PT July 2011 by Edit

Volume 16 Issue 6 July 2011

ÂŁ5.50

www.polotimes.co.uk

Happy 100th!

The Coronation Cup moves into a new era Plus:

25 years at the Berkshire, the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup and making it as a pro PT p1 cover_v4.indd 1

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savills.co.uk

B!QFSJPE!FRVFTUSJBO!FTUBUF! dipcibn-!tvssfz Sunningdale: 2.7 miles, Windsor: 10.5 miles, Heathrow: 18.6 miles, London: 31.9 miles

London Country Department

Savills Sunningdale

4 reception rooms kitchen/breakfast room 5 bedrooms 3 bathrooms 3 cottages indoor swimming pool and leisure complex outdoor swimming pool tennis court mature gardens American barn with 8 loose boxes groom’s accommodation manège paddocks Available as a whole or in 3 lots

Crispin Holborow cholborow@savills.com

Dan Burstow dburstow@savills.com

020 7016 3780

01344 626162

About 27 acres Price on application

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savills.co.uk

PVTUBOEJOH!FRVFTUSJBO!IPNF! dppmibn-!xftu!tvttfy Billingshurst: 4 miles, Horsham: 9.3 miles, Gatwick: 24 miles

Savills Guildford

Reception hall 5 reception rooms master suite with dressing room guest suite 5 further bedrooms 3 further bath/shower rooms (1 en suite) kitchen/breakfast room period granary annexe traditional stable yard with 7 loose boxes American barn stabling (24 horses) period Sussex barn landscaped gardens all-weather-manège 2 polo fields fenced paddocks woodland with lakes and stream

Niki Scott nscott@savills.com

01483 796800

About 70.5 acres Guide £3.6 million

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Contents

Contacts Publisher Margie Brett margie@polotimes.co.uk Editor James Mullan jamesmullan@polotimes.co.uk Sub editor John O’Sullivan john@polotimes.co.uk Assistant editor Georgie May georgie@polotimes.co.uk Advertising manager Harriet Kay harriet@polotimes.co.uk Art editor Nicki Averill nickiaverill@polotimes.co.uk Marketing & PR PJ Seccombe pj@polotimes.co.uk Subscriptions

July 2011 News 10 Cover story: Coronation Cup centenary news feature 12 All the latest news 18 The big picture

Comment

Youth polo 58 Polo at Marriners 60 SUPA University Championships

Knowledge 62 Playing around: Sussex 64 Know your horse

20 Backchat with Clare Milford Haven

66 Know your game

22 Herbert Spencer’s Global view

69 Ones to watch

24 Arthur Douglas-Nugent’s Umpire’s corner

72 Travel: Discovering Sotogrande

26 Your views: letters

81 Products – saddle cloths

Features 28 Interview: Emlor patrons Spencer and Clinton McCarthy

79 How to Spend It 82 What’s on in July

Sidelines 84 Gossip: Don’t be the last to know

32 Cover story: Making money as a low-goal pro

85 Social: Polo at Marriners

36 Cover story: Celebrating 25 years of polo at RCBPC

87 Social: Cowdray Park special – Gold Cup draw and St Regis Test Match

Reports

86 Social: Polo in the Park

88 Social: 1870 Queen’s Cup lunch at Guards

38 Cover story: Queen’s Cup, Guards

89 Social: Cheltenham College Polo Day

42 Polo in the Park, Hurlingham

90 Social: Prince of Wales after-party

46 Cowdray Test Match, Cowdray Park

91 Social: La Tarde party at SUPA

Accounts Philippa Hunt - accounts@polotimes.co.uk

50 Duke of Sutherland Cup, Cowdray Park

98 Passions: Nick Britten-Long

Tel: 01993 886885 Fax: 01993 882660

52 Home and abroad

Sarah Foster sarah@polotimes.co.uk

www.polotimes.co.uk

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Cover photograph: Old meets new for the Coronation Cup, from Michael Chevis Polo Archive and Tony Ramirez

Polo Times, July 2011

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News

from the Editor The office has been something of a second home this month unfortunately but, as far as I can tell from what action I have been able to see first hand, the striking feature of the season so far appears to be just how open, exciting and unpredictable most games have been. The high-goal has thrown up a number of unexpected results and, though matches have often looked marginally lower-scoring than in recent years, I suspect this has a lot to do with there being fewer penalties, as teams are restricted from putting pressure on umpires and appealing for fouls. Most players, albeit excepting a few who are yet to get used to it, have shown a general willingness to comply with the changes. And, further to this positive attitude, teams have also sought to play open, passing polo and it has largely made the game a decent spectacle. I have also been reminded this season of just how important the medium-goal is. Often overlooked amid the drama and big spending razzmatazz of the high-goal, the keenly fought nature of the 15 and 18-goal tends to make for equally compelling viewing. It is the breeding ground of the highgoal patrons of the future and this year’s crop appears to contain perhaps a handful not far off making that transition. The medium-goal is also of course a pleasing source of employment for many British pros, especially when you consider that there were only 11 Brits playing in the Queen’s Cup altogether, including four patrons. There will also be just 11 Brits in the Gold Cup, despite an increase to 18 teams. John O’Sullivan investigates just how tough it is to make it work as a pro in the UK game on page 32.

Photographs from Michael Chevis Polo Archive and Graham Dennis at Blacklocks Bookshop (blacklockspoloart.com)

I hope those of you that have made it your passion can make it work for you this summer. Do let us know how practical it is to survive. Do new events such as Polo in the Park last month and the British Beach Polo Championships this month help many of the medium-handicapped players? Presumably they do.

A centenary of the Coronation Cup WHEN ENGLAND FACE Brazil on Sunday 24 July at Guards Polo Club for the Hurlingham Polo Association’s International Day, they will be playing an historic game for the Coronation Cup, writes Margie Brett. The cup itself is now 100 years old (see the feature on page 29 of our June issue entitled “Silverware worth fighting for”) and this year will be the 27th and final year of

Matches at Cowdray Park and Beaufort and International Day at Guards Polo Club. A handsome trio for any sponsor. Since 1971, the Coronation Cup has been the main prize of the Hurlingham Polo Association’s International Day, played for each year, except in 1992 and 1997, when the Westchester Cup took its place. The Westchester Cup is contested exclusively by the USA and Great Britain. However, when the USA have visited as England’s opponents, they have also played for the Coronation Cup, as they did in 1971 (see front cover and below right) and in 1972, 1973 and 1974. The HPA International Day in 1971 was held at Cowdray Park, as it was during 2001, when the foot and mouth epidemic closed Windsor Park, which includes Guards Polo Club. Apart from 2001, International Day has been held at Guards Polo Club since 1972.

Cartier are transferring their sponsorship of International Day to Guards’ Queen’s Cup after this season Cartier’s sponsorship of International Day. Cartier are transferring their sponsorship to the Queen’s Cup and the Hurlingham Polo Association is offering an opportunity to interested parties to sponsor all three annual international games – the two Test

As such, Polo Times is never resistant to innovations, so long as they are in keeping with the essential ethos of the game. Indeed, it is at this time of year in particular that we remember that polo is a game which, more than most, is built on tradition. It seeps from every pore. That is what I had in mind when I went to our designer Nicki with the concept for the cover. What you see is the fantastic fruit of her labours, which I hope you’ll agree makes quite an impression. So, as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the mighty Coronation Cup, doffing our caps to the heritage of all those that have helped grow its prestige down the years (not least departing sponsor Cartier), we should also nevertheless look forward with optimism as the International Day passes into a new era and into new hands as we head into the future. I’m excited.

Email me: jamesmullan@polotimes.co.uk 10

Polo Times, July 2011

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King George V, for whose coronation the Ranelagh Club commissioned the Coronation Cup, right. Photo above: Courtesy of Blacklocks Polo Art

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News Statistics In its 100 years, the Coronation cup has only been played for 66 times, due to the following gaps: 1914 – 1918 4 years 1940 – 1950 11 years 1952 1 year 1954 – 1970 17 years 1992 1 year (Westchester Cup played for) 1997 1 year (Westchester Cup played for) Winners in 1911, the Indian Polo Association (Captains Leslie Cheape, Shah Mirza Beg, Ralph Ritson and Vivian Lockett) Photo: Blacklocks Polo Art

HM the Queen and HRH Prince Philip with Lord and Lady Cowdray attending the Coronation Cup in 1953. This was Her Majesty’s first public appearance following her coronation on 2 June.

The Coronation Cup has been played for 37 times since 1972 and won by England 15 times during that period.

Photo: Michael Chevis Polo Archive

England caps since 1972 The Hipwood brothers lead the field by a long way for the number of times they have played for England:

Winners of the Coronation Cup 1953, Argentina (Eduardo Braun Menendez, Ernesto Lalor, Alejandro Mihanovich and Juan Carlos Alberdi). The taller figure in coat and tie in the centre is Juan Carlos Alberdi’s brother, Enrique Julian Alberdi, also a former 10-goal player.

Lord Louis Mountbatten and Prince Charles at the 1971 Coronation Cup at Cowdray Park

Photo: Michael Chevis Polo Archive, www.michaelchevis.com

Photo: Michael Chevis Polo Archive

Name Hipwood, H Hipwood, J Kent, A Brett, H Lucas, W Tomlinson, L Beresford, Lord C Hine, A Withers, P Daniels, J Tomlinson, M Beim, J Borwick, M Horswell, J Churchward, P Ferguson, R Lucas, J Wade, A Beresford, Lord P Gonzalez, N Hare, Hon M Hill, S* Mackenzie, S+ Matthews, R Seavill, A Williams, R

No. of caps 21 20 13 11 11 9 8 7 7 6 6 4 4 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

* Sinclair Hill, an Australian 10-goaler, appeared for England in 1977

The winning USA team (Harold Barry, Ronald Tongg, Joe Barry and William Linfoot) in 1971, when the Coronation Cup was contested for the first time since 1953 at Cowdray Park. Photo: from Michael Chevis Polo Archive

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+ Stuart Mackenzie played for England in 1986. He also appeared for his native New Zealand beforehand, in 1982 and 1983, and afterwards in 1991 (and in 1989 for Australasia) Polo Times, July 2011

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News

Attention turns to the Gold Cup and the Victor Ludorum finales The Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup is currently underway, with 18 teams competing for this year’s title. Queen’s Cup winners Talandracas will be taking part, as well as last year’s Gold Cup winners Dubai, who did not have a successful Queen’s Cup campaign by their high standards this year, losing at the quarter-final stages. Fourteen Queen’s Cup teams have gone on to play in the Gold Cup, with four additional teams competing in the Cowdray Park tournament, including two new teams – Thai Polo and Stella Artois. Patron Harald Link has brought together nine-goaler Pite Merlos and the two Di Paolas, Lucas and Marcos, to form his Thai Polo side. Stirling McGregor has teamed up with fellow Australian Gillion McLachlan to form their Stella Artois side, which features Alejandro Agote and Nico Pieres. Mansour Jaeger-LeCoultre, who played the

Enigma’s Juan Jauretche has moved to four goals and Talandracas’s Facundo Sola has gone from six to seven Queen’s Cup, have not gone on to play in the Gold Cup. But team members Ignacio Heguy and Eduardo Novillo Astrada were not left

Polo Times, July 2011

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Prince Harry and winning Talandracas patron Edouard Carmignac peruse the past Queen’s Cup winners

without a team, as they have gone on to join Camilo Bautista’s Las Monjitas side. Roger Carlsson’s Billingbear Park joins the Gold Cup line-up once again, this year featuring nine-goalers Guillermo “Sapo” Caset and Miguel Novillo Astrada as well as young Brit George Meyrick. There were two significant changes in June’s mid-season handicap changes (see page 83). Enigma’s Juan Jauretche has moved up from three goals to four and Facundo Sola, the scorer of Talandracas’s

golden goal in the Queen’s Cup final, has moved from six to seven. Sola, who is Milo Fernandez-Araujo’s godson, is playing his first season in the UK. However, he is quickly making a name for himself in the northern hemisphere, having scored eight out of his team’s nine goals in the Threadneedle Dubai Gold Cup back in March (see page 56 of the April issue of Polo Times) and winning plenty of admirers in South America’s victory over England in the St Regis International Test Match at Cowdray Park (see page 46). The handicap changes have put both Talandracas and Enigma on 23-goals for the Gold Cup, awarding any 22 or 21-goal opponent against them with a one goal advantage on handicap. Aside from the Gold Cup, the 15 and 18goal Victor Ludorum tournaments continue this month. Black Bears, who won last year’s 18-goal Victor Ludorum, made a good start by securing the Indian Empire Shield in May. However, Adriano Agosti’s Altamira won the Duke of Sutherland Trophy in June, with Black Bears failing to make it to the final on that occasion (see page 50). The Apsley Cup (Cirencester 18-goal) concluded on 26 June, after Polo Times went to press, and the Duke of Beaufort’s Cup concludes the 18-goal, with the final taking place on 10 July. Teams pick up points for

www.polotimes.co.uk

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News News in brief w YOUNG ENGLAND WILL play in the Goldin Gold Cup at the Metropolitan Polo Club in China at the beginning of the month. On 3 July, Young England will play Young France as part of the tournament. Charlie Walton (1), Ralph Richardson (2), Tommy Beresford (3) and William Batchelor (4) will represent the English side. The day before, on 2 July, Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly will play Hong Kong Goldin.

A huge crowd treads in the divots during last year’s Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup final at Cowdray Park. Thousands of spectators are once again expected to watch polo across the country this month as the English season continues

winning quarter-final, semi-final and final games; and the team with the most points at the end of the four tournaments wins the Victor Ludorum. In the 15-goal, teams can pick up points in six tournaments, of which two have already concluded. HB Polo, featuring Luke Tomlinson, won the Arthur Lucas at Beaufort, but the team did not go on to contest the Royal Windsor Cup. However, Tomlinson did feature alongside his brother in the Royal Windsor with Mahra Polo Team. At the time of going to press, the team had reached the semi-finals. Clinton McCarthy’s Emlor won the 15-goal Victor Ludorum last year and this year both Clinton and his brother Spencer have an Emlor team in

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the running (read more from both brothers in our interview on page 28). The 15-goal Eduardo Moore concludes on 2 July, just before the Coworth Park Challenge gets underway on 5 July. The highly coveted Harrison Cup starts on 18 July at Cowdray Park, finishing on 31 July. The last 15-goal tournament, the National 15-goal at Cirencester, is in August. w See a full list of fixtures, as well as constantly updated teams and schedules for the above tournaments, on the Polo Times website w Read the Queen’s Cup report, featuring Facundo Sola and Juan Jauretche, on page 38

w THE ENGLAND SIDE that played at the Beaufort Test Match in midJune as Polo Times went to press comprised James Beim, Mark and Luke Tomlinson and Nacho Gonzalez. They played New Zealand in the team’s final warm up before Cartier International Day on 24 July, when an unconfirmed England line-up will play Brazil for the Coronation Cup. w A NEW POLO shop will be opening in Haslemere, Surrey, on 16 July. The online polo clothing and accessories website, UberPolo, are opening their first store but will still be running their website alongside it. The shop will stock kit for players as well as a wider range of off-the-pitch leisure wear. w WATERSHIP DOWN WILL host the Westbury Shield on 2 July. Tickets for the event, hosted by Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber, cost £350 and include a champagne reception, lunch, polo, afternoon tea and an auction benefiting Sentebale and Tusk. Lots include a stay at the Aman resort in the Turks and Caicos and a weekend in Monaco. See www.polofix.com.

Polo Times, July 2011

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News

Aiming high < CHARITY: after the Cowdray Test < Match, Jaeger-LeCoultre hosted a gala dinner and live auction in aid of The James Wentworth Stanley Memorial Fund, raising £54,000 uke of Essex: the event has < Dextended to two days this year. The main event will take place on 9 July, and a fun day will be held on 7 July ABRIEL BATISTUTA: the former < GArgentine international football player was seen playing in the Flag Day Cup in Rosario, Argentina (pictured here). He was also playing in the Ibiza Beach Polo Cup in June HEROES: St Albans < HPoloELPClubFORis hosting their annual Polo for Heroes tournament on 23 July, which helps raise money for military charity Help for Heroes BARBARA POLO CLUB: < StheANTA Californian polo and racquet club will host a polo match in honour of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge when they visit on 9 July

Swinging low = PRIVILEGES: The = CDailyOSTLY Telegraph’s Mandrake reported that players could pay £60,000 to play alongside the Duke of Cambridge at the Santa Barbara tournament (above), and a place at lunch will cost £2,500 UKE TOMLINSON: the = Lseven-goaler missed out on the Cowdray Test Match after badly bruising his leg in a Trippetts Challenge game the week before. England went on to lose to South America – see page 46 UCAS TALAMONI: the = LArgentine player was knocked out after a collision with Juan Cruz Guevara in a Polo in the Park game. See page 42 for more Rashid Albwardy’s team, = Dwhoubai: won last year’s Queen’s Cup and Gold Cup, failed to make it past the Queen’s Cup quarterfinals this year 14

Polo Times, July 2011

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Inaugural polo tournament to be held at CLA Game Fair THREE INTERNATIONAL TEAMS will battle it out at the CLA Game Fair this month, in the Horserail Polo Challenge, devised by England’s Sam Gairdner. The inaugural tournament will take place over the Game Fair’s three days – 22-24 July – held at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. Three players will feature on each team – South America, Europe and Australasia – and games will be played in the main arena each afternoon. A soft ball will be used instead of a typical arena ball due to the restricted space, 100m x 80m, but it does mean spectators will be able to watch the game at close quarters. Representing Europe will be Seb Dawnay (4) and Robert Thame (4), while Sam Gairdner (4) and George Blandford (0) will play one game each.

Games will consist of four five-minute chukkas and each player will double two horses Lochie Hunter (4) and Corin Gibbs (3) will form the basis of the Australasia team with Stirling McGregor (2) and Greg Keyte (5) playing one game each. Nicolas Fontanarrosa (5), Mariano

This year’s CLA Game Fair takes place at Blenheim Palace

Darritchon (4) and Gaston Devrient (5) will represent South America. Each game will consist of four five-minute chukkas and each player will have two horses, which they will play twice. Teams will switch ends at half-time rather than after every goal and there will be one mounted umpire monitoring the game. Trade stands for Horserail and Dave Ashby’s Oxford Polo School, which is based at nearby Kirtlington, will also appear alongside the event. The annual CLA Game Fair is based around hunting, fishing, shooting and equestrianism and attracts more than 100,000 visitors every year. It is hoped that the addition of a polo tournament will introduce the sport to a new audience.

Wales to host two new polo events in July CELTIC MANOR RESORT and Glanusk Estate in Wales are both hosting polo events for the first time in the first two weeks of July. Golf will make way for polo at Celtic Manor in a bold new move, with Polo at the Manor taking place on 2 July. The one-day tournament will be played on a specially created polo field on the former practice ground of golf’s 2010 Ryder Cup. As well as the polo, there will be on-field entertainment between matches, competitions to decide the best dressed male and female, live music and a polo retail village. The Rooftop Garden at Celtic Manor will play host to the event’s after-party.

The event will raise money for Latch, a charity that supports children with cancer and leukaemia in Wales. The following weekend, on 9 July, Glanusk Estate in the Brecon Beacons will hold a polo match between Wales and Ireland. Venue to international horse trials the week before, the polo event hopes to attract an array of spectators and help raise money for The Noah’s Ark Appeal. Representing Ireland will be Colm Purcell (-1), Niall Donnelly (3), Guy Higginson (4) and former super-middleweight boxing world champion Steve Collins (0), who now runs St Albans Polo Club. Ricky Cooper (-1), Stuart Leigh-Davies (-1), Richard Blake Thomas (3) and Roddy Matthews (4) will represent the home side. Tickets for the Wales vs Ireland day cost £20 and the after-party, which includes a funfair, costs £25 per person. w Visit www.poloatthemanor.co.uk for information about Polo at the Manor and www.glanusk estatepolo.com for the Wales vs Ireland match. www.polotimes.co.uk

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News

Cowdray Centenary Book available to buy this month

COWDRAY PARK CELEBRATED 100 years of polo at the club last year and, to mark the occasion, a book – Cowdray Park Polo Club, The Centenary – has been compiled and copies will be available for purchase from Friday 8 July. Put together by polo player Clare Milford Haven, polo photographer Vanessa Taylor and former PQ editor Roger Chatterton-Newman, the book is bursting with 800 images and stories from 1910 to the present day. Lord Patrick Beresford, Howard Hipwood and John Cowdray – who was instrumental in taking

the club to new heights following the Second World War – are among the many faces of polo who have contributed anecdotes from the past. “The club approached me about 18 months ago about the idea of putting a book together to help mark the occasion,” Claire Milford Haven said. “I enlisted the help of Rodger ChattertonNewman as he’s super knowledgeable and had already produced a book. “The last eight months have been very intense putting it all together and it has turned out much bigger than anticipated. So many people got in touch with their stories and photos, which was great. It evolved into something very special.” A CD will also come with the book, which includes all the winners of every tournament over the past 100 years. The book will be launched on 8 July and will then be available to buy through the Cowdray Park website. It is also likely that a stand at the Gold Cup semi-finals (14 July) and finals (17 July) will be selling the book, which costs £100.

Penninsula polo returns for 4th year SANDBANKS IN POOLE will once again be hosting the British Beach Polo Championships early this month, taking place on 8-9 July. This year, the finale on both days will be a match between England and Australia, led by captains Jack Kidd and Glen Gilmore respectively. Aside from the international game, there will be two polo matches on each afternoon, with teams battling it out for the Beach Polo Championships title.

As with previous years, the on-beach entertainment will include a charity race between a 4x4 vehicle and a polo pony, helping raise funds for The Heaton Ellis Trust and Julia’s House. Oakley and Team Bath will also be battling it out for the 2011 International Beach Volleyball Titles between the games. General admission costs £35. w For more information, go to www.sandpolo.com

Charity at Coworth THE SENTEBALE CUP was held at Coworth Park on the evening of Sunday 12 June, after the Queen’s Cup final. The Duke of Cambridge’s side, Tusk Trust, defeated Prince Harry’s Royal Salute with Malcolm Borwick scoring the winning goal in the sixth chukka. Tusk Trust’s side also featured Top Raksriaksorn and Tariq Albwardy. The Sentebale Cup, which raised £250,000 for Prince Harry’s charity Sentebale, was originally due to take place in www.polotimes.co.uk

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Dubai in March. However, due to the growing unrest in the Arab world at the time, Prince Harry cancelled his visit and the tournament was postponed. Royal Salute hosted an invitation-only dinner and afterparty following the tournament, attended by Prince Harry and a number of VIP guests. Prince Harry and the Duke of Cambridge A luxury auction boosted prepare to face off in the Sentebale Cup the sum raised for charity, to Botswana from The Ultimate with the highest bids received Company, which went for for a diamond bracelet from £18,000. Garrards and a bespoke safari

Polo Times, July 2011

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News News in brief w HURTWOOD PARK IS hosting a charity day in aid of the Kent/Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance on 31 July. There will be activities for all the family and the main highlight of the day will be a 6-goal match at 3pm. A VIP marquee will be serving lunch for 150 guests and a live auction will raise funds for the charity. Tickets cost £15 per car and more than 5,000 spectators are expected. w A CHARITY EVENT in aid of Help for Heroes and Dreamflight will take place on 13 August at Taintfield Farm in Sussex. There will be a polo match, a race between a Porsche Cayenne and a polo pony, a tug of war competition and evening entertainment until midnight. Tickets cost £65. Contact clare@high5events.org.uk. w THE CLUBHOUSE AT the Newport International Polo Club in Rhode Island, USA was burned down by a fire in late May. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the police. The ground was quickly cleaned up so that the Newport Rotary Club Charity match could take place two days later on 28 May. The club will also host a 6-goal match between Kenya and the USA on 2 July. British Airways are sponsoring the Kenya team, flying the players – Casimir Gross, Henry Limb, Brian Perry and Quentin Savage – to Boston. wC ARLTON HOUSE POLO Club hosted its inaugural charity match in Essex at the beginning of June. Two matches were played on a private ground raising £3,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support and Spinal Research.

Latest from the HPA HPA chief executive David Woodd rounds up the news from UK polo’s headquarters Handicaps Following the mid-season handicap meeting on Monday 13 June, handicap changes will be effective from Monday 20 June. A full list of changes will be available on the HPA website. England games Saturday 18 June – England v New Zealand at Beaufort Polo Club England (27): James Beim 7; Mark Tomlinson 7; Luke Tomlinson 7; Nacho Gonzalez 6 New Zealand (25): Angus McKelvie 4; Tommy Wilson 6; John Paul Clarkin 8; Simon Keyte 7 Sunday 24 July – England v Brazil for the Coronation Cup at Guards Polo Club Young England Games Saturday 18 June – Young England v England Ladies at Beaufort Polo Club England Ladies (7): Hazel Jackson 1; Tamara Vestey 2; Lucy Taylor 1; Emma Tomlinson 3 Young England (8): Dominic Heywood 2; Ben Malasoma 2; Billy Aphrahamian 2; Mark Baldwin 2 Saturday 2 July – Young England v Young France at The Metropolitan Polo Club, China Young England (1): William Batchelor 1; Tommy Beresford 0; Charlie Walton 0; Ralph Richardson 0 Reserve: Tim Pearce-May (0) Sunday 17 July – John Cowdray Trophy at Cowdray Park Polo Club

Junior HPA Junior HPA league matches commence on Monday 11 July. Details and a full schedule of matches can be found on the HPA website. The finals of the Junior HPA tournament will run alongside the Pony Club Finals at Cowdray Park Polo Club on 5-7 August. This will once again be sponsored by Audi. OSWEB If you are aged 17-19, hold a handicap of zerogoals or above and are planning to spend your gap year working overseas in the polo industry, you are eligible to apply for an HPA Overseas Work Experience Bursary. Application forms have been emailed to all clubs. Grants Applications by clubs for discretionary grants should be made in writing to Jim Haigh, chairman of the Finance and Grants Committee, by Friday 1 July. For more info see page 394 of the Blue Book. Website All full playing members of the HPA can now log in to the HPA website where they can update their contact information and personal polo profile. Log in details have been emailed directly to members, if you have not received this information it is likely that your club has not forwarded the HPA office your email address.

