT Army Development (-2): Capt James Wilson RLC (-1), Capt Dan von Barloewen RY (-1), Ocdt George Cadogan (0) & Maj Will Mawby RY (0) RAF 2 (-2): Flt Lt Ellie Hoogewerf RAF (-1), Flt Lt Andy Waldron RAF (-1), Sqn Ldr Vicky Woodhead RAF (0) & Gp Capt Martin Adcock RAF (0)

RMAS vs Stowe at Sandhurst

RMAS vs Stowe On Sunday 11 June, RMAS were beaten 4-3 by a strong Stowe School team, in a really fast match on Ground 1 at Sandhurst.

There was particularly good play by two young Stowe Players, Henry Fisby (0) and Billy Hawkins-Byass (-2). It was in fact the first ever match for three of the RMAS players and with the help of Ocdt Henry Amor (2), the RMAS team did well to nearly pull off a draw in the final moments.

RMAS vs Stowe Teams: RMAS (-3): Ocdt Lara Dixon (-2)/Arthur Bryan (-2), Ocdts Ed Peppiatt (-2)/Alex Alderman (-2), Ocdt Warwick Foreman (-1)/Dickie Speight (-1) & Ocdt Henry Amor (2) Stowe School (-6): Issy Baillie (-2), Beau Carter (-2), Billy Hawkins-Byass (-2) & Henry Frisby (0) The RAF polo team

Is your military polo not featured? Email editorial@polotimes.co.uk with all your military polo news!

Polo Times, July 2017

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International & Home

In association with

Congratulations!

Polo Women Cup Polo Club Saint-Tropez will be hosting the Riviera Polo Women Cup from 30 June, with the Finals scheduled for 2 July. The Club expects the 10-14 goal tournament to attract international teams from across Europe as well as further afield. The tournament will support the Association Reves, a charity which makes the wishes of seriously ill children come true.

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Hazel Jackson has had a bumper start to the season. Not only was Hazel announced as the Swarovski Most Outstanding Lady Player at this year’s Polo Awards held on Tuesday 30 May, against strong competition from Lucy Taylor, Claire Brougham, Tamara Fox and Sarah Wiseman.

Hazel then went on to make history as the first female player to play for England at Chestertons Polo in the Park International Match, and Hazel also scored the winning goal for England.

Hazel spoke to Polo Times about her experience at Chestertons Polo in the Park, saying, “It was an honour to play Chestertons Polo in the Park, and it was such an incredible experience – I have never played a tournament with that kind of enthusiastic atmosphere. I’m really pleased we got the win in the end, although the India team were superbly talented. I really hope that this encourages other girls to succeed in this sport and realise that we are on a level playing field.” For all the action from Chestertons Polo in the Park, turn to our Reports pages.

Women’s Polo

Hazel Jackson, winner of the Swarovski Most Outstanding Lady Player wth Nadja Swarovski

Sotogrande Polo ATELIERSWAROVSKI.COM

Women’s Polo Masters

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

25/05/2017 10:21

Santa María Polo Club are hosting a 10-16 ladies competition

Over 21 – 23 July, Santa María Polo Club will host the Campeonato de Polo Women 10-16 goal competition. To enter a team or for more information call +34 711733643.

UK vs USA

On Thursday 1 June, Cirencester Park Polo Club hosted the HPA England Ladies Team Trials. It was a display of the best UK women’s polo and all in the lovely June sunshine. The 26 goal teams have been decided for The Kings Head Hotel Ladies International Test Match against USA, which will be played after The Warwickshire Cup Final on Sunday 25 June at Cirencester. The UK team will be sponsored by Swarovski and feature Nina Clarkin as Captain (10), Tamara Fox (7), Heloise Wilson-Smith (5) and Izzy McGregor (4), with Hazel Jackson and Lottie Lamacraft as reserves, and the USA team will feature KC Krueger as Captain (7), Maureen Brennan (6), Erica Gandomcar (6) & Courtney Asdourian (6). Polo Times’ sister publication The Polo Magazine has announced it will be sponsoring the Most Valuable Player Award. This will be the first of two Ladies International Test Matches, which together will form a ladies Westchester Cup, and will be played in memory of Sunny Hale. The Westchester Cup was first presented by the playing members of the Westchester Polo Club to be played between American and Hurlingham teams – also known as the International Polo Cup. The second match will be played after The Royal Salute Coronation Cup on Saturday 29 July at Guards Polo Club, to book your tickets visit www.eventbrite.com Is your women’s polo not featured? Email editorial@polotimes.co.uk with all your women’s polo news!

The Women’s Polo Masters culminated in the Final on Sunday 28 May and saw Amanara face Brigade One Polo Team at Villa a Sesta Polo Club, Tuscany. The match was closely fought which was reflected in the final score of 5-4. Amanara’s Paola Martinez was named as Most Valuable Player for the Final.

Women’s Polo Masters Final Teams: Amanara (12): Nicky Sen (0), Mili Labat (1), Paola Martínez (8) & Mía Novillo Astrada (3) Brigade One Polo Team (12): Berdine Odendaal (0), Camila Rossi (5), Jeanine Hugo (3) & Siobhan Herbst (4)

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

1 6 2 3 Polo Times, July 2017

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Women’s Polo

International & Home

5 minutes with…

Tamara Fox Handicap: 7 women’s, 2 mixed How did your polo career start?

Lisa Llewellen Palmer (née Nicholls) came down to our polo ground with two ponies and had us all stick and balling within the hour! She then let me play a little black mare called Terra for two years, my first polo pony. I was 11-years-old, and was fairly useless for many years.

What’s your greatest achievement to date?

Winning the Gerald Balding in 2007 and the Holden White in 2008 with my sister Nina, Emma Tomlinson and Lucy Coddington (née Taylor). I’m also really lucky to have won the Ellerston 16 goal in 1999 and the Warwickshire 22 goal in 2002.

What’s your greatest ambition?

To see a young Clarkin/Vestey/Fox team have as much fun as we did!

Which lady players do you admire?

Sunny Hale was an incredible player and did so much for women in polo.

Playing with Nina is fantastic fun. She’s competitive, has a cracking forehand and seems to read the game far better than most of us. I also admire Lavinia Black who is still playing polo at an age where most have hung up their boots for 20 years!

What’s your favourite tournament and club?

Cirencester Park: it’s beautiful and with irrigation we now have some fantastic fields, but I do love playing the Holden White at Cowdray.

Which version of the sport do you prefer, mixed polo or ladies’ polo?

My favourite is four girls in mixed polo.

It’s fast and furious, but you still get the camaraderie of playing with women.

Are there any changes you would like to see in polo as a sport?

I love that polo is competitive and that most players and patrons want to win without challenging their sportsmanship values. I think that we should remember this when trying to change rules, as the greats always find a way around them to achieve their win. It may not look pretty but a win is a win!

If you could pick a fantasy team, who would be on it and why?

My fantasy team would be me, Nina, Sarah Wiseman and Hazel Jackson. On mixed handicaps we are 10 goals and I would love to see how we would fare.

However, it would be so much fun to play with Facundo Pieres and Adolfo Cambiaso!

“I couldn’t have done it without. . .”?

My dad, he loved polo, whether he was watching or playing. He always gave great advice and was at almost every game we ever played! I also had an amazing horse called Pingo and I definitely couldn’t have won what we did, all those years ago without him.

Bluey’s Polo Club

Tournaments Dates Ladies Sugar Bowl - £1000 prize money 2-4 & 12-15 (Ladies Handicap) 1st 2nd July Annual Charity Day - In aid of Thames Hospice 0-2 5th 6th August Bluey’s Polo Club welcomes its new Polo Academy OLYMPIA POLO

T: 07930323263 E: polomanager@ blueyspolo.co.uk Bluey’s Farm, Twyford Road, Waltham St. Lawrence, RG10 0HE

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POLO EXPERIENCE DAYS

At Olympia Polo we welcome individuals no matter their level of experience, from absolute beginners to professional players.

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Birthday parties

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Stuart Craig www.blueyspolo.co.uk

Polo Times, July 2017

THE SPORT OF KINGS

Bluey’s Farm, Twyford Road, Waltham St. Lawrence, RG10 0HE

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

Our polo equipment is used by the best players and teams around the world.

RJ Polo Ltd | 01285 238228 | 07753 785937 | www.rjpolo.com Unit 14 College Farm Buildings, Tetbury Road, Cirencester, GL7 6PY

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Women’s Polo

International & Home

Swarovski

Hazel Jackson receives the Swarovski Most Outstanding Female Player Award from Nadja Swarovski at the 2017 Polo Awards

The first exclusive partner of the England Ladies Polo Team

T

his year, Swarovski is the official jewellery partner of England Polo as well as the first exclusive partner of the England Ladies Polo team. They will be supporting the Ladies team during their two Test Matches this summer: first against the USA on 25 June at Cirencester Park Polo Club and secondly, for the Diamond Jubilee on Coronation Cup Day on 29 July at Guards Polo Club. As well as sponsoring the England Ladies Polo team, Swarovski will be providing a selection of beautiful prizes from their designer Atelier Swarovski range for the lucky ladies. Twice yearly, the luxury brand teams up with a select few of fashion’s biggest names to design one of a kind collections of jewellery 78

Polo Times, July 2017

and accessories. These personality-driven collections blur the lines between fashion, art and design, creating something truly unique.

The 26 goal England Ladies Team at Cirencester Park Polo Club will be made up of Captain Nina Clarkin (10), England team stalwart and her sister Tamara Fox (7), up-andcoming Heloise Wilson-Smith (5) and young Izzy McGregor (4). The substitutes for this year’s Test Match will be Hazel Jackson and Lottie Lamacraft.

Swarovski were also on hand at the annual Polo Awards held at Guards Polo Club in May this year, as they sponsored the Most Outstanding Female Player Award. The Polo Awards were delighted to welcome Nadja

Swarovski in person to present the award to internationally renowned British female player, Hazel Jackson.

Founded in 1895 in Austria, Swarovski designs, manufactures and markets high-quality crystals, genuine gemstones and created stones as well as finished products such as jewellery, accessories and lighting. The well-known Swarovski Crystal Business is run by the fifth generation of the Swarovski family and has a global reach with approximately 2,800 stores in around 170 countries, more than 27,000 employees, and revenue of approximately 2.6 billion euros in 2016. This truly international company has come a long way from its Austrian roots.

The partnership between Swarovski and polo could not be more perfect. The brand’s core values reflect the promotion of a healthy and active lifestyle whilst shining a light on women’s empowerment with their beautiful, responsibly sourced products. Swarovski is renowned for its support for sport and wellbeing, which harks back to its beginnings www.polotimes.co.uk

International & Home in the 19th Century, when founder Daniel Swarovski first encouraged his employees to live active lifestyles in the Austrian Alps. Fast forward to the 21st Century and following a chance encounter with the England Ladies Polo team at the Polo Club Schloss Ebreichsdorf in Austria in 2010, discussions began in earnest to link the iconic Swarovski brand with ladies polo. For Swarovski, it was immediately apparent that the strength and determination of the Ladies team aligned perfectly with Swarovski’s championing of gender equality.

They strive to empower women across the world, from those who craft their products to those who wear them, by celebrating the amazing achievements women accomplish in their sporting careers, as well as encouraging them to excel in their daily lives.

Importantly however, their 2017 polo partnership is not Swarovski’s first venture into the world of equine sport as they have previously supported: the 2012 Austrian Polo Open; the 2016 Windsor Charity Polo Match in Florida; the annual Manfred & Hilde Swarovski Dressage Tournament and the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria.

Reaffirming its position as a strong advocate for female empowerment in sport, Swarovski will this year also be partnering with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), supporting the WTA’s Pre-Wimbledon Party in June, famously attended by the tournament’s players and the sporting community greats.

They are also supporting the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood Racecourse, taking place on Ladies’ Day, Thursday 3 August, at the Qatar Goodwood Festival. The iconic flat race is competed for by 12 amazing women who are all leaders in their field. Proceeds are in aid of Place2Be, the Mental Health charity. The 12 celebrity riders competing in this year’s race include: Milliner Emily Baxendale, Former Bank of England Deputy Governor Charlotte Hogg and former Team GB Sailor and two-time Olympic Sailing Gold medal winner Sarah Ayton.

The future is looking really bright for ladies polo with a plethora of matches taking place this season. For the first time ever, the Victor Ludorum series has been extended to include women’s polo. The 12-18 goal Victrix Ludorum series will run throughout the season across the country, starting at Knepp Castle in July.

Women’s Polo

Atelier Swarovski Moselle Pendant and Open Ring

Atelier Swarovski Kalix Spiral Cuff and Clip Earrings

Photography courtesy of Swarovski

Atelier Swarovski Nile Necklace

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, July 2017

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26th – 27th July 2nd – 3rd August 9th – 10th August

16th – 17th August rd 23 – 25th August

30th – 31st September 6th – 7th September Based in Winkfield, Berkshire, Ranelagh Farm Polo Club

13th – 14th September is situated perfectly in the heart of UK polo. As a fully 20th – 21st September affiliated HPA club with excellent facilities we are ready to 27th – 28th September 4th – 5th October offer you everything you need for the 2017 season.

Club chukkas are played two evenings a week and tournaments and challenge matches are held every weekend so there is always plenty of polo to go around.

