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Award-winning British pro

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DIAMOND UBILEE SPECIAL

in action at Coworth Park, at Trippetts and in Argentina Plus: Trophies, feeding and stunning Switzerland in summer

elebrating 60 years of Her Majesty’s support of the game

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Zacara retains US Open title PLUS: Exclusive interview with Enigma patron Jerome Wirth Polo in Morocco Fitting saddles with Paul Treloar

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TOGETHER his summer

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“Polo Times is undoubtedly the most influential contemporary polo magazine” Horace Laffaye

Contents Publisher Nick Hine publisher@polotimes.co.uk

What’s inside…

June 2020

Editor in Chief Richenda Hine richenda@polotimes.co.uk

Operations Manager Rosabella Hine rosabella@polotimes.co.uk

Marketing Manager

58

Lottie McDonagh lottie@polotimes.co.uk

Advertising Sales Richard Hine ads@polotimes.co.uk

Principal Design James Morgan

Additional Design Tony Ruddy

Administration Assistant Lynne Berry

Financial Controller Angie Clark accounts@polotimes.co.uk

33 News 6 11 12 12 14

23 All the Latest News Obituary: Marjory Williams Obituary: Spencer Atkinson Obituary: Craig McKinney HPA Latest Covid-19 Update

Comment Accounts & Administration Assistant Rosalind Cutter ads@polotimes.co.uk

Contributors: Benjie Bradshaw, Lorna Edgar, Rob Gould, Dr.med. Andreas Krüger, Will Lucas, Rege Ludwig, Anna Palmgren-Houel, India Parker-Smith, Katie Perez Tony Ramirez, Becky Simpson, Natalie Willcock & Lucy Wilson

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

www.polotimes.co.uk © Polo Times Limited 2020 and Database Right 2020 Polo Times Limited holds the copyright & database right to the information it publishes in Polo Times and on the Polo Times website. No content may be reproduced or distributed without the consent of the Publisher. ‘Polo Times’ is the trade mark of Polo Times Limited. ISSN 1461-4685

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Letters: Your Views & Social Media

Features

46 48

51 54 56

58

Polodoc: New Knee, New Hope Equibreed: Next Generation of Equine Reproduction Chukka Wellness: Using Goal Posts Rege Ludwig: Law of Sequence Yoga for Polo: Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist & Hand Rob Gould: Foraging for All

Sidelines

20 Pololine.TV 23 UK High Goal Guide 28 LifeBook: The Pivot Challenge Cup 30 La Martina Technical Team 33 Images of Polo Favourite Photos

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Club Focus

Final Bell

38

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Youth Polo 40 42

SUPA India Polo Tour University of Winchester Polo Focus

Knowledge 44

Nutrition Focus: Q & A on Feeding Oil

Gossip: Don’t Be the Last to Know!

Polo Directory 62 What’s On 63 Classifieds 64

Passions: Will Lucas

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Call on +44 (0)1452 730 770 Subscribe online: www.polotimes.co.uk Cover photograph: 10 years of June covers! We hope you enjoy our celebration of Polo Times front covers from our June issues. Thank you to all the photographers: Michael Chevis Archive, Eduardo Grumberg, Andrew Tobin, Alice Gipps, LILA PHOTO, Andrew Yates and Tony Ramirez with a whopping six. Also the hugely skilled players and immaculate clubs who have contributed over the years to the taking of the images and the playing of the polo which is featured. Here’s to the best June action from the next 10 years to come!

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Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

USPA Announce Handicap Changes

Lia Salvo’s handicap has been raised to 9 goals in the USA

The United States Polo Association (USPA) has announced their 2020 Outdoor Handicap changes.

There were a plethora of changes across all handicap levels, with some of the notable changes at the higher end of the spectrum including: Barto Castagnola, Diego Cavanagh and Rodrigo Andrade all being raised from 8 to 9 goals (effective from 1 January 2021); Camilo ‘Jeta’ Castagnola has been raised from 7 to 8 goals (effective from 1 January 2021); Jorge ‘Tolito’ Fernadez Ocampo (effective from 1 January 2021) and Pedro Falabella (effective from 1 June 2020) were both raised from 5 to 6 goals; Poroto Cambiaso (effective from 1 June 2020), Luis Escobar, Gonzalo Ferrari, Santiago Gómez Romero and Francisco Rodriguez Mera (effective from 1 January 2021) have all been raised from 4 to 5 goals; while six players have been raised from 3 to 4 goals with Tim Dutta, Hilario Figueras, Francisco Guinazu and Bautista Panelo’s raises effective from 1 January 2021, but Mackenzie Weisz and Jim Wright’s handicap raises are effective from 1 June 2020.

As well as announcing the mixed handicap changes, the USPA has also announced their 2020 Women’s Outdoor Handicap Changes. The UK’s top female players have done well with Izzy Parsons’ handicap raised from 7 to 8 goals (effective from 1 June), Lottie Lamacraft has been raised from 6 to 7 goals (effective from 1 June) and Milly Hine has gone from 5 to 6 goals. Aside from our homegrown talents, other top changes include Lia Salvo raised form 8 to 9, Mia Novillo Astrada and Clara Cassino from 7 to 8, while Maddie Grant and Audry Persano have seen their handicaps increase from 4 to 5 goals.

To view the full list of handicap changes across all levels, visit the USPA website.

Patricia Hipwood Passes Away

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

What a difference a month makes – the last four weeks have not only seen the country bathed in wall to wall sunshine, (making May the sunniest month since records began), but also, daily new cases of coronavirus and deaths in many cities have been reduced to pre-lockdown numbers, with the all-important ‘R rate’ now manageable.

Isolation measures are working.

Looking to the future and whilst you would need to be a Nobel prize-winning epidemiologist to chart the roadmap on how to finally show Coronavirus the door, then if there’s a correlation between this terrible disease and sunshine, then more of the same please Michael Fish.

In the previous issue of Polo Times, we wished for happier times when polo was again a daily experience and not a memory. Now, the good news is that ‘wishes do sometimes come true’, as was confirmed in the HPA’s announcement just as we went to print: competitive polo in the UK is back, sanctioned by the government.

Of course, there are restrictions, which will undoubtedly put extra demands on teams, and yes, categorising ‘elite polo’ as only being 8 goals and above, does put mockery to much of the polo that is played by the majority of teams in the UK – but lest we forget, the extra hurdles that have been announced are not only safeguards to the long-term wellbeing of the nation, but they are also only temporary.

On a personal level, under new government guidelines, I was allowed to visit my 83-yearold mum this week in the garden of her care home, which was the first time in 10 weeks.

Mum’s eldest granddaughter, Rosabee, (my daughter) was also allowed to visit – and how precious was that 30 minute window that we were allowed after so long in isolation for us all.

I would rather play non-competitive polo for the time being, if in doing so, we manage to keep the tide flowing in our collective favour, than risk the alternative rip-tide that is undoubtedly lurking beneath the waves.

So, whilst the challenges that lie ahead for polo from the Government’s newly imposed rules may not be straightforward – when you have horses, lorries, polo equipment to juggle – before complaining, spare a thought for what might have been this season.

Finally, it is with immense sadness that we include three obituaries in this issue, the loss of whom, UK polo will be very much the poorer. Whilst our thoughts are with the Atkinson, McKinney and Williams families at this time, their passing serves as a timely reminder that life’s short and there are no pockets in shrouds, so grab the reins and enjoy the ride.

News

The Hurlingham Polo Association announced that Patricia Hipwood, wife to Julian Hipwood, has passed away following a long illness. Our thoughts are with Patricia’s family at this time. A full obituary will be included in a future issue of Polo Times.

Patricia Hipwood has sadly passed away following a long illness

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News USPA Lifts HPA 2020 Fixtures List Tournament & Events Suspension

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Effective as of, Saturday 16 May, the United States Polo Association (USPA) have announced that they are lifting the suspension of all USPA tournament and events due to Coronavirus, which has been in place since Friday 27 March.

The USPA made the below announcement on Tuesday 12 May, while the US Coronavirus infection and death rate continues to rise – there have currently been over 86,500 deaths in the US. Effective Saturday, May 16, 2020, the suspension of USPA Tournaments and Events will be lifted for USPA Member Clubs in locales where hosting polo matches and tournaments is permitted under applicable state and local laws, executive orders and similar decrees. The USPA Member Clubs in these locales are encouraged to follow all such requirements of their state and local authorities with respect to polo operations.

In addition, we also encourage all USPA Member Clubs to take the precautions recommended by the CDC. We are preparing a detailed list of best practices for USPA Member Clubs as they return to hosting USPA Tournaments and Events and plan to circulate these guidelines within the next week. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and will notify you if we determine a different course of action is necessary.

The HPA have amended their 2020 fixtures list

The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) initially released their 2020 UK Victor Ludorum dates back on Friday 17 April, but this draft did not include the Victrix Ludorum nor the 4 and 6 goal Victor Ludorum. However, the HPA have now released a revised 2020 Victor and Victrix Ludorum Fixture List which covers all levels of the Victor Ludorum (4 to 22 goal), the 18 goal Victrix Ludorum.

Some of the changes include: in the 22 goal The Prince of Wales Trophy will now begin on 12 June (rather than 13 June as originally stated) and The Trippetts Challenge will not be included; in the 15 goal The County Cup at Cirencester Park Polo Club has been moved from 16 June, to now beginning on 1 September (which has in turn pushed back the Arthur Lucas) and The Eduardo Moore at RCBPC will now start on 23 June (previous date was 30 June). Plus, the proposed dates for the 4 and 6 goal Victor Ludorum have also now been included. Please turn to our What’s On pages to see the full amended fixtures.

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Beaufort Polo Club 2020 Fixture List Announced Entries being taken NOW for our upcoming tournaments: Action packed polo from -2 to 15 Goal, including Victor Ludorum View the Fixture List and Enter now at www.beaufortpoloclub.co.uk

News Virtual Windsor 2020 Result

Photograph courtesy of the AAP

AAP Health & Safety Meeting

Talks about health & safety procedures in Buenos Aires have taken place

SandPolo 2020 Cancelled

It was announced on Wednesday 13 May that SandPolo 2020 has been cancelled due to the unforeseen and unprecedented events of this year. SandPolo aims to be back in 2021 from 9

– 10 July, and existing tickets for the cancelled 2020 event will be automatically carried over to 2021.

Photograph courtesy of Royal Windsor Horse Show

On Friday 15 May, Eduardo Novillo Astrada (President of the Argentine Polo Association [AAP] met with the Governor of the province of Buenos Aires, Dr Axel Kicillof, in order to present a framework of a health and safety protocol for equine training.

CAMINE representatives presented the Governor with a health security protocol to reactivate equine training, which was approved

by Kicillof, according to the regulations made by the National Ministry of Health, which details the procedures that must be met by all equestrian organisations that would like to return to business. During the meeting, CAMINE representatives demonstrated the importance of the National Equine Industry in a province like Buenos Aires, where more than 900,000 equines are located, and how the cessation of activities due to quarantine has directly affected all those workers in this industry, in total more than 200,000 people.

Diana Wilkinson’s Prima Markova, ridden by Ollie Jones, the winner of Guards Polo Club Polo Pony Class

This year the Royal Windsor Horse Show was moved online due to Coronavirus, with a Virtual Windsor show with entrants asked to submit an image of their pony in action. The Guards Polo Club Polo Pony Class was judged by Guards Polo Manager Antony Fanshawe and Lord Charles Beresford, who deemed Diana Wilkinson’s Prima Markova, ridden by Ollie Jones, as the winner of this year’s competition. Fanshawe commented, “Prima Markova was one of the first two horses who stood out. The horse just looks like a cat which is what you want in a polo pony. The top three are just beautifully balanced. For me, a very important part is how smooth the horse is.” In second place was Hilali Noordeen’s Chapa Escorpiana, and in third was Simon Franc’s Pepina.

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Polo Times, June 2020

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Obituaries

Photograph courtesy of Zahra Lucas

Obituary Marjory Lillian Williams 19.09.1921 – 12.05.2020

Born a redhead on 19 September 1921 to Charlie and Flossie Peach in Newton Abbot, Devon. Marjory was the eldest of three.

She was a bright and rebellious child who ended up being offered a place at The London School of Economics (LSE) and Wolsey Hall, Oxford.

As a young girl during the Second World War, Marjory was a Code Breaker and based at Bletchley Park. Whilst she wouldn’t speak of this very often, she was very proud of all she did during this period of time. In a recent stay in hospital she told the young German trainee doctor all about it – he nearly dropped his stethoscope!

Instead of taking up her place at LSE (due to illness) after the war she got her bicycle and booked herself a boat trip to India, her parents were furious, but she managed to save enough from her job at The BBC (she was a monitoring news typist in 1941) to fund it, so off she went. Her stories from this entire trip were hilarious.

Having worked in the War office and later the Foreign Office (Political intelligence Division) she was employed in India as PA to the Head of the Monitoring Service in New Delhi. Marjory ended up in Jaipur where she met Major Robin Addie, a handsome English solider who happened to play polo. After a whirlwind romance of polo and parties they married in The Red Fort, riding to the ceremony on elephants.

Shortly after their marriage they ended up back in England,

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buying a house on Ham Common. Ham Polo Club was to become a favourite of both, Robin was already a member and introduced his wife to the sport once again. The beautiful Marjory was often seen playing there on her two favourite ponies ‘Mandingo’ and ‘Muneca’.

During this time, Marjory was working hard as a model and was also keen to get into politics, and so stood as a councillor in Richmond before the Greater London Authority was formed.

Her main aim was to gain political experience locally before applying to become an MP which she achieved in 1961. She was also heavily involved working within Parliament at this time for Sir John Maitland.

Marjory and Robin adopted a son, Robert Addie (Alistair) not long after returning from India, Marjory doted on this wee blonde boy. Robert went on to be a very accomplished actor, Robin of Sherwood and Storky & Co were part of his strong career.

Sadly, Robert died of cancer aged just 43-years-old.

During their time at Ham, Marjory met her second husband – the dashing Jack Williams. Jack was a huge part of the Club as he was in partnership with the then Polo Manager, Billy Walsh, importing polo ponies.

Marjory and Jack married in 1967, they then moved to Gloucestershire where Jack was Polo Manager of Cirencester Park Polo Club. Living at Jack Barrow, followed by Beechanger.

It was during this time that Marjory got very involved with children’s polo. Both she and Jack were instrumental in the development of kids’ polo. Marjory was the Vale of the White Horse (VWH) Manager, and taught hundreds of children all around the world to ride. Only last year she was seen time keeping at Cirencester Park for the children’s Pony Club Polo.

She was totally passionate about bringing on the young.

They travelled all over the world setting up polo establishments – Sotogrande, Boca Raton in Florida and alongside Christopher Hanbury, Brunei. Although stressful, Marjory embraced their life and was always up for a party. She was very outward going and loved meeting new people from all over the world. Marjory was fiercely protective of her friends and God help anyone saying a bad word against them!

Jack and Marjory adored each other, sadly after a series of bad riding accidents Jack ended up in lengthy recuperation at Kirtlington courtesy of the Tylor and Budgett families. Marjory juggled Jack, ponies and businesses… she was a machine!

Marjory and Jack moved back to Gloucestershire once again where she had various jobs, including working for Jilly Cooper, who she transcribed for. After a few years she took up a new career, running her own company ‘Shepherds Staff’ providing carers, house staff and nannies etc. She ran this until she was 96-years-old, often attending jobs to look after the elderly if she couldn’t find the appropriate person!

Marjory loved keeping in tune with the younger generation who all loved her charisma and great and naughty sense of humour. She was totally un-shockable and fascinated by the antics of the young.

She was a much loved grandmother and great grandmother of Alex, the Williams family and adopted Granny to the Lucas/ Severn gang and of course an Aunt to her niece Carole who spent so much time with her as a child.

Marjory’s charm, style, wit, conversation, stories but most of all her optimism and sense of humour will be missed by all who knew her. Glass always half full…!

She left us doing the tango in her dreams.

Polo Times, June 2020

11

News

Obituaries

Photograph courtesy of Cheshire Polo Club

Obituary Spencer Atkinson 1967 – 2020

Spencer Atkinson passed away peacefully at his home in the Wirral on Thursday 21st May 2020.

Ten years ago, Spencer joined Cheshire Polo Club after being introduced through a mutual friend to Lucy Coddington and started having lessons with her during his first year. Polo played a massive part in his life and he continued instruction with Will Padden who became a lifelong friend and team mate throughout the years.