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www.polotimes.co.uk

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Polo artist unveils striking collection in Cirencester ARTIST MELANIE WRIGHT has created a stunning collection of polo drawings that successfully capture the spirit of the game. The Cotswold-based artist uses a sketch-like style, filling the pictures with movement and vitality. Included in her collection is a drawing of England lady player Nina Clarkin, who is part-owner of Cirencester-based restaurant Soushi. Wright will be displaying her collection at the restaurant during the Warwickshire Cup, from 22 July to 9 August.

An example of Melanie Wright’s eye-catching polo art, drawn using her sketch-like style

Polo Times loves... …portable pressure washers. Nomad have developed a new washer with an adjustable spray setting so it can be used to gently spray down and wash your horse after a match, or use a more powerful stream to clean stalls, trailers or lorries. It’s a tank, pump, hose and spray gun all in one compact package. All you have to do is add water, and even better it can be warm, cool, or iced. This portable device will reduce the amount of time spent finding water after a match, as it will fit in the boot of the car or lorry pre-prepared. The Nomad comes with an 18-volt removable, rechargeable battery. If additional power is ever needed you can draw power from any vehicle. So, for any polo player who wants to make life that bit easier, and who has a spare £179.99 available, visit www.nomaddirect.co.uk or call 0845 680 5045. www.polotimes.co.uk

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Polo Times, July 2011

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Make my shot a double Talandracas’s Lucas Monteverde demonstrates the rare ability to hit a double neck shot, as the ferocity of his strike towards goal means the follow-through to his swing wraps his stick round his neck as well as that of his pony. Monteverde played a crucial role in his side’s success in difficult conditions in the Queen’s Cup final last month, where this photograph was taken, as did patron Edouard Carmignac’s two other pros in the background, Facundo Sola and Milo Fernandez-Araujo. The side narrowly beat another French-funded team, in the shape of Jerome Wirth’s Enigma – who, having reached the semi-finals of the Gold Cup last year, can take plenty of encouragement that they will soon get their hands on one of the country’s big trophies. ◗ Read the full story from the wet and wild Queen’s Cup final on pages 38-41, where you will also see more photographs, including another taken by Centaur Photographic’s Alec Whitby, who is Guards Polo Club’s official snapper for all their main events. Contact him at 01344 891642 or info@centaurphotographic.com

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17/6/11 14:47:04

Comment

Backchat with Clare Milford Haven

Spectators and low-goalers reap the rewards of “zero tolerance” approach

in the middle of Ambersham, having flown through the air like Wonder Woman. In habitual ‘shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted’ mode, I now realise how important it is to be properly protected on top and that however manly I used to think old style pith helmets were, I am certainly now more in favour of the Darth Vader approach.

arely have I seen a more exciting game than the Queen’s Cup semi final between Enigma and 1870. Despite the torrential rain in the first couple of chukkas and consequent difficult playing conditions under foot, it was full-on, fast and furious end to end action from start to finish. What a relief to no longer have to watch games that are purely dominated by the two best players on the field. The new rules have not only created far better viewing for spectators, but they have also re-introduced polo as a proper team sport rather than a sport of individuals playing in a team. Because 90 per cent possession of the ball by an individual is no longer made possible by having to release it with a backhander, the game is now opened up to everyone being genuinely involved. It is no longer enough for the patron to canter around at the front expecting the very rare ‘courtesy’ pass from his pros when they are confidently a couple of goals ahead. Therefore the new

Modern values Providing accommodation for visiting overseas players is really quite a challenge. Not only are wifi, high speed internet access and Sky TV standard requirements but so too are coffee machines, power showers and gigantic American style fridges. Gone are the days when a toaster and a kettle were a bonus in the kitchen and a boiler that did more than one bath at a time was considered a luxury. The five star accommodation provided in other polo destinations may be unbeatable on the comfort front but with that usually comes sterile surroundings and a cultural desert. Unfortunately, many seem to prefer the mock Georgian mod con mansion in a gated community to the mouse infested cottage down a dirt track in a sleepy hamlet. There’s simply no accounting for taste these days is there? F

Photograph by Jon Nicholson

“The game is now opened up to every player being genuinely involved” rules also mean that not only will the patrons stand to improve their game but so too will the lower handicapped English pros who can no longer solely be used as battering rams to pave a clear pathway for their superiors. On top of this, zero tolerance from the umpires has thankfully eliminated amateur dramatics and histrionics on the field although, 20

Polo Times, July 2011

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In the thrilling Queen’s Cup semi-final between Enigma and 1870, patrons Jerome Wirth (left) and Adrian Kirby (second from left) were in the thick of the action

as a result of this, I fear that wives and girlfriends may now have to issue more technicals at home after the game. Safety first Having had the unfortunate experience of recently knocking myself out during a fall, I am now

looking seriously into the slightly confusing area of helmet buying, with safety as the main criteria this time. I have sadly had to dispense with my old helmet. Although a loyal friend for many years, when it came to the crunch it clearly didn’t provide enough protection as I landed

w Do you agree with Clare? Let us know: letters@polotimes.co.uk w Read more “Backchat” from Clare in our extensive online archive at www.polotimes.co.uk w For a full report and reaction from the Queen’s Cup final see page 38-41. www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 17:54:40

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16/6/11 14:52:32

# & #

Comment

Global view with Herbert Spencer

Cowdray Test player merry-go-round proves that cash comes before country

he eleventh-hour scramble to put together a South America team to play England in the St Regis International Test Match in May clearly illustrated the polo world’s problems in staging top-level competitions between nations. In other sports, teams representing countries include the best athletes a country has. Not so in polo, where national teams are often made up of whichever players of the right handicaps happen to be available at the time. There are simply too many interests, often conflicting, of individuals and entities at stake to make polo internationals work every time without hitches. Planning of the St Regis took into consideration professional players presumed to be available for the event. But did the organisers double-check with the team owners to whom these pros were contracted to play in the pro-am Queen’s Cup Action from the St Regis International Test Match at Cowdray Park, which took place in tournament that was taking May without the world’s best player Adolfo Cambiaso, who withdrew at the last minute place at the same time as the St Regis? Of the English and Latin South America team, reportedly one player and an ambassador of American professionals eventually claiming that he had thought the the company, to lead their South considered for the Test Match, no St Regis was just another charity America team. Cambiaso agreed fewer than six were committed to exhibition match, not a highly to participate and to bring with the Queen’s Cup, being well paid competitive and potentially tough him as a team member Martin by five patrons. international event. He declined Jaeger-LeCoultre were sponsors Valent, manager of Ali Albwardy’s to risk injury to himself or any Dubai team for whom Cambiaso of the South America team – and of his ponies in the middle of the Queen’s Cup. Subsequently, with Cambiaso out, Valent also withdrew (his picture and biography were already printed in the event two of the Argentine professionals plays in high-goal, pro-am polo. The crowd-drawing appearance programme), leaving two empty in question are Jaeger-LeCoultre slots in the South America team. of the “world’s greatest” player “ambassadors”, paid to endorse After Cambiaso’s late was announced well in advance. the Swiss manufacturer’s watches. withdrawal, Jaeger-LeCoultre Then Cambiaso dropped a Originally Jaeger-LeCoultre called on nine-goaler Eduardo bombshell, just a week before wanted 10-goaler Adolfo Novillo Astrada who, like the event. He withdrew from the Cambiaso, the world’s number

Cambiaso declined to risk injury to himself or his ponies in the middle of the Queen’s Cup

Polo Times, July 2011

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Cambiaso, is one of their ambassadors. Novillo Astrada agreed to step in, despite also playing in the Queen’s Cup, for Mansour Jaeger-LeCoultre. Apparently no one cared that the last time Novillo Astrada played in an international, he was wearing an England shirt, leading England to victory over the USA in the 2009 Westchester Cup. He is of Argentine parentage, but was born in England and travels on a UK, not Argentine, passport. Jaeger-LeCoultre then brought in Facundo Sola to replace Valent. Like Cambiaso and Novillo Astrada, Sola was playing for a Queen’s Cup team (Talandracas) as indeed were England players Satnam Dhillon (La Golondrina) and Mark Tomlinson (Emlor). That left Cambiaso as the only Queen’s Cup competitor who was invited but refused to play. The only “normal” substitution in this game of musical chairs before the St Regis test was Malcolm Borwick for the injured England skipper Luke Tomlinson. Despite all this, in the end the St Regis test was a fine affair, with a fast, clean match enjoyed by a big crowd at Cowdray Park. One must hope, however, that such an unfortunate pre-event kafuffle doesn’t happen again in any important international. But I, for one, am not holding my breath. If a professional is forced to choose between playing for his country, out of patriotism, or sticking to playing for a highpaying patron in pro-am, it’s very likely that the pro will stay where the money is. F w Read more from Herbert visit www.polotimes.co.uk w See pages 46-48 for a full report from the Cowdray Test www.polotimes.co.uk

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16/6/11 12:41:49

Comment

Umpire’s corner with Arthur Douglas-Nugent

Glowing mid-term report for English season as players embrace new rules

Photograph by Alec Whitby, Centaur

he ponies may be galloping but so is the season as the Queen’s Cup and many other tournaments have already drawn to a close. It is therefore about time for a mid-season stock take and the evidence is pretty good. Not only has the polo community, and here perhaps one thinks mainly of the patrons, responded magnificently in entering teams despite the ever rising cost, but they and all who watch and play have been rewarded with some really excellent polo. It does seem that the stricter umpiring directed at those who turn the ball has worked beyond expectation and the backhand shot is becoming more the norm than the exception. One rally of backhanders I saw recently would have been more in place on the tennis court than the polo field and how good is it when the backhander is picked up by a turning teammate who carries the ball unopposed to goal. Equally there seems to be less backchat between the players and the umpires as each now can be in no doubt as to where they stand. There seems to be a bit of confusion still, however, regarding the “one tap” rule, the necessity for which I would love to see

crossed the sideline off the stick? Here, as has been successfully trialled at the RCBPC at low-goal level, a hit five yards inside the boards could be given against the side that hit the ball out. This would speed up play.

The free-flowing Queen Mother’s Centenary final at Guards has typified the exciting start to the English season, which has thus far been enhanced by the new rules

disappear. A player is challenged when an opponent is less than two horse lengths away, but not if that opponent is being ridden off by

It does seem that the stricter umpiring has worked beyond our expectations another player. The award of a hit from the spot rather than a throw in for breach of the rule seems to have worked well. On trial We cannot afford to stand still even in our traditionally conservative sport and thus some ideas to improve the game are

worth trialling, with a view to possible rule change in the future. The first obvious focus is the line out, as it has been in rugby where changes have been made recently to speed up the game. Should we, for example, go to the centre for a line out every time a goal is scored, having changed ends to the confusion of all? What about a hit out from the back or 60 yard line by the team that has just been scored against to get everything moving again with the minimum delay? Is this fair and does it deny the ponies, or even some players, a chance to catch their breath? Perhaps more seriously, should we look at the throw in when the ball has jumped the boards or

Dangerous play There will always be concern about dangerous play leading to injury to both players or ponies. Perhaps the increased use of the backhand may have an adverse effect and umpires must be aware that no player may ride into a backhand shot. Equally the player taking the shot has a duty of care to ensure that he does not hit straight into a player or pony already in a position. It is not always easy, but the umpire must decide who created the danger. Another foul, which led to a serious accident recently, involved the careless use of the stick in the vicinity of another player. In this instance a player riding with another played a shot under the neck with the stick coming round to hit the other in the face. This is a serious foul and should lead to a very severe penalty and potentially a sending off for the remainder of the chukka or match. F

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w Read more from Arthur at www.polotimes.co.uk

Play goes on until the whistle blows… This month’s puzzle A penalty two is taken and a defender stops the ball – then a teammate comes out through the goal immediately afterwards and hits the ball. What should the umpires do, if anything?

Polo Times, July 2011

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Last month’s solution Jot down the incidents which may occur in a match which would cause you as the umpire to stop play immediately. The first most obvious one is a foul. Play will also stop if any of the following occur: a player is clearly injured or a pony falls, a ball is trodden in, a pony is seen to be in distress or lame, a player carries the ball, the use of illegal equipment on the player or pony, or a pony shows blood. Finally play should stop immediately at the sound of the second bell or the first in the last chukka if teams are not tied. www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 16:24:23

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16/6/11 12:44:10

Comment

Your views

Letters letters@polotimes.co.uk or The Editor, Polo Times, East End Farm, North Leigh, Oxon OX29 6PX Please include your postal address or nearest town on all Letters to the Editor

Keep your fingers crossed for young Brits Sir, George Smith’s letter in the June issue pointed out decisively the realities of English polo and the unreality of the free market when it comes to making up high and medium-goal teams. As someone who has followed all sports, I find it extraordinary that polo’s sporting body ever allowed itself to abandon the one UK player rule, which even the great Kerry Packer played under, all on the whims of a Uruguayan professional and supposed EU regulations, which were interpreted to their worst effect on the national game. George Smith’s letter also alerts us to the fact that lower levels of polo will be increasingly affected from Argentine domination. Has the Pony Club taken note? The HPA must indeed be congratulated in looking at the issues again. Those who care about the UK game will be keeping their fingers crossed. Brian Martin, Oxfordshire Editor’s note: the debate roars on. We’d be keen to hear from anyone with strong views on the subject. Email us at letters@polotimes.co.uk 26

Polo Times, July 2011

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Letter of the month Queen’s Cup final proved to be a fitting tribute Sir, I thought the Queen’s Cup final went really well. It was just a shame about the weather. Having said that, it was one of the factors that probably helped Talandracas win as it helped slow Enigma’s game down. I went there expecting Enigma to win just because I have always been a fan of Juan Martin Nero. I kept hearing that Talandracas had been beating some of the best, but I hadn’t seen them, so I was really excited to watch them play Enigma. The play between Milo Fernandez-Araujo and Lucas Monteverde was amazing. They worked really well together and their teammate Facundo Sola had a really good game. I think they would have found it hard to win without him. I think it’s good when less favoured teams come through and win. It makes it much more exciting for everyone to see different teams play big finals like the Queen’s Cup. I’d also like to thank Guards Polo Club for making it such a special day for me and my family and also for the Stisted family. I know that my dad and Charlie (who the game was held in memory of) would have been over the moon with how the day went, seeing as it was a day that meant so much to them. I am sure they were watching and enjoyed it as much as we did. Thank you. Charlie Wooldridge, Berkshire The writer of the Letter of the month wins a bottle of La Chamiza Argentine red wine

Junior HPA must open up to the masses Sir, having read last month’s article on “Pony Club vs Junior HPA” polo by Izzy McGregor with great interest, I feel that I need to share my experiences. I have two children who have been playing Pony Club for three years. It has done them well and they have enjoyed it. However, they are now starting to get serious about their polo and looking to step up a level. Single-chukka matches in Pony Club have their place but, once the children start to progress, they are more of a distraction than a help. In order to counter this effect, multi-chukka matches are the way forward, so that inevitably

leads us towards junior HPA. But, herein lies the next issue – whilst the Pony Club can be hamstrung by red tape at times and has its fair share of “polotics” at least it is accessible to the masses. As a relatively new family to polo with no ties or contacts to the “inner circle”, Junior HPA seems completely inaccessible, though. Despite my children’s coaches recommending they step up to Junior HPA, no one has been willing or able to guide us through the process. Unless you are a “dynasty” family or prepared to have your children pay to play as patrons (an expense not available to all),

they will not be part of a team. Some of my children’s peers are well connected and, despite not being of any greater ability, are accepted into the fold and afforded opportunities not available to us mere mortals. I am now left wondering which secret societies I need to join, what handshakes I have to learn or which Mayfair clubs I have to frequent in order for my children to play a game that is supposed to be accessible to all. The HPA must fix these issues, unless their desire is to keep polo away from the masses. Ken Harpsaw, Gloucestershire

It’s a dog’s life for PT fan Sir, a spectator at one of our recent matches at Dundee and Perth Polo Club used the opportunity to promote Polo Times. He was caught in the act by photographer Gavin Anderson and we thought you

would like to see his handywork (right). The dog’s name is Thor. He is a big male and he is just full of mischief. Shirley Anderson, Dundee and Perth Polo Club www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 16:22:52

Your views

Comment

It’s good to see pony welfare on the agenda Sir, I would like to say how much I enjoyed reading Mark Emerson’s article in the May issue of Polo Times regarding the welfare of polo ponies. I must also say how much I agree with him. I then found the letter from Aurora Eastwood in the same issue of the magazine, and hoorah, we have some more concern regarding the welfare of polo ponies. Personally, I am a huge fan of polo and in particular the polo pony and I think bringing this issue into the forefront of people’s minds can only be of benefit to these

courageous animals. The world of polo has made some progress but there is so much more we can continue to do. I am not wanting to speak out to cause trouble for the sport but to make it even better and as Aurora said, to bring it in line with other disciplines.... there will always be the good, the bad and the ugly in all equine disciplines but let’s see and hear more about the good. Thank you Mark and Aurora for enthusing me to write. Lorna Edgar Oxfordshire

Many thanks from RoR Sir, thank you for the coverage you have already given to the RoR Heart Awards organised by Di Arbuthnot’s Retraining of Racehorses charity (RoR). We received a number of entries as a direct result of this from the polo world, which has been fantastic. Kit Robertson’s polo-trained horse Pipador from Suffolk has

made the final shortlist in the best all-rounder category, known as the RoR Healthy Heart award. There are four categories in total and each winner will receive a RoR trophy, a RoR rug for their ex-racehorse and £100 of Baileys Horse Feeds. Sue Wallis Thame, Oxfordshire

Hey gringos, I thought the English high-goal was played in the summertime, no?

Why must our kids choose? Sir, having the Junior HPA Section at the same time as the Pony Club reminds me of making a new friend who then takes all your original friends away from you. Why oh why do the children

have to choose? Why can’t they do both?! I’d like this letter to be anonymous as I still have kids in Pony Club – thanks!! Anon, via email

Jorrocks course a success Sir, I wanted to draw your attention to the successful twoday Jorrocks section training course we held at Kirtlington Polo Club on 2-3 June. Eighteen players attended with the Berkeley, Hampshire Hunt, Eggesford, Bicester, Heythrop, OBH and Grafton pony clubs all represented. The weather was sunny and Kirtlington’s beautiful grounds made for a perfect venue. Children, ponies and parents camped overnight and enjoyed a delicious BBQ provided by Elizabeth Douglas. Martin Fewster, Chris www.polotimes.co.uk

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Crawford, and David Ashby gave the players excellent tuition on all aspects of polo including pony care, welfare, horsemanship and tactics. Veronica Thorneloe presented Ben Fleming of Heythrop a cup for perseverance. The pony club committee are keen to encourage the Jorrocks section and will be running courses in different areas of the country in the near future. Call me on 07889 289201 for more information. Chris Eaton, Jorrocks section manager

Taking things lying down Sir, I witnessed some remarkable behaviour from one of the ponies at the SUPA University championships in June. Catia, who belongs to Elizabeth Hart-Humphreys who was playing for St Andrews, really caught my eye.

Not only did the mare lie down constantly, she even drank while lying down (above). I said she was so laid back, she must be from California! Celia Bagnall, Suffolk Polo Times, July 2011

17/6/11 16:23:00

Feature

Interview – Clinton and Spencer McCarthy

Brand of brothers James Mullan meets Emlor patrons Clinton and Spencer McCarthy, who explain their driving ambitions for the team going forward – including, hopefully, an all-English side in next year’s Queen’s and Gold Cups – and reveal where the brand’s name came from Who’s going to win the Gold Cup this year? Spencer (SM): We haven’t seen the best of La Bamba or Dubai yet, so they’ll still be the forces to reckon with in my opinion. However, from a patron’s perspective, I was actually impressed with Prince Bahar Jefri on the Richard Mille side in the Queen’s Cup and Enigma’s Jerome Wirth played well. What happened as far as Emlor was concerned in the Queen’s? SM: I think we were slightly unlucky, as we had the disruption of Luke [Tomlinson] getting injured in the Trippetts Challenge immediately beforehand and, even then, we only lost to eventual finalists Enigma in extra time after they equalised in the final minute while I’d gone off to change a horse. It was frustrating but gives me confidence that Emlor is ready for a full high-goal season. Is that what you’re planning? SM: I’m definitely doing both the Queen’s and the Gold Cups next year. I’ll base the team around our long-serving pro Nacho Gonzalez and hopefully two other Englishmen that I’m currently in negotiations with. It’s an exciting prospect as, if this year is anything to go by, the high-goal is looking increasingly open and competitive. As a 28

Polo Times, July 2011

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patron, it’s enjoyable because you need to be able to play four-man polo to be successful. The patrons have a big role in the modern game. It’s a challenge I enjoy. Clinton (CM): The high-goal is also definitely a long-term aim for myself as well. I’m 46 now so I’ve got another three full seasons before I’m 50 – and that is the time frame I’m

“I only buy horses now that are going to go straight into my top five” – Spencer McCarthy giving myself to get myself and my horses up to speed and ready for it. Ideally I’d like to keep improving my string, get up to one-goal, and have at least one season in the 22-goal. Would the two of you ever consider playing the high-goal together and bringing in a couple of world-class names? SM: That’s honestly something I’d never thought of actually. What, me and Clinton and two 10-goalers?! CM: That would be fun – we’ve had some success playing together in actual fact, though we don’t get to do it often nowadays. We came runners up behind Apes Hill in the

Victor Ludorum 12-goal in 2009. Of course, 22-goal would be quite a different prospect but, anyway, we’ve got to get past playing against each other first – in the 15-goal Eduardo Moore (getting underway as Polo Times went to press). And we also had two Emlor teams qualified for the Royal Windsor. So, particularly given that you are just a year apart in age, are the two of you competitive? CM: Well, yes – to some extent, naturally. But we’re also good friends and our families spend a lot of time together, plus it’s important we have a good working relationship for the business. SM: We went into business together in 1994, launching Emlor Homes, which built stone and thatched “chocolate box” houses across Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset. Our mantra was to build the kind of houses we’d want to live in ourselves. They were sexy at the time and quite rare, so things sold well. CM: Then, in 2000, we decided to expand to a new market and began buying land for sheltered housing, which has to be within half-a-mile of town centres and on flat ground because the projects are designed specifically for the over 60s. We build self-contained flats, but with a communal u

www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 16:20:54

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17/6/11 16:21:08

Feature

Interview – Clinton and Spencer McCarthy

Clinton Spencer in action with Black Bears’ Guy Schwarzenbach, whom both brothers (pictured right) think will become a real force in the high-goal in the near future

u residents’ lounge, a 24-hour call system and security and a full-time lodge manager. SM: We decided to change the name from Emlor to Churchill Retirement Living in 2001 after several months of careful research, as it seemed it was a brand people would remember more easily and was easier to spell!

Photographs by James Mullan and Tony Ramirez

Yes, how did the name Emlor come about? It seems rather obscure. CM: Well, yes – it is. It’s actually an amalgamation of my two daughters’ names, Laura (25) and Emma (22). SM: I always called them Lau and Em for short and, when I once got the two of them confused, the name Em-Lau sort of slipped out. We were trying to think of a name for the business, so we went from there! I understand they both now play polo themselves, as do your children Spencer, but how did you first get into it? SM: It was dad. He used to show jump up in the Midlands but was getting bored of commuting up there from our home in the New Forest, so was persuaded to give polo a go locally. He was hooked after just two chukkas and quickly employed Giles 30

Polo Times, July 2011

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Ormerod to work for him, buy horses and develop his polo. That was 1986. I was just 20 and was working for my father’s business, but I got started when I was asked to ride to help warm-up and exercise dad’s horses. I played my first tournament in 1989, at the 6-goal level, and then that winter went out to northern Argentina with dad’s pro, Alex Almos. I spent the first two months just on my riding and didn’t pick up a polo mallet once. However, the recession was just hitting and so business back home quietened down, so I was able to stay out for seven months. When I came back, I wanted to become a pro but, since my dad said I’d have to do so under my own steam, I joined up with his team – Squalls – and played a lot of 8-goal. CM: Squalls was the name of dad’s estate in Wiltshire, and was where we went on to set up Ansty Polo Club in 1992. What happened to Ansty? CM: Things went very well when my father got it going, and we quickly had several good players based there, including Howard Smith, Ollie Hughes, Peter Wright and our five-goal professional, Simon Kuseyo, an incredible Kenyan that Alan Kent brought to the UK.