We are also able to offer a range of stables, sand corrals or paddocks to meet your horses needs.

Copa Fin De Julio 2-4 Copa De Agosto 0-2 Chairman’s Trophy -2 - 0 Ranelagh Farm Ladies 0-2 Copa Argentina 2-4 Copa Corona 0-2 September Cup -2 - 0 Copa Familiar 2-4 Crouch Lane Copa De Otoňo 0-2 Winkfield Copa Ranelagh Farm -2 - 0 Copa Los Techos Windsor 2-4 Copa Fin De TemporadaBerkshire Open

Ranelagh SL4 4TN

Additional levels may be added according to demand.

Tel 1:

Tel 2: Email: The club consists of 2 full sized pitches, a chukka ground, a stick and ball ground, a recently resurfaced all-weather exercise track and an all-weather arena.

Additionally, the Club is home to a purpose made pony pool – the best way to May cool down after a hot summer’s day 17th-18th Founder’s Cup (2 - 4) of polo!

24th-25th Copa La Colorada (4 - 6)

01344 8 07957 1 polo@ra

www.ra

2014 Key Dates

June

7th-8th Copa Don Beni (2 - 4) 28th-29th Copa De La Estancia (2 - 4) Additionally, La Brava Polo is based here at 30th JuneLifeBook 12 Goal Trophy (10-12) Ranelagh Farm. Their team of experienced 6th July staff can provide a full livery service, lessons and polo experience July days. Their 12th-13th wide range of horses also enablesPolo themManager’s Trophy (4 - 6) July Copa to provide a rental 26th-27th string suitable for allFin De Julio (2 - 4) players, from beginners to professionals.

Correc

August 16th-17th

Copa A

September 6th-7th 27th-28th

Copa F Copa L

For enquiries, please contact the polo office on 01344 885697

Tidwo Tedworth Park Tidworth Wiltshire SP9 7AH Tel: Email:

The Penthouse

l

www.tidworthpolo.

Petworth 2014 Key Dates

Luxury self-catering accommodation in the heart ofApril Petworth, West Sussex1st 26th/27th 3th 3th/4th 10th/11th

RN v Eton (Kumar Cup) (Open) Kingsett Cup (-2 to 2 & -6 to -2) Queenís Royal Hussars Cup (-2 to 2 & -6 to -2) 17th/18th Maddison Cup (0 to 2 & -4 to 0) 24th/25th Cholderton Cup (0 to 4 & -6 to -2) 26th Royal Artillery Cup (Open) 31st RN v Taunton (Kemble Salver) 31st Sponsored Trophy (-2 to 0 & -6 to -2)

June 1st

Best of British Under 25’s (15 Goal)

Penthouse - Polo TimesB.indd 1

20/06/2017 14:10

www.polotimes.co.uk

Corre

Duke of York Cup (RN V R Queenís Royal Irish Hus (0 to 4 & -4 to 0) 14th/15th Mixed Doubles Tournamen (-2 to 2 & -6 to -2) 21st/22nd Grenadier Cup (0 to 2 & -4 25th - 29th Tidworth Polo Week 25th 9th Lancers Cup 1st Ro 26th 10th Hussars Cup 1st R 27th 9th Lancers Cup 2nd Ro 27th Queen’s Royal Lancers Tro 28th 10th Hussars Cup 2nd R 28th Presidents Cup 1st Round 29th Finals Day 29th 9th Lancers Cup Final (4 29th 10th Hussars Cup Final 29th Blakiston Houston Cup 7th/8th

Rabbit Cup (-2 to 2 & -6 to -2)

Under 10 minutes from Cowdray Park Polo MayClub

www.penthousepetworth.com

01980 info@ti

All Aspects of Youth Polo

Youth

The ‘Doxford’ Match

Photograph by Ben Hastie Photography

Four teams competed in this year’s Javier Novillo Astrada U15 Memorial Tournament

Katie Jelpke, spoke to Polo Times about the Durham vs Oxford match, “On Saturday 10 June, both Durham and Oxford came together to have a friendly three chukka match at Leadenham Polo Club. With a large number of players travelling from afar, the day was certainly worth the journey. The novice players took to the field with their spirits running high, throughout the afternoon there were some impressive shots played by both teams on the nearside and foreside. In the third chukka, the teams were so evenly matched that the ball was passed from one side to the other like a ping pong ball, hardly making it through the posts. Durham triumphed winning 8-1 across the four chukkas. In the aftermath, the two teams soaked up the sun whilst having a BBQ to celebrate a fun day of chukkas. We look forward to playing Oxford again next year!”

Javier Novillo Astrada U15 Cup

‘Doxford’ Teams: Oxford: Lily Latimer-Smith, Jack Bowen, Phoebe Toyne-Bridges, Neil Sanghvi & Jack Edwards Durham: Junaid Safdar, Holly Gadsby, Jess Roche, Annie Berry, Ara Shikhalislami, Waleed Ahmed & Chris Young

On Sunday 11 June, as part of Beaufort Polo Club’s Gloucesterhire Festival of Polo, four teams of young players took part in the Javier Novillo Astrada U15 Memorial Tournament.

In the Final, La Aguada came out victorious over Chapaleufu with a 2-1 score whilst La Dolfina were placed third winning 1-0 against La Aguada II. Javier Novillo Astrada U15 Memorial Tournament Teams: Chapaleufu: George Tomblin, Ben Fleming, Luke Wiles & Cruz Heguy La Aguada II: Kiki Severn, Tom Jodrell, Ivan De Poligny & Lorna Fleming La Dolfina: Ollie Heard, Louis Heard, Mia Cambiaso & Benja Quiroga La Aguada: Marcus Speed, Ed Walker, Alex Horvat & Segundo Darritchon

La Martina Varsity Day

Oxford and Cambridge University teams at the 119th La Martina Varsity Day

Is your youth polo not featured? Email editorial@polotimes.co.uk with all your youth polo news!

Photograph by Katie Jelpke

La Martina Varsity Eton vs Harrow Teams: Eton (-5): Eric Appen (0), Tom Jodrell (-1), Dolapo Ibitoye (-2) & Jake Ritblat (-2)

Harrow (-3): Charles Cadogan (0), Valentine Hutley (0), Christian Oberschneider (-1) & Michael Fitzgibbon (-2) La Martina Varsity Oxford vs Cambridge Teams: Oxford (-5): Charlie Hitchman (0), Heather Winsor (-1), Issa Dasu Patel (-2) & Sally Schwartz (-2) Cambridge (-6): Toby Call (-1), Oliver Melvill (-1), Sara Devereux (-2) & Francesca Spencer (-2) Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

On Saturday 3 June, students flocked to Guards Polo Club for the ultimate Battle of the Blues, the 119th La Martina Varsity Polo Day. The day commenced with the Old Blues match; a battle of wills that was ultimately won by the Cambridge Alumni team 10-1½, with both the winning and losing teams being presented with bottles of British Polo Gin®.

The polo players of the future fought fervently in the Eton vs Harrow match, which was won

by Harrow 6-4½. Finally, in the main event of the day, Oxford and Cambridge went head to head on the Prince’s Ground. The first half was very close, ending on a score of 1-1. However, Oxford managed to tighten up their play in the last half, earning themselves a 5-1 victory over their age-old rivals. For social pictures from the La Martina Varsity Polo Day, please turn to our Sidelines pages.

Action from the Doxford match

Polo Times, July 2017

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Youth

All Aspects of Youth Polo

Rocket Rentals Junior Tournament team 1 and 2, Bicester and the Beaudesert Rats. The Rocket Rentals team won their section in a close Final against SOHS 1.

The Final division to play was the Fluffies, and despite their cute exterior these children battled it out against each other just as competitively as the other groups. The teams were The Dragons, Fluffies, Cottesmore Chargers and Zaina Belarlie, with winners being Zaina Belarlie and a close second The Dragons.

Jessica Tomblin organised a great array of prizes for the children to take home from Rocket Rentals including socks, caps, shirts and hoodies to sweets and polo clocks. The Club were grateful for all the continued support and hope to see everyone back for the Zonkey Polo Junior Tournament on 1 September.

Photography courtesy of Longdole Polo Club

On Wednesday 31 May, Longdole held the Rocket Rentals Junior Tournament. By 10am Longdole was alive with the sound of excited children, with their largest number of teams entered to date, 16 in total, it was set to be a busy day. The Division 1 Section of 14-18-year-olds was a very fast and strong division with teams playing in two leagues to compete to play in the Final. The six teams were SOHS PC, The Cherry Pickers, Grafton, Team SG, Longdole and Hampshire. All played brilliantly but Team SG were unstoppable and won every game including the Final against SOHS PC. The Division 2 Section saw 12 14-year-olds take part and was played in the same format, with two leagues of teams playing for the Final. Again there were six teams: Rocket Rentals, Redx, SOHS PC

Division 1 teams

Division 2 teams

The Fluffy Division teams

The Millfield Polo Invitational

Despite the weather, on Sunday 4 June Millfield school hosted the Millfield Polo Invitational at their Kingweston Campus. The first match of the day was the Sacher Cup played between The Royal Navy and Millfield. Although the Royal Navy had the stronger team, the Millfield players showed great determination in challenging them at every opportunity, displaying great promise for future years, however The Royal Navy ran out the winners 6-3½. The Best Playing Pony, kindly sponsored by Jemma and James Lucas was awarded to Pancha, played by Bob Santrian in the second chukka.

The feature match of the day for The Ian Balding Cup, proved fast and entertaining between The Old Millfieldian Society and Millfield, in spite of the weather doing everything to ruin the enjoyment. The Millfield team played well in tough conditions to produce a well-deserved result of 5-3. The Best Playing Pony, kindly sponsored by Jemma and James Lucas was awarded to Ned, played by Jessica Andrews in the third chukka.

Royal Navy Team L to R: Lieutenant Hiro Suzuki (Captain), Sub Lieutenant Jack Carlis, Capt Dean Bassett & Lieutenant Bob Santrian

Photography courtesy of Lindi Hacker

The Sacher Cup Teams: The Royal Navy: Sub Lieutenant Jack Carlis, Capt Dean Bassett, Lieutenant Hiro Suzuki & Lieutenant Bob Santrian Millfield: Millie Vlasov, Sultan Binladen, Adebayo Karim, Harry Fuller (Captain), Saif Noon & Nick Rogerson The Ian Balding Cup Teams: Millfield: Taimur Noon, Oscar Luard, Will Penfold (Captain) & James McCarthy Old Millfieldian Society: Alex Appleby, Heloise Wilson-Smith, Jessica Andrews (Captain) & James Rome

Millfield A v Old Millfieldians L to R : William Penfold (Captain), Oscar Luard, Taimur Noon, James McCarthy, Millfield Headmaster, Craig Considine, Alex Appelby, Heloise Wilson-Smith, Jessica Andrews (Captain) & James Rome

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Polo Times, July 2017

Millfield L to R: Millie Vlasov, Saif Noon, Nick Rogerson, Sultan Binladen, Harry Fuller (Captain) & Adebayo Karim

For Youth polo dates, please turn to our What’s On pages

All Aspects of Youth Polo

Youth

Cheltenham College Polo Day Atlantic Cup Longdole Polo Club held a day of polo for the students of Cheltenham College on Saturday 10 June. The students attend lessons twice a week and this was a great event to put all their hard work and commitment into practice.

The first match was the Old Boys vs Cheltenham College and although the younger boys were battling a strong 6 goal team they made it look easy as they took the lead in the second chukka and went on to win.

The next match was Longdole vs Cheltenham, once again the lessons appeared to pay off as the Cheltenham team triumphed with another win. Finally the prep school teams took to the pitch and Beaudesert and Cheltenham College Preparatory School played two very competitive chukkas, however Cheltenham’s winning streak was ended as Beaudesert took the win. Sponsors, RJ Polo and British Polo Gin, were on hand, supporting the event and making it a special day for the next generation of players.

Queenswood School

Photograph courtesy of Queenswood School

Photography courtesy of Longdole Polo Club

The Cheltenham College Invitational Teams: Cheltenham College (0): Ed Walker (-1), Denis Antonov (-1), Monte Swaine Grainger (0) & Tommy Severn (2) Cheltenham Old Boys (6): George Hunt (1), Alastair Paterson (4), Austin Clarke (1) & Ryan Robertson (0) Cheltenham College (-4): Gus Roberts (-2), Tamara Gibbons (0) Ben Kingsman (-2) & Ollie Parrot (0) Longdole (-4): Kiki Severn (-1), Oscar Luard (0), Dany Choudhary (-2) & Benji Bradshaw (-1) Cheltenham College Prep: Phoebe Channing, Ollie Callon-Hine, Matilda Kitson & Lucas Stern Beaudesert: Jemima Walker, Robbie Slatter, Lucy McLaughlin & Jemima Lodge

Cambridge University Polo Club and Oxford University Polo Club once again hosted teams from Harvard and Yale in the Atlantic Cup. The Atlantic Cup began in 2002, and aims to both create a competitive tournament as well as fostering connections between the four universities. The 2017 edition saw three matches played between 9 – 11 June. After three matches Oxford University secured the title with three consecutive wins, 10½-2, 5-1 and 9-1

The Cheltenham College and Old Cheltonian teams

Polo has joined the list of Queenswood School’s afterschool clubs

The Cheltenham College and Longdole teams

The Beaudesert and Cheltenham College Preparatory School teams

Is your youth polo not featured? Email editorial@polotimes.co.uk with all your youth polo news!

