PoloTimesMarch15

Volume 20 • Issue 2 • March 2015 • £6.50

www.polotimes.co.uk

SNOW SPECIAL Hat trick Brit win in St Moritz China FIP Snow Polo PIPA Austria & more PLUS: NZ Test Match, SUPA & HPA Nationals PT Mar15 Covers.indd 1

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Contents

Contacts Publisher Nick Hine publisher@polotimes.co.uk

What’s inside...

March 2015

Production Editor & Group Editor in Chief Richenda Hine richenda@polotimes.co.uk Commissioning Editor Charley Larcombe charley@polotimes.co.uk

Advertising Manager Ben Bovill ben@polotimes.co.uk

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23 News 6 12

All the latest news HPA news

Comment Club Liaison & News Manager

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Your views: Letters

Features

Lucy Wilson lucy@polotimes.co.uk

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Polo Reporter & Researcher

Reports

Tilda Woodd tilda@polotimes.co.uk

23 34

Principal Design

36

James Morgan

38 40

Additional Design

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Tony Ruddy

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Financial Controller

Manipur tour St Moritz stable insight Arena polo future

Cover Story: St Moritz Snow Polo World Cup Cover Story: The FIP Snow Polo World Cup Cover Story: PIPA Snow Polo Championships Tour The McLaren Cup, Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club Cover Story: The HPA New Year National Club Championships Cover Story: International Test Match, New Zealand SUPA National Universities Arena Championships

Women’s Polo 33

Angie Clark accounts@polotimes.co.uk

An international round up of recent all-female polo tournaments

Youth polo Editorial Assistant Rosabella Hine rosabella@polotimes.co.uk

Contributors

Katherine Andrews, Stephen Biddlecombe, Lorna Edgar, Lottie Goldstone, Richard Parker MRCVS, Tony Ramirez, Charles Whittington

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 2015 and Database Right 2015 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

www.polotimes.co.uk

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Pony Club update and round up of university polo

Knowledge 60 62 63 64 67 68

Arthroscopy: A look into equine keyhole surgery Nutrition focus: the benefits of prebiotics and probiotics Playing tips with Rege Ludwig Equine legal advice: inheritance Equipment focus: bits Pony running reports

Club Focus 49

Your club news from home and abroad

Sidelines 70 71 74 78 80

Sidelines: Social pages Gossip: don’t be the last to know What’s on in March Polo Times Marketplace Passions: Simon Keyte

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Call on +44 (0)1452 730 770 Subscribe online: www.polotimes.co.uk Cover photograph: The Brits/Aussie and Irish battle it out at the St Moritz Snow Polo World Cup

By Marie-Claire Desax

Polo Times, March 2015

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The private bank for polo

facebook.com/EFGInternational

Proud sponsors of: EFG Aravali Team, UK High Goal Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup Cowdray Park Polo Club International Polo Tournament, Sotogrande 40 Goal Challenge, Palm Beach RMA Sandhurst Polo

University of St Andrews Polo Veytay Masters, Switzerland Singapore Polo Club, League Haryana Polo Club, Delhi Thai Polo Open Kakira Nile Polo Club Guards International São Paulo Polo Trophy

Photos: www.imagesofpolo.com; Abhishek Acharya; Elsa Ochoa.

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EFG – polo montage – 230+230x300mm + 3mm bleed – quadri – publication: Polo Times advert MARCH issue (20.02.2015)

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Practitioners of the craft of private banking

EFG is the marketing name for EFG International and its subsidiaries. EFG International’s global private banking network includes offices in Zurich, Geneva, London, Channel Islands, Luxembourg, Monaco, Madrid, Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Taipei, Miami, Nassau, Grand Cayman, Bogotá and Montevideo. www.efginternational.com

EFG – polo montage – 230+230x300mm + 3mm bleed – quadri – publication: Polo Times advert MARCH issue (20.02.2015) PT Mar15 1-52.indd 5

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News from the Publisher

News

As this March issue lands on your doorstep, British Summer Time will be looming large and with most players’ ponies already back in work, the UK’s summer polo season is just around the corner.

That said, long gone are the days when the winter months meant a desolate ‘polo desert’, as for many of us, the English winter nowadays, simply means a different type of polo – be that arena, or overseas.

However, the fact that polo has burgeoned at almost every level and at most UK clubs throughout the depths of the recession, is testament to both the thrill of the game and its addictive characteristics.

For those clubs that have seen their numbers continue to flourish, congratulations on keeping this great sport alive through the difficult years – and for those clubs that have not been so fortunate, remember that discerning players when assessing which clubs offer the best cost, quality and service, will also consider other factors when deciding where to spend their hard-earnt polo budget; least not, where do they have the most fun!

This month’s focus on Schools & Universities and ladies’ polo respectively, high-lights the impressive growth in these two areas which have been opened up to quite literally hundreds of new players.

Congratulations to SUPA’s Charles Betz and to the HPA for spear-heading ladies’ polo, as for polo to no longer be viewed as the final male bastion or reserved for the privileged few, is fundamental to polo’s long-term success.

La Martina open on Jermyn Street

Photography by Jay Scott-Nicholls LA MARTINA

First South East Asia Polo Awards AS THE UK’s Polo Awards event approaches its tenth year anniversary, Polofix is delighted to have taken the event overseas to create the inaugural South East Asia Polo Awards at the Thai Polo & Equestrian Club. Kindly hosted by Harald Link on Saturday 17 January, the evening combined celebrations with the Finals of The Thai Polo Open. Harald Link commented, “Having been a sponsor and supporter of the UK Polo Awards since its conception 10 years ago, I was delighted to welcome the South East Asia Polo Awards to Thai Polo to celebrate the teams’ achievements as our International League continues to grow and develop”.

Photography by Dominic James

Nick Hine

LA MARTINA WELCOMED their first visitors to the brand new flagship London store on Wednesday 11 February and Polo Times was invited to celebrate this exciting launch. Located on 23 Jermyn Street in the smart St. James’s area of the city, the two storey shop comprises of an extended Guards collection as well as a fully stocked ‘tack room’ including saddles, bridles and all technical equipment for the Londonbased polo player. An expert sales team will be on hand to demonstrate the unique and ground-breaking technical developments that La Martina continues to invest in.

Also available in the innovative store is an exclusive menswear line designed with the smart, City gentleman in mind; the St. James’s Collection. Beautifully cut blazers and shirts, with the added touches of braces and silk ties means that La Martina can be the ‘one-stop’ shop for the international player who requires both smart wear and polo specific equipment.

The concept lifestyle store, dressed in the signature dark woods and comfortable leather sofas with bespoke marble flooring from Milan, is designed to become the official home of Polo Management Group (PMG), a sister company of La Martina’s which focuses on event management and the development of the sport on a global level.

Lando Simonetti, the founder of La Martina, commented: “La Martina has long been working on plans to open a flagship store here in London, one of the leading luxury retail sectors of the world. The right location has always been paramount for us and so we are delighted to have signed a lease for this wonderful store in the heart of the renowned Jermyn Street, already home to some of the most respected names in shirt making and men’s accessories”.

Celebrating its 30th birthday, La Martina will host an official launch party later in April at the beginning of the 2015 UK polo season, but in the meantime, Polo Times suggests taking a look for yourself.

First ever Thai Polo Awards

The South East Asia Polo Awards 2015 Winner of The International League (high goal 14-16): Thai Polo Winner of The National League (medium goal 6-8): Windhorse Team Winner of The Merdeka League Award (low goal 0-2): La Sarita Team

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www.polotimes.co.uk

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ABU DHABI | DUBAI | MOROCCO | USA GREAT BRITAIN | CHINA | SINGAPORE NIHIWATU | MEXICO | INDIA To apply for an invitation to attend a British Polo Day please call +44 1242 547 895, alternatively email info@britishpoloday.com for more information. www.britishpoloday.com

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News

Guards Polo Club celebrates 60 years 60 YEARS AGO, on Sunday 25 January, Guards Polo Club was formed. To celebrate six decades of polo and hospitality, the Club will be hosting two memorable, membersonly events this summer alongside their usual busy polo schedule.

The first event will be a drinks reception at Windsor Castle in the presence of the Club President, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh on Thursday 16 April. The second event will celebrate the fabulous ‘50s and will include a polo match and an over-21s dinner dance in the Clubhouse on Saturday 27 June.

Women’s Handicaps announced THE DEBATE HAS been hotting up in the world of women’s polo, following the article published on The Telegraph website. Posts on Twitter and Facebook are fuelling the fire as the HPA have now released the new handicap list for women’s only polo. The full list of handicaps, and comments from the new Women’s Handicap Committee members Nina Clarkin and Tim Keyte can be found within a dedicated Women’s Polo section to be found on page 53.

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RJ Polo introduces Zonkey Polo Clothing THE ALREADY ESTABLISHED polo equipment company, RJ Polo has recently introduced their sister clothing company to the polo world. Established by Tabitha Woodd, Zonkey Polo brings a new, unique take on polo clothing, with the aim to provide teams with good quality apparel at an affordable price. Although Zonkey Polo plans to officially launch at the beginning of May, samples are available to view now, and orders can be taken.

For more details please contact tabbawoodd@hotmail.com or call Tabitha on 07590 912435.

Triple Crown news 2015 WILL SEE both Sebastian and Agustin Merlos return to The Triple Crown competition.

Although Sebastian has in fact been involved in recent Triple Crowns as La Dolfina’s substitute, where he replaced Juan Martin Nero in last year’s Final at Palermo, and Pelon Stirling in La Dolfina’s opening match at Palermo back in December, this is the first time in three years that he will feature in an original team line-up. It has been confirmed that Sebastian will be joining the La Aguada Las Monjitas team, where he will be playing alongside Eduardo and Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Ignacio ‘Cubi’ Toccalino. His move also means La Dolfina will have to secure a new substitute.

While Sebastian unites with La Aguada Las Monjitas, his brother Agustin is also returning to The Open after a two year long absence. Agustin will be competing as part of a rejuvenated La Aguada team following 2014 La Aguada team members Miguel Novillo Astrada and Facundo Sola announcements that they have not re-signed for next season. Miguel has made the decision not to play the Triple Crown in 2015. Following two hard seasons, he is taking a oneyear break but will remain as a member of the La Aguada set up from the pony lines where his wide experience will undoubtedly prove invaluable, while Facundo Sola is parting ways from La Aguada in order to establish his own team, Washington.

Therefore the line-ups of La Aguada ICBC and La Aguada Las Monjitas ICBC for this year’s Triple Crown will be as follows: La Aguada ICBC (34): Ignacio Novillo Astrada (9), Guillermo Caset (9), Agustin Merlos (8) and Guillermo Terrera (8) La Aguada Las Monjitas ICBC (35): Eduardo Novillo Astrada (9), Ale Novillo Astrada (8), Sebastian Merlos (9) and Ignacio ‘Cubi’ Toccalino (9)

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News

Memorial Service for the 8th Duke of Wellington THE DETAILS FOR the memorial service for the late 8th Duke of Wellington KG, LVO, OBE, MC, former Vice President of Guards Polo Club, have been announced. The service will be held at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, London, at noon on Tuesday 12 May. If you would like to attend please write to: The Secretary, Apsley House, London W1J 7NT, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope.

