Polo Times July18

Volume 23 • Issue 6 • July 2018 • £6.50

GLORIOUS GUARDS Queen’s Cup & Royal Windsor Finals THE WESTCHESTER RETURNS Your Guide to The Westchester Cup 13TH ANNUAL POLO AWARDS Results & Interviews PLUS: SUPA Universities Champs & Victor Ludorum Update

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Cambiaso duo win Out-Sourcing Inc Royal Windsor Cup Final

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Contents

Contacts Publisher

What’s inside…

July 2018

Nick Hine publisher@polotimes.co.uk

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

Military Polo

94

71

Women’s Polo

Advertising Sales

74 77

Richard Hine richard@polotimes.co.uk

78 83

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Rebecca Hastie sales@hinemarketing.co.uk Principal Design James Morgan

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: Peter O’Rorke, Rosy Taylor, Stephen Biddlecombe, Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, Lorna Edgar, Sam Gairdner, Dr.med.

Andreas Krüger, Martín Perez, Ainsley Polo & ©Tony Ramirez/www.imagesofpolo.com

Contact details

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

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© Polo Times Limited 2018 and Database Right 2018 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

All Aspects of Youth Polo Javier Novillo Astrada U15 Memorial Tournament Cover Story: SUPA Universities Summer Championships 2018

Knowledge

29 Tony Ruddy

A Round-Up of Women’s Polo 5 Minutes With… Nina Clarkin

Youth Polo

Advertising & Subscription Sales

Additional Design

A Round-Up of Military Polo Action

85 Pony Power: Polo Times Best Playing

Polo Series 90 Equipment Focus: Bits – Tongue News

Sensitive Solutions 6 All the Latest News 92 Nutrition Focus: Yard Focus with 14 Do You Remember Why You

Olly Tuthill

Play Polo?

94 Horse Focus: The Future of 16 FIP Update

Lightweight Tack 96 Learn to Play: Play Polo – Comment

Lesson Three 18 Your Views: Letters & Social Media 98 Transport Focus: Matting Solutions 100 Polodoc: A Fracture – Do You Need Features

to Fix That?

20 Big Picture Fitness for Polo: Medicine Ball Blast 22 Cover Story: The Westchester Cup 102 Returns 29 Cover Story: 13th Annual Polo Sidelines 104 Gossip: Don’t Be the Last to Know!

Awards 106 Sidelines: Social Pages

Reports

37 Cover Story: Victor Ludorum Polo Directory 113 What’s On in July?

Update 118 Classifieds 42 Chestertons Polo in the Park 45 Gloucestershire Festival of Polo 53 Cover Story: The Cartier Queen’s Final Bell 120 Passions: Alec White Cup 60 The OUT-SOURCING! Inc Royal

Windsor Cup

SUBSCRIPTION PRICES

Club Focus 63

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

All subscribers receive an exclusive weekly newsletter and competition offers

Call on +44 (0)1452 730 770 Subscribe online: www.polotimes.co.uk

distributed without the consent of the Publisher. ‘Polo Times’ is the trade mark of Polo Times Limited. ISSN 1461-4685

Cover photograph: HM The Queen presents The Cartier Queen’s Cup trophy to La Indiana Captain Michael Bickford at Guards Polo Club. By © www.imagesofpolo.com

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Polo Times, July 2018

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from the Publisher

Household Cavalry Horses Looking for a New Home After a lifetime of honourable service, Hendrix is looking for a loving retirement home. He was an impeccable member of the HCMR for 12 years, but due to veterinary problems, he must now be retired. According to the HCMR, he is a true gentleman with no stable vices. Moving forward, he will be limited to be a field companion, with daily turnout and is looking for a home that can cater to his limited needs. If you feel that you may have the space and time for Hendrix, please email Kerry.alford432@mod.gov.uk

Hendrix is retiring from The Household Calvary and is looking for a retirement home

Brooke Launches Hack to Remember Day To mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme on Sunday 1 July, Brooke Action for Working Horses and Donkeys is urging riders across the UK to go out and Hack to Remember in memory of the horses, donkeys and mules who took part in this horrific battle. The day will highlight the charity’s year long Every Horse Remembered campaign, which marks 100 years since the end of World War I. If you’d like to take part, make sure you share your messages and pictures on social media, with the hashtag #HackToRemember.

Brooke is urging riders to take part in their Hack to Remember event on 1 July to mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme

Shandur Polo Festival The date for the 2018 Shandur Polo Festival has been announced. On Saturday 7 July, thousands of people will ascend to the highest polo field in the world, 3,732 metres above sea level in Pakistan, for this annual tournament. Over three days, the festival sees matches between neighbouring villages Gilgit and Chitral, who have for centuries used the sport of polo to settle disputes of all sorts.

Photograph courtesy of Shandur Polo Festival

Polo Times, July 2018

World Polo Events President, Reto Gaudenzi, has been presented with the ARAF Medal of Distinguished Services by General Elchin Guliyev

Photograph courtesy of Brooke

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The ‘Godfather of Snow Polo’ and President of World Polo Events, Reto Gaudenzi has been awarded the Medal of Distinguished Services by General Elchin Guliyev, Azerbaijan’s Minister for Border Control and President of ARAF (Equestrian Federation of the Azerbaijan Republic), for his outstanding services in establishing and organising polo events in Azerbaijan since 2013. Gaudenzi is the first foreign national to receive this high decoration. Congratulations Reto!

Photograph courtesy of The Household Cavalry

Nick Hine, Publisher

Reto Gaudenzi Awarded ARAF Medal of Distinguished Services Photograph courtesy of World Polo Events

This July issue of Polo Times is the biggest of the year at a whopping 124 pages, which is testament to the strength of British polo, which continues to flourish at all levels, from the low goal right up to the highest handicap played in the UK, the 22 goal.

In particular, the Youth section of this issue is packed with grassroots polo with everything from the Universities Championships at Offchurch Bury to the Guards La Aguada Youth Tournament.

However, it is not all roses in our sport as I have heard that ‘HelmetGate’ is rearing its ugly head with a large contingent of Argentine players far from happy with the HPA regulations.

Following La Indiana’s controversial win in The Cartier Queen’s Cup, there has also been huge criticism of the new HPA rules and umpires’ interpretations of them. The high goal has become too fast and too furious for many aficionado’s palette, whilst there seems a huge chasm between the umpiring decisions in the 22 goal and the lower handicapped matches played away from the high goal spotlight. Bluntly what is being allowed at Guards and Cowdray is not translating clearly to the majority of polo in the UK. Where will it all end? Watch this space…

Back on a positive note once again, this time of year it is nearly impossible to find a natural lull in the action to publish the magazine, so some reports which played just as we pressed the ‘print button’ will be featured in the August issue – so don’t panic.

Excitingly, 2018 sees the return of The Westchester Cup to British soil, so we have included a special guide to this illustrious trophy, including interviews with players past and present who have competed to win the coveted title for their home countries.

This issue is packed with reports from The Gloucestershire Festival of Polo, Polo in the Park, The Cartier Queen’s Cup, the OUT-SOURCING! Inc Royal Windsor Cup which saw Poroto Cambiaso make polo history as the youngest ever player to play in and win the Royal Windsor Cup at just 12-yearsold in his win for La Dolfina/ Valiente.

As we go to press, all eyes turn to The King Power Gold Cup, which no doubt will be full of thrills, spills and probably more than a bit of controversy as the rules debate rumbles on.

Have a great, sunny, polo-filled July.

News

The 2018 Shandur Polo Festival will take place from 7 July in Pakistan

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News Costa del Sol Beach Polo Tournament APPL Comes to Cowdray

Photograph courtesy of Costa del Sol Beach Polo

Photograph by Pablo Ramirez

In the first APPL match of its kind in the UK, Cowdray Park took home the APPL Eagle Trophy

Team Kempinski Hotel Bahía defeated Perrier Jöuet in the Final of the Costa del Sol Beach Polo Tournament

The first Costa del Sol Beach Polo Tournament took place between 19 – 20 May. The event invited international teams to battle for the trophy over the two days, in front of a 2,000 strong crowd. Team Kempinski Hotel Bahía defeated Perrier Jöuet in the Final and the winners were presented with their trophies by the Mayor Estepona José María García Urbano.

Poland Debut in US Polo Series Newport Polo Club hosted an international match between the USA and Poland on Saturday 2 June. Poland were the 34th nation to compete against the USA in this Series, supported by BMW and the six chukka match began with each country’s national anthem and raising of flags, followed by a Bialowieza Forest Boar Roast and the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Toast and trophy presentation. Poland ultimately outlasted the USA, taking home the coveted trophy with a 7-6 final score. This is the 27th season of the Newport International Polo Series, which has previously seen teams travel to the region to compete from over 30 nations.

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On Saturday 23 June, the UK welcomed its first 40 goal match at Cowdray Park Polo Club, courtesy of the All Pro Polo League. Eight 10 goal players took part in the APPL match, showcasing their new rules format and dynamic form of the sport. To start the day, an 18 goal youth match took place, showcasing young guns from England, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina and Australia. Kings took on Hurlingham 1875 in a very closely fought battle, but as the final bell sounded, the Kings team took home the victory 7-6. Following the youth match, the main event got underway. Hurlingham Polo 1875 took on Cowdray Park in a 40 goal spectacle, a feat of which many of the spectators had never seen before on UK soil. After six full speed chukkas, Cowdray Park took home the win, claiming the APPL Eagle Trophy. APPL founder Javier Tanoira said after the match, “We are very happy. It was an historic day for the APPL and for Cowdray.

The 10 goalers played hard and fast – it was clear both sides wanted to win. I want to thank everyone who worked to make this event a success.”

The APPL Young Guns Battle Teams: Kings (18): Ollie Cork (2), Santiago Stirling (5), Bartholemé Castagnola (6) & Pablo Villela (5) Hurlingham Polo 1875 (18): Tom Brodie (4), Jacob Daniels (4), Jack Richardson (7) & Freddie Horne (3) The APPL 40 Goal Challenge Teams: Cowdray Park (40): Polito Pieres (10), Hilario Ulloa (10), Guillermo ‘Sapo’ Caset (10) & Nico Pieres (10) Hurlingham Polo 1875 (40): Facundo Pieres (10), David ‘Pelón’ Stirling (10), Gonzalito Pieres (10) & Juan Martín Nero (10)

Polo Times, July 2018

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News Team USPA Selections

Lipogems Equine Success Story

Photograph courtesy of the USPA

The ultrasound scan before treatment showing the injury

Nine young players now make up Team USPA

Following a three-day try-out in Aiken, South Carolina, Grant Ganzi, Tony Calle, Justin Daniels and Lucas Arellano (all from Florida) have been selected to represent Team USPA. Since 2010, the USPA has been identifying, “Young, talented American players and providing them with mentored training and playing opportunities, leading to a pool of higher-rated amateur and professional players.” This foursome will now join Molly Agee, Lauren Biddle, Mia Bray, Jake Klenther and Sloan Stefanakis.

The ultrasound scan seven weeks later before the horse started rehabilitation work

Lipogems Equine has been saving eventing champions as well as polo ponies. This five-year-old Warmblood was treated in May 2015 for a proximal suspensory ligament injury in the left fore by being injected with local infiltration of corticosteroids, a typical treatment option. The horse returned to soundness and competed for the first part 2016 season, however lameness recurred with a hypoechoic lesion ligament present in proximal suspensory ligament on ultrasonography. On 18 July 2016, the injury was injected with 5ml of Lipoaspirate. The ultrasound scans showed a marked improvement at seven weeks, the horse returned to walk work before commencing full training and back to competition level fitness. For more information on treatments for saving your champion and for a list of accredited equine vets visit www.lipogemsequine.com

A Polo Auction from Two English Collectors

British Beach Polo Championships Between 13 – 14 July, the 2018 British Beach Polo Championships will get underway in Sandbanks, with thousands of spectators expected over the three days. The event will combine beach polo with glamorous hospitality and world class parties. Tickets start at £25 per person and are still available.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit www.sandpolo.com/buy-tickets

Photograph by Chris Adkins

Photograph courtesy of Graham Budd Auctions

Tally Ho Groom of the Month

Over 250 important pieces of polo memorabilia will be auctioned this July

Lucas Alvarez was presented with the Tally Ho Farm Groom of the Month for May 2018

For May 2018, Mark Tomlinson’s groom Lucas Alvarez was awarded the Tally Ho Farm Groom of the Month Award. Alvarez was presented with a £250 prize as well as a rug for pony Hesta.

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Polo Times, July 2018

Over 250 lots of important polo paintings, drawings, bronzes, silver trophies, books and memorabilia will be auctioned with Graham Budd Auctions from 20 July, with the auction closing on the evening of Sunday 29 July. The lots come from the collections of Nigel à Brassard and Iain Brunt, with estimated prices starting at £50.

This timed polo art auction will be the largest ever of its kind, with one-of-a-kind pieces collected by two polo aficionados. For more information, please visit www.the-saleroom.com/grahambudd www.polotimes.co.uk

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News

Photograph courtesy of World Polo Events

Kutlay Yaprak’s team were crowned champions of the Sixth Arena Polo World Cup Azerbaijan on Sunday 17 June

Between 15 – 17 June, arena polo fans gathered in Baku, Azerbaijan for the Sixth Arena Polo World Cup Azerbaijan. In the Final, Kutlay Yaprak’s team, Atlun 97 defeated Pasha Bank, 7-6 to be crowned champions, with Adrian Laplacette Jr scoring the winning goal. For this effort, he was presented with the Most Valuable Player award.

The Sixth Arena Polo World Cup Azerbaijan Final Teams: Atlun 97: Kutlay Yaprak, Adrian Laplacette Jr & Agustin Kronhaus Pasha Bank: Elchin Jamalli, Rashad Hasanov & Andrès ‘Lala’ Laplacette

Mid-Season Handicap Changes

Gladiator Polo Battle for the Carolinas Series concluded between Team Greenville and Team Charlotte at the Tryon International Equestrian Center. Earlier in the Series, Team Greenville had secured their Final position with an 11-7 win against Team Spartanburg, whilst Team Charlotte defeated Team Ashevile 21-19. The match was a fast-paced affair from the off with both teams scoring multiple goals in the first chukka. The play continued in its aggressive fashion, with both teams settled into the game resulting in a real head-to-head match. As the match concluded, Team Greenville showed their strength, securing the title with a 13-11 final score. Pelon Escapite was presented with the Most Valuable Player Award, having played in two Gladiator Polo Finals over the past two years.

Photograph courtesy of Tryon International Equestrian Center

Sixth Arena Polo Team Greenville Charge to Gladiator Polo Victory World Cup Azerbaijan On the evening of Saturday 23 June, The

Team Greenville were crowned champions of the 2018 Gladiator Polo Series

The Gladiator Polo Series Final Teams: Team Greenville: Jared Sheldon, Pelon Escapite & Jared Zenni Team Charlotte: Mariano Obregon, Tommy Collingwood & Kris Kampsen

Breaking Down with KBIS There is never a convenient time, or place, to have a breakdown, especially with horses on board, but ensuring you have an adequate back-up plan can help to lessen what can otherwise be a stressful situation to find yourself in.

With any horsebox or trailer breakdown policy it is important to ensure you are covered for all eventualities; from not being able to start the vehicle at home, to roadside assistance and providing an appropriate recovery service, making sure suitable replacement vehicles are used for the transportation of any horses.

Commonly however, horsebox breakdown policies do not include some of the benefits we are accustomed to with our car insurance, but this summer one insurer, KBIS British Equestrian Insurance, will be enhancing their breakdown cover to provide some of these key benefits which, when added to an already extensive list of policy features, will provide customers with the certainty that they have a reliable and comprehensive policy in place.

The first new benefit to be added onto the policy covers misfuelling, including draining and flushing the fuel tank at the roadside, recovery to the nearest available repairer should it not be fixable at the side of the road and topping up the tank with 10 litres of the correct fuel to get you on your way after the repair.

Secondly, they are introducing key cover, which will include taking you to retrieve your spare key or to a local repairer, whichever is closer, should you lose or lock your keys within the insured vehicle. Finally, the policy will provide a replacement driver if the only driver of the vehicle is certified as medically unfit to continue to drive.

For a quotation or to find our further details on when the new benefits are coming in to effect contact Charles Harris at KBIS charlesharris@kbis.co.uk or 01635 244 375.

Change to USA team for The Westchester Cup

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Polo Times, July 2018

On Thursday 14 June, the USPA announced that 19-year-old 5 goaler, Peke Gonzalez will replace Costi Caset in the USA team line-up for The Westchester Cup at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club on Saturday 28 July.

Caset is unable to compete following an injury.

Photograph courtesy of the USPA

The Hurlingham Polo Association has announced the 2018 mid-season handicap changes, effective, Monday 18 June. Most notably, Four Quarters Orange professional and international player, Tom Morley has had his outdoor handicap raised from 4 to 5 goals, whilst the Castagnola brothers Bartolomé and Camilo Castagnola have had their brackets removed from their respective handicaps, 6 and 5 goals. For more information and to see the full list of handicap changes, please visit the HPA website www. hpa-polo.co.uk

Peke Gonzalez will replace Costi Caset in the USA team for The Westchester Cup in July

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News Draw for The King Power Gold Cup for The British Open Polo Championship

The King Power Gold Cup Teams: League A: Park Place (22): Andrey Borodin (0), Tommy Beresford (5), Juan Britos (7) & Hilario Ulloa (10) Talandracas (22): Edouard/Hugues Carmignac (0), Alejandro Muzzio (7), Julian ‘Negro’ de Lusaretta (7) & Francisco Elizalde (8)

Photograph courtesy of Cowdray Park Polo Club

On Monday 11 June, players, patrons and guests gathered at Cowdray House for the draw of The King Power Gold Cup for The British Open Polo Championship, due to commence on Tuesday 26 June at Cowdray Park Polo Club, as we go to press on this issue.

This year will see the return of last year’s finalists El Remanso, with the same all-Brit line-up, as well as Michael Bickford’s La Indiana, fresh from their team’s victory in The Cartier Queen’s Cup at Guards Polo Club, with this season’s new addition, Facundo Pieres.

Past winner, Jean-François Decaux and his La Bamba de Areco side will also be returning for the 2018 competition alongside age-old rivals, RH Polo. Cartier Queen’s Cup Sub-Finalists, Talandracas will also return this year, with Edouardo Carmignac’s son, Hugues jointly at the helm with his father alongside his brand new line-up as well as Alessandro Bazzoni’s Monterosso with only one new addition this year, in the form of Juan Martín Zubia.

Harald Link and his Thai Polo team will return to the Cowdray grounds this year. A number of the players have recently played The Cartier Queen’s Cup tournament with Max Gottschalk’s Les Lions, so are ready and set for the Midhurst-based tournament. Spencer McCarthy’s Emlor, who won The Cartier Trophy in the Subsidiary Final of The Cartier Queen’s Cup, with team regular and long-time friend Nacho Gonzalez, will also take to the field this year.

This year will also see a Gold Cup first for Andrey Borodin’s Park Place who lost out to La Indiana in the Final of The Cartier Queen’s Cup, and Alshair Fiyaz’s Alfi Investments. Bob Jornayvaz’s Valiente side will rise again after their Queen’s Cup Semi Final loss, to compete for The King Power Gold Cup and finally Corinne Ricard’s Murus Sanctus will return to the competition again, fielding this year’s only female player.

The draw saw the four Cartier Queen’s Cup Semi Finalists placed at the head of the four leagues, with a representative of each team entered then drawing a place within the leagues.

The Quarter Finals are scheduled for the 14 – 15 July, the Semi Finals on Wednesday 18 July and The King Power Gold Cup Final on Sunday 22 July.

On Monday 11 June, the draw was decided for the upcoming King Power Gold Cup for The British Open Polo Championship

RH Polo (22): Ben Soleimani (0), Martín Podesta (5), Guillermo ‘Sapo’ Caset (9) & Rodrigo de Andrade (8) League B: La Bamba de Areco (22): Jean François Decaux (0), Byron Watson (3), David ‘Pelón’ Stiring (9) & Juan Martín Nero (10) Monterosso (22): Alessandro Bazzoni (0), Juan Martín Zubia (6), Ignacio Toccalino (8) & Santiago Toccalino (8) Murus Sanctus (22): Corinne Ricard (0), Ed Hitchman (4), Facundo Sola (8) & Gonzalito Pieres (10) League C: Valiente (22): Bob Jornayvaz (1), Hugo Lewis (4), Christian ‘Magoo’ Laprida (7) & Adolfo Cambiaso (10) Alfi Investments (22): Alshair Fiyaz (0), Jack Hyde (4), Polito Pieres (9) & Nico Pieres (9) Thai Polo (22): Harald Link (0), Guillermo Terrera (8), Joaquin Pittaluga (7) & Jaime Huidobro (7) League D: La Indiana (22): Michael Bickford (1), Alec White (4), Nic Roldan (7) & Facundo Pieres (10) El Remanso (22): Charlie Hanbury (4), Ollie Cudmore (6), James Beim (6) & James Harper (7) Emlor (22): Spencer McCarthy (0), Agustin ‘Tincho’ Merlos (9), Diego Cavanagh (8) & Nacho Gonzalez (5)

Hublot Polo Gold Cup Between 16 – 18 August, the Hublot Polo Gold Cup will take place in the Swiss mountains with four teams competing for the coveted trophy. The team lists have now been announced and are as follows:

www.polotimes.co.uk

Photograph courtesy of Polo Gstaad

The Hublot Polo Gold Cup Teams: Team Hublot (12): Matteo Beffa (0), Gerardo Consentino (0), Julio Novillo Astrada (7) & Santiago Schweizer (5) Team Gstaad Palace (13): Marco Maximilian Elser (0), Marcos Antinori (3), Nicolas Antinori (5) & Pedro Fernandez Llorente (5) Team Banque Eric Sturdza (14): Cedri Schweri (0), Marcos Riglos (5), Nico Lopez Fuentes (4) & Joao Novaes (5) Team Clinique La Prairie (14): Faris Al-Yabhouni (0), Augustin Canale (6), Hugo Barabucci (5) & Gonzalo Bernal (3)

The teams have been announced for the 2018 Hublot Polo Gold Cup

Polo Times, July 2018

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News

Why to Play Polo

Do You Remember Why You Play Polo?

Help for Heroes Polo Team Perspective

Photograph by Tom Reynolds Photography

Photograph by Peter Meade Photography

If you want to know more about how to get involved with Strategic Help for Heroes, look out for the shirts!

Peter O’Rorke

speaks about a subject close to his heart

“Hooray! Another win for our team! How well I played. Did you see me run past that guy and nail it with a nearside cut shot? Wow, my horses were unbelievable today – that chestnut is a machine.”

“I bloody hate polo. How is that guy on the same handicap as me so much better?

If I had a single decent pony I’d be 2 goals better. She’s got all the money in the world, no wonder she’s good. Oh, that umpire is always biased against me.”

Which was it today for you? Champagne or a comforting cup of tea when you got home? It’s probably not a lot different in any competitive sport, in that we focus on our own performance on the day and judge ourselves accordingly. But, win or lose, how

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Polo Times, July 2018

often do you stop and think about how lucky we all are to be able to play this amazing and ridiculously demanding game? Welcome to the perspective of the players at Help for Heroes Polo.

Help for Heroes is now well known, but it has a wider remit than many are aware.

It is committed to supporting individuals who have served and suffered wounds both visible and hidden. Five-years-ago polo was introduced as just one of the sports on offer and it initially attracted participants like Elaine Corner (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) and Cliff O’Farrell (Household Cavalry), both of whom had a previous involvement with horses. They were surprised to find how riding for polo had a strongly beneficial recuperative effect on their fitness, Cliff having endured 20 surgical operations following an IED explosion and Elaine having lost a leg below the knee and a fractured sacrum. Others with more complex, sometimes unseen, injuries discovered similar benefits from the competitive aspect of their initial forays into the game, as opposed to merely hacking or

riding out. The fast and furious demands of the game seem to re-kindle the very embers of spirit, action and excitement that their injuries had almost extinguished.

The polo initiative grew and was transferred to Tidworth Polo Club, which itself stands immediately next to Tedworth House, the H4H Recovery Centre. Others joined up and the squad now stands at 20 players, who compete both against each other and other military, able-bodied, teams with financial support from Strategic Shipping, who also sponsor a team at the 8 and 10 goal levels. Some of the players have become as obsessive as the rest of us, such as Dr. Fran Townend, who on her own account, took herself and her damaged

“the redemptive power of the game of polo seems clear to anyone who meets or better still, supports the Help for Heroes Polo squad” www.polotimes.co.uk

News spine off to New Zealand during the winter to play polo and break hearts amongst the Kiwis! How the heck do you do that with a damaged spine? Even the flight would be a nightmare!

At this year’s Heroes Day on 3 June, the whole squad was there, from those with five years team experience to others who were making their first steps. They are an extraordinary group of people to talk to and hear from, but what is so illuminating are the reasons they give for why polo has such a dramatic effect for them. It seems to be a variety of why we also started to play, but so often now take for granted. Of course, as servicemen and women, they love the camaraderie, the discipline and organisation necessary to play. Many said that part of the thrill was the wonderful environment, the beautiful grounds and fields that the hardworking ground staff at clubs across the country produce for us.

Others extended that to the polo managers, grooms, bar staff, truck drivers and the other team members. As with all of us, the ponies are central to everything and everybody, and Major Lucinda Barker, who has a terrifying Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, made the comment that those hard-working animals don’t care who we are or what bits and bobs are not 100 percent. All they want

“the fast and furious demands of the game seem to re-kindle the very embers of spirit, action and excitement that their injuries had almost extinguished” is to be well-treated and cared for, and they’ll look out for us.

Anyway, as we reach the middle of the UK polo season, all of this might be useful to put our own experiences into perspective. To be told by Commando trained Neil Marshall that he has gone from mental hospital and homelessness to playing his first chukka, is to really see what our beautiful game can do. To hear other stories of perceived failure or a total lack of self-esteem, freedom and independence being transformed into confidence, exhilaration and pride merely by sitting atop a polo pony and swinging a stick is to recognise human frailty that can still be overcome with the right type of support.

To be told that polo still seems like a great big welcoming family, with no trace of the snobbery, absurd antics and posing that others often attach to our sport, is to try and ensure that kindness and this acceptance doesn’t fade.

To see the excitement and thrilled faces of these players is to negate the bored and uninterested attitude we sometimes see as

some individuals look back to lower or lesser levels of the game.

There are shocking and heart-breaking stories to hear from each member of the squad, but the point of this is not to dwell on those details. Suffering is by definition a very personal experience, but the redemptive power of the game of polo seems clear to anyone who meets or better still, supports the Help for Heroes Polo squad.

So next time you win or lose, don’t rush off. Enjoy the fields, have a beer with your team mates and opposition, thank the groundsman and the stressed-out Polo Manager. Make sure the ponies are ok and thank your groom, or Mum. Driving home, you can focus on the speed and excitement you enjoyed and remember, even Adolfo Cambiaso misses a Penalty 2 sometimes.

The Strategic Help for Heroes team is based at Cirencester, but plays around the country. If you want to know more or how to get involved with the support for this small but really meaningful polo charity, just ask one of our players.

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Polo Times, July 2018

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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 97th FIP Ambassador’s Cup The tournament was held in Santa Clara Polo Club, Florida from 18 – 21 April with eight teams of up to eight goals participating.

98th FIP Ambassador’s Cup This tournament was held at Polo Club El Marques, Querétaro, Mexico from 8 – 12 May. Mexico has had the opportunity to host five Ambassador Cups, the last one held in Costa Careyes in 2011. For five days both Mexican and foreign polo players had the opportunity to live together, share and enjoy a great event full of traditions, typical food, Mexican music as well as time to visit places such as San Miguel de Allende.

Eight teams participated with an ambassador of the International Polo Federation per team. The Final of this Cup was held on Saturday 12 May and was played between the Balvanera team and La Santisima Trinidad. Balvanera took the win in a very close and exciting match at the Polo Club el Marques, thus taking home victory in the 98th FIP Ambassador’s Cup. The 98th FIP Ambassador’s Cup Teams: Balvanera: Pattrick Nasbitt, Jorge Habib, Andres Balderas & Miguel Gomez de Parada La Santisima: Fernando Pliego, Guillermo Steta, Uwe Zimmerman & Ricardo Coss

Teams gathered at the Polo Club El Marques for the 98th FIP Ambassador’s Cup

Eight teams participated in the 98th FIP Ambassador’s Cup at Querétaro

Youth Olympic Games 2018 During the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018, to be held on 10 October, polo will be showcased as a contribution to the wider Buenos Aires 2018 ‘Learn and Share Programme’.

A key principle of showcasing is that the sport cannot be a competition, therefore it will not include the awarding of medals or rankings (no winners and losers), and no results will be displayed, announced or published. The Showcasing Event will be held in the world-famous Campo Argentino de Polo located in Palermo, Buenos Aires and will focus on educating visitors about our sport.

The participants (referred to as Young Performers) from polo will be young men and women in mixed teams, to promote gender equality and youth sport.

FIP has invited all associated National Polo Associations to propose Young Performers (age range from 15 to 18, born between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2003) to participate in this event.

In accordance with the agreement between FIP and BAYOGOC, the selection of the Young Performers by the National Associations may be a qualification process or competition, whilst FIP will try to ensure continental representation and gender balance. In addition to participating in the Polo Showcasing event, the Young Performers will be able to visit the Youth Olympic Village.

The following countries have already sent in candidates to participate: • Argentina • Australia • Canada • Chile • India • Italy • Pakistan • Paraguay • Uruguay • United States of America 12th FIP European Championship Below are listed the countries that will be participating in the 12th European Championship and the second Ladies European Championship respectively.

1. Austria 2. Azerbaijan 3. France 4. Germany 5. Ireland 6. Italy 7. Netherlands 8. Slovakia 9. Spain 10. Switzerland Second Ladies European Championship 1. France 2. Italy 3. Holland 4. Germany

Embassy of Argentina Polo Cup in Cairo This event, organised in early March at Farouk Younes’ lovely Abu Sir Farm, by the Embassy of the Argentine Republic in Egypt in cooperation with the Egyptian Polo Federation under the auspices of the Federation of International Polo, was an unqualified success. Dr. El Shamy said after the event, “Polo is not only a game, it’s also a way of life. It’s a festival!”

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Polo Times, July 2018

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Comment

Your Views

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

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 What do you mean it’s a foul? I’ve been watching the high goal and everybody’s doing that!!??

Dear Polo Times, It was with great sadness that I heard about the forthcoming sale of the El Remanso estate and the withdrawal of the El Remanso team from high goal with effect from next season.

To visit the El Remanso Estate in Argentina was to have a ticket to heaven. From a flat piece of land on the pampas with reputedly no trees, the Hanbury family had the vision to create a beautiful estate, which is the height of luxury and is also now an important refuge for wildlife in the area, with the thousands of trees and plants which have been planted by the Hanburys over the years. Both the accommodation and polo facilities are unrivalled anywhere, and the hospitality extended by Christopher, Bridget and family is second to none. I’m sure there are many such as myself who have very fond memories of time spent at El Remanso, playing polo or just relaxing in good company and with very generous hospitality.