Polo is the latest addition to the wide range of after-school clubs at Queenswood School in Hertfordshire. Ever since the school hosted an exhibition match in September 2016, featuring some well known polo players including Matt Perry and Josh Cork, enthusiasm for the sport has grown rapidly. The girls are now enjoying weekly polo sessions in the beautiful Queenswood grounds, led by Alec Banner-Eve of MHF Polo School in Harlow/Bishops Stortford.

Pupil Lottie Williams commented, “I think it’s wonderful that Queenswood are able to offer this unique sporting option to us. So far I have really enjoyed our Polo Club – I hope it will be a big success and I’m looking forward to the tournament.”

Principal Jo Cameron, herself a keen equestrian, said, “Queenswood girls love their sport, and we’re so thrilled to be able to offer this new and exciting opportunity on site.”

Polo Times, July 2017

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Youth

SUPA International Polo Festival resulted in a 4-2 result to the British squad for the end of the first day.

On Friday 9 June, a scorcher of a day, the teams were all feeling excited to get the ball rolling again. With Natasha Ball (GBR) making some incredible shots in the first chukka. Kevin Quan wielding some cracking backhands unfortunately fell short of the goal. Charlie Peagram then managed to provide Great Britain with a superb hat trick and the result after the chukka became 7-2.

The last chukka of the International match was tense and the crowd had their eyes fixated on both teams. A few misses from Great Britain meant that China had the advantage to the majority of the chukka, with Lawrence Lin and Bradley Dommett taking part in some decent ride offs. But at the end of the chukka, due to some beautiful teamwork, another incredible goal for Great Britain meant that they were victorious with a final score of 8-2. Thanks go to our sponsors RJ Polo, HPA and the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, London, and the umpires sponsored by a grant from the HPA.

Photography by Emmpix Photography

Action from the SUPA International match

SUPA International Match Teams: Great Britain: James Glew (University of Birmingham), England Charlie Peagram (University of York), England Tomas Camprubi (University ofBirmingham), England James Whiteford (Stirling University), Scotland Ben Evans (Durham University), Wales Natasha Ball (UWE), England Bradley Dommett (Winchester), England Jesse Roche (Durham University), Wales

Teams representing China and Great Britain

China vs Great Britain

China: Paris Luo Lawrence Lin (Syracuse University) Arthur Lin (International School of Tianjin) Kevin Quan (University of Connecticut)

Rosy Taylor (Cardiff University, Journalism student) spoke to Polo Times about the SUPA International Polo Festival which took place over the weekend of the SUPA University Summer Nationals

The SUPA Festival had already got off to a spectacular start with yet again record numbers of university teams travelling to compete at the event, which was held this year at Offchurch Bury Polo Club (for more details see opposite) The international matches on Thursday and Friday were a highlight of the tournament, with a really skilled team for GBR threaded together by players from each of the home nations. The away team, the Chinese Youth, were fierce competition and mounted on Thom Bell’s super ponies, seemed an appropriate set of opponents.

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Polo Times, July 2017

The first chukka began with a rapid and exciting minute, with Kevin Quan taking a wide shot at the goal and losing a stirrup.

The ponies were focused, storming along the grounds until a spot hit given to Ben Evans resulted in a Great Britain advantage and the first goal of the chukka. Two penalty shots taken by each team resulted in a 2-1 score to Great Britain at the end of the chukka.

After a quick change of ponies, and team members for Great Britain, they were off again with some marvellous stick skills being seen by both Tomas Camprubi for GBR and Arthur Lin for China. Further goals for Britain

Spectators enjoying sunshine in the sidelines

For Youth polo dates, please turn to our What’s On pages

SUPA University Summer Nationals

Youth

Photograph by Emmpix Photography

A record breaking 127 teams competed

SUPA in the Summer

Katie Jelpke, Durham University (Undergraduate third year Geography M. Sci student) was Polo Times’ eyes and ears at this year’s SUPA University Summer Nationals

Photograph by Katie Jelpke

across the final two days of the tournament.

We all stood for the national anthems of both countries at midday on the Thursday before settling down to watch the game. The crowd was captivated by the intensity and pace of the chukkas, the UK team rode to victory winning 8-2 by the end of the fourth chukka (For a full report see page opposite) The highlight of the week was most certainly the Open teams, their level of play was above and beyond what was expected. Their chukkas were a blur of players with the ball spending more time in the air than on the ground, the accuracy of the shots at such a fast pace was incredible. A particular favourite goal of mine was the angled nearside backhand performed

by Hector Fair allowing his other Durham teammates to battle off the Nottingham players and tap it through the posts. Although all four teams showed extreme prowess, Nottingham stormed ahead to win the division with Birmingham coming in a close second.

Bottom pic: Action from the SUPA University Summer Nationals

Is your youth polo not featured? Email editorial@polotimes.co.uk with all your youth polo news!

Photograph by Emmpix Photography

The long awaited SUPA University Summer Nationals, held at Offchurch Bury Polo Club on the 14 – 16 June, kicked-off with students starting their summer celebrations.

Uncharacteristically for the UK there were three straight days of glorious sunshine and many spectators took advantage of this by picnicking on the side-lines whilst watching the tournament on Grounds One and Two. The excitement throughout the competition spread from the moment the university players started to arrive and the pony lines were set up. Overall, 35 Universities participated and with 127 teams entered, including the four competing in the SAPA category, the atmosphere was energetic with players and spectators cheering at every chukka. These ranged from Beginner to Upper Intermediate/ Open, with a varying number of chukkas in each of the 14 divisions.

A four chukka international match between the United Kingdom and China was held

The competition was fierce across all sections

The week wasn’t all just centred on the polo pitches, Warwick kindly hosted a party for the players on the Thursday night at Altoria in Leamington with the theme being countries.

A great night was had by all. However, some people were a little worse for wear the following day, especially with the morning sun causing an early wake up call. Considering this, the standard of play was as good, if not higher than that of the previous two days. As the week came to a close, the final chukkas were played, the champions were crowned, and we all headed in our separate directions back to the universities where for some of us we will be spending our final weeks before graduation.

The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player prize was presented to Grant Polkingthorne of Oxford Brookes University, who has been a great servant to SUPA and his university and the award was very timely.

I would like to thank SUPA, Offchurch Bury Polo Club and everyone else who came together to make SUPA Summer Nationals possible, on behalf of all the players competing and those who came to spectate. It was an unforgettable experience to watch the numerous universities battle it out for the titles on the grass pitches, taking advantage of the season to the full.

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Youth

All Aspects of Youth Polo

SUPA University Summer Nationals Winners Photography by Emmpix Photography

Beginner 1 1st – Warwick B1 2nd – Durham Jaguars 3rd – Liverpool B1

Beginner 2 1st – St Andrews 2nd – Liverpool B2 3rd – Exeter B2

Beginner 3 1st – Nottingham B3 2nd – Oxford Beg 1 3rd - Portsmouth Beg

Beginner 4 1st – Harper Adams Beg 2 2nd – Warwick B4 3rd – UWE Hippogriffs

Combined Beginner 1st – Bath Spa Comb 2nd – London Beg 2 3rd – Stirling Beg 2

Novice 4 1st – Leeds Centaurs 2nd – Nottingham N4a 3rd – Durham Panthers

Novice 3 1st – Nottingham N3 2nd – Warwick N3 3rd – St Andrews

Novice 2 1st – Warwick Wolves 2nd – Nottingham N2 3rd – Exeter N2

Novice 1 1st – Warwick N1 2nd – Exeter N1 3rd – Oxford Brookes Nov 1

Combined Novice 1st – York Comb 2nd – Portsmouth Nov Comb 3rd – Southampton Nov 3

Lower Intermediate 1st – Oxford Brookes Low Int 2nd – Kent Ospreys 3rd – London Low Int

Intermediate Combined 1st – London Up Int 2nd – Leeds Inters 3rd – Loughborough Up Comb

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For Youth polo dates, please turn to our What’s On pages

All Aspects of Youth Polo

Youth

Sunny SUPA Seniors Saturday 17 June saw a change to the usual SUPA Senior Schools Summer National Championships held this year at Kirtlington Park Polo Club. Traditionally played on a Sunday, it was brought forward a day to enable the young players the chance to attend The Queen’s Cup Finals on the following day at Guards Polo Club.

16 teams entered the SUPA Senior Schools tournament with players from 15 schools involved in the four divisions, including an all girl team from Heathfield School, Ascot. Once again the players gave a most impressive display of polo. The standard of play was amazing, with many fast and furious chukkas as the teams were keen to show their outstanding talent and team play. Gill Glimmerveen, Junior and Girls Schools Section Manager, commented to Polo Times, “The standard of schools

SAPA 1st – Warwick SAPA 2nd – Hampshire Polo 3rd – The Fellowship

Photography courtesy of Gill Glimmerveen

Upper Intermediate/Open 1st – Nottingham UI 2nd – Birmingham 3rd – Durham Lions

An array of prizes were on display at the Championships

polo continues to improve with every tournament we hold, these players are the future of polo and we enjoy watching and encouraging them to grow”.

All players received prizes including copies of the latest Polo Times. SUPA are ever grateful for the continued support of RJ Polo, The Worshipful Company of Saddlers and Polo Times.

SUPA Senior Schools Summer National Championship Results Combined 1st SUPA 2nd Millfield/Cheltenham Ladies Novice 1st Seaford College 2nd Stowe C 3rd Shrewsbury B Intermediate 1st Radley 2nd Marlborough White 3rd Uppingham Open 1st Millfield 2nd Stowe A Most Valuable Player: Oscar Luard, Millfield, received The Saddlers Cup Most Promising Player: Milo Sweet, Marlborough, received Leather knee pads from Mr John Robinson, Prime Warden of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers

The competitors enjoyed beautiful sunshine for the tournament

The Polo Magazine MVP Grant Polkingthorne

6 teams came together to compete

Is your youth polo not featured? Email editorial@polotimes.co.uk with all your youth polo news!

Polo Times, July 2017

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Youth

All Aspects of Youth Polo

Photography by Peter Meade

Action from the Harrow vs RMAS match

Sandhurst Heritage Day On Sunday 18 June, teams from Oxford University and Harrow were welcomed to RMAS Sandhurst for the annual Heritage Day. In the first match, RMAS lost narrowly to Harrow 3-4. It was a very close match which saw RMAS streak into a 2 goal lead by half time, but Harrow fought strongly with some particularly good work by Charlie Cadogan. He guided his young Harrow team to victory, ably supported by Christian Oberschneider, who is on polo scholarship at Harrow, and scored the winning goal for Harrow against Sandhurst to win the match.

In the second match of the day, Oxford University beat RMAS 6-4, but the match was closer than the score suggests. Capt.

Albany Mulholland did some great plays for RMAS to edge them ahead at half-time.

But Charlie Hitchman marked very closely in the third and fourth enabling Oxford to

score three quick goals in the third chukka.

Pony power and experience then spoke true and with another three goals in the fourth chukka, despite two scored by RMAS in reply, Oxford took home the victory, for the third time in a row.

Heritage Day Teams: RMAS (-5): Ocdt Alex Alderman (-2), Ocdt Warwick Foreman (-2), Ocdt Dickie Speight (-1) & Ocdt George Cadogan (0) Harrow (-5): Martini Sui (-2), Michael Fitzgibbon (-2), Christian Oberschneider (-1) & Charlie Cadogan (0) RMAS 2 (-6): Ocdt Kyle Moore (-2), Ocdt Lara Dixon (-2), Ocdt Josh Edwards (-2) & Capt Albany Mulholland (0) Oxford (-6): Issa Dasu Patel (-2), Hayles Hagen (-2), Wilhemin Von Blumental (-2) & Charlie Hitchman (0)

Oxford secured their third victory in a row

The Stephen Towler Trophy Photograph courtesy of Kirtlington Park Polo Club

The Stephen Towler Trophy Teams

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On Saturday 3 June, The Stephen Towler Trophy, in memory of Stephen Towler was played between a Kirtlington Park Polo Club (KPPC) junior team and SUPA select team. The KPPC juniors were determined to make up for the Senior’s loss earlier in the day, in The Rupert Thorneloe Memorial Trophy. It was a tight game throughout with the first half ending at 1-1. The second half saw KPPC take the lead with goals from Jonny Beck-Brown and Magnus Gilje and only one in reply from Billy Hawkins-Byass. The final chukka was an even affair with two goals scored including an excellent penalty 60 from

Monty Swaine-Granger, and a goal each from Lorna Fleming and Jonny BeckBrown. KPPC managed to hold on for the final whistle winning 5-4.