SM: Howard’s dad George Smith was our first polo manager, and Major Ronald Ferguson umpired the inaugural match. Prince Charles came to play there for three consecutive years, raising £250,000. CM: But dad had a nasty accident in 1999, aged 60, and he decided to call it quits. SM: It happened while I was umpiring, as I blew the whistle for the end of the chukka and a horse turned in front of him. It tripped his horse’s front legs and he went over the front, punctured a lung, and broke his collarbone and several ribs. CM: Ironically, I suffered almost the exact same injury about five years later when a pony bucked me off at the first practice of the summer in my second year playing. But that didn’t put you off? CM: No, I came to polo much later than Spencer but I’ve definitely got the bug just as much. It helps that polo is a really big part of the family dynamic – my daughter Laura is now married to Maurice Ormerod and their six-year-old is already beginning to learn – but I’m also ambitious. Having won the 16goal Juan Carlos Harriott trophy in Argentina www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 16:21:21

Interview – Clinton and Spencer McCarthy

Feature

Spencer and Clinton McCarthy with the Warwickshire Cup. Right, Clinton lifts the Duke of Sutherland Trophy with Nacho Gonzalez, Joaquin Pittaluga and Michel Del Carril

last year, beating 11 other teams to the prize, I’m hungry for more success. Yes, what have been your biggest polo-playing highlights to date? CM: I’d have to say that was probably it. We played at the historic Coronel Suarez ground and the final was adjudicated by the high-goal umpires that do the Open at Palermo. Emlor has also won the 15-goal Victor Ludorum and come second in the 18-goal. SM: My Emlor sides have enjoyed quite a lot of success in the last few years, having won the Royal Windsor and Deauville Gold Cup in 2008, the Prince of Wales last year, and the Warwickshire in 2009 and 2010. I’m hoping to make it three wins in a row next month, when Nacho, Joaquin Pittaluga, new-man Marcos Araya and I will make up the team. What other ambitions do you have? CM: We’re both taking a lot of care with our horses and are generally improving our strings steadily each year. I bought two mares from La Aguada last year that played the Open with the Novillo Astradas the year before. That’s how you get your handicap up. I’m hopeful I can get to one-goal before long. www.polotimes.co.uk

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SM: I’d like to get up to three goals and so, with that in mind, the only horses I buy now are those that will go straight into my top five. However, in the past I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy a fairly successful return bringing horses off the track. There are at least three in my high-goal string that came through that way, including one that I bought for just £700. That was satisfying! I’m also now doing some breeding, having bought a stallion to put to some mares I bought several years ago from the late Gabriel Donoso. That side of polo is what makes it unlike any other game – the work, the planning, the gambles you take off the field as far as horses and infrastructure are concerned often make all the difference, and can be equally exhilarating. Would you encourage young players to aim to make it as a pro? SM: Yes, of course – for those that get there, it seems to me it can be a fantastic career. However, for British players, it is incredibly difficult. There just aren’t the same facilities or the same commercial backing. So, while being a professional player is sustainable once you get to five goals or more, breaking through in the first place is a tall order. My 12-year-old son James is playing the Hipwood section of Junior

HPA this year and is absolutely mad about the game. I’ll always encourage his polo and he’ll have every chance as far as horses and playing opportunities are concerned. But I’ll still insist he stays at school and gets his A-Levels. Because with polo there are certainly no guarantees. CM: As a patron, in a way you are lucky. You’re not thinking about making money, just about sticking to your budgets. However, we certainly think playing is still useful as a business exercise for us because we get to make very good connections with like-minded people. You seem to like British players as well, judging by your teams? SM: It’s good to surround yourself with people you know and can trust, and we’ve always both enjoyed good relationships with our pros. English players such as Nacho Gonzalez have always done it for us on the field, but have also played big roles behind the scenes as well. CM: I don’t speak much Spanish so it’s also definitely nice that they have often been English players. Although in the heat of the action they too slip into Spanish and I often have to remind them to speak English so I can understand! F w Read about more British pros over the page Polo Times, July 2011

17/6/11 16:21:37

Feature

Making polo pay

The low-down on going pro John O’Sullivan talks to two of the country’s best young prospects to find out what it takes to excel as a low-handicap pro and investigates a few of the alternatives to a full-time career in the game by meeting jack of all trades Karl Ude-Martinez

Photograph by Zahra Hanbury

he ongoing debate about whether a Home Grown Player rule should be introduced to the English high-goal season has once again brought the development of young British talent under the microscope. The proposed rule change (which has yet to be ruled on by the HPA Stewards at the time of going to press) appears to be based on the premise that playing in the high-goal is absolutely central to the development of British low-handicap players; thus it seeks to encourage patrons to include them – and more mediumgoal pros – in their teams. It is easy to see the benefits of the highgoal for young pros. With the costs associated with being a low-goal pro running well into the tens of thousands of pounds a year (and that is before planning the winter pilgrimage to Argentina and adding to your string), the high-goal is often the only thing making life as a low-handicap pro financially viable. There is also the obvious benefit to your game of playing with and against the very best players in the world. The question that I have been left pondering recently, though, is whether getting a spot in the high-goal is the be-all and endall, or is it possible to get by and move up

Ollie Cudmore, pictured with his father Rob, stresses the need to put in the work off the field at the stables

essential. The evidence of many pros on the circuit demonstrates that they can reasonably expect to earn enough money in medium-goal competition in the UK and overseas to sustain themselves in the profession (though perhaps only just in some cases). Plus, if the Home Grown Player rule goes through, hopefully it will mean we will begin to see more players at

“I played over 100 games last summer across all levels from four-goal to 18-goal, and just about broke even” – Matt Perry through the handicaps without it? Of course, for those players that have already broken through the low-handicaps to make it as five or six-goalers, the high-goal (while extremely desirable) is certainly not

this level picked in high-goal teams. However, for those with two, three and four-goal handicaps, who can’t expect to command good fees in low and medium-goal competition, how easy is it to get on at all

without high-goal backing? Three-goaler Ollie Cudmore played in the high-goal with Lyndon Lea’s Zacara last season and this year has secured a place alongside Adolfo Cambiaso with reigning Queen’s Cup and Gold Cup champions Dubai. His aim now is to continue moving up through the handicaps, and he has no doubt about how important the high-goal will be in that plan. He said: “The high-goal is what makes it all sustainable. Without a high-goal team, the expenses would simply be too much. Dubai pay my expenses, as well as giving me a wage to live off, so it makes it all possible for me just to concentrate on the polo. “My plan is to keep going as I am and to keep moving up as high as I can. I have decided not to go to university so that I can focus 100 per cent on my polo and I will give it everything I can. “The thing is, I know I cannot afford to have even one bad season. If you miss out on a high-goal team one year, it makes it so much harder to get a place the next year and I think you miss out on so much. “You cannot afford to stop working hard at any point and have to stay focused.” Another young Brit focused on moving up through the handicaps is Matt Perry. He went up from one goal to two goals this year and is currently in the middle of his debut high-goal season, playing alongside the Pieres brothers for La Bamba de Areco. Having moved up in handicap without the benefit of high-goal polo, Perry believes there is an alternative – but only if you’re willing to work hard enough. He said: “I played over 100 games last

Polo Times, July 2011

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17/6/11 16:11:20

Making polo pay

Feature

Matt Perry, far right, lifts the Indian Empire Shield with Black Bear teammates John Paul Clarkin, Guy Schwarzenbach and Simon Keyte during his packed 2010 campaign

High-goal or no high-goal, it is clear that commitment, hard work and planning ahead play a major part in ensuring success. Cudmore believes this ethos is needed whether you are a minus-two or a 10-goaler. He said: “The obvious thing that changes as you move up is that you are expected to contribute more to the team and you are paid better because of that. But every year, no matter what handicap you are, you have to try to improve your horses and your own game. “My daily routine is based around the stables. There is always another horse you could do some stick and balling on. “There is just no excuse for staying in your comfort zone and not pushing yourself.” Pushing yourself as a pro of any level now involves an almost obligatory winter trip to Argentina. Last year Matt Perry used his £2,500 bursary from the HPA to travel there and saw his Argentine handicap rise to three-goals as a result. Cudmore will be among the hordes of Brits heading south this winter and thinks, even early in his career, it is crucial to start

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establishing links there. He said: “I am starting to get set up out there. I have a few horses there now, so I think that is important for the future. “The best polo in the world is out there, so you have to be there if you don’t want to be left behind.” In answer to my earlier question, for low-handicap players not wanting to be left behind, playing in the high-goal clearly has huge benefits. However, this alone is not enough to see a player fly up through the handicaps. A strong work ethic is an absolute must and you have to be prepared to stretch yourself, never to stop learning and to take the positives from whatever situation you find yourself in. It is also imperative to be able to plan ahead, make the most of every opportunity you are given and to get the best out of both yourself and your string. As long as a player has all that, surviving as a low-handicap pro should not prove too tricky… u

Photograph by Tony Ramirez

summer across all levels from four-goal to 18-goal, and just about broke even. “I was literally playing six days a week and was just running around from one game to the next without any time to think. It was crazy, but I improved all aspects of my game a lot because I was playing so often.” While Perry shows there is life for developing low-goal pros outside the highgoal, he is quick to point out that those lucky enough to get a high-goal place simply have to take full advantage. He adds: “Last year I had to do everything off my own back and money-wise came away no better off. “This year I’m in a different position financially. I get a salary and should come out of the season with a good profit. “The plan is to invest it all back into my horses. It’s not necessarily about getting more horses, but about getting better quality ones. “I will set myself up so even if I don’t get a high-goal team next year, I will be better mounted and that should help me to keep moving forward.”

Polo Times, July 2011

17/6/11 16:11:33

Feature

Making polo pay

The highlights of staying part-time Karl Ude-Martinez funds his polo habit through work as an actor, commentator, presenter, model and jousting instructor

ne promising polo player who has long since given up the ghost of becoming a full-time pro has turned into a jack of all trades to maximise his involvement in the sport. Midlands-based one-goaler Karl UdeMartinez will be familiar to most, not necessarily because of his performances on the field, but because of his activities on the sideline. The 32-year-old commentated at Polo in the Park and the Gaucho International this

Karl Ude-Martinez can be seen jousting (left) and playing polo (above) all over the country these days

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www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 16:11:44

Making polo pay

Karl Ude-Martinez is a regular presenter on Horse and Country TV and on Sky Sports’s equestrian coverage

year and is regularly seen as an equestrian presenter on Sky Sports and Horse and Country TV. Ude-Martinez, who first played the game at North Warwickshire Pony Club as a 14-yearold and is now a member at Rugby, also has a budding acting career and runs his own medieval jousting troupe. Despite having many fingers in many different pies, Ude-Martinez admits he still wonders what could have been with his polo career. He said: “I would have absolutely loved to be a full-time polo pro. I’ve been

Feature

Modelling (above) and medieval demonstrations (below), when he uses his polo ponies, also help polo-mad Karl Ude-Martinez pay the bills

good three-goaler, but I think I’d need to give full commitment 365 days a year to get up to five-goals and, in this financial climate, it is just so difficult for me to contemplate that. “I love being around the circuit and being an ambassador for the sport, so I get my fix that way.” A skiing accident back in 2004 kept UdeMartinez out of action for a year and led to him founding his jousting group, the Knights of Middle England, to make ends meet. He’s even managed to use his polo contacts in this pursuit. He revealed: “We use a lot of

“I love being around the circuit and being an ambassador for the sport, so I get my fix that way. But I’d like to think I could still make it to three goals if I committed to it” – Karl Ude-Martinez completely smitten with the sport since the first time I hit a ball. “I spent my gap year before university at Carlos Gracida’s place in Palm Beach – watching the 26-goal and working in the stables. “I came back thinking all I’d do for the rest of my life is play polo, but then I went to university and got a job and it never quite happened. Maybe I was never in the right place at the right time.” These days Ude-Martinez regularly turns out at Rugby, Kirtlington, RLS and Beaufort in 2-6 goal tournaments. He adds: “I’m a one-goaler and I do get paid to play, so I consider myself to be a lowgoal pro. I’d like to think I can still become a www.polotimes.co.uk

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ex-polo ponies, which is great. Many of them are not quite up to the high octane action of the polo field any more, but still have a lot left to give. “The idea came about because I couldn’t act or ride, or anything for a year so I needed to set up my own business. Jousting is something I had a lot of experience in from when I was younger. “We perform at places like the NEC and county fairs and also offer experience days for things like stag and hen dos.” F w To find out how the next generation of polo pros are getting on, see our dedicated Youth Polo section on page 58-61

Polo Times, July 2011

17/6/11 16:11:56

Feature

25 years of polo at RCBPC

Silver anniversary for golden polo venue Herbert Spencer looks at the growth of the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club over the last quarter of a century, remembers how it all began and considers what is likely to be its biggest lasting legacy

he Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club (RCBPC) celebrated its 25th anniversary last month with a big birthday bash after the final of the Prince of Wales Trophy tournament. Sadly missed, of course, was the man who started it all – the club’s late founder, Bryan Anthony Morrison. Bryan died in September 2008 after two years in a coma following a polo accident at the club in July 2006. His widow Greta is now RCBPC chairman, supported by their polo-playing son Jamie as vice-chairman and general manager Michael Amoore, who has been with the club from the start. The founder would have loved the RCBPC’s silver jubilee soiree. Music impresario Bryan was as keen a party-giver as he was a polo player and it was the swinging social scene at “the Berkshire” that set the new club apart from the more traditional clubs when it opened in 1986. The RCBPC’s original acreage, added to over the years, had an appropriately equestrian history. The Ascot Cottage racing stables, midway between the Windsor and

View of the Berkshire number one ground before an early high-goal challenge, which once included a 70-goal match

It made sporting headlines again when its Golden Fire won the Cesarewitch in 1962 and the Goodwood Stakes in 1963. An effort to revive Ascot Cottage as racing stables in 1983 failed and the property had

Thanks largely to the efforts of Bryan, who developed the three-man version of the game, 29 clubs now play arena polo Ascot racecourses, was built in 1924. It gained some prominence when its homebred colt Wychwood won the Championship Stakes two years running, in 1935 and 1936. 36

been on the market for some time when, in 1985, Bryan spotted the “For Sale” sign at the entrance. He and fellow player Norman Lobel bought the property in May 1985 and

obtained council permission for change of use from racing stables to a polo club. A pond in the middle of the old racetraining track was drained and the area cleared to make way for the club’s number one ground. Three polo grounds within the training track were built from scratch and a paddock area was adapted for a fourth. The track railings were retained as a reminder of the site’s racing past. A derelict old cowshed overlooking the number one ground was repaired and a VIP’s balcony added to create a “Royal Pavilion”. Other buildings were renovated and

Polo Times, July 2011

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17/6/11 16:05:50

25 years of polo at RCBPC

Feature

Founder Bryan Morrison was the Berkshire’s heartbeat until his accident five years ago this month. He is seen here sharing a drink with lifetime member Prince Charles, and playing in the club’s pioneering arena (wearing white), with John Horswell attacking the ball in the foreground. The arena was the first purpose-built all-weather arena in the UK

the action at the club in line with the top levels of English polo. The RCBPC’s grand opening in July 1986 produced yet another innovation: the High Goal Challenge. With the two teams’ handicaps totalling 70 goals, the Challenge was the highest-rated polo played in England since World War II. In its inaugural year the club also hosted the country’s first ladies international, with top-rated female players from England and abroad. The club added tournaments at mediumgoal and low-goal levels, notably the Eduardo Moore Memorial (12-15 goal) and the Julian and Howard Hipwood (4-8 goal). To mark its 10th anniversary in 1995, the club inaugurated the Polo Festival, with upwards of 30 teams from around the country gathering to compete in tournaments at three handicap levels: 7-10 goal, 4-8 goal and -2-2 goal. Over the years the club has added two new polo grounds and now has plans to build two more. It has extended its stabling to now accommodate 200 ponies. For all of the RCBPC’s innovations in

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the grass game over the years, undoubtedly the club’s most important contribution to polo in England was the establishment and development of the three-man version of the sport, arena polo. Having installed the country’s first purpose-built all-weather arena in 1990, Bryan became chairman of the HPA’s new Arena Polo Committee. The RCBPC remains the country’s premier arena club, hosting the HPA’s National Club Championship and the Arena Gold Cup. Thanks largely to the efforts of arena chairman Bryan, 29 English clubs now play arena polo. And, on the international front, the HPA honours the late “godfather” of arena polo with Test Matches played for the Bryan Morrison Trophy. F

Photographs by Herbert Spencer

several boxes in the stable block overlooking the grounds were sacrificed to become a clubhouse complete with bar and terrace. A regulation croquet lawn and tennis courts were added as extra attractions for members. Converting the Ascot Cottage racing stables into the country’s first major polo club in 30 years was a massive operation, but it was all completed in the summer and autumn of 1985 and over the winter months of 1985/86. One of the RCBPC’s first playing members was the Prince of Wales, who accepted a lifetime membership. Over the coming years, until Charles retired from the sport in 2006, his royal standard flew over the pony lines on number one ground on a number of occasions. The RCBPC’s first season began in May 1986, just a year after Bryan and Norman first conceived the club. That month the Berkshire joined the ranks of England’s older high-goal clubs – Cirencester Park (1894), Cowdray Park (1911) and Guards (1955) – by inaugurating The Prince of Wales Trophy 22-goal tournament, bringing

w See social photographs from the celebrations at the Prince of Wales Trophy final last month on page 90 w Tell us your favourite memories from the Berkshire or of Bryan himself by writing to letters@polotimes.co.uk Polo Times, July 2011

17/6/11 16:05:59

Reports

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Harcourt Developments Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup, Guards Polo Club

17/6/11 16:02:58

Harcourt Developments Queen’s Cup, Guards Polo Club

Reports

Slippery when wet Jerome Wirth’s new-look Enigma team let the Queen’s Cup slip from their fingers last month when they failed to capitalise on a strong early lead or to make winners Talandracas pay for their numerous missed penalties

James Mullan at Guards

Talandracas Enigma

9 8

nigma had a taste of their own medicine in the rain-soaked final of the Harcourt Developments Queen’s Cup, when they were pipped to the title by a late equaliser and then an extra-time winner by their French opposition. It was a cruel twist ironically reminiscent of the defeat they inflicted on Adrian Kirby’s 1870 team in the semifinals, yet provided fantastic drama for the remarkably resilient and reassuringly rowdy British polo spectators, who stayed glued to the action despite simply appalling conditions at Smith’s Lawn on Sunday 12 June. Indeed, the rain had cancelled cricket all over the UK and forced the postponement

Left: Juan Martin Nero reaches for the ball in front of old foe Lucas Monteverde, but the game eventually slipped out of Enigma’s reach

of the other “Queen’s” final of the day in tennis’s pre-Wimbledon warm-up, yet the wet and wild weather appeared to rub off on some of the many hundred spectators. Rather than allowing the driving rain to dampen their enthusiasm, they appeared to fight the piercing wind with louder whoops and hollers than are customary at Guards as the action reached its dramatic conclusion. Facundo Sola, who enjoyed a mixed afternoon, scored Talandracas’s winner early in the extra seventh chukka, just minutes after Matias MacDonough might have won it for Enigma with seconds left at the end of the sixth. It was that kind of game. At one stage, Enigma looked likely to romp it with ease, having opened up a four-goal lead in a mightily impressive opening two chukkas. Juan Martin Nero was showing the kind

Most valuable player

Milo Fernandez-Araujo of dominance, intelligence and consistency that has seen his value compared to that of Cambiaso and Facundo Pieres, firing home Polo Times, July 2011

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u 39

17/6/11 16:03:10

Reports

Harcourt Developments Queen’s Cup, Guards Polo Club

u his penalties with ease and masterminding his team’s attacks to put them ahead 5-1. However, to write Talandracas off reckoned without the experience of Milo Fernandezby Peter Webb Araujo nor the desire of Lucas Monteverde to British five-goal pro be Juanma’s nemesis. Monteverde was part of Commentary from our pro pundit, the La Dolfina team beaten by Ellerstina in his who pays tribute to Talandracas’s final game for the team at the Argentine Open resilience under pressure throughout last December, when Juan Martin Nero was the tournament and fondly remembers voted Palermo’s most valuable player. Ian Wooldridge and Charlie Stisted Sure enough, Talandracas clawed their way back with an improved defensive effort The game flowed incredibly well given the as the game went on and, despite missing weather and the state of the ground. Once penalties in the second and third chukkas, again, Talandracas proved themselves to be they managed to hold the potent-looking the kings of the comeback, and you have to

Photographs by Tom Reynolds and Centaur Photographic

Analysis

give them credit. They did it against Dubai in the quarter-finals and against Richard Mille in the semis, and they just seem to have the ability to stay calm under pressure and the intelligence to alter their tactics in order to win. Enigma certainly played their part as well of course, and I thought Juan Jauretche looked particularly good. He led the line well and I thought he would probably go up in handicap [see pages 12 and 83]. But, while Juan Martin Nero and Matias MacDonough had some good moments when they linked up effectively, the conditions definitely didn’t help them. The growing divots in the ground meant the ball wouldn’t always fall kindly and, when Talandracas upped the pressure on Nero in the second half and restricted his time on the ball, he struggled to build the Enigma lead, which gave Talandracas the chance to come from behind. Once again. Facundo Sola did a lot of good work in this respect – as he did against Dubai – and I’m not surprised that he’s another player to see his handicap go up, even though he was one of the many players that struggled with their penalties in the wet. Those gloves can get very slippy and it’s certainly not easy. You need to be able to be versatile in order to be victorious. Talandracas did that, playing the conditions as well as their opponents. And that’s why it was a great game. It was also a nice touch that the day was dedicated to the memory of Ian (a long-time player and a supporter of the Queen’s Cup) and Charlie (the club’s late CEO). Their deaths are a very sad loss for polo, but particularly for Guards, where they were both involved in some big plans for the club. Indeed, the Queen’s Cup was a timely reminder of the necessary improvements Charlie had in mind for the grounds. The tournament still relies too much on private venues, and so it’s crucial that his legacy with the ongoing developments at Flemish Farm is continued. He was passionate about taking Guards forward and the evidence suggests that his vision was rarely wrong. Ian was also a genuinely rare breed. I played with him a lot down the years, when I always found him incredibly generous, honest and honourable to the core. Much missed. F 40

Polo Times, July 2011

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The ground looked worryingly soft and susceptible, failing as it did to withstand the weather Enigma side scoreless in the third, fourth and sixth chukkas. Juan Martin Nero’s seemly imperious form, carried over from the Argentine and US Opens, suddenly deserted him and his influence subsided as the rain steadily increased. Instead, it was his opposing number – Talandracas’s number three, Milo Fernandez-Araujo – that emerged as the dominant force in the contest. A veteran of many inclement British summers and a Queen’s Cup favourite, he was the one clear ray of sunshine in what was quickly descending into a miserable day. Rarely have I been so wet watching a game of polo. It was like monsoon season in Mumbai, or the start of the abandoned Open final at Palermo in 2010. The beautiful Queen’s Ground resembled a rugby pitch as the players entered the final few chukkas and, perhaps unsurprisingly, what had been a genuinely good game then went through a slightly scrappy period in the fifth chukka when all the main chances came through penalties as the ball held up in the mud, divots and water. Matias MacDonough, who had taken over the penalty duties from Juan Martin Nero, helped give Enigma a promising looking 8-6 lead going into the last, after they had gone behind early in the fifth chukka for the first time in the game. Cue Milo. Just as most would have been expecting an unremarkable end to the final, Fernandez-Araujo – wearing his customary beige helmet – scored twice to equalise.

Increasingly heavy rain as the game went on made things

The second was an absolute moment of magic, winning the ball and finding the posts from more than 75 yards despite pressure from other players around him. With three minutes to go, it looked to have set-up an extra chukka that probably few on or alongside the ground wanted given the conditions. And, thus, it was with some disappointment that Matias MacDonough was painfully close but unable to score a winner in the final minute (rather like the 2005 Argentine Open all over again).

Lucas Monteverde justified the faith shown in him by patron Edouard Carmignac with a strong performance. See this picture in its full glory on page 18

www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 16:03:22

Harcourt Developments Queen’s Cup, Guards Polo Club

Reports

How did they perform? We mark the finalists out of 10, based on their effectiveness in terms of handicap

Talandracas Facundo Sola (6) Lacked the same consistency with the penalties he showed in the Cowdray Test Match but was an enthusiastic participant throughout, even when the ground looked unplayable at times. He scored the winner in the seventh chukka. Lucas Monteverde (8) His two breakaway goals in the first half kept them in the game and he was in the thick of much of the action. He also restricted the impact of Juan Martin Nero as the game developed. Milo Fernandez-Araujo (8) A player who always seems to have more time on the ball that anyone. His natural instincts of anticipation allowed him plenty of possession, with which he orchestrated the team’s attacks and, as usual, led by example. Edouard Carmignac (0) Played at back, but took none of the hit-ins. Content to play simply a supporting role to all Milo’s spoiling work in defence and rarely got in the action himself.

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Enigma difficult for spectators as well as for those in action on the ground, such as Matias MacDonough in the foreground here

Instead, the game went into a seventh period after a short delay as grooms reintroduced their most suitable horses, and Talandracas immediately got the ball up to the Enigma end, where it stayed until Facundo Sola scored the winner shortly after Nero had an unscheduled dismount from a horse that had clearly had enough. And that was that. By that stage, to be honest, we’d all had enough, but the players should be congratulated for producing a fast, passionately fought and frequently entertaining game of polo in dreadful weather and on a worryingly poor, soft and susceptible ground. The Queen had stayed away, choosing not to risk the cold, but fortunately Prince Harry graciously stepped in to join Thandi Wooldridge and Melissa Stisted in giving out his grandmother’s cup ahead of his participation in the rescheduled Sentebale charity match at nearby Coworth that evening. Few people hung around for long after the presentations, soaked through as they were, though conscious too of having soaked up a memorable final. F www.polotimes.co.uk

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w Read about Facundo Sola’s other recent success on British soil on page 46

Game rating

• • • • • • • • • •

u Q ueen’s Cup; 18 May – 12 June 2011; Guards Polo Club Result: Talandracas beat Enigma, 9-8 Handicap level: 22-goal Number of team entries: 16 Chukka scores (Talandracas): 3-1; 5-1; 5-3; 5-5; 8-6; 8-8; 9-8 Most valuable player: Milo Fernandez-Araujo Best playing pony: Chica, owned and played by Juan Martin Nero Best retrained racehorse: Autour De Monde, owned by Juan Martin Nero and Matias MacDonough, and played by Juan Martin Nero Finalists Talandracas (22): Facundo Sola 6; Lucas Monteverde 8; Milo Fernandez-Araujo 8; Edouard Carmignac 0 Enigma (22): Jerome Wirth 1; Juan Jauretche 3; Juan Martin Nero 10; Matias MacDonough 8

Jerome Wirth (1) More inclined to try and get involved than Carmignac, but wasn’t able to be as effective in this game as he has been in others. Enigma had three full chukkas where they didn’t score.

Juan Jauretche (3) Played an active role early on, riding a flyer in the opening chukka in particular, but he missed chances in the second and fourth chukkas. However, he looked cheap generally on three goals and scored a wonderful goal to give Enigma their 8-6 lead before the late collapse.

Juan Martin Nero (10) Appeared to struggle to adapt to the difficult conditions the longer the game went on, and even fell off in the extra chukka. However, he was otherwise well mounted – as always – and his convincing second chukka performance was probably what won his seven-year-old bay mare Chica the best playing pony award.

Matias MacDonough (8) Riding obviously good horses, he was often perhaps too keen to get forward, leaving the back door exposed on a couple of occasions for the likes of Milo to send Monteverde on his way to goal unchallenged.