The Hanburys have been an integral part of the polo community for many years and I’m sure I’m not alone in saying they will be sorely missed. I’m sure their inspiration, encouragement and support has been instrumental in producing many of today’s polo players at all levels. I for one would like to see them nominated for the HPA Lifetime Achievement award not only for the visible contributions they have made such as their breeding programme and the sponsorship of Pony Club Polo, but also for all the behind the scenes contributions they have made in many ways to support the HPA, clubs and individual players.

I wish the Hanburys good luck with their future endeavours and would like to take this opportunity to thank them for allowing so many people such as myself to join them on their journey so far, an amazing experience!

Kate Ellwood (Gibbons) Editor’s Note: Turn to the 2018 Polo Awards Feature to read more about Major Christopher Hanbury receiving his Lifetime Achievement Award

New 2018 HPA rules and umpires’ differing interpretation of them at differing handicaps leaves a yawning chasm between high goal and low goal clubs and games

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@armispolo This Double Act @ valientepoloteam win the @guards_polo_club_official #royalwindsor cup and meet PC the Queen @theartofpolo

It’s Tomlinson v Tomlinson today in the Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Cup at 5.15pm on No2

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The Samurai Trophy made and imported with @kyugetsu35 A form of polo, Dakyu has been played in Japan since the 8th century. It was later revived by the Shõgun Tokugawa Yoshimune as a training method for his Samurai warriors in the early 18th century. This year David Matsumoto sponsored the prestigious Royal Windsor Cup with one of his companies Outsourcing!Inc at Guards with the attendance of Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, the President of Guards Polo Club. Also in the Royal Box to witness the event was @feing0706 who has established the first polo club espousing the modern format of the game, in Hokkaido.

4 Burlington Street, but what did this London address later become renowned as?

A: Turn to page 115 to check your answer.

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XXXXXXXXX Poetry in Motion To kick off the first day of The Gloucestershire Festival of Polo, Olympic gold XXXXXXXXXXXXX medal winning dressage rider Laura Tomlinson MBE (nÊe Bechtolsheimer), w XXXXXXXXXXXX treated spectators and guests to an Insight to Dressage with her mount Unique VII. She was joined by fellow dressage rider Lara Butler with her horse Kristjan as they showcased their equine discipline in front of the excited crowd. Laura is known for having won two medals at the 2012 Olympics in London for Great Britain – gold in the team dressage alongside Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin and bronze in the individual dressage, whilst Lara Butler has been working with Laura since 2010 in Gloucestershire and has had the opportunity to ride in some of the most prestigious tournaments in the world. w Photograph by George Gunn Photography

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Polo Times, July 2018

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Feature

The Westchester Cup

The Westchester Returns Everything you need to know about this historic cup

T

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

his year will see the return of the world-famous Westchester Cup at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club on Saturday 28 July. It has been five years since this iconic match last took place, having previously found its English home at Guards Polo Club, but this year, the 18th edition of the Cup will be moving down the road to another home of Berkshire polo.

In 1886, whilst dining at The Hurlingham Club in London, Griswold Lorillard, an American guest, threw down a challenge to his British hosts for an ‘international tournament’ between the two nations. His American friends agreed to pay all the expenses for the tournament should a Hurlingham team be able to make the journey to the Westchester Polo Club in Rhode Island, who had offered to host the tournament and supply a trophy. And so, The Westchester Cup was created.

A British team (John Henry Watson, Captain Tom Hone, Hon. Dick Lawley and Captain Malcolm Little) travelled on the Cunard Line, with 24 ponies travelling separately, to take part in this exciting new tournament across the pond.

However strong the Americans had thought they were when they impulsively offered to host the tournament, their team, Foxhall Keene, Winthrop Thorne, Thomas Hitchcock Senior and R. Belmont, fell to the English prowess, with the visitors taking the tournament 10-4 and 14-2.

Over the next 65 years, The Westchester Cup was played for 12 times, both in the USA, at Meadow Brook and in England at The Hurlingham Club. The outbreak of World War II saw the end of the Cup for the foreseeable future, with the sheer cost of the exercise proving to outweigh the benefits. It wasn’t until 26 July 1992, that

England last lifted The Westchester Cup at Guards Polo Club in 2013

The Westchester Cup reappeared on the polo season calendar, this time at Guards Polo Club. The USA took an 8-7 victory in extra time and it wasn’t until the next instalment, once again at Guards Polo Club, that England could settle their vendetta.

Since then it has been a truly one-sided affair, with an English side taking the title in 1997, 2009 and 2013. The international tally currently sees the USA with 10 wins, whilst England only has seven. Could this year see the continuation of England’s winning streak, or will the USA once again turn the tables and recommence their Westchester reign? Watch this space!

2018 WESTCHESTER CUP TEAMS: Flannels England: The HPA has shortlisted six players for the Flannels England Westchester Cup side. The proposed players are as follows: James Beim (7), Ollie Cudmore (6), Jack Richardson (7), James Harper (7), Tommy Beresford (5) & Mark Tomlinson (6) USPA (27): Julio Arellano (8), Jeff Hall (7), Nic Roldan (7) & Peke Gonzalez (5)

From The Westchester Archives

The USA Team who rode to victory in 1909, 1911 & 1913

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Polo Times, July 2018

The Royal Family attend The Westchester Cup in 1921 at The Hurlingham Club

The USA team at The Hurlingham Club in 1921

English ponies parade at the 1921 Westchester Cup

The teams do battle during the 1921 Westchester Cup

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The Westchester Cup

Feature

The Westchester Cup signifies an old sporting rivalry that is still alive and kicking today

Westchester Cup results Winner

Score

1886 1900 1902 1909 1911 1913 1914 1921 1924 1927 1930 1936 1939 1992 1997 2009 2013

Great Britain Great Britain Great Britain USA USA USA Great Britain USA USA USA USA USA USA USA Great Britain England England

10-4, 14-2 8-1 1-2, 6-1, 7-1 9-5, 8-2 4 ½-3, 4 ½-3 ½ 5 ½-3, 4 ½- 4 ¼ 8 ¼-3, 4-2 ¾ 11-4, 10-6 16-5, 14-5 13-3, 8-5 15-10, 14-9 10-9, 8-6 11-7, 9-4 8-7 12-9 10-9 12-11

Venue Newport, R.I. Hurlingham Hurlingham Hurlingham Meadow Brook Meadow Brook Meadow Brook Hurlingham Meadow Brook Meadow Brook Meadow Brook Hurlingham Meadow Brook Guards Guards International Polo Club Guards

Photograph by Kim Kupart

Year

Note: The results for 1911-1914 reflect the unusual scoring method of the time.

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Polo Times, July 2018

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Feature

The Westchester Cup

Know The Westchester in 10 Key Facts

The Westchester Cup trophy was produced by Tiffany of New York in 1886 and is made of 396.3oz of sterling silver

1. The Westchester Cup began in 1886 following a challenge from American businessman Griswold Lorillard to his British hosts, whilst dining at The Hurlingham Club. He invited a Hurlingham team to take part in an international tournament between his home nation and Great Britain.

2. The Westchester trophy was commissioned by the Westchester Polo Club, Rhode Island, and produced by Tiffany of New York to be emblematic of the championship between the two nations. The Cup is made of 396.3oz of sterling silver and cost $1,200 ($30,000 in today’s currency).

3. In the early years, The Westchester Cup was played for in a series of matches. The scoring system was also different to the structure we know today. Early matches were played under the host country’s rules and most notably pre-World War I American rules had a scoring system which saw a goal equal one point, a team committing a foul had a ½ goal deducted and a ¼ goal deducted for a safety. To date, the Americans have scored 224¾ goals, whilst Britain have scored 187¼ goals.

4. Between 1939 and 1992, The Westchester Cup was not played due to the onset of World War II and the ensuing economic issues.

5. A plethora of the world’s greatest players have taken part in The Westchester Cup through the years and include: • John Watson: The first British Captain and the ‘Founding Father of

Modern Polo’ • Foxhall Keene: America’s first 10 goal player • Walter Buckmaster: Britain’s first 10 goal player • Tommy Hitchcock: A US 10 goal player at 21-years-old who won the

tournament five times • Devereux Millburn: Played seven Westchester series and won six • Gerald Balding: Britain’s last 10 goal player • Humphrey Guinness: British international player and 1936 Olympic

team member 6. To date, the USA lead the series tally by 10 to Britain’s seven. The British scored their first hat-trick winning in 1886, 1900 and 1902, swiftly followed by the American’s first hat-trick from 1909, 1911 and 1913.

Britain are, however, leading the hat-trick field, having won their second with victories in 1997, 2009 and 2013. The USA still lead the winning streak rankings with five wins in a row from 1921 to 1992.

7. In 2009, current AAP President Eduardo Novillo Astrada played for the British team alongside, Luke Tomlinson, Mark Tomlinson and James Beim.

8. Luke and Mark Tomlinson are only the second set of brothers to play in The Westchester Cup. In 1909, 1911 and 1913, American brothers Monte and Lawrence Waterbury played together, winning each of the series.

9. Since 1992, the British version of The Westchester Cup has taken place at Guards Polo Club. This year will be the first time the match will take place at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club.

10. Throughout the course of the Cup’s history, players from the Commonwealth have been invited to play for the British side. Canadian born Lewis Lacey sported a British shirt in 1924 and 1930, Australian Bob Skene played in 1939 and New Zealander Cody Forsyth played in 1992 and 1997. In the last ‘Battle of the Atlantic’ in 2013, New Zealander John Paul Clarkin rode out for the ‘boys in white’ and scored the final goal to clinch the trophy for the British side.

Eduardo Novillo Astrada, England 2009

Q: What was your Westchester Cup highlight?

A: “I think it is one of the biggest events for English polo, where you have the English against the Americans, who after Argentina are the best polo playing nations in the world. It was fantastic to play. We won it in America in 2009 which was a wonderful thing to be part of.”

Q: As a past and present player, how do you feel the 2018 edition will fare?

A: “I hope it is a great game and a good event. I think as it is the first year at the Berkshire it could really be something special. I hope to be here for it.”

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Polo Times, July 2018

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The Westchester Cup

Feature

Marc Ganzi, USA 2013

Q: What was your Westchester Cup highlight?

A: “The entire experience was honestly a highlight and having my son Grant with me the entire time was really special for us as a family. My hope is that one day he too will represent the USA in this special Cup. That being said, when it came time to play the game, many local polo pundits thought we didn’t have a chance, but we took the game to overtime and that was a real thrill. We took the first two shots at goal in overtime and missed, then John Paul Clarkin scored the golden goal to take the match. We had the odds stacked against us in so many ways upon reflection – no help with horses and then the addition of Clarkin to the English side were tough obstacles, but we gave everyone a game to remember.”

Q: How do you feel the match differs from The Coronation Cup? A: “I have always viewed The Westchester as The Ryder Cup of polo. It is a great rivalry between two great countries. I have yet to play The Coronation Cup, but the infrequency of The Westchester Cup makes it a very special event.”

Q: Do you feel the rivalry between the USA and England is as alive today as it has ever been?

A:“It is always alive and this transcends polo. Sport is such an important part of English culture, as it is in the USA.” Q: As a past player, what advice do you have for those team members playing the 2018 edition?

A: “I think anytime you can represent your country, it is a true honour – the highest honour in fact as a polo player. I always reminded my team mates to take stock of the opportunity and enjoy the entire process, the practices, the dinners, the friendships between the two sides and appreciate the importance of the moment – the game will take care of itself.”

James Beim, England 2009 & 2013

Q: What was your Westchester Cup highlight?

A: “Winning in the USA in 2009 was really special. The Cup hadn’t been played for many years and we were the underdogs, but we had a great game and an incredible result.”

Q: How do you feel the match differs from The Coronation Cup? A: “I think both have really good stature as both tournaments are very important. The Westchester Cup is played for less frequently, so there are not many names on the trophy. It would be an honour to lift it this year.”

Q: Do you feel the rivalry between the USA and England is as alive today as it has ever been?

A: “I feel that the rivalry was lost, due to the fact the game was not played for many years.

However, it has had a resurgence in recent years and both teams are very keen to win, hence the rivalry will be very strong on the day.”

Q: As a past and present player, what advice do you have for those team members playing the 2018 edition?

A: “Enjoy the moment. These games don’t come around very often, so play with passion and remain level-headed.”

Nic Roldan, USA 2009 & 2013

Q: What was your Westchester Cup highlight?

A: “Just being able to represent my country was a huge honour, in such a prestigious and historical match. It was a huge highlight when in 2009 my mare Beijing was chosen as the match’s Best Playing Pony.”

Q: How do you feel the match differs from The Coronation Cup? A: “I feel The Westchester Cup is more significant as it’s the best of England against the best of the USA, as opposed to a match with a handicap limit. I feel it is a very easy concept for people to get behind and I am excited that it will be taking place again this year.”

Q: Do you feel the rivalry between the USA and England is as alive today as it has ever been?

A: “If I look back at the YouTube videos of early editions in New York, with crowds of over 20,000, I find it hard to believe we will come near to matching that these days, but I hope we will get there in due course.”

Q: As a past and present player, how do you think the 2018 edition will go down?

A: “As I’m a past and present player I would say, come watch the game on the 28 July and see for yourself.

I’m not going to give anything away now!”

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Polo Times, July 2018

25

Feature

The Westchester Cup

Adam Snow, USA 1992 & 2009

Q: What was your Westchester Cup highlight?

A: “My Westchester Cup highlight is winning the trophy at Windsor for the USA in double overtime in 1992. More specifically, two strong, happy memories: one, watching John Gobin whack in the winning offside backhand cut shot in the eighth chukka, off Julian Daniel’s English mare, Basie and two, being presented with the trophy by HM The Queen.”

Q: How do you feel the match differs from The Coronation Cup? A: “The Westchester Cup is special because it is a trophy contested between just two countries – the USA and England. It is more challenging to find resources and horses to bring a full squad across the Atlantic and is therefore played less frequently. The goal of bringing that trophy back to your home turf adds extra excitement.”

Q: Do you feel the rivalry between the USA and England is as alive today as it has ever been?

A: “The USA and England are rivals, but also friends and allies (in spite of our current President’s rhetoric). I think it is a healthy, positive level of competitiveness.”

Q: As a past player, what advice do you have for those team members playing the 2018 edition?

A: “My advice would be to work hard at organising the best horses you can find (utilising personal connections and possibilities to hire), to come up with a good game plan that the whole team can feel good about and then enjoy the day!”

Luke Tomlinson, England 2009 & 2013

Q: What was your Westchester Cup highlight?

A: “I think winning in America against a very strong team with three of us on rented ponies was definitely a highlight.”

Q. How do you feel the match differs from The Coronation Cup, in terms of stature?

A: “I think they are both important Cups with different histories behind them. Both are an honour to play in. The Westchester is older and a specific challenge between two countries, with codes and rules that make it very special. It can be played in the UK or the USA and that makes it a pretty rare trophy which has clocked up some pretty amazing transatlantic trips by air and no doubt by sea in the earlier days!”

Q: Do you feel the rivalry between the USA and England is as alive today as it has ever been?

A:“I think so – it is a friendly rivalry all the same and that is definitely the nature and gesture of The Westchester. When we went to Florida we were treated amazingly, and the tour was unforgettable. I hope that when the Americans come here it is the same for them.”

Q: As a past player, what advice do you have for those team members playing the 2018 edition?

A: “Play well as a team – the pre-match organisation is paramount, and the horses are the key. This year there is one player per team on pooled horses, which makes it more interesting tactically and that will play a big part. Above all, enjoy the match and give your very best.”

In 2013, the USA team was led out by a cowboy with the American flag, whilst the Audi England team accompanied a knight with the St George’s Flag

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Polo Times, July 2018

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Polo Awards, Guards Polo Club

13th Annual Polo Awards E

Feature

Jen Liggins

reports from Guards Polo Club

The all-important results plus Polo Times’ post-award interviews ach year, the great and good of polo gather at Guards Polo Club for what is often billed as the ‘Oscars of Polo’, celebrating the highs and lows of every polo season, with the glitz and glamour we know our sport deserves. This year marked the 13th year of this annual instalment, playing host to 250 of the polo world’s best names from both on and off the field.

As the mist rolled onto The Queen’s Ground at Guards Polo Club on Wednesday 30 May after another glorious summer day, guests arrived at the Guards Clubhouse to a glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne.

Mosimann’s were on hand to begin the evening with their mouth-watering canapés ahead of what was set to be a thrilling evening. As the din of excited chatter hit fever-pitch, compère for the evening, Karl Ude Martinez, welcomed the guests and nominees to their seats for the first three awards before tucking into the hotly awaited three course dinner.

The Bordeaux Cellars Most Outstanding Lady Player began the proceedings, with

the award hotly contested by 2016 winner Sarah Wiseman, 2017 winner Hazel Jackson, Nina Clarkin, Tamara Fox and Emma Boers.

World number one and 10 goal lady player, Nina Clarkin, walked away with the prize to the delight of the crowd.

The evening quickly moved on to the next award, The Tally Ho Farm Most Outstanding British Professional, which was, as expected, one of the most debated awards prior to the event. With so many British players taking to the field across the globe over the past year, unsurprisingly the ‘famous five’ all found their names on the nomination sheet: James Beim, Ollie Cudmore, James Harper, Jack Richardson and Luke Tomlinson. 2017 winnner James Harper once again took pride of place on the podium to receive his award, joking, “Everyone else must be playing really badly”!

The third award, prior to the culinary main event, once again saw Michael Bickford take to the podium for The Hedonism Wines Most Outstanding High Goal Patron, defeating Alessandro Bazzoni, Jean-François

Decaux, Ben Soleimani and Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha. Following his receipt of the award, he praised the English season, saying, “This is probably the best organised polo in the world and you’ve seen the best conclusion of that, a high number of high goal teams, very well mounted, a lot of good players and everyone really enjoying themselves.” Following such a positive closing statement, the room was clearly on a high as the delectable Mosimann’s masterpiece left the kitchen and arrived to the delight of the guests and with bellies full and glasses filled, attentions momentarily turned from polo to showbusiness, as acrobat Valerie Murzak amazed onlookers with her giant disco ball gymnastics display.

The fifth award of the evening, The Pololine TV Most Outstanding High Goal Pony was a close affair between Adolfo Cambiaso’s Caraqueña and Gonzalito Pieres’ Open Nueva Jersey. Pieres’ 2017 Gold Cup Best Playing Pony winning mount raced forward in the polls, winning the award by a landslide. As is now the norm, the Pieres

Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

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Polo Times, July 2018

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Feature

Polo Awards, Guards Polo Club

magic didn’t stop there, as their 2017 team King Power took home The Innerplace Most Outstanding High Goal Team for their impressive run through the 2017 Gold Cup. Prior to a small but sweet dessert interlude, The HPA Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to the two worthy candidates by HPA Chairman Stephen Hutchinson. This year’s accolades went to, firstly, Major Christopher Hanbury, to a roar from the assembled Hanbury clan.

Christopher was not only the Cirencester Park Polo Club Chairman from 1995-2000, HPA Chairman from 2005-2009 and served with the HPA from 1995-2012, but was also instrumental in bringing some of the world’s leading players to the UK through his work with the Sultan of Brunei. Hutchinson remembered Christopher as, “A fantastic man who has put his heart and soul into polo in this country and overseas.”

Quadruple Gold Cup winning David Jamison was the second recipient of this year’s HPA Lifetime Achievement Award, remembered for his contribution not only

to the sport on the field, but also for his young horse breeding and development programme, as well as his 12 years as an HPA Steward and his Chairmanship of Cowdray Park Polo Club from 2003-2006.

Facundo Pieres continued the Pieres’ winning streak with a win in The Guards Polo Club Most Outstanding High Goal Player category, in which the competition was exceedingly strong. He defeated the likes of his brother Gonzalito, the world number one Adolfo Cambiaso, the USA Captain Nic Roldan and high goal stalwart Agustin ‘Tincho’ Merlos to take home the ultimate prize.

The Talacrest Young Player Award was next on the list. The award and £15,000 bursary, kindly donated by John Collins, was designed to highlight a young, up-andcoming player, who has made waves in the polo community over the past 12 months and looks to continue doing so for years to come. This year’s recipient, Tommy Beresford, praised his predecessors, Jack Hyde and Tom Brodie, as well as his current teammates in Park Pace. He finished by

saying, “Building up as a player is such an important part of the sport and it is amazing to be helped along.”

The community’s recognition of its most important components continued with The King Power Polo Recognition Award, this year presented to Cowdray vet PJ MacMahon, who has been practicing at the Club for over 45 years. To end the evening’s events, The Thai Polo Club Dream Team was announced, following voting throughout the evening. This year’s formidable foursome was made up of Facundo Pieres (1), at a very unusual number one position, Juan Britos (2), Agustin ‘Tincho’ Merlos (3) and Hilario Ulloa (4).

As the awards came to a close and the guests filed out to the Clubhouse bar for more lashings of Laurent-Perrier Champagne, all that remained to be said was congratulations to all the winners, nominees and their friends and families, without whom the awards would have been a very quiet affair and waved goodbye to this year’s festivities – for social pictures from the evening, please turn to our Sidelines pages.

James Harper, The Tally Ho Farm Most Outstanding British Professional

James Harper: “This year it is really cool to win this. Last season we had a great time. A lot of the young English guys had a really strong season, so it feels like a big one to win. I feel very lucky that we’re doing the El Remanso thing and thanks must go to the Hanbury family for that.

It’s really cool to be involved with and be able to play in the high goal circuit. We really want to take home some silverware this year, so watch this space.”

Nina Clarkin, The Bordeaux Cellars Most Outstanding Lady Player

Nina Clarkin: “It feels great to have won this award. I had a really great season last year and I’m thrilled to be recognised like this by my peers. There’s so many people I’d like to thank. It takes a lot of work and patience, especially when you have small children. I have a lot of support from John Paul, my grooms and Ollie Jones, who does my horses as well as the wonderful ladies I played the Victrix Ludorum with. This season I’ll be playing 15 goal with the Hurlingham 1875 team, then a bit of 12 goal, 10 goal, 6 goal and finally the Victrix Ludorum with Sarah Van Vegchel, Hannah Henderson and Saffy Oliver.”

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Polo Times, July 2018

Michael Bickford, The Hedonism Wines Most Outstanding High Goal Patron

Michael Bickford: “It is really great to win this award. There are a lot of patrons out there who have been playing a lot longer than I have and it’s great to win two years in a row regardless. 2017 was a great year for us. Any time you make it to a Final, it’s special, pro or patron. The Final of The Queen’s Cup was a bitter sweet moment. To get into the Final was great, but hard to lose.

We have made a few changes to the team this year and hope we can hold our momentum.

Everyone has bedded into the new team – the chemistry is great.”

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Polo Awards, Guards Polo Club

Feature

Open Nueva Jersey, owned and played by Gonzalito Pieres, The Pololine TV Most Outstanding High Goal Pony:

Gonzalito Pieres: “I am really happy. It is always good to receive awards like this.

Ellerstina is a really large breeding operation, so, to have a mare like Open Nueva Jersey winning an award like this means a lot for Ellerstina and for us. She is the granddaughter of Luna, my father’s really famous mare. I didn’t have her in the string at the beginning of The Gold Cup, but she came out from the Quarter Finals onwards and really changed my game. She is here this year and I won’t share her with anyone – not even my brother!”

Tommy Beresford, The Talacrest Young Player Award

Tommy Beresford: “It is a great feeling. Jack [Hyde] and Tom [Brodie], who have won it in the past, have said it has been a great part of helping them in their career and it’s great to have the investment to put into my game.

This season I am set up with a great team. I’m playing with Andrey Borodin’s Park Place, having played together as a team in Argentina over the winter months. We have started the season quite well – not a great first game in The Queen’s Cup, but there is still the season to come. I’m really looking forward to it.” www.polotimes.co.uk

King Power, The Innerplace Most Outstanding High Goal Team

Facundo Pieres: “It feels great, not only that we won, but that we received this award. We played really well at the end of the season and as players, we’re thrilled to have been a part of that. And, as our third year in a row winning this award, we’re really happy. The Gold Cup Final was a very wet affair with rain before the match, but the grounds were amazing, and it didn’t rain during the match, so it didn’t affect our play too much.”

Facundo Pieres, The Guards Polo Club Most Outstanding High Goal Professional

Facundo Pieres: “This year is set to be a very different experience with La Indiana, so I’m really looking forward to it and so far, we have been good, especially off the field which is so important. We’re trying to make our team the best we can.”

PJ MacMahon, The King Power Polo Recognition Award

PJ MacMahon: “I came to work for Richard Hartley in Petersfield in 1973 and have been at Cowdray for over 45 years. I’ve been working with some of the most famous polo teams in the world – Tramontana, Black Bears, Ellerston, Kerry Packer, Cowdray and more recently Park Place, and I’m very proud of all those relationships.”

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Feature

Polo Awards, Guards Polo Club

The Thai Polo & Equestrian Club Dream Team

And now for something different:

As voted for by the guests during the evening, Facundo Pieres, Juan Britos, Agustin ‘Tincho’ Merlos and Hilario Ulloa.

Each year, The Polo Awards take a moment to focus on polo outside the high goal with the presentation of the Victor Ludorum trophies, recognising the success of teams from 6 goal to 18 goal across the country.

18-year-old Benji Bradshaw began proceedings picking up not one, but two trophies from the 2017 season, for the 6 goal and Winter Victor Ludorum, whilst Olivia Clowes and Jake Rigby’s team secured the 8 goal trophy, with a nail-biting win in The Wichenford Bowl at Beaufort Polo Club. Next up, Darko Horvat and his team rose to the podium for the presentation of the 12 goal trophy, followed by Max Kirchhoff and his 15 goal winning Armis Snake Bite team. The Victor Ludorum 2017 newbies, Park Place, were the last mixed team to take to the podium for the presentation of the 18 goal trophy, to the delight of Andrey Borodin, who stated, “We started in 8 goal, moved up through 15 and 18 goal and now we’ll be playing in the 22 goal. There’s no stopping us.” Last but by no means least, this year’s awards also honoured the inaugural Victrix Ludorum series, with the Huntington House/ Apes Hill team coming forth to collect their trophy.

Alfredo Bigatti, voted as Polo’s Most Eligible Bachelor Award on the evening!

Park Place, The 2017 HPA 18 Goal Victor Ludorum Award:

Alfredo Bigatti: “I’m really happy to be part of Park Place and we have a really good group of people. We are not playing the same line-up for the 2018 season, but we played together in Argentina over the winter. This year, we will be each other’s competition! We still live together and share the stables but will only be rivals on the field.”

Armis Snake Bite, The 2017 HPA 15 Goal Victor Ludorum Award

Max Kirchhoff: “Fantastic! It was a fantastic year which we’re going to try and emulate this year. We’re very much cherry-picking tournaments this year. A bit of 15 and 18 goal and we will try and make dates work with people I want to play with. We will try and stay with the same team as last year, as much as the handicaps allow us to.”

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Polo Awards, Guards Polo Club

Feature

Foxcote, The 2017 HPA 12 Goal Victor Ludorum Award

Darko Horvat: “It feels amazing to win this award. It was the first time we took part in the Victor Ludorum and it was fantastic. It felt wonderful to play with the whole team and when we won The Dollar Cup, that was definitely the highlight of the season. It was, however, quite a commitment. You have to play a lot and of tournaments. We were lucky as we didn’t have many injuries. I twisted my arm at one point, so couldn’t play for a bit, but it could have been worse. We won’t be playing the Victor Ludorum this year as I don’t have the time, but maybe next year.”

Limitless Silvertown, The 2017 HPA 8 Goal Victor Ludorum Award

Olivia Clowes: “It was incredible. It was the most amazing experience. We all piled in and got involved. My family were behind me as well as my business partner and the guys were amazing. We halved the team with Rigby & Rigby in 2017 and everyone just got behind it – we’re on a high. It was really close at the end, with all the points for the whole season going down to The Wichenford Bowl at Beaufort Polo Club. We had everybody there and we had to win the match to win the whole thing, and we did, so it was incredible!”

Thomson Local, The 2017 HPA 6 Goal and Winter Victor Ludorum Awards

Winter Victor Ludorum Winners

Benji Bradshaw: “It feels brilliant to have won this award and it was completely down to the team. In the winter, we had Tom [Meyrick] and David [Ashby] and in the summer, there was also John [Martin] and Phil [Seller], who are all great guys. But, unfortunately David broke his leg, so we brought in the likes of Tom Beim and Jonny Coddington, who were just amazing to play with.

It was great fun and a cracking season. We will be playing a little bit this season, but not much. I’m leaving school and taking a gap year, so there are slight clashes, but hopefully I’ll play a little more post-gap year.”

6 Goal Victor Ludorum Winners

Huntington House/Apes Hill, The 2017 Victrix Ludorum Award

Geoffrey Hoare, Company Director of Huntington House: It has been a three year journey to this point. We won The British Open in 2015, The French Open in 2016 and then the three tournaments that were part of the six tournament Victrix Ludorum season in 2017, at Knepp Castle, Cirencester and Beaufort. These ladies are just the most incredible group to play with. Huntington House is a care home for elderly people. We employ over 100 ladies – my wife is the Chairman of the company, my daughter is a Director of the company and we’re very female focused, so to actually be involved in this and helping the ladies’ game move forward has been absolutely fantastic for us. We’re taking the 2018 season off, but there is a grand plan for 2019.

Camilla Williams: “I absolutely loved it last season. I have played my whole life and have realised I only like playing with my friends – if we lose it’s still fun. It is also fun to be part of the increased popularity of women’s polo, the better it gets. We’re looking to do more and hopefully we can move up a level, and maybe there is a world tour in our future! This year we’re taking a season off, but a friend from The Villages in Florida will be teaming up with us this year. She’s doing an introduction to English polo and hopefully she’ll be doing more polo in England. And then, in 2019, there is a lot happening. We’ll let you know about that in due course. Watch this space!” www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, July 2018

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Feature

Polo Awards, Guards Polo Club

The HPA Lifetime Achievement Awards Each year, the Hurlingham Polo Association nominates a member or members of the polo community for The HPA Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award is presented to those who represent the best in polo, not just on the field, but by working and supporting the polo community and performing their role in the background. This year, Major Christopher Hanbury and David Jamison were awarded this accolade for their services to the sport.

HPA Chairman Stephen Hutchinson presented the 2018 HPA Lifetime Achievement Awards to David Jamison and Major Christopher Hanbury

Major Christopher Hanbury

David Jamison

“It’s very exciting to be awarded this accolade – something one never expects. It is wonderful to be recognised by my peers and join some of the most famous names from the past. I have four grandchildren playing at the moment, one of whom is 18-years-old with a 3 goal handicap, which is fantastic, so he is somebody to watch for the future. We just had a fantastic weekend at The Gerald Balding and 6 Goal Cirencester, as well as The Stoneythorpe Cup at Dallas Burston Polo Club. This is the icing on top of the cake!”