The Stephen Towler Trophy Teams: KPPC (-3): Heidi Gilje (-2), Lorna Fleming (-1), Magnus Gilje (0) & Jonny Beck Brown (0) SUPA Select (-3): Tamara Gibbon (0) Billy Hawkins-Byass (-2), Ben Bradshaw (-1) & Monty Swaine-Grainger (0)

For Youth polo dates, please turn to our What’s On pages

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Played: Argentine & Hurlingham Open Javier Novillo Astrada (2007 & 2008) USA Open with Las Monjitas (2008) Hurlingham & Tortugas Open (2009 to 2012) Retired from High goal in 2013 for breeding Now playing medium & low goal in UK Breeding: Sire is Blue Blood by Rivadeo (TB) Dam is Matuza Brace (Polo Argentino) Â Nature: Very easy and reliable with amazing stamina For details and info please contact Jontidswellpretorius@gmail.com Or fmlavinia@hotmail.com

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Pony Power

Knowledge

Modelo

Age: 6-years-old Colour: Bay Height: 14.3hh Sex: Mare Owner: Doña Pilar Embryo Centre/Pedro Harrison Played by: Pedro Harrison Tournament: Committee Cup Final at Guards Polo Club

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Where is she from? She comes from Argentina.

How long have you had her? I have had her since last year, 2016 Tell us about her background?

She is out of a mare called Union and by a stallion called Pacua Nativo. She came to the UK in 2016 as a 5-year-old.

What are her strengths?

She is unbelievably handy and, for a small horse, extremely powerful which is fantastic.

How has she gone this season?

This season, she’s been excellent. She is quite young, so when she came into work having matured a lot I was really pleased and so far she’s going really well.

Has she won any other Best Playing Pony Awards?

This is her first award, but I’m hoping that there will be many more!

Does she have any special quirks?

She is a very busy horse!

Describe her briefly?

Small in stature, but big in heart.

What are your plans for her in the future?

For the time being, she is staying with me as she is showing great potential.

Fiasco

Age: 7-years-old Colour: Chestnut Height: 15.1hh Sex: Mare Owner: Adam Buchert Played by: Ollie Cudmore Tournament: The Dollar Cup Final at Cowdray Park Polo Club Photograph by Clive Bennett/www.polopictures.co.uk

Where is she from? Originally she came from Australia.

How long have you had her? She was born on my farm, and came over to England two years ago.

Tell us about her background? This season is her first season playing in the UK, but she played two seasons prior to this in Australia. She has been playing in the The Queen’s Cup this season so far which is fantastic.

What are her strengths? She is fast, easy to play and quiet – the best combinations.

How has she gone this season? Very well!

I am really pleased.

Has she won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? Not yet, this was her first www.polotimes.co.uk

Best Playing Pony Award, but I hope there will be more.

her before games, so that shows how quiet and placid she is.

What are your plans for her in the future?

To keep playing her in the high goal.

Describe her in three words? Dopey, kind, courageous.

Does she have any special quirks?

It’s not really a quirk, more of an asset, but in Australia, Ollie’s patron’s (Jeremy Bayard) 8-year-old daughter used to stick and ball

or a full report from the Dollar Cup, please F turn to the Victor Ludorum Round-Up

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Knowledge

Pony Power

Paddy Photograph by Ben Hastie/www.benhastiephotography.com

Age: 12-years-old Colour: Black Height: 15.1hh Sex: Gelding Owner and played by: Richard Tyrone Tournament: Beaufort International Test Match Where is Paddy from? He is an Irish thoroughbred who I bought from the Goresbridge Sales as a 2-year-old.

How long have you had him? I’ve had him for 10 years.

Tell us about his background? I bought him as a 2-year-old. He was a classic gelding as youngster and particularly frustrating at times. But with age, he has come right and on his good days he’s very effective.

What are his strengths? He’s part of the main core of my string and he’s always consistent and solid. He’s amazing to the sides and very tough, always giving his all.

He never gets tired and he’s good when you need a horse you can count on.

How has he gone this season? He has been consistent and always gives a good chukka. He is definitely more effective in the quicker polo.

Does he have any special quirks? For some reason, he likes to kick out when you do his girth up!

Has he won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? This is his first! Hopefully the first of many.

Describe him in three words? Tough, loyal, agile

What are your plans for him in the future? I plan to keep him until the end of his polo career then he will retire in Ireland.

or a full report from the Beaufort International F Test Match, please turn to our Reports pages For the social images from the day, please turn to our Sidelines pages

Notable

Colour: Bay Height: 15.3hh Sex: Mare Owned and Played by: Guillermo Terrera Tournament: Duke of Sutherland at Cowdray Park Polo Club Where is she from? She is from America.

Photograph courtesy of Cowdray Park Polo Club

Tell us about her background? She has played The Triple Crown in Argentina for the past three years. World number one Adolfo Cambiaso gifted her to me and, unsurprisingly, she is now my best mare.

This is her first season in the UK. What are her strengths? Her speed. She is phenomenally fast.

How has she gone this season? She’s had a great start to the season. Long may it continue!

What are your plans for her in the future? I’d love to play her in the high goal.

Does she have any special quirks?. She hasn’t got any special quirks. She is a really quiet mare with a great temperament.

or a full report from the Duke of Sutherland, F please turn to the Victor Ludorum Round-Up

Describe her in three words? Fast, quiet, reliable.

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www.polotimes.co.uk

Pony Power

Knowledge

Rosita Age: 10-years-old Colour: Bay Height: 15.2hh Sex: Mare Owned and played by: Ollie Cudmore Tournament: The Cartier Queen’s Cup Semi Finals at Guards Polo Club

How long have you had her? I bought her off my father, Rob, as a 5-year-old.

Tell us about her background? She was born at Lovelocks and my father made her.

She is from our family breed in Australia.

My father used to play her mother and my grandfather used to play her grandmother, so it’s very special to win the Cartier Best Playing Pony at The Cartier Queen’s Cup Semi Finals with Rosita.

What are her strengths? She’s very easy, gives you a lot of confidence on the ball and is also fast – a great combination.

Photograph by Polo Times

What is her breeding? She was bred by my father out of an Australian mare called Rose which he brought over to the UK. Her sire is the Tomlinson’s stallion, Chess.

Rosita pictured with Laurent Feniou – Managing Director of Cartier UK, Ollie Cudmore and grooms Fede, Tasmin and Pablo at The Queen’s Cup Semi Finals

How has she gone this season? She’s going really well which is great.

Describe Does she have any special quirks? She is a fussy eater!

Has she won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? No, this is her first award, which makes it really special.

Does she have any relations who have achieved anything notable? I have her sister Reggae in my high goal string. She’s only 7-years-old but will play The JaegerLeCoultre Gold Cup.

What are your plans for her in the future?

I won’t sell her, my plan is to continue to play her. This year I would like to get some embryos from her to continue the line.

Describe her in three words?

Kind, easy, fun.

Christmas (Came Twice)

Photograph by Cymon Skinner: People of Polo

Age: 11-years-old Colour: Bay Height: 15.2hh Sex: Mare Owned by: Harry White Played by: George Meyrick Tournament: The John Prestwich Trophy, Royal County of Berkshire Where is Christmas from? She is an English Thoroughbred. Harry bought her from Andrew Balding as a 3-year-old and she’s been playing ever since. A proper ROR pony.

How long have you had her? Harry’s had her for eight years.

What are her strengths? Her speed and agility. She is also really strong in a ride-off.

How has she gone this season? Really well. She’s always sound and came back into work this season with very little bother.

She wintered really well.

Has she won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? Unfortunately not.

www.polotimes.co.uk

What are your plans for her in the future? Harry is actually giving up polo at the end of the season, so where she’ll be in the future is not yet sure. If she is of interest to somebody looking for a pony like her, you can contact Harry at harrywhite03@hotmail.co.uk

Does she have any special quirks? Not really. She’s really simple and sound.

Describe her in three words? Annoying, energetic, agile. or a full report from the John Prestwich F Trophy, please turn to the Victor Ludorum Round-Up

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Nutrition Focus

Lorna Edgar – specialist equine nutritionist

Picture courtesy of Holly Baird at Guards Polo Club

Oli Hipwood’s string eating hay at the side of the lorry

Pony eating hay in pony lines.

Oli Hipwood’s pony relaxing before being groomed and loaded for polo with access to hay and water

Feeding on a Game Day I am often being asked about what the best way to feed polo ponies is on days that they play? Of course, it must not hinder performance or make them ‘heavy’, but to try and ensure their digestive system is not being compromised.

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Where a lot of travelling is involved this usually means there is a lot of time spent away from forage and water and therefore there is very little drinking and chewing time available. When this can happen three or even four times a week, with perhaps up

to eight hours away from their stables, we really do need to consider the health of their digestive tract, recovery and performance.

I am going to suggest a 2pm game with two hours to travel, for example, and how I would suggest managing feeding for the day, in an ideal world.

Breakfast: Normal hard feed and hay or haylage Exercised: Access to water and forage afterwards Groomed and prepared to travel: Ideally provide a small hay net for a long journey of two hours Arrive at Polo (usually 1- 1 ½ hours before polo): Offer water once unloaded.

If not travelling with hay nets on shorter journeys, allowing them to be hand grazed for 10-15 minutes is ideal. Then offer a scoop of alfalfa with some water and electrolytes. Preloading with electrolytes two hours before a hard game will help reduce the onset of fatigue, whilst alfalfa will provide a buffering effect for gastric acid being www.polotimes.co.uk

Nutrition Focus

Knowledge

Mark Tomlinson’s pony travelling back from Guards Polo Club with her haylage net. Mark tries to maximise the time the horses spend in front of the haylage nets to help maintain condition, as well as aid gut health.

Photograph courtesy of of Jamie Peel

Picture courtesy of Holly Baird at Guards Polo Club

Picture courtesy of Holly Baird at Guards Polo Club

Monte Swaine-Granger’s ponies at Kirtlington Polo Club. Before heading home, Montie has given them a small feed of chaff and cubes with access to water and hay nets

Hay placed in a lorry for return journey home.

• Hannah Good, former groom of Ollie Cudmore, ensuring the ponies are rehydrated before loading them on the lorry to go home.

produced in the stomach, which is beneficial to those who have ulcers or are susceptible to ulcers – and is good practise to reduce the onset of ulcers.

Play: Should they be a ‘spare’, or playing more than one chukka, it would be wise to at least sponge their mouth out with water, or offer a mouthful of water from a bucket.

Washed off: Once they have been stripped of their tack they need to be offered water to help with hydration recovery AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Offering water containing an electrolyte solution would be ideal, however at the very least, they should be offered water from a bucket. If they are ‘blowing’, still offer water, before the thirst reflex diminishes, approximately 20 minutes after hard work.

A small feed may be offered before the journey home, perhaps some alfa and/ or beet pulp, again with more electrolytes www.polotimes.co.uk

added to speed up recovery and hydration, and replace electrolytes salts lost during playing. This is of even more importance in the warm weather when horses are playing and travelling a lot in one week.

Loading and travelling home: Prior to loading back on the lorry another drink of water MUST be offered, and a net of hay provided for them to eat during their journey.

This will aid recovery, increase appetite when they get home and increase the fibre intake in their diet which aids gut motility and digestion. This helps reduce the onset of gastric ulcers, colic and other problems associated with being away from fibre for long periods of time.

Home: Once back in their stables or turned out into their corrals they can have their hard feed, forage and water, ensuring their energy stores are replenished and ready for work the following day. Should they have the following day off I would still feed the same meal size in the evening but reduce the feed on the day off by a third.

•

• • •

Always remember to take your OWN buckets to polo (much more hygienic than sharing water troughs) Water buckets and water carriers should always be in the lorry in case you break down or water taps are not available in pony lines To slow down the eating of hay/ haylage use a small holed haylage net if you prefer Avoid dusty hay when travelling long distances due to inhalation of dust – haylage would be better Remember – if the horse produces 1 ½ litres of gastric acid per hour, whether it is eating or not over eight hours of travelling and playing without anything to eat, it will have produced approximately 12 litres of acid! This acid is going to be ‘sloshing’ through to the small intestine and hind gut

Contact Lorna Edgar of Baileys Horse Feeds on lorna@baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk Polo Times, July 2017

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Knowledge

Vet Insight

Kate Martin BSc BVMS MRCVS from eVetDrug Ltd Kate graduated from the University of Glasgow and undertook two internships and a job in Australia, before settling in private practice in Berkshire. She is now a Senior Veterinary Consultant for eVetDrug and manages the pharmacy. Kate has a particular interest in Anaesthesia, Stud medicine and Sports Horse Medicine.

Essentials for Improved Performance and Rapid Recovery We all know water and electrolytes are essential to life, but did you know they also have a direct impact on the recovery and performance of your polo pony?

Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances have serious physical effects on any horse and can play a significant role in your horse’s recovery and performance.

They can lead to fatigue, muscle damage, laminitis, tying up, gastrointestinal issues or they can simply lead to a loss in performance; in fact, dehydration is understood to be the most common cause of under-performance and is said to be like ‘competing with a hangover’.

As a horse sweats, it loses water and vital electrolytes (body salts), including sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and chloride. Even a fit horse can produce vast amounts of sweat, if both water and electrolytes are lost and not replaced, the horse will become dehydrated and performance will be affected. Plain water alone dilutes the remaining electrolytes so the kidneys excrete water, in a bid to maintain the right concentration of electrolytes in the kidneys, and the stimulus

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Hydration levels can be monitored using subjective assessment methods such as the skin pinch test and capillary refill time (CRT), but it is important to remember that performance can be affected before a skin tent is evident. In fact, horses are usually 5-10% dehydrated before they show clinical signs of dehydration such as a skin tent, tacky gums and a slow CRT.