Polo Times, July 2011

17/6/11 16:03:32

Reports

MINT Polo in the Park, Hurlingham

More Pimms please! Following a sunny and sell-out Saturday, unwelcome rain put a dampener on finals day, when two teams from the heat of the UAE and South America did battle in front of a die-hard crowd of undeterred spectators in the stands while the rest took their interest to the bars

Georgie May

in Fulham, London

Abu Dhabi Buenos Aires

8 5

bu Dhabi secured a deserved victory over Buenos Aires in the final of MINT Polo in the Park at the beginning of June, triumphing with a line-up featuring a pleasing blend of youth and experience, though the side’s two most seasoned professionals themselves hold

their two sun-drenched league games against defending champions New York on the Friday and against Moscow on the Saturday. Fellow finalists Buenos Aires meanwhile had won their first game but lost their second, against London and New York respectively, but managed to secure a place in the final on goal difference. This year, teams were split into two groups and played two league games against teams from their opposing group – one of the Friday and one on the Saturday – before it was decided who would go through to the final. London and Sydney played out the highest-scoring game of the tournament on Saturday evening but, despite being one of 2011’s tightest and most exciting contests,

“The event was a great success, particularly with the fantastic sell out on Saturday, and the players were happy” – Louisa Dawnay Argentine passports and so were forced to beat their own compatriots. Abu Dhabi, led by eight-goaler Piki Diaz Alberdi, did so in pouring rain on the Sunday, after advancing to the final with victories in 42

Polo Times, July 2011

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both sides missed out on a slot on finals day, having been soundly beaten in their opening games on the day before. New York, who won the tournament last year, went through to the subsidiary final, for

the Camino Real Plate, to meet Moscow. New York were without their number one, Jack Kidd, who sadly suffered a knee injury from a hard ride-off in Friday’s game, so had to be replaced in Saturday and Sunday’s matches by three-goaler Facundo Guevara. On Saturday they were also without Henry Brett, who was playing in the final of the Arthur Lucas at Beaufort. And South African Gareth Evans stepped in for Tom Morley for Moscow on the final two days of play as Morley had commitments elsewhere. Despite the change in line-ups, the two teams were evenly matched with Moscow fighting to keep level with New York. The game ended with a draw, 9-9, forcing the teams to take part in a penalty shootout. Each player had one shot at goal and surprisingly Facundo Guevara was the only player to hit his through the posts, securing victory for New York, 10-9. Come the final, with the majority of spectators shielding themselves from the rain in the confines of the Punch Bowl bar, www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 15:59:58

MINT Polo in the Park, Hurlingham

Reports

situated at one end of the ground with limited spectating space, or the Mahiki Bar located at the opposite end with no direct view of the field, the grandstand wasn’t exactly bursting at the seams. Indeed, for most attendees over the three days, the real sport appeared to be the drinking. The polo was of largely incidental interest to many, though its highbrow cache and plentiful access to alcohol is also what looks set to ensure Polo In The Park will achieve its place among the other main society events of the British summer. Nevertheless, those with umbrellas or the odd plastic poncho braved the conditions and witnessed Abu Dhabi sweep into an early lead. Andrea Vianini scored the opening goal, while Mohammed Al Habtoor, the lowest handicapped player

Former Argentine Open winner Piki Diaz Alberdi (left) goes head to head with BA’s Oscar Mancini in the ﬁnal

Jack Richardson makes a break to goal, playing for Moscow, who ﬁnished fourth of the six teams at the end of the tournament

www.polotimes.co.uk

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in the tournament, scored double points for his side with a superb backhand before the end of the first chukka. As in previous years, the tournament is played on a smaller ground with altered rules. A clean shot hit from outside the “D” earned the side two goals. Buenos Aires suffered a blow on Saturday when team member Lucas Talamoni crashed into

New York’s Juan Cruz Guevara and was knocked out for four minutes. Fortunately it was nothing more than concussion, putting him on the sidelines for seven days. Ironically, Guevara then replaced Talamoni for Sunday’s final. The rain progressively became heavier and the ground was its first victim. After two days of games, by Saturday evening the ground was already choppy and, with the rain u Polo Times, July 2011

17/6/11 15:56:42

Reports

MINT Polo in the Park, Hurlingham

u hammering down for most of the afternoon on finals day, the ground cut up even more. The ball was getting caught up in divots and a few sticks became croppers. While Buenos Aires struggled to get on the scoreboard, Abu Dhabi advanced ahead, with former 10-goaler Alberdi and his patron Al Habtoor racking up the goals to put their side into an ominous-looking 7-1 lead by half time. Buenos Aires’ Oscar Mancini had his moment of glory late in the game. Following a two-point goal in the third chukka, an excellent shot straight through the legs of his opposition and other teammates rolled perfectly between the posts, bringing them back within four, at 8-4. Some scrappy play ensued, as Buenos Aires fought hard for the ball in the final chukka but it was too late for the three Argentines. A final attempt by Mancini in the closing seconds gave his side another point on the scoreboard but the game ended with Abu Dhabi as clear winners. “The event was a great success, particularly with the fantastic sell out on Saturday,” said Andrea Vianini celebrates Abu Dhabi’s three-goal win Louisa Dawnay, the event’s polo coordinator.

“It was very competitive and, despite the rain on the Sunday, the ground didn’t get slippery. Had the ponies started slipping we would have called it off but the players were happy with the way it played.” F w See social photographs from the weekend on page 86, and read about one of the ponies that made a significant contribution to the result on finals day on page 69

Game rating

• • • • • • • • • •

u M INT Polo in the Park; 3-5 June 2011; Hurlingham Park, London Result: Abu Dhabi beat Buenos Aires, 8-5 Principal sponsor: MINT Handicap: 14-goal Number of team entries: six Chukka scores (Abu Dhabi): 3-0; 7-1; 8-3; 8-5 Finalists: Abu Dhabi (14): Mohammed Al Habtoor 0; Andrea Vianini 6; Piki Diaz Alberdi 8 Buenos Aires (14): Nico Talamoni 4; Oscar Mancini 4; Lucas Talamoni/Juan Cruz Guevara 6

What was MINT and what could be freshened up The good

The not-so-good

The Mahiki Bar The addition of the Mahiki Bar was a big hit with the punters, so much so that spectators had to queue just to get into the confines of the bar after it reached full capacity on both weekend days. The Punch Bowl was also new this year – although there was a bar in the same location last year – providing a sideline viewing area and cover from the rain on Sunday.

The ground Anticipating hard ground, the organisers irrigated the ground in the run up to the event. However, after two days of play, the ground was looking slightly worse for wear and divots dug up from the ground in the rain that came down on finals day, which proved difficult to play on. Play became static in places as players fought to get the ball over parts of the ground and even out of a few holes.

Photographs by Polo in the Park and Tony Ramirez

The ponies The logistics of getting ponies in and out of the park were improved this year. No pony stood on the pony lines for more than three hours, compared with four to five hours the year before. The patron It was good to see patron Mohammed Al Habtoor taking part. He was the lowest handicapped player (zero goal) in the tournament and looked every inch a pro, scoring two double pointers for his winning side in the final. Glen Gilmore, who was commentating at the final, named him his MVP. The heartbeat The addition of a heartbeat sound effect, although rather cheesy, added to the anticipation of waiting for a penalty to be taken or an umpiring decision to be made, keeping the spectators interested. 44

Polo Times, July 2011

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The transport It was particularly bad luck that the three-day event was held over a weekend when the District and Circle tube lines were down, causing travel chaos. Replacement buses ran from closed stations but with London traffic and gas works closing several roads in Putney and Wandsworth, journeys took much longer than anticipated. The booze Although the Mahiki bar was a great addition to the event, the sell-out Saturday and hot weather meant the bar was packed all day and by 4pm they had run out of both Pimms and beer – two vital drinks for any summer event. With it so busy, at points it took up to 40 minutes just to get served and, as bottles couldn’t be taken outside the bar area and there was no view of the polo ground, it was easy to miss the games. The food Harrods was given exclusivity this year to provide all the food stands. The luxury Knightsbridge brand provided a good variety of scrummy food but at a not-soscrummy price. A burger or a portion of paella cost £9.50, while a pizza cost £12. When the rain came down on finals day, many dashed to the tea and coffee stand and the queue became unbearably long. www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 15:56:48

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16/6/11 12:49:33

Reports

St Regis Cowdray Park International Test Match: England vs South America

England suppressed by South America in the first of the summer’s big gigs Hosts England, trying out an experimental new line-up featuring Satnam Dhillon at one and James Beim at three, were left to rue the small margins between success and failure after South America edged to victory in late May

James Mullan at Cowdray Park

England South America

6½ 9

Photographs by James Mullan

n the same week that Ryan Giggs was named as the injunction-immersed footballer at the centre of an alleged affair, England’s polo players for the St Regis International were themselves exposed and left with nowhere to hide at Cowdray Park after being beaten at the hands of a scratch foursome representing “South America”. The game was actually considerably closer than the 9-61/2 final scoreline suggests, with England leading for long periods during the match, but ultimately the hosts failed to take advantage of a more settled build-up to the game and, rather, it was the visitors that looked like the more balanced team, despite only finalising their line-up on the evening before the Test Match. True, England did suffer the considerable draw-back of losing their captain and most experienced player Luke Tomlinson to injury but, with a more-than-capable ready-made replacement in the shape of Malcolm Borwick stepping in at back, many felt England had a strong chance of victory. Particularly when South America’s star man Adolfo Cambiaso withdrew. The world number one had reportedly failed to appreciate the magnitude of the Test and, seeing the strength of the England line-up, decided not to compete for fear of injuring himself or his horses with Dubai’s defence of the Queen’s Cup underway. He was replaced some 48 hours before 46

Polo Times, July 2011

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The two teams received their prizes from Paul James (centre), vice president of Test Match sponsors St Regis

the contest by fellow Jaeger-LeCoultre ambassador Eduardo Novillo Astrada. The luxury jeweller hosted a large VIP tent beside the ground. Astrada was scheduled to compete alongside Nacho Figueras, José Donoso and seven-goaler Ignacio Laprida. However, Laprida was then replaced by sixgoal-rated Facundo Sola in order to make the two sides more evenly handicapped again. Confused? Well, you’re not the only one. Indeed, even Malcolm Borwick conceded that Most valuable player

Eduardo Novillo Astrada it was a strange sensation to be preparing for the match in the England pony lines, whilst still not entirely sure who would be emerging from the tent at the other end of the ground. As it was, the visiting South Americans

started well, quickly nullifying the hosts halfgoal received on handicap and taking a 2-1/2 lead. Only a misjudged defensive backhand from Eduardo Novillo Astrada allowed England any chance in the first chukka, when he unnecessarily put the ball out over his own back line and Borwick converted the resultant 60-yard safety. Beim – playing at number three for the first time for England – began the second chukka as he ended the first, demonstrating a terrific work ethic and no shortage of horsepower as he routinely turned defence into attack in the blink of an eye. The cover star of the June issue of Polo Times regained the lead for the hosts, as Mark Tomlinson and Satnam Dhillon in front of him appeared to struggle to get on the same wavelength early on. Late in the second chukka, Borwick collided heavily with a goalpost as he heroically saved a certain South America goal creeping in from www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 15:53:06

St Regis Cowdray Park International Test Match: England vs South America

Reports

England’s Mark Tomlinson, who played in attack with Satnam Dhillon for the first time takes control of the ball as South America’s impressive Facundo Sola (right) closes in

long range, riding a mare that he later said would “ride through a brick wall” if he asked her to. Fortunately the new softer foam posts left neither him nor her with any lasting harm but, frustratingly, the safety he conceded in preventing the score was converted from 60 yards anyway by the reliable Facundo Sola and the visitors were back in front. Satnam Dhillon and Mark Tomlinson finally made a significant mark on the match in the third chukka when Tomlinson set up Beim for a fantastic offside backhand finish that put England ahead and then Dhillon nailed a daisy-cutting strike from 50 yards or more to give the hosts a comfortable lead, 41/2-3. That was really as good as it got for England, however, as the game then opened up and played into the South Americans’ hands throughout the third and fourth chukkas. It made for great entertainment as the ball just kept on moving, with backhands galore and very few whistles. This stretched the English horsepower to the extreme www.polotimes.co.uk

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and, with Eduardo Novillo Astrada and José Donoso looking very well mounted in particular, the South Americans re-established a lead they were never to relinquish, despite a fine running goal from Mark Tomlinson. Even player-turned-model-and-poloambassador Nacho Figueras began to show why he was once good enough to play the Argentine Open, scoring from open play,

From an England perspective, it was positive to see plenty of energy and endeavour riding off hard with the desperate-to-impress Satnam Dhillon and providing the most memorable bit of skill of the day. Standing up in his stirrups he smashed the ball out of mid-air 15-feet up in the sky to send it out of defence, relieving the pressure on his side and invigorating the attentive crowds. Borwick briefly gave those supporting

England genuine hope of a late comeback when he scored a 30-yard penalty at the start of the fifth and final chukka to bring England back within a single score, at 7-61/2. However, the dramatic finale the game needed (and occasionally hinted at) wasn’t to be. South America scored next, despite a dramatic goal-line save by Beim, and then Borwick suffered the agony of seeing two good-looking strikes from 60-yards successively blocked by ponies just in front of goal. Time was running out, and when Facundo Sola scored a from-the-spot penalty after Novillo Astrada cleverly won a foul with a crafty turn on the ball, it was game over at 9-61/2. “It was a game of small margins,” said Malcolm Borwick afterwards. “If those two 60-yard penalties they stopped on the line had gone in, it might have been a different result. However, we can have no complaints and it was an enjoyable game to be a part of. I found out I’d be playing as early as the u Polo Times, July 2011

17/6/11 15:53:14

Reports

St Regis Cowdray Park International Test Match: England vs South America

South America’s number one Nacho Figueras races clear of England’s Satnam Dhillon (yellow helmet) during the Cowdray Test, as Mark Tomlinson (right) looks on

Photograph by Audi

u Monday before as I think Luke knew he’d be very unlikely to be fit in time.” All in all, it was a good game, without ever really threatening to become a great one. It was played in the right spirit, as both teams played very ambitious fast-flowing polo as much as possible. But, despite this honourable and commendable intention, the bounce of the ball and the unfamiliar line-ups still managed to prevent the game from really hitting a consistently thrilling end-to-end rhythm. From an England perspective, it was positive to see the team’s domestic Test Match campaign begin with plenty of energy and endeavour, and playing James Beim at three generally can be seen to have been a success. However, Satnam Dhillon and Mark Tomlinson must be given more game time together if they are to be more effective as an attacking partnership and, given that the visitors could have been stronger still had Cambiaso consented to take part, it has to be 48

Polo Times, July 2011

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viewed as a very disappointing result. And, while a lovely day out, the scratch nature of the opposition (apparently mainly put together by their sponsors JaegerLeCoultre) rather diminishes the serious Test Match feeling that the organisers are presumably aiming for. Nevertheless, if rumours that Guards’ sponsorship and marketing man James Turner and England’s chef d’equipe Andrew Tucker are going to begin marketing all three Test Matches as one sponsorship package prove to be true, I imagine they hope this will help the Beaufort and Cowdray Tests achieve the same levels of importance and publicity as the HPA’s main day of the year at Guards. Watch this space, as with the HPA on the hunt for a replacement for Cartier at the Coronation Cup, the evidence of this year’s enjoyable Cowdray Test proved once again that this fixture also has much to offer for spectators and sponsors alike. F

w See Herbert Spencer’s view on the Cowdray Test on page 22

Game rating

• • • • • • • • • •

u S t Regis International Test Match: England vs South America; 21 May 2011; Cowdray Park Polo Club Result: South America beat England, 9-6½ Handicap level: 28-goal Chukka scores (South America): 2-11/2; 3-21/2; 5-41/2; 7-51/2; 9-61/2 Most valuable player: Eduardo Novillo Astrada Best playing pony: Hestenel, a South African Thoroughbred played and owned by Mark Tomlinson Teams England (27): Satnam Dhillon 7; Mark Tomlinson 7; James Beim 7; Malcolm Borwick 6 South America (28): Nacho Figueras 6; Facundo Sola 6; Eduardo Novillo Astrada 9; José Donoso 7 www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 15:53:26

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16/6/11 13:40:52

Duke of Sutherland Cup, Cowdray Park

Photograph by Jon Nicholson

Reports

La Golondrina seven-goaler Diego Cavanagh leads a lightning-quick charge during the Duke of Sutherland final, but his side was ultimately well-beaten by Altamira

Altamira victory gives Agosti three Dukes on his mantlepiece Excellent link-up play between seven-goalers Gaston Laulhe and Pepe Heguy and solid back-up by young Brit Max Charlton helped Adriano Agosti to his third title in five years Liz Higgins reports from Cowdray Park

Altamira La Golondrina

8 6

driano Agosti won the 18-goal Duke of Sutherland title for the third time in his career as his Altamira side beat La Golondrina 8-6 at Cowdray Park in early June. La Golondrina patron Paul Oberschneider played through the pain barrier to complete all five chukkas, despite injuring his left wrist just days before the final. His side fell behind to a fine field goal by Gaston Laulhe in the very first minute but were soon back on level terms through a 30-yard hit. A confident goal from Max Charlton closed the first chukka at 2-1 in Altamira’s favour and the young England four-goaler was on the scoresheet again early in the second chukka to extend his side’s lead. La Golondrina responded with what 50

Polo Times, July 2011

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proved to be their only field goal of the match, scored by Tomas Ruiz Guinazu, but it was Altamira who continued to play the better polo in the first half. They were unlucky not be better rewarded for the cohesive play between Pepe Heguy and Laulhe, as La Golondrina stayed in touch with a series of penalties to trail 5-4 after the third chukka. Altamira extended their lead to 7-5 in the fourth chukka and could have been even further ahead going into the last chukka as a super shot by Charlton was deflected just past the goal post. Seconds into the final chukka it was game on as a penalty by Diego Cavanagh brought La Golondrina back to within one goal, before fittingly the Heguy/Laulhe combination secured the win for Altamira. A long run down the field and excellent back-up from Heguy enabled Laulhe to send a beautifully angled under the neck shot through the posts to make the final score 8-6.

Having previously won the title in 2007 and 2008, the victory rounded off a hat-trick of Duke of Sutherland wins for Agosti, who said: “Pepe and Gaston played really well with excellent back-up from Max.” Meanwhile, La Golondrina’s patron, clearly in pain after the final chukka, had cause to contemplate the imminent start of the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup and consider whether he should have saved himself for his first attempt at the British Open. F u T he Duke of Sutherland Cup; Friday 10 June 2011; Cowdray Park Polo Club, West Sussex Handicap level: 18 Result: Altamira beat La Golondrina, 8-6 Final teams: Altamira (18): Adriano Agosti 0; Pepe Heguy 7; Gaston Laulhe 7; Max Charlton 4 La Golondrina (18): Paul Oberschneider 0; Tomas Ruiz Guinazu 5; Diego Cavanagh 7; Juan Ambroggio 6 www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 16:08:16

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Polo Times, July 2011

17/6/11 14:34:04

Reports

Home and abroad

Cirencester Park Polo Club – Gerald Balding Cup

Du Plessis leads the Bears to victory at Cirencester

Photograph by Tom Reynolds

lifton Wrottesley’s Black Bears beat Janey Dear’s Apache 8-5 to win the 8-goal Gerald Balding Cup at Cirencester Park Polo Club in one of the best low-goal matches of the season thus far, writes Herbert Spencer. In the end much of the final was a duel between two five-goal South African players, Jean Du Plessis for Black Bears and Tom de Bruin for Apache, who scored nine of the game’s 13 goals as well as working the field to set up goals for their teammates. After some bunching up in the first chukka, the rest of the match was fast polo for this level, with few umpires’ whistles to interrupt the flow. The two teams traded leads for the first half which ended in a 2-2 tie. In the third chukka Black Bears poured on the pressure, out-scoring Apache five goals to one. Black Bear’s Du Plessis found the posts with an impressive long-range strike from 100 yards out, then their young Marcus Beresford scored to end the period 7-3. Beresford again scored a field goal as the fourth and final period began. Apache’s de Bruin converted two 30-yard penalties in a row, but it was too little too late.

South African five-goaler Jean Du Plessis of Black Bears (centre) races clear of his compatriot Tom de Bruin (left)

The Cirencester Park tournament, in which 16 teams competed, is named after the late Gerald Balding, England’s last 10-goaler who played between the world wars but retired from polo after World War II to concentrate on race horse training. Three of his

grandchildren presented the Gerald Balding Trophy to Black Bears. His niece Judith Balding, who heads a racing syndicate, judged the best Retraining of Racehorses pony, won by Apache player Jack Richardson’s English thoroughbred Melody.

Italy – Vladi International Rome Polo Challenge

The Swiss succeed in Italia

The victorious Swiss team at the Vladi International

52 Polo Times, July 2011

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Four international teams took part in the Vladi International Rome Polo Challenge in Italy in mid-June. Switzerland were named the overall winners of the tournament, which was organised by the Vladi Polo Association, together with the Italian Polo Federazione. The Swiss beat the USA, Italy and Russia to the top spot. Two games were played in the five-goal one-day tournament, the first between Switzerland and Russia, with the latter team featuring Russia’s first female player, 16-year-old Polina Nazarova. Five-goaler Pedro Fernandez Llorente led the Swiss team to victory, 7-5. Italy, featuring two-goalers

Stefano Ottavani and José Ortiz, claimed second place overall following their victory over the USA in the second game of the day. They defeated the Americans by a goal, 5-4. Russia came third, while the USA were last. The event, held for the second time, also produced entertainment off the field in the form of a gala dinner the night before the tournament, which attracted guests from across Europe. Special visitors from Kazakhstan confirmed they are now interested in holding a snow polo tournament in Astana. The eastern European country is currently building its first polo club. www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 15:50:31

Home and abroad

Germany – Julius Baer Beach Polo World Cup, Sylt

Two-a-side delight Audi were crowned champions of the Julius Baer Beach Polo World Cup, after defeating title sponsors Julius Baer in the final. The two-a-side tournament was held on the island of Sylt, off the northern coast of Germany. After two close chukkas, the Julius Baer team of Germany’s Sven Schneider and 15-year-old Lukas Sdrenka, opened up a 5-3 lead in the third chukka, but six-goaler Gastón Maiquez kept his Audi side in the match, scoring three goals to take the lead, 6-5, going into the fourth chukka. Continuing his goal-scoring form, Maiquez put two more through the posts and, despite a late surge from team Julius Baer, Audi held on, eventually winning 8-7. Maiquez’s performance saw him named the Julius Baer Leading Scorer, and with the

sponsors contributing €200 for every goal scored by the Leading Scorer, Maiquez’s total of 14 goals over the tournament raised €2,800 towards the event’s official charity, Coastal Protection Foundation Sylt. When combined with additional donations made during the weekend, over €15,000 was handed over to the charity by Julius Baer during the prize giving ceremony. Earlier in the afternoon, team Maus Real Estate defeated team Koenig Pilsner 4-2 in the subsidiary final and team Lanson beat the all-female team of GOSCH 5-4 to take fifth place. In recognition of his outstanding play over the weekend, Sdrenka has been invited to join the Julius Baer International Polo Academy at Polo Park Zurich from 18-22 July.

Reports

News in brief w Beaufort – HB Polo won the Arthur Lucas Cup at Beaufort in June. Led by Luke Tomlinson, the team defeated Beaufort 10-8. Luke and his teammate Ludovic Pailloncy were both playing their brothers, Mark and Sebastien respectively, with the latter playing an excellent game, which nearly secured their Beaufort side victory. However, Luke Tomlinson galvanized his teammates heading into the final chukka and jumped into a three-goal lead. Beaufort scored another late in the chukka but it was too late and HB Polo ran out the winners. w Belgium – Antwerp Polo Club hosted the finals of the Diamond Stick 10-12 goal at the beginning of June. Six teams had battled it through the group stages with Uwe Schroder’s Tom Tailor team and Kevin Korst and Philip de Groot’s La Esperanza/Entourage of 7 going through to the final. In a very closely fought game, a goal by La Esperanza/Entourage of 7 in the final seconds of the game secured victory for the side. w Ham – A team from Moscow Polo Club in Russia played at Ham Polo Club at the end of May. Although Ham advanced ahead in the first half, Moscow found their stride in the second half, with Moscow’s five-goaler Alejandro Traverso scoring some superb goals from 80 yards out. Moscow ran out the eventual winners, 81/2-6. Ham will play in a return fixture in Moscow later this season.

Julius Baer’s impressive 15-year-old Lukas Sdrenka in action on day two of the Beach Polo World Cup in Sylt

White Rose Polo Club – Summit Cup weekend

Barracuda swims to Summit Yorkshire-based White Rose hosted the Summit Cup on 11-12 June. Despite the less than favourable weather, the tournament attracted a healthy number of spectators who witnessed a fiercely contested final. In heavy rain Barracuda beat Summit, featuring White Rose’s Hedley Aylott, in Sunday’s final after only four teams entered the 4-goal tournament. The Charlie Phillips www.polotimes.co.uk

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Trophy and a Pro-Am tournament ran alongside the Summit Cup. The Pro-Am tournament featured six players who had only taken up polo six weeks before and had taken an intensive training course with coach Tony Wesche. Two teams of three amateurs and a pro played against each other, where Diablos, led by 0-goaler Andrew Scott, won.

w Poland – Warsaw Polo Club hosted the Middle European Trophy of Nations at the end of May. Four teams, with players travelling from Austria and Hungary as well as Poland, took part in a round-robin tournament. Team BMW were named the overall winners. Following this, in mid-June, the Polish Polo Association celebrated its 100th anniversary with events both on and off the field. w Germany – Hamburg hosted the Berenberg Polo Derby at the end of May. Six teams entered the 10-goal tournament, which was eventually won by the Berenberg team. Featuring Germany’s up-and-coming star Lukas Sdrenka, the team defeated Rumoeller/Granc Luxe 9-8 in the final. The Hamburg team – made up of four Grau brothers – lost to Team Tom Tailor in the subsidiary final. w Prague – The first ever Czech Republic vs Slovakia match took place at Prague Polo Club on 28 May, organised by club founder Naveed Gill. The home team beat the visiting team from the Danube Polo Club, 7-3. Polo Times, July 2011

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Reports

Home and abroad

Australia – The Countess of Dudley Cup

Historic cup concludes season

Photograph by Carolyn Yencken

he 12-goal Countess of Dudley Cup concluded the New South Wales autumn calendar. The tournament is one of Australia’s most coveted and the trophy was originally presented to the NSW Polo Association by the Countess of Dudley in 1910. It is believed that the trophy came about as a result of the Countess’s association with Banjo Paterson, whose support she enlisted for her campaign to provide nursing services in the outback. Paterson was, by that time, a prominent figure in Sydney polo. This state championship tournament, which celebrated its centenary last year, is only open to genuine club teams and restrictions are imposed to ensure that the club spirit of the tournament is maintained. Teams entered must be from NSW Polo Association registered clubs and each team member must have played for their club in a NSWPA sanctioned tournament at least three times in the preceding year. To encourage participation by rural clubs, a ground fee subsidy is available to those located more than 100km from Windsor Polo Club. This year’s winners, however, did not

Lacey Green Polo Club – London Business Champs

The winning team: Town and Country: Rob Ballard, Jeremy Bayard, Andrew Williams, Brendan Fahey

have far to travel. The Town and Country Polo Club is located across the road from the Windsor Polo Club. This year’s Dudley Cup resulted in an exciting final between Goulburn and Town and Country. At half time the scores were

level, 5-5, and although Goulburn scored two goals in the second half, they failed to convert much needed penalties. Town and Country went into the last chukka two goals ahead and maintained that lead, achieving a final score of 9-7.