“For my peers to have nominated me for this award means I’m still going, which is a positive thing! I still wish I was playing, but those days are over. Weight and age mean folk like myself are too slow to play decent polo. I don’t go so often to the polo, but I like to support our Club, Cowdray. I go to polo if there is a good match on – I’m not keen on bad polo. I will certainly be present this season, especially for every day of The King Power Gold Cup.”

Christopher Hanbury was born in 1944 in County Mayo, Ireland. From a young age, he was involved in equestrian sports, hunting with the Meath and Ballymacad foxhounds until he moved to England at the age of 18. As a student at Cirencester in 1963, he began to play polo, but did not play seriously until he commissioned into the Irish Hussars in 1965, moving on to play regimental polo in Germany. In 1994, Christopher was sent as the Equerry to the Sultan of Brunei, who he encouraged to take up polo. From here on out, the Sultan embraced polo wholeheartedly, building the state-of-the-art Jerudong Polo Club and bringing world class players to both Brunei and England with the help of Christopher. During the 1980s, his Lovelocks team won more or less every tournament at Cirencester, with the assistance of his long-time pro, Rob Cudmore. Christopher was Chairman of Cirencester for five years from 1995-2000, served with the HPA for 17 years from 1995 to 2012 and was Chairman for four years from 2005 to 2009. He has invested widely in the polo community, building Longdole Polo Club in Gloucestershire and El Remanso in Pilar, Argentina, which houses stables, polo fields, accommodation and a world class embryo breeding centre.

These days, his family take to the field under Christopher’s guidance, but he remains as involved with the sport to this day as he did back in the 1960s.

David Jamison began his polo career in Rhinefield Polo Club [today The New Forest Polo Club], following a pep talk from Alan Kent, who informed him it was worth spending the time stick and balling to ensure he was ultimately competitive. In 1982, David purchased the famous racing stud, Westerland Stud near Cowdray, retaining part of the property for Thoroughbreds and foals. Since then, David has had a very successful racehorse breeding career, with his broodmare Fall Aspen having been the dam of nine stakes winners, four of which were Group One stakes. During his early polo years, David established a string of ponies in Palm Beach, playing with the great names of the day across the world, from Zimbabwe to India.

In England he turned his attention to The Gold Cup, joining forces with David Yeoman’s Southfields to take the title initially in 1984 and going on to win in 1987, 1988 and 1989 with Tramontana, a feat that has only been matched by King Power after 30 years. In the midst of all this, he also won The Queen’s Cup title in 1985 with Centaurs.

Following this spate of wins, David turned his attention to his young horse programme, breeding top-notch ponies as well as retraining a series of ponies from the track, most notably Chesney, whom he purchased from the Ascot sales and who, to this day, remains 24th in Country Life’s Top 50 Greatest Horses of all time. David was an HPA Steward for 12 years from 2003 to 2014 and Chairman of Cowdray Park Polo Club for four years from 2003 to 2006. He was a constant advocate of improving the grounds to achieve better polo, which remains one of the Club’s main ambitions to this day.

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Polo Times, July 2018

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Victor Ludorum Update

Reports

Victor Ludorum Update T Play gets underway

he 2018 Victor Ludorum series has now begun, with tournaments from the five out of the six handicap sections held at different clubs across the country. The 12 Goal Victor Ludorum series was yet to commence at the time of going to press, however the competition is already fierce and with the introduction of the new 4 Goal Victor Ludorum series, more players and low goal clubs are now involved in this national contest.

18 Goal Victor Ludorum

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received The Polo Magazine MVP bag of goodies including British Polo Gin and a free subscription, but also a Stephen’s Polo Division saddle. Martin Valent’s pony Violantera was presented with the Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug as well as a bridle from Stephen’s Polo Division. To read more about Violantera, please turn to our Pony Power pages.

The Duke of Sutherland Final Teams: Ferne Park (18): Vere Harmsworth (0), Rodrigo Rueda (6), Joaquin Pittaluga (7) & Jacinto Crotto (5) Desert Palm (18): Camilo Castagnola (5), Henry Porter (2), Bartolomé Castagnola (6) & Martin Valent (5)

MVP Joaquin Pittaluga

BPP Violantera, owned and played by Martin Valent

Photograph by Clive Bennett/www.polopictures.co.uk

Cowdray Park Polo Club – The Duke of Sutherland Cup Final – Sunday 10 June Number of teams: 15 Winners: Ferne Park Points: 90

Fifteen teams entered the 2018 Duke of Sutherland Cup, supported by Stephen’s Polo Division. The Duke of Sutherland Cup was first presented at Cowdray Park in 1953, and this season’s spectators enjoyed a thrilling standard of play throughout the tournament.

For the third time, Jonathan Rothermere’s Ferne Park side made it to the Final where they faced Ali Albwardi’s Desert Palm team.

The match opened with a very swift goal from Camilo Castagnola and Joaquin Pittaluga responded with an accurate 40 yard penalty shot. At the close of the first chukka, the score was level at 2-2. The second chukka opened with a throw-in and the ball was taken away swiftly by Ferne Park. Pittaluga shot a fantastic angled ball through the posts to take the lead again for Ferne Park, but it wasn’t long before Camilo Castagnola equalised for Desert Palm. Despite several shots on goal, neither side produced another goal by the chukka’s close.

Within a minute of the opening of the third chukka Ferne Park were driving towards the goal again, with Desert Palm mounting a strong defence. Suddenly Vere Harmsworth escaped from the mêlée and sent a lovely shot through to take his side ahead 4-3. By then Pittaluga was firmly established in the driving seat and made a succession of goals to send Ferne Park ahead 7-3 by half-time.

The fourth chukka opened with the action just as fast and Desert Palm rode hard in the ride-offs as they tried to defend their goal mouth but, whilst they took every opportunity to turn the ball and find their own route to goal, it was once again Ferne

Park who marked the scoreboard with two fine goals from Rodrigo Rueda and a lead of 9-3 at chukka’s end.

Chukka five opened with a throw-in, with Henry Porter stealing the ball from Harmsworth and sending it to Bartolomé Castagnola. Following behind were Martin Valent and Camilo, and the team effort enabled Bartolomé to score. Desert Palm won the throw-in but Pittaluga snatched the ball and went racing off upfield. Porter tried to stop him, but the ball went through the posts and Ferne Park were 10-4 ahead. Valent seized the ball from Jacinto Crotto at the next throw-in, passed to Camilo, who made a splendid run to goal pulling a much-needed goal back for Desert Palm. In the next play, again it was Valent who seized the ball and fed it to his teammates to ensure another goal from the stick of the 15-year-old Camilo. However, the gap was too wide for a comeback and the match ended with a convincing win for Ferne Park of 10-6.

Stephen Biddlecombe presented The Duke of Sutherland trophy to Vere Harmsworth as well as a plethora of prizes from Stephen’s Polo Division. The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player award went to Joaquin Pittaluga, who not only

Ferne Park won The Duke of Sutherland Final, defeating rivals Desert Palm

Polo Times, July 2018

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Reports

Victor Ludorum Update

Photograph by Clive Bennett/www.polopictures.co.uk

Four Quarters Orange defeated White Crane to win the 12 goal Dollar Cup Final

15 Goal Victor Ludorum

Guards Polo Club – The OUT-SOURCING! Inc Royal Windsor Cup Final – Sunday 24 June Number of teams: 23 Winners: La Dolfina Points: 110 For a full report from The OUT-SOURCING! Inc Royal Windsor Cup Final, please turn to page 60.

12 Goal Victor Ludorum

Cowdray Park Polo Club – The Dollar Cup Final – Sunday 3 June Number of teams: 12 Winners: Four Quarters Orange Points: 100 As The Dollar Cup Final got underway, Andrew Blake-Thomas raced away to take the first goal for White Crane and swift action followed with both backs effectively controlling the action. Juan Ambroggio’s first attempt on goal saw the ball go wide, followed by James Harper who came close, but not close enough. A 60 yard penalty was awarded to White Crane and Blake-Thomas sent the ball straight between the posts, thus putting White Crane in the lead 2-0.

“suddenly Morley grabbed the ball and sent a beautiful high shot over the posts to take Four Quarters Orange into the lead” 38

Polo Times, July 2018

Four Quarters Orange won the ball from the throw-in, Josh Cork stole it back, but suddenly young Kian Hall was in the frame and the ball was between the posts for Four Quarters Orange’s first goal of the match.

As the chukka wound down Tom Morley attempted a long shot at goal, but it went wide, and the chukka ended with White Crane in the lead 2-1.

The fast pace continued throughout the second chukka with Ambroggio making his mark and Morley nimble in both attack and defence. Harper was on the attack, backed up by Hall, but Morley stole the ball and fired a great shot through the posts to equalise. At the next throw-in, Ambroggio and Hall fought for possession, but BlakeThomas turned the ball for White Crane.

Back and forward went the action with both sides sending shots to goal, but narrowly missing. Suddenly, Morley grabbed the ball and sent a beautiful high shot over the posts to take Four Quarters Orange into the lead as the bell sounded for the end of the chukka.

The third chukka opened with a throwin win for Four Quarters. Ambroggio raced into the action and passed to Morley who shot from a tricky angle to score a great goal thus taking the lead, 4-2 for Four Quarters Orange and it wasn’t long before Ambroggio was rewarded for his keen play with a tidy shot to goal for 5-2. Following a failed penalty by White Crane, Ambroggio carried the ball upfield with suddenly Hall racing through and aiming at the goal, his shot taking Four Quarters Orange on to 6-2.

There was no let-up in the action in the final chukka. The White Crane boys tried

desperately to convert their action into goals, but Morley was always in the right place at the right time to intercept. Once again, a 60 yard penalty shot by White Crane went wide, but finally Harper was successful with a good field goal. Cork was next to try to find the posts, but the ball was saved on the line in the final moments of the match, which ended with a well-deserved 6-3 win for Four Quarters Orange. Sanchia BlakeThomas presented The Dollar Cup trophy to a delighted Simon Arber and prizes to all players. The Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug was presented to Juan Ambroggio’s mare, Top Model and Tom Morley was awarded The Polo Magazine’s Most Valuable Player prize. To read more about Top Model, please turn to our Pony Power pages.

The Dollar Cup Final Teams: Four Quarters Orange (12): Simon Arber (0), Kian Hall (2), Juan Ambroggio (6) & Tom Morley (4) White Crane (12): Jasmine Calvert-Ansari (0), Josh Cork (2), Andrew Blake-Thomas (3) & James Harper (7)

MVP Tom Morley

BPP

Top Model, owned and played by Juan Ambroggio www.polotimes.co.uk

Victor Ludorum Update

The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club – The John Prestwich Final – Saturday 16 June Number of teams: 4 Winners: Taittinger Points: 70 The hotly awaited Final of the John Prestwich challenge once again arrived with the sun shining down at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club. George Cadogan’s Taittinger, who had won both their league games, took to the field to face the might of the Tempest team who won their place in the Final following a tense penalty shoot-out in their previous match.

From the first throw-in it was clear that Taittinger meant business as Will Emerson and Sebastian Dawnay displayed great skills and teamwork to quickly open the match, 2-0.

This was short-lived though, as Tempest replied in the form of Gustav Rausing finishing off a pass from Ryan Pemble with a confident drive through the middle of the posts, to put their first goal on the board to end the first chukka.

“it was clear Tempest were far from beaten and a battle commenced in the fourth chukka between the two teams”

Taittinger returned in the second chukka to show Tempest who was boss, putting two more goals on the board, one courtesy of Dawnay’s 60-yard penalty success, shortly followed by a magnificent run from Tom Brodie, outwitting the Tempest defence with his limitless ball skills. Tempest had no reply and struggled to find the flags with every attack made.

This chukka was not without tension as Brodie was once again on the attack, when he was hit behind the knee leaving everyone on tenterhooks as to whether he would be able to continue. Thankfully with the aid of the medics, he was back on to close the end of the chukka 4-1.

A team talk at half-time seemed to have set the wheels in motion for a quick Tempest comeback, as they went out on the attack for the third chukka, with The Earl of Tyrone escaping the tight grip of Taittinger’s defence, to fly down the field and score an impressive cut shot to goal. Taittinger seemed on the back foot as yet another attack from Tempest put the ball onto Gustav’s stick, who once again put the ball between the posts, bringing them back into

Reports

contention at the end of the third, 3-5.

It was clear Tempest were far from beaten and a battle commenced in the fourth chukka between the two teams. The first half saw Pemble score a field goal to leave Tempest trailing by just one goal, then Brodie returned the favour with a quick turn of pace putting Tempest behind by two goals once more.

The final minutes of the last chukka were a tense time for Tempest, who fought hard for possession and managed to convert a penalty to make it 5-6, but the clock was not on their side and in a thrilling end-to-end Final, Taittinger ran out the winners 6-5.

Tom Brodie was awarded The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player Award, whilst Ryan Pemble’s 10-year-old New Zealand mare Pearl was awarded the Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug. To read more about Pearl, please turn to our Pony Power pages.

The John Prestwich Final Teams: Taittinger (12): George Cadogan (0), Tom Brodie (4), Will Emerson (5) & Sebastian Dawnay (3) Tempest (12): Gustav Rausing (0), Rosendo Torreguitar (3), The Earl of Tyrone (5) & Ryan Pemble (4)

BPP Pearl, owned and played by Ryan Pemble

Photograph by Cymon Skinner Photography

MVP Tom Brodie

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Polo Times, July 2018

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Victor Ludorum Update

6 Goal Victor Ludorum

Six teams battled it out over two weeks for The Stoneythorpe Cup Victor Ludorum, 6 goal tournament. Each team played two league games and following the first rounds of matches the top two teams from each league moved through to the Semi Finals.

The first Semi Final was between local team CANI and Chester Racecourse, in which CANI ran out the winners to secure a place in the Final. The second match was between Longdole based, Stoneyhill and Cheshire based, Jenkinsons Polo. This was a close fought game, with Stoneyhill taking the Final place in Sunday’s Final.

The Final of The Stoneythorpe Cup proved a great finale to end the tournament.

The game was incredibly close with one goal in it throughout, as both teams took the lead at various points. However, in the final chukka, after a couple of missed opportunities from CANI, Stoneyhill stormed ahead by two taking the victory by 9 goals to CANI’s 7. The Polo Magazine’s Most Valuable Player award was presented to Kiki Severn and Will Lucas’ pony Reeba was awarded the Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug. To read more about Reeba, please turn to our Pony Power pages.

Photograph by J Ridley Art & Photography

Dallas Burston Polo Club – The Stoneythorpe Cup Final – Sunday 27 May Number of teams: 6 Winners: Stoneyhill Points: 80

Beaufort Polo Club – The Pinckneys Gin Eduardo Rojas Lanusse Trophy Final – Saturday 16 June Number of teams: 5 Winners: Senzaltro Points: 90 As the sun peaked over the clouds, Senzaltro faced CANI on the Swinhay No1 Field for the Final of the Eduardo Rojas Lanusse Victor Ludorum. CANI kicked off proceedings with interplay between Matias Amaya and Josh Cork, who the week before had won The Golden Jubilee Trophy with Flannels England in The Swinhay International Test Match against Ireland, resulting in goal after goal for the team in pink. In the second chukka, Senzaltro replied with a quick goal, but CANI continued to dominate with another goal to make it 3-1 by half-time. Heading into the third chukka, CANI added another to their tally making

4 Goal Victor Ludorum

Burningfold Polo Club – The Alford Bowl Final – Sunday 10 June Number of teams: 2 Winners: Print on Demand Points: 50

Photograph by Zahra Lucas

On the morning of Sunday 10 June, Burningfold took on Print on Demand for The Alfold Bowl and the first points in the new 4 Goal HPA Victor Ludorum series. Burningfold dominated the first half,

it a comfortable 4-1. However, a combined effort from Ben Wilson and Olly Tuthill saw Senzaltro come back with a vengeance, taking advantaged CANI’s complacency, adding two more goals to the scoreboard to make it 3-4 by the end of the third chukka.

Senzaltro then made it 4-4 in the fourth chukka forcing CANI to start fighting back, but it was too late as Olly Tuthill converted a penalty to make it 5-4 and taking the win for Senzaltro. In the Subsidiary Final for the Desert Dagger, Manton Estate defeated Pinckneys Gin 6-5.

The Pinckneys Gin Eduardo Rojas Lanusse Trophy Final Teams: Senzaltro (6): Jules Van Vegchel (-1), Jack Aldridge (1), Olly Tuthill (4) & Ben Wilson (2) CANI (6): Louise Jebson (-1), James Mann (0), Josh Cork (2) & Matias Amaya (5) with some great field goals and penalty conversions, but the second half saw a change in tactics from Print on Demand allowing them to gain possession and take the lead. Three strong field goals from Ollie Cork in the last chukka saw them come out victorious 7-4 in a fast-flowing match.

Alec Banner-Eve was awarded the Best Playing Pony prize on his pocket rocket Lady C and Fleur Turner played a great game to scoop up the Most Valuable Player award.

Print on Demand came back from a slow first half to win The Alford Bowl Final

Photograph courtesy of Burningfold Polo Club

BPP

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MVP Kiki Severn

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Chestertons Polo in the Park, Hurlingham Park, London

Chestertons Polo in the Park T Thousands descend on Hurlingham Park housands of spectators and players gathered in Hurlingham Park for the hotly anticipated annual Chestertons Polo in the Park.

On Friday 8 June, in glorious sunshine, the weekend kicked off with the first day of matches for the Chestertons Polo in the Park Championship. At the end of the three matches, Air Europa Team Buenos Aires and Argentex Team Dubai had solid leads, whilst EFG Team Zurich and Experience Kissimmee Team Kissimmee ended the day with a draw. The highlight of the day saw

ICM Ireland defeat Flannels England, 6-5 in the nailbiting ICM Capital International Match, which saw Jack Richardson as the only scorer for Flannels England and The Earl of Tyrone the sole player to find the posts for ICM Ireland.

The second day welcomed thousands of spectators back to Hurlingham Park for Ladies Day sponsored by Boadicea the Victorious. The day started with the annual La Martina Bike Polo match between Oxford vs Cambridge. The historic rivals pedalled hard to defeat their age-old rivals, but the

Oxford team ultimately took home the coveted prize. In the day’s Championship matches, EFG Team Zurich defeated Argentex Team Dubai, Whitley Neill Team Cape Town beat No.1 Rosemary Water Team London and Air Europa Team Buenos Aires defeated Experience Kissimmee Team Kissimmee 7-5. So, as the play went into the final day, it was a close fought affair, with Air Europa Team Buenos Aires remaining the only undefeated team after two matches.

The final day welcomed families for the annual Family Day at Hurlingham Park, with children taking delight in Eddie Catz and the Sharky & George pitch invasion! The field was taken over by bubbles, giant bouncy castles, games and space hoppers, making the most of the glorious London sunshine.

The final day’s play got underway following a brief clear up on the field and as the day’s three games came to a close, Air Europa Team Buenos Aires once again proved their dominance, this time against EFG Team Zurich, taking the match, and with it the tournament title, 6-3.

Hurlingham Park saw three days of exciting Polo in the Park play

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Chestertons Polo in the Park, Hurlingham Park, London

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Photography courtesy of Pitch PR

The Chestertons Polo in the Park Teams: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Team London: Garrie Renucci, George Meyrick & Malcolm Borwick EFG Team Zurich: Gregory Touret, Juan Cruz Merlos & Juan Ignacio Merlos Argentex Team Dubai: Rommy Gianni, Hissam Ali Hyder & Chris Hyde Experience Kissimmee Team Kissimmee: Charlie Wooldridge, Jamie Morrison & Joaquin Pittaluga Whitley Neill Team Cape Town: Oli Hipwood, Eduardo Novillo Astrada & Justin Taylor Air Europa Team Buenos Aires: James McCarthy, Santiago Araya & Marcos Araya ICM Team Ireland: The Earl of Tyrone, Sebastian Dawnay & Ryan Pemble Flannels England: Henry Porter, Jack Hyde & Jack Richardson

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Reports

Air Europa Team Buenos Aires defeated all their rivals to be crowned champions of the 2018 Chestertons Polo in the Park tournament

Polo Times, July 2018

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

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Photograph by Tom Reynolds

Flannels England lift aloft The Golden Jubilee Trophy

Flannels England Reign Again So much sweeter the second time around as Flannels England defeat Ireland at Beaufort

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un, sun, sun – what more could you ask for on a Saturday summer afternoon at Beaufort Polo Club? As the glorious June sunshine bathed the Gloucestershire Club in endless heat, thousands of spectators and players from near and far gathered to celebrate all things polo. The weekend of celebration kicked off with the annual celebrity match, pipping two amateur teams against each other for the coveted trophy.

Recent years have seen Flannels England and Ireland come together to battle for The Golden Jubilee Trophy. Over the past three

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years, Flannels England have proved their dominance over our Irish cousins, winning the trophy in 2015 and 2017. Ireland, with a win in 2016, were looking for another victory this year and upped the ante with their team choice accordingly. Sebastian Dawnay, well known for his daring defeats in the British arena, stepped out in the number two shirt for Ireland to make his last appearance in the distinctive emerald green shirt of the Ireland international squad.

Prior to the main event, guests, spectators and supporters enjoyed the trade village, full to bursting with exciting brands such as

Jen Liggins

reports from Beaufort Polo Club

Urban Hound, British Polo Gin, Nyetimber, The Jambo Collection and Hurlingham 1875. As a special treat, Olympic gold medal winning dressage rider Laura Tomlinson and her colleague Lara Butler showcased their equine discipline in front of the excited crowd, with ponies Unique VII and Kristjan, as a complete juxtaposition to the fast-paced sport everyone had all turned out to see.

As the national anthems rang out across the Gloucestershire grounds and the avid spectators quickly found their places in the grandstand, the tensions heightened on and off the field.

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Reports

Gloucestershire Festival of Polo, Beaufort Polo Club

Photography by Tom Reynolds

The Earl of Tyrone and George Meyrick tussle for the line

Unlike past years, there was no sign of rain on the horizon, so as the spectators slathered on another layer of suncream, grabbed a delicious cocktail or two from the bar, as well as a 99 with a flake, and settled in for the afternoon, the Flannels England team and their Irish opposition took to the pristine Swinhay No 1 Field.

From the first throw-in, the match was fast and intense. Acknowledged as one of the most exciting and dramatic International Test Matches to date, neither team was prepared to slow even for a second, as the play intensely flew up and downfield. Beginning with a half goal advantage, Ireland took early possession, racing towards their goal, 46

Polo Times, July 2018

with Flannels England’s George Meyrick in hot pursuit. Despite Meyrick’s attempts to slow the Irish down, they chipped the first ball through the goal, to a roar from the assembled Irish contingent, taking initial control, 1½-0. As the players gathered for the following throw-in, the play increased in speed, with both teams fighting tooth and nail for possession. 22-year-old Josh Cork was the first Flannels England player to overcome the Irish harassment, scoring the first and all-important goal for his country, swiftly followed by his young team mate, 18-year-old Henry Porter. As the first chukka came to a close, Flannels England had survived the Irish onslaught and were ready

for the next attack, leading 2-1½.

Ireland, undeterred after two quickfire goals from Flannels England, stormed into the second chukka, sticking to their English opponents like glue. The Earl of Tyrone seemed to be everywhere, marking every player, enabling Freddie Horne to nip through the English defence and bound upfield for his first goal of the match. As the chukka continued, Flannels England’s prematch coffees seemed to kick in, with goals firing off the sticks of young guns Porter and Cork. The Earl of Tyrone was not to be deterred as he converted an Irish 30 yard penalty, to bring his side back into the game.

The Irish began the third chukka on a high, as The Earl of Tyrone converted another penalty, to bring the scores to within half a goal of one another, 5-4½, and following a stormer of a goal from Freddie Horne, Ireland once again took the lead, 5-5½. It was at this point that the teams came together in what can only be described as a mêlée in front of the Flannels England goal, during which Sebastian Dawnay took a knock from an unknown source, injuring his riding muscle. After being seen by the paramedics, the decision was made for him to continue playing, to applause from the crowd, but the game restarted with a penalty in Flannels England’s favour, which Captain Mark Tomlinson easily converted. Flannels England were back in the lead and they were not going to let go now. Each English player took their turn to fire a goal through the posts, to put some breathing space between the two teams. Porter, Cork then Meyrick added to their team’s scoresheet and as the chukka wound down, the English team led 9-5½. With The Earl of Tyrone getting increasingly tense, Tomlinson gave away an all-important penalty. The Earl of Tyrone took the shot, with all believing it had gone through the posts, however, with disagreement by the goal judges as well as the umpires and the famous Hawkeye yet to make an appearance on the polo field, the goal was disallowed to the dismay of the boys in green. With this contentious decision, the bell went for half-time and the cooling off period the teams needed.

The final two chukkas went by in a flurry of activity with both teams not taking any prisoners. The Earl of Tyrone went straight to goal from the first throw-in, gaining a needed goal for his Irish side, but Flannels England had the bit between their teeth, determined to maintain their extensive lead.

Porter looked like he had another goal in the bag, as he single-handedly stole the ball and galloped upfield towards another England goal, but as is often the case in polo, the fates were not going to be kind and as an errant dog raced onto the field, the ball flew wide. As the tension mounted, the teams began to make mistakes in the mêlée and as Tomlinson fell with his pony heading back home to the yard, the Irish were awarded www.polotimes.co.uk

Gloucestershire Festival of Polo, Beaufort Polo Club

The first day began with the annual Celebrity Match between the Diamonds and the All-Stars

Celebrities Do Polo

It’s safe to say, it wouldn’t be the Gloucestershire Festival of Polo without a little bit of fun to kick proceedings off. This year, the All Stars, with Victoria Pendleton at the helm, took on the Diamonds, with Rupert Lewis leading the charge, in the annual Celebrity Match. With the ponies looking pristine and the players perfectly prepared in their polo gear, the first ball was thrown in. A flurry of cheers came from the fans on the sidelines, as the players raced up and down the field, ably assisted by their professional support in the form of the two 3 goalers, David Ashby and Rupert Lewis.

After a resounding 4-1 victory, Victoria Pendleton spoke to Polo Times. “It was really good fun and I’ve enjoyed trying to play! I didn’t feel I contributed much to the match to be honest. I galloped round and couldn’t really control my ponies, but hopefully one day I might be able to hit the ball. It really makes me appreciate how hard the sport is!”

Made in Chelsea’s Francis Boulle, a -1 goal player in his own right, was on the opposing side and shared a few words of wisdom with Polo Times. “I loved every minute of it today. I haven’t taken to the field for the past two years, so it feels good to ride again.

I hope to play more now I’m back in the UK full time. I have a cottage down in Wiltshire, so maybe you’ll see me playing at Tidworth sometime soon.”

This was the first year coach David Ashby took to the field for the celebrity match, riding alongside pupil and friend Victoria Pendleton.

“I absolutely loved today. Playing with these guys is a lot of fun. I’ve been training Victoria over the past couple of weeks, getting her back into the swing of things after her performance last year and it is a real privilege to train an Olympic athlete – it puts a lot of pressure on the coach! The thirst for knowledge that she has is amazing.”

Caspar West

Where: Beaufort Polo Club

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Photograph by Tom Reynolds

a Penalty 1, bringing the score to 9-7½. As seconds ticked down in the fourth chukka, Flannels England took advantage of their good luck once again, as Tomlinson placed an easy 30 yard penalty through the posts.

So, as the teams prepared for the final chukka, the score rested on 10-7½.

The fifth and final chukka saw both teams defend their national honour to the last man. The ball soared up and down the midfield in something akin to Wimbledon and as it started to look like it was all over for Ireland, Niall Donnelly fired an enormous hit, straight over the Flannels England defenders, through the posts. This goal was swiftly followed by another for the Irish boys, bringing the score to 10-9½. In the words of commentator Tom Urquhart, “Tick, tock goes the Beaufort International clock” – could the Irish score one more goal before the 10 seconds on the clock wound down? Despite firing multiple shots in the right direction, it just wasn’t to be. Flannels England lifted high The Golden Jubilee Trophy for the second year running to thrilled applause from their friends, families and supporters.

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Tom Urquhart & Peter West

HURLINGHAMPOLO1875.COM

MVP Henry Porter

ST YLE NAME: England Polo - Beaufort International 2017

7mm

STYLE NO: HP1875 xxxxxx

DATE: 26/05/17

SEASON: S/S 2017

DESIGNER:

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R ANGE: Team Kits

7mm

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Pepe Araujo & Adrian Wade, with 3rd Man Caspar West

Reports

Diamonds Rupert Lewis Tom Garner Marcus Armytage Francis Boulle

All Stars David Ashby Victoria Pendleton CBE George Amor Mark Bradburne

SHIRT: Visual

BPP

10TH JUNE 2017 BEAUFORT TEST MATCH ENGLAND v IRELAND

Flannels England (16) Henry Porter (2) Josh Cork (2) George Meyrick (6) Mark Tomlinson (6)

Ireland (15) Niall Donnelly (4) Sebastian Dawnay (3) The Early of Tyrone (5) Freddie Horne (3)

Chukka Scores: 2-1½, 5-3½, 9-5½, 10-7½, 10-9½ to Flannels England NOTES:

PANTONE: 282c

Copyright King of Games Limited ©2017

PANTONE: 206c

PANTONE: 362c

PANTONE: 283c

Cheeky Monkey, owned and played by The Earl of Tyrone

Easter Bunny, owned and played by £2,500 Chance to win George Meyrick with your former racehorse (raced in GB and registered with RoR)

To read more about Cheeky Monkey, please turn to our Pony Power pages and for all the social pictures from the day, please turn to our Sidelines pages www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, July 2018

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Reports

Gloucestershire Festival of Polo, Beaufort Polo Club

Post-Match Player Chat Flannels England Henry Porter: “I thought it was a really good game of open and fast polo. The ground went really well, with great footing for the horses. Ireland didn’t stop fighting until the end, which is exactly what you want in an international match. As a team we played really well together. We kept our cool and communicated really well and pulled it off at the end. It’s great to be back after a winter in Florida and I seem to have brought some of the weather with me.”

Josh Cork: “I thought the match was really good fun. This is my second time playing here for Flannels England. The first year was great and we won the game, just, and this year was a similar experience. It was great to play with Henry this year and I think we bounced well off each other.

We tried to do a practice during the week, but because of schedules it didn’t work out. Luckily, we had all played together before, so knew our strengths and weaknesses. We worked really well from the start.”

George Meyrick: “I really enjoyed today’s match. It was great to play with Mark Tomlinson, who I haven’t played much with before as well as Henry and Josh. We let it get a bit close at the end, but I felt we were there, really gelling as a team, before the last couple of moments that were a bit scary!

It was really fun and the ground was great.”

Mark Tomlinson: “The last minute of the match was tense, but I really enjoyed myself on the field today. It was a great game and it is a real privilege to play with the young guys, Henry and Josh, and to be the one to help them and spur them along.

I love playing on my home ground as well, even if it is a little distracting thinking about what should be where etc. Also, I’m loving my new Armis helmet – it’s really comfortable and I feel safe.”