Photograph by Polo Times

Horses must be hydrated as soon as possible after exercise

to drink is suppressed. The horse therefore remains dehydrated and serious electrolyte disturbances can result. As electrolytes are integral to essential cellular functions, such as muscle contraction and transmission of nerve impulses, disturbances can trigger muscle disorders like tying up. It is, therefore, vital to replace fluids with both water and electrolytes, rather than water alone.

Hydration is hugely important to performance, but electrolyte levels are are also crucial

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Knowledge

The Skin Pinch Test: Pinch the skin over the shoulder and monitor how quickly the skin returns to its original position. In a hydrated horse, the skin pings back rapidly; in a dehydrated horse, the fold of skin takes longer than expected to return to position.

Capillary Refill Time Test: Press your thumb or finger firmly on the gum and then release it to reveal a blanched area of gum. Monitor the area and time how long it takes for the pressed area to return to a normal colour. Hydrated horses have a CRT of less than two seconds, but dehydrated horses have a slower CRT of two-four seconds.

It is important to perform both tests regularly so you get to know what is normal for your horse. Make them part of your regular grooming routine.

To ensure your horse maintains good hydration levels before and after exercise, offer frequent, small drinks and never withhold water. Feeding soaked feedstuffs, such as sugar beet, is a simple, effective way of keeping horses hydrated. Adding Horse Quencher to your horse’s water is also a great way of encouraging them to drink as it is an all-natural mix of grains and flavourings that has been produced specifically to encourage the most stubborn of horses to drink water.

There are a variety of commercially available

equine oral electrolyte solutions and pastes now on the market. Some formulations also contain prebiotics, such as Audevard’s Vetidral, which stimulate electrolyte replacement and absorption, whilst others, like Cavalor’s An Energy Boost, have B vitamins, amino acids and glucose for an instant boost. It is important that powder electrolytes, like Lectade Plus, are reconstituted with the correct amount of water and offered alongside a plain bucket of water. If electrolytes are taken without water, it can actually make the situation worse and dehydrate the horse further. Pastes are incredibly convenient when travelling and competing and can be useful if your ponies won’t drink electrolytes in their water.

Although it is impossible for a horse to store extra electrolytes for future needs, horses that are on gruelling exercise programmes and sweat excessively will need daily supplementation with electrolytes. Thankfully there are also a number of electrolyte maintenance products on the market, such as TRM Isopro 2000 and Nettex electrolyte maintenance.

If you are concerned about your horse’s hydration levels, offer them water and electrolytes and cool them down if necessary. If they refuse to drink the water, try to encourage drinking by adding Horse Quencher and give the electrolytes by paste once they start drinking. If their hydration levels do not improve, seek veterinary advice, as intravenous fluids may be necessary.

Photograph by Tony Ramirez ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Vet Insight

As a horse sweats during exercise it loses water and vital eletrolytes which must be replaced

Chiltern Equine Clinic, Blueberry Farm, Kingscroft Lane, Warfield RG42 6JL

Lipogems is an advancement in Orthobiology and Regenerative Medicine.

The Lipogems Equine veterinary team can treat: Tendon injuries with core lesions Desmitis (Inflammation of a ligament) Chronic desmitis (Chronic inflammation of a ligament) Soft tissue injuries to the stifle joint Synovitis (Inflammation of a synovial membrane) Early osteoarthritis (Degenerative joint disease) Deep lacerations Septicaemia

For more information, contact and case studies visit: lipogemsequine.com @lipogemsequine Dr Tim Watson BVM&S, PhD, MRCVS Waterlane Equine Vets, tim.watson@mail.com Mob: 07557 857 793

www.polotimes.co.uk

Mr Murray Shotter BVSc MRCVS Shotter and Byers Equine Surgery, murray.shotter@shotterandbyers.co.uk Tel: 01306 627 706

Mr Bruce Middleton MA Vet MB MRCVS Blackdown Equine Clinic, bruce.vet@hotmail.com Mob: 07766 993 085

Mr Clive Hamblin B Vet Med MRCVS Collis Equine Services, chamblin@btconnect.com Mob: 07831 385 515

Dr. Jessica A. Kidd BA, DVM, CertES(Orth), Dipl ECVS, MRCVS Valley Equine Hospital kiddvet@gmail.com Mob: 07723 317 708 Polo Times, July 2017

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Knowledge

Prof. Martín Perez is an Argentine-born physical coach for polo players, who works with professionals and patrons throughout the polo community from high to low goal. In 2014, he founded the company Fitness for Polo, with the aim of bringing the advantages of polo specific training to a wider audience

Fitness For Polo

Pentathlete Polo Shooting, fencing, swimming, showjumping, running and… polo This month leading physical coach for polo players and founder of Fitness for Polo, Martín Perez talks to Olympian Pentathlete Heather Fell about getting fit for polo and comparisons with other sports.

In 2008 Heather Fell took silver medal at the Beijing Summer Olympics in the women’s Modern Pentathlon. This is a gruelling collection of disciplines consisting of shooting, fencing, swimming, showjumping and running. This wide range of disciplines

requires a huge spectrum of skill and physicality from cardiovascular stamina to core strength and agility. Heather now competes all over in triathlons, focussing mainly on cycling.

Heather competed once again this year in the Jockeys vs Olympians match at the Beaufort Charity Day on Sunday 11 June.

After a training session with us up in the Cowdray area I wanted to find out more about how this Olympic athlete found the

sport of polo in comparison to other sports.

Despite coming from an equestrian, as well as a fitness background, it is interesting to note the strain that polo puts on even the fittest athletes out there, showing what a physically demanding sport it is and the importance in being fit specifically for it.

Regular and riding fitness of course come in to the equation, but concentrating on those polo muscles can mean the difference between strength and injury.

Tell me a little bit about your background (competitive and fitness related)?

“I was a full-time athlete in Modern Pentathlon (MP) and competed in that sport for over 10 years. Some of that was during studies and part time work. I won my Olympic medal in 2008 and then I could focus more on my sport due to the financial security.

“I retired from MP in 2014 and have always been keen to try new sports ever since. I am currently hooked on cycling and triathlon.

Any free time I have you’ll find me out doing one of the three sports.”

Photography by Ben Hastie Photography

You played in this last year, do you think knowing what was in store meant you could prepare better?

“I was more prepared to face our opponents, the jockeys, this year. They were surprisingly aggressive and keen to

Heather in action during the Jockeys vs Olympians match at the Beaufort Polo Club Charity Day

98

Polo Times, July 2017

www.polotimes.co.uk

Knowledge

Photograph courtesy of Heather Fell

Heather says she finds polo a “Great work out”

get contact in ride offs etc. I have had a little more practice alongside others as last year most of my learning was done purely with an instructor rather than life match situations.”

How did you feel physically after last time?

“Initially surprisingly out of breath in a match. I found my wrist muscles got really sore in training last time and this then restricted the hours I could put in as it was all very last minute.”

Have you played since?

“Sadly I did not play in between until a week ago when I realised I was in desperate need of some last-minute lessons again!”

How have you prepared for this match?

“I’ve squeezed in a couple of lessons and a stick and ball session. I have tried to ride different horses and on different pitches with different instructors so I do not get complacent and can continue to learn from the best.”

How have you felt after training?

“This year I am finding it is more my groin/ adductor muscles that are sore – I am hoping this is because I am moving more and putting myself in a better position prior to my swing.”

What is your everyday training schedule like?

“It is so varied as I work freelance and train for triathlon whenever I can. At the moment I am training anything from 15-25 hours a week and the majority of that is on the bike.” www.polotimes.co.uk

What differences do you see in regular fitness, riding fitness and polo fitness?

“I have always noticed the difference in riding fitness to regular fitness and however much training I am or was doing, I would usually feel it the day after a cross country round for example. I do think my core, back muscles and thighs are relatively strong mainly from cycling. Although somehow playing in a match on the polo field gets me quite out of breath. After the first chukka my hands and legs were shaking, I think part was adrenaline, but a significant amount was fatigue.”

Did you do a warm up/ cool down?

“I must admit I am slightly lazy on this front.

I did a few shoulder mobility exercises and gently stretched out my adductors (as they were already tight from earlier in the week). As for afterwards, a gentle amount of stretching and a run the following day seemed to help.”

What muscles do you feel need extra work for polo?

“All of my back-extensor muscles seem to go into over drive. It is holding your position independently from the horse. As well as previously mentioned wrist extensors for controlling the stick. And the core is needed for riding full stop and even more so for polo.”

What exercises/ stretches would you suggest?

“I would love to do more yoga as I think this would help brilliantly with balance and reach on the pony as well as that core strength.

Any quad/glut exercise that ties in core

so one legged squats for example could work well. Prone lying extensions or back extensions would help for the core control and back muscle fatigue. As for the wrist, we used to do an exercise for shooting, but it is hard to describe without pics.

“As for stretches, you need good mobility around the shoulder (although from a swimming background this isn’t a problem for me) and anything else that is being worked in your polo playing position.”

How does the cardio side differ to your regular fitness?

“I think I must hold my breath for some of it as I would stop and be amazed at how out of breath I was. I think it is hard to concentrate on the ball whilst keeping breathing relaxed. I find myself going into the lactic and not staying in aerobic, especially towards the end of a chukka.”

Do you have a nutritional plan for regular competition?

“With cycling, power to weight ratio is important so nearer to competition I will need to drop some weight. At the moment, it is about fueling my training so I can work to my optimum in a session.”

Is polo a good workout?

“A great workout. Anything that can work your core, target strength and flexibility whilst giving a strong cardio workout gets a big tick from me.”

Polo Times, July 2017

99

Knowledge

Equipment Focus: Biddlecombe Saddle

Every month Stephen answers all manner of bit related questions from our readership – this month, he’s taking a bitting sabbatical, to talk saddles...

Gonzalito Pieres has endorsed the design

The Gonzalito saddle in Havana brown

Introducing The New ‘Gonzalito’ Saddle As a polo fanatic, I am pleased to announce a new product to the Stephen’s range of leatherwork – as reported in the previous issue of Polo Times, we have recently launched a new polo saddle, endorsed and used by 10 goal player, Gonzalito Pieres, winner of the 2016 Jaeger Le-Coultre Gold Cup. He was pivotal in the design, production and feel of the new Stephens saddle, which has been christened the ‘Gonzalito’, and spearheads the brand new sponsorship arrangement with the player. Gonzalito Pieres himself commented of the saddle that he really likes the style and design, “It sits very well on the horse’s back, doesn’t move and is very comfortable for both horse and rider.

The light weight is a big bonus too”. High praise indeed from Gonzalito!

The ‘Gonzalito’ is available in Havana brown, size 18”; with a classic wooden tree and wide gullet. Currently retailing at £995, for more information and/or to order, please contact me on 01825 840002.

100 Polo Times, July 2017

Top tips for choosing a new polo saddle 1. Choose a lightweight model to gain a competitive advantage, and reduce spinal pressure.

2. Look out for flaps that are sufficiently forward-cut, for a secure hitting platform.

3. Buy British if you can – the craftsmanship is second-to-none.

4. Compare gullet widths; in my experience, the wider the better, to ensure that the rider’s weight is more evenly distributed across the pony’s back.

5. Look out for a saddle that offers ‘close contact’ between the horse and the rider, for better communication in-play.

6. Remember that a square, medium-high cantle offers a secure platform for the rider to sit, swing and move from, whilst giving security.

7. Look for a well-balanced saddle that doesn’t ‘pitch’ you too far forward, and places you in the centre of gravity.

8. Look out for design features like suede across the seat, to offer extra grip and comfort.

9. Ask the manufacturer or retailer about the weight of the tree – lightweight is desirable!

10. Ensure the saddle does not move around on the pony’s back and always choose a safe and durable overgirth.

Stephen’s bitting feature returns in the next issue, so please submit your bitting questions to info@equineman.com – you will be entered into enter a prize draw to win a voucher towards a Bombers Bit of your choice.

WIN A BOMBERS BIT MEASURE! Email info@equineman.com to enter a prize draw to win a Bit Measure – entry is by 31 July – please put ‘Polo Times Bit Measure Contest’ in the subject line, together with your name and phone number.

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For nutrition advice or further information on our feeds please call,

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FEED THE DIFFERENCE

Knowledge

Medical Insight: Polodoc

Dr.med. Andreas Krüger 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

A Little Twist Too far Photography courtesy of Polodoc

A question of force until failure

A minor reason for knee injury is the external rotation of the knee while landing on the ground after jumping off the horse

Twisting the knee while playing polo is common and is a fundamental action needed by the rider for agility on the horse.

This is physiological to a certain extent, but above a lengthening of 10%, ligaments start to fail. This can happen during the swing where a strong rotational movement of the leg is important to keep the contact with the saddle. A twisting of the knee can also occur during the ride-off with full external rotation caused by the opponent. Direct blows to the knee through the opponent or direct contact with the horse are another cause. A minor reason for injury is the external rotation of the knee while landing on the ground after jumping off the horse.

Injury mechanism / anatomy An acute knee injury usually occurs suddenly through either direct trauma or a twisting action. Due to the fact that the knee is stabilised by musculature, ligaments and partially through the meniscus, rotational or deviating forces can lead to injury. The stabilisation is given on the inner side of the knee by the medial collateral ligament (MCL).