Five star studs at Tally Ho TALLY HO FARM are pleased to present Polystud’s brand new polo stud for 2015. Manufactured in England from a high-density polymer, this globally unique, innovative stud, gives all the grip of a traditional stud but with several huge advantages: • Super lightweight at 4g per stud compared to approximately 25g per traditional stud.

• 100% rust proof • Shock absorbing • Egonomically designed to greatly reduce studding injuries.

• Conforms to HPA regulations.

The studs will be available in store and online from March 2015.

Aiming High TRIPLE CROWN RETURN Agustin Merlos will return to The Triple Crown later this year for La Aguada after a two year absence KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY Thomas Biddle Jnr (son of the only 10 goal Arena player Tommy Biddle) was picked to play for USA in the Snow Polo World Cup, Tianjin BRATLEY APPOINTMENT Burningfold Polo Centre have appointed 4 goal professional Derreck Bratley as their new Polo Manager 20 YEARS STRONG Polo Times celebrates its 20th anniversary of publishing ‘to the polo purist’ with the launch of a new commemoratiove logo LADIES ONLY Women’s handicaps have been put in place for lady-only tournaments for the 2015 UK season. See page 53 for further information

Swinging low NARROW MISS The England team lost out on a win against New Zealand at Kihikihi Polo Club by just one goal EXPENSIVE TIMES It’s time for the bank balance to take a hit as vaccinations, teeth and new shoes are on the cards for ponies coming back into work OUCH We wish Luis Escobar a speedy recovery after he was involved in an accident during the Ylvisaker tournament in Florida BRRR Reporting from the sidelines at St Moritz the minus 15 conditions caused the Polo Times camera to freeze MISSING THE SILVERWARE There is a hole in the Munro Ford trophy cabinet as Black Eagles broke their winning streak and missed out on a podium position at The New Year National Arena Club Championships

Lightweight Polystuds for polo

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Polo Times, March 2015

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News

The 8th Marquis of Waterford, dies

Both the ponies pictured above are homebreds, originating from a skewballed Irish pony that pulled his parent’s caravan on his honeymoon. They were bred out to be 7/8 thoroughbred, meaning they made good polo ponies. All his sons and grandsons went on to play polo on these ponies at some point in their polo career. Grandson, Richard Le Poer remembers, “I had a fantastic one he gave me called Cloud 9 when I was about 11 years old”

JOHN HUBERT de Le Poer Beresford, the 8th Marquis of Waterford, born 14th July 1933 died at the age of 81 on February 11th. Grandfather to 6 goal professional, Richard Le Poer, the late Marquis was educated at Eton and later served as a Lieutenant in the Royal Horse Guards’ Reserve. He rode the first of his many point-to-point winners while still at school and went on to become the youngest ever member of the Irish Turf Club. Polo was his true love however, and for 12 years he was a member of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Windsor Park team, winning The Gold Cup at Cowdray on two occasions in 1966 and 1969. From 1960 to 1985 he was captain of the All-Ireland Polo Club and its highest handicapped player. Following his retirement from the Army, he returned to Curraghmore and became Director to various local enterprises, as well as a founding patron of the Waterford International Festival of Light. He married Lady Caroline Wyndham-Quin and together they had three sons and a daughter. His eldest, Henry Nicholas de Le Poer Beresford, Earl of Tyrone, succeeds the title.

Much loved time-keeper from Cheshire Polo Club, Mu Kershaw dies Photography by Howard Taylor

CHESHIRE POLO CLUB spoke to Polo Times about the passing of Muriel Kerhsaw: “Mu will be greatly missed by her family and friends and her absence will be felt by many others.

Mu, together with Jo Whaley, did the scoring and timekeeping for many years and when Jo retired, Mu took over both jobs and sat for many hours in rain, hail and shine oblivious to the weather. Mu encouraged all the young, Cheshire’s much loved time new and old players alike. She had a great keeper Mu Kershaw sense of humour together with a ready smile for everyone she met and was a very thoughtful and generous person. All of us will have our own special memory of Mu. Her support of the Club was unstinting and her spirit of independence, kindness and loyalty will leave a huge void and we have all lost a treasured friend.” Mu met her husband John Kershaw in the eighties and they lived together at Moulton, near Northwich.

She was introduced to polo through John and they both enjoyed the game and being involved in the Cheshire Polo Club, attending polo every weekend and were members of the Social Committee.

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Cowdray Park announces new sponsors THE HOME OF The Gold Cup has announced prestigious champagne marque, Louis Roederer as the Official Champagne Partner in a significant signing which sees the champagne brand take on a major sporting sponsorship for the first time. It has also been revealed that EFG International, already a supporter of Cowdray Park, will become the Club’s Official Banking Partner. Peter Barfoot, Chairman of Cowdray Park Polo Club added: “We are delighted to welcome Louis Roederer and EFG International as Official Partners to Cowdray Park Polo Club, joining a growing list of prestigious names keen to be associated with the Home of British Polo”.

New shoes for the season STROMSHOLM LTD WILL officially launch the new Kerckhaert Kings High Goal Polo shoe at the Members’ Clubhouse at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club on Wednesday 18 March. The front shoes feature the new polo grip design, developed especially for playing on grass.

The hind shoe has a traditional 3/8 stud hole on the outside heel. All local farriers are invited to the launch and the new Kerckhaert Kings High Goal Polo shoes will arrive in stock at the beginning of April.

Luis Escobar THE 6 GOAL member of the Merchant Hub team playing the Ylvisaker 20 goal tournament at International Polo Club Palm Beach, was involved in a collision with his teammate Pelon Escapite on the polo pitch on Saturday. Escapite got up straight away but Escobar remained on the ground.

Polo Times understands he was transported by helicopter to Delray Medical Center, but that his condition is improving and he is expected to make a full recovery.

Best of British Polo at Tidworth Polo Club FOLLOWING THE HUGE success of Best of British Polo 2014, which attracted a crowd of nearly 5,000, the event will run again on 31 May at Tidworth Polo Club. The organisers are delighted to announce that this year they will be not only be supporting Help for Heroes, but also the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. Four of last year’s sponsors have agreed to continue supporting the event, (Cayenne Asset Management, Wilsons Solicitors, Hattingley Valley English Sparkling Wine and Winterfloods), and Alan Kent will again be putting the team together for the Best of British Hattingley Trophy. Argentine Open Umpire Peter Wright will be wearing the black and white striped shirt for the games, and Phil Meadows is, as we go to press, busy coaching and training the Para-players at Cool Hooves for the Heroes Cup. All ticket information and how to book can be found at www.bestofbritishpolo.co.uk www.polotimes.co.uk

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News

Polo Times celebrates 20 years of publishing ‘polo for the purist’

Major Rollermowers at Great Trippets Farm

Major Rollermowers are Polo Manager’s choice THE MAJOR TDR Roller Mower range has gained the enviable reputation as the Polo Manager’s first choice for both quality of cut and low maintenance costs. The combination of the three-point pivot system, which hugs to undulating ground and the rollers which are hugely effective at rolling down divots produce a great finish. They also excel at leaving the pitch with a striping effect finish seen at all the best grounds. Great Trippets Farm is just one location in the UK using the Major TDR 6.1m Roller Mower.

2015 MARKS THE 20th birthday of Polo Times. Our most longstanding readers will remember that Polo Times was founded

by Margie Brett as The Polo Advertiser way back in 1993 before its name was changed to Polo Times and it is that anniversary which we are celebrating this year. To anchor the date for you, it was the year when Terry Venables resigned as England Football Manager, the Spice Girls released Wannabe, the Stone of Scone was repatriated back to Scotland after 700 years, the Ford Ka was launched… and Take That announced their initial split.

We have lots planned to commemorate this milestone in polo publishing, from the Polo Times 2015 Best Playing Pony Series, to the planned Polo Times 20th birthday party, as well as the release of a 20th anniversary logo which features on a limited edition range of sweatshirts and body warmers. These were launched at the SUPA National University Championships, held at Rugby Polo Club. Email us (admin@polotimes.co.uk) if you would like to order your own Polo Times anniversary sweatshirt (£20) or body warmer (£24.99) or call us on 01452 730 770. Look out for our new logo at polo events this summer!

Oxford Brookes subscribers resplendent in their 20th anniversary sweatshirts

Rob Adshead works the 20th anniversary look

Stirling University subscribers show off their sweatshirts

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HPA News

Latest from the HPA

Club HPA chiefnews executive David Woodd rounds up the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club

news from UK polo’s headquarters

Club news in brief BLUEY’S POLO CLUB is currently offering membership for the 2014 season for just £400, if taken up before Tuesday 15 April. For more information please contact polomanager@blueyspolo.co.uk.

Prior to this match, The 12 Goal Challenge will see Clogau Wales Polo Team take on Ireland at 11.30am For further information visit: www.hickstead.co.uk/polo Please come and support your national team.

New chairman at Cowdray Park Maddy Rankin) in a close game which England won by one goal 5-4.

COWDRAYHowever, PARK POLO Club lost, has appointed the men 9-8, on a Peter Barfootpenalty, as its new club been chairman thehalf 2014 season. having five for all at time.

He takes over from Robin Butler, who has retired James Beim, Tom Morley, Max Charltonafter seven years in the role. and James Harper represented England Barfoot is the former chairman of New Forest Polo against the New Zealand brothers Tommy Club, where he also worked as treasurer, and has Craig Wilson, John and for playedand at Cowdray Park with hisPaul MaizClarkin Dulce team Simon Keyte.

See pageto42 for a full report. the past 14 years, from 4-goal 12-goal level.

“It would be difficult to replicate the special Cowdray HEATHFIELD POLO CLUB will England racingnew for the ball (white) against run two tournaments this Peru (red) inatmosphere anywhere else,” he said.TEST “I know all the INTERNATIONAL ARENA MATCH theirseason. first gameThe in theLa FIPGolondrina Snow Polo World Cup,Cup playingOn members really well and I also look forward Saturday 7 March at 1.30pm AEPC for players aged 18 and below, is to meeting as many of the non-playing members as Hickstead will host the 2015 Arena Test Match OVERSEAS on 12-13 July, while the ladies’ possible during the course of the season.”

Tie Polo tournament runs from for The Bryan Morrison Trophy where England CHINA 17-18 August.

ARGENTINA England will play Argentina for The Copa de Las Naciones (24-26 goals) at Palermo in April, exact date to be announced. The team has yet to be selected.

DEVELOPMENT South Africa. The following were sent on a week-long training course with Buster Mackenzie: Charles Cooney, Tommy Severn, James Emlyn, Tom Townsend, John DaltonMorgan and Hugo Taylor.

Florida. For the second year in a row, a group of young players were invited to take will play Ireland. The teams will be as follows: Many congratulations to Brazil who won part in an exchange trip with the Polo Training Peter Barfoot, the new chairman at Cowdray Park Polo Club TheRUTLAND FIP Snow POLO Polo World Championships in Foundation and to play in The Avendano England CLUB’S 6-goal Assam CupTwelve tournament Tianjin against USA. teams took part Memorial Tournament. This is the largest 1. Jamie Le Hardy 7 will competition. be added to England the Victorunfortunately in the children’s tournament in the US and the 2. Johnny Good 8 Ludorum fixture list for 2014. It gottakes knocked out in the group stages. following children represented England Colts: 3.

Chris Hyde 9 place from 12-22 June.

See page 34 for a full report.