Photograph by George Gunn Photography

Ireland Niall Donnelly: “It was a disappointing game at the end, but it was a great game. It’s always good fun to play with the Irish boys. I’ve played with these guys a few times now and every time is great. Going into the last chukka, we thought we had a chance. We didn’t have a very good third chukka, but we got it back to within half a goal and ran out of time in the end. We could have had it in six chukkas, but it was a fast match and the field played really well and nearing the end the ponies were tired. Their team was really fast in the end.”

For a full report from The Junior Westchester Trial, please turn to our Youth Pages 48

Polo Times, July 2018

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Reports

Gloucestershire Festival of Polo, Beaufort Polo Club

Royal Seal of Approval T Thousands turn out for The Maserati Royal Charity Polo Trophy

Polo Times, July 2018

Malcolm Borwick takes control of the play for Maserati

chukka which earned him the Most Valuable Player award. Maserati however, were not deterred and maintained the lead to the final bell, winning 6-5½ in the dying moments.

The presentation of this match signalled

the end of a truly exciting weekend, bathed in glorious sunshine. This year saw a recordbreaking number of spectators, a feat which Beaufort Polo Club hope to emanate in years to come.

Photograph by George Gunn Photography

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Photograph by George Gunn Photography

he second day of The Gloucestershire Festival of Polo saw even more guests, spectators and players than the first day, with thousands lining the banks at Beaufort Polo Club and the lucky few clinking glasses in the VIP Enclosure in celebration of the glorious weather.

As the day’s excitement began, the Beaufort Polo Club grounds resonated with the sound of junior polo hooves as the Javier Novillo Astrada U15 Cup players took to the Swinhay No 1 Field and shining Maseratis chauffeured VIPs to their prime position.

HRH The Duke of Cambridge was in attendance, not only to present prizes to the players from the day’s matches, but also to take part himself in the Maserati Royal Charity Polo Trophy.

Four junior teams took to the ground for the Javier Novillo Astrada U15 Cup Semi Final matches to begin the day’s proceedings.

This tournament is held in the memory of former 10 goal player Javier Novillo Astrada, who tragically lost his battle with cancer in 2014 at the age of just 37-years-old. Having been based at Beaufort Polo Club in 1996 for his first season on British soil, the Club now honour his memory with this exciting tournament, with the hope that these young players will benefit from playing on the Beaufort grounds as he did.

Following the two exciting matches, Royal Marsden Two and Beaufort One moved on to the Final. Beaufort One, led by Adolfo Cambiaso’s son Poroto Cambiaso, had the upper hand from the first throw-in and initially leading 3-0, then, extending their lead to 6-0 to take home the title. HRH The Duke of Cambridge joined the young players at the presentation, congratulating them on their incredible performance. For a full report from The Javier Novillo Astrada U15 Tournament, please turn to our Youth Pages.

Following an excellent lunch in the VIP marquee, HRH The Duke of Cambridge rode out onto the ground with his Maserati teammates for The Maserati Royal Charity Match against Dhamani 1969. In the first two chukkas, Bruce Merivale-Austin took control of the play, scoring three goals for Maserati with just one in response from Dhamami 1969, as Mark Tomlinson secured a penalty to bring the score to 3-1½.

Dhamani 1969 then continued to climb up the scoreboard with excellent play between Tomlinson and Karan Thaper, who secured an all-important goal in the third

Maserati defeated Dhamani 1969 to win The Maserati Royal Charity Polo Trophy

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Gloucestershire Festival of Polo, Beaufort Polo Club

Reports

The Maserati Royal Charity Polo Trophy Teams: Team Maserati (9) Bruce Merivale-Austin (0) Josh Cork (2) Malcolm Borwick (6) HRH The Duke of Cambridge (1) Dhamani 1969 (7) Antonio Manzorro (3) Antonia Carlsson (-2) Karan Thapar (0) Mark Tomlinson (6)

MVP Karan Thaper

Umpires: Caspar West & Max Hutchinson

Photograph by Ben Hastie Photography

HRH The Duke of Cambridge was part of the winning Maserati team

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The Jewel in the Crown of Polo

Watch the World’s best polo players and enjoy the finest hospitality at polo’s most exclusive club Social members of Guards Polo Club have unlimited access to the Mosimann’s at Guards Clubhouse Restaurant. Be part of this sport’s number one club by calling us on 01784 434212 or emailing membership@guardspoloclub.com

Reports

Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

The Cartier Queen’s Cup, Guards Polo Club

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Hilario Ulloa helped Park Place to dominate the first half of the match

Third Time’s the Charm G

La Indiana snatch victory from the jaws of defeat uards Polo Club prides itself on welcoming spectators for a day of thrilling polo in a truly unique setting and this year’s Cartier Queen’s Cup Final was no different. Despite the weather not being as kind as it could have been, the grandstands were buzzing with VIPs, celebrities and polo enthusiasts from across the globe, all cheering for their chosen team, with glasses of champagne in hand. The Royal Box was awash with famous faces, from models Lily Cole and Martha Hunt to television’s favourite monarch, Jenna Coleman, alongside musician Tinie Tempah, but everyone’s eyes were peeled for the most awaited guests of all – HM The Queen and her husband, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Royalists weren’t disappointed, catching a glimpse of their favourite royals in such an illustrious setting.

Going into this Final, the online polls were showing Park Place fairly evenly rated against three-time Finalists, La Indiana.

Coming into their first season of 22 goal polo, Andrey Borodin said, “We’ve done the 8 goal, the 15 goal and the 18 goal, which

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has been a great success, so this season – it had to be the 22 goal!” This determination really rang true, as the team threw everything they had at The Cartier Queen’s Cup. Despite an initial loss to Talandracas in the first match of the tournament, and a later loss to Clinova, the team turned their fate around in the Quarter Finals, defeating 2017 winners RH Polo, 9-5, then going on to defeat 2018 US Open winners, Valiente, 11-9 in the Semi Finals. On the other hand, La Indiana’s run to the Final had been a slightly easier affair, winning all but one of their qualifying matches and securing their spot in the Final easily against La Bamba de Areco with a 13-6 win. So, it seemed for Michael Bickford’s side that all their hopes were resting on lucky number three, as they saddled up for their third attempt to clinch this coveted trophy.

The match was fast, furious and frenetic from the off, with both teams ferociously fighting for possession. The new HPA rules which have come into force this year have seen a rapid pace of play and players pushing the boundaries of the line, rules and some would argue safety. This Final was a classic illustration of what many critics have been vocalising through the high goal season as within the first two minutes, Park Place’s 10 goal powerhouse, Hilario Ulloa, was already on the floor, having collided with La Indiana’s Alec White, who found himself in the sin bin ‘naughty step’ for two minutes following his misdemeanour. Fortunately, Ulloa was unharmed, if not a little winded, and remounted, ready to recommence the onslaught.

Juan Britos, with an impressive tally of 35 goals thus far in the tournament,

“In a game-changing development within the first two minutes of the sixth and final chukka, La Indiana took the lead for the first time that day” Polo Times, July 2018

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Reports

The Cartier Queen’s Cup, Guards Polo Club

followed this form finding the posts for Park Place, converting the penalty awarded following the collision, but La Indiana’s most illustrious 2018 addition, 10 goal Queen’s Cup regular Facundo Pieres, quickly answered with a penalty conversion of his own on his famous pony, Cube, who went on to win the Best Playing Pony plaudit for her fantastic efforts in both this chukka and the fifth. So at the end of the first, it was 1 goal apiece. Despite open running play, the game had not really flowed so far, but Park Place were doing a great job of stopping the ease of play we had witnessed in the Semis which saw Pieres making the play and pushing up to a free Nic Roldan.

The second chukka began on an even more intense note than the first, with the tension clearly visible between the two teams. Cries of, “He’s mine” and, “What are you doing?” echoed around The Queen’s Ground and as the anxious atmosphere heightened, it was just a matter of time before something had to give. Roldan, flat

“Who’s to say what could have occurred if the umpires had taken a different stance or the players had acted with more caution?”

out and not conceding the play, made a mistake, colliding with Park Place patron and Captain Andrey Borodin, which caused him to fall dramatically from his horse. The match was halted whilst the paramedics treated Borodin on the field, then stretchered him off to the sidelines in the ambulance and later to hospital to be assessed (fortunately he was not seriously injured). Young Charlie Tighe, who has trained extensively with the Park Place side and has played a number of the OUT-SOURCING! Inc Royal Windsor Cup matches, took to the field in substitution for Borodin, whilst Roldan took his turn in the sin bin for foul play. Park Place didn’t seem too disrupted by the injury substitution, but they struggled to take advantage of the now three-a-side La Indiana. Pieres and Ulloa each scored a goal to once again tie the teams at the beginning of the third chukka.

The third saw fast, flowing polo as the teams really settled in, lofty passes and aggressive marking made up for the delays from collisions in the first two chukkas.

Britos began well for Park Place, converting a penalty, to then be followed by Ulloa flying upfield from the throw-in, tapping the ball back to Britos who scored the fourth goal for Park Place. Following a goal from the combination play of Bickford and the returned Roldan, Ulloa made it 5-3 for Park Place, with a huge pass upfront, initially intended for another player, which

ultimately found its ways through the posts and Tommy Beresford extended the gap even further to 6-3, having dribbled the ball through everyone. Park Place looked like they had the advantage, but from there on in La Indiana were taking no prisoners. As the clock ticked down to half-time, Roldan placed a final goal through the posts to make the score 6-4 going into the break.

The grandstands momentarily emptied, as guests were ushered onto the field to tread-in and mingle tentatively close to their favourite celebrity faces. Due to the multiple breaks in play in the first half, the half-time break was cut short, to make up some time ahead of the presentations.

With drinks refreshed and seats taken, the second half began with as much fervour as the first. Bickford’s team seemed a completely different line-up as the fourth chukka began. A change in their team tactics saw Bickford doing his best to stick to the long-reaching Tommy Beresford; whilst an adjustment to the line-up and a swap around of positions resulted in Pieres and Roldan ‘king of the neckshots’ firing through two field goals in quick succession, one off Pieres’ stick from approximately 60 yards out. At this point, the game was anyone’s and as the teams scored another goal apiece in the fifth chukka, one from 0 goal substitute Tighe to one in response from Pieres in his standard “cool as an eskimo” manner, in commentator

HM The Queen and Laurent Feniou presented La Indiana with The Cartier Queen’s Cup

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The Cartier Queen’s Cup, Guards Polo Club

Reports

Facts and Figures: Horsepower La Indiana: 39 ponies in total Argentine origin: 20 Australian origin: 10 New Zealand origin: 1 American origin: 7 Irish origin: 1

Mares: 32 Geldings: 7 Pony providers: La Indiana, Facundo Pieres, Alec White, Ellerstina & Nic Roldan Park Place: 43 ponies in total UK origin: 4 Argentine origin: 35 Australian origin: 1 American origin: 1 New Zealand origin: 1 South African origin: 1 Mares: 37 Stallions: 3 Geldings: 3 Pony providers: Andrey Borodin, Hilario Ulloa & Tommy Beresford

The play was fraught and intense throughout as these two titans clashed

MVP

The Cartier Queen’s Cup Teams:

Umpires: Peter Wright & Jason Dixon with Tim Bown as third man & Julian Appleby supporting Park Place (22) Andrey Borodin

(0 – substituted in the 2nd chukka by Charlie Tighe)

Juan Britos (7) Hilario Ulloa (10) Tommy Beresford (5)

La Indiana (22) Michael Bickford (1) Alec White (4) Nic Roldan (7) Facundo Pieres (10) Where: Guards Polo Club Glen Gilmore & Ebe Sievwright

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Yellow Cards: Nic Roldan Alec White

Facundo Pieres The 2018 win brings Facundo’s tally of Queen’s Cup wins to a total of five, eclipsing his father Gonzalo, who won the trophy four times

BPP Cartier Best Playing Pony Rug The famous 13-year-old Australian mare, Cube, owned and played

by Facundo Pieres, who played in the first and fifth chukkas. The chestnut mare is Pieres’ second favourite pony and also won the Best Playing Pony rug in The 2015 Cartier Queen’s Cup Final!

Chukka Scores: 1-1, 2-2, 4-6, 6-6, 7-7, 9-7 to La Indiana Polo Times, July 2018

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Reports

The Cartier Queen’s Cup, Guards Polo Club

The Cartier Queen’s Cup has been contended for since 1960

Michael Bickford: “It feels amazing to have won The Cartier Queen’s Cup today. For me, it is the most special cup in the world. We have tried three years in a row and this was our lucky year. It was amazing to be presented with the Cup by HM The Queen also, who reminded me that we now have to win it next year!”

Facundo Pieres: “The match was a little bit tough from the beginning, but we knew it was going to be like this. There was a lot of pressure on both teams and I think we played to our limit. It was good for us though, because we ended up strong in the last three chukkas after we changed tack a little bit. We moved Michael to mark Tommy Beresford as much as he could and changed our reaction to their set plays and then we changed the throwin a bit, reverting back to our normal 1, 2, 3, 4 positions and lucky for us it started working. I’m also really happy that Cube won the Best Playing Pony again, she is an intelligent mare and always strong in the important games – she knows when it matters. Most of all, I’m happy for my grooms, who work tirelessly on the string – they deserve the award. We’ll take some time to think about our tactics before The King Power Gold Cup after a good celebration!”

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Ebe Sievwright’s words, the crowd were left wondering whether this would be the first match in the 2018 Cartier Queen’s Cup tournament to go into extra time.

In a game-changing development within the first two minutes of the sixth and final chukka, La Indiana took the lead for the first time that day, as Pieres broke through the Park Place ranks at phenomenal speed to bring the score to 8-7. Park Place, in a stroke of luck were awarded a penalty, but as the whistle blew, La Indiana took advantage of the break to change their horses. Unexpectedly, during the pony changes, two minutes prior to the end of the Final, Bickford received treatment at the end of the field, which some felt, whether necessary or not, interrupted the flow of the pivotal final moments of the game. Britos

lined up for the penalty, but Pieres had other ideas, saving Britos’ strike in front of the goal with his stick and firing it upfield to the waiting Roldan and White. Ulloa was on them like a rocket, saving the goal, but following two unforced errors, which saw him mishit not once, but twice, Pieres seized his opportunity, danced through his Park Place opponents to trickle the ball through the posts. With cries of celebration on and off the field, La Indiana won The Cartier Queen’s Cup with a 9-7 final score against rivals Park Place, following two previous years of thwarted attempts.

At this point we feel it is safe to say, this year’s Final seemed to be one of the most contentious Queen’s Cup Finals to date, with players injured, ferocious play from both sides and challenging circumstances for the

“as the anxious atmosphere heightened, it was just a matter of time before something had to give” www.polotimes.co.uk

The Cartier Queen’s Cup, Guards Polo Club

La Indiana celebrated their win with their families and friends

Reports

officials on and off the field. The HPA’s rules changes had meant to make the game more attractive for spectators by speeding up the play, but had actually ended up with a long, protracted game due to collision-induced injury. Be it the unparalleled drive to win this year’s tournament, or the impact of the new rules, but the result saw La Indiana using their complete arsenal, apparently without check, to overcome their rivals. Who’s to say what could have occurred if the umpires had taken a different stance or the players had acted with more caution?

With both teams entered in the 2018 King Power Gold Cup, there is no doubt these two powerhouses will find themselves on opposing sides once again in the coming weeks. With one match apiece, who will make the first strike at Cowdray? As we go to press the Gold Cup commences. So… watch this space!

Cartier Queen’s Cup Subsidiary Final Earlier in the day in the Subsidiary Final for The Cartier Trophy, Spencer McCarthy’s Emlor defeated Hugues Carmignac’s Talandracas 12-9 on The Duke’s Ground. 2018 is a momentous year for Emlor as it marks the 15th year that Nacho Gonzalez has been playing alongside the McCarthy family. It was a thrilling match, with both teams fighting tooth and nail for the win.

19-year-old James McCarthy, substituting for his father, not only accepted the trophy on behalf of his team, but also the Most Valuable Player award, presented by HM The Queen.

The Cartier Trophy Teams:

Emlor (22): James McCarthy (0) Diego Cavanagh (8) Agustin ‘Tincho’ Merlos (9) Nacho Gonzalez (5)

Talandracas (22): Hugues Carmignac (0) Alejandro Muzzio (7) Francisco Elizalde (8) Julian ‘Negro’ de Lusarreta (7)

HM The Queen and Laurent Feniou, Managing Director of Cartier UK presented Emlor with The Cartier Trophy

www.polotimes.co.uk

The Cartier Trophy was competed for between Emlor and Talandracas on The Duke’s Ground

Polo Times, July 2018

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Reports

The Cartier Queen’s Cup, Guards Polo Club

Nic Roldan: “It was a really good result, but it was a tough game. It was a really physical game, but we knew it was going to be like that. It could have gone both ways and we were down at one point by three goals. Alec got kicked out, I got kicked out – it was just one of those games that felt neverending. But we stuck to it, gave all of our heart and put all the passion and all the dedication into the last three years that we’ve been working to get to this point. The horses were great, our coach Hector Guerrero has helped us out a lot – the grooms and everyone have made an enormous effort to get to this point. It feels really good to have won this.”

Tommy Beresford: “A lot happened in the match today. With all the injuries and players being sent off, it felt like a very long game.

It was hard to keep concentration throughout and I think we missed a few chances that could have given us a stronger advantage, especially when we were playing three against four.

But at the end of the day, games are won and lost at the end. I thought we played well in the last three chukkas, but Facundo was on fire. Juan hit the penalty exceedingly well, but Facundo stopped it – he is an unbelievable player. I think we played well. We didn’t really expect to be here and were the real underdogs. They’ve been in the Final three years in a row so deserved to be here. I’m just really happy to have had the opportunity to play here again and then there’s The King Power Gold Cup to come. The horses are still feeling really good and after their 10 day break, we’ll start the engines again.”

Alec White: “It is unbelievable. It’s a dream come true really. It was such a physical game and hasn’t really sunk in yet. I’m just glad that it went our way. Park Place played amazingly well – they came out firing. We didn’t have a good first half. I spent two minutes in the sin bin and Nic did the same, and it wasn’t going our way. We had a good chat at half-time and the result, well it’s incredible. I can’t believe it – I’m so grateful to my team mates.

Facundo was amazing, Michael and Nic deserve this as this is their third year in the Final and I’m so grateful to be part of the La Indiana set-up.

But, next time, I’ll try and stay on the field!”

• Polo Holiday in Melbourne.

• Family friendly, beaches, fine wine, food & entertainment.

• Play tournaments in Sydney, Ellerston, Garangula and Melbourne.

• International horse sales, we train 30 each year and have horses playing in Asia, Europe, England, the US and Argentina.

• International coaching and horse training. sam@bakersbridgepolo.com +61 432 741 404

www.bakersbridgepolo.com

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Polo Times, July 2018

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Reports

The OUT-SOURCING! Inc Royal Windsor Cup, Guards Polo Club

History is Made at Guards La Dolfina/Valiente win The OUT-SOURCING! Inc Royal Windsor Cup

Alex Jacob

uards Polo Club’s oldest running tournament, first played in 1955, The OUT-SOURCING! Inc Royal Windsor Cup 2018, came to an end on Sunday 24 June in a day of royal fanfare and glorious sunshine. A total of 23 teams competed over the three-week period and with some very well-known teams and individuals in the mix, it promised to provide fierce competition, and delivered that in spades.

The 23 teams were split into three leagues of six teams and a league of five teams. After the first round of matches, this was narrowed down to eight teams for the Quarter Finals. The top two teams from each league and group then progressed through to the knock out stage of the tournament.

Qualifying Action The first Quarter Final saw Park Place defeat HB Glebe Farm 7-5, followed by La Dolfina/Valiente defeating Kildare 13-9. Emlor then went on to beat Shalimar 10-8 and finally Armis Snake Bite coming out on top having faced King Power 9-8.

For the Semi Finals, Park Place were up against Armis Snake Bite, and despite a tough game Park Place displayed great teamwork, something which they have become known for this season, and ran out the winners 8-6. The second Semi Final was between La Dolfina/Valiente and Emlor. The might of the Cambiaso duo, supported by English youngsters Josh Cork and Kian Hall was just too much for Emlor to handle, as the scoreboard read 12-8 at the end of the game. So, the Final was set, with Park Place due to take on La Dolfina/Valiente.

A huge crowd gathered in the presence of HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in the magnificent sunshine at Guards Polo Club on Finals Day to watch defending champions Park Place go headto-head with the well-known force to be reckoned with, La Dolfina/Valiente. Taking on one Cambiaso is no mean feat, let alone two of them in the same team, as the match 60

Polo Times, July 2018

Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

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reports from Windsor, Berkshire

La Dolfina/Valiente won The OUT-SOURCING! Inc Royal Windsor Cup Final presented by HM The Queen

saw father and son combination, Adolfo and Poroto, come together once again, with Poroto making history as the youngest ever player in The Royal Windsor Cup. The first chukka saw La Dolfina/Valiente take an early lead with a field goal from Hall and a converted 60 yard penalty by Cambiaso (Senior), with no response from Park Place despite a few near misses. The remainder of the first half was much closer, with the teams scoring goals tit-for-tat.

But, not for want of not trying, Park Place couldn’t quite make up the early deficit as the scoreboard read 7-5, in favour of the boys in white at half-time.

The large crowd took advantage of the break, descending onto the field to tread-in and return the ground to its earlier glory, whilst the teams went away for a quick pony change and team debrief. The second half was very much a repeat of the first with La Dolfina/Valiente dominating the third chukka, Cambiaso scored a marvellous field goal with a shot from over 70 yards out, along with a beautifully converted 60 yard penalty to end the chukka a further two goals ahead with still no reply from Park Place.

The final chukka gave the crowd a fantastic display of polo, with the youngest player on the field, Poroto Cambiaso, wowing the throng of spectators by scoring a fantastic field goal having run the ball in from the halfway line, initially avoiding hooks from 7 Goaler Chris MacKenzie, followed by one from 6 Goaler Jeronimo Del Carril, then plucking the ball out of the air and being chased down by Jimbo Fewster – phenomenal play considering his mere 12 years! The

chukka ended with both teams having scored two goals apiece, leaving the score at 11-7, but despite the scoreboard reading out of their favour, Park Place put on a great display and were unlucky throughout the match with some very near misses of the posts.

HM The Queen was there to present the prizes to all the players, accompanied by Mr Haruhiko Doi and Mr David Matsumoto of OUT-SOURCING! Inc, and for the first time at The Royal Windsor Cup, present the Most Valuable Player award. The Final players were awarded diamond jewellery, pearl suit pins, a Gaura hydrogen water system and the winners received a four-night stay in Tokyo with flights and accommodation. The Park Place side didn’t miss out either with a two-night stay in Paris to complete their prize haul. In addition, the day’s 16 players were also awarded a stunning, hand-made Kabuto helmet, traditionally worn by ancient Japanese warriors, including the Samurai.

Earlier in the day it was Bardon who ran out the winners against Four Quarters Black, 11-6, in the Subsidiary Final for the Mountbatten Cup. Lady Tatiana Mountbatten and Mr Kazuhiko Suzuki were joined by actress Susan Sarandon to present the prizes.

“the final chukka gave the crowd a fantastic display of polo, with the youngest player on the field, Poroto Cambiaso, wowing the throng of spectators” www.polotimes.co.uk

The OUT-SOURCING! Inc Royal Windsor Cup, Guards Polo Club

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The teams were presented with Japanese gifts by OUT-SOURCING! Inc

The OUT-SOURCING! Inc Royal Windsor Cup was an event full to the brim with pomp and entertainment. Guards Polo Club really do seem to be focusing on this event as a highlight feature of their season and is certainly one to diarise for next year. Not only did HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh attend, presenting the prizes to the lucky players and umpires, but OUT-SOURCING! Inc took the Club by storm, as they invited VIPs and celebrities to relax and enjoy the match in their pristinely prepared marquee. The lucky few caught glimpses of Hollywood actress Susan Sarandon, pop legends Ellie Goulding and Professor Green as well as aristocratic favourites Lady Tatiana Mountbatten and Lady Victoria Hervey. The entire event was live streamed across the world as well as appearing on an enormous pitchside screen, with the commentary signed for the first time, for deaf spectators, highlighting OUT-SOURCING! Inc’s work to promote sign language as an international language.

www.polotimes.co.uk

MVP

Poroto Cambiaso – at just 12-years-old is the youngest ever player in The Royal Windsor Cup. He received a miniature set of traditional Japanese warrior armour.

BPP

12-year-old Poroto Cambiaso made his mark on The OUT-SOURCING! Inc Royal Windsor Cup Final

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Reports

The 2019 OUT-SOURCING! Inc Royal Windsor Cup will take place on Sunday 23 June, so pop it in your diary now!

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Top Goal Scorer: Adolfo Cambiaso with five goals Umpires: Howard Smith & Greg Keyte with Peter Wright as third man

Cruiser, owned by Ros Packer and played

by Adolfo Cambiaso. Cambiaso received a traditional wood and paper Japanese horse statue.

The OUT-SOURCING! Inc Royal Windsor Cup Final Teams: La Dolfina/Valiente (15) Josh Cork (2) Kian Hall (2) Adolfo (Poroto) Cambiaso (1) Adolfo Cambiaso (10)

Park Place (15) Andrey Borodin (0) James ‘Jimbo’ Fewster (2) Jeronimo Del Carril (6) Chris MacKenzie (7)

Where: Guards Polo Club

Polo Times, July 2018

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Tel: +44 (0) 1842 862 068

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

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Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Ampurdan Polo Club

Beaufort Polo Club

Following a tournament fixture reshuffle due to wet weather, in the Final of The Kernow Cup on Saturday 2 June, Noon Giraffe rode out the winners against Shibumi, 3-2.

In other news, Beaufort Polo Club has announced the arrival of their 2018 merchandise. The Club has teamed up with Hurlingham 1875 for this year’s clothing, with everything from t-shirts to dog coats available.

In the Final of the 6 Goal Pinckneys Gin Eduardo Rojas Lanusse Cup on Saturday 16 June, Senzaltro defeated CANI 5-4, whilst in the Subsidiary Final, Manton Estate Racing defeated Pinckneys Gin 6-5.

The Kernow Cup Final Teams: Noon Giraffe defeated Shibumi to win Noon Giraffe (6): Siobhan Fagan (-1), Chris Fagan (0), The Kernow Cup Olly Tuthill (4) & Martin ffrench Blake (3) Shibumi (6): Freddie Meade (1), Ben Wilson (2), Mark Baldwin (3) & Peter Baldwin (0) The Pinckneys Gin Eduardo Rojas Lanusse Cup Final Teams; Senzaltro (6): Jules Van Vegchel (-1), Jack Aldridge (1), Olly Tuthill (4) & Ben Wilson (2) CANI (6): Louise Jebson (-1), James Mann (0), Josh Cork (2) & Matias Amaya (5) Photograph courtesy of Beaufort Polo Club

Teams from Ampurdan Polo Club have been participating in tournaments across Spain over the past month. Firstly, between 4 – 13 May, Ron Jooben, Darío Campos, Nicolás Ruíz Guiñazú and Coke Ayesa took part in the 50th edition of The Barcelona Polo Challenge Negrita Cup. Manuel López, Steffi Von Pock, Nicolás Ruíz Guiñazú and Pedro Espona then took part in the 45th 8 goal Campeonato de España Absoluto.

Aspen Valley Polo Club

Binfield Heath Polo Club

www.polotimes.co.uk

Following a strong six team qualifying week, in the Final of The Bourbon Trophy, Land Rover defeated Sainte-Mesme with a narrow 8-7 final score. The match was tense, with the first score coming in the second chukka from Land Rover. Sam Sztarkman was named Most Valuable Player, whilst Milonga, a seven-year-old mare owned by the Land Rover team, was named Best Playing Pony.

Following a tense Final, Land Rover defeated SainteMesme to win The Bourbon Trophy

Cheshire Polo Club

On Sunday 3 June, players took to the field in glorious sunshine for the Final of The Wirral Challenge Cup. Chester Polo took on A.W. Jenkinson with the former beginning the scoring early on. As the match went on, the teams drew level, but it was Mikey Henderson who scored the final goal to secure the win for Chester Polo.

Oliver Conway Johnson was presented with the Most Valuable Player award, whilst Chester Polo defeated A.W. Jenkinson to win The Wirral Cup at Cheshire Polo Club Galliano, owned and played by Cristian Chaves, was awarded the Best Playing Pony rug.

The Wirral Cup Final Teams: Chester Polo (6): Oliver Conway Johnson (-1), Jonny Coddington (3), Mikey Henderson (4) & Richard Thomas (0) A.W. Jenkinson (6): Katie Jenkinson (0), Ben Holland (0), Charlie Walton (3) & Cristian Chaves (3)

Polo Times, July 2018

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Photograph courtesy of Cheshire Polo Club

The Colorado-based Aspen Valley Polo Club is set to kick off its 2018 summer season on 3 July. The upcoming season will feature 13 tournaments, 10 on grass and three in the arena, including the inaugural Triple Crown of Polo Trophy taking place between 31 August – 2 September and the USPA National Arena Handicap between 24 July – 7 August. It will be the second time the Club will host this tournament.

Chantilly Polo Club Photograph courtesy of Chantilly Polo Club

Photograph ourtesy of Aspen Valley Polo Club

Players will compete at Aspen Valley Polo Club throughout the summer season

In the Final of the 6 goal June Tournament, Wildcats/The Wall Design defeated Cuatro Colas Polo to take home the title and Diego Giagante was presented with the Most Valuable Player award, whilst in the Final of the 0 goal June Tournament, De Havilland Chambers defeated Pharma Finance and David Banner-Eve was presented with the Most Valuable Player award.

Club Focus

Club Focus

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Cirencester Park Polo Club Photograph courtesy of Chester Polo Club

Laurent-Perrier defeated Arbuthnot to win the 2018 LDF Group International Polo Tournament with £10,000 prize money

Chester Polo Club

In the LDF International Polo and The Boodles Roodee Challenge Cup at Chester Polo Club, Laurent-Perrier secured the win against Arbuthnot Latham 1833, snapping up the £10,000 prize money. This year’s tournament was attended by large crowds of supporters and polo aficionados, as well as a collection of local and national VIPs.

Cowdray Park Polo Club

On Monday 28 May, Snake Bite defeated Confido 9-6 in the Final of The Spink and Son Cicero Cup, whilst Bambaleo won 6-2 against JP Daeschler Gummakers in the Final of The Jubilee Cup. In the Final of The Dollar Cup on Sunday 3 June, Four Quarters Orange defeated White Crane 6-3 to be crowned the winners.

Lovelocks won the Subsidiary Final and were awarded The Robert Fraser Cup. Tom Morley was presented with The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player award, whilst Juan Ambroggio’s pony Top model was awarded the Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug.