The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) does the same job on the outside of the knee. Internal as well as rotational stabilisation is given by the crucial ligaments (ACL – anterior and PCL – posterior cruciate ligament).

Additional ligaments help to stabilise the rotation in the knee in the posteromedial and posterolateral corner.

Symptoms Pain in the knee can vary in severity from very mild to very severe and this depends on the injury mechanism (how the injury occurred) and the forces involved during the impact. The pain can be sharp, dull, constant or intermittent after the injury. The amount of pain is not always proportional to the extent of injury.

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) repair

Photography courtesy of Polodoc

ACL rupture

The All-Inside® technique from Arthrex can be used to reconstruct the ACL

102 Polo Times, July 2017

Diagnostics Initial assessment should be done field-side with a clinical examination to check for knee instability and/or meniscus injury. In any case with acute swelling or blocking of the joint, an early MRI should be performed after a fracture is ruled out by standard X-ray assessment.

Therapy With low impact injuries (minimal strain), a short interval before returning to polo can

ACL Primary Repair with InternalBrace™

be sufficient if in the clinical examination no ligament/meniscal lesion is detected.

In the case of an isolated injury of the medial collateral ligament (MCL), an initial conservative therapy with taping/bandage (Trizone Compex®) or bracing (Defiance III Donjoy®) is dependent upon the degree of injury (partial rupture or total rupture).

In rare cases of on-going instability, a surgical reconstruction is needed with stabilisation or augmentation of the ligament.

In the case of an ACL injury, a wellconsidered treatment algorithm should be applied. This includes taking into account the skill level of the player; whether the injury is partial or total rupture with additional injuries, as well as time issues during the tournament season. This will help to find the best way back to the sport for the individual. In the case of a reconstruction of the ACL, a low profile tibial fixation method such as the AllInside® technique from Arthrex should be applied. The minimal trauma to the inner side of the knee will help to reduce contact pain www.polotimes.co.uk

Medical Insight: Polodoc

The Trizone is for minor injuries

Knowledge

Ligamys can be used to stabilise the knee joint

The Defiant is used for complex injuries

between the knee and saddle while playing.

The newest innovation in ACL surgery is the biological repair without the need of reconstruction with the help of a tendon graft. The idea to this technique, is bracing the torn ligament; alternatively, stabilising the knee joint with a spring mechanism during the healing phase (InternalBrace™, Ligamys).

In general, it is strongly advised not to carry on playing if you have acute knee pain as this can easily progress to more complex knee injuries, which can be deleterious to the active polo career.

Fabio Meier demonstrates how knee rotation can occur during play

WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR

Photograph by Cymon Skinner: People of Polo

l

Acute swelling with joint effusion

l

Giving way symptoms (problem with control of the knee)

l

Persistent pain and blocking over two weeks

For more information on Polodoc contact Andreas KrĂźger at drmedkrueger@gmail.com

Jan-Erik Frank demonstrating that twisting the knee is a common action in polo

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, July 2017 103

Knowledge

Playing Tips

Playing tips with Rege Ludwig The Shoulder Factor Renowned polo coach, Rege Ludwig gives his expert advice on how to get more out of your game

If you can accept the fact that angles relate directly to creating power within the swing of the mallet, and that every joint in your body allows for the creation of at least one angle, then you should be aware that your shoulder is a joint capable of producing multiple angles or movements: • up/down • back/forward • rotate clockwise/counter clockwise.

Those angles are significant from the perspective that a greater degree of power can be generated from a compound movement joint, (shoulder), than from a single movement joint, (elbow).

I have been aware that the shoulder is crucial to creating power within the swing, however, I did not understand how or why until recently. I had an itch just below my right ear, and both of my hands were full, so, I lifted my right shoulder up to scratch the itch. As my shoulder was scratching the itch, pieces of déja-vu started falling into place and I began to understand the use of the shoulder within the swing process.

The shoulder being a multiple angle joint can develop more power than can a single angle joint.

Without doubt, each angle associated with shoulder movement produces its own degree of power, however, when combined in succession with the other angles (movements) of the shoulder, that compounding effect enhances the over-all power of the shoulder. Because of this, the shoulder is the joint from which the greatest amount of power can be generated throughout the swing process.

To help you better understand the movements of the shoulder joint, experiment with the following – while standing on the ground with your right arm hanging straight down, lift your right shoulder up to just about touching your ear. The shoulder having been lifted up can then be pulled down to generate power in the down swing.

Next, with your shoulder down, lift it again. However, this time pull, your right shoulder back before lifting it. This time your shoulder will be lifted to behind your ear.

From your shoulder having moved back, it can be moved forward to generate even more power during the forward phase of the downswing.

104 Polo Times, July 2017

Lifting the shoulder

Lifting the shoulder with a backwards movement

Lifting the shoulder back and up at the same time

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Playing Tips

Knowledge

Lifting the arm above the head causing the shoulder to rotate

Next, making sure to keep your right upper arm pressed in toward your torso, begin lifting your upper arm back and up to where your elbow is slightly above the top of your head. Doing so causes your shoulder to rotate forward and compress forward toward the back of your ear.

Take the time now to experiment for a moment – with your elbow well above your head, allow it to drop slowly half way down, then lift it again. Feel the ball end of the humerus bone rotating in the shoulder socket. That is a significant angle and movement relative to creating power.

With your shoulder having rotated up and forward it can then be rotated back and down adding even greater power to the downswing.

I realised that the movement of your elbow above your head, and your shoulder rotating forward toward your ear are angles from which the greatest degree of power can be generated from the shoulder.

The essence of the shoulder situation is, each of the three angles creates its own source of power to the swing process. However, when those angles are compounded sequentially, power is increased dramatically.

A significant factor to keep in mind, relative to moving your right shoulder back, lifting it up and rotating it forward is, you are stretching the incredibly strong pectoral muscles of your chest, as well as the comparable scapular muscles of your back. The significance of those muscles stretching is, the more they are stretched by way of lifting your elbow further up, the more strongly they can be contracted, or pulled, down to generate still more power during the downswing; and in effect, generate even greater power into the hit of the ball. Factor those shoulder angles into an offside forehand.

While being sure to keep your upper arm pressed in toward your torso, rotate your

right shoulder and mallet hand back initiating the backswing phase,.

When you are ready to move your hand and the mallet up to the top of the downswing, do so by lifting your upper arm up to where your elbow is above your head. At that point, your shoulder joint will have rotated forward, and compressed forward toward your right ear. With your elbow positioned well above your head, the pectoral and scapular muscles have been stretched and are ready to be contracted for the purpose of initiating a powerful downswing and hit of the ball.

To the best of my knowledge, the multiple angle, or movement, aspect of the shoulder is a relatively new concept associated with swinging the polo mallet to hit the ball. As a consequence, extensive practice with using your shoulder in this manner will prove to be productive in developing a swing capable of producing a more powerful hit of the ball.

Rotating the shoulder from the top of the downswing

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Polo Times, July 2017 105

Horse Riding Holidays Worldwide info@farandride.com

01462 701110

Equipment Focus

Knowledge

A Saddle Rack Designed to Fit

Andrew Nebbett Designs Andrew Nebbett comes from a family of designers. His grandfather was Head of Interior Design at Harrods, London through the 60s, 70s and 80s and designed houses for a variety of people, including Brian Epstein

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of The Beatles and foreign royal families.

Thus the phrase ‘… it’s in the blood’ is particularly appropriate. Andrew’s experience of dealing in antiques and designer pieces, coupled with his natural design flare has led him to develop a very special range of tack racks for the equestrian sector.

Andrew’s unique design of saddle rack tackles some of the pain-points so often experienced with traditional saddle racks.

Andrew’s design supports the saddle in exactly the right place, preventing much of the usual damage and marking that standard saddle racks inflict.

Chris Burton, Olympic Medalist and Burghley Winner, commented “Andrew Nebbett Designs make a beautiful rack, which really protects the saddle. It doesn’t press on the panel, and the side bars of the rack stop the flaps from curling. (And when you think about the costs of some of the saddles we all use – seems crazy to not protect them as much as possible!)”

Offering both a made-to-measure service, or a standard ready-to-go option, Andrew Nebbett Designs brings both style, elegance and practicality to the tack room.

For more information about Andrew Nebbett Designs’ Equestrian Range, including their unique design of saddle rack, visit www.andrewnebbettdesigns.co.uk/ equestrian

Polo Times, July 2017 107

Sidelines

Gossip

ROWING FOR A CAUSE

EYES ON THE PRIZE

The Polo Times press squad spotted HM The Queen eyeing up the Cartier prizes for the players at The Cartier Queen’s Cup Subsidiary Final and Final presentations.

BLAST FROM THE PAST Spotted: Mini Cambiaso checking how many times Adolfo has won the illustrious Queen’s Cup title – the answer including this year, 10 of course!

Tarquin Southwell has announced that he will be taking part in the three day ocean rowing race, the NOMAN race, with the aim of raising money and awareness for an HPV vaccine. To find out more, turn to our News pages.

HPA VACANCY

The HPA has announced an opening at their HQ for the position of Communications and Membership Officer, and Equine Passport Registrar. If comms, members and passports are your thing, then this is the job for you! Contact enquiries@hpa-polo.co.uk for more information.

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

PAMPERED POLO POOCH

Wilma the Whippet was spotted enjoying the June issue of Polo Times as well as a spot of sunshine in comfort. If you have spotted a polo pooch enjoying Polo Times, let us know at editorial@polotimes.co.uk and we will print their picture.

RING ON THE FINGER! Congratulations to Royston Prisk and Rosie Chell on their engagement! We look forward to the invite!

GET WELL SOON Chris Mathias took a fall in his Royal Windsor game on Saturday 10 June and has broken his collarbone – hopefully he’ll be back in action soon!

WEDDING BELLS!

Cambridge County’s Sam Outtridge tied the knot with Pippa (née Dwan) on Saturday 20 May at Mistley Church, with a plethora of polo players in attendance. Congratulations to you both!

JOB SWAP

On the day we went to press La Indiana’s Nic Roldan and GB Olympic Eventer William Fox-Pitt swapped discipline for charity during the UK Sunset Polo excitement. We wonder how Nic got on with the big jumps?

108 Polo Times, July 2017

OUCH!

Martin Ffrench Blake took a tumble in the second chukka of the Apsley Cup at Cirencester and has broken his ribs – it’s such a shame Lipogems hasn’t been approved yet for humans as he could speed up his convalescence! We wish him a quick recovery.

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Tom, Meredith & Alex Brodie

Chris & Verity Adkins

Chris & Maggie Hyde

Seb & Louisa Dawnay

Lucy Coddington Tony Ramirez James Turner, Becky Simpson & Martin Ambridge

12th Annual Polo Awards; Guards Polo Club; Tuesday 30 May

High Goalers & High Rollers

Jonny Coddington

Every year players, supporters, families and friends of the polo community all gather under one roof to celebrate the biggest achievements, personalities, teams and patrons of the UK polo circuit.

This year, the Polo Awards were celebrating their 12th year, and Guards Polo Club played host once again. Guests swapped gossip, summer plans and hot favourites for the high goal, whilst sipping a glass or three of Laurent-Perrier champagne accompanied with a delightful selection of Mosimann’s canapés. As the sun bade farewell over The Queen’s Ground, the awards were presented alongside even more Mosimann’s delicacies for the three-course supper. The evening’s entertainment didn’t stop there, as guests were baffled by a thrilling magic display. As the awards themselves drew to a close, the party continued at the Clubhouse bar until final carriages signalled the end of this year’s plaudits.

Luke Tomlinson

Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Hazel Jackson & Ivan Gaona

Jaime Huidobro

George Meyrick

Lise & Neil Hobday

Antony Fanshawe

John & Lucy Bunn

Peter Barfoot & Angela Cooper

Tom Morley & Tessa Foot

Max Kirchhoff & Genny D’Arcy Owen

Andrew Drummond Moray & Nadja Swarovski

Sophie & Jonny Good

Robyn Hine & Bruce Merivale-Austin

Rich Hine & Shahrukh Khan

Lesley Sweeney & John Collins

Romilla & Simon Arber

Olivia & Stephen Hutchinson

Victor Law OBE, KStJ & Sir Charles ‘Cow’ Williams

Annie & Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers

Flora Richardson & Richard Tyrone Continues overleaf

Clare & David Ashby

James & Shannon Harper

Ralph & Jack Richardson

Simon Keyte

Marcos di Paola & Facundo Pieres

Hugo Lewis & Saskia Meadows

Andrew Hine

Nic Roldan & Gonzalito Pieres

Fra & David Woodd

Nina & John Paul Clarkin

Karl Ude-Martinez

D’Artagnan Gierke, Terence Lent, Charles Cooney & Tom Brodie

John & Judy Tinsley

Flaca & Pancho Marín-Moreno

Royston Prisk

Jock Green-Armytage, Georgina & Richard Britten-Long

Tissy Van Reyk & Ebe Sievwright

María Teresa Donoso

Lucas Lujan

Jason Dixon

The Cartier Queen’s Cup Semi Final & Final; Guards Polo Club; 14 & 18 June

Hot to Trot

James & Lauren Beim

As the temperatures soared, crowds flocked to Guards Polo Club for the Semi Final stages on Wednesday 14 June and the Final match on Sunday 18 June. Whilst the ponies worked up a sweat on the pitch, supporters worked up a thirst and topped up their tans in the stands as the sun beat down upon the panama capped crowds. Super-smart hospitality was enjoyed in the Clubhouse, whilst the ‘La Martina lawn’ saw guests enjoy drinks in the sun and delicious food from Mosimann’s. Lavish picnics were on display along the far side of the ground and in the packed car parks. It was VIPs galore, with celebs enjoying the hospitality of the Cartier enclosure which had been transformed into a quintessentially colourful ‘English Garden’, whilst HM The Queen took her seat in The Royal Box and later presented the prizes to the Final and Subsidiary Final teams.