Jasmine Stanhope-White, Zac Beim, Luke as a 20-goal four-a-side arena tournament.

DALLAS BURSTON POLO Club has announced ST ALBANS POLO Club will Wiles and Christian Oberschneider. They also Ireland The winning teams of each tournament will it will host two new tournaments in 2014, with a once again host Polo for Heroes played an International tournament featuring NEW ZEALAND 1.

Ryan Pemble 8 receive £10,000 in prize money. Entries are combined prize pot of £20,000. this summer. The charity event teams from the12-goal USA, tournament Argentina in and Played on Saturday February at Kihikihi The 2.

Richard Le Poer 7 will take place on 7Saturday currently open for the July,an first of two IXL Gold Cups will be played at 28Club, June The and International feature a match team.

Polo Day saw two 12-goal3.level Sebon Dawnay 8 the club’s withInternational team entries girls’ costing £400.

12-13 July, as part of between military andEnglish civilianLadies’ andFine & Country Polo Day. It will be the highest Please email phil@rugbypoloclub.com for Test Matches with the teams. To find out more email further details or to handicapped Mens’ teams playing against opposing New info@stalbanspoloclub.co.uk.

HPAthe MEETING DATES enter a team. tournament Zealand sides.

Tue 7club April Welfare AGM Sunningdale Park Hotel Warwickshire THE OUTDOOR POLO season England Ladies (Lucy Taylor, Lottie Tueto14date.

April Stewards Cavalry and Guards Club, London has hosted is already underway at the Vale Lamacraft, Fiona Alexander and Harriet The second IXApril of York Polo Club, with the first Wed 15 Club Chief Umpires Sunningdale Park Hotel McKelvie) on New Zealand chukkastook played on grass on (Suzie Gold Cup will30 beApril Dallas Burston Thu Council Cavalry and GuardsThe Club, London SuperArena, which SundayRenn 9 March.

TheMissy club’sBrowne andplayed in the club’s Hamilton, Erceg,

Two new events at Dallas Burston

polo field is built on glacial sand deposits, giving it great drainage.

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SuperArena in November,

will host the 20-goal arena tournament in November

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FIP News

Polo Arena Construction

C O N T R A C T O R S

• • • • • • •

Manege Construction Pony Lines & Wash-Down Areas Lunge Rings & Exercise Tracks Equestrian & Stock Fencing Roads & Tracks Hard Standings & Concrete Slabs Special Projects

for more information please contact: tel: 01483 894 888 • mob: 07836 356714 • fax: 01483 892 497 email: jeremy@jcfc.co.uk web: www.jcfc.o.uk

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FIP Update

Chairman of the Federation of International Polo, Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, gives us an update on the latest FIP news from around the world FIP has grown over the years since Marcos Uranga’s dream of establishing an international body to bring cooperation between the various National Associations and Federations and to encourage more international competition, as well as fostering the concepts of friendship, team spirit & fair play. However, it has not always been good at explaining its ‘raison d’être’ to the grass roots of polo – its players and supporters. I thought that in my first article I should try and explain just how the Federation came about and how it affects those in the polo world.

The International Federation of Polo’s membership is made up of the National Polo Associations & Federations around the world who govern polo within their own particular countries. The three major stakeholders are the AAP, the HPA and the USPA. The Federation started in 1982 with around 10 member countries; currently there are some 87 member nations divided into various categories.

FIP hold a General Assembly each December in Buenos Aires where delegates from all over the world gather to influence the direction our sport takes. At the GA in 2014, we had representatives from some 33 countries which accounted for over 18,000 votes – each country has votes equivalent to its number of registered players. For administration purposes, the polo world is currently divided into four Zones, each with a Zone Coordinator, although this may change in the near future as one of the Zones has proved to be too large to manage in its current form.

The Federation is recognised by the International Olympic Committee as the governing body of the sport of polo and is a member of the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations. FIP receive a limited amount of funding each year from the IOC, which is distributed to our member nations for development of youth polo and umpiring schemes.

Every three years FIP hold a World Polo Championship at 14 Goal level – this being the handicap level that can be currently achieved by the maximum number of nation members. This year it will be held in Chile in March and it is hoped that the next one may be held in Berlin at the Maytag Stadium, where polo was last played as an Olympic sport at the 1936 Games.

Thanks to the support of a major benefactor in Hong Kong & China, Fortune Heights, we also run The Super Nation’s Cup at a 24 goal level and the only International World Snow Polo Championship each year at the Metropolitan Polo Club in Tianjin at a 16 goal level. We also have The Ambassador Cup series, which continues around the world with two to three tournaments being run each year to promote and foster international relations.

I consider myself extremely lucky to have an exceptionally strong Executive Committee, with Brigadier John Wright, the serving Chairman of the HPA, Dr Richard Caleel, the immediate past President of FIP, Alberto Marina, a past Board Member of the AAP, Piero Dillier who is probably the most active of the Zone Coordinators and Francoise Berger from Guatemala who is a Founding Member of FIP, as my colleagues. Between us we will be trying to increase the relevance of FIP for the benefit of our sport.

Wish me luck! I will do my best to keep you informed of progress in the International Federation of Polo! www.polotimes.co.uk

20/02/2015 17:30

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Comment

Your views

Letters

Write to the editor in the following ways: ◗ letters@polotimes.co.uk ◗ Letters, Polo Times, Hill Farm Studios, Wainlodes Lane, Bishops Norton, Glos GL2 9LN

Letter of the month

The writer of Letter of the month wins a bottle of BLOOM Gin

Sir, While sorting out my accumulation of literature and papers on Mongolia, Tibet and the surrounding area I came across notes I made on polo in China in 1989.

I had proposed to a specialist travel firm that it would be fun to organise a polo trip to Inner Mongolia, having met a polo player in Gilgit (tribal area of Pakistan) a year or two earlier who had played in Inner Mongolia.

An itinerary was drawn up with me to lead the party. In the end we did not have a sufficient number of partakers and there were problems emanating from China.

What I found out from the All-China Sports Federation and others was that polo was still being played in Beijing in the early 1930s. My notes from the time say that the oldest player in Inner Mongolia

was Pang Fu Ting (age 78 in 1985) and he recalled that a US army officer named Henry Sterling Jernigan was teaching polo to Chinese officer cadets at the military academy in Peking, they played against teams from the Peking Polo Club.

The Japanese invasion of China put an end to polo around 1935 and did not restart until 1951, some two years after the formation of The Peoples’ Republic of China. By 1959 there were 14 polo clubs in China competing each year at the National Equestrian Championships in Inner Mongolia.

The Cultural Revolution in the 1960s subsequently stopped polo for a number of years before emerging again in Inner Mongolia in 1981 at the Hohhot

Equestrian Centre. In 1983 a Mongolian team visited Pakistan and, in turn, a few years later Pakistan sent a team to Hohhot.

The Equestrian Centre purchased thoroughbreds from Hong Kong to train as show jumpers. There were no mares at the centre as Mongolian men will not ride them!

Anyone interested in polo in China should look out for a very scarce super little book ‘Polo on The China Pony’ by E. H. McMichael (Mercantile Printing Co., Shanghai 1931).

George Knowles

By Email

Memory tester...

Between games in St Moritz

A: Turn to page 74 to check your answer

Photograph by Peter James

Q: Chris Hyde won at the Snow Polo World Cup this year for team Cartier. How many times has he been on the winner’s podium in the tournament held in St Moritz?

Quick pic

One player and his pony sharing their love at SUPA National University Championships on 14 February

Tweets worth re-tweeting

@kirstiea (Kirstie Allen, Player from International Polo Club, Palm Beach) So proud of Noah & Alfie Hyde for both winning MVP today at their first Polo Tournament on my Polo Pony KWI

@hpapolo (Hurlingham Polo Association) Congratulations @Rugby_Polo_Club on a great #weekend #SUPA #National UniversityChampionships @rjpolouk @PoloTimes

@UKCPolo (Kent University Polo Club) Massive thank you everyone involved in the SUPA Winter Nationals, we had a great weekend! @SupaPoloUK @rjpolouk @Rugby_Polo_Club

We follow them on twitter, to save you bothering:

@hpapolo (Hurlingham Polo Association) Victorious England Ladies team from last weekend in NZ! Thanks @Akuma_Polo for the shirts!

Turn to page 56 to read all about the game

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@Ricalino92 (Ricky Cooper Captain of the Clogau Wales polo team) Congrats @PoloTimes on a wonderful 20 year anniversary.

Love the magazine & looking forward to many more years #polo

w

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo T

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Feature

8th Manipur Polo International

Manipuri magic Rosabella Hine reports from Manipur

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Polo Times travelled with HPA England Team for Polo International at Manipur, India – the birth place of modern polo

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The impressive grandstand

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ast and furious, well organised polo, excellently hosted by the Manipur Horse Riding & Polo Association, played on traditional Manipur ponies, (11-13 hands) at the historic Imphal Polo Ground, (reputedly, the oldest in the world), was how Nicholas ColquhounDenvers explained that the 8th Manipur Polo International would be.

Nicholas explained that the HPA had been invited to send an England Team of 6-8 goals, to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of when Lieutenant Joseph Sherer, of the 44th Sylhet Regiment of Bengal Native Light Infantry, and his team of seven Manipuri men, took polo to Calcutta in 1864. As a consequence, in 1891, in his House of Lords address, former Viceroy of India, George Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon, cited Manipur as the birth place of the modern game of polo.

Fast forward 150 years, Captain Shearer’s descendants, Sue Booth and Rosemary Piers, would be guests of honour and each game in the 8th Manipur Polo International would be four chukkas, played under mainly HPA rules.

The tournament would also form part of the Manipur Sangai Festival, meaning that India’s new Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s would be in Imphal.

To get to Manipur, the team would need to fly to Delhi or Calcutta and then by local air, travel to Imphal (the capital of Manipur State), a remote part of North East India, approximately 60 miles from the Burmese border.

Having taken part himself in 2012, Nicholas explained that the dwindling

England in action vs South Africa

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Feature

Photography by Richenda & Rosabella Hine

8th Manipur Polo International

England Vs India A line up

numbers of the original Manipur pony needed spot-lighting to the polo world – and therefore, the importance for England to be represented.

Already on the hook when Nicholas had first enquired whether Polo Times would sponsor the HPA England Team, Polo Times was immediately on board and a plan was formed whereby a team of young players would be selected for: their polo skills; horsemanship to adapt to any shape or size of pony; and willingness to venture somewhat into the unknown, to represent their country!

Due mainly to the effusiveness and tenacity of Lt Col (Retd) M Ranjit Singh Vice President, Manipur Horse Riding & Polo Association who was the overall event organiser, the tournament snowballed from six to a total of nine teams, which represented eight countries: England, USA, South Africa and India (A & B), Thailand, France, Poland, and Mongolia.

The most wonderful pre-game dances & demonstrations of riding skills were also demonstrated, with Manipur’s historic links to it being a great warrior nation, feared by all and whose cavalry squadrons had managed to get as far as Rangoon in Burma, clear for all to witness.

The teams battled it out between 22 – 29 November 2014 with friendly, but fiercely

Running repairs being made to team England kit

competitive polo being played from the very start. As Nicholas had said from the outset, this would be no exhibition tournament. All nine of the teams would be mounted by the Manipur Horse Riding & Polo Association which was set up in 1977 to revive polo so as to aid the pony’s survival. “We started organising state-level matches while starting a census of the ponies,” says Prof. C Priyoranjan, one of the five vice-presidents of the association.