In the Final of The Duke of Sutherland Cup at Cowdray Park Polo Club on Sunday 10 June, Ferne Park achieved an impressive 10-6 win against Desert Palm. Joaquin Pittaluga was presented with The Polo Magazine Most 64

Polo Times, July 2018

Photography by Tom Reynolds Photography

Photograph by Clive Bennett/www.polopictures.co.uk

Four Quarters Orange defeated White Crane in the Final of The Dollar Cup

In the Final of The Gerald Balding Cup, the first in the Victor Ludorum series at Cirencester Park Polo Club on Monday 28 May, Tom Beim’s Hascombe Stud rode out the winners against Peter O’Rorke’s Strategic Help for Heroes with a final 8-2 score. To read more about this Final please turn to the Victor Ludorum update pages. Vino, a nine-year-old gelding owned and played by Matias Amaya was presented with the Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug, whilst Tommy Severn was awarded The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player Award. Please turn to our Pony Power pages to read more about Vino.

In the Final of The CPPC Low Goal Tournament on Sunday 3 June, Big Cocodrilo defeated La Esperanza 8-5 to be crowned the winners.

On Saturday 9 June, Hascombe Stud defeated Strategic Help for Heroes 6-5 in the Final of The Junior Cavalry Cup, whilst in the Final of the 6 goal Committee Cup on Sunday 10 June, Noon Giraffe defeated Syreford 6-5 to be crowned champions.

Between 7 – 8 July, Cirencester Park will be teaming with animals for The Cotswold Show and Food Festival. The main Bathurst Arena will be featuring the Mounted Games Association of Great Britain, whilst elsewhere spectators will be treated to the Dog and Duck Show, Hawkeye Falconry and Practical Horsemanship with Grant Bazin and Dan Wilson.

On Friday 25 May, The 2018 Jerudong Park Polo Trophy took place at Cirencester Park Polo Club. The annual event was held in aid of The Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund and Fields of Trust and saw the likes of HRH The Duke of Cambridge, James Beim, Santiago Toccalino, Monterosso Captain Alessandro Bazzoni and Nina Clarkin take to the field to support the event.

The match was held in front of a packed crowd with all proceeds going to the supported charities.

The CPPC Low Goal Tournament Final Teams: Big Cocodrilo (0): Sebastian Chialvo (2), Kim Croutear (-1), Jacqueline Brown (-1) & Amy Shelton (0) La Esperanza (0): Ed Kennedy (0), Gaynor Hutton (0), Andy Farmer (-2) & Juan Ortelli (2)

Famous faces from across the polo world, as well as HRH The Duke of Cambridge, took to the field for The 2018 Jerudong Park Polo Trophy

Valuable Player award, for which he was also awarded a saddle from Stephen Biddlecombe’s polo division. Martin Valent’s pony Violantera was awarded the Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug as well as a bridle from Stephen’s range.

To read more about Top Model and Violantera, please turn to our Pony Power pages.

On Saturday 16 June, in the Final of the 12 goal Petworth Cup, Gardenvale defeated Hickstead 6-4½.

The next day, Sunday 17 June, in the Final of The Jersey Lilies Cup. Los Schatzies defeated J.P Daeschler Gunmakers 5-4. To end the weekend’s activity, DJ Cats defeated El Remanso/El Paraiso, 7-6, in the Final of The Bryan Bethell Cup. On Thursday 19 July, for the first time ever, Cowdray Park Polo Club will be hosting the World Horse Welfare Polo Day which will feature a Cowdray vs Guards Junior Match.

The fundraising day is now in its fifth year and will be attended by World Horse Welfare president, HRH The Princess Royal. In other news, Los Schatzies defeated Red Tigers in the Final of The June 4 Goal Cup, 7-2.

Hascombe Stud defeated Strategic Help for Heroes to win The Gerald Balding Cup

The Dollar Cup Final Teams: Four Quarters Orange (12): Simon Arber (0), Kian Hall (2), Juan Ambroggio (6) & Tom Morley (4) White Crane (12): Jasmine Calvert-Ansari (0), Josh Cork (2), Andrew Blake Thomas (3) & James Harper (7) The Petworth Cup Final Teams: Gardenvale (12): Shane Finemore (-1), Boyd Allen (1), Matt Perry (5) & James Beim (7) Hickstead (11): John Bunn (0), Ollie Cork (2), Niall Donnelly (4) & Glenn Sherriff (5) The Jersey Lilies Cup Final Teams: Los Schatzies (6): Dylan Jones (0), Jella Herzer (-1), Harry Muddle (2) & Santiago Stirling (5) J.P Daeschler Gunmakers (6): Zoe Bucknell (-1), Nick Clague (3), Terence Lent (2) & Dorian Bulteau (2) The Bryan Bethell Cup Final Teams: DJ Cats (15): David Turner (0), Charlie Hanbury (4), James Harper (7) & Jake Daniels (4) El Remanso/El Paraiso (15): Jean Paul Luksic (1), Cruz Heguy (1), Ollie Cudmore (6) & Eduardo ‘Ruso’ Heguy (7) www.polotimes.co.uk

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Club Focus

Dallas Burston Polo Club Photograph courtesy of DBPC

On Saturday 9 June, Dallas Burston Polo Club welcomed over 600 guests for the annual Ladies Day, this year held in aid of The UK Sepsis Trust and The Prince’s Trust. The day saw six polo matches take place at the Club with a whole host of live entertainment to keep the guests in a celebratory mood all day. The charity raffle raised £14,000 for the two charities, which included prizes such as private tours of Highgrove Gardens, Selfridges shopping sprees and VIP hospitality packages at Paul Young and Justin Timberlake concerts. The day also hosted a series of celebrities, such as DIY SOS’s Nick Knowles and James White from The Apprentice.

Over 600 guests attended the Dallas Burston Polo Club’s Ladies Day

Emsworth Polo Grounds

Photograph courtesy of Houston Polo Club

Earlier in June, Emsworth Polo Ground welcomed The Excellence Group to showcase Team Brit and their new Aston Martin Vantage V8. Reubyn Ash, a talented British surfer and the current English open surfing champion also announced the news that Formex Watches are now sponsoring Team Brit. Emsworth Polo Ground will be hosting similar events through the season, with the 72 acres available for all types of private and commercial events.

Cody Woodfin evades the hook of Chris Williams in the Final of the Milagro Cup

Houston Polo Club

In the Final of the Milagro Cup BCI/CW Petroleum defeated Bearsden/Tylee Farms, 7-4, to secure the title. BCI/CW Petroleum’s Chris Williams was presented with the Most Valuable Player Award, whilst Jimmy Seward’s pony Colefa was awarded the Best Playing Pony rug. www.polotimes.co.uk

Photograph by Katerina Morgan

Emsworth Polo Ground welcomed The Excellence Group for an event to showcase Team Brit

On Wednesday 13 June, Greenwich’s polo season resumed with The Shreve Crump & Low Cup at Greenwich Polo Club. The tournament has seen four 16 goal teams participate, all vying for the ultimate prize.

On Wednesday, Huntsman defeated White Birch, 11-8, to progress to the next round.

The Shreve Crump & Low Cup Wednesday Match Teams: Huntsman (16): Dillon Bacon (1), Toro Ruiz (6), Tomás Garcia Del Rio (7) & Segundo Merlos (2) White Birch (16): Chris Brant (0), Tomas Schwencke (2), Mariano Aguerre (8) & Joaquin Panelo (6)

Huntsman secured their next spot in The Shreve Crump & Low Cup at Greenwich Polo Club

Guards Polo Club

Guards Polo Club has seen a huge amount of high goal action over the past month. For full reports from The Cartier Queen’s Cup, The OUT-SOURCING! Inc Royal Windsor Cup, The 13th Annual Polo Awards please turn to our reports, whilst The La Martina La Aguada Youth Tournament can be found in our Youth Pages. The 8 goal Committee Cup came to an end on Sunday 27 May at Guards Polo Club, as Monterosso came up against Harum Scarum in the Final.

Despite valiant attempts from each Monterosso lifted The Committee Cup in the Final on Sunday 27 May team to take the lead, as the final whistle went, Monterosso took home the trophy with a 7-6 final score.

The Committee Cup Final Teams: Monterosso (8): Siri Evjemo-Nysveen (-1), James Crossley (1), Rosendo Torreguitar (2) & John Paul Clarkin (6) Harum Scarum (8): Ryan Pemble (5), Ivan de Poligny (0), Hamza Mawaz (3) & Jonathan Hare (0) Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Photograph by The Excellence Group

Greenwich Polo Club

Polo Times, July 2018

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Club Focus

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Ham Polo Club

Hungarian Polo Club

Photograph courtesy of Ham Polo Club

On Sunday 20 May, Andina defeated Quadriga in the Final of The HR Owen Cup, whilst in the Final of The BBVA Bowl, Impavido took the win against rivals Mavericks.

In one of the most popular tournaments at Ham Polo Club, The Mixed Doubles, Vendetta (Marco Vignali, Antonia Fichtner, Natascha Hedegaard and Garrie Renucci) defeated Mavericks to be crowned victors.

On Friday 1 June, guests gathered at Ham Polo Club for Fishers Friday Night Polo, which saw a Club league match between Ham Polo Club and M Restaurants, with the latter running out the winners. In other news, a Club team (Howard Davis, Lucy Dowie, Benjie Davis & Will Healy) travelled to Courances Polo Club in France to compete in a friendly tournament against a French side and a German side. Unfortunately for the British side, their continental opponents were too strong, with the Ham team coming out bottom of the list. The Club are hoping to make this into an annual fixture.

Andina defeated Quadriga in the Final of The HR Owen Cup

Kirtlington Park Polo Club

In the unique BMW Wallis Diplomats Polo Cup at the Hungarian Polo Club, Hublot defeated all their rivals to be crowned the 2018 victor. This tournament is the most important in the Hungarian polo calendar and was opened by Lezsák Sándor, the Vice President of the Hungarian Parliament. The tournament was held in aid of the Mosoly Alapítvány, a charity for children in need.

Photograph courtesy of the Hungarian Polo Club

On Sunday 27 May, KPPC opened its gates for the third annual Open Day, featuring a two chukka junior exhibition match and the 8 Goal Meyrick Cup Final. In the junior match, Oxford Polo Blue and Oxford Polo White drew, following some great play from both sides, especially Fred Thame and Toby Bradshaw.

Oxford Polo Blue (with some older team mates) continued their afternoon’s play, in the Final of The Meyrick Cup, defeating Prestige Civil in the dying moments. In other news, on Sunday 3 June, Quel Domage defeated CANI to win The Kirtlington Cup.

Teams from across Hungary took part in The BMW Wallis Diplomats Polo Cup

Longdole Polo Club

On Friday 1 June, Longdole Polo Club hosted the annual RDA Watershed Bike Polo Tournament for The eCycle County Cup as well a series of gymkhana races. Teams from Edgeworth Polo Club, Cirencester Park Polo Club, Beaufort Polo Club and Longdole came together to compete and raise £1,500 for The 66

Polo Times, July 2018

Watershed Riding for the Disabled Group at Coates, Cirencester. The event was sponsored

by Longdole Polo Club, eCycles of Stroud, Jackson-Stops Estate Agents and RJ Polo.

Amongst well-known polo players, All Blacks and Gloucester rugby legend, John Ofoa, joined the teams to celebrate the

Photograph by Polo Images

Photograph by Tom Reynolds Photography

Longdole Polo Club welcomed teams from clubs across Gloucestershire for the RDA Watershed Bike Polo Tournament

Christian Oberschneider scored the winning goal for Oxford Polo Blue in The Meyrick Cup Final

evening, started the gymkhana races and presented the prizes.

In the Final of The Zimbabwe Spur Trophy on Sunday 3 June, sponsored by Patrick Mavros, following a strong four team qualifying stage, Lodge Services came up against Walker Construction, with the former coming out the victors, 7½-5.

The Zimbabwe Spur Trophy Final Teams: Lodge Services (0): Stuart Lodge (1), Jemima Lodge (-2), Patrick Lodge (0) & Tabitha Woodd (1) Walker Construction (2): Chris Walker (0), Ed Walker (0), Olly Jones (2) & Freddie Jodrell (0) www.polotimes.co.uk

Manyatta Polo Club

In the Final of The Annesley Cup 2018 at Manyatta Polo Club in Kenya, Team Elgon Kenya Ltd beat Mambo Wholesalers to win the title. Izzy Parsons and Archie Voorspuy took control of the play in the final chukka, bringing the score to 5-5 as the clock ticked down. Unfortunately, they conceded a penalty in the final moments, which Henry Limb secured to take the title for Team Elgon Kenya Ltd 6-5. Despite heavy rain, the Kenya 2018 summer season is underway in Gilgil with play continuing until the autumn.

Photograph courtesy of Polo Club Saint-Tropez

VT Wealth Management defeated Saint-Tropez Polo Team in the Final of The Silver Whips tournament

Polo Club Saint-Tropez

On Sunday 10 June, Polo Club SaintTropez spectators and players were welcomed for the Final of The Silver Whips tournament and a Fiesta Cubana following the match. VT Wealth Management defeated St Tropez Polo Team, 7-4½ in a narrowly fought Final and Thomas Fedier was presented with the Most Valuable Player award. Matias Nigoul’s pony Barrabraba was awarded the Best Playing Pony rug.

www.polotimes.co.uk

Northern Ireland’s largest independent telecoms provider, Rainbow Communications, has signed a sponsorship deal with the Northern Ireland Polo Club. The new affiliation will see the company’s name displayed on players’ shirts throughout the season.

The Club is celebrating its 26th season this year, with teams competing from across Ireland.

Rainbow Communications has signed a deal with the Northern Ireland Polo Club

Photograph courtesy of Polo de Paris

Photograph by Marvin Mido

Team Elgon Kenya Ltd defeated Mambo Wholesalers to win The Annesley Cup

Northern Ireland Polo Club

Club Focus

Photograph courtesy of the Northern Ireland Polo Club

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Sainte Mesme secured the 124th Open de Paris Engel & Völkers at Polo de Paris yesterday

Polo de Paris

The Tournoi de la Ville, the second leg of the Polo de Paris Triple Crown came to an end on Sunday 3 June at Bagatelle. Six 10 goal teams took part in the tournament which saw Sainte Mesme come up against La Concepcion in the Final. Sainte Mesme defeated La Concepcion 6-3 in the last match, which saw them take the title home for the sixth consecutive year.

The last leg of the Parisian Triple Crown came to a head on Sunday 24 June, with the Final of the 124th Open de Paris Engel & Völkers. Following a VIP lunch for the lucky few at the Polo de Paris Club, the match got underway. La Concepcion came up against Sainte Mesme and despite having shown some great skills earlier in the competition, La Concepcion could not overcome Sainte Mesme’s strong defence. Sainte Mesme lifted the 124th Open de Paris Engel & Völkers trophy with a 7-4 final score. Robert Strom was presented with the Most Valuable Player Award, whilst his pony Magui, was awarded the Best Playing Pony rug.

Rutland Polo Club

On Sunday 1 July, alongside The Assam Cup, Rutland Polo Club will be hosting a charity auction in aid of the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre Charity. Prior to the auction, Polo Times readers are being given the opportunity to make bids for the following itmes: Lot 1: One day’s pheasant/partridges shooting for four guns at Lowesby Hall, Leicestershire at the private shoot of David Wilson and family. Expected bag c.200 or more.

Value £1,000 per gun. Dates available 22, 23 or 24 January 2019.

Lot 2: Yacht Charter for one day to travel around Studland Bay in the Fairline Squadron 58ft ‘Buoy oh Buoy’ for 14 people including two crew members. Valid from 1 July 2018 – 30 April 2019. The yacht is moored at Salterns Marina, Poole. Travel within 10 miles of Salterns Marina is included and the fuel surcharge is payable for anything over 10 miles. Donated by David Wilson Foundation.

Lot 3: Four tickets to The International Day for The Westchester Cup at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club. Donated by the HPA. Lot 4: Four grandstand tickets to The King Power Gold Cup on Sunday 22 July. Donated

by Cowdray Park Polo Club.

For more information or to contact Edwin de Lisle to make your bids, please email edwindelisle@barnsdaleoffice.co.uk or call 07711 075450.

Polo Times, July 2018

67

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Silver Leys Polo Club

Photograph courtesy of Silver Leys Polo Club

In the Final of The Mansfield Tournament on Sunday 20 May, Peachy Polo (James Nicholson, Stuart Beetles, Amy Leggett & Vicky Griffin) defeated Carlton House to take home the trophy.

Peachy Polo won The Mansfield Tournament at Suffolk Polo Club

Photograph courtesy of World Polo News

Silver Leys Polo Club have confirmed that Parfums de Marly, the producer of a series of luxury scents, have sponsored two of the Club’s key 2018 events. The first event took place on Sunday 20 May and saw over 500 spectators and 16 teams gather for The Parfums de Marly Cup, in which Parfums de Marly defeated Continuum Insurance in the Final, whilst the second event took place on 24 June.

Suffolk Polo Club

Photograph courtesy of Suffolk Polo Club

Club Focus

The inaugural Hong Kong Beginner’s Polo Cup will take place in October this year

Tianjin Golden Metropolitan Polo Club Parfums de Marly will be sponsoring key events at Silver Ley Polo Club this season

The inaugural Hong Kong Beginner’s Polo Cup is scheduled to take place at TGM Polo Club on 13 – 14 October this year. This tournament will be held with players from Hong Kong, following a one-man battle by Andrew Leung, a British-born Chinese player, who began his passion for polo at Cheshire Polo Club, to bring polo to Hong Kong.

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A Round-Up of Military Polo Action

Military

The Royal Artillery Tournament Photograph by Peter Meade Photography

Eleven Army teams gathered at Tidworth Polo Club on Monday 28 May for the fifth annual Royal Artillery Cup. The standard in the three divisions was consistently high and whilst all teams played some excellent polo, a special mention must be made of the RLC A Team who put five goals past their opponents in their two chukka Final and Capt James Wilson, who deservedly won the Most Valuable Player for the tournament. Also, the H4H Phoenix Team of wounded personnel, very nearly pulled off a victory, but conceded a goal in the dying seconds. They ended the tournament in second place in their division against a new team from the Army Medical Services. A special Most Valuable Player award for Royal Artillery players was won by Gnr Dale Gordon King’s TP RHA, who hit some excellent backhands, one of which went 70 yards! The Light Dragoons were the winners of the main Royal Artillery Cup, who travelled down from Catterick to participate for the first time led by Lt Rishi Ahluwalia just back from operations in Afghanistan.

The Light Dragoons defeated 10 teams to take home The Royal Artillery Cup

Photograph courtesy of KPPC

Rupert Thorneloe Trophy

KPPC were victorious against HACKETT Army in The Rupert Thorneloe Trophy

The 2018 Rupert Thorneloe Trophy at Kirtlington Park Polo Club (KPPC) saw the HACKETT Army team take on a young team from KPPC for the annual memorial trophy, held in honour of Rupert Thorneloe.

With the threat of rain in the morning, the clouds cleared to give way to some much appreciated sunshine, which bathed the gathered spectators and made for a great afternoon. The crowd were on edge as it was a close game with no more than half a goal difference in each chukka. However, as the final chukka came to an end, KPPC ran out the winners with the final score 3½-3.

HACKETT Army Welcomes First Female Player for Rundle Cup

Photograph by Peter Meade Photography

On Saturday 14 July, British Army and Royal Navy players from across the country will gather at Tidworth Polo Club for their annual battle for The HACKETT Rundle Cup. On Thursday 7 June, the British Army Polo Association announced the line-up for this year’s HACKETT Army team, which will include a woman for the first time in history. The team is as follows: HACKETT Army (1): Capt Jess Wood RHA (0), Capt Moss Hamilton IG (0), Lt Rishi Ahluwalia LD (0) & Capt Paddy Selfe KRH (1) Captain Jess Wood will be the first woman to play for the British Army in The Rundle Cup’s 100 year history.

Throughout her time in the Army, Capt Wood has reached a 0 goal handicap and has played for Army teams in numerous smaller tournaments.

The HACKETT Rundle Cup day will commence with a celebrity match in aid of INSPIRE, which will be followed by a free-fall parachute display by the REME Parachute Team. The local Pony Club will also be on hand to showcase their talents in a youth exhibition match. The HACKETT Rundle Cup will commence at 4.30pm, accompanied by The Royal Marines Band of Collingwood, whilst there will be the usual Champagne and Pimm’s bar, as well as caterers and an overflowing trade village, with spectators welcome to bring picnics along. British Polo Gin will be on hand, operating their cocktail bar pitch-side as well as their bar in the Clubhouse.

Captain Jess Wood will be the first woman to start for HACKETT Army in The HACKETT Rundle Cup at Tidworth Polo

www.polotimes.co.uk

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Military

A Round-Up of Military Polo Action

RAF Polo Association Tournament Photograph by Peter Meade Photography

Between 19 – 20 May, the Royal Air Force hosted their annual tournament at RAF Cranwell, which proved to be a great success. This year, nine civilian and military teams came together in an American style round-robin tournament with the first day’s matches deciding who would go into the playoffs on the second day. Rutland, Bramham Polo Academy and Leadenham defeated rivals to come out the victors on the first day, to make it through to the Final. The three teams played for The Bebbington Memorial Trophy, with Bramham Polo Academy coming out the overall victors. In the second league playoffs, HACKETT Army received The Paul Maxfield Gullett Trophy and in the third league playoffs, RAF Cranwell won The Centenary Shield.

Bramham Polo Academy defeated their rivals to win The Bebbington Memorial Trophy at RAF Cranwell

Photograph by Peter Meade Photography

Heritage Day Sandhurst On Sunday 17 June, players from Oxford University and Harrow School, as well as Sandhurst cadets took part in the annual Heritage Day at Sandhurst. In the first match, Harrow defeated the Sandhurst cadets, 5½-1, with the Most Valuable Player awards going to Harrow’s Michael Fitzgibbon and Sandhurst’s Jack Roberston-Mcloud. The second match saw Sandhurst turn the tables to defeat OUPC, 1-½.

The Most Valuable Player awards for this match went to OUPC’s Heather Winsor and Sandhurst’s Hannah Good. Prizes for the tournament were supported by British Polo Gin and Sandhurst.

Military teams gathered at Tidworth Polo Club on Sunday 3 June for the annual Heroes Cup

Heroes Cup

In a flurry of matches over the weekend of 2 – 3 June, Tidworth Polo Club hosted the annual Heroes Cup, which saw 1,500 spectators gather at the sun-drenched Club for a day’s polo excitement. In the first match of the day, The Duke of York Cup, the Royal Navy defeated the Royal Air Force with a 10½-0 final score. The highlight of the day, The Heroes Cup, was next, with Wilsons Solicitors defeating Strategic Help for Heroes Polo Team, 5-1½.

Clifford O’Farrell was presented with the Most Valuable Player award for the second year running, and finally, a team of renowned female players took on HACKETT Army for The WIP Charity Rose Bowl, with WIP coming out the victors 6-5. Hazel Jackson-Gaona was presented with the Most Valuable Player award, whilst Bushpig, owned and played

by Rosie Ross, was presented with the Best Playing Pony rug.

The Heritage Day Teams: Sandhurst One (-3): OCdt Charles Redshaw/OCdt Will Howlett (-2), OCdt Jack Robertson-MacLeod (-2), OCdt Hector Fair (1) & OCdt Freddie Benyon (0) Harrow (-4): Normak Li (-2), Marc Lingren (-2), Michael Fitzgibbon (-2) & Hugo Taylor (2) OUPC (-4): Heather Winsor (-1), Tim Revell (-2), Chris De Koning (-2) & Charlie Hitchman (1) Sandhurst Two (-3): OCdt Hannah Good (-2), OCdt Chris Pyman SCOTS DG/OCdt Tom Haines-Henderson (-2), OCdt Hector Fair (1) & OCdt Freddie Benyon (0)

The Duke of York Cup Teams: Royal Navy (-2): Capt Dean Basset (-1), Surg Cdr Harry Rourke (-1), Lt Cdr Steve Spiller (0) & Cdre Adrian Aplin (0) Royal Air Force (-1): Flt Lt Ellie Hoogewerf (-1), Flt Lt Andy Waldron (0), Sqn Ldr Vicky Woodhead (0) & Sqn Ldr Ed Whitechurch (0)

Photograph by Peter Meade Photography

Hugo Taylor helped Harrow defeat Sandhurst in the first match of the day

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Polo Times, July 2018

The Heroes Cup Teams: Wilsons Solicitors (-6): Fran Townend (-2), Angela Mason-Matthews/ Lucinda Barker (-2), Elaine Corner (-2) & Miles Underwood (0) Strategic Help for Heroes (-5): Rebecca Halliwell-Coutts (-2), Vicky Adam (-2), Clifford O’Farrell (-2) & Jessica Andrews (1) The WIP Charity Rose Bowl Teams: WIP (6): Lolly Stanhope-White (1), Heloise Wilson-Smith (1), Rosie Ross (2) & Hazel Jackson-Gaona (2) HACKETT Army (6): Ct Jamie Fry QRH (1), Lt Giles Bromley-Martin IG (1), OCdt Oli Powell RMAS (2) & Ct Henry Amor QRH (2)

www.polotimes.co.uk

Women’s Polo

Player Profile: Suzannah Harvey

Polo & Business Polo Times gets to know Suzannah Harvey

Cotswold Airport is the largest private airport in Europe, a family business run by dynamic businesswoman Suzannah Harvey, who is listed as one of Cotswold Life’s 60 Influential Women in the Cotswolds and one of Gloucestershire’s 50 Greatest Women.

Away from her desk as CEO running Cotswold Airport, Suzannah is a very keen polo player and is based at Cirencester Park Polo Club. She has sponsored the Ladies International Polo Tournament at Cirencester Park for the last 6 years, promoting women in polo. She has herself participated in the Ambassador’s Tournament in New Zealand; and represented England playing polo in Spring 2017, at the Ladies European Championship in Chantilly, part of the Polo World Cup. She trains at Cirencester Park Polo Club Academy and at La Esperanza Polo Club, Coronel Suarez, Argentina.

Cotswold Airport, once home to the famous Red Arrows, was acquired from the MOD by Suzannah’s father, Ronan Harvey, in 2001. Suzannah in her role as CEO and Group MD has taken the business from strength to strength and continues to drive growth and development, with an impressive strategic business plan currently in implementation for the next five years and beyond.

The world’s only Boeing 747 events and party plane

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Polo Times, July 2018

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

Player Profile: Suzannah Harvey

The perfect base for private jets

Aerial view of Cotswold Airport, the largest private airport in Europe Suzannah wearing the number 1 shirt

Women’s Polo

Growth plans at Cotswold Airport include a proposed GNSS approach system that will see a surge in the business jet market, as jets will be able to operate in all weather conditions. This new approach system will also be of enormous benefit to the busy site-based fixed wing and helicopter flying schools, which rank in the top ten in the UK and are responsible for training hundreds of pilots every year.

Locally, many people know Cotswold Airport as the home of the world’s leading aircraft recycling and maintenance hub, Air Salvage International, as they see the stored airliners parked up when driving along the Malmesbury road by Kemble. This global business too will significantly benefit from the growth plans Suzannah has in place, particularly with the new GNSS approach system enabling large wide-bodied passenger airliners to be able to land in adverse weather conditions for maintenance, storage or recycling.

Through her work, Suzannah supports many charities including those that benefit armed forces, emergency services and children. She also pioneered one of the country’s leading Aviation Scholarship Programmes, encouraging young people between 14 and 18 years to step foot into the aviation industry. The scheme has seen many successful scholars embark on careers as pilots, engineers and flying instructors.

Cotswold Airport is a very exciting place to visit and is open to the public seven days a week from 9am to 5pm. It is home to AV8 restaurant, which is positioned near the runway with glorious views over the historic aerodrome. Visitors can sit outside on the verandas and watch the world fly by whilst enjoying freshly prepared, locally sourced food. Also, on site is based the world’s only Boeing 747 events and party plane.

The aircraft is licenced for civil ceremonies and is also used for major international car launches and conferences.

COTSWOLD AIRPORT The Control Tower, Cotswold Airport, Cirencester, Glos, GL7 6BA Tel: 01285 771177 www.cotswoldairport.com

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, July 2018

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Women’s Polo

Supported by

International & Home

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

Rutland Polo Club

The Bordeaux Cellars Most Oustanding Lady Player

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

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

More than 12 tournaments each season.

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

Photography courtesy of Rutland Polo Club

20/06/17 15:11 I

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

PPZAddPoloTimesl.indd 2

Nina Clarkin was awarded The Bordeaux Cellars Most Outstanding Lady Player award on Wednesday 30 May

Five ladies’ teams took part in The Cordoba Cup and Ranksborough Cup Charity Day at Rutland Polo Club

On Monday 28 May, Rutland Polo Club welcomed five ladies’ teams for the newly created 2-6 goal, Cordoba Cup and the 0-2 goal Ranksborough Cup, as part of a charity day to raise money for Rainbow’s Children’s Hospice. In the first Final of the day, Axholme came up against High Goal Ladies in The Cordoba Cup, with the former coming out the narrow victors.

The Ranksborough Cup was played as an American-style tournament with three, 3 goal teams participating. Following three challenging matches of two chukkas apiece,

Chukka Bulls came out the overall victors, with Broadgate and Launde Park Polo following closely behind.

Natasha Tisminieszky secured the Most Valuable Player award for The Ranksborough Cup, whilst Alex Wood was awarded the Most Valuable Player for the overall day, for which she won a Casablanca bridle. In The Collie Cup, Ladera defeated Holmefield to be crowned the victors, whilst in The Bronze Horse tournament, Marston beat LPF/Deane Bank to win the ultimate prize.

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World number one, 10 goal player and international stalwart Nina Clarkin was this year awarded The Bordeaux Cellars Most Outstanding Lady Player at the 2018 Polo Awards on Wednesday 30 May at Guards Polo Club. This year’s competition was fierce, with Flannels England players Hazel Jackson-Gaona, Tamara Fox, Sarah Wiseman and Emma Boers also nominated for the illustrious prize. She said after her receipt of the award, “It feels great to have won this award and I’m thrilled to have been recognised by my peers. It takes a lot of work and patience, especially when you have small children, and I have a lot of support from my husband John Paul, my grooms and Ollie Jones, who does my horses. I can’t wait for this season, where I’ll be playing in the Victrix Ludorum with Sarah Van Vegchel, Hannah Henderson and Saffy Oliver.”

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Polo Times, July 2018

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

5 Minutes With... Nina Clarkin

Supported by

Women’s Polo

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

5 minutes with…

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

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

More than 12 tournaments each season.

Nina Clarkin How did your polo career start?

I started playing in The Cotswold Hunt Pony Club when I was six-years-old and my first team was with Satnam Dhillon, Sam Farmer and my brother Ben. My father always claimed that I didn’t hit the ball until I was 10, but I loved it!

What’s your greatest achievement to date?

Winning The Gold Cup in 2003 with Luke Tomlinson, Mark Tomlinson and John Paul Clarkin (now my husband).

But I can’t forget, winning The Holden White and The Gerald Balding with an all-female team and winning the first Argentine Women’s Open this year. Can I have three?!

polo to continue growing and developing for the benefit of the up-and-coming players and the future of the sport.

What’s your greatest ambition?

That changes all the time as I get older, but at the moment it is to keep winning, to keep playing the best polo I can and to keep driving and pushing women’s

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

I really enjoy playing both of them. They are very different games and require different things from me, but I love both of them.