Sussex Polo Club – WestOne Cars Trophy

Charitable champs Young players shine in Sussex

The inaugural London Business Championships were held on 11-12 June at Lacey Green, which raised £7,000 for Banco de Alimentos, an Argentine children’s charity. The club hosted 18 teams in four different sections from -8 to 4 goal. Heavy rain on the Sunday meant only six out of nine games were played and the finals of the 2-goal and 4-goal had to be postponed. There was great play from Los Corks who displayed some exciting young talent and went on to win the low goal section. The Wanderers won the 0-goal final with strong play from Dan Hough and Guy Hume. On 2-3 July, the club will hold a tournament to help raise money for Nacho and Gisela Ballersteros. Nacho suffered a serious fall in Argentina in December and remains in care in hospital in Buenos Aires. 54 Polo Times, July 2011

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Sussex Polo Club hosted the inaugural WestOne Cars Trophy with the sponsor’s team reaching the final pitted against the home side of Sussex Polo. WestOne’s home-grown pros Nick Clague and Jimmy Mulligan teamed up with young players Katy Bernard, 15, and Hector Worsley, 18. Getting off to a flying start, they put five goals between the posts in the first chukka. Sussex father-and-son combo Duane and Terence Lent (13), put up a solid defence in the second chukka, allowing WestOne to score only one goal. Sussex Polo came back even stronger in the second half and quickly scored three goals. However, WestOne kept up a strong performance throughout with both Bernard and Worsley adding to the scoreline to keep them in front. And they held on to win the

Winners: WestOne Cars (Jimmy Mulligan, Hector Worsley, Katy Bernard and Nick Clague) with Amarjit Pall of London-based sponsors, WestOne Cars

title, picking up the crystal 3D engraved WestOne Cars trophy. Worsley, a student at Stowe, and Mulligan are proving to be a successful combination having played and won the -2 goal challenge earlier in the day with Old Surrey & Burstow Pony Club. www.polotimes.co.uk

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Ladies! Sexy Kaftans Open: 2–3 July.Great fun and fabulous prizes! Summer Festival: 23 July – Charity day Polo all day ranging from 0 to 8 goal. Irrigated grounds, high quality low goal, beautiful setting, friendly atmosphere. www.binfieldheathpoloclub.co.uk Contact bhpcmanager@gmail.com or 07792 211259 / 07817 058711

Polo Arena Construction

C O N T R A C TO R S

• Manege Construction • Pony Lines & Wash-Down Areas • Lunge Rings & Exercise Tracks • Equestrian & Stock Fencing • Roads & Tracks • Hard Standings & Concrete Slabs • Special Projects for more information please contact: tel: 01483 894 888 • mob: 07836 356714 • fax: 01483 892 497 email: jeremy@jcfc.co.uk web: www.jcfc.co.uk

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Polo Times, July 2011

17/6/11 14:21:14

Reports

Home and abroad

Mexico – Copa del Rey International

Lemmus topple fellow Mayan rivals The Copa del Rey International 4-6 goal tournament took place at the end of May at El Rey Polo Country Club in Puerto Morelos near Cancun, Mexico and was won by the Lemmus team. Six teams took part, with each team representing a Mayan jungle animal. Keeping with tradition, before each game a Mayan priest blessed the field, players and ponies. Players came from far and wide to take part in the four-day tournament. These included Hugo Villalobos of Mexico, who started playing in England with Edgeworth’s John P Smail, and the cup’s first female competitor, 52-year-old Catriona Brown of Australia, who now lives in Mexico. FIP Ambassador Jesus Solorzano joined forces with his three-goal son Jesus Solorzano Jr, playing for NOW Resorts and Spa who finished last overall. Solorzano will represent Mexico at this years’s FIP World Cup. Remaining unbeaten over the first two days, Lemmus and In Riviera advanced to the final. The two sides played a very close game, with the scores level, 7-7, going into the final chukka. Mexican three-goaler Diego Velarde, playing for Lemmus, scored the winning goal for his side in the final seconds, which also earned him the most valuable player award. Next up on El Rey Polo Country Club’s international tournament calendar is the Roger’s International Polo Cup, scheduled for 1-3 December.

Action in front of the El Rey Country Club clubhouse at the Copa del Rey International. Inset, a Mayan priest

Austria – Slovakia Open

Argentine teen stars in Austria

In a thrilling final, J & T Banka defeated Bollinger 6-5 to win the fifth Slovakia Open at Polo Club Schloss Ebreichsdorf in Austria at the beginning of June. Organised by Peter Godanyi, the founder and president of Polo Klub Bratislava, the three-day tournament attracted six teams featuring players from seven different countries. A crowd of spectators also travelled from Slovakia to Austria to witness the games. Bollinger – Leon Hauptmann (0), Robert Szücs (0), Fernando Mino (3) and Joaquin Maiquez (5) – and J & T Banka – Bautista 56 Polo Times, July 2011

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Bayugar (2), Tomas Maiquez (5), Hans Georg Schiebel (0) and Harald Göschl (1) – remained close throughout, with the score reading five-a-piece by the final bell, pushing the game into extra-time. After suffering a hit in the face by an opposing player’s stick earlier in the game, J & T Banka’s Bayugar, a 15-year-old Argentine star, scored the winning goal, set up by teammate Tomas Maiquez. Most valuable player, however, went to Joaquin Maiquez, who played a brilliant game despite his team losing, while Bayugar’s pony Quito won the best playing pony award.

Chester Racecourse – Audi Polo Challenge

The Duke of Cambridge won the inaugural Audi Polo Challenge at Chester Racecourse at the beginning of June playing alongside Mark Tomlinson, Andrew Hine and Thai Polo Club’s Harald Link. www.polotimes.co.uk

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Polo Times, July 2011

17/6/11 15:48:03

Youth polo

Polo at Marriners

Presented by

Young pros do their bit for charitable causes Held on a private ground in Hampshire, a selection of British under 25s got together in aid of charity to play in a thrilling exhibition match, while Pony Club players also played their part cheered on by more than 1,500 spectators Blair Abel

reports from Marriners

The Admiral Codrington Hattingley Valley Wines

4 3

The match was fast flowing and competitive, with a final score of 4-11/2 in favour of the Marriners Meercats. However, the final score didn’t represent the well-fought efforts of the Bramdean Bears, with a fairly equal amount of ball possession between the two sides. The Marriners Meercats were exceptionally tactical at converting runs down the field into well-deserved goals, including one by Cosima Baring in the final

Photographs by Michael Chevis

dmiral Codrington “The Cod”, walked away with a win at the Polo at Marriners charity day, defeating their opposition, Hattingley Valley Wines, 4-3, with the final goal of the match being determined by a run down.

The fun-filled family day, held in aid of the Hampshire Hunt and Action on Addiction, took place on Amelia Lady Northbrook’s private ground in Hampshire, attracting more than 1,500 people. The day started with picnics on the ground, followed by a champagne reception and impressive Pony Club match midafternoon. This featured some of the best Pony Club players across Southern England, from several different Pony Club branches.

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Polo at Marriners

seconds of play. Roddy Seymour Williams was instrumental in aiding his side to victory, setting up much of the play. Subsequently, he was named most valuable player. Following an afternoon tea of delicious savoury and sweet canapés, the British under 25s game between Admiral Codrington and Hattingley Valley Wines commenced. The two contenders, put together by Alan Kent, were evenly matched, both rated at 13 goals, and the first half proved to be very tight. Richard Le Poer, playing for the Admiral Codrington, showed he was worthy of his four-goal handicap, lifting the ball in the air and perfectly converting a 60-yard penalty. At half-time the scoreboard was even, 2-2.

Four-goaler Meyrick had several attempts at goal but, due to the ground being slightly uneven, the ball bounced away from goal a number of times. This kept Admiral Codrington in the game and by the time the final bell rung, the score was three-a-piece. To decide the winner, a run down took place, which was won by Admiral Codrington. Nick Pepper hit the deciding shot, sending it flying over the backline, just as Hattingley Valley Wines caught him up, resulting in a 4-3 win for the Admiral Codrington side. The most valuable player award went to Meyrick of the Hattingley Valley Wines side.

Nick Pepper’s run-down shot from range decided the main match in favour of “The Cod” after the two 13-goal sides put together by Alan Kent drew in normal time, 3-3 Hattingley Valley Wines – featuring Lanto Sheridan, George Meyrick, Max Routledge and Billy Jackson-Stops – started to come alive in the second half, pushing a goal ahead of their opponents. Left: action in the Pony Club match, which featured two mixed sides of two girls and two boys on each side and included host Lady Northbrook’s daughter, Cosima

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Lila Pearson’s pony Venus, ridden by Lanto Sheridan was named best playing pony. “The entire village showed their support which was great,” the hostess said following the event. “It opened many people’s eyes to polo and was a great opportunity to promote the British under 25s for such a good cause.” F w See photographs from the sidelines on page 85

Youth polo

The Admiral Codrington’s Richard Le Poer takes the ball on his nearside in the main game of the day at 5pm

u P olo at Marriners; Sunday 29 May; Hampshire The Best of British Under 25s: Result: The Admiral Codrington beat Hattingley Valley Wines, 4-3 Sponsor: Hattingley Valley Wines Handicap level: 13-goal Most Valuable Player: George Meyrick Best playing pony: Venus, ridden by Lanto Sheridan Teams The Admiral Codrington (13): John Kent 2; Nick Pepper 3; Max Charlton 4; Richard Le Poer 4 Hattingley Valley Wines (13): Max Routledge 4; George Meyrick 4; Billy Jackson-Stops 2; Lanto Sheridan 3 Pony Club match: Result: Marriners Meercats beat Bramdean Bears, 4-11/2 Most valuable player: Roddy Seymour Williams Teams Marriners Meercats (-2): Cosima Baring -1; Georgina Wood -1; Roddy Seymour Williams 0; George Meade 0 Bramdean Bears (-3): Octavia de Ferranti -1; Carinthia Pearson -1; Orlando Wethered 0; Max Dodd Noble -1 Polo Times, July 2011

17/6/11 14:07:48

Youth polo

SUPA National Universities Championships

Strong competition produces thrilling finals Universities from across the UK and Ireland came together for the annual outdoor championships in June, where three days of polo including a busy day of finals kept organisers, umpires and students on their toes

Sabrina Bell at Offchurch Bury

he SUPA National Universities Championships was deemed another success this year, as an impressive 86 teams descended on Offchurch Bury Polo Club for three days of back-to-back polo. For the first time, players started to arrive on the Thursday, the day before games got underway, to soak up the glorious weather and prepare for the three days ahead. Saturday was by far the busiest day with 100 chukkas played over two grounds at the club. The students turned up on time and the chukkas ran like clockwork, also thanks to the hard work of the ground crew, umpires and Warwick University goal judges. Argentine holiday specialists La Tarde provided Saturday night’s party, where 350 revellers enjoyed a late night of drinking, dancing and food provided by caterers Relish. There was no lie-in for the Bath Spa B and C teams, who were on the ground at 9.30am to play in the first of Sunday’s chukkas.

St Andrews’ Millie Bagnall (wearing light blue) comes up against Reading’s Ali McGregor (in purple) in the Novice 1a three-a-side section of another record year at the SUPA National Universities Championships

minus-five-goal Bristol team should have been put through to the final. Instead Royal Holloway, led by Charlie Minns-Shearer,

Photographs by Natalie Hazlehurst

An impressive 86 teams offered spectators three full days of back-to-back polo, including 12 sides of university alumni Blessed with more good weather – while the rest of the country, including London (see page 42), was rained upon – the day witnessed superb play across all 11 sections. An administration glitch by SUPA marred the Upper Intermediate section, where the

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came up against Regents, featuring the Huynen brothers from Holland, where the latter secured victory. In the Novice 1 final, newcomers Stirling University, who had sailed through the earlier stages, eventually lost to Loughborough.

Harper Adams, who shone in the SUPA National Universities Arena Championships in February, proved they were also strong contenders on the grass, beating Birmingham B in the Novice 1a final. The Royal Veterinary College picked up the Novice 2 title. University of Liverpool, another newcomer, this time in the Beginner 2 section, beat Royal Holloway in the final. The RCSI team from Dublin had mixed fortunes in the Beginner 1a section, defeating several fancied teams. However they weren’t able to fend off Oxford Brookes and Bath Spa, with the latter picking up the title. www.polotimes.co.uk

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Theresa Hodges has her say

In the alumni section (SAPA) 12 teams took part, split into two divisions. Dragons defeated Bishop Stortford School in the final of the Upper SAPA section, while defending champion Nick Henley and his Mama Rosa side lost to Ed Shelton’s EGF Polo team in the Lower SAPA section. The final of the Beginner 1 section was the highlight of finals day, left until last to conclude the day. Reading faced Warwick, two very competitive teams, who produced end-to-end polo. Reading scored the first goal, with Warwick equalising before the final whistle. A run down decided the winner and it was Reading

who managed to get slightly ahead of their opposition and hit the ball across the line first, claiming the title. F ◗ See what went on at the lively La Tarde afterparty on page 91 u SUPA National Universities Championships; 3-5 June 2011; Offchurch Bury, Warwickshire Winners: Beginner 1 – Reading Beginner 1a – Bath Spa Beginner 2 – Liverpool B Novice 1 – Loughborough Novice 1a – Harper Adams Novice 2 – Royal Veterinary College Combined – Newcastle/Loughborough Lower intermediate – Exeter Upper intermediate – Regents College/Bristol Lower SAPA – EGF Polo Upper SAPA – Dragons

Ed Bellamy playing for St Andrews in Upper Intermediate, sponsored by EFG Bank

Keep your eye on Rupert Lewis, Old Berks Pony Club Old Berks zero-goaler Rupert Lewis continued his impressive development recently by winning Cirencester’s -2-2 goal Tyro Cup in early May. Playing alongside Maimie Powell (-1), Harold Hodges (1) and Mark Baldwin (2) in the Stella team he put in an excellent display to lift the cup. Last year Rupert was a key member of the Old Berks side who won the Gannon II section at the Audi Pony Club Polo Championships. The Pangbourne youngster has represented Young England several times, most recently last summer in the Alan Budgett Trophy at Kirtlington. Despite his young age, Rupert has also impressed with his umpiring skills, as well as his playing skills. In 2009 he was awarded the HPA Millenium Trophy as the best Pony Club umpire.

Youth polo

The grass-roots view The latest from Theresa Hodges, UK Pony Club Polo chair, in her regular column Hurrah! Less than five weeks until our first Pony Club Tournament – and my heartfelt thanks to all those clubs who hand over their precious grounds for a day or two of Pony Club play: Hurtwood, Vaux, Taunton, Ranksboro, Rugby, Knepp, Kirtlington, Frampton, Haggis, Cirencester, Longdole, Tidworth and Cowdray. The generosity of this list becomes even more impressive when you also add on the grounds being used by the Junior HPA programme: Lynt, Vaux, Ambersham, Longdole, Watership Down, Ladyswood, Knepp, Little Coxwell, Great Trippetts Farm, Cirencester, Lower Bolney Farm, Beaufort, Burningfold and Cowdray. The support which these clubs and private grounds give to junior polo is wonderful and essential if Polo UK is to thrive in terms of absolute numbers of players and improving standards of play. Alicia Wright returns Another cause for celebration is that Alicia Wright is once more back in the UK and, together with Amelia Pemberton and Laura Armstrong from Pony Club HQ, will be steering us all effortlessly through the summer season of Pony Club polo. Training Special thanks must also go to Beaufort, Druids, Vaux and Kirtlington who have all held Pony Club training events during the May half term along with the HPA’s Play Days for Development Matches. We are hoping to hold a course open to all players at all levels the week after Cowdray. Please watch your emails for more information. South Africa tour Finally, contact Leppy Richmond-Watson (leppyr-w@hotmail.co.uk) if you are interested in going to South Africa for the training week in February 2012 half-term or during Easter.

Excellence in polo meets excellence in private banking. Your contact in London: daniel.gerber@juliusbaer.com, tel. +44 203 205 1611 -%B%DONHQLQVHUDWB [ LQGG

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17/6/11 14:08:54

Knowledge

Playing around – Sussex Polo Club

Our intrepid improver Carlie Trotter (-2) works her way around the UK’s polo clubs

The only way is Sussex

Photographs by Christopher Pollard

Carlie mixed it with the youngsters and low-goalers at Sussex Polo Club this month and found the buoyant atmosphere at the developing club to be music to her ears Seeing as I pride myself on my skills on the dance floor, when Sussex instructor Duane Lent tells me to think of my swing like one “fluid, slithery, dance move” I know this lesson is going to be right up my street. While I madly wave a foot stick around to some imagined music a group of polo newcomers – who were so excited they turned up an hour early – are fiercely shouting “I hate you” at the ball, which Duane teaches to keep you focused as you hit through. Whichever way you like to learn and improve, you can bet there’s a chukka here to suit. Only once you’ve graduated the club’s five-step teaching programme, which includes twice weekly county polo sessions (threea-side), do you need to stump up the

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There is always plenty of action on the field (below) and on the sidelines (above) at Sussex

membership fee. As an increasingly popular training centre, I’m also willing to bet that all the hirelings in the club’s string of 30 are as easy-going as my mount for the session, Bailarine.

I begin to feel past my prime watching the WestOne Cars 2-goal final later, as 13 year-old Harry Hickmet and mini-digit Terence Lent show the grownups what the ride-off is really about. The club’s dedicated junior academy, new for this season, is designed to help youngsters from as young as six hone their talents as affordably as possible. The two-hour sessions every Sunday are priced at £20 each. Since corporate entertaining is another key focus for the club, the sideline is regularly heaving with firsttimers as well as a bouncy castle for the kids and the occasional bucking bronco ride. One newbie tells me enthusiastically that she’s about to tread in her first “dickettes” (I think she meant “divots”) and I’m sure some believe

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17/6/11 15:45:24

Playing around – Sussex Polo Club

commentator Felix Wheeler when he explains that Nick Clague is leaving the field mid-chukka to change horses and re-apply his aftershave. But when the heavens open, and don’t close all day, a fair number of these spectators happily stay glued to the action instead of retreating to the warmth of the marquee and a champagne-jacket while I sneak off to the lavish afternoon tea spread. I’m amazed to see people armed with 99 ice cream cones huddled together on picnic blankets in the marquee while the players in the WestOne Cars 2-goal final soldier on. Feisty Katy Bernard (-1) and backhand supremo Hector Worsley (-1) play out of their skin, supported

by two-goaler Jimmy Mulligan and it looks like a sure thing at 6-nil in the second chukka against the home team. Though Sussex manage to claw back four goals, a spectacular cut-shot from Jimmy in the fourth makes it a win for the WestOne Cars team and the crowd is duly soaked with champagne. Proud mum Abby Bernard taps into the club’s indefatigable sense of fun, despite the torrential rain, when she explains: “What’s great is the club photographer catches these moments for you so when you get home you can re-live them again and again.” F ◗ For more news from Sussex Polo Club, see our Home and abroad section on page 54

Knowledge

Sussex Vital statistics Playing members 70 Non-playing members Locals and corporate groups Facilities Four sanded fields including one ‘Palermo’ ground, clubhouse with bar and snacks, seven-mile exercise track, 60m x 25m all-weather arena and loos on the sidelines. Location Based at Home Farm on the Sussex/Surrey border, the club is 10 minutes from junction 10 of the M23 or Three Bridges station (32 minutes by fast train from London Bridge). FHM, Epsom and Hurtwood polo clubs are less than 50 minutes away. Philosophy More new blood, less blue blood.

Soundbites from the sidelines Sallie Anne Lent – club founder “The club grew out of our feeling that other clubs were so concerned with being exclusive that they had lost all friendliness. We’ve never gone after members of other clubs, but the training centre has just exploded and Sussex is now one of the few clubs focused on supporting young British players. The farm entrance looks like Beirut but when it comes to our grounds and the way we run tournaments we’re obsessively professional. We never expected when we rented that first field that the club would grow to this.” Doug Ross – member “I joined Sussex three years ago when it looked like Hurtwood was moving towards higher goal polo. None of us here are going to be pros so we need a club that is a one-stop shop where we can just pitch up and play -2-2 goal matches every weekend and where noone’s hammering you for the key ring prize, or whatever. The pros here realise you want to have fun and help you lead the play. I play regularly with my kids and also like to team up with other strays.” Sally Dennis – spectator “I came today as a guest of my husband’s company and never imagined I’d be standing here in the pouring rain glued to the action because it’s the first time I’ve been to polo. The bravery and speed that some of the young girls and boys are playing at is incredible. I’ll definitely be back with friends this summer. It’s a more intimate venue than I expected and I think all the other first-timers are really enjoying it ... and all the champagne of course.”

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Running the show Since founding the club nine years ago Sallie Anne and Duane Lent, together with club president Phillip Coote, have built up one of the busiest chukka schedules on the circuit. Patron-turned-instructor Duane fits in ground keeping duties around his nineto-five while Sallie Anne takes charge of orchestrating fortnightly corporate events. The nitty-gritty falls to polo manager Jason Coupe for 2011 and Argentine maestro Adrian ‘Memo’ Raschia-Grau. They are ably supported by instructors Ryan Conroy and Nick Clague, tireless secretary Chon Donnelly, and a long-serving team of expert grooms. Crowd The Sussex, Surrey and Kent massive convene here. Doctors and management consultants mix with young talent from the Old Surrey and Burstow Pony Club and Woldingham, Hurst and Worth Abbey schools. Supporting pros include Telmo Maidana and Jimmy Mulligan (both two-goal). Seasonal highlight The Square Peg Challenge Trophy every spring sees a few hundred spectators descend on the club, and the end-of-season fancy dress party always makes the headlines in the club magazine. Sallie Anne Lent’s personal season highlight is the Terence Lent Trophy, which has been going for over 10 years and was originally started to honour the adoption of her son Terence. It has become a real celebration of family. Livery Full livery on the farm’s 150 acres of grazing, including exercise and grooming, costs £520 a month. DIY and limited stabling for lame ponies is also available. Membership Year-round membership is £1,500 (plus HPA). Summer membership is £750 for chukka champs and relatives of existing members, £350 for minus-twos or £250 for under-25s. County polo coaching starts at £25 per hour while an introductory lesson costs £75. Sunday junior academy sessions cost £20. Tournament entry is £400 per team. Contact info@sussexpolo.co.uk ; 01342 714920 Polo Times, July 2011

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Knowledge

Know your horse

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

Vetting joints for polo With the hot and dry weather greeting us early in the summer, many grounds suffered with hard ground, which has a big impact on ponies’ joints, as our duty vet explains

Photographs by Mark Emerson

s I write my column in early June, there has been very little rain across the south of England and the grounds at many clubs have been as hard as I can remember. The hard ground is probably most detrimental to horses’ joints. This has been particularly evident in the number of horses that are “failing” flexion tests when being vetted. Flexion tests are used by vets to exacerbate any potential joint pain that may not be evident when a horse is merely trotted-up. The procedure varies in terms of force and duration from one vet to another and the interpretation is also very subjective. Forcefully flexing the joints in a horse’s limb is pretty artificial in the sense that at no stage during a chukka is a polo pony required to have its joints forcefully flexed. Joints actually take most pounding in extension when the limbs hit the ground. It is therefore arguably more useful to assess a horse trotting in a circle on hard ground. Trotting in a relatively tight circle results in more force being put on the inside limbs making any joint pain easier to detect – in a horse with joint

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Above left: X-ray of a forelimb fetlock, with the arrow showing new bone formation associated with joint wear and tear Above: Windgalls in the forelimb fetlock joints are also an indicator of wear and tear

pain in both forelimbs, lameness may not be evident when it is trotted in a straight line. Another indicator of jarred joints as a result of the hard ground is the increased prevalence of windgalls in the forelimb fetlock joints. Windgalls are puffy swellings often seen on either side of fetlock joints and at the bottom of the tendons. Windgalls around the bottom of the tendons (at the back of the fetlock) are indicative of wear and tear within the tendon sheath, whereas windgalls further forward on either side of the fetlock are indicative of potential damage to the joint itself. The pounding of joints on hard ground causes them to become inflamed and extra joint fluid is produced resulting in windgalls. Some horses produce more joint fluid without necessarily being that sore – but generally extra joint fluid should be seen as an indicator of potential joint disease. When it comes to vetting horses prior to purchase, vets in the UK are expected to weigh up any abnormal findings such as windgalls and pain after flexion (in otherwise sound horses) and give an opinion as to whether the horse is

suitable for its intended use. Joint X-rays can be used to help vets make a better informed opinion. However, I am sure there are many vets working in Britain who wish they didn’t have to offer an opinion (or that they had a crystal ball rather than an X-ray machine!). In some countries a list of abnormal findings without any opinion is the norm. However, clients are ultimately paying for professional advice so I think it is right that we offer an opinion. Saying that, there is a vast difference in the demands placed on a polo pony playing high goal to one playing low goal arena polo. So I believe it is important that vets examining polo ponies prior to purchase have a good understanding of polo and ideally their client’s riding/ playing ability, the grounds/club he or she plays at, the level of polo, the competitiveness of the tournaments, the groom’s ability, the facilities of the yard where the horses are kept etc. F ◗ Mark Emerson works as an ambulatory equine vet based near Ascot and has polo clients across the south of England: tel 07973 800358 or email mark@emersonequine.com www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 15:06:39

Know your horse

Physio for thought A pain in the neck by Australian high-performance vet Nicola Jagger, specialist in chiropractics and cohesive equine physiotherapy

Polo ponies use their necks as a balancing structure but also for steering and sudden change of direction. Stiff necks are often a reflection of pain or tension in the back, as the neck tends to counter-balance the body. In order to treat neck pain, it is important to lengthen and soften the back as much as possible. A poorly fitting saddle may have a huge impact on the functionality of the lower neck. Start with lungeing, aiming to get the head long and low. Once the body is softer and bending, then try some exercises to flex the neck. Start with carrot stretches on each side and then progress to riding, gently softening the neck from side to side. Once the back is rounding under saddle then start to focus on head carriage and the muscling of the neck. It may take several weeks to progress to this stage. Always check the mouth for wounds or sharp teeth – these can often cause a change in head carriage and cause stiffening of the neck.