Therefore, all teams would play on Manipuri ponies, for which the International aimed to increase awareness for the plight of the tremendously tough indigenous breed, which stand between 11 and 13 hh and are now struggling to survive against the decrease of their natural habitats, due to rapid urbanisation, with numbers as low as only 400 ponies.

Despite great team work, England’s Alastair Paterson (3), Lt. Hiro Suzuki (2), Elliot Sands (2) and Richard Hine (0), (who were also sponsored by kit-supplier Black Hound), were knocked out in the Quarter Finals with a score of 12 – 6 by a higher handicapped South African team of Cameron Chubb (0), Justin Snaith (0), John Eustace (5) and Sean O’Sullivan (4), with Rob Hampson (0) as reserve. However, as South Africa went on to not only reach the Final, but to take the home-

Elliot Sands with his worthy steed

Tsogt, from Mongolia supports his team performing a traditional Mongol song

Polo Times, March 2015

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Feature

8th Manipur Polo International

Umpires Alastair Paterson & Richard Hine modelling the unusal umpire belts.

India B, tournament winners lift the trophy

side and local Manipur team India B to an extra chukka, the England team had certainly represented their country well.

Sadly for the South Africa team, stalwart Sean O’Sullivan had been suffering from a recurring riding muscle injury all through the tournament and a fall early on in the Final forced him to be replaced by team coach and 5 goaler Selby Williamson, who had not previously played in the tournament. Despite the substitution, an incredibly close match ensued, with end-to-end polo being played and sniper accurate shots at goal from both teams, forcing the Final to an extra chukka.

In the end though, glory went to India B who clinched the golden goal and, led by its team Captain S Bimol Singh, were once again crowned victors with a score of 7-6, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Following the Final match, the crowd was treated to a game of sagolkangjei, a Manipuri version of polo said to have originated

2,000 years ago, in which both local and international players donned traditional kit.

Sagolkangjei is derived from the Manipur language; sagol meaning ‘pony’ and kangjei,‘hooking stick’.

Whilst being played on the Manipur pony, the game differed to conventional polo from the outset, with the usual throw-in replaced by the ball being launched high into the air above the melee of players. Also, there were no goal posts, instead the aim was to get the ball across the backline, and the players were encouraged to catch or grab the ball with their hands, as well as using their sticks – a spectacle indeed!

The hospitality of the Manipur Horse Riding & Polo Association did not end at the polo ground. The organisers also provided an array of entertainment and activities when polo was not being played, including a trip to the Manipur pony stud and day-long chauffeured journeys to stunning mountain and lake-side locations with the most-breath-taking scenery.

Alastair Paterson post-match with his Manipur pony

Each player was presented with a commemorative plaque

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Polo Times, March 2015

The high-light of après-polo was undoubtedly the evening performance, courtesy of the Army which included local dancing with traditional meals, where the International teams sampled some of the local foods and ate with just their hands.

The 8th Manipur Polo International was a trip to remember, with fantastic experiences and firm friends made along the way. We are indebted to so many people from Manipur who made the England Team’s trip so memorable that there is not room to mention them all.

However, on behalf of all the England Team, it would be remiss not to pay special thanks to the Manipur Horse Riding & Polo Association’s Lt Col (Retd) M Ranjit Singh, Suranjan Lairenjam, ‘Chobi’ (Lbungochoubi Ningthoukhongjam) – and to Jit, our 1st Class driver and fixer who professionally and with great knowledge, escorted the England Team, on its many excursions when not playing polo!

– fingers crossed for better luck for the England representatives next time.

www.polotimes.co.uk

20/02/2015 18:22

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Photography by Richenda Hine

Feature

Cartier hat-trick Richenda Hine reports from St Moritz

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015 saw a dramatic change in the organisation behind this iconic and glamorous event played on the frozen lake of St Moritz. The former organisers pulled out of the event in 2014 and a new Board worked wonders to stage a wonderful event matched only by the magnificence of the setting. CEO Reto Gaudenzi, who conceptualised, organised and played in the original tournament in

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Unbeaten and apparently unstoppable, an historic hat-trick for Munro Ford’s Cartier team is claimed as they retain the crown at St Moritz Snow Polo World Cup 2015 1985 and his team faced challenges when a distinct lack of ice and heavy snow acting as an insulator on the ice threatened preevent construction on the lake. But even Mother Nature was no match for Swiss calm tenacity as marquees and viewing areas were moved, girders installed and so the show went on.

The mild weather and then heavy snowfall meant that at practice on the

Thursday before the event the surface was less than ideal. Deep, pocked and heavy there were real concerns from the players about the safety of their horses. First timer to the tournament, James Harper in particular was worried that two of his high goal string would be in danger.

Plunging temperatures that evening helped the surface enormously for Friday and by Saturday it was pristine and perfect.

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Feature

“Winning the tournament again is amazing, it’s a bit like the FA Cup Final – it’s great suspense, you think it’s going to be a tough game, and Chelsea win 3-0. We thought it was going to be a lot tougher than it was”

“We got our chemistry going early on and we kept the momentum going thanks to the boys”

Richard Le Poer told Polo Times, “The surface on Saturday was incredible, almost as good as playing on grass, it was unbelievable and hardly churned up at all”.

There is always a strong Brit contingent in St Moritz and Australian born but UK resident Jonathan Munro Ford was back in the Cartier shirts which had won in both 2013 and 2014, the only change in the line up being Jamie Morrison. Team Badrutts Palace saw new boy to the snow, 6 goaler James Harper teaming up with an Irish contingent in the form of Richard Fagan and Max Hutchinson, also both new to the snow and Richard Le Poer, looking to claim his second St Moritz win after victory in 2009.

Hopes were high for an all Brit/Aussie and Irish Final, but it was not to be. On the first day of the competion Cartier breezed

Marley, Mark Ronson and Gypsy Kings blasted out after each goal and with the witty commentary of ‘The Voice of Polo” Jan Erik Frank, the crowds were on the edge of their seats to see if Team Cartier who had been unbeaten in the qualifying rounds, could pull off an historic consecutive hat-trick of wins.

Munro Ford’s team was unstoppable from the start of the Final with all four Cartier players demonstrating close team-work in both attack and defence. Pony power was also in Cartier’s favour, as each valiant attack by BMW was quickly shut down. Team Cartier had all brought their own ponies over from the UK, whereas some of the other teams had hired, and the consensus was that this had contributed heavily to Cartier’s dominance.

After an exciting game in near perfect conditions Cartier ran out the winners

Chris Hyde, Team Cartier

through their first match against Team Trois Pommes but team Badrutts Palace were narrowly defeated by Team BMW. This meant the two British and Irish teams had to face each other on the Saturday. An amazing playing surface and good old Brit competition resulted in what was widely regarded as one of the best games ever witnessed at St Moritz as Chris Hyde told Polo Times, “The game against Badrutt’s Palace really brought our team up to a different level, for me that felt like the Final game. The best game I have ever played in and the best game anyone has seen in snow polo”. Richard Fagan described it succinctly as, “The Final before the Final”.

It was truly an epic match.

So, it was a Final between Cartier and BMW on Sunday. As the Swiss sun shone down on the packed grandstands and Bob

“My highlight was the match we played against Cartier. It was the Final before the Final. The pitch has played well and I’ll definitely be back to St Moritz” Richard Fagan, Team Badrutts Palace 24

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Jonathan Munro Ford, Team Cartier

“As the surface improved we could utilise our better horses, but we struggled in the first match and that caused us problems for the rest of the tournament. I’ve learnt a lot and would be keen to come back to St Moritz again”

James Harper, Team Badrutts Palace

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St Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow

Feature

Chukka by chukka report First chukka Within 30 seconds of the first chukka BMW had the chance to draw first blood as a 30 yard foul was blown against Cartier – but Max Charlton defended the attempt, only for the ball to be knocked over the backline, resulting in a 60 yard penalty and a second opportunity for BMW. However there was again no conversion, instead Max Charlton scorched along the pitch where unfortunately BMW conceded their first foul. Chris Hyde teed up and sauntered up to the shot, which just made it through the goal – bringing the score to 1 - ½. Hyde closed the chukka with a penalty conversion, which brought the score to 2 - ½. The strength of team Cartier in both attack and defence was clearly visible, with Hyde and Charlton a formidable duo.

Second chukka At the second chukka throw in, Lucas Lebat was hit in the face by the ball – luckily no injury was incurred and play proceeded. Charlton and Hyde took the ball towards the BMW goal, but it rolled out of play. Musso took the hit in, when Hyde stole the ball and slammed it through the goal to the roar of the crowd. Charlton stole the ball straight out the line-up and it looked set to be another Cartier goal, but BMW were saved by a pony deflection and a subsequent spot hit which the BMW team captain, Dario Musso, converted. Charlton immediately retaliated to bring the score to 4 - 1½. Despite a change of ponies and some crunching rideoffs from Charlton, the scores remained the same going into the third chukka.

“It was my first time playing on snow and I loved it, it was amazing, such an incredible experience. The horses I was riding were good, but you have more confidence on ones that you know as you trust them and know how far you can push them. Hopefully I’ll be back next year, it would be good to give it another go!”

Max Hutchinson, Team Badrutts Palace

“It was an epic showdown against Cartier, we were just pipped to the line” Richard Le Poer, Team Badrutts Palace

“We were lucky, it all came together – the weather, the surface, the team…. the Final was just a perfect match, I hope to be back next year to defend the title” Jamie Morrison, Team Cartier

“We rented our horses which made it all a bit harder, I think it was a big mistake for me, but anyway, we had a lot of fun and everyone was looking very happy and having fun and that is what St Moritz is all about” Pepe Riglos, Team Trois Pommes

“My best bit? Winning and scoring the final goal!”

Max Charlton, Team Cartier

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Third chukka This began with Musso defending the BMW goal against Hyde in a 40 yard penalty, BMW were putting up a decent defence against the reigning kings but it just didn’t seem to be enough – when Morrison and Hyde worked effortlessly together to bring the score up to 5 - 1½, BMW must have felt the match closing in on them. BMW gained temporary relief from the onslaught of goals from a penalty against Munro Ford, but it appeared that Cartier had too much of a lead already.

With every attempt by BMW to level the score, the Cartier defence not only shut them down but stole the ball and added more numbers to the scoreboard. By the end of the third chukka, Cartier were convincingly ahead with a score of 7- 2½.

Fourth and final chukka Straight from the lineout, Musso stole the ball from Hyde but Charlton sent it back to Munro Ford. Another lineout followed when Lucas Labat was again hit by a ball in the face, from which Charlton made a great play to goal to bring the score to 8 - 2½ with five minutes of the Final left. At this point, Cartier appeared to be firmly in the driving seat and were making every minute difficult for their opposition. BMW tried once more to score but again Cartier hampered their efforts, with Charlton scoring once again just 1 minute after his last conversion. Following a change of ponies, Cartier once again gained possession from BMW, with Munro Ford storming past the cheering crowds – BMW were saved by the whistle with Musso taking a spot hit – but yet again Charlton defended. As the wind picked up and the sun dropped further down the valley, the crowd began to feel the chill despite the Cartier blankets. After some more excellent teamwork, Charlton scored the final goal with a nearside backhand and the overall score of 10 - 2½ was achieved. As the crowd counted down the final seconds, the Cartier team realised the historic feat of a St Moritz Snow Polo World Cup hat-trick.