Michael Herbst remembers a good friend and founder of Polo Wicklow: “Mr Craig McKinney was a powerful figure who has been synonymous with Woodchester since its foundation in 1977. The Scotsman first came to Ireland when he was 22 to work with his brother Jack at Hamilton Leasing, a company then owned by the British venture capital company and than started the Woodchester Bank “Beside his very successful business career in Ireland, he followed equally thoroughly his love to sport horses.

“First with hunting. But when he discovered and tried polo he decided to dedicate his free time totally to this sport and shared his energy and love to polo with all of us.

“He recognized the adrenaline in polo to be similar to his business. Exercise chukkas as well as even the smallest of tournaments to be very competitive. The teamwork loyalty and competitive spirit in polo with good tools was always well rewarded.

“Polo enables the rider to be so close and joined with the horses (born as fugitives) who with training totally trust the rider in quick turns, stops, aggression and speed and have the same fun as the rider keeping both safe. It is one of the rare horse sports where the player uniquely feels to be part of the horse and feels like having six legs!

“First Craig took some lessons with Major Hugh Dawnay in Waterford and became a member of the then only All Ireland Polo Club in the Phoenix Park where he later became Vice President and then President. He soon became a very competitive player and played with some of the best international professional players in the world. But he always most enjoyed his polo in Ireland and helped to spread his enthusiasm and dedication for polo in Ireland 12

Polo Times, June 2020

to all his friends and anyone else prepared to listen to him.

“Craig was a founder member of Polo Wicklow and gave us tremendous support to progress with the Winter Arena Polo which provided polo with the first allweather polo facility in Ireland and one of the first in Europe becoming a 12 month a year polo sport.

“His personal professional Argentine players helped to improve the standard of play in Ireland.

“One of the highlights of my polo Career with Craig was on a Polo Wicklow team, captained by Craig on the day, winning the international tournament in Berlin 1995 in the Olympia stadium with some 20,000 spectators against four other teams, Switzerland, Germany, England and France.

“Most of the then monthly international Arena Polo tournaments in Polo Wicklow he participated in.

“When he retired from his banking career he decided to make polo his main activity for the rest of his life. Enthusiastic as he was he purchased, in the heart of polo, a property in Argentina and in Spain playing high goal and low goal polo.

“He played polo more or less full time and even had his own polo team called, appropriately enough, Woodchester which is now well known in the history books of international polo.

“With all his engagements in his sport he also was a good husband to Georgina and great father to Katie who of course you guessed it are also totally dedicated to polo and now are still serious competitors in the game.

“He will be much missed by all of us in the polo world for his sense of humour dedication to polo and his generosity and loyalty to his many friends.

“We send our deepest condolences to Georgina and Katie and his close family.”

Photograph courtesy of Polo Wicklow

Obituary Craig McKinney R.I.P 29 May 2020

He also visited New Zealand almost annually and loved it. He adored being at the Coddington brothers’ farm in the Ruahines and purchased his favourite pony JD whilst he was there. All the Coddington’s stayed in touch – Nick, Dan, Jonny and Robyn and he is dearly missed in New Zealand too.

He was a loyal and long-term supporter of Cheshire Polo Club and was a great advocate for polo and entered a team every weekend throughout the season. Amongst the trophies he won over many seasons he was especially thrilled to secure The Jaguar Cup last season for his friends Vic and Alison owners of V & A Hydraulics.

He said that the two biggest achievements in one year was making 0 handicap in polo and this drove him on and the other was his Chartered Engineer and Fellow of Marine Engineers, the highest you can reach in any engineering career.

Spencer’s business life was very full being Project Director at Cammell Laird Shiprepairers & Shipbuilders Ltd. He was a great lover of nature and animals, a conservationist and campaigner for the environment.

The good news was that, under special licence, Spencer and Deryn got married with a special day at home: a wedding cake was made, flowers were everywhere, and whilst only two witnesses were allowed plus the Minister, so they had a zoom set up and upwards of 150 watched and it was fantastic.

Spencer will be greatly missed by his family and friends and his absence felt by many others. He had a great sense of humour together with a ready smile for everyone he met. All of us have our own special memory of Spencer and his love of the club was unstinting together with kindness and loyalty – his passing will leave a huge void and we have all lost a treasured friend.

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DO YOU NEED HAND SANITISER FOR YOUR CLUB, YARD, LORRIES, GROOMS OR PLAYERS? Annex A - HPA PROCEDURES UNDER COVID-19 AS AT 12 MAY 2020

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Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do so.

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Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do so.

Continue rinsing.

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CONTAINS 80% ALCOHOL HAZARD IDENTIFICATION: DANGER HAZARD STATEMENTS: Highly flammable liquid and vapour.

Causes serious eye irritation.

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• Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.

• IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes.

Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do so.

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For external use only

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Causes serious eye irritation.

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• IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do so. Continue rinsing.

• If were irritation persists, get medical advice/attention.

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HPA News

Covid-19 HPA Update No.8

HPA Update No. 8 On Wednesday 3 June, the Hurlingham Polo Association released their eighth update for Clubs and Members, as well as an updated Procedures for Exercising, Training and Polo under Covid-19.

The procedures have been revised and updated with Levels 4 and 5 added in for preparation of the English high goal and Victor Ludorum tournaments. These additional levels will allow for teams to practice and play competitively (once clubs have met the necessary requirements and been formerly approved by the HPA), but currently only for 8 goals and above. This is due to only elite sport being allowed under current Government guidelines, having spoken directly to the HPA, Polo Times has been assured that should there be any movement or relaxation in this, then the HPA will of course act immediately to open up polo at all levels, when appropriate.

Below is the eighth update and updated procedures in full.

Update No 8 for Clubs and Members Wednesday 03.06.20 1. Outlook. a. Dates and restrictions continue to be dependent on the various tests set by the Government being met, but Government has now announced the start of Stage Three, a framework to progress the return to ‘Domestic Competition – No Spectators’ for elite teams/athletes, defined as those who derive a living from competing in a sport. The guidance for Stage One and Two activity must remain in place to underpin the progression of Stage Three which allows for elite sporting events to commence behind closed doors once the various parties concerned, the HPA, host clubs and players, are content that the necessary procedures are in place. b. The aim is to allow HPA clubs to provide for players and all associated staff a safe environment which meets the requirements set by Public Health England and enable elite sports persons to prepare for and then play tournament polo as soon as they are deemed to be ready. The fitness of the ponies is an important aspect of readiness and hence clubs should ensure that members have had time to get their ponies

14

Polo Times, June 2020

fit before hosting competitive polo.

One change has been made to the Victor/Victrix Ludorum fixture list and that is to delay the start of the Beaufort Prince of Wales 12 goal tournament which will now start on 16 June and finish on 21 June. The Dollar Cup at Cowdray will the start on 23 June and finish Saturday 4 July as planned. c. The protection of all persons from Covid-19 is of the greatest importance and hence the numbers attending any training sessions or games must be kept to an absolute minimum. Only those who are essential may attend. Sadly, that does not include family members unless they are working and booked in as such. It is the responsibility of every individual player and person connected to the sport to follow the HPA’s Covid-19 guidelines at all times so as to ensure the continued health and safety of everyone involved in the game and thus the successful continuation of the sport. d. To get the sport going as soon as possible rule changes are still being considered, minimising line outs and unnecessary contact, but only for as long as necessary. e. Testing is not currently a condition of the Government but will be kept under review as new tests are being developed. In certain circumstances a negative test may enable the isolation period to be reduced and Directive No 2 takes account of testing for this purpose.

2. Procedures. These have been revised and updated. Levels 4 and 5 have been added in preparation for the start of the 22 goal and VL tournaments. Level 4 will only be approved at this stage for domestic club training games and practices of 8 goals and above. These will also be used to confirm any rule changes.

In the meantime, face coverings must continue to be worn as set out in the Updated Procedures dated 03.06.20 at Annex A but this will be kept under review and clubs should focus on hosting Level 3 for the purposes of training and getting ponies fit.

3. Coaching. The Government rules now allow gatherings of up to 6 individuals provided that social distancing is maintained.

This means that an individual coach may now instruct up to 5 people in a group lesson.

4. Quarantine. The Government has imposed a 14 day quarantine for those entering the UK on or after 8 June, with a review after 3 weeks.

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Covid-19 HPA Update No.8

Procedures

Exercising, Training And Polo Under Covid-19 As At 3 June 2020 1. The requirement for social distancing and strict hygiene protocols continues as does a policy of limiting numbers for gatherings. Clubs and individuals shall adhere to the Government C-19 guidance as described at the time in general. These may change at short notice.

2. The HPA has revised Directive No 1 as below. It is not intended to supersede or replace UK Government guidelines and should be read in the context of all such UK Guidelines in force at the time.

Directive No 2 “Any member of the HPA: • Who develops symptoms of COVID-19 cannot go to an HPA affiliated club or event until they have isolated themselves for a period of not less than 7 days (UK Government guidelines) and ideally 14 days from symptom onset (WHO guidelines). They have the option to apply for a test (UK Government guidelines) but cannot go to an HPA club until they have a certificate showing that they have tested negative. If they test positive or are unable to get a test, they must complete their isolation period of 7 (or 14) days.

• Who discovers that they are living with someone known or suspected to have COVID-19 cannot go to an HPA affiliated club or event for a period of 14 days (UK Government guidelines) as it can take 14 days for COVID-19 symptoms to appear (the incubation period). If the suspected person tests negative, the self-isolation may end.

• Who has been officially informed that they are a contact of someone known to have COVID-19, should follow the

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official guidance (yet to be published but this may be by the NHS Track and Trace app or by human contact tracers).

• These provisions also apply to any person working for or supporting HPA members who have a responsibility to ensure that those persons adhere to the above if going to an HPA affiliated club or event.”

3. All Attendees at an HPA Affiliated Club or Event.

• Each vehicle should have its own hand sanitiser displayed on entry and used on getting out of the vehicle.

• Each attendee should have their own face covering, also displayed on entry.

• Each attendee should take their own temperature the day before and the morning of play. If it is 37.8 or above they should not got to polo.

4. Clubs. Clubs should appoint a “C19 Club Official” to coordinate club responsibilities for the various mandatory measures as set out below. Additional Daily Liaison Officers (or Covid Marshalls) should be appointed as required to carry out duties on site on his behalf: a. Hygiene: • Source/supply appropriate hygiene and cleaning equipment.

• Display and communicate hygiene protocols.

• Position cleaning material at necessary sanitisation stations.

• Provide clear communications and signage for the above • Regularly disinfect high risk areas

HPA News

and contact zones including pony lines. b. Logs and Temperature Checks: • Log declarations and liability waivers for all attendees.

• Log attendees with when and where so that tracking is readily available in the event of someone having the virus.

• Check for signs of C-19 which must include a recorded temperature check for all attendees.

• No entry for attendees with a temperature 37.8 or above or showing S&S of C-19. They should be sent home and told to follow procedure as laid down by PHE. There needs to be room for them to turn around and leave.

• If an attendee develops a temperature or S & S of Covid-19 having been admitted, clubs must have a well signed isolation area. c. Social Distancing • Have a vehicle separation and parking policy to ensure social distancing measures can be met.

• Ensure 2m social distancing can be maintained in high risk areas such as pony lines, washdown areas, loos, team tents.

• Where social distancing measures cannot be applied or are difficult, restrict their use and require persons to wear a face covering. For example: o In all levels both players and grooms should always wear them when the player is dismounting, mounting or changing ponies. o In levels 2 and above players should continue to wear them when training or playing at this stage but this will be kept under review.

The aim of the face covering is to prevent player to player transmission. Washable, cloth face masks (not surgical masks) are recommended. Surgical masks are unsuitable as it is Polo Times, June 2020

15

HPA News

Covid-19 HPA Update No.8

not possible to breathe through the fabric but only around the sides, and also because the NHS needs to have priority on supplies.

• Space training by time and location so that there is time for pony lines etc to be cleaned between sessions and so that contact between individuals is reduced as far as possible.

• Allow time for safe entry, unboxing, boxing and exit of traffic/players/grooms without impacting on local traffic. d. Additional Points • Club risk assessment should cover each access and ground.

• There is a daily status report on the capacity of each hospital so there should be no need to ring a hospital.

Clubs should be in position to provide individual club statistics on accidents requiring patient transport/treatment

by NHS to all chukkas/activities played in 2019 and in previous years if available.

5. HPA Progressive Levels. In line with Government policy different levels have been set to enable training to progress to tournaments in stages. For all levels there shall be a Covid Marshall specifically responsible for ensuring that social distancing is maintained where possible on the field and any unnecessary contact is kept to a minimum (see Note). They may be a player or official, on or off the ground.

• Level 1. Up to 5 on a field at any one time for no contact individual training stick and ball or in pairs • Level 2. Up to 7 on a field at any one time for no contact training for set and combination plays • Level 3. Up to 7 on a field at any one time for 3 on 3 training with any unnecessary contact kept to a minimum.

• Level 4. Up to 10 on a field at any one time for elite training and practice games with any unnecessary contact kept to a minimum. Currently only eligible for teams of 8 goals and above.

• Level 5. Up to 10 on a field at any one time for competitive matches played to HPA rules as published at the time. Currently only eligible for teams of 8 goals and above.

Note: HPA Rule 31 Rough Play states that: “A player may ride off an opponent provided that the ponies are travelling at the same speed, are shoulder to shoulder and come together at a safe angle. When riding off, the elbow must be kept close to the side and a player may not push with the head, hand, arm, or elbow another player.” Due to the risks of virus transmission: • All line outs are suspended for Level 2 and 3 training. Alternative methods such as knock ins or hits from the centre should to be utilised until the further notice. Draft rules to replace line outs will be circulated shortly.

•

For Level 3, no contact is allowed unless 2 opponents are competing to make a play at the ball. Once any such play is completed the players should move apart to the recommended safe distance.

All other contact is to be strictly avoided.

6. HPA Approval. Approval for Level 1 will be dependent on a club having confirmed to the HPA that they have: • Provided the HPA with their risk assessment for Level 1 and the name of their Covid-19 Officer.

• Put in place the required procedures for Level 1.

• Received written permission (via email) from the HPA. Approval for each level thereafter will be dependent on a club having: • Provided the HPA with their risk assessment adjusted as required for the next level.

• Confirmed that its procedures have been satisfactory and also adjusted as required.

• Received written permission (via email) from the HPA. 7. Number of Grooms and Ponies. To keep numbers down the following limits for grooms and ponies are currently proposed: Up to Level 4: 2 grooms/6 ponies 4 chukka polo: 2 grooms/6 ponies 5 chukka polo: 3 grooms/8 ponies 6 chukka polo: 4 grooms/10 ponies

Editor’s Note: Due to the Coronavirus pandemic the information from the HPA is correct at time of going to press. However, please check with the Hurlingham Polo Association online: www.hpa-polo.co.uk or your club for ongoing information; as the situation is constantly under revision due to ongoing Government guidelines.

16

Polo Times, June 2020

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

Letters

Dear Sirs I thought the below article I wrote may be of interest to you, I wrote it to try to highlight the fact that racehorses have a second life and a lot of them in polo last for a long time. It’s a hot topic here in Australia and New Zealand.

This is one racehorse’s journey after leaving the racehorse world.

Born in New Zealand at Te Ranga Stud Wayne Larson Auckland, we got the call to come pick her up as a three-year-old, because she simply hadn’t grown enough for the track.

Kel (my brother & business partner) backed (broke in) her slowly and methodically started the process of setting her up for the polo field. Three years later she came into my string and started playing low goal tournaments collecting the name of Pulse along the way.

Pulse steadily worked her way up the ranks to become a key horse in my competitive polo string and by the time she was eight-years-old she had become a force to be reckoned with in the big games and won many champion pony prizes around New Zealand. You could say Pulse took to the game like a duck to water.

This five-year process had her ready for the big trip to the northern hemisphere where polo gets serious. English polo is one of the most competitive polo destinations in the world, with many leading polo players heading to England to play the high goal season with The Queen’s Cup at Guards Polo Club and The Gold Cup at Cowdray Park Polo Club being the most soughrt after of all trophies.

The next phase of Pulse’s life began at Flemish farm (Guards Polo) where she got into the groove of the more serious polo, preparing for the following season when she would be rising 10-years-old and ready to play in world class company of the high goal players.