Gaucho

tips for grooms

Knowledge

Lorna Edgar – specialist equine nutritionist

Have your ponies lost their appetite? We are half way through the season – how time flies when we are having fun! As for our four-legged friends, they have been running their cotton socks off for us; tiredness, stress and remaining at peak fitness can begin to take its toll, which can cause them to back off their feed. Are we over facing them with too much hard feed? Try to reduce the bulk of the feed, by removing some of the mix or cubes and adding a balancer, ensuring they are still receiving all their vitamins, minerals and good quality proteins.

stomach is only the size of a rugby ball and fits a maximum of 11/2 large round scoops of feed, including chaff, beet and hard feed. If you are feeding chaff and sugarbeet then put it in a separate bucket so they can ‘graze’ at it rather than bulking out the hard feed. Finally, I come to the F word – fibre – are we feeding enough? The horse manufactures its own B vitamins from the digestion of fibre and B vitamins are not only involved in the making of energy but they also assist with stimulating appetite.

Try to reduce the bulk of the feed, by removing some of the mix or cubes and adding a balancer Quite often, by reducing feed for a couple of days they will begin to eat up again, at which point you can slowly increase the mix or cubes again. Meal sizes? Try to feed more than twice a day. Small regular meals are not going to over face them as much as two large meals. Remember the

Rather than reaching for the B vitamin supplement or injections, why not allow your ponies more fibre in the diet, more chaff in a separate bucket and more turn out at grass or more hay/haylage. This will allow a more sustainable and natural process of manufacturing B vitamins to take place.

Tus caballos no tiene hambre? If you don’t tack up your ponies or clean the tack yourself, chances are that you won’t know if your tack is in good order. A vital checklist starts with whether the saddletrees are cracked. This causes uneven weight distribution on the horse, which, at the very least, can create nasty sores or lead to back problems. Girth straps are next on the list. Check the state of the stitches where they meet the webbing at the top of the saddle, and for any damaged, worn leather or over-stretched holes. Stirrup leathers need constant attention, ensure the areas that take the pressure of the irons and the bars of the saddle aren’t thin or cracked, and keep an eye on the buckle stitches. On bridles, look out for cracked, damaged leather and loose stitches, particularly where the reins meet the bit – these areas are under a lot of pressure. Stay on top of your tack’s condition. Clean and nourish it regularly and don’t allow leather to dry out. Replace any parts before they become dangerous – you will be preventing an accident and it makes it more affordable than having to buy new kit all at once. www.polotimes.co.uk

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Como vuela el tiempo!, estamos a mitad de temporada y nuestros amigos de cuatro patas vienen dando todo en cada partido pero el cansancio, el estrés y el mantenerlos en estado físico óptimo comienzan a hacerse sentir y es posible que no quieran comer la ración de alimento completa. Será porque les estamos dando mucho alimento? Probá reducir el volumen reemplazando la cantidad de cubos o mix por un balanceador que te permita dar una dosis reducida sin comprometer la cantidad y calidad de las vitaminas, minerales y proteínas que necesitan. Por lo general reducir la cantidad de alimento por un par de días soluciona el problema y enseguida se puede aumentar la cantidad lentamente hasta llegar al volumen original.

Tamaño de la ración. Dáles de comer mas de 2 veces por día cantidades mas chicas. Acordate que el estomago de un caballo es del tamaño de una pelota de rugby y puede recibir un máximo de una cucharada y media de alimento, incluyendo el chaff, sugarbeet y alimento balanceado! Proba separar el alimento balanceado del chaff y sugarbeet, estos dos últimos son fibra y los pueden comer de a poco durante el día. Finalmente, les voy a hablar de la palabra que empieza con F…Fibra! Estás dándoles suficiente? A partir de su digestión los caballos generan vitamina B que los ayuda a generar energía y estimula el apetito. Entonces, en lugar de darles suplementos vitamínicos inyectables, por qué no probas darles mas pasto o haylage?

◗ Contact Lorna Edgar on lorna@baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk and 07808 863864 Polo Times, July 2011

17/6/11 15:11:43

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Know your game

Must-have tips for players – from Jamie Peel, three-goal pro and 2008 Gold Cup winner

Controlling your emotions on and off the field can at times be incredibly difficult but it can also make the difference between winning and losing. Being able to adapt is crucial, it sounds obvious but it is amazing how few of us actually can. We all have are own demons, it could be a certain umpire, playing in the rain or being shouted out by one of your teammates. Whatever your demons are you need to find a solution to keep your emotions intact. When a player starts to lose control of their emotions it not only damages their own performance but it also drains the spirit of the team and can lift the opposition at the same time. The repercussions of a player’s actions are always difficult for the individual to realise as they are often blinded with rage, but it is fundamental that the team collectively gets together and tries to explain their feelings. A player will always try their best to arrive at a game as well prepared as possible. The day before a game you will always chukka or ride your horses to ensure that they are in the best possible condition for the game. Unfortunately this does not guarantee that they will live up to expectation and after all that work and preparation you can be left feeling deeply disappointed and frustrated.

Photograph by Peter Hamblin

Control is crucial

To achieve success at any level of polo it is imperative to stay in control on the ﬁeld

Your own performance can be equally inconsistent. Every player hopes for a still, sunny day and a billiard table-like pitch to play on, but unfortunately this is England and the reality is that you very rarely get either of those so you must be able to adapt to the conditions. In a recent session with the learned sports psychologist Miranda Banks it

suddenly dawned on me that the vast majority of us consistently complicate what we are trying to achieve on the field. I am sure that all of you who play polo will at some stage experience a run of form when everything you do turns to gold, you feel invincible and exude confidence. Likewise you will have experienced the exact opposite where all you want to do is run for cover. This is the moment when you need to take a “time out” and start to analyse what is in front of you. Try to break the situation down, are you asking too much of a certain pony? Are you trying to hit the ball too hard or lifting your head at the last moment? Go back to basics, simplify everything and rebuild slowly. Learning to play within your limitations is a great skill and will go a long way to making sure you retain a cool and calm exterior. I am sure you will all have a memory of watching a player who has been experiencing a serious emotional disaster during a game. It is not pretty and is ultimately extremely embarrassing for the individual. F ◗ What techniques do you use to stay in control during a game? Email us at letters@polotimes.co.uk

Mind games Mind games Min Sports psychologist Miranda Banks on what polo players need to think about to optimise The most important thing to remember when it comes to overcoming errors is – the longer you spend thinking about that last mistake you made, the longer your team is down to only three players. Speed of regaining your focus is

Polo Times, July 2011

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crucial. You can analyse to your heart’s content after the final chukka, but during the game, you need to stay on task. “Next play” is the most common phrase used by players – a directive to distract you from fixating on the past and

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17/6/11 15:04:23

Know your game

Avoiding injury

Fit for purpose James de Mountfort, polo player and personal trainer to the Red Bull F1 Racing Team reveals the exercises and techniques that will help your polo An important part of any exercise routine is an effective warm-up, without this you’ll never see the full advantage of all of those hours in the gym. This twist is a great warm-up exercise to wake your body up before a match. Listen to your body as it will also highlight any tightness you need to address. The twist with body weight 1. Take a wider than hip-width stance with your toes turned outward to 30 degrees. Fold your arms across your chest and keep your torso upright and your eyes staring straight ahead.

Knowledge

Essential tips from equestrian and extreme sports biomechanics fitness expert, Linda Byrne Shoulder injuries are one of the most common ailments among polo players. An easy way to avoid injury in this area is to strengthen the rotator cuff muscles, which are a group of muscles that work to provide the shoulder joint with dynamic stability. Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus are the most commonly injured rotator cuff muscles. Due to the function of these muscles, sports (like polo) which involve a lot of shoulder rotation often put the rotator cuff muscles under a lot of stress.

2. Now pivot to the right, shifting your weight onto your right foot, while at the same time rotating your trunk so that your shoulders face sideways, your back remains upright, and you are now facing to the right. Rotate to a comfortable range without leaning forward as you twist. 3. Return to the starting position and repeat the same motion to your left. • The lateral raise – to strengthen Supraspinatus 4. Repeat in a continuous movement from left to right at the same speed as a ticking clock. ◗ To get you fit for purpose contact James on 07949 455712 or email james@ personally-trained.co.uk.

Mind games Mind games their performances. This month – overcoming errors move you to the present. Choose your phrase beforehand and get familiar with it in practice sessions. If your job is to lead the team, then aim to be constructive (“take your man”) rather than punishing

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and vague (“what was that”) and you’ll be far more successful at keeping all your team on track too. ◗ Contact Miranda on 07789 933936 and miranda@mirandabanks.com

Holding two very lightweight dumbbells, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart with your palms facing one another.

Slowly lift the weights up and out to the sides keeping your arms straight but not locked at the elbow (as shown in the picture) until your arms are parallel to the floor.

Slowly lower your hands back to the starting position, making sure that you are always in complete control of the weight. Now repeat.

Do 3 sets of 12 reps

◗ See next month’s Avoiding Injury column to find out how to strengthen your Infraspinatus

◗ For further advice and information on polo specific fitness, contact Linda on 07535 655338 and linda@lvbinc.co.uk See www.lvbinc.co.uk for more information Polo Times, July 2011

17/6/11 15:04:12

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16/6/11 13:41:57

Ones to watch

Knowledge

Rodrigo Andrade

Photograph by Tony Ramirez

is out to make a name for himself at Guards, says John O’Sullivan

Juice

Height: 15.2hh Age: 8 Colour: Chestnut Sex: Mare Breed: Argentina Sire: Beautiful Boy Owner: Andrea Vianini

Andrea Vianini (inset) tells James Mullan about his first and last chukka mount in the Polo In The Park final, a naughty mare that he hopes can be the first of many superb mounts from her particular gene pool Where does Juice come from? I bred her myself in Argentina, by Beautiful Boy and out of one of my best playing mares at home. I knew she was good and so brought her to the UK last year so I could use her in the 15-goal and rent her out for the high-goal. This month she is being played by Guillermo “Sapo” Caset for Billingbear Park in the Gold Cup.

What about off the polo grounds? Oh, well yes – she’s not always easy. She’s very naughty with the other horses and bosses them around, biting and always trying to ensure she is the centre of attention. Women are all the same! And Juice is a typical mare, especially as she knows she is good and she knows she is pretty. Does she require any special treatment? Only lots of carrots. She probably gets through at least four or five kilos a week. Will you breed from her? I plan to take some embryos from her this year, so I will aim to breed from her that way. I certainly don’t want to stop playing her. However, there are also two more full sisters of hers in Argentina that I’m hoping will come on well enough for me to bring over before too long, so there should be plenty of potential for horses like Juice to make their mark in the UK.

Photograph by Sheryel Aschfort

What makes her so good? Her mentality is excellent. She just loves to play and never seems to get tired. She is brave, and plays with a big heart, which makes her the ideal two-chukka horse. I’ll almost always play her at the start of the first chukka and then double her again for half of the last. I must have around 15 playing ponies in the UK and Juice is definitely one of my best.

Does she have any weaknesses? I can honestly say that I don’t think she does. She’s always my first choice and is a totally comfortable, fast ride.

Brazilian eight-goaler Rodrigo Andrade may have never played on English soil before, but the England quartet will have their work cut out keeping him in check on Cartier International Day at Guards. The 31-year-old, who is rated at 10-goals in his homeland, will lead a 29-goal Brazilian team, which also features fellow eight-goaler Joao Paulo Ganon, José Eduardo Kalil (6) and Luiz Paulo Bastos (7). Andrade has been in great form of late, getting to the final of the US Open with Marc Ganzi’s Audi side in April – where his 12-year-old chestnut gelding Zoltan won the best playing pony prize – before losing in the semifinal of the 22-goal Sao José Copa Oura with Sao José Audi in Brazil. Now his eyes are firmly set on his English debut. He said: “I’m happy to play this important cup. It’s a good opportunity because I’ve never played in England and I will be playing for Brazil.” Andrade’s big breakthrough came in 2009 when he was chosen to play alongside Hilario Ulloa, Bautista Heguy and Francisco de Narvàez Jr in the Chapa Uno team at the 116th Argentine Open at Palermo. He admits: “That was an important moment because from there came many other opportunities.” He made his second Argentine Open appearance in 2010 with Sao José and is now ranked 19th in the world by the World Polo Tour. This puts him 22 places ahead of top-ranked English player Nacho Gonzalez, who is in 41st place.

Rodrigo Andrade, playing in the US Open

Page sponsored by Baileys Horse Feeds – experts in polo nutrition Tel: +44 (0)1371 850247 www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk www.polotimes.co.uk

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Polo Times, July 2011

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Travel - Sotogrande

Grande designs

Polo Times, July 2011

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Travel – Sotogrande

Knowledge All photographs by James Mullan

The action at Santa María Polo Club, above, might be the biggest draw to the region for readers of Polo Times, but the historical beauty of nearby San Roque, the military and financial significance of Gibraltar and Sotogrande’s stunning opulence, left, also make Andalucia well worth a visit

Do your bit for the struggling Spanish economy this summer, and discover that there is plenty more on offer in and around Sotogrande than simply watching polo

James Mullan in Spain

escribing your chosen home as an “island of contrasts” appears to be a favourite pastime for cliché-keen tourist offices the world over. Tenerife, Cyprus, Bali, New Zealand and Ibiza – they’re all at it. However, if such an arbitrator of these things exists (which I suspect it doesn’t), then he or she should take a look at the short geographical stretch of coast between Santa Maria Polo Club’s Sotogrande home and its nearest airport, less than 10 miles away in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. From oil refineries and a huge shipping port to some of Europe’s most highly-rated golf courses and polo grounds, and from the historic white-washed Spanish town of San Roque, with its huge religious, military and cultural significance, to the luxurious modern architectural plots of Sotogrande’s sprawling housing and maritime venues, this is truly an area with a vast array of activities, views, www.polotimes.co.uk

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personalities and plans. Thus, complete with reliably good weather during the polo season, the highlight of which sits conveniently in the twilight of the British season and before the end of the school holidays, it’s a region that certainly offers something for everyone. Polo visitors from the UK can access Sotogrande with ease, with daily flights to Gibraltar and to Málaga both offering a straightforward commute (though Gibraltar is considerably closer). And this year’s series of tournaments has added significance – it is the 40th Gold Cup, and organisers at the 2010 tournaments went to particular pains

Sotogrande feels rather like Beverley Hills – large, luxurious and alluring to ensure the patrons were happy with everything, in order to provide every possible encouragement for them to make the effort to return in 2011. They want the strongest teams possible taking part, given the publicity they intend to generate for the Ruby anniversary celebrations, and my own experience from the climax to last year’s season was that the impressive scale u Polo Times, July 2011

17/6/11 17:51:41

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Travel – Sotogrande

A view down a man-made canal in Sotogrande’s harbour, with yachting berths visible in front of the luxury villas

Gibraltar

Typical Andalucian open courtyards like this one are plentiful in the restaurants and museums of San Roque

u and intensity of the high-goal certainly makes it worthy of more attention. For starters, the climate in Southern Spain means that very few top horses are kept in Sotogrande throughout the year. All the high-goal teams bring their mounts in specially, with well-travelled West Sussexbased trucker Charlie Bertrand bringing 42 ponies over from the UK just for James Packer’s Ellerston team alone last August. With these horses (and all their tack) come an army of grooms, the players, each team’s management team (including a fitness coach) and, in Ellerston’s case, a vast ocean-worthy super-yacht complete with a huge crew. It was scarcely believable. The on-field action I witnessed as a consequence felt suitably grandiose, and made for thrilling viewing. The superb grounds, world-class players and ponies, and large, glamorous crowds put this right up there on the list of polo destinations that need to be experienced. However, away from the polo, what else makes it a suitable location for interested visitors? 74

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Those that fly in for the polo through Málaga might actually never venture as far as the Gibraltar peninsula – it sits another 20 minutes on from Santa Maria Polo Club, has hopeless transport links and requires a passport for visitors to gain entrance. And, aside from that, the truth is that the rock itself is a curious (and pretty grotty) place largely, seemingly stuck in some kind of peculiar time warp from 1980’s inner-city England. However, it holds an obvious attraction for British visitors, given that it remains one of our most unique and controversial overseas territories. I won’t bore you too much with the history of this extraordinary piece of rock (it is extensive and I’m sure you all have access to google) but its 28,000 inhabitants today all pile into just six square kilometres of overtly British-looking streets and concrete high-rise accommodation. The people too are staunchly anti-Spanish and are virtually jingoistic in their

desire to remain affiliated to the UK. However, the locals speak their own peculiar dialect and the Britain that Gibraltar apparently represents is a very dreary and dated version of the country today. It’s fascinating in that respect, both for its dramatic natural geological composition and location, and for the remarkable man-made nationalistic identity deliberately exaggerated by its pseudo-British residents, who one suspects feel no more English than they do Spanish. There’s a weird and slightly eerie artificial feel to the whole place, like some giant dingy set from a Blade Runner sequel that was never eventually filmed, but the location never dismantled. However, despite its unusual make-up, Gibraltar plays a crucial and powerful role in international shipping and, for tax and legal reasons, it’s importance as an affiliated financial hub to the British economy is not to be underestimated.

Gibraltar’s residents rejoice in maintaining a traditional British feel, with bunting hanging in the streets, sports pubs called things such as “The Trafalgar” showing English sport, and phone boxes and bins reminiscent more of a village in Wiltshire than a peculiar financial hub built into the side of a rock on the cusp of the Mediterranean

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17/6/11 17:52:40

Travel – Sotogrande

Knowledge

San Roque’s bull-fighting ring dates back to 1850 and has played host to the deaths of two matadors since, though the most recent fatality was some 65 years ago, in 1946

Sotogrande

San Roque

Sotogrande itself is not what you expect. For a start, in many ways it doesn’t obviously exist – not as a town anyway. It’s the largest resort and privately owned residential development in Andalucia, but there’s little by way of a natural centre to it. It divides itself into two main sections (coastal and higher) and the closest each has to a social meeting point is a worldclass golf club or, in the case of Sotogrande Costa, a vast marina. The sections are bisected by the passing highway – which, while convenient, is something of an eyesore given the natural beauty of the Sotogrande site, with its extensive marshlands and impressive contrasting views of sea, hills, cork forests, the nearby Rock of Gibraltar and Morocco on the horizon. However, aside from the imposing road that swoops through the whole spot, the other man-made designs that define Sotogrande are largely tasteful and exotic. It feels rather like Beverley Hills, with wide landscaped avenues, attractive artificial lakes, grassy areas and palm and conifer trees liberally dotted throughout. The houses you glimpse from the seemingly endless maze of avenues are also invariably large and luxurious and, with polo on the doorstep, it’s no wonder that it’s a popular place for players to get a job each August.

San Roque in my view is the hidden gem of this part of the Andalucian coastline. I suspect very few of the polo community that whizzes in and out each August will ever have stopped on the very short detour to take a look at this quaint, hilly, higgledy-piggledy town. They should. With a population of just 13,000, San Roque has been known as the city of “Gibraltar in Exile” ever since the siege in 1704, when the rock was stormed by Anglo-Dutch forces and their Spanish allies during the War of the Spanish Succession. The former Spanish inhabitants of Gibraltar set up camp in San Roque, with the modern settlement as it still exists today officially formed in 1706, when King Philip V of Spain honoured its population for remaining loyal to his cause during the War of Succession, describing the town as the “very noble and very loyal city of San Roque, where Gibraltar lives on”. It maintains a beautiful, traditional, classically Spanish feel to this day, though many of its inhabitants now commute to work in Gibraltar (the borders were officially reopened in 1982 and restrictions were fully lifted by 1985). Indeed, San Roque brings together all the fascinating, often seemingly juxtaposed elements described in this article: the town’s economy feeds off a mixture of heavy industry, tourism, construction and wetland conservation (for the nearby marshes

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and areas of outstanding natural beauty). San Roque is in an exciting and impressive period of restoration – and, as it enters yet another chapter in its already colourful history, you can almost sense the optimism. The best place to appreciate this local flavour is in some of the town’s many tapas bars, with Taberna La Barrica in General Lacey u a personal favourite.

The church of St Mary the Crowned atop Calle San Felipe

Polo Times, July 2011

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Travel – Sotogrande

u Polo Times recommends

Hotel San Roque Club This is where the golfers in the 1997 Ryder Cup stayed, and the adjoining San Roque Golf & Country Club course has played host to the Spanish Open twice, in the mid 2000s. Large accommodation facilities and mouthwatering championship-standard holes right on your doorstep (though the club is managed entirely separately) make this an ideal venue for travellers staying more than a handful of nights, and who want to have a suitable, peaceful base with their own space. Where is it? The San Roque club sits on a large site down an impressive drive just minutes off the main motorway pass that connects Gibraltar and Sotogrande, approximately half-way between the two (and so no more than 10-12 minutes from the polo). Having a car is a minimum requirement if staying here, though in truth it almost certainly is wherever you base yourself. What’s the vibe? The accommodation areas take the form of large self-contained flats, such that it almost feels like a villa getaway, though the terrace areas of each back out opposite each other onto communal gardens. The pool is also shared, and will usually involve a short walk from your rooms, which snake their way out from the clubhouse to meet the surrounding golf course, which offers stunning views across the countryside, down to the Guadalquiton River and the Mediterranean beyond. 76

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Above: musical entertainment on the courtyard terrace between the San Roque Club’s two main restaurants Right and below: one of the hotel’s suites and the adjoining golf course

How’s the grub? Erm, well, technically there isn’t really any. Each flat comes with a kitchenette, but food is operated externally, either via a familiar looking pub-grub menu at the pool bar (bought and relaunched by an English ex-pat in 2010) during the day, or available in the evening through the two restaurants by the main entrance to the golfers’ clubhouse. The Japanese restaurant Kamakura appeared to be the more popular of the two, but the food on The Moet Terrace on the opposite side of the courtyard was the best option for anyone wanting to let their taste buds know they were on holiday. It looked down on a square courtyard, where there are regular shows. However, don’t sit down for supper too early – the flamenco show I was invited to watch and photograph didn’t get going until after 1am. Full marks for… The accommodation areas are cavernous. My rooms included my own kitchen, dining area, spacious seating arrangements, a TV, a barbeque terrace at the back, a massive double bed and a double bathroom with waterfall shower, hot-tub bath and two basins. Also, the food in the affiliated restaurants was all excellent. Up on the Moet Terrace, it came quickly, was beautifully presented and tasted terrific (and not at an unreasonable price – see below).

Could do better… The TV in my room wouldn’t connect with the digital cable box, the analog reception was patchy at best, and so I basically had no entertainment. If you wanted to contact reception, the hotel and the club operate entirely separately, so you can’t organise golf or supper at the golf club through the room reception (which was never manned in the evenings or at night). Crazy. Otherwise, nothing too serious, except for the ice-cold wine with my red-meat supper. This is how most people like their beer, but not how an Englishman drinks his red wine. Essentials San Roque Golf Resort; km 127 - CN 340 - San Roque/Sotogrande; tel. +34 956 613 230; www.sanroque-golfresort.com; reservas@sanroque-golfresort.com Cost of meal on Moet Terrace was €40-50. Golf on the adjacent San Roque Club’s old course starts at €120 in August. www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 17:53:23

Travel - Sotogrande

The dining room at Hotel Las Camelias, above, which opens onto an outdoor terrace and, below, the modest bathroom and bedroom spaces available at modest prices

Knowledge

Polo Times recommends Hotel Las Camelias This is more of a hostel than a hotel, but gets full marks for its proximity to the polo, its price, and its accessibility from the road and access to the beach. Where the San Roque Golf Resort is secluded and requires hiring a car, this is far simpler, and has the sort of feel that you’d normally more likely associate with Marbella, Puerto Banus and the Costa de Sol. Where is it? It sits on the western outskirts of Torreguadiaro, a 10-minute walk from the cafes and bars in the centre, just five minutes by foot from the huge and very popular beach, and a 15-minute walk to the main grounds of Santa María Polo Club. What’s the vibe? The rooms offer a simple, no-frills base: a spacious, tiled bathroom, a fridge, two beds and a television. Mine even had a sea view. The communal areas include a full-sized snooker table and pool table in the bar, a restaurant, with dining facilities outside on the terrace, which gets sunlight all day, but there is no hotel pool. How’s the grub? Breakfast was the only meal I ate at Hotel Las Camelias. However, the coffee was hot, the service prompt, and my eggs and toast did exactly what they said on the tin – and all at a very reasonable price indeed. Full marks for… The service was simple and friendly, and they even have an English

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manager, who’s added a touch of a Fawlty Towers Torquay feel to the place, in a good way. It certainly feels like a family-run hotel, which it is. The owner, in particular, despite very little English, is extremely friendly and always absolutely thrilled to see you. Could do better… The whole place is in need of a bit of touching up – though for the price (and one-star), you get what you pay for. Treat it like an American Motel, useful as a base rather than anywhere to hang out and spend lots of time. Essentials Hotel Las Camelias; km 134 – CN340 – Torreguadiaro/Sotogrande; tel. +34 956 615 065; www.hotellascemelias.com/en; info@hotellascamelias.com F

Useful links and contacts Santa María Polo Club: www.santamaria poloclub.com; tel +34 956 610 012 Tourist office: Contact San Roque’s Coordinator for Tourism, Carlos Jordan on coordinador.turismo@sanroque.es or via +34 956 780 106 (office) or +34 647 546 742 (mobile) Sotogrande television online: www.destination-sotogrande.com/television/ television_main.html

Polo Times, July 2011

17/6/11 14:39:14

Be first to the ball. buy a racehorse

2011 Tattersalls Sales featuring Horses in Training JULY SALE, July 6 – 8 AUTUMN HORSES IN TRAINING SALE, October 24 – 27 The World’s Largest Horses in Training Sale DECEMBER SALE, November 28 – December 2

catalogues available online prior to the sale: www.tattersalls.com Tel: +44 1638 665931, Fax: +44 1638 660850, sales@tattersalls.com, www.tattersalls.com

Polo Times, July 2011

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www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 14:54:18

How to spend it

Adrenalin alternatives with Andrew Dent This month: Go Ape The suspended walkway is swaying a little in the breeze and your adrenalin is pumping a lot faster as a result. It’s a long way down to the ground – about 60 feet, although it looks much further; nevertheless you feel surprisingly secure. Indiana Jones had his whip, you get a harness and a carabiner clipped to a safety wire, but you’re up in the treetops just the same. If you want to swing through a forest like a monkey, in search of your inner Tarzan, Go Ape might just be the day out for you. You get a half hour briefing before you set off, and then have a go at some lower-level obstacles. Once up on the course proper, which takes between two and three hours to complete, you’re left to your own devices. Nevertheless, there’s always an instructor on call if you freeze up from fright. A degree of physical fitness is helpful but if you can climb a rope ladder you should be fine. There are 27 locations around the UK; at some of them there are easy and difficult routes, to separate the men from the boys.