Ricardo Massu

Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Lady Martina Lowe & Maria Vázquez

HM The Queen enjoys the polo in glorious sunshine

Jan-Erik Franck & Diana Butler Paul Hennessy & Brigitte Hennessy Pauli Roberts, Ollie Cudmore & Posy Ash

Malcolm Borwick

Graham Wooldrdige & Charlie Wooldridge’s son Oak

Stephen & Olivia Hutchinson

Claire Tomlinson

Roger Carlsson

Carolina Beresford with her brother, MVP of the match Tommy Beresford

Nicky Burston, Lieutenant Colonel Sean O’Dwyer & James Burston

Helen Bowen Green, Dean Andrews, Tissy Van Reyk & Heather Lodder

Adolfo Cambiaso gets kitted-up

Ben Soleimani

Neil Hobday

Laurent & Carine Feniou & Facundo Pieres

Robert Mehm

Vieri & Jo Antinori and family

Charlie Hanbury

Hugo Porta & Juan Ignacio ‘Pite’ Merlos

Shahrukh Khan

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The Festival of Electric Bicycle Polo; Longdole Polo Club; Friday 26 May Pippa Hutton

Charlie Hanbury

Energising Electric Polo On a sunny afternoon at the end of May, Longdole Polo Club once again hosted the annual Festival of Electric Bicycle Polo in aid of the Watershed RDA. A fun night was had by all and everyone survived – just! The Groom’s Men team managed to reach the church on time the next day for Dave Allen’s wedding to equine chiropractor Steph Targett. Pippa Hutton gave a wonderful Dressage to Music Demonstration, the same performance from Badminton Horse Trials this year, on Prince Armignac 111, which everyone enjoyed. The overall bike polo winners were Kiss my Apps who beat eCycles UK. Over £2,000 was raised on the evening for The Watershed Riding for the Disabled Group, based at Coates near Cirencester. The charity expressed their thanks to their sponsors Longdole Polo Club, eCycles UK, Jackson-Stops Cotswold, RJ Polo, Talland Equestrian Centre, Lodge Security, Polo Times and The Polo Magazine.

Photography of Tom Reynolds

Rob Fidler

Sandra Whelan & Kate Potter

Peter West

Tom Beim & Ollie Cudmore on the attack

James Beim

Sue Anderson & Kate Purves

Zahra Lucas, Jacob Kirby & Kate Beim

Kathy Mottershead & Lorraine Hackett

Dave Allen

Henry Jones

LINK HOMES BRITISH BEACH POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS

Two days of high adrenaline polo and legendary beach parties on Sandbanks Beach FRIDAY 7TH | SATURDAY 8TH JULY 2017 SANDBANKS BEACH, DORSET

WWW.SANDPOLO.COM

Nico San Roman

Jonny Whinfrey & David Vickerstaff

William Morris, Josh Charlton-Briggs, Vicky Fenner, Elli Gillje & Amy Nizolek

La Martina Varsity Polo Day; Guards Polo Club; Saturday 3 June

Battle of the Blues

Katarina, Lady Chelsea & Charlie Cadogan

2017 marked the 119th Varsity Polo Day, which for the second year was sponsored by La Martina. Oxford once again retained the trophy against age-old adversaries Cambridge in the main event of the day. The end of exams meant their were plenty of students celebrating a summer of freedom and combined with the sunshine, the atmosphere was a very relaxed affair. The La Martina automated horse provided the perfect opportunity to tune-up your swing, plus Mosimann’s had a variety of delectable dishes from their BBQ. British Polo Gin were once again on hand with refreshments, this time with the specially created, blue-themed Varsity Cocktail. All of this was set against Brendan O’Sullivan’s Rat Pack swing – who could have asked for more?

David Ashby & Stephanie Price

Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

John & Celina Benedict Issa Patel

Guests were refreshed with British Polo Gin

Alex Rose & Sam Browne

Darren Bell, Becky Simpson & Martin Ambridge

Oliver & Rick Melvill with Mark Holmes

Dolapo Ibitoye

Oxford University Polo Club team

Ryan Robertson & Will Lucas

Celebrating Longdole’s cash win at LDF International Polo

Ilijana Parojcic, Hetty Blake, Steph Whitman & Alice Briggs

Longdole’s Disney Party; Longdole Polo Club; Sunday 11 June

Disney, Drinks & Dancing

Ryan Robertson & Mauna Wood

The evening started with the celebration of Alex Wood and Elizabeth Tyson’s birthdays and then the doors were opened to Buzz Lightyear, 101 Dalmations, Captain Jack Sparrow, Tinkerbell and many more of the Club’s favourite characters. It was a great night with plenty of free flowing beverages. A hilariously funny evening with a huge effort going into the fancy dress and as much effort going into the shot drinking! A variety of Cinderlla shoes were found all around Longdole the next morning and the lost property box was overflowing with Robin Hood’s hat and bow, Buzz’s wings, a Beast wig and Snow White’s pretty red bows.

Ben Reisima & Megan Payne

Photography by Zahra Lucas

Dorothy, Micheyla Steele, Amy Warner & Laura King Steph Allen & Will Lucas

Tina Moyles & Sarah Hughes

Tigger & Piglet

Antonio David Vallejos, Tommy Severn & Matias Bitar

Jade Hull

Hector Chamberlain, Miss Flamingo & EB Barrington

Lucy Gibson, Alisa Biard, Molly, Amy Warner, Laura King

07946 424 740

Aimee Mullett, Liz Taylor & Anna Matthews

Lucy Cox

Open Season Party; Dallas Burston Polo Club; Friday 19 May

Dazzling Dallas The odds were stacked against this year’s Open Season Party as the heavens opened and soaked the grounds of Dallas Burston Polo Club making pre-party polo unplayable. But thanks to the DBPC all-weather SuperArena and the wonderful talents of BE100 rider Amy, the equestrian demo kicked off the evening’s entertainment in stunning fashion. The first act took to the stage as a delicious assortment of elegant canapés circled the room. Live Karaoke brought the guests to their feet as the IXL Events Centre was rocked by classic anthems and popular party tunes. British Polo Gin were on hand to rehydrate the thirsty revellers with their delicious Chukka Cocktails.

Photography by VanillaScent Photography & Reflected Images

Huw Beavan, Bruce Crawford & Jane Kang

Sue Walter & Fred Walter

Guests enjoying 100% organic British Polo Gin

Sheils Wheels & Michelle Spiers

Richard Gunton & Michael Bailey

Rachael Woodhouse & Ed Kennedy

Jackie Brown, Martin Ffrench Blake & Kate Gandy

Kim Croutear & Richard Britten-Long

President’s Cocktail Party; The Mansion, Cirencester Park; Friday 2 June

Drinks at The Mansion On a warm, summer evening, The Earl and Countess Bathurst were kind enough to welcome the glitterati of Cirencester Park Polo Club into their home for the annual President’s Cocktail Party. A fabulous evening was had by all, with over 150 members and guests enjoying cocktails, canapés and Laurent-Perrier champagne in the glorious house and gardens. The evening was wiled away with chatter about the upcoming season and exciting events taking place this year.

Dolly Maude & Arabella Morris

Anne Marie Bork Eppers & Andy Farmer

Samantha Elwell & Lucy Wilson

Tamara Fox, Gabrielle Culmer & Nina Clarkin

Photography by Tom Reynolds

Mikey Howe & Dean Geddes

Peter Morris & Gaynor Hutton

Zsa Zsa Hermeth & Tim Keyte

The Earl & Countess Bathurst

Sarah Louise & Richard Roberts of R&R Catering Hire Ltd

Tabba & Tilda Woodd

Honey & Monte Swaine-Grainger

Mahesh & Rita Parmer

Paulo Bertola, Gonzalo Marcus & Juan Ortelli

Zahra Kassim-Lakha of Jaeger-LeCoultre

Talandracas’s Flacco Gaztambide & La Bamba de Areco’s Rodrigo Rueda

Roderick Vere Nicoll

The busy polo crowd at 13 Old Bond Street

The Gold Cup with the engraved Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso watches destined for the winners alongside the massive Salamanazar of Louis Roederer Champagne destined for the winning patron

Nic Roldan

Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup Draw; 13 Old Bond Street; Monday 12 June

All That Glitters is Gold

The great and the good of polo packed into the the Jaeger-LeCoultre’s flagship boutique at 13 Old Bond Street, London for the much awaited Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup Draw.

As guests caught up on the latest polo high goal gossip it was wonderful that Chairman of Cowdray Polo Club, Peter Barfoot, who had a polo accident last year was in attendance and welcomed everybody to the event. Nic Roldan was spotted trying on one of the four, limited edition, Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso watches which are bespoke engraved with the Cowdray logo – if La Indiana emerge as the victors he will get to keep one as they will be presented to the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup winning team. The massive Salamanazar of Louis Roederer Champagne, which will also be presented to the winning patron, was on display alongside The Gold Cup itself – containing 18 bottles of champagne it will certainly get the post-Final party flying. So, the draw is done and the prizes admired so all that is set to be decided is who will win and be at that all important Salamanazar celebration.

Watch this space…

Lorraine Ricard-Sholler

Photography by Dominic James for Jaeger-LeCoultre @jamesesq @jaegerlecoultre

Zahra Kassim-Lakha & Clare Milford Haven

Ben & Gimena Soleimani

Lila Pearson & Peter Barfoot

Nick Clarke

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup Draw

Chris Bethell shuffles the names

Fred Mannix

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Dates for Your Diary

What’s On

July UK Club Fixtures Cowdray – Benson Cup (4-8): 13 June – 2 July Cowdray – Texaco Trophy (8-12): 20 June – 8 July Cowdray – Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup (20-22): 26 June – 23 July Kirtlington – Secretary’s Cup (8): 28 June – 2 July Cowdray – Heyshott Cup (0-6): 28 June – 9 July Binfield Heath – Borough Marsh Farm (0-4 & -4-0): 1 – 2 July Ranelagh – Copa De La Estancia (2-4): 1 – 2 July Cambridge County – Timba Tournament (0-4 & -4-0): 1 – 2 July All Ireland – Presidents Cup (0-4): 1 – 2 July Fifield – The Stewart Hickman Memorial Trophy (0-4): 1 – 2 July Taunton – The Aden Visit Cup (2-4): 1 – 2 July Vaux Park – Sponsored Tournament (4 & 2): 1 – 2 July Edgeworth – Midsummer Plate (0-2): 1 – 2 July Knepp Castle – Apes Hill 2 Goal Tournament (0-2): 1 – 2 July Hurtwood – Colin’s Cup (-2-2): 1 – 2 July Tidworth – Douglas Nugent Cup (0-2 & -4-0): 1 – 2 July White Waltham – Canadian Bear Challenge Trophy (-4-0): 1 – 2 July New Forest – Rudkin Cup (-4-0): 1 – 2 July Pangbourne – The Thai Polo Invitational Trophy (17-22): 1 – 2 July Cheshire – White Horse Trophy (-4- -1): 1 – 2 July Rugby – The Onley Plate (-8- -4): 1 – 2 July Rutland – Amateurs Cup (-8- -4): 1 – 2 July Taunton – Pollard Cup (-6- -4): 1 – 2 July Druids Lodge – Balaclava Trophy (6-8): 1 – 7 July Kirtlington – Secretary’s Cup (4-8): 1 – 8 July Vale of York – Bawtry Cup/Aurora Cancer Centre Open (Open): 2 July Westcroft Park – Bolebrook Cup (-2-2): 2 – 3 July Westcroft Park – Surrey Hills Summer Cup (-2-2 & 4-8): 3 – 16 July Cirencester – The Queen Mother Trophy (8-12): 3 – 16 July Beaufort – The Novices Cup (-2-2): 4 – 15 July Guards – Roberts Cup (0-4): 4 – 16 July Cowdray – July 4 Goal Cup (0-4): 4 – 16 July Coworth – Indian Empire Shield (15-18): 4 – 22 July Cowdray – 1921 Cup (4-8): 4 – 22 July Druids Lodge – Midsummer Trophy (Summer League) (Open): 4 – 30 July Burningfold – Ifold 4 Goal (4): 5 – 9 July RCBPC – The Julian and Howard Hipwood Trophy (4-8): 5 – 22 July Cheshire – BFSS Trophy (-6- -2): 7 – 8 July DBPC – The July Cup (-6- -2): 8 – 9 July Silver Leys – Silver Leys Cup (-4- -2, 0-2 & -2-0): 8 – 9 July Cheshire – Inter Hunt Cup (-4- -1): 8 – 9 July Ranelagh – Lifebook 12 Goal Trophy (10-12): 8 – 9 July Hurtwood – Odds and Sods (Open): 8 – 9 July Knepp Castle – 4 Goal Tournament (2-4): 8 – 9 July Fifield – Harum Scarum Trophy (4-6): 8 – 9 July www.polotimes.co.uk