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

I would like to see more free changes in matches where the ponies are obviously tiring. The new rules are all about making the game faster with less down time, so I think there should be the option for one free change per chukka (maximum time allowed 45 seconds) if the chukka has been fast moving without a pause.

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Which lady players do you admire and why?

Claire Tomlinson and Sunny Hale were great inspirations to me when I was starting out. I think Emma Wood is amazing, how she juggles her career as a vet with a young family and being a great polo player.

What’s your favourite tournament/Club?

My favourite Club is Cirencester Park Polo Club in England, where I play the majority of my games. They have wonderful fields in a beautiful setting and lots of great polo. In New Zealand it is, of course, our Club, Mystery Creek Polo Club!

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

I have always wanted to play a match with my mother, brother and sister, which hasn’t yet happened. At the moment we could make a 7 goal team, but we may have to wait until we are a 4 goal team! I imagine we would argue terribly, but it would be worth it!

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

The support from my father, Mark Vestey. He was so enthusiastic about the sport and watched almost every game I played. I miss having him on the sidelines watching me and his words of wisdom that would inevitably cheer me up after a loss.

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

Polo Times, July 2018

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Youth

All Aspects of Youth Polo

Rocket Rentals Junior Tournament and Thompson Local Whites played three chukkas with a win for Oxford Polo.

The most popular division of 12 to 14-year-olds was split into two leagues, with a very complex strategy by William Lucas, which ensured all seven teams had a fair chance and played each other. The overall winners of the division was Thomson Local followed closely by Team Fusion and the two SOHS teams.

The oldest division of 14 to 18-year-olds, played a round-robin tournament on the Hanbury ground. Three very strong teams played with great speed and agility, with Oxford Polo winning overall, Cheshire Polo in second and Watling Polo in third.

Sponsors Simon and Jessica Tomblin

The Stephen Towler Memorial Trophy Photograph courtesy of Kirtlington Park Polo Club

On Sunday 2 June the annual Stephen Towler Memorial Trophy was held in memory of Stephen Towler. This year saw a Kirtlington Park Polo Club (KPPC) Junior team come up against a SUPA Select Team. The KPPC juniors took the lead in the first half of the game, but SUPA select made a comeback going into the fourth and final chukka, leaving KPPC Juniors to narrowly lead the field 3½-3 as the first ball was thrown in. As in 2017, the KPPC home team snuck in a win, ending the match with a final 5½-5 score.

Photograph courtesy of Longdole Polo Club

The first junior tournament of the year at Longdole Polo Club went off with a bang on Thursday 31 May. 14 teams from across the country arrived at the Club to play in four divisions throughout the day.

The ‘fluffy’ division of six to 12-year-olds was played on a slightly shorter field, but flew through their three chukkas with ease, although one little pony decided to fly all the way back through the goal posts and to his horse box. Cotswold and The Royal Artillery teams battled it out with a very close win by Royal Artillery.

The next division of six to 12-year-olds, on full-size polo ponies, played brilliantly with some of the smaller players playing on ‘big’ ponies for the first time. Oxford Polo

14 teams from across the country took part in The Rocket Rentals Junior Tournament

from Rocket Rentals were on hand to supply a huge mound of Rocket Rental polo caps, t-shirts, wacky socks and hoodies as prizes to the youngsters.

Junior Westchester Trial

A KPPC Junior side narrowly defeated a SUPA Select team at Kirtlington Park Polo Club Photograph by Tom Reynolds

La Martina Varsity Day Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Two HPA 1875 youth teams took part in a Junior Westchester match at Beaufort Polo Club on Saturday 9 June

Oxford University defeated Cambridge University by 13-0 to win the La Martina Varsity Day title on Saturday 2 June

On Saturday 2 June, Guards Polo Club hosted the annual La Martina Varsity Day. In the first match of the day, Cambridge Old Blues defeated Oxford Old Blues 2½-2, followed by a 7½-3 win for the Old Harrovians against the Old Etonians. Oxford Ladies then went on to beat the Cambridge Ladies 5-1, followed 78

Polo Times, July 2018

by Harrow defeating Eton 3-2½. In the main match of the day, Oxford University Polo Club defeated Cambridge University 13-0.

Prizes were awarded to the teams by sponsors La Martina and Guards Polo Club, and Louis Maddison was presented the Most Valuable Player award.

To end the first day’s proceedings at the Beaufort Polo Club’s Gloucestershire Festival of Polo on Saturday 9 June, two young HPA teams took to the Swinhay No1 Ground for a Junior Westchester Trial match. Following a fast-paced match of open polo, HPA 1875 Red rode off victorious with a 6-1½ final score against HPA 1875 Blue. A selection of these players will now go on to ride in the summer’s HPA Select tournaments across the country.

The Junior Westchester Match Teams; HPA 1875 Blue (1): Marcus Speed (0), Zac Beim (0), Ned Hine (1) & Christian Oberschneider (0) HPA 1875 Red (1): Alfie Hyde (0), Frankie Barlow (0), Milly Hine (1) & Luke Wiles (1) For Youth polo dates, please turn to our What’s On pages

All Aspects of Youth Polo

Youth

St Andrews Charity Tournament 2018 Photograph courtesy of St Andrews University Polo Club

The Final of the St Andrews Charity Polo Tournament was held at the picturesque Errol Park Estate on Saturday 21 April. With over 100 players competing over three days and over 1,700 spectators to help tread-in the slightly soft pitch, it made for a full packed day of polo accompanied by beautiful sunny weather for the largest polo tournament in Scotland. Each year the tournament proceedings go towards Help for Heroes, with so far over £25,000 raised since the tournament’s conception in 2015 and £16,000 raised during last year’s event alone. In the beginner’s division, Warwick defeated Exeter to take home the title, St Andrews defeated Warwick in the Novice division and the Scott Dragoon Guards in The Hayward and Stott Cup. Two Help for Heroes teams were the next to take to the field for the highlight match of the day. The teams drew 4-4 to the delight of the assembled crowd. The final match of the day saw the Whispering Angel team come up against a Crombie team, with the former coming out the victors. The entire tournament was a resounding success.

Over 100 players took part in the 2018 St Andrews Charity Tournament in Errol Park

SUPA Update

Photograph courtesy of SUPA

A great show of up-and-coming young players gathered at Longdole Polo Club on Sunday 17 June for the SUPA Summer Senior Schools National Championships.

Supported by RJ Polo, 18 teams took part, with players from over 22 schools. The results were as follows: Open Division: Cheltenham College Intermediate Division One: Heathfield/Langley Intermediate Division Two: Felsted Novice: Sherborne Beginner: Millfield B The Most Promising Player award for The Worshipful Company of Saddlers Cup and a pair of knee pads went to Squidge Grayson from Stowe, whilst the second Most Promising Player award went to Faris Ashraf from Langley. The Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug was presented to Fred Thame’s pony, Petissa, whilst all the competitors sported their Polo Times trucker hats for the presentations. To read more about Petissa, please turn to our Pony Power pages.

18 players from 22 schools took part in the SUPA Summer Senior Schools National Championships at Longdole Polo Club

Guards La Aguada Youth Tournament 10-year-old mare Mechi was awarded the Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug.

The Guards La Aguada Tournament Teams: 11 to 15-years-old Category: La Aguada: Lucas Monteverde Jr, Tomi Ojara, Timi Badiru & Rufino Merlos La Martina: Ruqayyah Nordeen, Max Sponer, Benjamin Quiroga & Max Hyde Guards Polo Club: Shrey Rawal, Beltrán Laulhé, Suleyman Nordeen & Poroto Cambiaso Flemish Farm: Zara Matthews, Finlay Turner, Beltrán Di Paola & Josh Hyde Under 11-years-old Category: La Aguada: Ava Burke, Felix Toccalino, Ali Otamendi & Lucio Novillo Astrada Guards Polo Club: Leander Sautter, Francisco Spinacci, Rufino Laulhé & Nina Matthews

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La Martina: Rishya Rawal, Haroum Nordeen, Estanislao Darritchon & Tomás Ballesteros

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

On Saturday 23 June, youth players from across the world gathered at Guards Polo Club for the annual Guards La Aguada Youth Tournament. The tournament aims to reinforce the bond between Guards Polo Club and La Aguada Polo Club, and this year featured seven teams divided into two categories (11 to 15-year-olds and Under11-years-old). Eduardo and Alejandro Novillo Astrada, both playing in the UK high goal season at the moment, were in attendance, supporting the young players.

Guards Polo Club defeated La Martina and La Aguada to win the Under-11 category, whilst in the Final of the 11 to 15-years-old category, Guards Polo Club defeated La Aguada 3-2. Poroto Cambiaso was presented with The Polo Magazine’s Most Valuable Player Award, whilst Lucas Monteverde’s

Seven junior teams competed in the 2018 Guards La Aguada Youth Tournament at Guards Polo Club on Saturday 23 June

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Youth

Universities Summer Championships 2018

A SUPA-R Summer Nationals 2018 Rosy Taylor (Cardiff Uni Alumni) reports from Offchurch Bury Polo Club Yet again, it was another spectacular weekend of polo at Offchurch Bury Polo Club between 8 – 9 June. The sun was shining and the rain kindly held off for the record number of students travelling down to compete in the largest polo tournament for university students in the UK. The SUPA Universities Summer Championships is most definitely the highlight of the SUPA calendar year and offers students the opportunity to play polo at a great price.

From the beginner leagues to the open chukkas, strong polo was consistently played.

It was great to see so many universities representing areas all over the UK, from up in Aberdeen to those down in Plymouth.

Speaking to Ismay Fabre (Cardiff University, Polo President) she said, “The atmosphere is really chilled at Nationals – it’s so lovely to have an opportunity for everyone to come together and play. The competition is fiery and the ponies have just been awesome!” Apart from the polo, there are plenty of things to get up to over the weekend and this year Offchurch Bury Polo Club hosted the international games

between Great Britain, India and Pakistan, which was nail-biting to watch, paired with a great commentary by Thom Bell.

India vs Great Britain was a superb game, with a very early goal in the first chukka to get Great Britain off to a flying start. The cut-shots made by schools’ player Ed Morris were particularly thrilling and some great stickwork from Prateesh Aggarwal ended up with India taking a big lead at half-time.

Sameer Mecca’s nearside shots, described as, “fantastically classy” by Thom Bell, despite some great riding off by Kiki Severn, put India into a further lead and an eventual victory at 8½-3 to India.

Luke Sandys-Renton, who played number four for Great Britain in the India game, said, “The game was extremely fast-paced and definitely got the adrenaline coursing. It was fantastic to represent Great Britain alongside the others, even though we were outmanoeuvred by the very talented Indian team!”.

The Pakistan vs Great Britain game was next and had a great turnout of spectators who were eager to see who would reign as

SUPA champions. Pakistan fielded a very strong team, with Taimur Noon showing some serious skill on the field. Some incredible goals were witnessed from both sides but, the Great Britain team fought back after their earlier defeat to make a comeback with a final score of 5-3.

As usual, it wouldn’t be the Universities Summer Championships without a party, so many riders and supporters enjoyed the Saturday evening in a swanky marquee on site, dancing away until the early hours of Sunday morning before the final chukkas began. Everyone’s summers have certainly got off to a great start and a truly memorable weekend was had by all.

The Polo Times Best Playing Pony award was presented to Aurora, owned by Erin Tufnell, whilst the APSPH award for Best Playing Hired Pony went to Bogtrotter owned

by Rugby Polo Club.

To read more about Aurora, please turn to our Pony Power pages. James ‘Sticky’ Glew from Northampton/Nottingham University was presented with the Most Valuable Player award.

Photography by Emmpix Photography

A record breaking 145 teams took competed at the Universities Summer Championships 2018

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Polo Times, July 2018

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

Universities Summer Championships 2018

Youth

SUPA Universities Summer Championships 2018

Beginner 1 1st – Nottingham 2nd – Warwick B1 3rd – Oxford

Median 1st – Oxford Brookes 2nd – Royal Holloway 3rd – Leeds Hippogriffs

Novice 3 1st – Exeter N3 2nd – Royal Holloway N3 3rd – Leeds Centaurs

Beginner 2 1st – Warwick B2 2nd – Nottingham B2 3rd – Birmingham B2

Beginner Combined 1st – Stirling 2nd – Manchester/Liverpool/Birmingham 3rd – Durham/Regents

Novice 4 1st – Birmingham N4a 2nd – RVC N4 3rd – Winchester

Beginner 3 1st – Cambridge 2nd – Portsmouth Dragons 3rd – Loughborough B3

Novice 1 1st – Nottingham N1 2nd – RVC N1 3rd – Oxford

Novice Combined 1st – Bristol 2nd – Aberdeen Stags 3rd – Bucephalus

Beginner 4 1st – Nottingham B4 2nd – UWE B4 3rd – Harper Adams B4

Novice 2 1st – Birmingham N2 2nd – Warwick N2 3rd – St Andrews N2

Lower Intermediate 1st – Oxford Brookes 2nd – Warwick 3rd – London

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Polo Times, July 2018

81

Youth

Universities Summer Championships 2018

SUPA Universities Summer Championships 2018

Combined Lower Intermediate 1st – Norwick 2nd – Liverpool 3rd – Brighton

Lower Sapa 1st – Jojo Mojo 2nd – TBC 3rd – Warwick/Nottingham

Upper Sapa 1st – Winchester 2nd – Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies 3rd – Warwick

Upper Intermediate 1st – London 2nd – Nottingham

Open 1st – Bristol 2nd – York

APSPH award for Best Playing Hired Pony Bogtrotter, owned by Rugby Polo Club

Most Valuable Player Award James ‘Sticky’ Glew – Northampton/Nottingham

Polo Times Best Playing Pony Rug Aurora, owned and played by Erin Tufnell

Student Representative Special Award Luke Sandys – Renton

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Javier Novillo Astrada U15 Cup Final

Youth

Javier Novillo Astrada U15 Cup Final Beaufort One reign supreme

Photograph by George Gunn Photography

The second day of The Gloucestershire Festival of Polo started with a chance for some of the world’s top U15 players to take centre stage. Two Semi Finals earlier in the day established the two teams for the Final on the Swinhay No 1 Ground.

In the first Semi Final, Royal Marsden One and Two took to the field and although the final score read 6-0 in favour of the Two team, both teams played with great skill and the scoreline was in no way a reflection of the match itself. The second Semi Final was also a slightly one-sided affair between the two Beaufort teams, but again very hard fought and included a heart stopping moment early in the first chukka, when Beanie Bradley collided with a goal post which unseated her. Thankfully after medical attention by the Great Western Ambulance Service team she seemed to be alright but did have to go to hospital to be checked much to her protests.

Benja Quiroga replaced her for the rest of the game, but Beaufort Two were up against one of the best up-and-coming players in the world, Poroto Cambiaso, who dazzled and with the rest of his team secured their place in the Final winning also 6-0.

In the Subsidiary Final, up-and-coming player Luke Wiles kindly stepped in to replace Beanie Bradley in the Beaufort Two team and with the combination of Wiles, Beltran Laulhe, Max Spooner and Olly Davis they proved too strong for Royal Marsden One’s Spinacci, Mancini, Smith and Millard, winning by 5-2.

Action from The Javier Novillo Astrada U15 Cup Final

The Final on the Swinhay No 1 Ground was set, with both Royal Marsden Two and Beaufort One having notched up comprehensive Semi Final wins. With endto-end polo, both teams excelled in front of the Gloucestershire Festival of Polo crowds, however Beaufort One always had the upper hand. After just one goal scored in the first chukka, Beaufort One kept extending the lead to 3-0 after the second chukka and then more in the third chukka leaving them the winners 6-0.

HRH The Duke of Cambridge presented the four teams with their prizes

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

The Javier Novillo Astrada U15 Cup Final Teams: Royal Marsden One: Wilbur Millard, Ben Mancini, Francisco Spinacci & George Smith Royal Marsden Two: Benja Quiroga, Toby Bradshaw, Freddie Pritchard & Rufus Uloth Beaufort One: Ollie Heard, Robbie Slatter, Barney Hughes & Poroto Cambiaso Beaufort Two: Beanie Bradley (substituted

by Benja Quiroga & Luke Wiles), Olly Davis, Max Spooner & Beltran Laulhe

Photograph by Ben Hastie Photography

Polo Times, July 2018

83

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Pony Power

Knowledge

Reeba

Photograph courtesy of Dallas Burston Polo Club

Height: 15hh Age: 12-years-old Colour: Chestnut Sex: Mare Owned and played by: William Lucas Tournament: The Stoneythorpe Cup at Dallas Burston Polo Club Where is she from/breeding? She was bred by Andrea Vianini.

How long have you had her? I have had her for five years.

Tell us about her background? Andrea Vianini sold her to us when he retired. Before that, she had never left his string.

What are her strengths? She turns inside out and is a superbly easy hitting platform.

She is the best horse to play at the end of the match for that extra energy.

How has she gone this season? She is just reaching full fitness, so is really coming into her own. I can’t wait to see how the rest of the season pans out.

Has she won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? She has won a few.

Firstly, she received the award at the 2015 Cheshire National 6 goal, then the 2016 Cirencester Park Polo Club Horse of the Season and in 2017 she was awarded the XI FIP World Championship Qualifications Horse of the Tournament, in Chantilly. Not bad I think!

What are your plans for her in the future? To continue playing her as she is such a key part of my string.

Does she have any special quirks? She hates it when her pony friends leave the yard without her and she loves to play volleyball with her hay net.

Describe her in three words? Neurotic, divaesque, quirky.

Top Model Height: 15.1hh Age: 12-years-old Colour: Chestnut Sex: Mare Owned and played by: Juan Ambroggio Tournament: The Dollar Cup Final at Cowdray Park Polo Club

Photograph by Clive Bennett/www.polopictures.co.uk

Where is she from? She is from Argentina, born and bred.

How long have you had her? Four years so far.

Tell us about her background? I bought her from Corinne Ricard (the patron of high goal team Murus Sanctus) in 2014 and have played her in tournaments across the world since.

What are her strengths? She is handy, a great size and always reliable.

How has she gone this season? She’s been perfect as always. I really can’t fault her as she is very easy on and off the field.

Has she won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? No, this is her first one.

www.polotimes.co.uk

What are your plans for her in the future? I would like to play her as much as I can.

Describe her in three words?

My best spare.

Does she have any special quirks? She likes to eat a lot. Put simply, she’s always been a bit of a fatty!

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Knowledge

Pony Power

Vino Height: 15.1hh Age: Nine-years-old Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Owned and played by: Matias Amaya Tournament: The Gerald Balding at Cirencester Park Polo Club Where is he from? He is from Argentina.

Photograph by Tom Reynolds Photography

How long have you had him? For about four years.

Tell us about his background? We brought him over from Argentina for the Rigby & Rigby team and then I bought him from them.

What are his strengths? He is very soft and handy, but also fast, so there really isn’t much else you could ask for!

How has he gone this season? He is always brilliant, regardless of the season.

What are your plans for him in the future? We plan to keep him forever!

Has he won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? Not yet!

Does he have any special quirks? He likes to take his bridle off at the pony lines and loves ripping everyone else’s rugs!

Describe him in three words? Loyal, cheeky, consistent.

Aurora Height: 15.2hh Age: 13-years-old Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Owned and played by: Owned and played

by Erin Tufnell Tournament: SUPA Universities Summer Championships 2018 at Offchurch Bury Polo Club Photograph by Emmpix Photography

Where is she from/breeding? She is by Almaty and was home bred for polo in the UK. How long have you had her? I have had her for five years now.

Tell us about her background? She played polo before I bought her but has been playing polocrosse since. The SUPA Summer Nationals was her first polo tournament in five years!

What are her strengths? She is very quick, has a strong ride-off and can turn on a sixpence.

Has she won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? She won a Best Playing Pony award at a polocrosse tournament a few years ago and was quickly noticed at polo too, so hopefully this won’t be her last award!

How has she gone this season? She’s been going better than ever and I’m excited for the rest of the season!

What are your plans for her in the future? I plan for her to carry on playing polo and polocrosse at the highest level we can.

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Does she have any special quirks? She likes to do a big ‘downward dog’ stretch when she’s tied up before the tack goes on!

Describe her in three words? A clever mare!

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Pony Power

Knowledge

Pearl Height: 15hh Age: 11-years-old Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Owned and played by: Ryan Pemble Tournament: The John Prestwich Trophy Final at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club Photograph by Cymon Skinner Photography

Where is she from/breeding? She was bred in New Zealand by Ross Ainsley.

How long have you had her? I have had her for five years so far.

Tell us about her background? She is by Istidaad, a very well known Thoroughbred stallion for producing excellent polo ponies.

What are her strengths? She has a massive heart and always plays to win. She’s a great mare because anyone can play her at any level. She is the sort of mare that puts everything into the game for you but will take no energy from the player’s controls.

How has she gone this season? Really well and I feel this Best Playing Pony award is completely deserved.

What are your plans for her in the future? We are hoping she’ll be a mum as we’ve already taken an embryo from her.

Has she won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? Not yet!

Does she have any special quirks? She’s very naughty when out on set.

How has she gone this season? Very well so far. Onwards and upwards!

retires, after which she’ll return to Argentina to be a broodmare.

Has she won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? Yes, she has won quite a few over the years with Cambiaso.

Does she have any special quirks? No – she is a quiet mare.

Dolfina Bailantera

Photograph by Clive Bennett/www.polopictures.co.uk

Height: 15.2hh Age: 12-years-old Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Owned and played by: Owned by the Dubai Polo Team and played by Martín Valent Tournament: The Duke of Sutherland Cup Final at Cowdray Park Polo Club Where is she from/breeding? She is out of Cuartetera, sired by Theol and we bought her in Argentina.

How long have you had her? The Dubai Polo Team have owned her for eight years.

Tell us about her background? She was brought over from Argentina by Adolfo Cambiaso about eight-years-ago and has played with Cambiaso and myself in the Dubai Polo Team and Valiente in the UK high goal since then. She was one of the best mares Cambiaso had when he first joined the Dubai team.

What are her strengths? She is a brilliant all-rounder with all the attributes of the perfect polo pony. www.polotimes.co.uk

What are your plans for her in the future? She will keep playing until she

Describe her in three words? Reliable, quick, powerful.

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87

Knowledge

Pony Power

Cheeky Monkey Height: 15.1hh Age: 14-years-old Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Owned and played by: The Earl of Tyrone Tournament: The Swinhay International Test Match at Beaufort Polo Club

How did she go today? She went really well today. She likes it when the ground is good and she’s great for passing, going round people and scoring nice, open goals.

Height: 15.2hh Age: 19-years-old Colour: Chestnut Sex: Mare Owner: Druids Lodge Polo, played by Will Emerson

Knowledge

What is her breeding? She is by Chess out of Fotocopy by Man of Harlech and was

What are her strengths? She is immensely strong in the ride-off and her conformation allows her to turn exceptionally well.

How has she gone this season? Focus is an avid arena fan and has done all of the Schools’ polo so far this season.

What are your plans for her future? To

Focus

Photograph by Tae Ormerod

bred by the Tomlinson’s at Down remember is older than she thinks and a while?

WillFarm. you carry onsheplaying her for she has power and she’s fast. They’re both not allow her to play the hard polo even us about Yes, that been a great seven-years-old now. I also have aTellson byher background? Will Emersonis the thoughplan. she is soShe good athas it. bought her in 2008 and she was one of his andsheshe’s at the moment.

Cheeky Monkey, but I’m seeing how heponies playing for himmare favourite until 2015for whenmeDoes have anygood special quirks? Not she came to us at Druids for a quieter life. really, she’s pretty straightforward!

She’s got one or two more seasons in her, goes. He’s still entire, so we may breed from Has she won any other awards? Not Describe her this in threespace! words? Powerful so we’ll see.old Watch him, but we’ll see, as he’s only two. that we know of, she has been somewhat lady. overlooked until now.

Richard, the Earl of Tyrone, tells us a little but more about his 12-year-old mare Cheeky Monkey, winner of the HPA National Club Championship 15 Goal Polo Times Best Playing Pony Award at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club Bunclody Polo Club.

My uncle David Thompson is a hunstman with the Laois Hunt, so he helps me out when I am looking for new ponies.

Photograph by Cymon Skinner: People of Polo

What makes her even better now? She’s 14-years-old now and today she played alongside her two daughters, who are also in my string. I played Cheeky Monkey in the fourth chukka, then I got onto her daughter Monkey Nut and at the beginning of the last chukka I got onto Monkey Puzzle. They are both embryo transfer, with Monkey Puzzle by Osh Kosh and Monkey Nut by Open Maestro.

Pony Power

Tae Ormerod spoke to us about Druids Lodge Polo’s 19-year-old mare, Focus, winner of The El Rosario Trophy Victor Ludorum 8 Goal Polo Times Best Playing Pony Award at Druids Lodge Polo Club

Cheeky Monkey

How do her daughters compare? They are very similar. It is amazing when you’re riding them, how they feel – they’re very sensitive like she is. Monkey Puzzle is better than her I think, as she is more complete.

Monkey Nut is a dream to ride and play –

Height: 15.1hh Age: 12-years-old Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Owner: Richard, the Earl of Tyrone Where is she from? I bought her ten years ago as a two-year-old in Ireland off a farmer called Robert Hogg, who runs

Tell us about her background?

She has a very good bloodline. Her sire Imperial Ballet is by Saddler’s Wells, the famous mile long sprinter. Her dam Pivot D’Amore, was a six-furlong sprinter who was by Pivotal a stallion, who was very famous around Europe.

What are her strengths? Over 100 metres she is very quick and powerful. She has amazing sides, left and right and can go flat out around any corner. She is consistent, she has a big heart and always tries really

hard. She rarely gets tired. You can play her in two chukkas and she tries until the end.

How has she gone this season? She has been great, the same as ever. Always consistent.

What are your plans for her future? I want to keep playing her and in the future do a bit of breeding with her. She already has two embryos on the ground, one by Open Maestro and one by Oshgosh, they are six-year olds now.

How are her offspring doing now? They are both doing well. The one by Open Maestro has a lively nature and is small and easy to hit the ball off. She will make a lovely pony for someone but lacks a bit of power for me. The one by Osh Kosh is more electric like the mother and has a lot of ability and speed, I am very excited about playing her myself.

Does she have any special quirks?

When you go into a field with her she follows you around.

Describe her in four words? Brave, talented, fun, friendly.

It’s never too early to start adding dates to your diary, and the Polo Pony classes, sponsored by Guards Polo Club, will be held on Thursday 11 May at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. The judges will be Lord Patrick Beresford and Guards Polo Manager Antony Fanshawe.

Polo ponies have been showcased at RWHS since 1950 and for 2017 the show will be hosting two classes, with one open to all polo ponies of any breed and the second is restricted to former racehorses. The criteria for the former racehorses section is that the horse must have raced in Britain and be registered with Retraining of Racehorses. The winner and second from the four sections (3yo, 4yo, 5yo, 6yo) of the 2016 RoR Polo Challenge have an automatic, free entry into this class at Windsor Horse Show.

The winners of both classes will receive £500 each, donated by Guards Polo Club and the RoR and will forward to the overall Polo Pony Championship and the chance to win the prestigious trophy.

Chance to win £2,500

T&SHARKER with your former racehorse www.polotimes.co.uk

(raced in GB and registered with RoR)

Polo Times, March 2017

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Polo Times, July 2018

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Photograph by George Gunn Photography

This is not the first Best Playing Pony award Cheeky Monkey has received from Polo Times, in 2017 she was awarded the Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug at The HPA New Year National Championships 15 goal at RCBPC. So, if you want to know more about her then dig out your archive issues and turn to page 67 in Polo Times March 2017 issue!

We spoke to The Earl of Tyrone about how she has changed since 2017.

Pony Power

Knowledge

Petissa Height: 15hh Age: 11-years-old Colour: Liver Chestnut Sex: Mare Owned and played by: Fred Thame Tournament: SUPA Senior Schools Nationals Championships Where is she from/breeding? She was born in Argentina.

Photograph courtesy of SUPA

Tell us about her background? She was an early King Power pony that was then bought by Lucitas Monterverde before she came to us.

What are her strengths? She is small, easy, deceptively fast and always sound (touch wood).

How has she gone this season? She has been going well and gets better the more she plays.

Has she won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? Not to my knowledge, but I’m sure this won’t be her only one.

What are your plans for her in the future? She will play in the Hipwood tournament as well as the low goal at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club and Kirtlington Park Polo Club.

Polo Arena Construction

Does she have any special quirks? She is really good at keeping her condition, which isn’t really a quirk, but it’s definitely worth talking about!

Describe her in three words? Short, fat, easy.

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

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Former racehorses excel in polo.

Visit ror.org.uk to find out more.

T: 01488 648998

Registered Charity No. 1084787

Polo Times, July 2018

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Knowledge

Equipment Focus: Bits

Stephen Biddlecombe of Equine Management Ltd answers a question on bitting

Tongue Sensitive Solutions Q. My five-year-old horse is off the track; when he raced, he ran with his tongue out and he has continued to do it, and always out to the right. I originally started off with a single-jointed big ring gag, and he was very strong and lifted his head up when asking him to stop; I then tried the Bombers Big Ring Happy Tongue, which I used for a few months with more success. Since the polo season started, I have only had him at practices and training, never in a match, and he’s still strong and sticks the tongue out! Would a Waterford help?

A. Assuming you’ve had his teeth and back checked, it does sound like he’s tongue sensitive; although sticking the tongue out is a difficult issue to address, as it can be hard to decipher if it is psychological, e.g. linked to an incident or anxiety, or relating to a physical issue (or even a previous one that was traumatic), or a dental problem. Seeking some practical assistance from your coach could help, and making enquiries with his previous trainers or owners could shed some light on any related issues, as he’s obviously had the evasion for some time.

It does ‘fit’ that he would have raised his head in the rope gag, not because of the mouthpiece, but because the action of the gag is to raise the bit in the horse’s mouth.

The Waterford is available in mouthpieces including a 2.5 ring and a Pelham, however it is a relatively light mouthpiece, and more usually used for a horse or pony that leans.

There’s no value in you ‘fighting’ his strength with the Happy Tongue – so you may need something stronger. My suggestion is to try him in a 2.5 ring McHardy. The McHardy still provides tongue relief, but it is a stronger bit.

The 2.5 ring McHardy is excellent when more control is required; the 2.5 ring is the softest version of the ring bits

The 2.5 ring McHardy is a combination of a jointed Happy Tongue and a Buster Roller centre-piece. It’s an excellent bit when more control is required, allowing space for the tongue; the bit is ported, which relieves pressure in this area. A 2.5 ring is the softest version of the ring bits, as it softens the leverage on the mouthpiece and poll. It’s still not widely seen in polo, but in general, I highly recommend it as a cheek piece for many polo ponies.

In our last column, we also discussed bitting horses that have raced, pointing out that racehorses are often started in Chifneys and are sometimes ridden in racing ‘ring’ bits

with two mouthpieces; your horse probably wouldn’t have enjoyed either of these! If he has a sensitive tongue, then a roller bit is worth a try, potentially as a distraction; the 40mm central roller in the McHardy will give him something to play with.