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Feature

St Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow

“The sporting highlight was the game between Badrutts Palace and Cartier, which was one of the best polo games I have seen on snow – and I have seen a lot. It came down to luck in the end” Reto Gaudenzi, CEO Eviva Polo St Moritz Ltd. with a final score of 10 goals to a surprisingly low tally of 2 1/2 for Team BMW. For Morrison, who was the only new player for the Cartier line up in 2015, the win was particularly poignant, as his father, the late Bryan Morrison, had also won in St Moritz playing for Cartier in 1998. For the 2015 Final, Jamie’s mother Greta was wearing the Cartier watch that Bryan had won in that ‘98 Final as a lucky talisman for Jamie – and it clearly paid off.

At the presentation, Hyde was deservedly awarded Most Valuable Player, although that is not to underestimate the collective Cartier Team effort, particularly

Charlton, who scored the winning goal and was instrumental in many of the plays that ended with yet another Hyde goal.

In true St Moritz style, celebrations continued at the Kings Club at Badrutt’s Palace for all the Cartier Team with Crystal champagne flowing and dancing aplenty well into the early hours.

Will there be a fourth win on the cards for Team Cartier? With a wry smile Munro Ford told Polo Times, “What makes it very attractive to play this game is when you manage to do something like winning, and I think there is every possibility that I’d love to do it again next year.” So watch this space for the red shirts on the St Moritz podium again in 2016.

St Moritz Snow Polo World Cup 2015; 30 January – 1 February; St Moritz, Switzerland Final result: Cartier beat BMW, 10-2 ½ Handicap level: 16 Number of entries: Four Chukka scores (Cartier): 2 - ½ , 4 - 1½, 7 - 2½, 10 - 2½ Teams: Cartier (16): Jonathan Munro Ford 0; Max Charlton 7; Jamie Morrison 3; Chris Hyde 6 BMW (15): Rommy Gianni 1; Paolo Netzsch 1; Lucas Labat 6; Dario Musso 7 Most Valuable Player: Chris Hyde In the Subsidiary Final, the Irish dominated team Badrutt’s Palace Hotel defeated Trois Pommes 6 - 4½ Badrutt’s Palace Hotel (16): Richard Fagan 1; Max Hutchinson 3; Richard Le Poer 6; James Harper 6 Trois Pommes (14): Tutti Wolfensberger 1; Pepe Riglos 6; Piki Diaz Alberdi 7; Cédric Schweri 0

Thank you!Polo Times and sister publication The Polo Magazine were both Media Partners of the event. We would like to thank Reto Gaudenzi and the organisers for their kindness, hospitality and Swiss efficiency:www.snowpolo-stmoritz.com Also the Kulm Hotel for providing sumptuous and splendid accommodation: www.kulm.com Our warm thanks to Stephanie Elmer of the St Moritz Tourist Association who provided us with the opportunity to sneak in a bit of skiing. Thank you!

See page 73 for social and behind the scenes photos from the tournament

Snow Polo Roundup Czech Snow Polo Masters Having not played on snow for four years or so, All England Polo Club’s John Bunn was intrigued when an invitation came across his desk to send a team to the Czech Republic.

Playing under the name of Ski Areal, the side featured Chas Taylor, Guy Harrison and John Bunn (Captain). Team Ski Areal emerged the winners with four straight victories, whilst second place went to Brandgift, which was captained by British player, Tim Vaux.

Despite not claiming the tournament title, Vaux was awarded MVP after he personally racked up an impressive 17 goals during the event, as well as picking up the Best Playing Pony prize for Hijo, owned by Naveed Gill of Gill Polo. Third place went to the Snow Polo Masters team of Dante Barroso (Captain) with Renate Seidler and Jarka Pavel. Players, sponsors and spectators are already asking about the 2016 event.

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The BMW Polo Masters Megève celebrated 20 years of snow polo Six international teams representing five nationalities (French, Swiss, English, Irish and Australian) were present to celebrate this milestone anniversary on 22 – 25 January. The French team’s youth players were also in training for the Snow Polo World Cup in Tianjin, turn to page 34 to read the full report from China. 20 years after the birth of the 3rd snow polo event at a world International level, Matthew Delfosse who has participated in all editions and entered the Finals every other year, has now for the 8th time brought his team to victory.

At his side, Laurent Dassault (Captain) won a 5th victory for his 18th participation. www.polotimes.co.uk

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Feature

Cooling off post-chukka

Snow stables Polo Times went behind the scenes in St Moritz to find out more about how the ponies are cared for.

Richenda Hine Behind the scenes in St Moritz

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Photographs by Richenda Hine

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any of the spectators watching the glamorous spectacle of polo on snow at St Moritz do not give a second thought to the work and organization that goes into getting the ponies out onto the playing surface in fine fettle.

As usual, players were vocal about the importance of pony power and there was a clear opinion from the British and Irish contingent that the cost and effort of transporting their own ponies from the UK was money well spent.

Team Cartier as a whole had their own ponies on the ice, and James Harper and Richard le Poer for Team Badrutts had also invested in bringing their own ponies from the UK. Max Hutchinson had hired and he and Pepe Riglos from Team Trois Pommes were two of the players citing their lack of familiarity with their own ponies as contributory factors in the defeat of their respective teams.

Trucks used to transport the ponies are parked up by the stables

With this in mind, caring for the ponies is uppermost in every player’s mind. Those travelling from the UK with either Richmond’s Transport or GJH Transport endure an extremely efficient,

but nonetheless tiring journey from the UK. On arrival in St Moritz on the Thursday they have one day to practice and acclimatise before the real competition kicking off on the Friday.

Polo Times, March 2015

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Feature

Behind the pony lines in St Moritz

Ponies in the heated stables pre-game

The ponies are shod with special snow shoes which are fitted with two studs on both front and rear

Tacked up and ready to be led down to the game

They are housed in heated stables, with all of the UK travelled ponies’ grooms keeping as close as possible to the home regime. Bev Prior, long term groom to St Moritz 5 times winner Chris Hyde explained to Polo Times: “Consistency with the regime is really the key to it all. For our four ponies we bring all of our own feed, supplements and hay to keep everything as normal as possible for the ponies. We also bring water from home for the journey but when that runs out they do drink the local water. We don’t go as far as some racehorse trainers and bring our own for the duration!”

Keeping to the home routine they go out on sets in the morning around a snow-covered football ground to stretch out and keep up fitness and are stabled in player groups to be close to their familiar string-mates. Being walked to and from the games rugged up is a concession to the cold, likewise the pony tent on the frozen lake next to the ground, which houses the pony lines and gives shelter from the weather and sometimes blistering cold.

To avoid the snow balling up on the ponies’ shoes, on arrival they are fitted with special snow shoes all around, which have a special rubber tubing to funnel the snow out of the back of the shoe. Two studs are fitted to both front and rear shoes to add traction.

Then it’s business as usual as the chukka begins. Polo is polo and competition is serious wherever it is played.

Pony Guapa with Juan-Manuel Ucaña

Dumitru George with Antonia the pony, grooming for Max Hutchinson

Raul-Fernandes Moreno, grooming for Richard Fagan

The ponies transported from the UK travelled with their own feed and hay supplied, but some of those from Continental Europe ate the local produce

Leaving the stables on the way to the game

Crossing the road before the safety of the lake

Walking out across the sports ground which was also used for morning exercise sets

The pony tent at the side of the ground offers protection from the elements

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Behind the pony lines in St Moritz

Feature

Polo Times caught up with Sophie Gazzard, groom to James Harper, who played for Team Badrutts Palace before she and the ponies left the stables for the Semi Final Q: How many horses of James Harper’s have you got here?

A: I’ve got five horses here for him, they have travelled over from the UK for the tournament.

Q: Talk us through the morning stable routine.

A: In the morning I give them a feed, muck them out, give them water and hay and then I brush them and put their front studs in.

At the moment they have their back studs in the whole time they are here as there are two studs in the shoe they are evenly balanced.

Sophie in action getting

Bev Prior, groom to Chris Hyde pictured with Zena, a 23 year-old ‘legend’ who knows the snows of St Moritz well

Q: With games in the afternoon what exercise do they get the ponies’ feeds ready for their return post-match in the morning?

A: They go on set, I take them for a quick walk on the sportsground (covered in snow and opposite the stables) and check they are sound, then I come back and give them another feed.

Q: When are you feeding them?

A: I’m splitting their feeds up into three or four little ones to keep them eating because their appetites have dropped.

Q: Why have their appetites dropped?

A: They seem quite stressed being here and aren’t really themselves. I think the stress is from the journey, which was quite hard on them. Of course GG and his transport company did a fantastic job and looked after them well, but it’s still an 18 hour journey plus an overnight stop and that is pretty tiring for them.

Q: How are the stables here suiting them?

A: The heated stables here are great and it is a good facility, but even so they are in a different environment as James’ horses normally live out all the time so they aren’t really enjoying being stabled very much! They also can’t talk to each other, they usually like to interact and they can’t do that here.

Groom to Team Cartier José Brazan attends to tendon boots in the pony tent

Q: What is the regime as the game approaches?

A: Before the game they have access to hay and eat as much as they like before I tack them up.

All the grooms leave together for the match and I will ride one and lead four approximately a mile across the snow to the ground which takes about 20 minutes, so that is a good stretch out for them.

Q: What happens at the ground?

A: They are taken to the ponies’ tent which has pony lines in it and offers them protection from the snow, wind and general cold. Usually they wait about 30 to 40 minutes before the game starts – depending on what time we all go.

Q: Don’t they get cold going to and from the ground?

A: I take them down and back rugged up.

Q: What happens when you get back from the match?

A: It’s too cold at the pony lines to wash them down, but when they get back I get a hot towel and hot water and rub them down, they also have a fleece rug to take the moisture away. They aren’t exercised again after that for the rest of the day, normally in the UK they would be turned out in the field but that’s not possible here. After the game, I feed them around 5pm.

Vanessa Soria grooming for Romi Gianni, patron of the Team BMW

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Q: Night time regime?

A: I come back down around 8pm and give them feed, hay and water and check they are ok.

Thankfully I’ve had no problems with tying up or colic.

Polo Times, March 2015

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Arena Focus

Feature

The future of arena polo What does the future hold for arena polo? The winter pastime of the all-year hardcore polo enthusiast is seeing a change. Statistics indicate dropping HPA Winter Club Memberships, with a relatively negligible nett drop of 82 since the 2007/8 season, but conversely a burgeoning number of SUPA memberships – an increase of 360 over the same period.

Add into the equation a rise in the use of private arenas, such as Gadbridge, Emsworth and the Black Bears facility which create an unofficial ‘arena economy’.

With so many new arena clubs why are there apparently less players?

What’s going on?

Lucy Wilson talks to players, Polo Managers and coaches about the future of the sport and what might be influencing the numbers.

Winter HPA Memberships are down 82 members since 2008 2007/8

11/12

12/13

13/14

14/15

610

542

547

540

528

SUPA Memberships are up by 360 members in 2007/8 season 2006/7

2007/8

2008/9

2010/11

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

362

318

318

379

525

456

678

Why do we need arena polo?