Once acclimatised to the northern hemisphere seasons and the intensity of English polo, Pulse was ready to become a key part of my string once again and as the season unfolded she gained more and more interest from high goal players. One thing led to another and she was bought by the Dubai Polo team the day before The Gold Cup Final. Pulse made her debut in English high goal polo during The Gold Cup Final, playing for the Dubai Polo team with Nachi Ignatius du Plessis where she played her role. The Dubai team had an historic win with Nachi and the young Castagnola boys, therefore Pulse was ready for the next chapter of her journey, a plane ticket to the Mecca of polo, Argentina.

Ready for her first season in Argentina, Nachi played Pulse with the exciting, new young team La Natividad, who enjoyed a very good Argentine season. We watch with great anticipation to see where else this little Thoroughbred’s career may take her.

Ross Ainsley

Quick Question

Polo ponies quickly adapted to #LifeOnLockdown We follow them to save you the scrolling: @cowdraypolo Today’s #FlashbackFriday is in honour of the 75th anniversary of VE Day; to those who gave so much, we thank you.

This photo was taken in 1937, it shows Fleet Air Arm on parade at Ambersham.

The landing ground was sown with the ‘right sort’ of grass in case they should one day be needed as polo fields. Two of their two Walrus hangars remain today, as does the Nissen hut which now does duty as Ambersham Clubhouse.

Source Unknown #VEDay75

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@museum_of_polo We Will Survive - You polo players out there are nothing if not persistent. Since polo’s birth in America, the sport has survived World War I, promptly followed by the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, then the Great Depression and later, World War II. In its ancient and worldwide 2,600 year old history, polo has withstood centuries of war, plagues and pestilence. Now we are essentially fighting World War III, but we are determined and resilient! Hang tough, we will get through this together.

Enjoy these polo pics here from 100 years ago. In the roaring 20s – polo goes on for both men and women and makes for many happy spectators on the sidelines! #polo #polohostory #mopahof #museumofpolo #polohalloffame #polopony #poloclub #americanpolo #sidelines #saddle #chukker #bit #ride #coronavirus #newnormal #field #floridapolo #greatdepression #wwii #resilience #betterworld

Q: Adolfo ‘Poroto’ Cambiaso, son of the famous 10 goal player Adolfo Cambiaso, is currently making waves in the polo community over his handicap difference in the USA and the UK. In the UK Poroto is currently three goals, what is his handicap across the pond in America?

A: Turn to page 54 to check your answer.

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Polo Times, June 2020

@polotimes 7,551 followers www.polotimes.co.uk

PLTV www.pololine.tv

The World’s Leading Polo Broadcast Media

...and +20 Clubs!

Feature

PoloLine.TV in Focus

PoloLine.TV

We find out more about this dynamic company on the frontline of polo digital media

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oloLine.TV is making waves across the polo world, their platform shows amazing growth and The Polo Show has achieved over two million views worldwide. We thought it was time to find out more about this exciting polo success story.

Q: What is the ethos behind PoloLine.TV? A: In 2018, PoloLine.TV launched as polo’s premium filming, live steam and broadcast media platform, focusing on bringing content to a global audience. The filming and live streaming of global polo matches and events, are aired on the PLTV website for repeated audience viewing, and without subscription. The high definition broadcasting is presented by a team of experienced commentators and visual graphics to a very professional and TV broadcast standard.

Q: Where is the footage filmed?

A: Following a 50 percent growth in the platform from 2018 to 2019, Pololine.

TV have been preparing for another busy year, with affiliations to over 28 clubs

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Polo Times, June 2020

including: Saint Tropez, Santa Maria Polo Club in Sotogrande; Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club in Dubai; Thai Polo (Thailand and Argentina); Garangula Polo Club in Australia; and the Cirencester Park and Royal County of Berkshire Polo Clubs here in the UK, to name but a few.

Q: What content is there to view?

A: The PoloLine.TV website provides live stream and replays of previously live streamed global polo matches and events as well as a wider range of polo channels offering access to exclusive content such as:

• Q and A interviews with players and trainers such as Juan Martin Nero, Spencer Macarthy , Princess Azemah and Prince Mateen of Brunei, Marcos Di Paola and numerous others.

• Ladies tournaments, interviews and highlights.

• Royal Polo – a fascinating insight into The Royal Charity Polo Days.

• “The Polo Show” – 5 episodes broadcast globally by Eurosport, BT Sports and TyC sports.

• Daily Videos which range from game highlights to funny challenges between teams and players such as the most recent ‘Polo Ping Pong Challenge’.

Anthony Fanshaw from Guards PC & Tomas Palacios Bacque at Dubai Gold Cup Series live

www.polotimes.co.uk

PoloLine.TV in Focus

Feature

Aurora Eastwood & Rupert Lewis hosting live at The Coronation Cup 2019

Q: What benefit does this bring to the polo community?

A: The main intention of PoloLine.TV is to continue adding value for everyone involved in polo around the world and to enable tournaments and cups to be streamed and accessed through one site without any limitations, neither geographically nor technologically, through all devices.

Giving access to a wider global audience and profile, will benefit the sport of polo, the clubs, tournaments, players, patrons, corporate sponsors and the whole sider community. Which has to be great for our sport as a whole.

Q: Tell us about The Polo Show A: In 2019, we launched a new TV broadcast programme, with the primary aim and focus, to bring far greater global awareness and engagement with the remarkable sport of polo. In April 2019, PololineTV partnered with EuroSport, BT Sport and TYC Sports to bring what is the world’s first polo television series to a global audience. It was a fiveepisode series featuring the very latest polo news, tournament highlights, feature interviews, and polo lifestyle from around the world.

The very latest technical equipement is used including drones, where permitted

Q: Where is the content for The Polo Show filmed?

A: Content for the show has coverage and highlights from some of the most prestigious cups and tournaments around the world including: Thailand: King Power Polo Club, Thai Open, Thai Pink Polo.

UK: Coronation Cup Argentina and England, to the Ladies Warwickshire International, the Prince of Wales and the Warwickshire Cup. Dubai: The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series, as well as the Masters Cup. USA: The thrilling Gauntlet of Polo, Senior and Junior Westchester Cups and also the Ladies US Open which was held for the firsttime last year in Palm Beach, Florida.

Argentina: The Thai Pink Polo Cup based in Pilar and El Abierto Femenino where El Overo claimed a convincing “Third time lucky” victory.

France: Polo Club St Tropez, Polo Club Chantilly.

Adam Snowdon and Tomas Palacios Bacque commentating on the Final of the Dubai Gold Cup live from Al Habtoor PC

www.polotimes.co.uk

We also have content from many tournaments and highlights from France and Spain.

Q: Has The Polo Show been well received?

A: During 2019, over two million viewers from 52 countries tuned into watch the series.

So we would like to think that is a positive reaction! The feedback we had was that by bringing the mysterious sport of polo to ‘life’ for the very first time and to a worldwide television audience, The Polo Show has helped promote the sport of polo, polo clubs, the premier tournaments, corporate sponsors and players. Which has got to be a great thing for polo and all involved in it.

We’ll be filming live for the first time the first Open of the Argentine Season, the Jockey Club Open To watch the five Polo Show episodes, previous games or live footage visit: www.Pololine.TV

There is a huge amount of technical expertise required during live filming and live streaming

Polo Times, June 2020

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UK

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High Goal Guide

Your guide to the who’s who of the upcoming (slightly delayed) UK high goal season

Katie Perez reports

Principal photography, ©www.imagesofpolo.com, also Courtesy of Polo Times, Reinhardt & Sommer Photography and Evelina Jakovlevskaja

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here is no doubt it has been a strange year so far. With all the moving parts that make up our sport, from shipping horses, to migrating players and the inevitable contact and close knit working communities, it is safe to say that polo has been affected even more than most sports this summer.

The disruption of Covid-19 on the world has led to levels of uncertainty that, even at this point in what should have been the start to a fantastic season, has left managers, grooms, players and patrons alike scratching their heads, wondering about the correct and safest course of action. As if a worldwide pandemic wasn’t enough, add in a hefty dollop of polo-tics to the mix, with accusations of ‘under-handicapping’ plaguing the season and you’ve got yourself quite the polo pickle.

However, British polo and the British polo community remains strong in its resolve. In a Steering Committee in late May, the Sports Minister categorised polo as an elite sport meaning full contact training was permitted to resume, thereby signalling the reopening of the clubs around the UK, and the start of a highly anticipated season, albeit with restrictions in place. Early June heralded more news from the government, an official announcement that elite sports behind closed doors could resume as of 1st of June and with this news, the sporting season truly began.

So, while we wait with baited breath on the HPA’s regular updates to fully understand the further precautions and measures that will be put in place to guarantee everybody’s safety, the players and ponies that have been poised and ready to leap into action at the merest whisper that competitive polo is resuming, have started to gather in their English polo hubs.

The UK high goal season comprises of two main, championship tournaments, The Queen’s Cup held at Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire usually followed by The Gold Cup for the British Open, held at Cowdray Park Polo Club in Midhurst, West Sussex. Other tournaments include the Prince of Wales and The Warwickshire Cup. This year, due to the

UK High Goal Guide

Feature

The Big Ones:

The Gold Cup for the British Open (Cowdray Park Polo Club) 23 June – 19 July The Queen’s Cup (Guards Polo Club) 28 July – 23 August

Other 22 Goal Tournaments: The Prince of Wales (Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club) 12 – 20 June The Warwickshire Cup (Cirencester Park Polo Club) 18 – 26 July delayed start to the season, first up will be The Gold Cup. This is normally the peak of the season, the climax to which all previous tournaments and matches are preparing for.

This year it will be the first of the big two and the first time out for many of the lineups who will not have had much opportunity to play or even practice together. Going into The Queen’s Cup will be a different story. With players having tuned up their horses and perfected their team dynamics, combined with the pristine fields of a barely touched Guards Polo Club, it will be a twomonth spectacle of some of the best polo in the world.

Due to extenuating circumstances, some familiar faces have dropped out and we see former winners Dubai, La Indiana and King Power amongst others, surrender their sticks and press pause on their UK season plans, leaving a reshuffling of players for those that remain resolute in their commitment of what is many players’ favourite polo season of the year. With tournaments and seasons cut short worldwide, players across the globe are itching for this long-awaited and exciting season to get underway and with the line-ups in the running, there is no chance of disappointment. We can expect fireworks on the field and the teams should be ready for a hugely competitive season.

The 2020 High Goal Teams Park Place This year the siblings Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres join the power of the Park Place organisation. One of the best set ups in the season, Andrey Borodin’s Park Place took the UK by storm in 2018 and since then have remained extremely competitive and a team to beat. While they have failed to seal the deal despite several tense Finals including the last two Queen’s Cup Finals, they now count on the most iconic duo in polo as part of their formidable side and it could be time for them to take centre stage once again. With the talented Kian Hall, no stranger to the high goal despite his youth, working hard for the combo, and Borodin a reliable runner up front, making plays and scoring those key goals, this team has a serious chance of winning at least one of the coveted titles. www.polotimes.co.uk

Team handicap: 22 Patron: Andrey Borodin One to watch: Kian Hall – claimed Queen’s Cup in 2016 with Dubai, Kian has made a name for himself by his consistent, mature playing style and this is his chance to shine once again..

Andrey Borodin Handicap: 0

Facundo Pieres Handicap: 10

Gonzalito Pieres Handicap: 9

Kian Hall Handicap: 3

Polo Times, June 2020

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Feature

UK High Goal Guide

Sponsored by

Great Oaks With La Indiana out of the season, the young line-up, including the unimaginably talented Castagnola brothers Camilo and Bartolomé Jr, has been scooped up by the Great Oaks organisation. The rising stars are a force to be reckoned with. The quick, agile play of the young pair played a huge part in them raising the Gold Cup high last year as part of the Dubai comeback, in one of the most inspiring Finals of recent years. Playing off 8 and 9 respectively in Argentina (having both jumped 2 goals after their 2019 performance), their significantly lower UK handicaps play into Great Oaks’ favour and could make a huge difference in the competitive dynamic of the roster.

This year, they are lending their fraternal symbiosis to this new organisation completed by talented patron Dillon Bacon and clever player Santiago Laborde, but will their power be enough to wreathe them in gold once again?

Scone Winners of last year’s Cartier Queen’s Cup, Australian side Scone are set to come back strong this year, sporting one of the least changed teams on the roster. Last year, the so-called underdogs defeated the powerful Park Place in a fantastic Final at The Queen’s Cup and this year the only trade has been one English hero for another. Ollie Cudmore takes up the reins, joining long time teammate James Harper and clever, quick Nico Pieres who will be bringing up the rear. David Paradice is a hardworking number one and his involvement in goal making plays is what really sets this team apart. With all that talent packed in to this four-man squad and riding high off last year’s successes, this team will surely be one to watch throughout this season.

Team handicap: 22 Patron: Dillon Bacon One to watch: Bartolomé Castagnola Jr – after an incredible performance in Argentina and defending champion of The Gold Cup, this young player is already far outperforming his years and has so much more in the tank.

Dillon Bacon Handicap: 2

Camilo Castagnola Handicap: 7

Bartolomé Castagnola Jr Handicap: 7

Santiago Labord Handicap: 6

Team handicap: 22 Patron: David Paradice One to watch: Ollie Cudmore – winner of the Gold Cup 2018, Ollie is well mounted and tough. This home-grown talent has a lot to live up to and we are excited to watch him reach his potential.

David Paradice Handicap: 1

Ollie Cudmore Handicap: 6

James Harper Handicap: 6

Nicolás Pieres Handicap: 9

The silverware up for grabs

2019 Queens Cup Winners Scone Polo with HM The Queen, Laurent Feniou & Brian Stein

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Polo Times, June 2020

Marchfield, winners of the 2019 Prince of Wales Trophy

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Next Generation Now this is an exciting line up. Jean-François Decaux has form in the English season and has proved he has the organisation behind him to be a winner with his La Bamba de Areco side. This year he has certainly got the power, with a double up on Cambiasos. The number one in the world, back after a year-long English season hiatus, will be joined for the first time (officially) on the fields of Guards and Cowdray, by his son, most commonly known as Poroto. There is no doubt that the genius genes have been passed on and the pair are so in sync that it will be a tough act to beat. With Poroto somewhat controversially (to put it mildly) playing off 3 in the UK when he is 5 in the US, he is a steal of a team member. As if that wasn’t enough, add in La Dolfina teammate David “Pelón” Stirling one of the quickest thinking players out there and a long-term partner on the field of Cambiaso, and this is going to be a seriously tough side to overcome both mentally and physically.

Monterosso A vamp up from last year’s line-up sees Guillermo Terrera and Jero del Carril join Bazzoni’s Monterosso side.

Ignacio “Cubi” Toccalino, the older of the two highflying Toccalino brothers, remains on the team, lending a familiar and dependable quality to the line-up. Jero’s young, hungry style of play should complement the more experienced duo of Toccalino and Terrera who have played together in Argentina and the US during their careers. Monterosso don’t have a strong track record in their four years of British polo, often lacking that sparkle that makes them stand out from the crowd. They have been a familiar face in the high goal season for years now, could this be their year to shine a little brighter?

The victorious Dubai team winners of The Gold Cup 2019

www.polotimes.co.uk

UK High Goal Guide

Feature

Team handicap: 22 Patron: Jean-François Decaux One to watch: Adolfo “Poroto” Cambiaso Jr – most recently raised to 5 goals in the U.S., yet controversially playing off just 3 goals in the U.K., the most exciting polo prospect of his generation, his incredible talent and inherent understanding of the game belie his tender years.

Jean-François Decaux Handicap: 0

Adolfo Cambiaso Handicap: 10

David ‘Pelón’ Stirling Handicap: 9

Adolfo “Poroto” Cambiaso Jnr Handicap: 3

Team handicap: 22 Patron: Alessandro Bazzoni One to watch: Jerónimo del Carril – a strong polo CV has given this player the experience he needs to be a serious contender on the field when combined with his quick ball skills.

Alessandro Bazzoni Handicap: 1

Ignacio “Cubi” Toccalino Handicap: 8

Guillermo Terrera Handicap: 7

Jerónimo del Carril Handicap: 6

Victorious Emlor lift The Warwickshire Cup in 2019

Polo Times, June 2020

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Feature

UK High Goal Guide

Sponsored by

Team Handicap: 19 Patron: Patrick Maleitzke One to watch: Patrick Maleitzke – always great to see a new player on the block, we are excited to see what he brings to the field.