DBPC – The Fine & Country Warwickshire Gold Cup (2-6): 8 – 9 July Wicklow – 6 Goal Tournament (0-6): 8 – 9 July Binfield Heath – Mixed Tournament (0-2): 8 – 9 July Druids Lodge – Emerson Trophy (1-2): 8 – 9 July Suffolk – Mansfield Advisors’/Tattersalls July Tournament (-4- 2): 8 – 9 July Cheshire – Heaton Bowl (0-2): 8 – 9 July New Forest – Parkinson Cup (-4-0): 8 – 9 July DBPC – Lindy Whiteley Memorial Trophy (-4-0): 8 – 9 July Taunton – The Dubai Trophy (-2-0): 8 – 9 July White Waltham – The Arena Polo Challenge Trophy (-2-0): 8 – 9 July West Wycombe – Sponsor’s Cup (Open): 8 – 16 July Tidworth – Manlein Cup (-2-0 & -6- -2): 9 July Vale of York – Parkinsons Cup (Open): 9 July Longdole – July Balvanera Family Tournament (Open): 10 – 14 July Emsworth – 12 Goal Gold Cup (12): 10 – 22 July Cirencester – St James’s Pace (The Town Cup) (6-10): 11 – 22 July Kirtlington – Dent Cup (4-6): 12 – 16 July Burningfold – Burningfold 6 Goal Cup (6): 12 – 22 July RCBPC – 6 Goal Open Tournament (4-6): 13 – 16 July Cheshire – Hogan Cup (-2-1): 14 – 15 July Beaufort – The Henderson Rosebowl (0-4): 14 – 23 July Cambridge County – Fendown Dustup Tournament (0-4 & -4-0): 15 – 16 July Binfield Heath – Phillimore Trophy (-4-0 & 4-6): 15 – 16 July Eastwood – Eastwood Challenge Cup (-2-0): 15 – 16 July White Waltham – Tai Tai Tournament (-4-0): 15 – 16 July Vaux Park – Frogmary Green Farm Trophy (2): 15 – 16 July Ranelagh – Ranelagh Club Trophy (-2-2): 15 – 16 July Taunton – Orchard Portman Trophy (-2-2): 15 – 16 July Rutland – The Gilks Trophy (0-2): 15 – 16 July Fifield – MOTO Summer Gold Cup (0-2): 15 – 16 July Hurtwood – The Ewhurst Charity Cup (-2-2): 15 – 16 July Edgeworth – The 4 Goal Cup (0-4): 15 – 23 July Cirencester – RJ Polo Tournament (-2-2): 15 – 30 July Westcroft Park – The Festival of Horsepower (Open): 16 July Vale of York – Crowle of Show at Crowle (Open): 16 July Guards – Social Cup (6-10): 18 – 30 July Emsworth – Silver Cup (6): 18 – 30 July Emsworth – Windsor Cup I (6): 18 – 30 July Cirencester – Doug Brown Cup (0-6): 18 – 30 July Rutland – Escalina Cup (Open): 19 July Rutland – Masters (Over 50) (Open): 19 July Cirencester – Cirencester 26 Goal (Gloucestershire Cup) (24-26): 20 – 27 July Hurtwood – The Gaucho Cup (-4-2): 21 – 22 July

Polo directory

Silver Leys – Mid Summer Cup (-4- -2 & -2-0): 21 – 23 July Dundee – Summer Cup (0-4): 21 – 23 July Knepp Castle – Polo Escape 2 Goal Tournament (0-2): 21 – 23 July Beaufort – The Bat Cup (0-10): 21 – 30 July DBPC – The Quatro Trophy (0-4): 22 – 23 July Offchurch Bury – The Silver Plate (-4-0 & -8- -4): 22 – 23 July Ranelagh – Polo Manager’s Trophy (0-2 & 4-6): 22 – 23 July White Waltham – The Telemark Tournament (-2-2): 22 – 23 July Beverley – BPC Summer Tournament (0-4 & -6- -2): 22 – 23 July DBPC – The Claret Jug (-6- -2): 22 – 23 July West Wycombe – Countryside Cup (-6-0 & -4-0): 22 – 30 July West Wycombe – Countryside Cup (-6-0): 22 – 30 July FHM – La Julia Challenge Trophy (-8- -4): 23 July Cheshire – Jaguar Cup (-4- -1 & 0-2): 23 July Vale of York – Hunt Cup (Open): 23 July Rugby – The Kangaroo Challenge (-6- -2): 23 – 24 July Cambridge County – The Cavendish Cup (6-8): 24 – 30 July Kirtlington – The Oxfordshire Bowl (6-8): 25 – 30 July Vale of York – 4th Crown Hotel Plate (Open ): 26 July Burningfold – Cherry Tree 2 Goal (2): 26 – 30 July RCBPC – 4 – 6 Goal Open Tournamnet (4-6): 27 – 30 July Taunton – Houldsworth Cup (2-6): 27 – 30 July Tidworth – WIP European Mixed Doubles Championships (-2-2): 28 July Hurtwood – Jay’s Trophy (2-4): 28 – 30 July Ranelagh – Copa Verano (-2-0): 28 – 30 July Rutland – Preston Lodge Bowl (-4-0): 29 – 30 July Knepp Castle – Chairman’s Trophy (-2-0): 29 – 30 July Edgeworth – Clinton’s Trophy (0): 29 – 30 July Cheshire – Jean Kewley Trophy (-4-0): 29 – 30 July White Waltham – The Cedar Polo Trophy (-2-0): 29 – 30 July Fifield – Hornero Trophy (2-4 & 4-8): 29 – 30 July Westcroft Park – Windlesham Trophy (2-4): 29 – 30 July Cheshire – Causeway Racing Cup (-4- -1): 29 – 30 July Binfield Heath – Summer Festival (12): 30 July Tidworth – Family Challenge Cup (Open): 30 July Binfield Heath – Summer Festival (0, 2, 4, 6): 30 July

Military Polo

Druids Lodge – Sassoon Cup (0): 1 July Druids Lodge – Balaclava Cup (Open): 1 July Tidworth – RAF Development vs Army Development (Open): 2 July Guards – Inter-Regimental Cup (Open): 6 – 9 July Guards – United Services Cup (CSPA vs RSA) (Open): 9 July Tidworth – Rundle Cup (Open): 8 July Tidworth – ICOA Trophy (Open): 8 July Tidworth – Captains & Subalterns Trophy (Open): 15 – 16 July Tidworth – Light Infantry Trophy (-4-0 & 0-2): 22 – 23 July Polo Times, July 2017 127

Polo directory

St Tropez – Polo Women Cup (10-14): 30 June – 2 July Blueys – Ladies Tournament (-4-0): 1 – 2 July Fifield – Ladies Mixed Festival (-4-0 & 0-2): 1 – 2 July Knepp Castle – Knepp Castle Ladies Tournament for The Racehorse Sanctuary (12-18): 12 – 16 July Knepp Castle – International Ladies Tournament (Open): 14 – 15 July Cowdray – British Ladies Championships (12-18): 14 – 22 July Guards – Ladies International Test Match: 29 July Cirencester – Cirencester Ladies Tournament (12-18): 25 – 30 July Cirencester – The International Ladies (12-18): 25 – 30 July Epsom – Ladies Tournament (-4-0): 29 – 30 July New Forest – Women’s Festival (-8-12): 29 – 30 July Tidworth – WIP European Mixed Doubles Championship Finals (-2-2): 30 July Guards – Lord Beresford Cup/Ladies Charity Polo Trophy: 22 August – 2 September

America

Santa Barbara – The Belmond El Encanto Polo Cup (16): 7 – 9 July Santa Barbara – Robert Skene Trophy (16): 14 – 23 July Santa Barbara – Engel & Völkers USPA America Cup (16): July 28 – 6 August Santa Barbara – Gulfstream Pacific Coast Open (16): 10 – 27 August

Kenya

Gilgil – Mugs Mug (Open): 20 – 23 July Gilgil – Bwana Begg & Connaught (Open): 28 – 30 July Manyatta – Timau Cavalry & Schools (Open): 18 – 20 August Manyatta – Timau (Open): 25 – 27 August Nairobi – Kenya International 6 Goal: 15 – 17 September Nairobi – Kenya International 12 Goal: 22 – 24 September

Social Events France

St Tropez – International Polo Cup (8-10 & 12-15): 6 – 16 July St Tropez – Polo Masters Open de Gassin (8-10 & 12-15): 20 –30 July

Rutland – ‘Hollywood’ Summer Ball: 1 July Kirtlington – Kirtlington Park Polo Club Summer Ball: 5 August Cirencester – The End of Season Party: 24 September

Youth Polo

Cheshire – Junior County Cup (2-6): 10 – 16 July Cowdray – Pony Club Championships (Open): 11 – 13 July Vaux Park – Pony Club Tournament (Open): 17 July Taunton – Pony Club Tournament (Open): 18 July Frampton – Pony Club Tournament (Open): 20 July Suffolk – Pony Club Tournament (Open): 22 July Haggis Farm – Pony Club Tournament (Open): 23 July Kirtlington – Pony Club Tournament (Open): 25 July Epsom – Pony Club Tournament (Open): 27 July Hurtwood – Pony Club Tournament (Open): 28 July Hurtwood Park – 2017 Jorrocks Championships: 9 August Cowdray – 2017 Pony Club Polo Championships: 11 – 13 August Accra – Polistas International Test Match Series: 11 December

Something Different

Spain

Sotogrande – Tourneo Internacional Bajo: 26 July – 27 August Sotogrande – Tourneo Internacional Bajo: 26 July – 27 August

Druids Lodge – A Summer Polo Picnic: 1 July Poole – British Beach Polo Championships (Open): 7 – 8 July Cowdray – An Argentine Asado – 8 July The vO Polo Club – Polo Festival and Ball: 15 – 16 July Dallas Burston – Carnival of Polo: 15 – 16 September

Quick Question Answer South Africa

Inanda – Land Rover Africa Cup: 20 August

to the question posed on

our Letters page A: The Queen’s Cup was first played in 1960 and for a bonus point, the winners were The Centaurs (Jorge Marín Moreno, John L. Lucas, Gabriel Gracida & Sir Evelyn de Rothschild

Editor’s Note – All dates are correct at time of going to press. Polo Times takes no responsibility for fixtures moved, cancelled or altered. Always check with the Club(s) for the most up-to-date fixtures lists.

128 Polo Times, July 2017

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Polo Times, July 2017 131

Final bell

In association with Aprés Polo

0 goal Strategic Help for Heroes patron, and polo stalwart, Peter O’Rorke takes time out of his busy schedule to speak to us about his passions, as he begins his 2017 Victor Ludorum campaign.

Hardest opponent?

Us patrons, and lesser mortals, have our own battles at the front while no one is looking! I used to come off worse against Peter Barfoot for sure.

What is your biggest passion and why?

Mrs O’Rorke of course! But in respect of polo, I am particularly passionate this year about our Strategic Help for Heroes team association with the MOD ParaPolo initiative. These people are just inspirational.

Which sports do you like outside of polo?

I’m finally getting to the point of staying afloat when surfing. That’s a lot of fun and much less expensive than polo!

Favourite celebrity and why?

Hmmm. Not so great on the celebs.

Still, I’d be tongue tied if I met Dave Gilmour (guitarist from Pink Floyd) and probably have my tongue hanging out if I met Gemma Arterton, the actress.

Best holiday destination & activity My missus is from the US and so as a family we go to Charleston, South Carolina each year. It’s such a beautiful historic city and has some exceptional restaurants.

Courtesy of Ben Hastie

What is your all time best polo memory?

That’s tough after a lot of years! Winning the Assam Cup in 2014 was great, but I think winning the Barbados Open last year tops it all.

Most prized possession?

I’d be gutted if anything happened to my Taylor guitar.

Favourite film and why?

Any film directed by Ridley Scott. Alien, Prometheus, Gladiator etc. Epic – in the real sense.

Best pony and why.

I’m lucky to have a great string this year, but my best horse ever was Mario. He changed everything for my polo. RIP mate. Sob…

Favourite song/album?

Metallica’s Death Magnetic on the way to polo. Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde on the way back, to deal with the raw emotions.

Favourite food/dish?

My wife’s roast lamb, coupled with a good Pomerol.

Favourite hobby outside of polo?

I spend a lot of time ski-touring in the winter. By September, I need a break from galloping up and down and start thinking about couloirs.

Who were/are your favourite teammates and why?

My favourite teammate is of course Matty Evetts. He’s such an elegant horseman, but fiercely competitive at the same time.

132 Polo Times, July 2017

Are you passionately superstitious?

Not superstitious but if the stars are in the right position, do everything you can right then! Lottery ticket, marriage proposal, dodgy deal, big final chukka…

Describe yourself in three words…

Bald, Bold, Busy.

Name one thing which would surprise us about you?

I know quite a lot about Victorian painting! www.polotimes.co.uk

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