If this doesn’t help, then you could try the McHardy mouthpiece with a Big Ring Gag cheek piece. The ropes going through the rings obviously create leverage, which will exert more pressure through the mouthpiece, whilst introducing more poll pressure.

However, I’d recommend sticking with the 2.5 ring initially, and working with a coach to get him match ready.

The McHardy Big Ring Gag is a stronger bit than the 2.5 ring

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

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Knowledge

Nutrition

Lorna Edgar – specialist equine nutritionist

Yard Focus with Olly Tuthill The ideal feeding regime

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Olly Tuthill’s groom Chloe Evason gives the horses time out whenever possible

Photography courtesy of Lorna Edgar

For the last three seasons I have had the pleasure of working with Olly Tuthill, now for his final season in the UK, whilst he was managing Janie Dear’s yard.

When I first met Olly three-years-ago, we spoke a lot about the traditional methods of feeding polo ponies, how to combine the art and science of nutrition and applying it to the daily logistics of a busy polo yard, with a variety of horses with varying calorie and energy requirements.

One of the big changes we made was the addition of a balancer to the feed room, to give flexibility in controlling calories and energy for certain individuals, and for topping up a ration where volumes of cubes or mix become too much.

For some, where calories were needed but the energy from Conditioning Mix was too much, we introduced Baileys All-Round Endurance Mix, which has helped to reduce the starch intake (quick releasing energy) but the calorie intake has not altered. We found this particularly suited the more Thoroughbred types that had plenty of their own natural energy!

This season Olly has 10 of his own horses in work and I have chosen four of them to feature.

Lorna focuses on four of Olly Tuthill’s 2018 string in this issue

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Nutrition

Lorde

Poker

Mini

Sabuca

An eight-year-old, Irish Thoroughbred (Coroner X The Cut of The Clock) mare, purchased as an unbroken two-year-old to be made

by Olly. Holds condition quite well throughout the season so she is fed the following per day: Three heaped scoops of Baileys Top Line Conditioning Cubes Two measuring mugs (coffee mugs) of Baileys Performance Balancer Two measuring mugs of Baileys Outshine Two measures of Baileys Digest Plus

A nine-year-old, English Thoroughbred (Goodricke X Costa Balena) mare, half-sister to Ollie Cudmore’s Costa Lotta (supreme ROR Champion in 2016). As with Costa, Olly also made Mini. Mini holds her condition well, so she is on the same diet as Lorde per day: Three heaped scoops of Conditioning Cubes Two measuring mugs of balancer Two measuring mugs of Outshine Two measures of Digest Plus She is of the type that if the amount of polo was reduced she may begin to hold too much condition. In this scenario we would reduce the Conditioning Cubes and Outshine and increase the balancer (less calories), allowing her to continue with ad lib forage.

Olly and his groom Chloe Evason feed all the horses ad lib haylage and they turn the horses out as much as possible, days off and quiet days, but the horses still come in for their hard feed on their day off.

Chloe adds sugar beet to all their feeds to increase the digestible fibre in their ration, but no more than half a scoop per feed to avoid over-filling the rugby ball sized stomach! Digest Plus, a prebiotic, is added www.polotimes.co.uk

Knowledge

A 12-year-old, English Thoroughbred (Storming Home X Night Mirage) mare, she was bought from the track and made by Olly.

Poker holds her condition well and energy levels are not a problem, so she is on the same ration as Mini and Lorde per day: Three heaped scoops of Conditioning Cubes Two measuring mugs of balancer Two measuring mugs of Outshine Two measures of Digest Plus

A 10-year-old English Thoroughbred (Elnadim X Tattling) mare, purchased as a very ‘green’ five-year-old. Sabuca is not as straight forward as the other three, as she has plenty of her own natural energy and can run up light quite quickly. She is fed per day (split over three feeds when possible): Four scoops of Baileys All-Round Endurance Mix Two mugs of balancer Two mugs of Outshine Two measures of Digest Plus Should she have too much energy we would reduce the Endurance Mix and introduce Baileys Ease & Excel to reduce the starch intake further, but maintain the calorie intake.If more calories were required, the amount of Outshine can be increased to four mugs per day.

every day from when they come in from their winter holidays, initially to help them with the transition of living out on grass to having hard feed again and continued throughout the season to help with maintaining the beneficial fibre digesting bacteria in the hind gut as they play a lot of polo.

Chloe also feeds electrolytes regularly throughout the season, particularly on hot sunny days when the horses are working

hard. Adding electrolytes to wet, sloppy beet pulp is ideal in assisting rehydration, rather than dehydration when added to a dry feed.

Olly’s horses are generally playing four times per week, and so far, are maintaining their top line muscle and condition particularly well. Keep up the great work Chloe!

C ontact Lorna Edgar of Baileys Horse Feeds on lorna@baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk Polo Times, July 2018

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Knowledge

Horse Focus

Ainsley Polo is the creation of two brothers, Kel and Ross Ainsley. There isn’t a significant polo tournament anywhere in the world that hasn’t had an Ainsley Pony take part in it. Their natural talent as horsemen and sportsmen, along with their adaptability in the management and production of their horses and their deep understanding of the game has led to their success and won them worldwide respect in the polo industry.

They live, breathe and sleep polo, not only providing world class polo ponies at every level, but also offering polo holidays, lessons and unrivalled polo equipment worldwide

In the last decade, polo has seen more changes and updates than for the 100 years before that, a game based on tradition and history, there have been hardly any alterations to its format. But with our ever changing world, especially in an era full of modern technology and innovation it was only a matter of time before polo started to mix things up a bit. We have seen a huge shift in the importance of both player safety and horse welfare. New strains of the game have been introduced with ‘Gladiator Polo’, ‘Urban Polo’ and ‘Polo in the Park’s’ popping up, offering a more crowd-friendly, entertainment version of the game. Plus, horsepower has never been more important, with many top players turning to cloning to reproduce the ‘perfect’ type of horse for them. As these changes come into play and take effect on the game as a whole, a door has opened up to really take a look at the game, horses and equipment to see where other improvements could be made, that have previously been overlooked.

Polo has become a much faster, complex game, with more and more being asked of the horses – the staying power of your horse over a full chukka can be the difference between a win and a loss. Changing horses, or having an over-tired horse, costs you valuable seconds on the field in a game, while at the same time pushing your horse too far can cause injury and lead to a shorter playing life.

If we look at other equestrian disciplines we can see what innovations they have used to try to improve their horses’ performance, and adapt it for use in polo. Prolonging staying power and energy reserves will always improve horses’ performance – 90% of horses will be harder and heavier to play once tiring or tired. How many times have you been racing towards a play and felt your horse tire beneath you? The key word here is ‘race’, as ultimately that is what polo is about, racing your opponent to get to the ball faster than they can, or racing after your opponent to hook them and take back possession of the ball. Polo involves a lot of ‘racing’, and if we look at the racing industry the entire discipline is based on weight, something that has always been overlooked in polo, but is in fact the key and difference in a horse being able to get somewhere quickly or not.

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Polo Times, July 2018

The future of lightweight tack

Photography courtesy of Ainsley Polo

Game Changer

www.ainsleypolo.com

Traditional polo equipment, although durable, can be an extra weight for polo ponies

better the horse is believed to be, the higher the weight it must carry in the race. This was introduced to enable a more even playing field, on the pretence that the more weight the horse has to carry the more effort and therefore harder it is to win the race. The most substantial weight any horse needs to carry is its rider, but all of the equipment the horse and rider are wearing is all excess weight it must carry as well. Has your polo equipment been indirectly handicapping your horses?

If we look at the equipment used in horse racing it is minimal, as every effort goes into ensuring the horse has as little excess weight as possible. Both horse and rider have lightweight clothing and tack to ensure that the only ‘handicap’ the horse will receive is the one that is given to it by the handicapping system. This minimal weight is not just to enable the horse to reach its maximum speed, but also to protect the horse, with less weight ensuring less strain and pressure is put on the horse, reducing

the chance of injury and enabling a longer racing career. Polo equipment is at the other end of the scale, it is ample, not just for what a player is wearing, but also the horse, and this added weight is on top of the players own body weight, it is a lot for a horse to have to carry around while being asked to stop, turn and accelerate continually.

Polo equipment has been designed and is used because it does all have its place and purpose within the discipline. Polo asks horses to do a huge variety of movements and tasks at varying speeds, and each extra item on a polo bridle and saddle enables these tasks to be carried out safely and to their full potential, but leather and metal are heavy. Leather is a strong, durable, dense material, that is great for use in the equestrian world, but if you are asking for more than the average person would ask of their horse, is it the right material to be using for this high speed intense sport? The difference between 1kg in a 1400m flat race www.polotimes.co.uk

Horse Focus in the racing industry can be the difference between a horse winning or losing the race, and these races only last between 90 and 100 seconds. A chukka lasts for seven minutes, and involves not only a horse going at full speed, but stopping, turning and bumping, requiring a vast amount of stamina and staying power, imagine the impact of 1kg over this time frame for your horse.

The other point to consider is the conditions that polo is played in. Although we would all love every day to be sunshine, this is unrealistic especially at the start and sometimes end of the seasons, when it can be extremely wet. Leather when wet has twice the weight, as it holds water, combine this with a muddy heavy ground and you have doubled the strain and pressure felt by your horse. It is this added pressure and strain that increases the chances of your horses injuring themselves during play. A common injury among polo ponies is damaging their tendons and legs. One of the biggest problems with these type of injuries is that they can happen slowly over time and the extent of the damage can go unnoticed until it is too late, and they are almost impossible to completely fix. By looking at the type of materials that you are asking your horse to carry, you can half this added strain and pressure as well as the risk that you are putting your horse in every time you go on the field.

It is not just the racing industry that has looked to alternative materials for their tack. There are more and more synthetic lightweight tack items being introduced to the market as a new option for people who want to reduce the weight their horses have to carry around, (as well as themselves!).

Harness racing and endurance riding both also use lightweight materials at a

Knowledge

Harness racing also uses lightweight materials at a competitive level

competitive level, and many other equine disciplines are adding lightweight options.

50-years-ago, the options for other lighter materials out there may not have provided the strength and lasting power required for such a physical and contactheavy sport as polo, but with all the options available now, it is only a matter of time before the polo market sees some lightweight options, which will again have a huge impact on the game. Horses will be able to go that little bit faster and last that little bit longer, as well as their playing years at a high level increased. Horses that were unable to double, will be able to as the load they are carrying is reduced and therefore their recovery time is shortened, and they still have some reserves in the tank. So next time you are hauling your saddle onto your horse’s back, have a think about the amount

of weight you are expecting them to carry around the polo field, while turning on a dime and accelerating to their maximum speed.

It is only a matter of time before innovation takes over and there is a complete overhaul in the equipment that we use, which will prove to be a game changer at all levels of the sport. One bonus of polo jumping on this lightweight bandwagon later, is the increased variety of materials and options available now when designing and making tack. These lightweight options can have the same clean, smart and traditional look of the older heavy style leather gear. So you can get that same advantages of the traditional, smart, pristine look polo equipment is known for, but with none of the excess weight or absorbancy.

So watch this space, the future is here, the future is light, and Ainsley Polo may have a slight insight with this prediction!

The equipment used in horse racing is minimal and every effort goes into ensuring the horse has as little excess weight as possible

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Polo Times, July 2018

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Knowledge

Learn to Play

In this series Sam Gairdner provides a course of polo lessons for the complete beginner. Although for many readers, this may be too basic for their level of polo, the sport is always welcoming newcomers and it’s never too late to take it up. Sam Gairdner’s series will be looking at every aspect of polo. In this fourth part…

Play Polo Horse position and the rotation of your spine will assist when hitting a backhand

Lesson Three – Part One, Notes for the Instructor In lesson three we develop riding skills by teaching the rollback and then introduce pupils to backhanders. Once they have confidence, you can introduce them to competition with a simulated chukka on a small ground. When you are off the horses, use a whiteboard to teach the zones of preference. This will help pupils to really understand the rights of way on the polo ground and what you can or can’t do depending on your position relative to the ball and the Right of Way (ROW).

Riding

Rollbacks For me, there is one exercise that improves your riding and therefore your speed around a polo field more than any other, rollbacks.

This is why this whole section is dedicated to practicing and perfecting it.

On the polo field, once you have made a decision where you want to go, you need to quickly change direction and travel to that destination. Such a large part of this game is about anticipation (which we will cover in lesson seven), and good anticipation will always get you to the ball quickest. However, being able to change direction quickly and get your horse to the line of the ball fast, will give you more right to play the ball than those slower than you.

Rollbacks encompass the three aspects of riding for polo and merge them together, these are:

1. Slowing down

2. Turning

3. Accelerating

Lesson Three Structure • 30 minutes: Riding – Demonstrate, work through and practice the rollback.

• 30 minutes: Hitting – Teach the offside and nearside backhanders, working on approach, correct leg position, body position and good rotation.

• 20 minutes: First simulated chukka on a small field with few rules, concentrating on safety and fun.

• 20 minutes: Get off horses, draw a diagram of the zones of preference and work through what you can and can’t do in each zone starting with zone one.

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With practice, a rollback can be very quick indeed, especially when you consider that a polo pony runs as fast as a racehorse (up to 38mph or 60kph). The best horses can be at this speed, stop, turn 180 degrees and then accelerate back to over 35mph in less than three seconds. That is faster than any car or motorbike could ever manage, so you can imagine the thrill of getting this part of your game right!

Imagine that the three elements of the rollback are split into two parts – deceleration takes place in an absolute straight line, then once you have achieved the desired speed, you turn and accelerate at the same time. This change from deceleration to acceleration is called the point of turn and represents an important part of riding, where a horse has maximum energy and collection, which those of you who are more experienced riders will relate to (race car drivers use the same philosophy when going around a bend – decelerate in a straight line, turn in at the apex of a corner and accelerate through the corner).

Use your instructor to work you through the rollback routine: 1. Create a 20m circle and mark a point on this circle where you want to turn.

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Learn to Play

Knowledge

2. Get your horse travelling in a trot to start with, then build the speed as your horse gets warmer and your confidence builds.

3. Each time you reach the point in the circle that you turn first, slow your horse down to walking speed, then turn away from the centre of the circle 180 degrees, and accelerate away.

4. Your balance is so important to your horse, so concentrate on your balance more than your hands. Remember your balance is dictated by your eyes, your head and your shoulders more than any other part of your body.

5. Turn your body into the corner, allowing your legs to spread away from the horse’s sides, which will give you a more secure platform.

6. You can use an arena fence or the boards of a polo field as a barrier to turn into, but make sure you are about five metres away from any fence so you can create forward momentum through the turn.

Every horse performs this exercise differently and you will get better results with practice, so don’t forget to practice every time you get on a horse and perfect your technique.

Hitting

Learn more about the backhander in Part Two of this lesson in the September issue of Polo Times or look out for the launch of the full course in August.

For more news follow Bakers Bridge Polo on Instagram @bakersbridgepolo

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Photography by Stephen Mowbray

Backhanders In this lesson we learn about backhanders.

We will work through the basic dynamics of the shot and show you when to play them.

There are essentially four different backhanders – an open and tail shot on each side of the horse, the offside and nearside. We will show you how to create angle on these shots in lesson five, but in this lesson, we show you how to hit the ball straight backwards on either side of the horse. To get the best result from your backhanders you should work on the following important aspects of the shots: 1. Horse position and approach to the ball, therefore ball position on impact.

2. Your leg position – it should be that your eyes, stirrup and ball are in line with each other as the ball is struck to give you the best balance.

3. The rotation of your spine, following through so you look where the ball has travelled to.

For both the offside and nearside shots, it is best to watch people play, so ask your instructor to demonstrate for you.

The backhand is a key tool to improve your game

Polo Times, July 2018

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Transport Focus

Matting Solutions

Photography by Polo Times

Horsebox floor improvements

Aluminium planking from Team Tristar (UK) being used for the horsebox floor’s base layer. The ‘Bud’ is for scale purposes only

Renovating your horsebox is never a task that fills one with joy, particularly if you are carrying out these improvements at home rather than the luxury of sending your horsebox off to the professionals.

One of the most important parts of the renovation is the matting that you choose, as this is ultimately the surface that your ponies will be standing on during every journey.

Many horse mats are similar to stable matting and are mainly supplied in an industry size of 6ft by 4ft. For polo horseboxes, which by design, often have larger spaces for the ponies, due to a compromise in living space compared to other equine disciplines, this often means that if you were to choose the 6ft by 4ft matting that is most commonly available you would end up with several joins all of which are a potential ‘trip’ hazard to travelling polo ponies.

However, all is not lost – Horsemat Ltd is an equine matting company that provides high quality matting. The business was started by Kim and Steve back in 2006 and has been growing ever since. Being a family business which prides itself in providing customers with quality and service at a fair price, their ethos is carried throughout the company and ensures that Horsemat provide every customer with the best product for them and their horses.

In this case study, a simple phone call to explain the dimensions that were required, enabled Horsemat to dispatch a large roll of Heavy Duty Trailer Matting. The Heavy Duty Trailer mat is made to solve the problem in 98

Polo Times, July 2018

The Heavy Duty Trailer Matting was an ideal top flooring choice. The excess width was used along the sides as added side protection

horseboxes and trailers with moving mats.

The 2.4m wide material comes on a roll so you are able to have a single piece of matting in the back on the horsebox floor resulting in no more rutting or shifting which can occur with other types of mats. The Horsemat is made from virgin SBR and comes in both 10 and 15mm thick. With a bead of stable sealant around the edges, you can stop any fluid getting under the mats.

(Editor’s note: When using aluminium planking for the horsebox floor’s base layer, stable sealant was deemed not necessary.)

Horsemat Ltd Working out of their renovated stables on the Suffolk/Essex Boarder, Horsemat are specialists in equestrian matting and offer Nationwide delivery and their fully sealed or loose laid installation across the bulk of the UK. Tel: +44 (0)1787 886929 Web: www.horsemat.co.uk Horsemat Limited, The Old Stables, Goldingham Hall, Bulmer, Suffolk, CO10 7ER

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2.4m Heavy Duty Trailer Horsebox & Trailer Matting Mat—2.4mwide Roll material meaning you can have a single Eva Safety Matting –10 & 20mm thick

boards giving fantastic protection to the horse 2.4m Moulded Ramp Mat— throughout your journey.

Partition Rubber—Both 6mm insertion 2.4m wide roll meaning you (black) and Clear PVC ready from stock. have a single Aluminium capping— We stock different sheet giving capping in order for you to complete your fantastic project with ease. grip and easy to install piece in your box or trailer.

Heavy Duty Grass Mesh—This mesh is fantastic for

gateways and walkways alike and with the capacity of taking an 8 Tonne axle weight you are safe to drive tractors & Horseboxes over it.

22mm Hollow Mat—These mats are a great way to shore up any soft paddocks. If you add the underlay mesh you will get extra support keeping everything in check.

Paddock Matting

Both products are simple to install with minimum preparation and simply pinning them into the ground.

Fully Sealed Installation—With our

6 Styles Available— We stock a huge range so we have something for every horse Nation Wide Delivery -

fully sealed system you will never need to remove the mats again! Simply hose them and sweep them out.

Free Friendly advice– We offer free friendly advice to help guide you to the best mat for you and your horse.

Stable Mats

We use a third party delivery company so we can offer delivery to every corner of the UK.

Bespoke Cut Walker mats— Using the latest

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technology in water-jet and CAD machines, we manufacture the mats to fit your walker. The jigsaw tiles interlock together making them easy to install. The mats are made from a harder, denser rubber so they outlast the crumb alternative.

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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 Fracture – Do You Need to Fix That?

To operate or not? How to decide and plan your return

All’s well that ends well. The season is already planned perfectly – the training and tournament schedule is set. Due to an awkward movement or an unskilful landing, all this may be at risk when an injury interrupts your preparations.

The following two examples will explain how an individual’s decision-making process and precisely designed rehabilitation schedule can rescue your season’s plans.

Ankle Fracture Peter Meszaros visited the White Turf horseracing event in St. Moritz in February this year and twisted his ankle on the uneven snowy ground of the frozen lake.

Due to swelling and ongoing pain, he visited the emergency department of a hospital on the way home to evaluate the injury.

Peter was initially given an X-ray, followed by an MRI of his foot, which presented a fractured tibia at the insertion of the ligament complex (bony syndesmosis avulsion).

After the initial diagnosis, following a slight 100 Polo Times, July 2018

diagnostic delay, the hospital recommended surgical intervention with open reduction and plate fixation. The delayed decision and geographical inconvenience of the injury led Peter to request a second opinion.

Injury mechanics When the ankle is twisted, strong forces result and can lead to a nutcracker situation, which stresses this area causing the failure of the ligament itself or a fracture of the underlying bone. The worst case is a fracture of the tibia and fibula in combination with a ligament injury.

Diagnostics The X-rays and subsequent MRI presented a fracture line at the hind part of the tibia, the area where a ligament stabilises the fibula to the tibia, thus making it one of the most important structures for ankle stability.

Additional X-rays of the ankle presented a ‘stable’ fracture with no further dislocation under load.

Photograph courtesy of Polodoc

Photograph by Der Rote Drache Fotografie, www.derrotedrache.com

After his injury Peter was able to play his first tournament

An MRI of Peter’s heel showed evidence of a fracture

Treatment The initial physician prescribed large lower leg walker to use during the swelling phase, however it will be exchanged to a much more convenient stabilisation orthesis, which can be worn in a regular shoe. Regular visits to a physiotherapist with balance exercises is mandatory.

Outcome The best outcome would be perfect consolidation of the break in the anatomic position as well as full pain-free ankle function after two months of conservative treatment. The individual would then be able to play their first low goal tournament after approximately two and a half months.

A hindfoot MRI axial view with perfect positioning of the fragment

www.polotimes.co.uk

Medical Insight: Polodoc

Injury to a Finger

Knowledge

The internal structure of a finger

Tito Gaudenzi dislocated the middle joint of his index finger on his right hand during a fall from a horse. The injured finger was pointing to the outside of the hand.

Injury mechanics While landing on the ground and trying to release the reins, a pull to the side injured the medial collateral ligament and capsule complex of the middle joint.

Treatment After direct repositioning of the finger, a stabilisation brace was fixed over the injured joint of the finger. After an X-ray showed significant improvement in the fracture and an ultrasound proved correct alignment of the ligament injury, this brace was replaced after a week with an elastic movement taping regime. Tito started low impact sport activity, starting with grip strength training and after four weeks, he began his first attempts at playing training chukkas. A customised impact absorbing protection brace was built by an orthopaedic technician to minimise the risk of early re-injury.

Outcome After six weeks it was possible for Tito to play full tournaments, without movement restrictions, pain-free. The protection brace was useful to reduce impact and shear forces.

• Early and precise diagnostic evaluation is mandatory • In select cases, a non-operative regime can lead to a faster return to polo • Customised protection gear can be useful to prevent re-injury

For more information on Polodoc contact Andreas Krüger at drmedkrueger@gmail.com

A customised impact absorbing protection brace was built by an orthopaedic technician

Photograph by Der Rote Drache Fotografie, www.derrotedrache.com

Tito returned to full play after the dislocation of his index finger six weeks post injury, with perfect stick control and the customised impact protection in place

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, July 2018 101

©www.imagesofpolo.com

Knowledge

Fitness Focus

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 Medicine Ball Blast

We talk to leading physical coach for polo players and founder of Fitness for Polo, Martín Perez about getting fit for the game and exercises to improve your polo The medicine ball is a really great piece of equipment that I use all the time in my polo player workouts. It can be found in any gym or purchased in any sports shop. This is a really simple workout that is going to help you to improve your core rotational power. You can also select the exercises that work best for you and incorporate them into your regular workouts. Every exercise can be done at home, in the gym or on the polo field. These exercises will target key areas and muscles used for polo and will help you to get more powerful rotations which will help improve your swing and lengthen shots.

“Remember to warm up before you start!”

Photography courtesy of Martín Perez

Side Touch Downs Start by sitting on the ground with knees bent, feet flat on the floor. Place something between your knees that you must squeeze throughout the exercise. Hold the ball in both hands and rotate at the waist to your right and touch the ground by your right hip with the ball, lift the ball up, rotate to the left side and touch the ground by your left hip with the ball, lift the ball up.

Diagonal Wood Chop Starting with your arms straight up and keeping your hands on the side of the medicine ball, slightly bend your knees as you take the medicine ball to the outside of the left knee and up again to the opposite shoulder by throwing your hips. Repeat on both sides.

102 Polo Times, July 2018

www.polotimes.co.uk

Fitness Focus

Medicine Ball Squat Holding the ball with straight arms, perform a squat. As you bend your knees, raise the ball up to shoulder height in front of you, keeping your arms straight. Lower the ball and you straighten up.

Make sure that your weight is going through your heels and you back remains straight throughout.

Knowledge

Staggered Overhead Throw Hold a lunge position one step out from and parallel to a wall with the front, bent knee closest to it. Rotate your chest around until it is square on with the wall. Using that rotational momentum, overhead throw the ball into the wall, returning to the start position when caught. Do all 10 reps on the same leg, and then switch directions and front leg.

For instructional videos on how to correctly perform these exercises plus more medicine ball exercises that can really help strengthen you for polo go to www.fitnessforpolo.com/medicine-ball-blast/ and use the password medicineblast2018

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, July 2018 103

Sidelines

Gossip

Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

SPOTTED AT THE QUEEN’S CUP CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to Rob and Lydia Shearman from Rutland Polo Club, who welcomed baby girl Millie Ita Joyce Shearman on Thursday 14 June. We look forward to seeing the next generation of polo players take to the field!

HELMET RULES TRAVEL

If you were pitchside at The Cartier Queen’s Cup Final like we were, you would have noticed the veritable circus squad Park Place seemed to become as the match went on. Juan Britos barely set his bottom in his saddle, whilst surely no one could reach further than Tommy ‘long arms’ Beresford?

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

According to Auckland Polo Club, The New Zealand Polo Association is going to follow the HPA’s ruling regarding their helmet regulations.

Be prepared Kiwi players – changes are afoot!

NEW ARENA NIGH

Hampshire Polo School have been granted planning permission to build their own arena onsite. So, for all those championing arena polo in the south, head on over to the HPS!

JAMES’ PLACE OPENS DOORS SHE SAID YES!

La Martina’s Martin Ambridge recently proposed to girlfriend Caley Beer and unsurprisingly she said yes! We don’t know that a date has been set yet, but watch this space. Congratulations guys!

HRH The Duke of Cambridge officially opened the first James’ Place UK centre on Tuesday 19 June. Championed by Clare Milford-Haven in memory of her son James, James’ Place aims to create a space where those experiencing suicidal thoughts feel safe, valued, nurtured and respected.

CASABLANCA MAKE THE GRADE

SPOTTED!

Nacho Figueras riding a pony, clearly something placid whisked from the paddock before the clippers had been oiled up, inside The Empire State Building in what must surely be a world first! This equine stunt was to celebrate the start of the 11th Veuve Cliquot Polo Classic in New York.

The Casablanca NEU helmet has now met the updated 2018 HPA helmet regulation, adding the brand to the list of the approved helmet manufacturers.

104 Polo Times, July 2018

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C

M

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CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Stephen Hutchinson

Fra Woodd

Rob Cudmore

Chris Mackenzie

13th Annual Polo Awards; Guards Polo Club; Wednesday 30 May

Winners All Around

Nina & John Paul Clarkin

Gonzalito & Facundo Pieres

Fred Mannix Jnr

Shannon & James Harper

Andrey Borodin

Alice Gipps

As the mist rolled onto the pristine Queen’s Ground at Guards Polo Club, some of polo’s greatest players, supporters, followers and families gathered to celebrate the highest achievements of the past year at the annual Polo Awards. Guards Polo Club once again opened its doors to this illustrious event.

Guests swapped plans for the summer season, whilst sipping on a glass of Laurent-Perrier champagne and tucking into delicious Mosimann’s canapés. As Karl Ude Martinez welcomed the evening’s guests to tuck into their delectable three course meal, the awards got underway and the evening’s entertainment didn’t stop there, as acrobat extraordinaire Valerie Murzak thrilled guests with her sparkling display. Following an evening of seemingly endless applause and praise, the awards drew to a close as the lights dimmed, and the music was turned up.

Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Tincho & Celina Merlos

Tiffany Luckett & Hugo Lewis

Olivia Clowes with Max & Georgina Hutchinson

Neil Hobday & John Collins

Tommy Beresford

Posy Ash & Ollie Cudmore

Ed & Georgina Morris Lowe

Richard Britten-Long

Becky Simpson & Rupert Lee-Uff

Rebecca Walters & Emma Boers

Tissy van Reyk & Ebe Sievwright

Charley Powell

Verity & Chris Adkins

Sophie Brogan & Max Charlton

Tara Smith & Tim Bown

Jonny & Lucy Coddington

Eduardo ‘Ruso’ Heguy

Lauren & James Beim

Hilario Ulloa

Hazel & Ivan Jackson-Gaona

The Hanburys!

Tori Mills & Rupert Lewis

Giles Bond-Smith

Mark Tomlinson

Malcolm Borwick

Paul Roberts

Gloucestershire Festival of Polo; Beaufort Polo Club; 9 – 10 June

That Festival Feeling Between 9 – 10 June, thousands upon thousands of polo fans gathered at Beaufort Polo Club to bask in the glorious June sunshine and watch an amazing array of polo from youth to international heights. The annual celebrity match began Saturday’s play as VIP guests spilled out of the marquee following a delicious lunch, with Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton CBE battling against Made in Chelsea rival Francis Boulle. Flannels England defeated Ireland in the highlight match of the day, The Swinhay International Test Match for The Golden Jubilee Cup and two teams of young guns showcased their emerging talent in a Junior Westchester Cup trial match to end the day’s action, followed by a rocking after-party at the Clubhouse, courtesy of DJ Barny B, Dubba and Marcel Lune. If Beaufort thought the crowds were large on day one, then day two must have been a shock, as the Beaufort banks teemed with eager polo fans, vying for the perfect picnic spot and a glimpse of the day’s royal visitor, HRH The Duke of Cambridge, who was playing in The Maserati Royal Charity Polo Trophy.

Youth players again also took the opportunity to show what the polo stars of tomorrow will look like in The Javier Novillo Astrada U15 Cup Final. The weekend was an enormous success, breaking all previous Festival records and showcasing what a phenomenal spectator sport polo is.