Schockemöhle A new name on the UK high goal roster, German player Patrick Maleitzke joins the fray alongside UK polo stalwart and experienced Jaime Huidobro and the strong attacking player Diego Cavanagh. One of the most talented players out of Germany and arguably best mounted on his Schockemöhle steeds, Maleitzke will be looking to capitalise on his Arena Gold Cup victory in the UK this year and will be testing his metal against the best players in the world. On paper, Eckherdt Juls’ team could be billed as underdogs, especially up against some of the combos on the list, but they aim to surprise and there is no lack of experience on the side which could be just what they need to give them the best chance of making waves in their team debut. With the element of surprise on their side, who knows what could happen in the most surprising of seasons?

Talandracas

– not confirmed at the time of going to print, but Carmignac’s side is primed and ready with horses playing chukkas. We wait to see if they will join the official roster.

Eduoard Carmignac’s Talandracas is the only line up to remain the same as last year. Talandracas were unable to make it past the Quarter finals of either tournament in 2019 and so have a lot to improve on. Despite a familiar dynamic, they are once again missing that leader which could mean the difference between winning and losing.

Each player is talented and punchy in their own right, but compared to some of the combined forces they are up against, they may struggle to make an impression. If they can all play up to their individual potential, then perhaps they will be the shock of the season and clinch one of the iconic 22 goal titles.

Patrick Maleitzke Handicap: 4

Eduoard Carmignac Ale Muzzio

Handicap: 0

With so many big name teams withdrawing from the 2020 UK high goal season, and, at the time of going to press, with Talandracas still not confirmed as playing – despite its players and horses already being in the UK, suited and booted – Polo Times spoke with some of the affected teams, to establish exactly why there had been a mass exodus.

From these numerous conversations, Polo Times learnt that whilst Covid-19 and the obvious restrictions has played its part in the decline in some team entries this season, sadly, the loss in teams is, in fact, as a result of ‘rules’ being bent to such an extent that the playing

“Every team tries its best to put together the most competitive team, and yes, of course, that involves selecting players that are on the ascendency and are hopefully going to be playing above their handicap, but all teams must adhere by the rules”.

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Polo Times, June 2020

Diego Cavanagh Handicap: 8

Eckhardt Jules Handicap: 0

Team handicap: 22 Patron: Eduoard Carmignac One to watch: Julián de Lusarretta – a classic style player he combines intelligent, somewhat sneaky play that takes his opponent by surprise, with pure power. A joy to watch.

Polo comment

So, what really is going on? Well, respecting the rules seems to be the key.

One player succinctly explained,

Jaime Huidobro Handicap: 7

“13 teams down to seven should be a big concern for anyone who loves their polo,” explained one team, with another saying, “Losing almost 50 percent is a disaster and has little to do with the C-19 factor”.

Handicap: 7

Julián de Lusarretta Handicap: 7

Francisco Elizalde Handicap: 8

field is so uneven, that the long-term credibility of the high goal could be in jeopardy.

The flip-side and balance to all this, is of course, that the 2020 UK high goal season benefits from multiple polo dynasties playing this year, all of which have more than their fair share of genius star quality running through their respected families’ genepools. This is to be applauded – however, as one patron explained, respect the rules and there will be a real season on our hands with possibly even more teams entered in the Queen’s Cup later in the season…

“The British high goal season is the jewel in the polo crown globally, but if I had played this year, I would have felt robbed before I even rode out. That’s why our team decided not to play”.

“What’s happening this season is not a case of under-handicapping, but of the governing body’s rules not being respected. It is so obvious and the sadness is that the HPA have done such a good job in getting polo going this season – allowing rules to be wrongly ‘interpreted’ is such a mistake and will cause long-term damage to polo if left unchecked”. www.polotimes.co.uk

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PADDOCK POWER PRO All the benefits of REBALANCE with a daily measure of Actigen Prebiotic. With the added prebiotics PRO is specifically designed for horses in intensive training to prevent and assist with gut issues and ulcers.

All PADDOCK POWER contains BIOTIN @ 150mg per kg This equates to 22.5mg per day on an average daily rate of 150g.

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Paddock Power can be used across so many different horses, from those turned away, through pre training and into peak performance. PADDOCK POWER has given us amazing results, it’s such a well-rounded product.

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PADDOCK POWER ORIGINAL Horses at grass or in training thrive on PADDOCK POWER ORIGINAL lick with added protein and a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals. This is no ordinary lick it’s a balancer in a bucket!

LifeBook

Photography by LifeBook

Feature

LifeBook Author Mr Beckett with Owner Roy Moëd

The Pivot Challenge Cup For businesses and individuals, COVID-19 requires innovation in real time (pivot or die)

I

n a time when not just businesses are struggling to survive, but many individuals are faced with their lives and livelihoods being turned upside down, human resilience is being tested to the full.

The challenge we all face is how to pivot from 2019 ‘normal’ to 2020 ‘abnormal’?

The 2020 challenge is to find ways to apply our resources to creating a fulfilling future for our families and communities.

The first step is to stop thinking 28

Polo Times, June 2020

‘normal’, to ignore the doom-mongers and clairvoyants of life in 2021 and to take charge and create your own ‘future normal’, the one you really, really want!

As the often misquoted Albert Einstein said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result,” so you have to change or pivot.

Pivot just means ‘to turn or change’, and, in reality, it has become a metaphor for “It wasn’t working this way, so I will (try to) do it that way.” Taking the challenge, we

innovate to evolve, and it is exciting. Your job, your business or your home life is no longer working as it was, so change it!

• Why make gin when no one is going to pubs?

Make hand sanitiser.

• Why keep a hotel running when no one risks going to hotels?

Make Smartpod mini offices for safe remote working. www.polotimes.co.uk

LifeBook

LifeBook’s library of private autobiographies

LifeBook Owner Roy Moëd

• Why have a wine club when no one goes clubbing?

Bottle wine tasters and ship for online tutorials.

Who will continue to work remotely (from home)? Twitter declared all staff can work remotely, for ever! The whole dynamic of remote working and the need for office space and hospitality has changed for ever.

So pivot we must! This is a human crisis, not just a financial one, and it has brought about a pressing need for connection.

• Why have an app for gyms when no one will sweat together anymore?

Pivot to an app for booking online training.

• Why have a cruise ship when people won’t buy cruises?

Create a cruise care home with all the facilities and sell Care Berths.

• Why have a Polo Club when you can’t have polo matches?

Pivot to … drive-in cinemas or...?

• Why have a private autobiography service interviewing vulnerable elders in their homes?

Switch to Video Interviews and tech up the silver brigade.

Protect at all costs: 1. your family 2. your networks 3. your health 4. your cash 5. your mental health/sanity 6. your integrity (unless it interferes with 1–5) Rules are made to be broken (act now, apologise later). Innovate in real time.

Roy Moëd and Yvette, his wife, the owners of Ranelagh Farm Polo Club, had a double hit on 15 March when,

Because of the lockdown, LifeBook is conducting all interviews and meetings over Zoom

www.polotimes.co.uk

Feature

having completed nearly £100,000 of refurbishments to the Polo Club, COVID-19 struck. The double hit came not just because of the closure of polo but also because their prime business, LifeBook (the world’s leading private autobiography service), prided itself in face-to-face interviews in the homes of elderly people, resulting in companionship and capturing life stories as a legacy for their families. This had to stop immediately, as the interviewers were visiting the most vulnerable in their homes.

However, within eight days the business model was able to pivot.

With clients averaging 82-years-old and restrictions brought in worldwide, an immediate solution to go virtual without going online was developed. In less than two weeks, LifeBook went to video face-toface interviews, mobilising its 300+ global remote workforce of ghostwriters and interviewers and moving its central office of project managers, editors and typesetters to remote working, enabling the entire customer journey, including photo scanning, to be nocontact and no-touch from start to finish.

With so many businesses suffering – travel, hospitality, retail – no one is advertising.

LifeBook is finding the opportunity in that and is advertising in print, TV, radio and digitally.

Now is the time for us to not only show empathy and localism but to understand the need for connection and belonging, to lean in and support our respective communities and to ‘pivot or die’, build resilience, be nimble and give back to our communities and flourish.

If you want to learn more about LifeBook, please call 0800 078 3435 or visit www.lifebookuk.com

Polo Times, June 2020

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La Martina Technical Team

Photography by La Martina

Feature

The La Martina Rheon Elbow Guards are designed in close collaboration with a number of players

The Latest Innovations From the La Martina Technical Team

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t a time when the world as we know it has been turned upside down and we eagerly await the chance to get back out on polo fields across the world, it’s reassuring to know that the wheels of innovation are still turning amongst polo heavyweights La Martina.

Headed up by La Martina President Adrian Simonetti, the Technical and Innovation Lab at La Martina is ready to launch its next products to a global polo community who have literally been stopped in their tracks by the Covid-19 emergency.

As part of their ongoing investment in polo safety and protection, the team have been busily designing and testing the next generation of elbow guards and the launch of the La Martina Occuli, a long awaited product and one which will surely be welcomed amongst players who, when finally allowed back on the field in competitive polo, will surely be donning protective gear to avoid being stopped in their tracks by injury.

The La Martina Rheon Elbow Guards are designed (like all of La Martina’s products) in close collaboration with a number of players, taking in to account comfort and performance as well as the 30

Polo Times, June 2020

latest in technology – in this case, the innovative Rheon material. At the core of the Rheon technology platform is an active polymer which is soft and malleable in its natural state but hardens immediately and temporarily upon impact. Its unique shape makes it waterproof, cooling, lightweight and durable.

“This elbow guard is the next step in our evolutionary story – after months of research we knew we wanted to work with the Rheon technology to create a next generation product. It’s exciting to be replacing the carbon fibre shell – that worked so well for so many years – with such a new material that takes protective wear to the next level.”

Adrian Simonetti, President, La Martina The Rheon technology helps control energy in movement, while the slick long line sleeve design ensures that it is an ergonomic and comfortable non-slip shape for the player to wear. Available in sizes x-small through to Large, this product is fully CE approved, the first pair of elbow guards to be specifically CE approved for polo wear in the world.

Hot on the heels of the elbow guards, and the next product to market, is the bright prospect of the La Martina Occuli.

This is a product that ticks every technical box – waterproof and anti-glare treated, the UV400 lens rating also ensures protection against 100% of UVA, B and C rays. The high contrast multi-layer mirror coated RW lens with wide panoramic vision and

IDRO water and dust repellence will surely prove invaluable during the most extreme of polo conditions, and the innovative venting system which changes airflow over the lens by attachment or removal of the plastic top allows the player to adjust the Occuli according to his or her needs.

This world class product is CE stamped and impact tested to EN ISO 12312-1:2013 – for those wanting to understand how this translates more precisely, the eyewear has passed impact testing of 150 ft/s with a steel

Rheon is soft & malleable in its natural state but hardens immediately & temporarily upon impact

www.polotimes.co.uk

La Martina Technical Team

Feature

The La Martina Occuli is a product that ticks every technical box & is available in a myriad of colours

with more people being able to gather and watch polo, it’s important that they can do so in the best conditions possible. A simple idea, a basic product but with a new visual design edge to it, but sometimes simple

is best and it just serves as to reinforce the importance of everyone enjoying and supporting the polo community as we build the sport back to what it was before Covid-19.

ball of 0.6 mm. This is serious protection combined with top level design. Adrian Simonetti, talking passionately about the brand’s responsibility to players, confirms that this is all testimony to La Martina’s on going investment and commitment to the global polo community so that they may enjoy the sport – at all of its many levels, played across the world – safely, comfortably and stylish, knowing that the best of design and technology is at their fingertips. This is a huge step forward for a sport which has not always embraced cutting edge design and technology, but a shift within the polo community means that safety is becoming more and more prevalent and this, combined with the products coming from La Martina, suggests that pros, amateurs and patrons can feel confident about its future.

“The La Martina Occuli has been a long time in conception – it had to be the very best product with not one but many technical advantages over other glasses on the market.

Polo has specific needs, and we wanted to address those needs full on, to create a protective pair of glasses that will literally be a game changer.”

Adrian Simonetti, President, La Martina And finally, proof that innovation doesn’t always need to be serious, is their newly designed umbrella which is already available from La Martina’s Pro Shop at Guards Polo Club. No, an umbrella may not be a new product, and yes the umbrella has been around for decades, but who thought to make it as fun as this – with a pony head popping out when the umbrella is opened.

The driving force behind this neat little product (which is guaranteed to make you smile on a rainy day) is that watching polo should also be fun and comfortable because the sport needs supporters. When the world can move forwards again in to better times www.polotimes.co.uk

La Martina’s new umbrellas will bring a smile to the gloomiest of days!

La Martina Occuli Tech Spec

Polo Times, June 2020

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Images of Polo Favourite Photos

Feature

Segundo Darritchon at the 2019 Crawford Cup - So pleasing to see the curved lines of a bent stick and the concentration and agility of the player

The Best of the Best

Tony Ramirez of Images of Polo shares his favourite selection of photographs which perfectly illustrate the beauty and power of our sport

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, June 2020

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Feature

Images of Polo Favourite Photos

Dario Musso at the 2018 Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz – The fantastic contrast of the colour on the white snow background makes this picture come to life

P

hotographing polo is not an easy thing to do. It’s fast, it’s unpredictable and, as every spectator knows, due to the rules of Murphy’s Law it is more often than not played at the opposite side of the ground to where you are standing, usually in a hidden little dip… and that is before the drizzle sets in. The skill and dedication needed to be able to capture the perfect polo image is not to be underestimated. A much-touted theory suggests that practising a skill for 10,000 hours makes somebody a true expert. Tony Ramirez, has most surely racked up more than this number of hours with his lens trained on polo action, people and personalities all around the globe. This experience means he leads the field in polo photography; capturing the incredible speed and skill of polo

Ralph Richardson scores for HB Glebe Farm against Park Place and takes the post at the 2018 La Martina Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Centenary Tournament – One of those pics that you always remember!

Charlie Hanbury at the 2017 Gold Cup – I just like the impact of the face mask and the rain in this picture

Barto Castagnola and Juan Martin Zubia at the Quarter Finals of the 2019 Cartier Queen’s Cup – The full determination of these two young players is amazing

Josh Cork and Richard Tyrone at the 2017 La Martina Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Centenary Tournament – It’s such a pleasure photographing any game at the Castle ground which I consider to be the most unique polo ground in the World with the wonderful views of Windsor Castle in the background

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Polo Times, June 2020

www.polotimes.co.uk

Images of Polo Favourite Photos

Feature

Gonzalito Pieres at the 2015 Cartier Queen’s Cup Semi-Final – This is how you do it!!! His expression after scoring this beautiful goal was amazing

with that seemingly effortless ease that comes with so much practice to make taking that perfect image is second nature.

Tony is known worldwide and has travelled the globe photographing the best polo action, polo and events. From the picture perfect polo grounds of the UK, to Buenos Aires, St. Moritz, his native Spain in Sotogrande and the USA – to name but a few.

Always charming and approachable, with an infectious laugh and friendly personality, Tony is the consummate professional. Even when presentations are running hugely over time, a media scrum and tempers are frayed; Tony is always there getting on with the job of capturing every detail professionally.

We are delighted that this constitutes the first of a series of articles in which Tony picks out some of his favourite images from his huge library. One can only wonder how he has even begun to choose from such an enormous selection. From the bend and curve of a stick during high speed polo action to the elegance in motion of the best players in the world and people just having fun playing polo, these are, in Tony’s opinion, the best of the best. We hope you agree! www.polotimes.co.uk

Great hook – Facundo Pieres vs James Beim – 2014 Coronation Cup

Polo Times, June 2020

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Feature

Images of Polo Favourite Photos

Facundo Pieres at the 2017 Gold Cup Final – Such an elegant rider and fantastic player

The Srivaddhanaprabha brothers with the 2016 Gold Cup – I just love to photograph brothers involved in polo

Mark Tomlinson scoring in the Final of the 2018 La Martina Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Centenary Tournament – The pleasing sight of him and his horse makes this picture

Charlie and George Hanbury at the 2017 Gold Cup – As above, although playing against each other

Facundo Pieres at the 2014 Argentine Open – Again I love bent sticks and the perfect coordination of player and horse

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Polo Times, June 2020

www.polotimes.co.uk

Images of Polo Favourite Photos

Feature

Tommy Beresford and Magoo Laprida at the 2018 Cartier Queen’s Cup – A hard ride off with such determination from both players

Max Charlton at the 2017 Valerie Halford Memorial – Always keeping an eye on the ball and he was unharmed

www.polotimes.co.uk

Mikey Henderson at the 2016 Diamond Jubilee Trophy – He just wanted to take home a souvenir of the day

Polo Times, June 2020

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Club Focus

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Editor’s Note: At the time of going to print the UK is in the midst of a pandemic lockdown, with most countries across the globe following suit, which means that there is a limited amount of Club News as Clubs are following government guidelines on social distancing and are currently closed to the public.