Winter income: Whilst many professionals (and increasingly patrons too) are travelling abroad to play polo during the winter months, for those that stay behind it is a valuable resource.

Likewise it is useful for the tertiary industries that surround the sport, the pony hirers, the tack suppliers, the transporters… etc. An all year round polo industry allows these UKbased businesses to remain active and viable through the winter months.

Ideal for spectator sport: Arena polo, despite taking place in the winter months of the year can be argued as a better spectator sport than its grass-based summer cousin. Admittedly, the recent advances in the filming of outdoor polo and the introduction of drones has helped with television coverage to a wider audience. However, as a close www.polotimes.co.uk

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up, high adrenaline sport that can be easily transported to urban and unusual venues, arena polo remains a natural choice for exhibition matches for the general public and have become increasingly popular. Over the last few years in the UK alone, we have seen events taking place at the O2, Birmingham NEC and even at Horse Guards Parade last summer. These display games could hold the key to promoting the sport to a wider audience, encouraging sponsors, funding and even new patrons into the game.

Nurturing beginners: Whichever coach, player or Polo Manager you speak to, the arena is at the forefront of learning the game for both players and ponies. It’s a growth area that is hugely important for the future of arena polo and

also as a driver of potential players for the outside game. The termtime dates for schools and universities means that the majority of the polo scheduled by their institutions lands in the winter arena season. The safety aspect of learning in an arena, a soft landing, surrounded by walls and a smaller space to move the ball around makes it more inviting to start riders and non-riders in the game. Clubs such as Druids Lodge, Rugby, Offchurch Bury and Ash Farm have multiple university and schools clients that bump up the numbers. Looking at figures taken from a range of Clubs with polo schools, the numbers of people regularly turning up for lessons is still healthy and far exceeds the HPA registered membership numbers.

These players need to be converted to full membership for the arena game to thrive.

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Feature

Arena Focus

Membership numbers vs. learners this year AEPC, Hickstead

Ascot Park

Ash Farm

Cambridge (Haggis Farm)

Druids Lodge

Epsom Polo Club

HPA Members

12

33

15

1

36

0

Average number learning per week

40

50

125

30

100

30

Hertfordshire

Kinross

Rugby

Sussex

HPA Members

15

10

19

8

50

17

Average number learning per week

2

70

20

90

75

30

Moor Hall Farm Offchurch Bury

Totals

Benefits to young stock: Whilst needing to be mindful of the level and stress green poinies are potentially exposed to, the arena can be a great place to progress young horses. Players such as Oli Hipwood and Roddy Matthews choose to use the arena as a place to bring on their young stock of horses ready for the summer season, in order to make early sales and be ahead of the game in the first rounds of tournaments.

Sponsors: Arena polo is popular with sponsors. It can offer a good entry-level to the sport of polo and with smaller spaces involved than with outdoor polo advertising, hoardings and banners are more impactful and therefore have more response.

What does the future hold?

Polo Times spoke to some long-standing arena figures to gauge what challenges the future of arena polo faces and what possible solutions might be implemented.

The recession has undoubtedly had a huge impact on numbers and development of the sport in more than one way. Budgets have shrunk, so patrons either play less polo, join forces and combine teams or reserve their funds for the summer months.

Just as it is now acceptable across the middle classes to shop in Aldi and Lidl, so the recession has changed attitudes to service and standards in arena polo as cost, quality and service are the modern day mantra. Players, patrons and clients are now much more scrupulous about what they get for their money, from the quality of the ponies they are buying, to the number of

Total HPA Members: 128 Total learners: 662

games they get for their team entry. It is a buyers’ market, with clubs and professionals having to cut deals to retain their business.

Do we need a large arena facility near Midhurst or in the Berkshire area? Who would fund it. Or are there enough clubs already and too few Members?

How do we attract new players to take up the sport outside of the growth of SUPA? How can new adult members be signed up, retained and possibly progressed to being the future patrons that the sport so urgently needs for diversity and interest?

The impact of private facilities on the sport should also not be underestimated.

The outdoor game has seen a shift towards non-HPA registered players competing at private clubs. It’s happening in the arena game too – could this be the reason that the HPA Winter Memberships are not rising?

T Roddy Williams, former England player, currently 7 goals in the arena:

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he fall in membership numbers are a result of the hangover from the recession. Budgets have shrunk for patrons, they are pooling resources which leads to the combining of teams and is a result the winter season is suffering. People are keeping their budget for summer polo rather than use it in the winter, it’s a tricky situation. The busiest time for the arena is in March and April. Players are preparing themselves and getting their ponies fit for the season, but this is when all the arena clubs start to end the season! Uni’s and schools could have a lot more scope – it could be more like America where they have lots of inter-collegiate competitions with specially built facilites. Integrating this kind of network into mainstream polo could work. Howard Hipwood was talking about building a proper indoor facility in a warehouse or old air hanger somewhere near Midhurst, but it’s financing it that is the problem.

Also the days are so short and people don’t want to travel in the dark. So each club has its own band of players that stay in that location and don’t want to travel. You only have a small window between 10am-3pm in the winter unless your arena is floodlit, but then who wants to play in the dark and cold? It’s just not ideal. The HPA Nationals does a good job, and Michael Amoore does his best to encourage people to move from clubs to play. However, the truth is there is really only one proper patron in the UK arena season currently – Jonathan Munro Ford and you need a minimum of at least four to make it exciting. You need to have the money at the top for it to filter down to inspire people to take up the sport.

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Arena Focus

Charles Betz, Chairman of the Schools and Universities Polo Association (SUPA):

A

rena polo is where we see the kernal of growth. I have worked alongside the French who are now very keen on arena polo and the Americans who have the longest standing history and highest membership numbers. Arena polo is important for more than one reason: when the summer season ended polo used to grind to a halt and looking at the introduction of a winter season from a business perspective, the assets (in this case facilities and ponies) can be used all year round, meaning income and growth can occur within the industry. Polo also lacks a public following, which arena can solve with its accessibility as a spectator sport, but also the game is much less expensive in the winter months. My focus has always been that we are running a charitable business, so the assets need to be employed in order to continue to create demand. SUPA creates demand and therefore the need for supply. We have to continue to create demand and be creative. We see the biggest price drop in polo during the winter months and as 80% of SUPA players don’t own their own ponies it is important to us that polo remains affordable.

Feature

John Horswell, coach, pony hirer and former arena professional:

T

here are too many arenas and not enough people, on top of this no one is willing to travel anymore, so competition has become stale. The other issue is that the RCBPC arena, where all the major tournaments are held, is, in my opinion too small. What is really needed is a big enclosed covered arena in the Berkshire area. That is the only thing that would turn it around. At the moment it remains a winter pastime for the keen and those taking up the sport”. So, whilst more and more arenas are popping up all over the country and hundreds of thousands are being spent on surface technology, it seems that there needs to be a change in what is being offered to the players, particularly in the Berkshire area.

Siobhan Herbst, Polo Manager for Wicklow Polo and 3 goals in the arena:

I

t varies very much here in Ireland, people still have a strong view of polo being elitist and snobby, so we go through times where I may have two or three people starting a month and then have nobody for a few months.

Since the recession, we have a lot less people starting but of those starting a very high percentage keep it up! Prior to the recession I had many more coming for lessons ‘just to try it out’ and few returning, so that is a marked difference. On average we get one or two new full time players (play minimum 3 times a month) a year. We have been very lucky lately with the press helping out. Most recently we featured in The Holiday Show which was all about ‘staycations’, which all helps in removing the ‘snobby’ label from polo which the Irish struggle with – although if you went to the races and compared it to the polo you would see where the ‘posh’ people really are – not on the polo field.

“We are currently working hard with the help of Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, to increase the university polo and hope to have four different university teams by the end of April to play Ireland’s first ever National Inter University Tournament. This may not be too exciting to the UK market, but up until six years ago university polo didn’t exist in Ireland.

That changed when Fiona Seagar from USA took up study in RCSI and pushed hard with the Polo Wicklow team, to help train them and they now have a very active polo Club within the college and we are lucky enough to have the future doctors using Polo Wicklow as their training ground. We have hosted the Tri Nations Uni for the past six years, again this was started with the big input of RCSI and now we have incredible support from Horse Sport Ireland who have helped out with funding of the tournament. www.polotimes.co.uk

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Stuart Beetles, Polo Manager at Hertfordshire Polo Club and 3 goals in the arena:

C

lubs and schools are really struggling on entries and lesson numbers, I think the HPA really need to get involved to encourage more teams to enter – perhaps offering a subsidy for travelling teams? Women’s polo is really going in a great direction right now, but again it’s finding a sustainable way to support women in a professional capacity. Anyone can afford a £20 lesson, a builder, bus driver or even a groom at a fee of £25 chukka, but these aren’t the people that are going to become the next patrons.

This is having a huge impact on the future of the sport for the professionals and young players that are coming through. They need to be prepared to start to pay the proper money straight away. If a client can’t pay the full rate for a lesson or isn’t prepared to pay proper money for a decent pony then they shouldn’t be taking up the sport.

Polo Times, March 2015

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The FIP Snow Polo World Cup, Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club, China

Photographs by Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club

Reports

Brazil wins in China

T

Brazil succeed on snow in FIP Snow Polo World Cup

he FIP Snow Polo World Cup began on 28 January, with China’s Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club China welcoming teams from a total of 12 countries to this year’s tournament. The 16 goal line-ups were drawn into two zones of six teams in each, with countries seeded according to their final positions in last year’s tournament.

On 1 February, defending champions England, with a line-up of Jack Richardson (last year’s Most Valuable Player), Matt Perry and Max Routledge, suffered their second defeat of the tournament. As it turned out, their only win was to be against Peru in their 34

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opening game of the tournament. Argentina proceeded to secure a 5-3 victory over the defending champions earlier in the week, with eventual tournament winners Brazil, going on to defeat England 5 goals to 4. Having already secured wins against Canada and New Zealand, this triumph became Brazil’s third successive victory.

More bad news came for England when, at the end of the league games, it was confirmed they had come to the end of their snow polo conquest. By suffering a 5-3 defeat to Argentina, and as a result of a better goal difference than England, Canada became the final side to secure a place in the Quarter

Finals. The fellow Quarter Finalists included Hong Kong China, France, USA, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Argentina and New Zealand.

Brazil continued to be unfazed by former champions, forcing 2013 victors and home team, Hong Kong China, out of the competition 10-9 in their Semi Final match.

Brazil were joined through to the Semi Final stages by Argentina, USA and France; Argentina narrowly defeated Chile 9-8, the USA achieved a convincing 9-6 win over New Zealand while France finished on top against Canada.

Brazil is not a nation known for its snow sports, yet their line-up of Gustavo Garcia, Guilherme Lins and Aluisio Vilela Rosa took www.polotimes.co.uk

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The FIP Snow Polo World Cup, Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club, China

Reports

place. The free-running French trio had gone unbeaten in the tournament until their Semi Final defeat against the USA, whilst their opponents Argentina had grown in stature since their opening match defeat against New Zealand. Argentina claimed a well-deserved third place with an 8-5 victory. to the field on Finals’ Day on Saturday 8 February and went on to secure their place in Snow Polo history with an 11-5 triumph against USA’s Delmer Walton, Mike Azzaro and Tommy Biddle Jnr. Garcia set the tone of the game, where he galloped out of the first throw-in amidst a flurry of snow to score the first goal, later setting up Vilela Rosa with a second goal, much to the shock of the USA team. Lins then scored a penalty towards the end of the first which left the USA 3-0 down going into the second. The beginning of the second chukka saw penalties dictate play as both sides displayed their frustration. The first penalty went in favour of Biddle Jnr, but was swiftly followed by a penalty for Garcia. Azzaro illustrated his talent, adding a goal for USA but only before Brazil’s Lins found the posts once again to give his team a 5-2 lead at half-time.