With the summer holidays upon us, it’s handy to know that these venues are child-friendly too, although juniors need to be at least ten years old and big enough not to slip out from the smallest harness. Under 18s must be supervised by an adult, and one participating adult can supervise either two under 18 year olds (where one or both children are 10-15 years old) or up to five 16-17 year olds, which sounds pretty testing in itself. Lily-livered parents should be aware that adults are not simply allowed to supervise from the ground! There’s something very special about communing with nature and getting an adrenalin buzz at the same time. And if you develop a taste for high-up places, there’s always the Sydney Harbour Bridge experience for your next trip to Australia. Now that’s a little ripper, as they say in those parts. http://goape.co.uk/ http://www.bridgeclimb.com/

Hublot 2 Million Euro BB Luxury watchmakers and regular polo sponsors Hublot have unveiled a unique timepiece to set you apart from the rest of the field. The opulent Swiss brand, who sponsored the Gstaad Gold Cup last year, have released the one-off Two Million Euro BB. The 18 carat white gold watch is encrusted with 637 baguette diamonds of 140 carats. A rose cut diamond is also used on the crown. The magnificent piece took over a year to make, while the master gemstone setters spent 2,000 hours perfecting the finish. Available from £1.75m (2m euros) www.polotimes.co.uk

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A tailor-made luxury riding holiday Argentina is the best place to learn and play polo, and El Colibri Estancia de Charme is perfect for both aficionados and first-timers, says South America specialist, The Ultimate Travel Company. Raoul Fenestraz, hands on owner of this family-run estancia, is passionate about the sport and his El Colibri team regularly compete in national tournaments. Ultimate Travel can create every kind of riding holiday imaginable against the stunning backdrop of Cordoba’s Santa Catalina hills, with spa, yoga and cookery lessons available for non-playing visitors. See www.theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk for more

Knowledge

Motors Volkswagon Golf GTI The quintessential “hot hatch” celebrated 35 years last month and still looks as good as ever. We’ll review it in full in our larger annual motoring special in October, when we’ll look at a variety of different options on the market for every kind of polo player, but the Golf GTI undoubtedly remains something for the 20-somethings. It’s flashy and with more than enough gas to satisfy even the most virile and enthusiastic young players, yet also carries the kind of posh-pout that persuaded Prince William to drive one once upon a time.

It’s cool, safe, surprisingly roomy, has some nice touches that you won’t find in its similarly kitted-out competitors, and is fast. Very, very fast. Indeed, to use the sort of weak imagery that appears to be popular amongst motoring magazines and television programmes, this car will get you to 60 (in under 6.9 seconds) quicker than a footballer being interviewed will introduce a cliché. It’s got as much torque as Oprah Winfrey has talk, and is as enjoyable a ride as…. Okay, enough already – you get the idea. The 2.0-litre TSI we drove will max out at 148mph and produce some 6,200rpm. And you can do all this whilst singing along to your favourite Michael Bublé records, courtesy of the iPod/iPhone connector that comes as part of the mightily impressive in-car entertainment, which also incorporates a navigation system that failed even to get any of us lost. Not bad. On the road from £26,940 Polo Times, July 2011

17/6/11 14:54:37

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Polo Times, July 2011

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www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 14:44:39

Products

Knowledge

Argentine Saddle Pad (Red/White), £35

www.lamartina.com Argentine Saddlecloth (Maroon), £18.50

www.satsfaction.com Argentine Saddle Blanket (Red), £18.50

www.polosplice.co.uk

Argentine Saddlecloth (Green/Red Aztec design), £18.50

www.satsfaction.com

Navahoo (USA), £22.50

www.polosplice.co.uk

Cavillo English All Purpose Performance Enhanced Saddle Pad, £75 Gel-Eze Saddle Pad, £32.94

www.horseandmore.co.uk

www.worldwidetack.com

PolyPads Classic (Royal), £29.99

La Martina Saddle Pad (Navy/White), £50

www.tallyhofarm.co.uk

www.lamartina.com

Cottage Craft Deluxe Cotton Saddlecloth (Red), £23.65

www.tallyhofarm.co.uk

Are you sitting comfortably? Blair Abel investigates a selection of Argentine-style and orthopaedic saddle cloths suitable for polo Polo Times, July 2011

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17/6/11 14:45:04

Knowledge

What’s on

What’s on in July 2011 UK and Ireland tournament highlights Test Matches Guards – Cartier International Day, England vs. Brazil (29): 24 July High Goal Cowdray Park – Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup (20-22): 21 June – 17 July Beaufort – The Duke of Beaufort’s Cup (15-18): 28 June – 10 July Cirencester Park – Warwickshire Cup (17-20): 19 July – 7 August Medium Goal RCBPC – The Eduardo Moore Tournament (12-15): 21 June – 2 July Coworth Park – Coworth Park Challenge (12-15): 5-23 July Cowdray Park – Harrison Cup (12-15): 18-31 July Intermediate Goal Cirencester Park – The Queen Mother Trophy (8-12): 14 June – 3 July Guards – Phoenician Cup (6-12): 25 June – 10 July Beaufort – The Prince of Wales Cup (8-12): 2-16 July Kirtlington – Kirtlington Summer Cup (6-12): 5-10 July RCBPC – Polo Festival (7-10): 25 July – 7 August Ham – Dubai Trophy (8-12): 26 July – 7 August Guards – Duke of Wellington Trophy (6-12): 31 July – 14 August Low Goal Beaufort – The Novices Cup (-2-2): 18 June – 3 July Cheshire – National 8-Goal Championships (4-8): 28 June – 3 July Druids Lodge – Druids Rose Bowl (3-4): 2-3 July Rutland – The Assam Cup (2-6): 6-10 July Edgeworth – The 4-Goal Cup (0-4): 9-10 July Kirtlington Park – The Kirtlington Tournament (4-8): 12-17 July Vaux Park – Charity Match (-2-2): 16 July Rugby – The Warwickshire 8-Goal (4-8): 16-17 July Kirtlington Park – Gipps Cup (0-4): 19-23 July Hurtwood Park – The 6-Goal Challenge (0-6): 18-31 July

Overseas tournament highlights China Metropolitan – Goldin Gold Cup, Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly vs Hong Kong Team Goldin (Open): 2 July Metropolitan – Young England vs Young France (Open): 3 July France Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly – Trophée du Croquetier D’Or (8-10): 2-10 July Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly – Paris Polo Ladies Cup (Open): 6-10 July Brittany Polo Club – Derby Polo Tente d’Argent (Open): 21-31 July

Ham – Summer Tournament (0-4): 23-31 July Lynt – July Two Goal (-2-2): 30-31 July Longdole – Kaimira Wine Challenge Plate (0-4): 30-31 July Rugby – The Miller Cup (0-4): 30-31 July RCBPC – Polo Festival (4-8): 30 July – 7 August Guards – Town and County Championship (4-8): 31 July – 13 August Open Kirtlington – Rupert Thorneloe Memorial Trophy (Open): 2 July Suffolk – Newmarket Festival Polo Match (Open): 10 July RLS – The Gentleman’s Tournament (Open): 16-17 July Lynt – The Families Challenge (Open): 16-23 July Ladies Vaux Park – Ladies Tournament (-4-0): 9-10 July RLS – The Ladies tournament (Open): 16-17 July Rutland – Escalina Cup (Open): 23 July Ascot Park – National Women’s Tournament (Open): 30-31 July Epsom – Ladies Tournament (-2-2): 30-31 July RLS – The Ladies Day Tournament (2-6): 30-31 July Youth Guards/Cirencester – Pidgley Foundation International Polo Festival (Open): 4-10 July Guards – SUPA Britain, Test Match (Open): 5 July Cirencester Park – SUPA Britain, Test Match (Open): 9 July Beaufort – The Beaufort Junior Cup, U21 (0-4): 11-16 July Hurtwood – Julius Baer Junior Polo British Championships, 19 and under (Open): 11-23 July Cowdray – John Cowdray Trophy (Open): 17 July Combined services Ascot – Cornwell Affiliates Cup (Open): 2 July Tidworth – Rundle Cup (RN v ARMY, Open): 9 July Guards – Inter-Regimental finals (Open): 10 July Tidworth – Mabway Captains and Subalterns (Open): 16-17 July RMAS – Leadership and Excellence Cup (Open): 23 July Deauville – Beauty Cup (Open): 30 July – 15 August Deauville – Lucien Barriere Deauville Polo Cup (Open): 30 July – 28 August Germany Hannover – German Medium Goal Championships (Open): 1-3 July Dusseldorf – Berenberg High Goal Cup (Open): 7-17 July Sylt – German Polo Masters (Open): 29-31 July USA Santa Barbara – Silver Cup (16-20): 1-31 July Santa Barbara – Robert Skene Trophy (16-20): 15-29 July Bridgehampton – Hampton Cup (16-20): 23 July – 6 August Santa Barbara – America Cup (16-20): 29 July – 14 August

For a full list of all the tournaments in July see our website: www.polotimes.co.uk 82

Polo Times, July 2011

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www.polotimes.co.uk

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What’s on

Club contacts

Special events

UK and Ireland

Watership Down – Royal Day (Open): 2 July Celtic Manor Resort, Wales – Celtic Manor (Open): 2 July Sandbanks, Poole – British Beach Polo Championships (Open): 8-9 July Crickhowell, Wales – Wales vs Ireland (Open): 9 July Haslemere, Surrey – UberPolo retail shop opening: 16 July Blenheim Palace, CLA Game Fair – Horserail Polo Challenge (12-14): 22-24 July St Albans Polo Club – Polo for Heroes (Open): 23 July

Other dates Tattersalls, Newmarket – Midsummer sale (horses/fillies in training, broodmares etc): 6-8 July Brightwells, Ascot – Bloodstock sale (flat/NH horses in training and point to pointers): 12 July

TV highlights on Horse & Country

Mid-season changes Agreed on 13 June and effective 20 June

11 July, 7pm – Argentine Open 2010 (La Dolfina vs Sao José) 12 July, 7pm – Argentine Open 2010 (Chapa Uno vs Pilará) 13 July, 7pm – Argentine Open 2010 (Ellerstina vs Alegria) 14 July, 7pm – Argentine Open 2010 (La Aguada vs Indios Chapaleufú II) 15 July, 7pm – Argentine Open 2010 (Pilará vs Sao José) 18 July, 7pm – Argentine Open 2010 (La Dolfina vs Chapa Uno) 19 July, 7pm – Argentine Open 2010 (Ellerstina vs Indios Chapaleufú II) 20 July, 7pm – Argentine Open 2010 (La Dolfina vs Pilará) 21 July, 7pm – Argentine Open 2010 (Ellerstina vs La Aguada) 22 July, 7pm – Argentine Open final 2010 (Ellerstina vs La Dolfina)

TOP

British clubs by number of boarded grounds 1= Cirencester Park Cowdray Park Guards 4 Kirtlington Park 5= Beaufort Hurtwood Park Knepp Castle 8= RCBPC Cheshire 10 Hertfordshire www.polotimes.co.uk

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Knowledge

(10) (10) (10) (7) (6) (6) (6) (5) (5) (4)

Moving to a seven-goal handicap Laprida, Ignacio: (7) to 7 Sola, Facundo: (6) to 7 Moving to a six-goal handicap Deltour, Gonzalo: (6) to 6 Moving to a four-goal handicap Jauretche, Juan: 3 to 4 Moving to a three-goal handicap Archibald, Jack: (3) to 3 Moving to a two-goal handicap Arellano, Walter: (2) to 2 Brokenshaw, Shaun: (2) to 2 McGregor, Stirling: (2) to 2 Moving to a one-goal handicap Baldwin, Peter: (1) to 1 Bossignon Temes, Joaquin: (0) to (1) Campelo, Pablo: (1) to 1 Coupe, Jason: (1) to 1 Rojas, José: (1) to 1 Saucedo, Omar: (1) to 1 Moving to a zero-goal handicap Damaskos, Angelos: (0) to 0 Harris, David: -1 to 0 McCallum, Anthony: (0) to 0 Ollivier, Jessie: (0) to 0 Rothermere, Jonathan: -1 to 0 Soleimani, Benhour: (0) to 0 Sweet, Rory: (0) to 0 Moving to a minus one-goal handicap Anderson, Polly: -2 to -1 Banner-Eve, Edward: -2 to -1 Boulsein, Abdullah: (-1) to -1 Chamberlain, Jasper: (-2) to (-1) Dean, Jackie: -2 to -1 Evjemo-Nysveen, Siri: -2 to -1 Galuccio, Mathias: -2 to -1 Galuccio, Miguel: (-2) to (-1) Marchant, Simon: -2 to -1 Targett, Stephanie: (-1) to -1 Moving to a minus two-goal handicap Christie, Catriona: (-2) to -2

South East AEPC, Hickstead – 01273 834315 * Ascot Park – 01276 858545 * Ash Farm – 01932 872521 * Belmont, Mill Hill – 01344 829955 * Binfield Heath – 01491 411969 Barcombe – 01273 400179 Burningfold – 01483 200722 Cowdray Park – 01730 813257 Coworth Park – 01344 875155 Epsom – 01372 748200 * FHM – 07778 436468 * Fifield – 01628 620061 * Guards – 01784 434212 Ham – 020 8334 0000 Hurtwood Park – 01483 272828 Kirtlington – 01869 350138 Knepp Castle – 01403 741007 Lacey Green – 07946 360569 Park Lane – 01491 411969 RMAS – 01276 412276 Royal County of Berkshire – 01344 890060 * Sussex Polo – 01342 714920 * West Wycombe – 01865 858475 * East Apsley End – 01462 712444 * Cambridge & Newmarket – 07769 976781 Carlton House – 01986 892231 Frolic Farm – 01223 812922 Haggis Farm – 01223 460353 * Hertfordshire – 01707 256023 Little Bentley – 01206 250435 Silver Leys – 01279 652652 St Albans – 07879 866647 Suffolk Polo – 07990 576974 South West Asthall Farm – 01367 860207 Beaufort – 01666 880510 Cirencester Park – 01285 653225 Druids Lodge – 01722 782597 * Edgeworth – 01285 821695 Ladyswood – 01666 840880 Longdole – 01452 864544 * Lynt – 07957 468220 * Maywood – 01962 885500 * New Forest – 02380 811818 Orchard – 01258 471000 Taunton – 01823 480460 Tidworth – 01980 846705 * Vaux Park – 01460 242684 * West Somerset – 01844 820432 Midlands Foxhill – 0115 9651790 Offchurch Bury – 07816 830887 Leadenham – 07816 216356 Ranksboro – 01572 720046 RLS – 01926 812409 Rugby – 01788 817724 * Rutland – 01572 724568 North Beverley – 01964 544455 * Toulston – 01422 372529 Vale of York – 07788 426968 * White Rose – 01430 875767 * Cheshire – 01270 611100 Chester Racecourse – 01244 304602 Scotland Borders Reivers – 01890 840777 Dundee & Perth – 07879 895780 Edinburgh – 0131 449 6696 * Kinross – 07831 365194 * Stewarton – 07974 706045 Ireland All Ireland – +353 (0) 1 6896732 Bunclody – +353 87 6605917 Curraghmore – +353 51 387102 Donaghadee – 02891 882521 Limerick – +353 (0) 87 2231690 Moyne – +353 85 1313224 Northern Ireland – 02890 727905 Wicklow – +353 (0) 404 67164 * Waterford – +353 51 595280 * denotes winter arena polo venue hTo contact the HPA, tel: 01367 242828

Polo Times, July 2011

17/6/11 18:03:27

Tell us yours at gossip@polotimes.co.uk

Nine months later If you’re looking for evidence of what polo players get up to when the summer season draws to a close, look no further than the current baby boom the polo community is enjoying, exactly nine months later. Ascot Park couple Daniel and Kirsty Otamendi joined the realms of parenthood on Sunday 5 June, when son Alejandro was born. Argentine Daniel is one of Ascot’s four-goal professionals and will doubtless be keen to get his son up on a polo pony at the earliest opportunity. As will Polo in the Park winner Andrea Vianini, who is also soon to become the father of a baby boy with girlfriend Jodie Kidd, as we revealed last month.

club’s Sarah Henderson has also been under the weather, having cracked two ribs in June. Further East towards London, there was good news at Lacey Green Polo Club as Polo Times went to press, with the announcement that their new temporary clubhouse has been completed. Owner and chairman Mariano Darritchon was responsible for painting the entire thing himself, to the acclaim of polo manager Lucy Wilson. Wilson is new to Lacey Green this year, as is one-goaler Will Brasher at Rutland, who took over the running of the club as polo manager in early June.

Fellow one-goaler Prince Harry Congratulations must go has announced his intention to Harriet Kay too, our to return to Afghanistan as advertising manager, an Apache helicopter pilot, who was with her sister when he completes his “They should be playing the Krystle in Florida when training early next year. Marseillaise!” she went through The Prince was withdrawn labour with her first from a tour of Helmand in Enigma patron Jerome Wirth jokes with Herbert Spencer before the start of the child exactly a week 2008 after his position was Queen’s Cup final, where he went after Kirstie Otamendi compromised by foreign head to head with his on Sunday 12 June. media reports, but he has compatriot, Talandracas’s Harriet flew over specially, often expressed the desire to Edouard Carmignac and was at the business end return to the front line. to welcome Annabelle Rose Meanwhile brother William, the new Sommers into the world, weighing a Duke of Cambridge, (inset) continues to be perfect 7lbs 9oz. hotter property than ever since his high-profile marriage to Catherine Middleton in April. The Also weighing 7lbs 9oz was George Eyre newlyweds are expected to visit the beachside Brook, born to Lynt one-goaler Matthew Eyre Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club in Brook and his wife Martina on 22 April. California this month, on Saturday 9 July, where As well as celebrations at Lynt, there have the club’s members will reportedly have to pay been one or two mishaps. So severe was around £60,000 for the privilege of playing the injury suffered by Josh Thomas when he alongside the second in line to the throne. received a backhand to the face that he broke His new wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, will his cheekbone in four places and had to have present the trophy to the winners. surgery. Fortunately, at least, he was wearing A version of the Polo Times feature on his goggles and his eyes were unharmed. The the prince, printed in the Royal Special issue of the magazine back in April, will appear inside the programme for the charity event, which will raise money to benefit the American Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.

Quote of the month

Look-a-likes

François Le Barazer and Ayrton Senna 84

Polo Times, July 2011

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But, if Kate Middleton’s story sounded like a fairytale, then the news of a parallel story in Bhutan should demonstrate that monarchies worldwide are changing. The King of Bhutan is also marrying a “commoner”, and the similarities don’t end there. The 31-year-old Oxford-educated monarch met his

Low-goal pro is always on the go Though arguably not as prominent as Prince William, another one-goal player in the limelight this month is Karl Ude-Martinez. He appears as part of our feature on making money as a low-goal pro (see page 32) because of his inventive attitude to carving out a living around the game. He has branched out into commentating, acting and even using his polo ponies in jousting competitions and medieval re-enactments. In June he commentated at Polo in the Park. This month look out for him at the Gold Cup final and the Cartier International.

20-year-old bride Jetsun Pema, from London, when she was a student at university. Ironically, Jetsun’s alma mater, Regent’s College, beat Will and Kate’s university St Andrews to win the Akuma SUPA National University Arena Championships. The pair will wed in October. There’s another wedding around, although not a royal one, as David Ashby from Oxford Polo School is due to wed Clare Eeley on Saturday 23 July near Kirtlington. Believe it or not, Dave has a stand at the CLA Game Fair (see page 14) on the same weekend. Finally, it appears there was plenty of action off the field as well as on the field at Guards in June. Spectators at the Royal Windsor and the GCC Cup on the afternoon of Wednesday 15 June unexpectedly witnessed three Thames Valley Police cars turn up at Windsor Great Park, before officers led away a spectator in handcuffs. Did you witness this incident? Got any other interesting news? Let us know by writing to gossip@polotimes.co.uk www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 15:00:05

Sidelines

Mrs Chris Oulton and Mrs Douglas Lyndon Skeggs A selection of the 1,500 spectators

Lady Amelia Northbrook checks on umpire Roddy Matthews

Carrie Eatough and Viola Hayden, Countess of Portsmouth, with one of the hospitality crew

Charity Best of British Under 25s’ polo match, Marriners Farm, Hampshire – 29 May 2011

First but not the last of polo at Marriners Farm Hattingley Valley Wines’s bar staff

Lady Amelia Northbrook and her three daughters, the Hon Arabella Baring, the Hon Venetia Baring and the Hon Cosima Baring

The prospect of watching a selection of the best British players aged 25 or under in unfamiliar new surroundings was enough to entice a healthy crowd of more than 1,500 to Lady Northbrook’s private ground late this May. With tickets priced at £15 per car, the inaugural charity event raised several thousands of pounds for the British charity, Action on Addiction and the Hampshire Hunt. Alongside the two impressive polo matches, spectators were encouraged to set up camp for the day with picnic lunches. There were plenty of opportunities to have a glass of wine or two, with Hattingley Valley Wines sponsoring the event. A great day was had by all, and the host is already admitting to being tempted to do it all again next year. w For a full report on the match, see page 58 w Words by Blair Abel, photographs by Michael Chevis Lydia Bezants, Leah Williams, Josie Hills, Alice Waldeck and Amelia Sturgeon

Eleanor Pearson-Gee gives the players a hand with their sticks

Lady Northbrook’s sister, Mrs Jeffery Green, and parents Dr and Mrs Reggie Taylor

William Hudson, Huntsman to the Hampshire Hunt and his hounds

Polo Times, July 2011

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17/6/11 15:00:53

Sidelines

The Mahiki Bar was a popular new addition

Polo in the Park, London Fulham’s Hurlingham Park – 3-5 June 2011

Sun drenched, rain soaked and fun filled

Elspeth Rose

James Mullan and Sam Merullo

Millie Mackintosh, Hugo Taylor and Spencer Matthews from Channel 4’s Made in Chelsea

Sarah Ingham lends her Aussie support to Kelvin Johnson

The third year of Daniel Fox-Davies’s ambitious Polo in the Park event drew its biggest crowds yet, helped by fine weather on the Friday and Saturday of the weekend, and by promotional ticket sales for the finals on the rather-wet Sunday. The polo itself was once again well received by the largely uninitiated audience, who certainly were prepared to give the games plenty of support while the weather was nice. Though, rather like Henley Royal Regatta, when things turned wet, only the hardiest of spectators maintained their interest, with most preferring to head for the sanctuary of the three large official bars dotted around the ground. Indeed, events such as Henley and Ascot are a good analogy as far as the social spectacle is concerned. Most are there for the partying rather than the polo and, while rowing and horse races tend to require only a short burst of attention from their guests, it has to be said Polo in the Park’s players, commentators and organisers did pretty well to maintain the interest of people for the length of three full matches each day. And, with the seven-figure sums believed to have been taken behind the bars over the weekend, the event undeniably has a future.

Treading in

w Photographs by James Mullan and Polo in the Park

w Read our verdict on the action on page 42

The view from the player’s marquee

Louisa Dawnay and Tissy Van Reyk

2011 welcomed record attendances Harrods had the contract to lay on all the food

The weekend offered something for all the family 86

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17/6/11 14:25:05

Sidelines

The winners and runners-up of the British Ladies Open, played before the Test Match

Colin Dhillon

Mark Tomlinson heads for goal in the Test Match

Mari Ikonen, Anthony Carfantan and Victoria Hughes of Tissot watches

Julian Hipwood

Terry Hanlon

St Regis Test Match and Gold Cup draw Cowdray Park Polo Club – 21 May & 7 June 2011

A loss and a draw

Dave Clarke and girlfriend Princess Beatrice

Chris Bethall at the Gold Cup draw

Cowdray Park did their best to ensure that the Queen’s Cup at Guards didn’t entirely occupy the attention of highgoal polo enthusiasts for the early part of the summer, first by staging the sixth Cowdray Test Match (now played for in its earlier slot in the polo calendar moved from September for the second successive year) in May, and then by hosting the hotly-anticipated Gold Cup draw in the Ambersham clubhouse (bottom of page) as the 18 teams entered in this year’s British Open geared up to get started in late June. The Test Match was enjoyed by illustrious guests on both sides of the ground (top half of page), as JaegerLeCoultre welcomed the likes of Princess Beatrice and Will Young in their VIP marquee, and Polo Times hosted a lunch in the Cowdray member’s enclosure. England lost the Test (to South America) but were vying to get back to winning ways with success over New Zealand at the Beaufort Test Match as Polo Times went to press, the team’s last run-out before the Coronation Cup, which will be played against Brazil later this month, a week after the culmination of the Gold Cup.