Guards Polo Club

Representatives from both organisations were at Smith’s Lawn on Friday, adhering to the Club’s strict social distancing rules, to receive their cheques. For both charities it was their first visit to Guards, but they are hoping to be able to return on Sunday 2 August when the Club is offering a complimentary day out at polo for all local NHS workers and their families (if government regulations allow). Sue Veltri, the head nurse at Wexham Park Hospital’s Emergency Assessment Centre said, “We would like to thank Clive Reid and Guards Polo Club for their donation. The money will go towards an outside terrace on the third floor of the unit so that all the staff can enjoy their breaks in a comfortable setting, out in the fresh air. Words cannot express how grateful we are.”

Alison Bourne, Chief Executive of The Dash Charity, revealed what Clive’s generosity meant to them, “We at The Dash Charity cannot thank Clive and The Guards Polo Club enough for this fantastic donation.

We are a small, local charity providing

Photograph by Hannah Wyles/©www.imagesofpolo.com

Clive Reid, AFB patron, made history on Friday 29 May, by being the first person to stick and ball on the Club’s new high goal Princes’ Ground. Reid secured the opportunity by bidding an incredible £10,000 to the Club’s auction and then upon arrival, Reid promptly doubled his bid to ensure both of the designated charities (The Dash Charity and Wexham Park Hospital) received £10,000 each!

It is still possible for you to also donate to this charity appeal, just email James Neighbour (cfo@guardspoloclub.com).

Reid commented, “I just wanted to thank the NHS for what it has done over the past few months, it has been amazing, it is so hard for all charities at this time so why not donate if you can. I am honoured to have been the first person to stick & ball on this ground. It was absolutely amazing, a great experience. Polo is played at such a speed that the quality of the grounds are so important for the health of the horses.

Guards Polo Club has invested in its grounds and the Princes’ Ground is now one of the best grounds in England.”

Clive Reid donated £20,000 to be the first player to stick & ball on the Club’s new Princes’ Ground

critical support to the residents of the Royal Borough [of Windsor and Maidenhead] and have never been busier in our 42-year history. Donations like this enable us to provide support to more women, men and children in the Borough and we look forward to a great partnership with the Club in the future. Thank you!”

Polo Club du Domaine de Polo Club Chantilly Saint Tropez Along with the UK and USA who made announcements last week about the future of polo in the current pandemic environment, France has also begun to ease lockdown since Monday 11 May and as a result sport (including outdoor riding) has been authorised. This has meant that Chantilly Polo Club has been able to open its Polo Club and fields for individual and group training, limited to 10 people and in compliance with strict rules in force nationwide. The French Government will be making a new announcement from 2 June and has already announced the opening of borders with Germany, Austria

Individual & group practices have resumed at Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly

and Switzerland from 15 June. With this in mind, Chantilly Polo Club hope that they will be able to resume polo tournaments from 6 June at 6-8 and 0-4 goals.

Rutland Polo Club

Rutland Polo Club have released their revised plans for the 2020 season, which include only offering chukkas this season as well as using Andrew Collie’s Launde Park Farm for chukkas rather than at their usual grounds. Those members interested in playing chukkas at the new venue need to contact Robert Dale via email (robertdale20@ hotmail.com) or on 07870 212902, as well as a polo field there is also an arena for bad weather. To cover the costs there will be a charge of £5 per chukka for members. The Club is aware that only being 38

Polo Times, June 2020

On Tuesday 26 May, a fire broke out at Polo Club Saint Tropez’s main building.

Luckily no one was injured and there was only limited material damage, but fire strikes another blow to the Club amidst the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. The Club still plans to go head with the gradual reopening for the 2020 polo and show jumping season.

able to offer chukkas for this season may be disappointing for some members, so they have compensated by substantially reducing all categories of membership rates to £100 and for Pony Club only £50. The revised Membership Application form can be found on the Club’s website. The Club is transferring its 2020 plans to 2021, when the Club will also be celebrating its 50th birthday. www.polotimes.co.uk

SP PO ECI LO AL CL RA UB TE ME S F MB OR ER S

R FO RS S E E AT E M B R M AL CI LUB E SP O C L PO

FREE HOUSE

B A R & R E S TAU R A N T

R E - O P E N I N G E A R LY J U LY S O C I A L D I S TA N C I N G O B S E RV E D LARGE BEER GARDEN P E O P L E S A F E - H O R S E F R I E N D LY

A L L D I S H E S A R E F R E S H LY P R E PA R E D T O O R D E R , U S I N G L O C A L LY S O U R C E D P R O D U C E

RUN AND OWNED BY POLO ENTHUSIASTS

D I R E C T A C C E S S T O B R I D L E WAY & A R E A O F N AT U R A L B E A U T Y

T H E C A M P, N R B I R D L I P, G L O U C E ST E RS H I R E , G L 6 7 E S w w w. fo s t o n s a s h . c o . u k 0 1 4 5 2 8 6 3 2 6 2

Photography courtesy of SUPA

Youth

SUPA India Polo Tour

SUPA India Tour

The British & Indian Teams line-up

Benjie Bradshaw (Newcastle University) reminisces to Polo Times about SUPA Britain’s India International Trip in December 2019 “On 22 December 2019 the SUPA Britain International Test Match to India kicked off for most of us at around 5:30am; with a

Team Great Britain riding into action

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Polo Times, June 2020

nice early drive to Heathrow to catch our early morning flight. This international event was sponsored by RJ Polo. Once in India

we had a quick three hour turnaround at a guesthouse in Delhi before catching our early morning train at 5:45am to the city of Ajmer. Mayo College lies on the outskirts of the city, and as the most prestigious boarding school in India, has an esteemed alma mater featuring scores of politicians, captains of industry as well as generations of Maharajas. The college itself is as impressive as its alumni, with beautiful IndoSaracenic buildings – which are typical of stunning old Indian architecture. This was to be the scene of the first of our two Test Matches of the tour.

“After an introduction to our opposition, and generous hosts, including Major Raghav Raj Singh, the logistical guru on the Indian end of the trip. We went to try the ponies for the match in two days’ time. We were given a large choice to try; the college has sixteen polo ponies of its own which have largely been donated by Old Mayoites.

Our stay fortunately coincided with a week-long Old Boys reunion – the Deja Vu Festival. Thus, evenings were filled with concerts, outdoor cinema viewings and lavish parties; all of which were tremendous fun. The morning of Christmas Eve we were shown the stables and the corrals – it’s a superb operation, with one groom to every two or three horses and an on-site farrier and vet. That evening we were invited to a local church for an evening service. Amazingly in a church in central Ajmer there were Christmas carols being belted out with gusto by the Indian congregation. It was quite an unusual, but brilliant Christmas.

“Merry Christmas one and all! Today we faced the Mayo College Polo Team made up of Vishwaraj Singh Rathore (-2), Abhyuday Singh (-2), Rishiraj Rathore (-2) and H.H. Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh ‘Pacho’ Singh of Jaipur (3). For our maiden match together, the SUPA team was Sam Wisbey playing in one, Natasha Tisminiesky and I sharing a spot at Two, skipper Thomas Coid at 3 and Philip Chalcraft keeping the backdoor shut wearing the number four shirt. The game got off to a tricky start with Mayo getting a goal early, scored by Pacho, whose teammates played out of their skins and more like good zeros than minus twos. This was sorted out with a superb retaliatory coast-to-coast run

by Coid, who sent a brilliantly ambitious neck shot soaring through the goal. However, this was combatted with the 3 goal handicapped Pacho going solo and demonstrating some remarkable stick work. Combined with having the arms of an octopus, he racked up the goals for the first and second chukkas.

“Following this, we had a rethink with Tisminiesky and I swapping positions with Chalcraft, which was effective, given his tenacity on the ball and in front of goal.

Alongside this, Coid marked Pacho out of the game, hanging around him consistently.

Thus, after several impressive runs assisted

by Wisbey and Tisminiesky confidently For Youth polo dates, please turn to our What’s On pages

SUPA India Polo Tour

Youth

Team Great Britain

Team Great Britain in action

marking the Indian defence out of the game, we got three more goals on the scoreboard.

Unfortunately, it was too little too late with the final score being 6-4 to the home team.

“That evening was sensational with a spectacular dinner (with a Christmas pudding for us!) followed by Lavinia Black leading the charge to the Mayo College dance floor.

Sam Wisbey proved to be very popular, with Lavinia succeeding at getting the other three teammates dancing long into the night.

“Boxing Day saw us travel to Jodphur to stay at the Mehrangarh Fort and play our second and final match. H.H. Maharaja Gaj Singhi of Jodphur rolled the ball in and the

game was afoot! We managed to squeeze in an early goal, thanks to another marvellous signature Coid neck shot. A strong response came from the Indian Team with Pacho escaping the line out and getting a goal with his magnet of a mallet! Unfortunately, this happened a few more times, despite hard marking by Wisbey and Chalcraft.

“In the second chukka Natasha Tismieniesky scored a great goal. Next up, Kartikeya Singh had a great run and passed the ball to Pacho, who gracefully put the ball through the goal posts. Not to worry though, straight out of the line out I had a lucky run and passed it to Phillip Chalcraft who slotted

it through the goal. Wisbey then had a cracking run but was cut short by a sneaky backhand from Yogeshewar ‘Yogi’ Singh off one goal. Although from then on it was nip and tuck, the Jodhpur team ran out the deserving winners 8-4.

After the presentations of gifts, we were all invited by the H.R.H. Maharaja of Jodhpur for a wonderful tea by the side of the polo ground. It was then time to make a mad rush to our longsuffering drivers and back to Ajmer and a quick change and showers at Mayo before catching the night train to Delhi and the airport.

“We cannot thank the Indian and Mayo Polo Associations enough for all of their hospitality, especially Raghav Raj Singh and Col Bhwani. We look forward to seeing them over here this Summer and hope to make it an annual event.”

SUPA Britain Team Philip Chalcraft (Harper Adams) Natasha Tisminiesky (RVC) Samuel Wisbey (Loughborough) Thomas Coid (University of Winchester) Benjamin Bradshaw (Newcastle University)

1 1 0 2 0

Team Great Britain with Lavinia Black

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

Polo Times, June 2020

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Youth

University of Winchester Polo Focus

University of Winchester Polo After a very successful Summer SUPA Nationals 2019, with three teams from the University Of Winchester (UOW) placing third in their divisions. UOW, being a small university were then very happy to take four teams to the SUPA Winter Arena Nationals in February 2020. Their teams ranged from Beginner 3 to Novice 3, as well as member Tom Coid captaining and representing Great Britain in the International match.

This year UOW had some great chukkas played and some strong results, especially from their Beginners where it was their first time playing polo competitively, placing fourth overall.

Every year at both Winter and Summer Nationals, UOW polo teams work as marshals, helping those on the SUPA Committee to make sure the event runs smoothly and to time, this is something that they really enjoy doing as a team. Here we speak to three OUW who have all enjoyed becoming involved in the polo community.

Anette Bach Photograph by Lila Boughdia

As an international student I had not heard about polo before, nor did I have much experience about riding, but none of that mattered to the Winchester polo team. It was comforting to be around all these people that supported each other and did not care if you hadn’t ridden before.

This made me fall in love with the sport, and I was hooked after that, and with the help of my teammates and our coach, I quickly got better. The team participated in different social events and SUPA tournaments, where we supported each other through thick and thin. Joining polo was not something I planned, but it has been the best decision I have made, and I do not regret it.

Rachael Taylor Polo is a completely new way of riding I had never thought about but joining UOW polo was one of the best decisions I made when I started University. I learnt so much within just the first few lessons at Hampshire Polo School, being introduced into the thrill and adrenaline that is involved in chukkas. I also feel so lucky to be surrounded by every member of the team who have made my first year at university amazing and I cannot wait to play polo with them all for the next two years.

Cerys Ancell Being a member of the UOW polo society has absolutely made my first year of university!

The team have helped to boost my confidence in and outside of the arena. I love having the opportunity to ride the amazing ponies at Hampshire Polo School, it gives me something to look forward to each week!

If you would like to see your university Club featured in our Youth pages, please email editorial@polotimes.co.uk

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Polo Times, June 2020

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Knowledge

Nutrition Focus

Lorna Edgar – specialist equine nutritionist

Q&A on Feeding Oil Olly Tuthill’s four shiny ponies being grazed by groom Chloe Evason

Q: Is it true you can feed oil as a calorie source? How much do you need to use?

A: Yes, absolutely, oil is very calorie dense, containing 2¼x more calories than the equivalent weight of starch/cereals! It is an ideal way to add calories to a ration without increasing the ‘bulk’ of the feed, which can be off putting for fussy feeders.

Sometimes, using straight oil can effect palatability of feed when using more than a ‘glug’, but, there are high oil supplements on the market than can be used in replacement, such as Baileys Outshine for example, where you would feed between 225gms – 1.4kgs per day to increase the calorie content of the diet.

Q: What is the point of a ‘glug’ of oil?

A: Basically, a small ‘glug’ of oil will help with coat shine and healthy skin, but a lot of concentrate feed contains good percentages 44

Polo Times, June 2020

of oil in them so the extra unscientific glug may not always be necessary. Some people do like to use it to mix in supplements.

We MUST bear in mind, that once feeding more than 100mls of straight oil per day we then need to consider the addition of antioxidants, such as vitamin E, C and selenium.

During aerobic respiration, where oil is broken down, free radicals are produced, and if anti-oxidants are not present, they can damage cell membranes, including those in the muscles. Fortunately, some oil supplements, such as Outshine, already contain anti-oxidants, for this reason.

Q: I just use a bottle of cheap sunflower oil from the supermarket, does it matter which oil I use?

A: When using oil as an energy/calorie source, we like to try and keep a balance in the diet wherever possible, especially

Photography courtesy of Lorna Edgar

All you need to know about oil!

This graph above illustrates the different amount of Omega 3 & 6 in some of the most popular oils used

between the two major omegas, 3 & 6 – Omega 6 containing pro-inflammatory properties and Omega 3 containing antiinflammatory properties.

Q: Is oil a good energy source?

A: Yes, but it is effective in promoting stamina based energy rather than the quick release energy that starch/cereals provide.

Oil is known as providing a ‘glycogen sparing’ effect; oil is used as the horse works aerobically e.g. walk, trot and a slow canter (heart rate up to 150bpm). Stores of glycogen (from a starch based ration) are spared, so when galloping a ‘full tank’ of fuel is still available, therefore improving stamina. From starting with a ‘full tank’ it is thought the energy stores are not depleted completely and therefore makes recovering from intense work even quicker.

Be mindful that, if feeding to a ‘good doer,’ that when the workload is reduced you must reduce the oil in the diet as well, otherwise they will very efficiently turn the oil into fat! www.polotimes.co.uk

Nutrition Focus

Knowledge

mixes/cubes) ration but need the calories from a different feed source – a high oil diet may benefit.

Q: How can I tell if my horse is having too much oil?

A: Horses can tolerate high quantities of oil in their diet, but if they aren’t accepting it as readily, you will often find their droppings becoming very loose, or they can become very smelly. Should this occur, then reduce the oil or oil supplement right back and reintroduce but take more time to build up to the recommended quantities.

Olly Tuthill uses Outshine for his horses, creating lovely shiny coats

Q: Do oils help with Gastric Ulcers?

A: As a direct treatment, no, but they can definitely be used as part of a management programme with other dietary changes, when it is highly recommended to focus on a high oil, high fibre-based diet and reducing cereals/starch significantly.

Inconclusive research was carried out a few years ago suggesting that corn oil can help reduce gastric ulcers, and although this research has since been widely circulated, it is actually not conclusive. There are, however, thoughts that oil helps to maintain gastric mucosa, most possibly by the rate of emptying in the stomach.