By the end of the third chukka, it became evident that Brazil were the side to watch – they were way ahead, both in attack

and defence. Garcia lead the way with two penalties in the first two minutes, and a further goal from Lins made it 7-2. At this point, the USA started to show the pressure, some backchat to the umpires resulted in another penalty for Brazil, which was swiftly converted

by Garcia, before Vilela Rosa scored twice and Lins followed suit, which increased their already advantageous position. The trophy was in the Brazilians’ sights as the USA team trailed well behind on an 11-2 score. Biddle Jnr scored again for the USA side, before his teammate Delmer ran across the snow, chicaned around the Brazilians, to make it 11-4. A final attempt from Azzaro made it through the posts in the last 30 seconds, but it was too little too late. All three players on the Brazilian team managed to score at each and every opportunity. Gustavo Garcia was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and the award for the Best Playing Pony went to Bagi.

Earlier in the day, Argentina and France played out the Subsidiary Final for third

The FIP Snow Polo World Cup Final Teams Brazil: Guilherme Lins (5), Gustavo Garcia (4) & Aluisio Vilela Rosa (7) USA: Delmer Walton (3), Tommy Biddle Jnr. (6) & Mike Azzaro (7) Result: 11-4 to Brazil Most Valuable Player: Gustavo Garcia Best Playing Pony: Bagi played by the Brazilian team Subsidiary Final Teams Argentina: Juan Cruz Gregouli (4), Juan Manuel Echevers (6) & Hector Jacinto Crotto (6) France: Clement Delfosse (5), Patrick Primael Pailliol (4) & Brieuc Rigaux (5) Result: 8-5 to Argentina How far did the other participating teams go?

Knocked out in the Quarter Finals: Hong Kong China: Juan Britos (5), John Fisher (4) & Pablo Jauretche (7) Chile: Martin Zegers Greene (6), Alejandro Vial (6) & Ignacio Vial Mazieres (4) New Zealand: Glenn Sherriff (5), Kit Brooks (5) & Tom Hunt (6) Canada: Brandon Phillips (5), Marcelo Abbiatti (5) & Robert Stenzel (5) Knocked out in the preliminary rounds: England: Jack Richardson (6), Max Routledge (5) & Matt Perry (5) Peru: Iago Masias (3), Guillermo Li (5) & Jose Mulanovich (6) Mexico: Valerio Aguilar Sotelo (5), Diego Solarzano (3) & Carlos Hernandez (5) Spain: Juan Clemente Marambio (4), Pelayo Berazardi (4) & Santiago Marambio (6)

www.polotimes.co.uk

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Reports

PIPA Snow Polo Championships, Seefeld, Austria

PIPA Snow Polo Championships Tour Lucy Wilson

England win over the crowd and the tournament at the first event in Austria’s Olympic Seefeld

T

he England team of Marc Aberle (1) and Tim Ward (5) stormed through the first leg of the Polo Instructors and Players Association (PIPA) Snow Polo Championships tour winning all three of their games against Austria, Germany and Slovakia in Seefeld, Austria. Tim Ward was seen literally jumping for joy after their final chukka as he dismounted in the pony lines Frankie Dettori-style. The three day festival of snow polo (January 30 – Februrary 1) in the Olympic region of Seefeld, was also the location for the Winter Olympics in 1964, 1976 and the Winter Youth Games in 2012.

On Friday 30 January, the two aside games began with England taking their first win in the tournament against the evenly handicapped German team of Chris von Eupen (2) and Joe Reinhard (2) in orange shirts. Tim Ward’s 5 goal handicap outshone the 2 goal duo in the first game of the day with a final score of 4-3. Playing for Austria, Uwe Seebacher (3), President of PIPA and Klarina Pichler (2) took on the 3 goal team from Slovakia with a line-up of Alexandra Bencikova (1) and Ladislav Agardi (2) to win the second game of the day with a final score of 8-6. The second day opened with the losing teams from the day before (Germany vs.

Slovakia) doing battle in overcast conditions.

With the imminent threat of snow hanging in the air, Slovakia took a second loss in as many days and Germany revelled in their first win with a cricket-like score of 17-3. As the day brightened, the second game between England and Austria ended in another win 36

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Photographs by Martin Strickner

reports

All four participating teams celebrate their first tournament in the tour

for England with a score of 12-8. “Tim and Marc played perfectly together, whereas this is my first season as part of the Austrian national team which means that we need to work on our team alignment and team play” commented Austria’s Klarina Pichler after the game.

The following day the two teams for the Final took to the snow where Slovakia made a valiant attempt to take on the England team, but to no avail as Tim Ward scored goal after goal. Tim Ward was clearly the fans’ favourite, eliciting the biggest cheers when he hit balls that travelled almost the length of the arena, or performed his trade-mark air shots, high above the crowd to score. Alexandra Bencikova felt under the weather, which may have contributed to England’s ride to victory. Agardi had to fight hard and did a great job in defence.

So, Marc Aberle and Tim Ward took

England’s Tim Ward going for goal whilst Germany look on

home the trophy for the first meeting in the PIPA Snow Polo Championship Tour with a final score of 17-3 in England’s favour.

The winning side also received four ranking points for their win in the 2015 PIPA Snow Polo Tour.

In the Subsidiary Final, Germany and Austria battled it out in a fierce game with the final score reading 5-3 to Germany. Joe Reinhardt and Chris von Eupen, a young up and coming polo player at just 22 years old, represented Germany. The first chukka ended with Germany scoring the only goal.

Chris von Eupen scored two goals in quick succession and Seebacher later converted a penalty. Towards the end of the third chukka, Austria picked up speed and evened the score. The third chukka ended five goals to three in Germany’s favour, but was marred by three falls from German team players.

www.polotimes.co.uk

20/02/2015 17:32

PIPA Snow Polo Championships, Seefeld, Austria

“It is something very special that the snow arena at Seefeld is located right in the centre of town and not somewhere out in the middle of nowhere, as at many other snow polo tournaments.”

The PIPA Snow Polo Championships Tour Final Teams England: Tim Ward & Marc Aberle Slovakia: Alexandra Bencikova & Ladislav Agardi Result: 17-3 to England Best Playing Pony: A4 owned by A Quecha Polo Sub Final Teams Germany: Chris von Eupen & Joe Reinhard Austria: Klarina Pilcher & Uwe Seebacher Result: 5-3 to Germany Most Valuable Player: Klarina Pichler

Joe Reinhardt

Umpire, Sean Dayus, and tournament director Uwe Seebacher, ended the game after the third chukka, mindful of the safety of the ponies and players.

After the game it was revealed that the German team ponies were not equipped with spikes on all shoes, in accordance with tournament rules.

Such an omission would normally have resulted in disqualification. However, as the Austrian team did not file a protest, the German team retained their tournament ranking points. Most Valuable Player Award went to Klarina Pichler (Austria) and the Best Playing Pony Award went to A4, owned by A Quechua World of Polo and played by Uwe Seebacher.

Polo Times spoke to England’s Tim Ward, who has been based out of Win Poloschule in Hamburg for the last five years, about how he felt the tournament went “The first game against a well mounted German team was very close.

During the second and third games, our horses improved and Marc and I really found our rhythm and were able to make better plays and score some nice goals! Marc and I have trained together for nearly five years. We have played tournaments in Germany on the grass and the beach and in Florida so we know how to work together. I play a lot of beach polo so was able to adapt to the snow quite quickly. I played in Kitzbuhel last year which was an amazing experience.”

England are now the hot favourites for the next date in the PIPA International Snow Polo Championship Tour which will take place in the county of Salzburg, at Bad Gastein, from February 27 – 1 March. The event will use the snow from the Red Bull Play Street event, which takes place the week before. The teams for Bad Gastein are almost finalised, with Austria, Chile, England, Germany, Italy and Slovakia all looking to play. The finale will be held in Groeden, Italy from 13 – 15 March. www.polotimes.co.uk

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Reports

Tournament rankings and points 1st Place England 4 points 2nd Place Germany 3 points 3rd Place Austria 2 points 4th Place Slovakia 1 point

England’s Tim Ward celebrates his win Frankie Dettori style

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Reports

McLaren Cup, Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Dubai

Ghantoot Polo take pole position

F

or the second consecutive year, Ghantoot Polo won The McLaren Cup, the first tournament in Dubai’s Polo Gold Cup Series, defeating Desert Palm II by 7 goals to 5 in a thrilling Final at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club. Despite losing to Tariq Albwardy’s team during the league stages, on their second meeting, Yousef Bin Desmal and his teammates prevailed and rode off the pitch the victors. The Final, played on Friday 6 February, was the culmination of a two week-long tournament where fierce competition took place between ten 18 goal teams including some of the world’s greatest professionals and most dedicated amateurs.

HH Sheikh Falal Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s Ghantoot Polo had made their way through the league stages narrowly overcoming teams such as Rashid Al Habtoor’s Mahra Polo, and losing just one match. They faced a particularly tough line-up including 10 goaler Pablo MacDonough of Zedan Polo in the Semi Final. As MacDonough would later be crowned the top scoring professional of the tournament with an incredible 32 goals to his name, the Ghantoot team’s main aim was to defend their goal whilst restraining MacDonough’s high-scoring tendencies. Fortunately for Ghantoot supporters, they managed to just pip the opposition to the post by winning the match 9 goals to 8.

Their opposition, Desert Palm II, sailed through the league stages, never dropping a game and regularly winning their matches by at least two goals. Featuring English player Tom Brodie, Dubai high goal team member, Diego Cavanagh and 7 goaler, Matias Zavaleta, they saw off Bin Drai Polo to claim their position in the big Final, ready to face Ghantoot for a second time.

In what marked a thrilling conclusion to the 18 goal tournament, Ghantoot Polo 38

Polo Times, March 2015

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Dorian Blond/ Dubai Gold Cup Series

Juan Gris Zavaleta awarded Most Valuable Player prize and led his team to victory in The McLaren Cup.

Ghantoot Polo, winners of The McLaren Cup at Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club

and Desert Palm II rode on to the pitches of Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, the current hosts of The Dubai Gold Cup Series, under perfect blue skies. Title-holders, Ghantoot, got off to a shaky start trailing by a goal after the first (1-2) and second (2-3) chukkas, with Desert Palm II dominating the game. However, their spirit clearly lifted in the third just before half-time as they turned their tactics around. Cracking down on their defense, they prevented the Desert Palm II foursome from scoring, whilst at the same time notching up three goals of their own to take them into the lead for the first time, 5-3.

In the second half Ghantoot pushed their lead to three goals in the penultimate chukka, before Desert Palm II regained some of their earlier magic and managed to narrow the gap to just a goal, leaving the pitch with the scoreboard at 6-5 to Ghantoot. It was a very close final chukka, as both teams found it difficult to penetrate the opposition’s defense. Sadly for Desert Palm II supporters, the only goal of the fifth came off the stick of a Ghantoot player, thus winning the match for Bin Desmal and his teammates and reclaiming the title of McLaren Cup champions.