The Cotswold Hunt hounds took a turn around the field

The Golden Jubilee Cup

Photography by George Gunn Photography, J Ridley Art & Photography & Ben Hastie Photography

‘Poroto’ Cambiaso

Victoria Pendleton CBE

James Cowan, HRH The Duke of Cambridge & Mike Biscoe

Iain McMurty, The Earl of Tyrone & Chris Hughes

Tom Urquhart

Peter West

Francis Boulle

Richard Britten-Long, William Hance & Simon Tomlinson

Adolfo Cambiaso

Natalie Magnaldi & Charlotte Twitchings

Bruce Merivale-Austin

George Amor & Lottie McDonagh

Lisa Maxwell

Luke Tomlinson & Georgina Britten-Long

Nico Pieres

Martin Brown & Viscount Cowdray

Corinne Ricard & Dagmar Lauterbach

Gonzalito Pieres

The King Power Gold Cup Draw; Cowdray House, Midhurst; Monday 11 June

Gold Cup is Drawn The Draw for the 2018 King Power Gold Cup for The British Open Polo Championship was held on an evening of sunshine and excitement ahead of this year’s tournament. A large turnout of this year’s players from both home and abroad attended to see how the draw would fall for their side, as representatives from each team went forward to draw into one of four leagues. Guests enjoyed the seemingly endless sunshine on the terrace, with a collection of delicious Perrier-Jouët champagne, canapés and piping hot empanadas in hand, courtesy of hosts King Power. Players, patrons and guests whiled the night away, discussing the tournament ahead and all the excitement of the season so far. Suffice to say, we can’t wait for the next high goal instalment!

Pete McCormack & Liz Higgins

Ben Soleimani

Roderick Vere Nicoll

Nacho Gonzalez

Photography by Mark Beaumont

Paula Bickford draws the teams

Marco de Paola with Chris & Nikki Bethell

Eduardo ‘Ruso’ Heguy

Major Christopher & Bridget Hanbury

Janey Delow, Vanessa Graham, Pip Menzies & Matt Sim

Vero Gaztambide, Daniela de Andrade, Gimena Soleimani & Celeste Lorda

Lieutenant Colonel Sean O’Dwyer

Edouard Carmignac

Annabel McNaught-Davis

Lucie Todd & Jamie Morrison

The Cartier Queen’s Cup Final; Guards Polo Club; Sunday 17 June

Royal Seal of Approval

Juan Britos

Even though the weather wasn’t as kind as everyone had hoped, the summer rain held off as polo fans from across the globe gathered in picnic tents, grandstands and the Clubhouse at Guards Polo Club on Sunday 17 June. Whilst La Indiana and Park Place battled it out on the field, the atmosphere was a lot calmer pitch-side, as guests sipped on Laurent-Perrier Champagne and nibbled on delicious Mosimann’s treats, cheering on their chosen side between delectable mouthfuls. Throughout the pre-match period, those on the far side of the field and all throughout the car parks tucked into their abundant picnics, with the main topic of conversation, unsurprisingly, sticking to, “Will it be third time’s the charm for La Indiana?” The whole day was abuzz with polo gossip, with cries of delight and horror emanating from the grandstands, as the teams fired seemingly impossible shots up and down the field, players were dismounted, and two yellow cards were presented to La Indiana players for dangerous play during this ferocious match. As well as the smattering of celebrities in the quintessentially English Cartier enclosure, HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh were in attendance, marking the day with their royal patronage and as HM The Queen came down from The Royal Box to present the teams with their prizes, the assembled throng looked on in admiration.

P hotography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Paula Bickford & Agustina Wernicke

Stephen Hutchinson & Robert de By

Band of The Royal British Legion and The Core of Drums from Romford

Rosie Chell & Vicky Kingham

Jenna Coleman

Laurent Feniou & HM The Queen

Edward Enninful, Astrid Muñoz & Eduardo Novillo Astrada

The Cartier Trophy winning Emlor Team

HM The Queen receives a bouquet of flowers

Philipp Mosimann & Tony Ramirez

Ros Packer

Donelda Guy & Michelle Rossini dela Cruz

Facundo Pieres

Carolina & Maria Teresa Beresford

Martha Hunt, Neelam Gill & Lily Collins

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

Genevieve Meadows

Andrey Borodin

Antony Fanshawe & Greg Keating

Nic Roldan

Izzy Appleby, Eleanor English, Harry Champion & Matt Conroy

Glen & Lachie Gilmore

Martín Perez

Alec White

Julian ‘Negro’ de Lusaretta

Alison Relf, Charlie the dog & Mel Hamilton

Marcus Cork & Jimbo Fewster

Harald Link & Bruce Merivale-Austin

Gerry Gibson

Carine Feniou

Kenney Jones

Hilario Ulloa

Polo directory

What’s On – July UK Club Fixtures Club Cowdray Rutland Guards Cirencester RCBPC Guards Cowdray Tidworth

Tournament Name Texaco Trophy The Assam Cup Coworth Park Challenge Non-Playing Members Trophy The Eduardo Moore Tournament Roberts Cup King Power Gold Cup Tidworth Polo Week

Handicap 8 - 12 2-6 12 - 15 0-6 12 - 15 0-4 20 - 22 0 - 4, -4 - 0 & -6 - -2 Burningfold Blackdown Equine Clinic 4 Goal 4 Goal Tidworth Tidworth Polo Week -4 - 0 Rutland Findley Trophy -2 - 0 Tidworth Presidents Cup -6 - -2 Robin Hood June Summer League Match Open Guards Phoenician Cup 8 - 12 Taunton The Aden Visit Cup 2-4 Binfield Heath Borough Marsh 0-4 Cambridge County Timba Tournament 0 - 4 & -4 -0 White Waltham Canadian Bear Challenge 0-2 Trophy (Canada Day) Cheshire Fox & Barrel Cup 0-2 Edgeworth Midsummer Plate 0-2 Druids Lodge Salisbury Cup -2 - 0 Binfield Heath Borough Marsh -4 - 0 New Forest Rudkin Cup -4 - 0 Cheshire White Horse Trophy -4 - -1 Cirencester Academy Tournament -6 - -2 Rugby The Onley Plate -8 - -4 Taunton Pollard Cup -6 - -4 Ham Peter Adams Agencies 2-4 Summer Tournament Robin Hood Bawtry Cup Open Cirencester The Queen Mother Trophy 8 - 12 (Cirencester 12 Goal Ch’ship) Beaufort The Novices Cup -2 - 2 Coworth Indian Empire Shield 15 - 18 Burningfold Cherry Tree 2 Goal 2 Goal RCBPC The Julian and Howard 4-8 Hipwood Trophy Kirtlington Dent Cup 4-6 Druids Lodge Balaclava Trophy 6-8 FHM White Lable -6 - -2 Edgeworth 6 Goal Championship 0-6 Binfield Heath Mixed Tournament 0-2 Cheshire Heaton Bowl 0-2 Tidworth Douglas Nugent Cup 0 - 2 & -4 - 0 Silver Leys Silver Leys Cup 0 - 2, -4 - -2 & -2 - 0 Taunton The Dubai Trophy -2 - 0 White Waltham The Arena Polo -2 - 0 Challenge Trophy Cheshire Inter Hunt Cup -4 - -1 Robin Hood Parkinsons Cup Open Druids Lodge Summer League -4 - -2 Cheshire Junior County Cup 0-4 Emsworth The Emsworth Gold Cup 12 Goal Cirencester St James’s Place 6 - 10 (The Town Cup) Binfield Heath Chairman’s Cup 0-4 Edgeworth Last Days of the Raj 0-4 Cheshire BFSS Trophy & Hogan Cup -4 - -2 Beaufort The Henderson Rosebowl 0-4 Cheshire Club Plate -8 - -5 Binfield Heath Phillimore Trophy 4 - 6 & -4 - 0 Cirencester CPPC Low Goal Tournament 0-4 www.polotimes.co.uk

Start Date 19/06/18 25/06/18 26/06/18 26/06/18 26/06/18 26/06/18 26/06/18 27/06/18

End Date 07/07/18 01/07/18 08/07/18 08/07/18 14/07/18 15/07/18 22/07/18 01/07/18

27/06/18 27/06/18 27/06/18 27/06/18 28/06/18 28/06/18 30/06/18 30/06/18 30/06/18 30/06/18

01/07/18 01/07/18 01/07/18 01/07/18 28/06/18 15/07/18 01/07/18 01/07/18 01/07/18 01/07/18

30/06/18 30/06/18 30/06/18 30/06/18 30/06/18 30/06/18 30/06/18 30/06/18 30/06/18 01/07/18

01/07/18 01/07/18 01/07/18 01/07/18 01/07/18 01/07/18 01/07/18 01/07/18 01/07/18 01/07/18

01/07/18 02/07/18

01/07/18 15/07/18

03/07/18 03/07/18 04/07/18 04/07/18

14/07/18 21/07/18 08/07/18 21/07/18

05/07/18 07/07/18 07/07/18 07/07/18 07/07/18 07/07/18 07/07/18 07/07/18

08/07/18 07/07/18 07/07/18 08/07/18 08/07/18 08/07/18 08/07/18 08/07/18

07/07/18 07/07/18

08/07/18 08/07/18

07/07/18 08/07/18 08/07/18 09/07/18 09/07/18 10/07/18

08/07/18 08/07/18 26/08/18 15/07/18 21/07/18 21/07/18

11/07/18 11/07/18 13/07/18 13/07/18 13/07/18 14/07/18 14/07/18

12/07/18 12/07/18 14/07/18 22/07/18 14/08/18 15/07/18 15/07/18

Club Cambridge County Edgeworth Taunton Druids Lodge Ham Rutland New Forest Cambridge County White Waltham Rutland Moor Farm Tidworth Cowdray Kirtlington Guards Cirencester Guards Cirencester Burningfold Taunton Silver Leys FHM White Waltham Edgeworth Emsworth Druids Lodge Cirencester Cheshire Robin Hood Cambridge County Cowdray Cowdray Guards Beaufort Robin Hood Wicklow Cheshire Emsworth Rutland Rutland White Waltham Wicklow Rugby Binfield Heath

Tournament Name Fendown Dustup Tournament The 4 Goal Cup Orchard Portman Trophy The Harvest Cup David Brown Cup The Gilks Trophy Parkinson Cup Fendown Dustup Tournament Tai Tai Tournament The MADE Trophy Club Tournament Manlein Cup Harrison Cup The Oxfordshire Bowl Social Cup Doug Brown Cup The Crawford Cup Ponting Pot Burningfold 6 Goal Cup Houldsworth Cup Mid Summer Cup Essinghigh Trophy Telemark Polo Tournament July 0 Goal The Emsworth Silver Cup Druids Rose Bowl R J Polo Tournament Jaguar Cup Hunt Cup The Cavendish Cup Challenge Cup Holden White Challenge Cup Town & County Championship The Bat Cup July Summer League Match 6 Goal Tournament Jean Kewley Trophy/Causway Racing July Plate Belvoir Cup Preston Lodge Bowl The Cedar Polo Trophy ME Herbst Group Cup Midlands Polo Camp & The Kangaroo Challenge Summer Festival

Tidworth

Family Challenge Cup

Handicap 0-4 0-4 -2 - 2 1-2 2 Goal 0-2 -4 - 0 -4 - 0 -4 - 0 -6 - -2 -8 - -2 -2 - 0 & -6 - -2 12 - 15 6-8 6 - 10 0-6 0-4 0-4 6 Goal 2-6 -4 - -2 & -2 - 0 -6 - -2 -2 - 2 0 Goal 6 Goal 3-4 -2 - 2 0-2 Open 2-4 15 - 18 4-8 4-8 0 - 10 Open 4-6 -4 - 2 2 Goal -4 - 0 -4 - 0 -2 - 0 -2 - 0 -6 - -2

Start Date 14/07/18 14/07/18 14/07/18 14/07/18 14/07/18 14/07/18 14/07/18 14/07/18 14/07/18 14/07/18 14/07/18 15/07/18 16/07/18 17/07/18 17/07/18 17/07/18 17/07/18 18/07/18 18/07/18 20/07/18 20/07/18 21/07/18 21/07/18 21/07/18 21/07/18 21/07/18 21/07/18 22/07/18 22/07/18 23/07/18 23/07/18 23/07/18 24/07/18 25/07/18 26/07/18 28/07/18 28/07/18 28/07/18 28/07/18 28/07/18 28/07/18 28/07/18 28/07/18

End Date 15/07/18 15/07/18 15/07/18 15/07/18 15/07/18 15/07/18 15/07/18 15/07/18 15/07/18 15/07/18 15/07/18 15/07/18 05/08/18 22/07/18 29/07/18 29/07/18 05/08/18 27/07/18 29/07/18 22/07/18 22/07/18 21/07/18 22/07/18 22/07/18 29/07/18 29/07/18 06/08/18 22/07/18 22/07/18 29/07/18 04/08/18 05/08/18 12/08/18 04/08/18 26/07/18 29/07/18 29/07/18 29/07/18 29/07/18 29/07/18 29/07/18 29/07/18 29/07/18

0, 2, 4, 6, 8 & 12 Goal Open

29/07/18

29/07/18

29/07/18

29/07/18

Handicap 0-4

Start Date End Date 27/06/18 01/07/18

-4 - 0

27/06/18

01/07/18

Open

08/07/18

08/07/18

Open

14/07/18

14/07/18

Open

14/07/18

14/07/18

Open

14/07/18

16/07/18

Open Open

21/07/18 01/08/18

22/07/18 01/08/18

Military Dates Club Tidworth Tidworth Tidworth Tidworth Tidworth Guards

Tidworth Tidworth

Tournament Strategic Shipping 10th Hussars’ Cup Canonbury Queens Royal Lancers Trophy RAF Development v Army Development Rundle Cup (RN v ARMY) & ICOA Trophy (CSPA v RSA) Indian Cavalry Officers Trophy (CSPA v Visting Int. Side) Finals - Inter-Regimental & United Services Cup (CSPA v RSA) Captains and Subalterns RMA Sandhurst Leadership and Excellence Tournament

Polo Times, July 2018 113

Polo directory Women’s Polo Club Polo Club Saint-Tropez Blueys Cirencester Maryland Polo Club Maryland Polo Club New Forest Chicago Knepp Castle Santa María Polo Club Cowdray

Tournament Women’s International

Handicap 10 - 14

Start Date End Date 27/06/18 01/07/18

Ladies Sugar Bowl Tournament Ladies Tournament Eastern Circuit Women’s Challenge Eastern Circuit Women’s Challenge II WIP Ladies League Chicago Polo Women’s Cup International Ladies Tournament Victrix Ludorum Polo Women’s Tour

0, 2 & 15 8 - 12 6 - 10

30/06/18 30/06/18 06/07/18

01/07/18 01/07/18 08/07/18

12 - 14

06/07/18

08/07/18

8 - 12 6 - 10 Open

07/07/18 06/07/18 11/07/18

08/07/18 08/07/18 15/07/18

Open

12/07/18

12/07/18

Open

13/07/18

21/07/18

-2 - 2

16/07/18

17/07/18

8 - 12

21/07/18

23/07/18

12 - 18

24/07/18

29/07/18

6 - 10

25/07/18

29/07/18

4 - 8 & 8 - 12

27/07/18

29/07/18

12 - 18

27/07/18

04/08/18

10 Goal Open

09/08/18 13/08/18

10/08/18 19/08/18

12 - 18

21/08/18

01/09/18

Open Open 16 Goal

25/08/18 08/09/18 10/09/18

26/08/18 09/09/18 16/09/18

18 Goal

11/07/18

15/07/18

18 Goal 18 Goal 18 Goal

13/07/18 24/07/18 27/07/18

21/07/18 29/07/18 04/08/18

18 Goal 18 Goal

04/08/18 21/08/18

12/08/18 01/09/18

British Ladies Open Victrix Ludorum Tidworth WIP European Mixed Doubles Championship Farmington Northeastern Circuit Polo Club Women’s Challenge Cirencester The International Ladies’ Tournament Honolulu Polo Club Hawaiian Islands Circuit Women’s Challenge Brandywine USPA Brandywine Women’s Polo Club Challenge/WTC Beaufort The Beaufort Ladies Tournament VL Deauville Polo Ladies Cup Westcroft Park WIP Ladies’ League Polo Club Guards Ladies’ Charity Tournament for The Lord Patrick Beresford Trophy Tidworth WIP Ladies’ League Ranelagh WIP Ladies’ League Chantilly Women’s French Open Victrix Ludorum Knepp Castle Cowdray Cirencester Beaufort RCBPC Guards

International Ladies Tournament Victrix Ludorum Victrix Ludorum Victrix Ludorum The Beaufort Ladies Tournament Victrix Ludorum Victrix Ludorum Ladies’ Charity Tournament for The Lord Patrick Beresford Trophy Victrix Ludorum

America Greenwich Hawaii Polo Club Hawaii Polo Club Hawaii Polo Club Hawaii Polo Club Hawaii Polo Club Virginia International Santa Barbara Myopia Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Santa Barbara

Silver Cup Hawaiian Islands Circuit Governor’s Cup Hawaiian Islands Circuit Amateur Cup Hawaiian Islands Circuit Intra-Circuit Hawaiian Islands Circuit Circuit Sportsmanship Cup Hawaiian Islands Circuit Masters Cup Eastern Circuit Constitution Cup

16 - 20 8 - 12

25/06/18 01/07/18

15/07/18 31/07/18

0-4

01/07/18

31/07/18

8 - 12

01/07/18

31/07/18

8 - 12

01/07/18

31/07/18

0-4

04/07/18

08/07/18

6-8

06/07/18

15/07/18

The Belmond El Encanto Polo Cup Chairman’s Cup Robert Skene Trophy USPA America Cup Pacific Coast Open

16 Goal

07/07/18

09/07/18

8 - 12 16 Goal 16 - 20 16 Goal

10/07/18 14/07/18 28/07/18 16/08/18

29/07/18 23/07/18 06/08/18 02/09/18

23/09/18 11/11/18

23/09/18 11/11/18

05/07/18

15/07/18

19/07/18

29/07/18

01/08/18 02/08/18

15/08/18 12/08/18

16/08/18 16/08/18

26/08/18 26/08/18

Gold Cup

8 -10 & 12 - 15 8 -10 & 12 - 15 14 - 16 8 -10 & 15 - 18 14 - 16 8 -10 & 15 - 18 8 - 10

30/08/18

09/09/18

French Open Indian Summer Polo

14 - 16 Open

01/09/18 13/09/18

16/09/18 30/09/18

Open

01/08/18

05/08/18

6-8

20/09/18

30/09/18

Timau

Open

29/06/18

01/07/18

Nairobi Mugs Mug Nairobi Bwana Begg & Connaught Gilgil Cavalry Gilgil Under 18 vs Zambia

Open Open

19/07/18 27/07/18

22/07/18 29/07/18

Open Open

17/08/18 24/08/18

19/08/18 26/08/18

Australia Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Spring Polo Open Victorian Polo Club Melbourne Cup Open

France Polo Club Saint-Tropez Polo Club Saint-Tropez Deauville Polo Club Saint-Tropez Deauville Polo Club Saint-Tropez Polo Club Saint-Tropez Chantilly Polo Club Saint-Tropez

International Polo Cup Polo Master/Open de Gassin Silver Cup Côte d’Azur Cup Gold Cup Open du Soleil

Germany Keitum

21st Berenburg German Polo Masters

Youth Polo Club Taunton Buffalo Polo Club

Tournament Pony Club Tournament Northeastern Circuit National Youth Tournament Series Kirtlington Pony Club Tournament Twin City Polo Club Central Circuit National Youth Tournament Series Cirencester Pony Club Tournament Longdole Junior Polo Tournament

Handicap Open Open

Start Date End Date 17/07/18 17/07/18 20/07/18 21/07/18

Open Open

24/07/18 28/07/18

24/07/18 29/07/18

Open Open

30/07/18 31/08/18

31/07/18 31/08/18

International Test Matches RCBPC

International Test Match for The Westchester Cup

114 Polo Times, July 2018

Open

28/07/18

28/07/18

Italy Villa a Sesta

XII FIP European Championships

Kenya North Kenya Polo Club Nairobi Nairobi Manyatta Manyatta

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo directory Nairobi Nairobi North Kenya Polo Club North Kenya Polo Club Manyatta Manyatta

NBI Kenya International (Low Goal) NBI Kenya International (High Goal) Timau

Open

14/09/18

16/09/18

Open

21/09/18

23/09/18

Open

12/10/18

14/10/18

Timau

Open

19/10/18

21/10/18

Gigil Manyatta Xmas Gigil Manyatta Xmas

Open Open

07/12/18 14/12/18

09/12/18 17/12/18

South Africa Karkloof Inanda Johannesburg Johannesburg East Rand

Natal Champs Africa Cup Johannesburg International Polo Prince of Wales Cup Highveld League

Open Open Open

20/07/18 17/08/18 09/09/18

22/07/18 26/08/18 09/09/18

Open Open

23/09/18 28/09/18

23/09/18 30/09/18

Open

05/07/18

05/07/18

47 Torneo Internacional de Polo Open

25/07/18

26/08/18

Spain Santa María Polo Club Santa María Polo Club

Memorial Enrique Zobel

Snow Polo Dates Kitzbühel St. Moritz

Snow Polo World Cup 2019 Snow Polo World Cup 2019

Open Open

17/01/19 25/01/19

20/01/19 27/01/19

Something Different Longdole Dallas Burston

Posh Car Boot Sale Polo in the Park

19/08/18 02/09/18

Quick Question Answer -

to the question posed on our Letters page A: Cartier’s first London home was later bought by Sir Ernest Shackleton and became the HQ for Scott’s ill-fated expedition to the South Pole.

19/08/18 02/09/18

2018 Victor Ludorum and High Goal Dates Club 22 Goal Cowdray 18 Goal Cirencester Guards Cowdray 15 Goal RCBPC Cowdray Cirencester Beaufort 12 Goal Beaufort Cirencester Guards Cirencester Cowdray 8 Goal Guards RCBPC Cowdray Beaufort 6 Goal Kirtlington Ham Polo Club Cirencester 4 Goal Rutland Cheshire Cambridge County Tidworth New Forest

Tournament

Start Date

End Date

King Power Gold Cup

26/06/18

22/07/18

Apsley Cup Indian Empire Shield Challenge Cup

13/06/18 03/07/18 23/07/18

01/07/18 21/07/18 05/08/18

Eduardo Moore Trophy Harrison Cup County Cup Arthur Lucas

26/06/18 16/07/18 07/08/18 21/08/18

14/07/18 04/08/18 18/08/18 02/09/18

Prince of Wales Queen Mother Trophy Duke of Wellington Cheltenham Cup Autumn League

18/06/18 02/07/18 04/08/18 28/08/18 10/09/18

30/06/18 15/07/18 19/08/18 09/09/18 23/09/18

Hildon Archie David Hipwood Trophy Holden White Wichenford Bowl

08/06/18 04/07/18 23/07/18 13/08/18

01/07/18 21/07/18 05/08/18 27/08/18

Budgett Everett Roehampton Cup Kingscote Cup

02/08/18 14/08/18 28/08/18

12/08/18 26/08/18 08/09/18

Assam Cup Junior County Cup 4 Goal Rundle Cup 4 Goal

25/06/18 09/07/18 23/07/18 07/08/18 14/08/18

01/07/18 15/07/18 29/07/18 12/08/18 19/08/18

Editor’s Note All dates are correct at the time of going to press. Polo Times takes no responsibility for fixtures moved, cancelled or altered. Always check wth the Club(s) for the most up-to-date fixtures lists.

POLO DIVISION

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Direct Sales: www.worldwidetack.com Polo Times, July 2018 115

Polo directory Club contacts UK and Ireland CLUB

PHONE

EMAIL

CLUB

PHONE

EMAIL

All Ireland Polo Club

00353 01 6896732

dstone@indigo.ie

Hurtwood Polo Club

01483 272828

gary@hurtwoodparkpolo.com

All England Polo Club Hickstead*

01273 834 315

polo@hickstead.co.uk

Kirtlington Park Polo Club

01869 350138

info@kirtlingtonparkpolo.co.uk

Apsley End Polo Club*

01462 712444

tobiana.scott@gmail.com

Knepp Castle Polo Club

07920 023639

info@aspectpolo.co.uk

Ash Farm Polo Club*

07799 812739

ashfarmpolo@hotmail.com

Leadenham Polo Club

01400 318006

office@leadenhampoloclub.com

Barfold Polo Club

07778 808853

mborwick@gmail.com

Longdole Polo Club*

01452 864544

info@longdolepolo.com

Beaufort Polo Club

01666 880510

enquiries@beaufortpoloclub.co.uk

Moor Farm Polo Club

07494 114190

shop@moorfarmshop.co.uk

Beverley Polo Club*

01964 544877

info@beverleypoloclub.co.uk

Moor Hall Farm Polo Club*

01279 450637

alecbeve@btinternet.com

Binfield Heath

01491 411969

bhpcmanager@gmail.com

New Forest Polo Club

07977 224404

annabelparryjoyner@yahoo.co.uk

Blueys Polo Club*

07930 323263

polomanager@blueyspolo.co.uk

Norfolk Polo Club

01508 480400

office@norfolkpolo.co.uk

Bramham Polo Academy

07811 993316

emmadvh@btinternet.com

Northern Ireland Polo Club

02890 727905

robert@hellomxb.com

Bunclody Polo Club

00353 87 6605917

info@poloclubbunclody.com

Offchurch Bury Polo Club*

07816 830887

info@offchurchburypoloclub.co.uk

Burningfold Polo Club

01483 200722

derrek@burningfold.com

Pangbourne Polo Club

07708 906810

aprice@polofix.com

Cambridge Polo Club*

07711 217004

cambridgepoloclub@icloud.com

Peover Polo Club

07766 016 833

polomanager@peoverpoloclub.co.uk

Cambridge County Polo Club*

01223 812922

info@cambridgecountypoloclub.co.uk

Polo Wicklow*

00353 404 67164

siobhan@polowicklow.com

Carlton House

07901 561113

harrietservaes@hotmail.com

RAF Cranwell

07739 569491

rafcranwellpoloclub@yahoo.co.uk

Chester Racecourse Polo Club

01244 304602

amorris@chester-races.com

Ranelagh Polo Club*

01344 885697

ranelagh@labravapolo.com

Cheshire Polo Club

01270 611 100

info@cheshirepoloclub.co.uk

RCBPC*

01344 890060

polo@rcbpc.com

Chiltern Polo Club

07973 174542

info@chilternpoloclub.com

RMAS Polo Club

07973 174542

rmas-nc-aci-projinters@mod.uk

Cirencester Park Polo Club

01285 653225

info@cirencesterpolo.co.uk

Robin Hood Polo Club

07711 540116

info@robinhoodpolo.co.uk

Cowdray Polo Club

01730 813257

enquiries@cowdraypolo.co.uk

Rugby Polo Club*

01788 817724

info@rugbypoloclub.com

Curraghmore Polo Club

00353 51 387102

mkennedy@cssgroup.ie

Rutland Polo Club

07772 040668

secretary@rutlandpoloclub.co.uk

Dallas Burston Polo Club*

01926 812409

polo@dbpoloclub.com

Silver Leys Polo Club

07730 060200

silverleyspoloclub@gmail.com

Dorset Polo Club

01202 623985

office@dorsetpolo.co.uk

St. Albans Polo Club

07956 017090

info@stalbanspoloclub.co.uk

Druids Lodge Polo Club*

01722 782597

abi@druidspolo.co.uk

Stewarton Polo Club

07974 706045

info@stewartonpolo.co.uk

Dundee and Perth Polo Club*

07831 365 194

jamesscrawford@aol.com

Suffolk Polo Club

07790 576974

aes3@cam.ac.uk

Eastwood Polo Club

07875 743475

frankums@googlemail.com

Sussex Polo Club*

01342 714920

info@sussexpolo.co.uk

Edgeworth Polo Club

01285 821695

edgeworthpolo@gmail.com

Taunton Vale Polo Club

01823 480460

nhs.wheelers@gmail.com

Edinburgh Polo Club*

01314 496696

djamesjamie@aol.com

Tidworth Polo Club*

01980 846705

info@tidworthpolo.com

Emsworth Polo Grounds*

01344 883112

info@fourquarterspolo.co.uk

Toulston Polo Club

01422 372529

info@toulstonpoloclub.com

Epsom Polo Club*

07961 232106

epsompoloclub@hotmail.com

Triskelion Polo Club*

07624 272547

polo@triskelionpolo.club

FHM Polo Club*

07778 436468

frances@fhmpolo.co.uk

Vaux Park Park Polo Club*

07703 524613

vppc@btconnect.com

Fifield Polo Club*

01628 620061

fifieldpoloclub@live.co.uk

West Wycombe Park Polo Club*

07787 560729

secretary@westwycombepolo.co.uk

Great Trippetts Polo Club

01428 741916

charles@trippetts.com

Westcroft Park Polo Club*

01276 858545

info@westcroftparkpolo.co.uk

Guards Polo Club*

01784 434212

polo@guardspoloclub.com

White Rose Polo Club*

01430 875767

info@whiterosepolo.co.uk

HPC, The London Polo Club

020 8334 0000

office@hpcpololondonpolo.com

White Waltham Polo Club

07748 670587

kim@playpolo.co.uk

Hertfordshire Polo Club*

01707 256023

polo@hertspolo.co.uk

* Also open for arena polo in the UK winter

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FO R SALE 17 Stall Trailer Internal Fans and Lights, Excellent Galvanised Partions, MOT May 2019 £12,000

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Final bell

In association with Aprés Polo

Australian Alec White has been a mainstay on the high goal season for years. From his 2012 Cartier Queen’s Cup win with Dubai to his recent rise through the Queen’s Cup ranks with La Indiana, ultimately winning the 2018 Cup, White has the knack of always being in the right place at the right time.

What is your biggest passion and why?

I have always been passionate about breeding and training polo ponies which has stemmed from my father’s love also. I enjoy watching horses progress and being a part of their training from foals to ultimately playing them.

Hardest opponent?

Any player that has better horses!

Which sports do you like outside of polo?

I used to play rugby a lot at school and now continue to follow it. I also like horse racing, watching the races and following the bloodlines.

Favourite film and why?

Dances with Wolves. It was my favourite as a kid and I still enjoy watching it.

Favourite food/dish?

Can’t go wrong with a steak and salad.

Most prized possession?

My horses, without them polo is impossible!

Favourite celebrity and why?

Jonathan Thurston, an Australian rugby league player. In my opinion the best ever!

He is amazing to watch, especially how he can read the game. Also, he is only small but gives his absolute best for his teammates. A hero on and off the field!

Best holiday destination & activity Anywhere that’s by the beach!

Best pony and why.

Dazzle – she was bred for racing by my uncle in Australia, but I was lucky enough to retrain her for polo. I now play her here in England – she is very, very powerful!

What is your all-time best polo memory?

It would have to be winning The Cartier Queen’s Cup with Dubai in 2012 and with La Indiana in 2018!

Who are your favourite teammates and why?

I really enjoy playing with my friends and family, especially playing for my local Club in Scone, Australia.

120 Polo Times, July 2018

Are you passionately superstitious?

No. I don’t have any superstitions.

Describe yourself in three words…

Work in progress…

One thing which would surprise us about you?

I am a talented dancer… self-proclaimed!

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WHY GO ANYWHERE ELSE TO IMPROVE THE HANDICAP AND TOP UP THE TAN?

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

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

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

W W W. B ELLEV U EBAR BADOS .CO M B E S T K E P T S E C R E T S I N C E 173 5

EXTEND YOUR SEASON THIS AUTUMN AT POLO VALLEY SOTOGRANDE

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