Q: Should I avoid oil at any time?

A: Yes, when your horse has been diagnosed with liver disease they should not

receive oil, as it puts unnecessary strain on the liver to try and metabolise it.

Q: What other scenarios would you suggest using oil in the diet of a polo pony?

A: Wherever a low starch diet is needing to be avoided, a high oil ration will help to replace the calories and energy. Clinical problems such as gastric ulcers (EGUS), tying-up (azoturia, PSSM), laminitis, Equine Metabolic Syndrome, susceptibility to colic – particularly impaction type of colic, for example, but ideally discuss with your vet and nutritionist first.

Another situation when a high oil low starch diet may be required is for those highly strung individuals who do not cope with a starch based (typical cereal based

Q: How long does it take for a horse to adjust to utilising oil?

A: A gradual build of oils in the diet is ideal to allow the horse time to adjust to utilising the oil as a calorie or energy source, I would recommend taking 10 – 14 days, especially for those larger quantities.

Once oils are introduced into the diet and consistently fed it can take up to six weeks for the benefits to be seen or felt, so careful planning needs to be in place if you are wanting to use it as an energy or calorie source.

C ontact Lorna Edgar of Baileys Horse Feeds on lorna@baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk Contributor’s Note: Due to Coronavirus restrictions, the images used in this article are from previous years

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ǁǁǁ͘ǁŽŽĚŵĂůůĞƚƐ͘ĐŽŵ www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, June 2020 RRG 0DOOHWV TXDUWHU SDJH SRUWUDLW FRORXU LQGG

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Knowledge

Medical Insight: Polodoc

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

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

Polo can be very demanding on players’ knees

New Knee, New Hope A new player on the field can play an extra chukka Sporting life and sporting accidents can take their toll so that the loss of function in a joint is possible even in young polo players.

The knee has an extraordinary place in our life as it is one of the highest loaded joints in the human body and a contact point to the saddle and the horse. Even little injuries, such as a single torn ligament or a lesion of the meniscus can decrease the function of the knee.

Problems in Knee Function

Riding in the countryside is not really that demanding, but playing polo with an unstable or painful knee is demanding and risky.

Artificial knee replacement surgery used to 46

Polo Times, June 2020

mean the reduction of sports activities like golf, swimming, and cycling. Yet with severe arthritis affecting younger and younger people, we are currently pushing the envelope of sports participation with joint replacements becoming necessary for some – and learning as we go as to the effects of the new demands of modern day sports on our joints.

Treatment Options

Usually, one part of the knee is the most worn and is causing most of the pain.

This part can either be treated with a cartilage and meniscus replacement or with an artificial component, a partial knee replacement. By preserving the ligaments

and resurfacing only the worn part, knees treated this way feel much more natural which results in better function. In addition, these procedures have a faster recovery time. The old data contending that partial knee replacements are not as long-lived as total knee replacements (TKR) has been superseded by current data. For those who do require a TKR, the dissatisfaction with the procedure’s results might be due to the fact that surgeons have often told TKR patients not to exercise. Only resistance exercise builds muscle and bone, so these activity restrictions may have led to loosening of the components as the patients’ age and the bone becomes osteoporotic. If www.polotimes.co.uk

Photography by Polodoc

Medical Insight: Polodoc

Arthrosurface® partial knee implants for limited cartilage loss and maximum range of motion

patients are encouraged to exercise, they build muscle and bone and increase their sense of well-being – thereby improving the joint replacement outcomes. The key is for

patients to see themselves as athletes in training, as opposed to patients in rehab.

We think patients should have the option to be treated like a pro athlete. After a lower extremity injury, they spend hours each day in physical therapy, in the gym, and with massage therapists. They will focus on optimising their diets; working on flexibility, balance, strength, and proprioception; and cross-training their upper bodies with a variety of fitness programs. Every TKR patient can adopt some or all of these activities. Starting before surgery and resuming on day one after surgery, the road to get better than you have Conventionel knee implants with oxonium (left) and Cobalt Chrome (right) for the femoral been in years is side and Polyethelene insert for the tibial base plate (middle). www.polotimes.co.uk

Knowledge

Constraint revision knee replacement for ligamentous instable arthrotic knees

possible and the prospect of getting back in the saddle with less arthritis pain is joyful.

Clearly, some exercising patients will knock implants loose or cause increased wear that may lead to loosening. Yet, the vast majority of people with implants will improve their lifestyles, lower their weight, and increase their bone density and muscle mass – actually protecting their health while enjoying their lives on the back of a horse.

Throwback

Using your implants at the limit or getting reinjured while falling off the horse can result in complicated situations with the need of large reconstruction surgeries. Mostly, revised implants tend to function less satisfyingly with a reduced range of motion. Over the coming decades, we will see if increased exercise leads to a higher rate of TKR failure.

In the meantime, enjoy the sport.

For more information on Polodoc contact Andreas Krüger at drmedkrueger@gmail.com or www.polodoc.ch Polo Times, June 2020

47

Next Generation of Equine Reproduction

Photography by EquiBreed

Knowledge

The oocytes are assessed, washed, and packaged for transport to the Avantea lab in Italy

OPU & ICSI Next generation of equine reproduction

Polo has historically been ahead of the rest of the equine disciplines when it comes to adopting new breeding technologies, and yet interestingly (certainly within Europe) some of these newer procedures are yet to be widely used.

The benefits of these new techniques are that they allow breeders to produce exactly what they want – thus reducing the wastage and allowing selection of desired traits, including sex.

In collaboration with experts from Argentina and Italy, Dr Amber Clutton-Brock is heading up a team offering the new technologies of Ovum Pick-up and Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (OPU and ICSI) to try to help breeders achieve their specific goals.

In simple terms, these techniques are very nearly IVF in horses.

There are three parts to the procedure: 1. OPU: Ovum Pick Up or Oocyte Collection This is the process where oocytes (eggs) are removed from the ovary and is very similar to the procedure performed to retrieve eggs from the ovaries of women.

In horses, the ovary is located by the 48

Polo Times, June 2020

veterinarian with a hand in the rectum, and gently moved so that it lies next to the vagina. A special vaginal probe with a needle attached is inserted into the vagina. The follicles (which contain the oocytes or eggs) are individually punctured, drained, and scraped multiple times. The retrieved fluid is taken to the laboratory, where is it filtered, examined, and the oocytes retrieved.

2. ICSI: Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection This is the procedure whereby a single sperm is injected through the outer surface of a mature oocyte, following which an embryo may develop. If the oocyte is fertilized successfully by the sperm, an early embryo develops. These are grown in special conditions in the laboratory for seven to nine days. These embryos are very small and can therefore be successfully frozen and transported. This is also the point at which the embryos can be biopsied, to tell what sex they are.

3. Embryo Transfer The frozen embryo is defrosted and transferred to a recipient mare.

Dr Amber Clutton-Brock heads up the team now offering OPU and ICSI

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Next Generation of Equine Reproduction

Knowledge

Multiple embryos can be thawed and transferred to recipients at any time to stagger foaling

What results can be expected?

The overall chance of one or more frozen embryos after a single OPU session is 60%.

It is important to know that these results may vary- some mares give a lower yield, and some higher.

It takes a team of veterinarians and assistants to perform the oocyte collection

What are the advantages of OPU & ICSI?

- Multiple eggs can be retrieved during one OPU session, and hence multiple embryos made. This is an improvement on normal embryo transfer, where usually only one embryo is retrieved per cycle - The donor mare does not need to spend a long period of time in a breeding program. The OPU procedure takes less than half a day, and actually works best when the mares have not yet started cycling for the year - Repeated OPU procedures can be performed every two weeks – allowing

- - - - - -

many embryos to be made and stored Frozen embryos can be stored indefinitely, and only transferred when suitable recipients become available Frozen embryos can be exported globally Reduced need for high numbers of recipients It uses a tiny amount of semen so works well with stallions who are dead, or subfertile The sex of the embryos can be determined In the event of terminal euthanasia it is still possible to perform OPU

What does the future hold?

Diagnosing the sex of an embryo is just one example of what Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnoses (PGD) can do – and as we learn more about other genetic traits and diseases, so it will become easier and more routine to test for others.

Conclusion

Being able to generate sexed embryos from world-class performing horses is a great step forward to helping breeders produce the champions of the future.

Hopefully OPU and ICSI will become much more widely accepted techniques, and will also help establish a global market for polo pony frozen embryos.

The retrieved fluid is taken to the laboratory, filtered and examined under a microscope

Contact: www.equibreed.co.uk enquiry@equibreed.co.uk The procedure doesn’t need to interfere with a polo season or competition schedule, only requiring a few days off games

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Chukka Wellness

Knowledge

India Parker-Smith founded Chukka Wellness – a company dedicated to helping polo players become fitter and stronger athletes. For several years, India worked as a Personal Trainer at one of Chelsea’s premier private members’ clubs and began to train some of the world’s leading sportsmen and women.

India trains both international and UK polo professionals focusing not only on functional movements and body maintenance, but also advising clients on fuelling their bodies correctly for mental alertness and physical endurance. Chukka Wellness brings you the third workout in the Get Fit at The Polo Club series

Using Goal Posts Get fit at the polo Club

We are all aware of how challenging it can be for polo players to find the time to exercise especially during the high season. The last thing you want to do after a long day with the horses is change into your gym kit, jump in the car and drive to your nearest gym!

However, it is essential for riders to stay fit for polo; Aldolfo Cambiaso once stated

that he “trains with his Personal Trainer everyday” in order to reduce the risk of injury, maintain control in the saddle and have the cardiovascular fitness to partake in tournaments.

To make things easier for riders to stay healthy and exercise, Chukka Wellness has created a series of workouts using only

Shuttle runs (agility & fitness) Sprint between the two goal posts touching the base every time you reach them. Use the power from your legs and glute muscles to turn quickly and immediately sprint back to the other goal post.

equipment found at your local polo club.

This month’s workout uses Goal Posts.

Goal Post Workout Perform each exercise for 30 seconds One-minute rest in-between sets Three to four sets

Spiderman walks (shoulder stability, arm strength & core) Start in press up position and move one knee up to your hip keeping your inner thigh parallel to the ground and knee bent. Simultaneously move the opposite arm forward and bend it in order to lower your whole body to the ground leading with the chest. Extend both arms and walk yourself forward using the opposite arm and leg. Imagine you are a spider crawling up a wall. Spiderman walk from one goal post to the other.

Photography by Chukka Wellness

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Polo Times, June 2020

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Knowledge

Chukka Wellness

Plank taps (core & shoulder stability) Start in press up or plank position and tap one goal post with one hand. Switch hands and tap the goal post again. If that’s too easy for you, proceed to plank walk around the goal post after every tap.

Keep your core strong and body lengthened to protect your back.

V sits with straddle (core) Sit in front of the goal post starting with both hands on the ground and feet up. Bend your elbows back so your upper body falls back (keep the legs bent). Then extend the arms back up so that you’re in the seated position again and extend your legs either side of the goal post.

Squat jumps from 1 side to the other (Legs, glutes, core & fitness) Start at one goal post and squat down, as you extend your legs thrust your hips forward and jump towards the other goal. Land with both legs bent back into the squat position. Keep jumping forward until you reach the other goal.

Try performing this workout two to three a week to improve all body strength and fitness.

Remember to warm up and cool down effectively either side of the workout too.

Due to the lockdown period, Chukka Wellness has created a Virtual Equine Hub

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Polo Times, June 2020

which is an online resource designed to help polo players become fitter and stronger athletes.

The hub is full of polo-specific workouts, mobility and stretching routines, nutrition guides and a forum where players can interact with one another. Each member also receives a monthly

step-by-step guide to ensure they stay on track with their fitness goals and keep motivational levels high. There is currently a 30% OFF introductory offer on the hub.

Visit www.chukkawellness.co.uk for more information and grab your 30% off now.

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Chukka Wellness

Knowledge

Chat with Chukka Wellness

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

with an amazing trainer/coach called Kriss Hendy from ‘Strength for Endurance’. I follow a program, focusing on strength and conditioning, mainly building up my glutes, hamstrings, lower back, and my core. I train two to three times a week and do a couple of swimming sessions. I can really notice the difference now when I play, I’ve never felt so strong physically and mentally In the saddle.

Touch wood, 2020 will be an injury/operation free year.

To highlight the importance of staying fit and healthy for polo, Chukka Wellness asked the next generation of top polo players how they use fitness and nutrition to improve their athletic performance. They gave us access to their top tips on preparing for big games, their recovery routine and their thoughts on health in general in the world of polo.

This month we spoke to Emma Boers, a British player with a ladies handicap of 5 goals. Last year Emma suffered from a major back injury but has been slowly working her way back up to peak fitness ready for the 2020 season.

How do you prepare physically and mentally for the polo season and big tournaments?

During the off season if I am not playing, I focus on doing more gym work and building up my strength, fitness and muscle so I go into the season as strong and fit as possible. Getting ready for big tournaments, I play practices, a lot of stick and balling concentrating on my weaker shots, and making sure my horses are feeling good and ready to perform at their best.

The horses are key in my eyes. I also love to watch polo games on TV, study and try to learn from them too.

Do you have a specific gym routine you follow?

In the season 2019, I had surgery on my spine. Since then I have been working www.polotimes.co.uk

Is nutrition an important element to your preparations for big tournaments?

Nutrition plays an integral part of my preparation, understanding what my body needs based on my playing and general activity for that day is crucial to ensure that I can play consistently throughout. During tournaments, I focus on hydration and providing my body with a mix of complex carbs and fuel every few hours to prevent blood sugar fluctuations that not only impact my energy levels but also my concentration.

I usually go for porridge with peanut butter and fruit, or a chicken sandwich or cereal bars etc. I always recover as soon as possible to help the recovery and repair process – this is usually a protein shake made with milk, followed by a balanced meal of protein/carbs and veg when I get home along with a couple of creme eggs.

What does your post-game routine involve?

Post-game routine involves stretching! I used to underestimate stretching, but since my back operation, if I don’t stretch postgame, the next day I definitely pay for it. If I don’t have a game in the next 24 hours after playing, I always go swimming, it’s so great for my back, mind and body.

Nutrition-wise, I also make sure I recover with a combination of carbohydrate + protein to help my muscles recover and repair, either a milkshake, a protein bar or a protein shake.

I reflect on each game by writing down the good points and bad points, it’s healthy to balance them out. I always learn from each game, it puts me into focus for my next game and what I’m going to aim/focus towards doing. I’m pretty determined and hungry to always learn from my mistakes and try to play better every game. I’ll never improve otherwise.

Do you think fitness is an essential part to becoming a better polo player? If so, how would you suggest they kickstart their polo fitness regime?

Fitness is definitely an essential part to becoming a better and stronger player. They come side by side, fitness and polo. When you’re out on the field playing, and you feel

strong, fit, sharp and confident, your game improves naturally. I would suggest to focus on your general riding fitness, try and aim to include some strength + conditioning exercises in the gym, Pilates, and don’t be afraid to lift some weights, they’re not just for the guys.

There is a big focus on health & fitness at high goal level, do you think it should be introduced into medium and low goal too and why? What do you think is the best way to do this?

Health and fitness should absolutely be introduced more into the lower and medium goal. It should be taken seriously and as professional as the higher goal where possible. A few teams have trainers and perform warm-ups pre-game which adds an element of professionalism that I truly believe motivates your team before the game has even started. Whether you are 0 goals or 10, we are all trying and pushing ourselves to the absolute maximum out on the field, using energy, mentally and physically. Polo players are athletes, I really believe we have to look after ourselves and train the best we can to help perform to our max strengths. We may not all have trainers before our games, but performing your own warm up pre-game and getting your team mates involved also is a great start!

What’s the best bit of advice you could give beginner players?

My best bit of advice for beginner players is to take as many lessons as you possibly can, practice where possible, whether that’s with a hand-stick, stick and balling, even watching games and studying them, never ever stop asking questions, listen, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Most of all, make sure you are having lots of fun!

Chukka Wellness offers Polo Fitness Getaways for polo players and teams of all abilities in Sotogrande, Mallorca & Argentina.

For UK based clubs we also offer Polo Fitness Clinics to educate players on how to stay fit and healthy in order to become a better athlete.