James Mullan and Rod Kohler

Quintessentially’s Richard Craig and Penny Mosgrove

Nacho Figueras plays Pied Piper

w Photographs by James Mullan, Dominic James and Clive Bennett w Read the full Test Match report on page 46

James Beim makes the draw for Salkeld Clare Milford Haven, Nina Clarkin, George Milford Haven and John Paul Clarkin

Loro Piana manager Santiago Ganly assesses the strength of the team’s group draw with a friend 87

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17/6/11 14:25:39

Sidelines

Spectators, including Hurlingham’s Roderick Vere Nicoll (right), watch their hosts 1870 in action

Stunning warm weather bathed the players and polo-goers all afternoon

Inside the Royal Box

1870’s Queen’s Cup lunch – Royal Box, Guards Team 1870 vs Mansour Jaeger-LeCoultre, 25 May 2011

Smooth and sumptuous

Commentator Greg Keating

Things slipped down smoothly at the 1870-hosted Queen’s Cup lunch at Guards Polo Club this May, as the soft drinks specialists announced their big plans for taking on Schweppes this summer just as the polo team bearing their name produced the first early indications that they too would be a force to be reckoned with this season. The lavish lunch was accompanied by a short speech about the 1870 brand by Julian Aitken, sales and marketing director for Silver Spring (of which 1870 is part), and by a full, friendly introduction to polo by Guards member Peter Hunter. Not only satisfied with the sumptuous food, 1870’s guests were fortunate to watch one of the most open and enjoyable games of the Queen’s Cup group stages, as 1870 convincingly trounced a Mansour Jaeger-LeCoultre side featuring the MVP from the St Regis Test Match a few days earlier, Eduardo Novillo Astrada. John Paul Clarkin led the team with his customary class and conviction from the back, but it was Rob Archibald and patron Adrian Kirby that particularly stood out for their strong contributions on the day. The team went on to reach the Queen’s Cup semi-finals.

Georgie Hammond and Rob Archibald

w Words by James Mullan, photographs by Jon Nicholson

Julian Aitkin and Ruki Baillieu

w Read PT’s full Queen’s Cup report on page 38

The imaginative 1870 outdoor cocktail bar

John Paul Clarkin and Jack “Ruki” Baillieu lead the 1870 charge on the Queen’s ground

PT’s James Mullan and pha media’s Mark Gregory

Guests were treated to a thrilling, fast and open contest

Peter Hunter, Adrian Kirby, Katerina Kirby and Julian Aitken

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17/6/11 14:33:01

Sidelines

James and Tom Meyrick, Hazel Jackson and Hamish Wilson-Smith Commentator Peter Morris

Winners James Meyrick, Ludo Ephson, Amelia Scott-Hopkins and Thady Duff with Lady Apsley, Alex Peterken and his daughter Dorothea, and Richard Britten-Long Cheltenham College Junior School pupils

Lord Apsley and Richard Britten-Long

Cheltenham College 10th Invitation Polo Day, Cirencester Park Polo Club – 4 June 2011

When Colleges clash

Thady Duff and Bridget Vick

More than 1,000 invited guests were in attendance at the 10th annual Cheltenham College Polo Day early last month, and supporters of both schools present left Cirencester Park with something to celebrate after the hosts won their match against polo rivals Eton College convincingly, but Eton’s old boys got one over the Old Cheltonians. Parents, students, family and friends flocked to the club for a champagne reception at 11.30am. Cars, picnic hampers, gazebos and cheery looking spectators then picked spots between the tasteful stalls and lined the sidelines of the grounds to show their allegiance for their respective schools, though Cheltenham College’s outnumbered Eton College’s by a considerable margin. On the grounds, the best of Cheltenham College’s current crop of students beat Eton, 8-2, but Eton’s alumni then reaped their revenge with a narrower victory, 6-31/2. An afternoon tea followed before the well-fed, well-watered and well-entertained spectators returned home very content. w Words by Blair Abel, photographs by Andy Banks, “NicoleJames Photography” and Blair Abel

Spectators with an old-school hamper

The day was an excellent excuse for parents to throw extravagent picnics

PT p88-89 Sidelines 1870 Varsity JM MB PJ.indd 3

Emily and Gilly Summers, Alex Peterken and Peter Summers

Beth McAleer and Amy O’Connor

Serena North and Lucy Pierce

Kate Langlands Pearse, Francesca Dent and Jasmine Walker

17/6/11 14:33:25

Sidelines

Barbara and Michael Amoore

Jasmin, Lesley, Charlie and Tony Pidgley

Prince of Wales Trophy final and 25th anniverary party, RCBPC – 11 June

Papped at polo The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club celebrated its 25th birthday in style with a special party after the final of the Prince of Wales Trophy. El Remanso – featuring Brits George and Charlie Hanbury, Uruguayan David “Pelon” Stirling and Chilean Jaime Huidobro – beat Karan Thapar’s Aravali 12-7 in a decidedly one-sided final in the afternoon. But there was something for everyone to cheer about at the after-party as club officials and players and guests enjoyed drinks, dinner and a performance by a rather convincing George Michael impersonator. Fireworks were launched into the Winkfield night sky to celebrate the special milestone for the club, founded in 1985 by the late music entrepreneur and polo fanatic Bryan Morrison. Bryan’s widow Greta and four-goal son Jamie joined manager Michael Amoore and polo manager Louisa Dawnay in welcoming a host of regular faces to the party, ranging from Berkshire polo stars Chris Hyde and Seb Dawnay to famed paparazzi photographer Darryn Lyons. The celebrations will continue throughout the summer with the 25th anniversary festival taking place on Saturday 6 August.

The party’s fireworks

“Mr Paparazzi” Darryn Lyons and his girlfriend

Greta and Jamie Morrison

Liv Mallach and Katerina Stankova

“George” provides musical entertainment

w There’s more on the Berkshire on page 36

Chris Hyde and Maggie Merriman

w Photographs by Gillian Hughes

Kevin Cheshire with girlfriend Meggie, Catriona Christie and Paul Knights

Seb and Louisa Dawnay

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17/6/11 14:29:37

Sidelines

Dawn and Paolo Di Filippo

Danika Thrall and “George Michael” Regents College (George Shelton, Johnathon Willans, Constantijn and Christiaan Huynen) picked up the Upper Intermediate trophy

Julie and Jeff Thomas (left) and Verity and Chris Adkins (right) either side of their guests, including another look-a-like (Will Carling anyone?)

Paula Griffiths and Sabrina Bell show Juan Martin Sarli some love

SUPA National Universities afterparty Offchurch Bury, 3-5 June 2011

A Brazilian carnival dancer

Latin indulgence June’s university championships were another great success with more than 80 teams turning out for three days of polo. This year, Argentina’s La Tarde Polo Club held the Saturday night party, where 350 party-goers enjoyed a South American themed evening. Brazilian dancers, a live DJ, drinks and delicious food provided by caterers Relish kept the students busy, which produced more than a few sore heads on finals day.

Danny Muriel and Katie Bateman

w See what happened on finals day on page 60 w Discover La Tarde at www.latardepolo.com

More specialist birthday fireworks

xxx Will Riley York’s

Juan Martin Sarli, the director of La Tarde Polo Club in Argentina

Jamie Morrison and Roy Prisk

Reading supporters enjoying the beautiful weather

Activity on the dancefloor www.polotimes.co.uk

PT p90-91 Sidelines PoW La Tarde MB JM PJ.indd 3

A crowd from Oxford Brookes join the dancers 91

17/6/11 14:30:15

The polo directory

HORSES FOR SALE

Made horses: 6–11 years old from £3,000 Youngstock: 4–5 years old, stick & balling and chukkas, from £1,200

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www.reddogspolo.co.uk

Polo Times, July 2011

PT p92-97 Clubs and Classified.indd 2

Rob Cudmore England Coach, 2 HPA Instructors • International Equitrack Polo Arena • Fantastic clubhouse with licensed bar & excellent viewing of the arena • Polo Pony Hire, School Ponies • Chukkas and Matches - call the ofﬁce for Info • Individual Coaching, Group Lessons, Social & Corporate Events For information on membership, polo lessons and general enquiries please call: Tel: (ofﬁce) 01452 864 544 Mobile: 07974 532 841 email: rob@longdolepolo.com Longdole Polo Club, Birdlip, Gloucestershire, GL4 8LH

www.polotimes.co.uk

16/6/11 14:43:36

The polo directory

It’s Pony Club time If you drive hundreds of miles without complaining

Bluey’s Polo Club

If you never raise your voice to your children or manager If your pony and tack are immaculate

You are too good to be true

ATS We’ve got everything for polo

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www.polotimes.co.uk

PT p92-97 Clubs and Classified.indd 3

Contact Stuart Craig on 07930 323263 / 0118 9341 215 or stuart@equicentre.co.uk www.wix.com/blueyspolo/club Polo Times, July 2011

16/6/11 14:46:51

The polo directory

8L LED Medical Box

The ultimate non-powered cool box

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• Extreme cold longevity (10 days) • Holds 12 bottles of champagne upright • Extremely strong, • Lockable, water tight • 5 year warranty, • Choice of 9 colours • Branding available • Medical coolers and gel packs.

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Tel: 01598 740 685

Pony Club offers. For all enquiries please call

01285 640049 info@rjpolo.com ichard@rjpolo.com R +44(0)7753 785937

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Lorry for 8 horses Excellent condition 1998 S Reg Scannia 340 horsebox 18 tonnes Eight stalls + changing room

Electric Ramp Tack Lockers Water storage, pump and hose Colour CCTV monitor of horse area

Plating next due 10/11/11 9 months road tax fund Approx 515,000km

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Graphic Design Corporate literature Branding & logo design Advertising Web design Publishing Print & e-books Magazines Catalogues Project management

www.nickiaverilldesign.co.uk T: 01280 812193 M: 07885 285932 E: nicki@nickiaverilldesign.co.uk 94

Polo Times, July 2011

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Illustration Freehand & digital Book illustrations Maps Commissions www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 12:07:31

The polo directory

We have a large selection of NEW & SECOND-HAND Luxury Horseboxes

New body conversions with new coach built bodies, luxury living that offers the best in appliances and workmanship.

2002 MAN 360 18 ton, 7 horse: 2005 IVECO 2001 FORD IVECO 6 horse with full living, new EUROCARGE 75E17 5 horse, conversion, tilt cab, coachbuilt body, hot & cold With new 20ft alloy full living, awning, sleeps water, bathroom, full cooking body, 6 partitions, kick 6. 2.5 running generator on facilities inc, microwave, board, alloy floor, rubber board. Sold with 12 months fridge, TV/Video, CCTV, tilt matted, tow bar. Full test. MOT. Choice of RENAULT. cab, on air, full test.

2003 MERCEDES 1823L 10 horse, tack lockers, on air.

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2001 VOLVO FM7 290 12 horse, day cabs, tack lockers, 26 ton, on air.

To view our stock visit our website www.tandsharkerhorseboxes.co.uk Email: enquires@tandsharkerhorseboxes.co.uk Tel: 01325 332 649 Mobile: 07901 857960 Fax: 01325 333554 Eddlethorpe Farm, Stockton Road, Sadberge, Darlington, Co Durham DL2 1TB ALL VEHICLES ARE PLUS VAT FINANCE AVAILABLE

Special occasion polo cards for birthdays, anniversaries, get well soon, weddings, & baby congratulations; from ÂŁ2.99 plus p&p Visit www.Katesart.com or txt/tel 07887 678421 or email: enquiries@Katesart.com image copyright protected by Katesart.com 2007

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PT p92-97 Clubs and Classified.indd 5

Polo Times, July 2011

16/6/11 14:36:14

Classifieds Ponies

14.2HH REG ENGLISH TB 8 year old bay roan mare, not just pretty but very effective. Good speed and very tough in ride offs. Playing low goal, would suit pony club or lady player. Location: Reading. £5,750. Tel: 07771 852871 IRISH TB UNBROKEN AND SPORT HORSES FOR SALE Irish TB unbroken and sport horses, healthy and fit, sold as seen. Also a range of made polo ponies for sale all levels. Wiltshire area. £800-£1200 each. Good types, young ages. Tel - 00 353 87 2413374 THE ULTIMATE POLO PONY Fantastic pony, very quick. Came out of medium goal last year. 15.2hh chestnut, 10 years old, play from low level to 15 goal on -2 to 5 goaler. If you want to get there before everyone else, turn inside everyone else, and stop before everyone else - here he is! Come and try him at Ham, you will not find a better pony. Location: Surrey/SW London. £8,500 ovno. Email edwardjonkler@gmail.com or tel 07743 963247 FANTASTIC BEGINNERS/EXPERT HORSES 15.2hh 9 year old beautiful chestnut mare, powerful, fast and easy, turns on a sixpence. £7,000. 15.2hh 12 year old bay gelding-fast, straight as a die, easy and adorable, has taught us all to play polo over past six years. £5000. Both playing up to 4 goal every weekend, can be tried in chukkas now; only to loving homes - please call 07956 923223 FOUR MARES FOR SALE 7-13 years old, low goal - ex-high goal, three bays and one tobiana coloured. All very fast, agile, fantastic platforms and very handy. Owner giving up. Location: Hampshire. £3,750 - £4,750. Tel: 07827 973951

never misses a chukka. Vaux Park, Taunton. £4,500 ono incl tack and rugs. Tel: 07838 124115 TALENTED 15.1HH ARGENTINE POLO PONY Plays 0-12 goal with lady patron and pros. 11 year old gelding. Sharp with pace and light mouth. No vet calls and lovely manners. Works hard and plays hard. Lochie £6,000 ono. Tel: 07745 370530. 14.3HH DREAM PONY Very easy uncomplicated mare, 10 years old. Playing 4 goal with 1 goal player, not strong, easy to handle. Ridden by 11yr old girl out hacking, can be seen at Tidworth. Ideal Pony Club pony. Bradford on Avon. £6,000. Tel: 07833 182217 EX HIGH GOAL PONIES FOR SALE A selection of ponies for sale from the Ravensbourne high goal string. Competitively priced. Please call: Martin Glue 07860 706485 PONIES TO HIRE FOR THE PONY CLUB TOURNAMENTS Short of ponies? Excellent ponies who play Langford, Rendell and Lorinor. Can be tried at Millfield. Ring 01271 373466 or 07766 700904 BRILLIANT PONIES - GAP YEAR FORCES SALE 15hh bay mare, 12 years old, excellent temperament, forward going school teacher. Awesomely easy even for a beginner, played Loriner last 3 years and has played to 8 goal. And 15.1hh bay mare, foaled 2000 (11 years old), has played to 15 goal. Very able, strong, reliable, talented thoroughbred. Gloucestershire. £4,750 - £5,750. Tel: 07767 777425 / 01666 880349 15.2HH TB MARE Solid 16 year old bay TB mare, fast, strong in a ride off, no vices, great fun, selling due to immigration. Hampshire. £1,500. Tel: 07737 008072 SALE OF GREAT PONIES DUE TO RELOCATION AND BABY Selection of 12 polo ponies- baby and relocation so reducing string. Argentine & English ponies; some have played for -2 lady and others for a 1 & 3 goaler. 5-12 years old. Fit, ready and looking great. £3,500- £7,000. Borders 45 min from Newcastle. Can deliver. Phone 07896 991489 or 07817 449098, will email photos

15.1HH CH. ARGENTINE MARE RISING 10yrs Well schooled and responsive and is up to carrying weight. Excellent to stick & ball and has played up to 6 goal. Could also make school/beginners pony. Clean joints and tendons, fit and ready to play. £5,000. Tel: Mark 07917 632030

16.1HH SCHOOLMASTER 16.1hh brilliant low goal/Pony Club. Suits any age. Very sensible on and off pitch/consistent/sound/not strong. Argentinean 12 year old black mare. Lambourn. £5,500 ono Tel: 01488 73403

15HH STUNNING BLACK ARGENTINE MARE Very handy double chukka pony. Played up to 8 goal and PC with -2 girl. Location: Hertfordshire. £6,500. Tel: 07985 500118

OVERA 14.1hh Argentine mare, 9 years old. Currently fit and playing. Very fast, powerful and agile pony, very strong in the ride off, requires experienced strong rider. Lively, energetic and a lot of fun. Sale as giving up. 100% sound. No vices. Basingstoke, Hampshire. £9,000. Call Amelia on 07765 251489.

HANDSOME 15.1HH GELDING. FAST AND HANDY Wonderful temperament, fast, strong and very handy with a light mouth. Ideal for young player looking to step up their game or confident patron. Perfect box, shoe, clip, hack. 100% sound and

Polo Times, July 2011

PT p92-97 Clubs and Classified.indd 6

FOUR BARGAIN POLO PONIES FOR SALE String for sale. Four ponies from £2,500 to £4,000 for sale. Ideal -2 to 0 player ponies at bargain prices. Wiltshire. Tel: 07545 501763

STUNNING 15.2HH STRAWBERRY ROAN Great temperament, steady, good hitting platform for any beginner/patron, fantastic for riding off. 100% sound, perfect legs, easy to box, shoe, clip, hack. £6,000. Oxfordshire. Tel: 07779 359325 HANDSOME 15.1HH BAY IRISH TB GELDING Fast reliable double chukka pony. Played PC/Low/ Medium goal and currently playing up to 4 goal with lady player and also professional. Perfect box, shoe, clip, hack and lovely temperament. Excellent addition to any string. Sometimes windsucks hence £6,500. Location: Hertfordshire. Tel: 07970 568555

Transport 2001 10 HORSE MAN 18.224 HGV Superb reliable horse box, Built by T&S Harker, Plate till 06 2012, Tax till October 2011, Partitioned to carry 10 horses. Doncaster. £16,000. Tel:07876 033028 MERC 815 2001 PURPOSE BUILT 5 PONY 7.5 tonne compact lorry, smart reliable, stalled for five ponies gated Luton front and rear grooms doors, good condition windows full rubber flooring, two new tyres full, years plate, six months tax, ready to go, very easy drive. Hertfordshire. £8,500. Tel: 07770 640300 MERCEDES 6 PONY 7.5 TONNE TRUCK FOR SALE Really good runner, MOT till July 2012! and tax. Battery isolater fitted. Ascot. £4,950. Tel: 07775 806333 MAN 7.5 TONNE T REG DAVID WILLIAMS BODY Plated for 1 year, taxed end September. Stalled for five with a tack area. Lightweight body. Rubber flooring. Owned for three years with no problems. Easy drive. Owner giving up. Cambridge. £4,999. Tel : 07595 293556 SCANIA 93 HORSEBOX Partitioned for nine ponies plus tack area. 1 yrs plating, six months tax, second owner since converted, 1990 with 366k km, drives really well. Great solid truck with rubber floor matting and lined sides, new ply ramp, serviced every year, just fitted two new batteries and an alternator. Reading. £8,000 no VAT. Tel: 07778 917209. PROFESSIONAL HORSE TRANSPORT DEFRA approved. Hants/Wilts based. 20+ years horse and transport experience in UK and Europe. Also freelance drivers/grooms. 01794 323195 or 07786 475123/07786 255538

Situations HEAD GIRL REQUIRED FOR HIGH GOAL YARD Year round position available to oversee a high goal string of ponies. Accommodation, car and top rate of pay for the right candidate. Conversational Spanish would be an advantage as would ability to drive HGV2 or 7.5 tonne truck. Please call 07808 797808.

www.polotimes.co.uk

17/6/11 16:18:01

Classifieds POLO MANAGER REQUIRED FOR NZ SEASON Auckland Polo Club seeks a cheerful and motivated person for the role of Polo Manager for the 2011/2012 season. Situated in friendly rural Clevedon, Auckland is New Zealands largest Club with over 70 playing members. The role is for the period 1st November 2011 until 31st March 2012 and accommodation and transport are included in the package. Responsibilities include: organising and running Club tournaments, practice chukkas and social events; maintaining the players membership list; and marketing and promoting Club tournaments in the local district. Please send applications to polosecretary@aucklandpolo.co.nz no later than 30th July 2011. CHUKKA DOWN UNDER! Polo grooms required for the Ozzie Season, excellent conditions and lots of travel. Previous polo experience not essential, but competent riders a must! Experience the real Australia - most vacancies are located on sheep and cattle farms. Suit working holidaymakers – for details contact: IEPUK Ltd, 18 Leicester Road, Uppingham, Rutland. LE15 9SD, TEL: 01572823934 T&C apply hh@iepuk.com www.iepuk.com

Equipment PROFESSIONAL HORSE RUG WASHING AND REPAIR COMPANY Professional Horse Rug washing and repair company, covering the S/E of England. Many existing polo customers. Favourable discounts on large orders. Pick up and return service. www.rugwash.co.uk Free phone: 0800 38 999 71 Tel: 01403 86 44 88 Mobile: 07973 151545 KONABO PRO RANGE OF RUGS - GREAT FIT FOR POLO PONIES Konabo PRO rugs, with revolutionary Hy-Liner - customised, interchangeable lining keeps horses clean, reduces risk of crossinfection. Massive discounts for multiple purchases. £184.99. Visit www.konabo.com. Email info@ konabo.com for further details. SCOREBOARDS AND CLOCKS ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR POLO Outdoor and arena sizes. Fully electronic, displaying the time counting down, both scores and chukka number. Automatic bell/ horn. Controlled wirelessly by a remote control you can even wear on your arm. Visit www.SportingDesigns.co.uk or call +44 (0)7860 303217

Designed by www.nickiaverilldesign.co.uk Printed by The Manson Group Contact details East End Farm, North Leigh Oxfordshire OX29 6PX Tel: 01993 886 885 Fax: 01993 882 660 email: admin@polotimes.co.uk

Advertisers in July 2011 Abercrombie & Kent 0845 618 2200 www.abercrombiekent.co.uk Apes Hill Club, Barbados +1 246 262 3286 www.apeshillclub.com Audi Baileys Horse Feeds 01371 850247 www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk Berney Brothers Saddlery 00 35 3 4548 1228 www.berneybrossaddles.com Binfield Heath Polo Club 07792 211259 www.binfieldheathpoloclub.co.uk

Equine Management Limited 01825 841303 www.worldwidetack.com

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T&S Harker Horse Boxes 01325 332649 www.tandsharkerhorseboxes.co.uk

Polo Permits 01798 869496 www.polopermits.co.uk

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PT p92-97 Clubs and Classified.indd 7

RJ Polo 07909872488 www.rjpolo.com

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Santa Margarita +54-9 11 3337 6535 www.harassantamargarita.com

WestOne Cars 020 7880 1066 www.westonecars.co.uk

Longdole Polo Club 01452 864544 rob@longdolepolo.com

SATS 01285 841542 www.satsfaction.com

Wood Mallets +64 6 85 68119 www.woodmallets.com

Lycetts 01672 512512 www.lycetts.co.uk

Savills Guildford 01483 796800 www.savills.co.uk

Yard and Groom 01722 415864 www.yardandgroom.com

Contributors – July 2011 Hernan Alvarez, Miranda Banks, Sabrina Bell, Linda Byrne, Yolanda Carslaw, James de Mountfort, Andrew Dent, Arthur Douglas-Nugent, Mark Emerson, Liz Higgins, Theresa Hodges, Nicola Jagger, Lorna Jowett, Clare Milford Haven, Jamie Peel, Herbert Spencer, Carlie Trotter

Subscriptions UK: £55 for one year – £99 for two years Europe: £65 for one year – £115 for two years Rest of the World: £75 for one year – £135 for two years

Call Sarah Foster on +44 (0)1993 886885

www.polotimes.co.uk

Richard Mille www.richardmille.com

The Oxford Polo School 07989 389130 www.theoxfordpolos chool.co.uk

La Martina www.lamartina.com

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

Reddogs Polo 01488 670484 www.reddogspolo.co.uk

Intern – Blair Abel (right)

Subscribe online: www.polotimes.co.uk Polo Times, July 2011

17/6/11 16:18:12

Final bell

In association with Aprés Polo

Cirencester Park two-goaler Nick Britten-Long’s

Passions John O’Sullivan talks to Laird patron Nick Britten-Long, who hopes to qualify for the 2011 Polo World Cup with the England team his family is funding What is your favourite polo memory? I have a number: to start with playing my first chukkas at the Beaufort purely by mistake. RBL (my father, Richard) was late and Claire Tomlinson came charging over to me and told me in no uncertain terms that I was to play in his place. I had to make a quick decision who was going to give me the biggest bollocking for not doing as I was told – Claire won! Outside that, winning the South African Open with Nachi du Plessis, Buster and Chris Mackenzie in 2009 and the same year winning the Hurtwood Masters $100k tournament with an all-English team are my biggest highlights.

What are your favourite polo venues? Cirencester and Ivy Lodge are on a par with Cowdray and Lawns 2. Both are great clubs and wonderful grounds to play on, mixed with a truly friendly polo-playing atmosphere.

Who is your favourite teammate? Over the years I have been very lucky to play with so many great players from all over the world and most have become and remain good friends – but, if you pushed me, I would have to say Henry Brett and my old man.

What is your favourite pastime outside polo? Shooting – I always look forward to September and the partridge season followed by pheasants in Devon or North Wales. A perfect day in September is a day’s shooting partridge followed by a late polo game. I think that is very hard to beat.

Who has been your hardest opponent? Hardest to win against would be Guy Schwarzenbach’s Black Bears. We have played against each other many times with a pretty equal amount of wins to losses. My most physical opponent has to be Lolo Castagnola – I played against him for Lovelocks in the 2008 Warwickshire Cup and let’s just say I came off worst in a ride off!

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Favourite form of the game (grass, outdoor, snow, beach, etc)? Grass – without question. If you could change one thing about polo, what would it be? I would like to see more young English players getting the opportunity to play high-goal polo.

What is your favourite holiday destination? The beach, either Kenya at my grandmother’s house in Kilifi or on the sands of Mauritius. Which celebrity would you most like to meet? Nelson Mandela. I think he is a truly inspirational man. And Cheryl Cole, not necessarily for the same reasons. What was the first single or album you ever bought? Snap’s “Rhythm is a dancer”. Sad I know, but I was very young and they were very cool.

Who was your biggest crush growing up? Elle Macpherson – with a body like that, who didn’t have a crush on her?! What is your most prized possession? My dog, a Rhodesian Ridgeback called Thimba, who comes to all the polo with me and most days shooting. What is your biggest ambition? Difficult one – fly to the moon, climb Everest, cross the Andes, discover the Silk Road, sail around the world, play polo every day, shoot all winter, make a few fortunes, create a legacy. I have many ambitions but I guess being happy and comfortable in my old age is the key. Who was your hero growing up? At school I was a bit of a rugby fan and I always admired the England rugby team led by Will Carling. Their approach and attitude to the game was tough, ruthless and effective. Lawrence Dallaglio used to coach me in the 1st XV at school so I would have to say him. Failing that, Spiderman. First class or economy? First class if funds allow, but I guess the ultimate would be a private jet. New car or new horse? Our home-breeding program has produced some fantastic horses with real potential which I am now playing in the 18-goal this season. So yes, more home breds would be nice. A bottle of wine or bottle of beer? Bottle of wine. www.polotimes.co.uk

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