For more information visit the website www.chukkawellness.co.uk or email india@chukkawellness.co.uk Website: www.chukkawellness.co.uk Instagram: @chukka_wellness Facebook: Chukka Wellness Email: india@chukkawellness.co.uk

Polo Times, June 2020

53

Knowledge

Playing Tips

Playing tips with Rege Ludwig Law of Sequence Power in Angles

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

Abduct/flex/supinate

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Polo Times, June 2020

11

Adduct/extend/pronate

12

1

10

2

9

3

4

8 5

7 6

Photography courtesy of Rege Ludwig

The term, Law of Sequence, is referring to what the University of California at Los Angeles, UCLA, concluded from their study of a golf player hitting a golf ball. Their conclusion was, the first muscles to move in the player’s body are located on the bottom of the feet.

From there, muscle engagement spirals up the legs to the hips, torso, shoulders, arms, elbow, wrist, hand, and fingers.

The first time I encountered the phrase “Law Of Sequence” was in the book, The Nature of the Gallop and the Timing of a Polo Stroke and Form in Striking, written by seven goal player, John D Richards in 1939.

In his book Dr. Richards states, “The sequence in which the striker’s forces are discharged is, the most important single factor in the act of striking a polo ball, in fact any ball, and a rigid sequence of discharge of forces must be maintained if the striker is to cultivate the art of hitting and hit with the greatest efficiency. The vast majority of faults in striking… can be traced directly to the violation of what may be called “The Law of Sequence” upon which depends the

to...

Face of Clock

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Playing Tips phenomenon of rhythm without which no effective striking can take place.”

Dr. Richards goes on to say, “For instance, if a player hits from his rump instead of hitting from his feet, he violates this fundamental law, for he eliminates all forces below the rump – the leg thrust and body torsion.

Every such violation results in loss of distance and what is more important in… control…”

Consistent with the Law of Sequence is another theory, “Power in Angles”. My intention of referencing the Power in Angles theory is to bring attention to the fact that the three angles of your wrist are among the last angles to be used within the process of hitting the polo ball.

I am aware that the wrist is not considered to be doing much in the way of creating power. However, I strongly contend that when used in correct sequential order, the three angles of the wrist (abduct to adduct, flex to extension, and supinate to pronate) contribute immensely to the release of power into the hit of the ball.

Assuming the shot to be executed is an offside fore shot. The first angle of the wrist to consider is the abduct angle, which should have been created at the approximate ten o’clock position of the downswing.

The abduct angle is created by the palm side of your hand facing away from your head at the top of the downswing, with the mallet head pointing forward.

The abduct angle should be maintained up to approximately the eight o’clock position of the downswing.

At that point, your wrist should begin moving down into the adduct angle, which will be intensifying the movement of the mallet head down toward the ball.

Abduct to Adduct

At approximately the seven o’clock position, the effect of the adduct angle should have been realized.

The second angle of your wrist, “flex”, is created by moving the back side of your hand toward your elbow. The flex angle should be fully implemented by the time your hand reaches approximately the ten o’clock position of the downswing.

Flex to...

Knowledge

Supinate to Pronate

The supinate angle should be maintained up to approximately the 5 o’clock position of the follow through.

At approximately the four o’clock position of the follow through, the ball has left the mallet head, and your hand should begin turning over, pronate, to where it is beginning to face in toward your horse.

By the three o’clock position your hand should have pronated over to the point of the palm side of your hand facing directly in toward your horse.

Even though the wrist is not considered to be much of a power contributing factor to the swing process, I guarantee you – the correct sequential use of the three angles of your wrist is crucial to the release of the power of the swing into the hit of the ball.

Critical point – A tight fist grip on the mallet handle causes restricted wrist movement, creating a significant loss of released power into the hit of the ball. A softer more open-handed grip facilitates correct wrist use, allowing for a greater release of power into the hit of the ball.

Extend

Flex to Extend

The “flex” angle should be maintained up to approximately the seven o’clock position. At which point, your wrist should begin moving toward the “extension” angle, which will be moving your hand and the mallet head more strongly toward the ball.

At the six o’clock position (contact with the ball), the “extension” angle should have been fully implemented to the point where your forearm, wrist and hand are in a straight line.

The third angle of your wrist, supinate, should have been created by the time your hand reaches the ten o’clock position of the downswing. To create that angle, the back side of your hand should be facing your head, the palm side of your hand facing out, with the mallet head pointing forward.

Wrong – A tight fist grip on the mallet handle causes restricted wrist movement

Abduct to...

Supinate to...

Adduct

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Pronate

Correct – An open handed grip facilitates correct wrist use

Polo Times, June 2020

55

Knowledge

Yoga for Polo

Natalie Willcock BA Hons is a celebrated yoga teacher with two decades of teaching experience. She has a wealth of knowledge in rehabilitation. Natalie was a post-match trainer for Norwich City Football Club (NCFC) during their premier league season under the management of Paul Lambert. Dance professional turned horse rider, she regularly attends polo matches at Cambridge County Polo Club where her husband is a member. In this article, Natalie focuses on shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand (how to balance flexibility with stability to help avoid injury)

Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist & Hand How to balance flexibility with stability

Tadasana Urdhva Hastasana (mountain pose with arms stretched up) Standing with your feet together exhale and raise both arms to shoulder height in front of you with the palms facing each other.

Continue to bring the arms above your head.

Create an oppositional stretch by reaching your arms and fingers up whilst sliding your 56

Polo Times, June 2020

shoulder blades down your back. Turn your wrists so that the palms face front. Breathe evenly holding the pose for 20-30 seconds.

Feel the stretch in both sides of the body whilst drawing your stomach in.

Paschima Baddha Hastasana (mountain pose with the arms folded behind the back) Take your right arm behind your back and hold your left arm just above the elbow. Bend your left arm and reach it behind your back taking hold of your right elbow. Stretch both legs fully and lift the bones of your legs to your waist. Hold the pose for 20-30 seconds. Press your forearms into your back. Slightly turn in your upper arms whilst pressing your elbows back but do not allow them to lift. This pose helps to ease the symptoms of arthritis of the shoulders, arms, wrists and fingers.

Photography by Natalie Willcock

Stretching is but one aspect of promoting elasticity. The yoga poses in all their variety of shape, position range and dynamic’s, are a means to explore balance and restore strength and stability. Yoga is a great way to keep the body and mind healthy. Relieves pain, reduces stress, strengthens and stretches opposing muscle groups whilst stimulating our nervous system. Whether a pose is standing, sitting, kneeling or lying down attention is placed on building the foundation from the ground up to find stability.

Standing poses have a stretching and strengthening effect on the back, shoulders and leg muscles. Therefore, even though our focus is on the shoulders and upper limbs, practicing these standing poses will improve balance, posture and muscular coordination.

In brief, the shoulder is a shallow ball and socket joint called the glenoid humeral joint. Because it is shallow (unlike our hip joint) it can make it prone to dislocation or injury. The shoulder is designed to provide maximum range of motion for the arms. The primary shoulder stabilisers are the rotator cuff muscles. The secondary are the triceps and biceps. Most injuries of the wrist involve falling onto the hand, either spraining or fracturing the joint. The wrist and elbow is a common area to injure or fracture if one lands badly from a fall.

In this article I have singled out particular poses recommended for anyone wishing to exercise the arms, joints of the shoulders, wrists, knuckles and fingers. The first five poses are all from standing with the feet together. Keep the legs active by engaging the thigh muscles to strengthen the knee joints. If you have a slipped disc please keep the feet hip width apart on the standing postures. If you have high blood pressure, do not raise and hold your arms above your head for more than 15 seconds.

Tadasana Urdhva Hastasana (mountain pose with arms stretched up)

Tadasana Urdhva Baddhanguliyasana (mountain pose with fingers interlocked) Exhale, raise your arms to chest height and interlock your fingers firming with the little finger of your left hand lower than the little fingers of the right hand. Turn your palms to face outward inhale to stretch your arms up above your head. Stretch your arms fully feeling the stretch in the palms. Hold for 3060 secs. This pose stretches the shoulders, arms, wrists and fingers.

Tadasana Urdhva Baddhanguliyasana (mountain pose with fingers interlocked)

Paschima Baddha Hastasana (mountain pose with the arms folded behind the back)

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Yoga for Polo Tadasana Paschima Namaskarasana (mountain pose with hands folded behind the back) Standing with your arms by your side, gently spiral your arms in and out a few times.

Reach both arms behind your back. Bring your hands into a reverse prayer shape resting your thumbs on your lower back and fingers pointing to the floor. Press your elbows back and rotate your wrists so your fingers point to your back, then upwards.

Gently try to bring the palms together behind your back. Slide your elbows down whilst keeping lengthening out of your neck. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your chest and armpits open. This pose increases the flexibility of the upper body, arms, elbows and wrists.

in your right hand allowing it to reach your left hand comfortably. DO NOT force the arms into position. Allow the right elbow to lift up and back with the forearm to your ear whilst lowering the left elbow. Hold for 20-30 seconds and repeat the second side.

This pose opens the chest, stretches the shoulders, armpits and triceps.

Knowledge

lengthening your abdomen in and up. Keep the legs engaged and toned as you lengthen your tail bone to your heels. This pose strengthens the back, arms and legs. Hold this pose from 30 seconds to 1 minute. DO NOT do the full pose if you are recovering from a wrist injury or suffer from carpel tunnel syndrome. Instead bring the knees to the ground OR perform the pose with your hands against a wall. Bring awareness into stabilizing the scapulae blades whilst connecting the abdominals and engaging the legs by anchoring your feet into the ground.

Bharadvajasana (on a chair torso twist) Sit sideways on a chair (or a mounting block) start with the right side of your body facing the back of the chair. Feet are hip width apart.

Lift your spine tall and as your exhale spiral your torso to the right looking over your right shoulder. Do not allow your feet to lose contact with the floor. Hold the pose for 20-30 seconds repeat to the left side. This pose reduces stiffness in the neck and shoulders, keeps the spinal muscles supple and helps to ease the symptoms of arthritis in the lower back.

Adding these simple steps can bring lasting change to not only your physical body but to your metal health. Introducing yoga into your fitness regime has many benefits. It can help minimise the risk of injury, whilst removing physical discomfort as well as improve your fitness, strength and flexibility. Why not set aside some time to try yoga for yourself so when the season kicks off you are polo ready!

In the next issue we will look at pelvis, hips, knees and ankles.

Tadasana Gomukhasana (mountain pose with hands held in the shape of a cow’s face)

Plank Pose

Bharadvajasana (on a chair torso twist) Tadasana Paschima Namaskarasana (mountain pose with hands folded behind the back)

Tadasana Gomukhasana (mountain pose with hands held in the shape of a cow’s face) Bring your left arm behind your back placing the back of your palm at the middle of your back. Raise your right arm up and bend at the elbow reaching your right hand towards the left palm (any amount). Try to reach your fingers tips to touch. To modify this pose hold either a yoga strap or a towel www.polotimes.co.uk

Plank Pose

Do not allow the scapulae (shoulder) blades to “wing” (lift away from the back). Stack the shoulders directly over the wrists, line up the creases of the wrists to the top of your mat. Keep the palms grounded bringing more weight towards the index fingers and thumbs. Use the floor as your prop and push away from the ground. Try to actively broaden your back, whilst stabilising the shoulders. Keep the head in line with the spine. Connect your abdominal muscles by

If you have any questions for Natalie please get in touch by phone, email or social media.

Facebook: yoganatauk Instagram: yoganatayoga Email: natalie@yoganata.co.uk Mobile: +44(0)7887 646228 Areas Covered: Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Surrey, Sussex & Capilla Polo Club Argentina Polo Times, June 2020

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Knowledge

Foraging

Rob Gould is a forager with 20 years’ experience. In this new series, he will introduce readers to nature’s bounty that can be found and foraged easily. His passion is helping people to think about and develop a love for the wild food all around them and helping them grow a greater appreciation and understanding of the natural world as a whole

Foraging for All An introduction to foraging in polo paddocks & polo ground margins

So, here I am, with the excitement of what could, fingers crossed, potentially be a new foraging and outdoor column... although in the current situation it’s less of an attractive proposition, what with the fact that your readers can’t – in fact nobody really can – be getting outside doing what you love. And truth be told, neither can I, as I’m currently fulfilling the role of ‘joint worst home educator ever’, alongside approximately 10 million other parents. The ones who say they’re doing well are just odd...

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Polo Times, June 2020

Anyway, if this is does turn out to be the start of a grand foraging adventure with you, where should we start? Should I just be throwing about titbits about edible plants?

Or do you want stories, recipes, mythology, some natural history and a bit of herbalism thrown in too? Obviously focusing on the things that you would find around your paddock, or the polo field – and equally obviously, apologies in advance if you’re not UK based, because my knowledge/ finances/travel restrictions don’t currently

stretch to trips to Argentina or the US, but who knows what the future holds?

Maybe you would prefer something more? Because like any good relationship, if this is going to work in the long-term, there needs to be a bit of give and take.

No point in me telling you about lovely wild edibles and things you can pan fry to deliciousness or throw in salads, if all you want to know about is what you can steep in vodka to drink over the winter period, or wild herbs you can use to make www.polotimes.co.uk

Foraging delicious cocktails whilst enjoying the action at Cowdray Park...?

So how do we play this? I’m hoping that the kind folks here at Polo Times will indulge me by allowing this column to be something of an exercise in give and take... I’ll share some interesting stuff with you every edition – fingers crossed for mild winters, else those cold weather columns will be interesting – and I’ll also keep aside some space to answer any specific questions you may have. How does that sound?

And for good measure, how about some occasional one off specials? The best things to forage at Cirencester Park or Knepp Castle? What to throw in a

kilner jar with a bottle of booze, put away in a cupboard to forget about for two years, and then drink one wintery evening and wish you had made far more? Even a dinner where each course includes ingredients straight from the paddock and boundaries?

I can’t believe I’ve made it this far without even mentioning one plant... do I need to balance it out in the next edition by making it a complete plant geek-fest?!

Or would that just be too much? I mean it’s difficult to read the audience when you’re on a delay of a couple of weeks between writing something and getting your feedback... I guess I’ll just wait and see...

For my second and last edible, for this time, I’m going to let you into a secret from the Bushcraft fraternity... Lime...

Not the delightfully zingy citrus fruit that is often to be found floating in the top of a G&T, but the tree which I’m now having to start referring to again by its Old English name of Linden, just to avoid the confused looks its mention inevitably causes.

It’s hugely valued by many bushcrafters, especially my good friend Paul, as the most versatile and useful tree of all, and has been historically used for building dugout boats, as well as for cordage, general carving, but also – and most importantly for us – food. The leaves are edible throughout the year, which I’ll cover at a later date, but what we’re interested in now are what our neighbours across the sea call ‘fleurs de tilleul’.

Harvested when they look like those in the first picture, and sun dried, they make a delicious sweet tea infusion with gently calming properties. Simply place two or three of the whole flowers – the leafy bit is part of the flower too, so don’t discard it – into hot water and add sugar to taste.

Although if I’m honest you probably won’t need to add any extra.

Photography courtesy of the Cotswold Forager

OK, don’t worry, I wouldn’t leave you hanging around for a whole month without any ideas or foraging inspiration. But let’s not go overboard though... just a couple of gentle introductions – that you quite probably already know – until we get properly going next time.

So first up, the humble Dandelion. Yes, I know it’s a simple one, but it’s also a massively underrated wild edible too. With the hugely increasing popularity of rocket over the last few years, people seem to be far more accepting of spicier/bitter salad leaves.

Now in France they actually grow ‘Dent-de-Lion’ as a salad leaf in its own right in their gardens, although they tend to blanch the emerging leaves under flowerpots in the spring, in the same way they treat endives and chicory. This gives a much more tender, mild flavour, and sadly you’re past that opportunity now.

But, there is still an option. Pick the most tender looking Dandelion leaves you can find, but definitely not those ones that have gone dry and crispy, you want the youngest ones.

Then cut them up as you would for salad, and soak them in a bowl of water for a few hours – in fact the longer the better. I tend to pick them in the morning at this time of year, then chop and soak them until I want to use them later that day, when they’re deliciously sweet and tender with a slightly bitter bite.

Knowledge

The humble dandelion can be raised to new heights when used in salads

Rob is a highly experienced forager with over twenty years of acquired knowledge. He can be booked for private foraging walks, wild edible surveys and corporate sessions, and also runs public ticketed walks, talks and workshops.

Rob also works with restaurants and food companies to bring a taste of the wild to their menus and products.

Please contact him via cotswoldforager@gmail.com or search for Cotswold Forager across social media: Facebook: www.facebook.com/cotswoldforager/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/cotswoldforager/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/ForagerCotswold/

www.polotimes.co.uk

So there you go. Dandelion leaf and Lime flower. A tasty start, even if I do say so myself.

Polo Times, June 2020

59

Sidelines

Gossip

WELCOME MINI MELVILLE Congratulations to Bobby and Lucy Melville on the birth of their second son, Finn Jago Arthur Dundas, born on Sunday 17 May at 8lb 4ounces!

POLO IN THE PAPERS Polo has made the newspapers, but for the wrong reasons… During the latter stages of lockdown, The Daily Telegraph reported that “Polo, the sport of royalty and the super-rich, has been accused by its own governing body of playing games that could be breaking Covid-19”, following the HPA’s email to its members which detailed how it had learnt of teams playing on private estates and breaking social distancing rules.

NIMBYS AT RCBPC

Bracknell Forest councillors agreed to give The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club an extension to their deadline to level out a field and remove a haul road at the North Street ground, which has enraged locals who are disgruntled at having to endure another five months of “intolerable disruption”.

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

AAP POLO UNIVERSITY

The Argentine Polo Association (AAP) have launched a Polo University, led by Diego Uranga, inspired by World Rugby and FIFA models, they aim to develop the same language and knowledge for polo in order to increase professionalism in the sport.

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Polo Times, June 2020

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Polo directory

What’s On – Polo Fixtures

Victrix Ludorum

Editor’s Note: Due to the Coronavirus pandemic the below fixtures are provisional and subject to change. Please check with the Hurlingham Polo Association or your club for details as the situation is constantly under revision due to ongoing Government guidelines.

Please note that at the time of going to press no polo under 8 goal is permitted; again please be alert for further updates and amendments to the current restrictions.

18 Goal Black Bears Knepp Castle

Black Bears Women’s Tournament Knepp Castle International Ladies Tournament

16/06/20

28/06/20

01/07/20

05/07/20

Cowdray

British Ladies Open Championship

07/07/20

18/07/20

Cirencester

The Ladies 18 Goal

21/07/20

01/08/20

RCBPC

Ladies Polo Festival

10/08/20

16/08/20

Guards

Guards Ladies Charity Polo

18/08/20

29/08/20

Beaufort

Beaufort Ladies Tournament

01/09/20

13/09/20

Quick Question Answer -

Revised Draft 2020 Victor Ludorum & High Goal Dates Club 22 Goal RCBPC Cowdray Cirencester Guards 18 Goal Guards Cirencester Cowdray Cowdray 15 Goal RCBPC Cowdray Guards Cirencester Beaufort 12 Goal Beaufort Cowdray Cirencester Guards Cirencester RCBPC Cowdray 8 Goal Guards RCBPC Cowdray Beaufort Cirencester 6 Goal Dallas Burston Binfield Heath Beaufort Kirtlington Ham Cirencester 4 Goal Silver Leys Cheshire Kirtlington Druids Lodge Dallas Burston

62

Tournament

Start Date

End Date

Prince of Wales The King Power Gold Cup for The British Open Warwickshire Cup Cartier Queen’s Cup

12/06/20 23/06/20 18/07/20 28/07/20

20/06/20 19/07/20 26/07/20 23/08/20

Indian Empire Shield Apsley Cup Duke of Sutherland Cowdray Challenge Eduardo Moore Harrison Cup Royal Windsor Cup County Cup Arthur Lucas Prince of Wales Dollar Cup The Queen Mother Trophy Duke of Wellington Cheltenham Cup John Prestwich Autumn League Archie David Julian & Howard Hipwood Cup Holden White Wichenford Bowl Gerald Balding The Stoneythorpe Cup The Phillimore Trophy Rojas Lanusse Budgett Everett Roehampton Cup Kingscote 4 Goal Victor Ludorum National 4 Goal Kirtlington Cup Victor Ludorum The Druids Rose Bowl Dallas Burston Gold Cup

Polo Times, June 2020

30/06/20 21/07/20 04/08/20 24/08/20 23/06/20 21/07/20 11/08/20 01/09/20 15/09/20 06/06/20 16/06/20 07/07/20 21/07/20 11/08/20 25/08/20 07/09/20 12/06/20 23/06/20 27/07/20 11/08/20 25/08/20 22/06/20 06/07/20 14/07/20 30/07/20 11/08/20 08/09/20 29/06/20 06/07/20 21/07/20 27/07/20 25/08/20

18/07/20 02/08/20 22/08/20 06/09/20 11/07/20 08/08/20 30/08/20 13/09/20 27/09/20 14/06/20 04/07/20 18/07/20 08/08/20 23/08/20 06/09/20 20/09/20 21/06/20 25/07/20 09/08/20 22/08/20 05/09/20 05/07/20 12/07/20 26/07/20 09/08/20 23/08/20 20/09/20 05/07/20 12/07/20 26/07/20 02/08/20 30/08/20

to the question posed on our Letters page

Adolfo ‘Poroto’ Cambiaso is currently five goals in America, having had his handicap raised from four to five goals in the USPA’s Outdoor Handicap Changes on 4 May 2020.

Club contacts UK and Ireland CLUB

PHONE

EMAIL

All Ireland Polo Club

00353 01 6896732

dstone@indigo.ie

All England Polo Club Hickstead*

01273 834 315

polo@hickstead.co.uk

Apsley End Polo Club*

01462 712444

tobiana.scott@gmail.com

Ash Farm Polo Club*

07799 812739

ashfarmpolo@hotmail.com

Barfold Polo Club

07778 808853

mborwick@gmail.com

Bawtry Polo Club

01302 773282

info@bawtrypoloclub.co.uk

Beaufort Polo Club

01666 880510

enquiries@beaufortpoloclub.co.uk

Beverley Polo Club*

01964 544877

info@beverleypoloclub.co.uk

Binfield Heath

01491 411969

bhpcmanager@gmail.com

Blueys Polo Club*

07930 323263

polomanager@blueyspolo.co.uk

Bramham Polo Academy

07811 993316

emmadvh@btinternet.com

Bunclody Polo Club

00353 87 6605917

info@poloclubbunclody.com

Burningfold Polo Club

01483 200722

derrek@burningfold.com

Cambridge Polo Club*

07711 217004

cambridgepoloclub@icloud.com

Cambridge County Polo Club*

01223 812922

info@cambridgecountypoloclub.co.uk

Carlton House

07901 561113

harrietservaes@hotmail.com

Chester Racecourse Polo Club

01244 304602

amorris@chester-races.com

Cheshire Polo Club

01270 611 100

info@cheshirepoloclub.co.uk

Chiltern Polo Club

07973 174542

info@chilternpoloclub.com

Cirencester Park Polo Club

01285 653225

info@cirencesterpolo.co.uk

Cowdray Polo Club

01730 813257

enquiries@cowdraypolo.co.uk

Curraghmore Polo Club

00353 51 387102

mkennedy@cssgroup.ie

Dallas Burston Polo Club*

01926 811 111

enquiries@ixlevents.com

Dorset Polo Club

01202 623985

office@dorsetpolo.co.uk

Druids Lodge Polo Club*

01722 782597

abi@druidspolo.co.uk

Dundee and Perth Polo Club*

07831 365 194

jamesscrawford@aol.com

Eastwood Polo Club

07875 743475

frankums@googlemail.com

Edgeworth Polo Club

01285 821695

edgeworthpolo@gmail.com

Edinburgh Polo Club*

01314 496696

djamesjamie@aol.com

Emsworth Polo Grounds*

01344 883112

info@fourquarterspolo.co.uk

Epsom Polo Club*

07961 232106

epsompoloclub@hotmail.com

FHM Polo Club*

07778 436468

frances@fhmpolo.co.uk

Fifield Polo Club*

01628 620061

fifieldpoloclub@live.co.uk

Great Trippetts Polo Club

01428 741916

charles@trippetts.com

Guards Polo Club*

01784 434212

polo@guardspoloclub.com

Ham Polo Club

020 8334 0000

office@hampoloclub.com

Hertfordshire Polo Club*

01707 256023

polo@hertspolo.co.uk

Home Farm Polo Grounds

07807672120

rachaelkearnet@hotmail.co.uk

Hurtwood Polo Club

01483 272828

polo@hurtwoodparkpolo.co.uk

Kirtlington Park Polo Club

01869 350138

info@kirtlingtonparkpolo.co.uk

Knepp Castle Polo Club

07920 023639

info@aspectpolo.co.uk

Leadenham Polo Club

07429 299026

office@leadenhampoloclub.com

Longdole Polo Club*

01452 864544

info@longdolepolo.com

Moor Farm Polo Club

07494 114190

shop@moorfarmshop.co.uk

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo directory CLUB

PHONE

EMAIL

CLUB

PHONE

EMAIL

Moor Hall Farm Polo Club*

01279 450637

alecbeve@btinternet.com

St. Albans Polo Club

07956 017090

info@stalbanspoloclub.co.uk

New Forest Polo Club

07977 224404

annabelparryjoyner@yahoo.co.uk

Stewarton Polo Club

07974 706045

info@stewartonpolo.co.uk

Norfolk Polo Club

01508 480400

office@norfolkpolo.co.uk

Suffolk Polo Club

07990 576974

aes3@cam.ac.uk

Northern Ireland Polo Club

07803 020577

info@northernirelandpoloclub.co.uk

Sussex Polo Club*

01342 714920

info@sussexpolo.co.uk

Offchurch Bury Polo Club*

07816 830887

info@offchurchburypoloclub.co.uk

Taunton Vale Polo Club

01823 480460

nhs.wheelers@gmail.com

Pangbourne Polo Club

07708 906810

aprice@polofix.com

Tidworth Polo Club*

01980 846705

info@tidworthpolo.com

Peover Polo Club

07766 016 833

polomanager@peoverpoloclub.co.uk

Toulston Polo Club

01422 372529

info@toulstonpoloclub.com

Polo Wicklow*

00353 404 67164

siobhan@polowicklow.com

Triskelion Polo Club*

07624 272547

polo@triskelionpolo.club

RAF Cranwell

07739 569491

rafcranwellpoloclub@yahoo.co.uk

Vale of York Polo Club*

07788 426968

info@valeofyorkpoloclub.co.uk

Ranelagh Polo Club*

01344 885697

ranelagh@labravapolo.com

Vaux Park Park Polo Club*

07703 524613

vppc@btconnect.com

RCBPC*

01344 890060

polo@rcbpc.com

West Wycombe Park Polo Club*

07787 560729

secretary@westwycombepolo.co.uk

RMAS Polo Club

07973 174542

rmas-nc-aci-projinters@mod.uk

Westcroft Park Polo Club*

01276 858545

info@westcroftparkpolo.co.uk

Rugby Polo Club*

01788 817724

info@rugbypoloclub.com

White Rose Polo Club*

01430 875767

info@whiterosepolo.co.uk

Rutland Polo Club

07772 040668

secretary@rutlandpoloclub.co.uk

White Waltham Polo Club

07748 670587

kim@playpolo.co.uk

Silver Leys Polo Club

07730 060200

silverleyspoloclub@gmail.com

* Also open for arena polo in the UK winter

Misc

Marketplace In association with Chukkout Polo Transport

Horses

POLO INTERNATIONAL (ITALIAN) EDITION NO.1 1985 Do you have edition no 1 of this magazine and are willing to part with it? Pictured is no 2. In Italian, English and French, it ran till about 1989. Price: TBA If so please text Adrian on 07714346626 West Sussex BEN HASTIE PHOTOGRAPHY - Equine & Countryside Photography specialising in Polo www.benhastiephotography.com/ 07970 348883 Cheltenham

Equipment

6 HORSE OAKLEY 18 ton Oakley with day living. This lorry was a godsend at polo with small children! Air suspension, extremely robust and well built lorry (as you’d expect) that has been well maintained over the years. No electronics to go wrong either - manual 8 speed gearbox. Loads of lockers/rug racks and a separate tack area as well. £18,995.

Tel: Aurora 07970 697593

PO1O RAT Registration plate on retention and ready for immediate transfer Offers Invited Tel: 07860 906032

Livery SUMMER GRASS LIVERY, box rest and barn rest available now at Trafford House Farm, Oxfordshire. Winter 2020/21 grass livery available starting in September. For further details and pricing contact Robert Thame at robertthame@hotmail.com or 07836 524393

www.polotimes.co.uk

ARRAYAN NUMA OFFSPRING Criollo cross with quarter horse/paint/ Irish sports horse. A lovely selection of mares with the best temperament. Just a taster of photos to come later, Elmo and Dario, two of the 7 Arrayan babies for sale here, these are his last offspring likely to be available as Arrayan is in a non breeding private home. All will range from 15 hh to 15.2hh approx..

All are various shades, but all roan. 6 boys and one girl, all colts are sold after gelding, oldest ones are gelded already.

Suitable for western, polo, Endurance, jumping, great family horses. £500 Deposit secures, no time wasters please. £3,000 Tel: Sue 07854 883821 THREE HORSES FOR SALE 11-year-old Arg roan gelding. 15hh. Zippy & forward going. Would suit competent patron or young pro. £8,000.

11-year-old Spanish black mare. 15.1hh.

Easy-going & nice hitting platform. £8,000.

10-year-old English bay gelding. 15.3hh.

Steady & easy-going but has also played up to 15 goal. Wind sucker. £8,000.

All can be tried at Clarita in Surrey.

Also, 12-year-old Arg mare with tendon problem to give away. Will handle much slower pace and will need some care but definitely has more polo in her.

Tel: Freddie 07762 896416

SCOREBOARDS AND CLOCKS 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

TENDON BOOTS – BLACK Three pairs available. Good condition. £45 each – price includes postage.

Tel: Anna 07850 664235

SUEDE POLO SADDLE 18 inch 7.5inch D to D. To suit high withered horse. £200. Tel: Alex 07810 763969

KEENELAND POLO BANDAGES £15 each per set - price postage X2 White , X2 Hot pink , X4 Black Tel: Anna 07850 664235

NOSEBANDS Leather noseband - £35 posted Rawhide noseband - £45 posted Both in good condition Tel: Anna 07850 664235

Polo Times, June 2020

63

Final bell

In association with Aprés Polo

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Will Lucas has played polo professionally for 23 years, representing England for 18 years. Will helped in the family property business and nowawdays sits as Chairman of the Handicapping and ‘Umpire & Rules’ Committees within the Hurlingham Polo Association What is your biggest passion and why? Playing polo overseas – Jamaica, Venezuala, India, Japan, Berlin, Chantilly… Need I say more.

What is your all time best polo memory? It’s hard to choose between beating Argentina in Palermo with Henry, Luke and Shiny, winning The Westchester Cup with Howard, Cody and Shiny or winning The Savile Cup in New Zealand for Rangitikei in 2001.

Hardest opponent? Eduardo ‘Ruso’ Heguy – A genius at getting fouls (that weren’t).

Which sports do you like outside of polo?

Golf – the perfect travelling companion with polo; also hockey, I used to play for Newbury in the off-season.

Favourite film and why? Cool Hand Luke with Paul Newman.

Timeless.

Most prized possession? A bronze of my daughter’s feet, that Zahra my wife got done when Lola was two days old.

Favourite celebrity and why? The best English Rugby Union winger of all time – Tom Beim – Inspirational.

Favourite song/ album? Mirror Moves by the Psychedelic Furs.

Favourite food/dish? Teriyaki Chicken Donburi from Tonbo, mobile Japanese kitchen in Cirencester.

Best holiday destination & activity?

Telluride, Colorado, USA. Amazing skiing, can’t wait to go again.

Best pony and why? Hyde, came from the Kays in New Zealand, via ‘The Sheriff ’ Horswell. He allowed me to take on anyone, and made me feel a better player than I was.

Are you passionately superstitious? Not at all, my wife has enough superstitions for the whole family and back.

Who were/are your favourite teammates?

My brother James when we started. Gabriel Donoso who always managed to get the best out of me and Andrew Hine, many memories and victories.

Describe yourself in three words…

Apparently I’m pugnacious, determined, competitive, though I can’t see it.

One thing which would surprise us about you?

Champions League level on Clash of Clans.

Favourite hobby outside of polo? Motor racing.

64

Polo Times, June 2020

www.polotimes.co.uk

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