As if lifting The Silver Cup wasn’t

enough, Ghantoot also celebrated their 7 goaler Juan Gris Zavaleta being awarded Most Valuable Player and winning Best Playing Pony for his Media Negra.

In the Subsidiary Final, played earlier in the day, Mohammed Al Habtoor’s team defeated Abu Dhabi 9 goals to 7 to win The Hildon Cup. Habtoor Polo had enjoyed a five-goal difference in the fourth chukka of the match, before their opposition began to apply pressure in the fifth to shorten the lead.

However, Habtoor retained their cool and achieved a deserved victory of 9 goals to 7.

Attention is now turned to The Julius Baer Gold Cup, which begins as Polo Times goes to press. Riding on their successful wave, Ghantoot Polo will be looking to replicate their double-win of 2014 with a second victory in The Gold Cup. The McLaren Cup; 6 February 2015; Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Dubai Result: Ghantoot Polo beat Desert Palm II, 7-5 Chukka scores (Ghantoot): 1-2, 2-3, 5-3, 6-5, 7-5 Finalists: Ghantoot Polo (18): Yousef Bin Desmal (0); Felipe Llorente (3); Juan Gris Zavaleta (7); Alejandro Muzzio (8) Desert Palm II (18): Tariq Albwardy (1); Tom Brodie (2); Diego Cavanagh (8); Matias Zavaleta (7) www.polotimes.co.uk

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Reports

Arena action

The HPA New Year National Club Championships T

Lucy Wilson reports from Berkshire

he Royal County of Berkshire was brimming with up-andcoming players on Saturday 24 January for the Finals of the 12 and 3 goal HPA New Year National Club Championships. The 10-12 goal level started the day’s action which saw the longstanding winning streak for Black Eagles broken by Hedonism Wines in a nail-biting finish, and a final score of 22-20. Hedonism Wines’ patron Yevgeny Chichvarkin was substituted by 16 yearold Terence Lent from Sussex Polo Club, a decision that proved vital to the success of the team, which also featured Roy Prisk and powerhouse Max Charlton.

Black Eagles introduced Phil Sellar, part of their successful team in a previous Club tournament, who looks set to have his 2 goal handicap reviewed following his performance in front of a crowd including John Wright, David Woodd and Olly Hughes from the HPA. Facing a strong three man team forced Hyde to hold nothing back and battle his way through the close ranks of Hedonism Wines, to achieve a staggering 16 out of his teams’ 20 goals. Charlton led the scoring for his team, taking 13 goals, whilst Lent and Prisk made five and four apiece respectively – a true reflection of the three man nature of their team. Charlton struggled in the first two chukkas to break through the defence, with Sellar popping up to block his moves, allowing Hyde to power through and score. It was Terence Lent who was the undoing of the Black Eagles team, his strength and ability to swap from defence to offence at the right time in order to score, whilst Charlton and Prisk shut down Seller and Hyde. The final chukka looked set to go to extra time.

The chukka began with Black Eagles in the lead 17-15 and the first thirty seconds of the chukka were electric, with three goals

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Photographs by Lucy Wilson

The future is bright as the next generation take to the arena for some real competition

Max Charlton on the ball for Hedonism Wines

scored. Charlton scored the opening goal of the chukka from a centre hit out 14 seconds into the chukka, closely followed by Lent scoring a nearside shot to goal to turn the score to 18-17. Charlton went on to score another two goals before Hyde made an impact on the scoreboard to make it 20-18.

A huge ride-off from Prisk, which nearly sent Seller flying, resulted in an undefended

15 yard penalty which Charlton missed, much to the disappointment of the crowd in the stands. Some hectic runs, dancing in corners and air shots galore left Prisk with a chance to score, but the ball never made it into the goal and a foul from Lent gave Hyde the chance to score, narrowing the gap to 21-20. The crucial play was a foul won by Lent which Charlton converted for www.polotimes.co.uk

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The HPA New Year National Club Championships

Winners of the 12 goal Hedonism Wines with John Wright

Polo Times Best Playing Pony Gemma, owned and played by Max Charlton

Winners of the 3 goal Final Print on Demand with David Woodd

Polo Times Best Playing Pony Plato, owned and played

by Stuart Beetles

a goal, bang on the first whistle. Seconds after the hit out, another foul was blown in favour of Hedonism Wines. Charlton scored the winning goal just before another whistle with five seconds left on the clock, this time in favour of Black Eagles. Hyde chose a 25 yard undefended for two points.

He hit a hard air shot that looked good but the wind swiped the ball to the right for no goal. Hedonism Wines’ heroic effort left Munro Ford and his team desperate to find an opportunity to score a two pointer to make five chukkas, but it wasn’t to be. Max Charlton’s bay mare Gemma won the Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug and Terence Lent was awarded The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player Award.

In the earlier game for the 1-3 goal Final, firm favourites and home team Cool Riders, with their all ladies line-up of Nell Jacobs and Meadows sisters Genevieve and Saskia, lost to Print on Demand featuring Stuart Beetles and brothers, Ollie and Marcus Cork. The stands were full of nervous parents and advice for both sides, as the game began. Stuart Beetles opened the scoring and it seemed they never looked back, Marcus followed suit and the girls were left trailing behind. They struggled to settle into a game plan and the Cork brothers, with the calm and collected Beetles, took advantage ending the first half 9-1.

Some half time team talks seemed to make

a difference as the girls came back out into the arena fighting. Whistles and fouls went in favour of Cool Riders and Saskia converted the penalties to bring the score up to 15-4.

The final chukka belonged to the girls as all three managed to score and more penalties flew in their favour, but it wasn’t enough.

They needed to replay those first two chukkas in the same way to have had a chance to win against the Cork brothers and their final score of 18-11. Stuart Beetles was awarded the HPA Most Valuable Player Award and his pony Plato also took home the Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug.

In the Subsidiary Final of the 10-12 goal Four Quarters (Emile Arber who substituted for his father Simon (0), Nico San Roman (4) and Tarquin Southwell (7)) won against Chopendoz (Georgie French (0), Leon Allen (5) and Jamie Morrison (7)) in a fast and furious contest as umpire Simon ‘Skinny’ McDonald cracked down on any negative play. The Subsidiary Final for the 1-3 goal was a less ferocious affair than its 12 goal sister tournament, but not without a display of speed and skill from both sides. Izzy McGregor and Al-Rifai for Bonny Hill’s Gaucho team, did well to stay with Elizabeth Bailey’s Josh Clover and Adolfo Casabal Jnr for Red Kite as they led the scoring, until a final push from Clover in the last chukka turned the score around to 15-13.

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Reports

The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player Terence Lent

The 12 goal HPA New Year National Club Championships Final Teams Black Eagles: Jonathan Munro Ford, Phil Seller & Chris Hyde Hedonism Wines: Roy Prisk, Max Charlton & Terence Lent (Yevgeny Chichvarkin) Result: 22-20 to Hedonism Wines The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player: Terence Lent Polo Times Best Playing Pony: Gemma, owned & played by Max Charlton Sub Final Teams Four Quarters: Tarquin Southwell, Nico San Roman & Emile Arber (Simon Arber) Chopendoz: Georgie French, Leon Allen & Jamie Morrison Result: 17-15 to Four Quarters The 3 goal HPA New Year National Club Championships Final Teams Cool Riders: Saskia Meadows, Genevieve Meadows & Nell Jacobs Print on Demand: Stuart Beetles, Marcus Cork & Ollie Cork (Andy Cork) Result: 18-11 to Print on Demand The HPA Most Valuable Player: Stuart Beetles Polo Times Best Playing Pony: Plato, owned & played by Stuart Beetles Sub Final Teams Gaucho: Bonny Hill, Izzy McGregor & Fiaz Al-Rifai Red Kite: Elizabeth Bailey, Adolfo Casabal Jnr & Josh Clover Result: 15-13 to Red Kite

Polo Times, March 2015

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Reports

International Test Match

Close Call

New Zealand claim narrow victory over visiting England side in the final seconds of International Test Match at Kihikihi Polo Club.

A

s spectators shaded their eyes from the punishing Kiwi sun and enjoyed cold refreshments, players rode onto the Nga Rakau ground of the North Island’s Kihikihi Polo Club for the opening England International Test match of 2015. Recently appointed England Captain, James Beim (8), led the visiting team of Max Charlton (7), James Harper (7) and Tom Morley (6) in his first International since former Captain, Luke Tomlinson, stepped down last year.

The Piquet-sponsored New Zealand team,

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sporting their intimidating black strip, featured a family affair paired with a wealth of experience. Their line-up included brothers Tommy (7) and Craig Wilson (6) alongside cousins John Paul Clarkin (8) and Simon Keyte (6).

The pressure was on the visiting side as New Zealand hadn’t lost a game at Kihikihi in seven years, whilst England also had to cope with Charlton and Harper recently flying in from the snow polo at St Moritz and Beim acclimatising after coming straight from the middle of an English winter. Both teams also struggled with the high level of

Katherine Andrews reports from New Zealand

New Zealand England

9 8

27 goal polo, which Tommy Wilson later explained at the prize-giving, “Ponies and players are used to playing 15, 16 goal polo here… and are only fit to a certain grade.”

Despite the troubles, both teams took to the pitch to battle it out for The Rosetown Holden International Polo Test.

Despite their shining track record in this Test Match, New Zealand got off to a tentative start using the first half of the match to get up to speed, whilst the English side were quick to find their rhythm.

The opening chukka saw England get

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off to a dazzling start as Beim snatched up the ball at the line out. He passed to Morley, who, in a flash of brilliance hit an impressive neck shot from the boards sending the ball straight through the posts putting up the first goal on the scoreboard.

New Zealand committed a foul late in the chukka and Morley took the awarded 60-yard hit, where the ball was stopped

by Clarkin’s horse before Beim swooped down, stroked it in on the near side and took the score to 2-0. New Zealand created an opportunity in the remaining seconds for Keyte to score, bringing it to 2-1 at the end of the first chukka.

The visitors looked well in control going into the second as Beim scored again after picking up a missed backhand from Tommy Wilson. Moments later, Morley made a backhand pass to Harper who hammered a neck shot through the posts giving England a three goal lead. Craig Wilson converted a 40-yard penalty for New Zealand, but still the ‘Kiwis’ trailed by two goals 4-2. The Brits seemingly never missed a beat and played like a winning combination.

Both teams traded penalties early in the third chukka followed by an open goal to New Zealand that John Paul converted, bringing the score to 4-5 England. Then the New Zealand team found a new gear.

Snatching the ball from the next line out, Craig Wilson raced down the pitch to score in the dying stages of the third chukka to level the scores at 5 all.

The game dramatically opened up in the fourth with a brilliant play from James Beim in front of the marquee; he hit an open backhand to himself and ran the length of the pitch – only to send it wide. However, Englands’s attack wasn’t to last for long, as Keyte took the home side into the lead for the first time in the match, with a tidy nearside shot. Morley then converted a 40-yard penalty, which pulled England back into the running and meant the fifth began with the scores tied at a tense 6-6. Much of the fifth was dominated by concentrated end-to-end polo with the only goal scored

by John Paul who dribbled the ball through the posts, after the first bell, to give New Zealand the edge going into the last chukka 7-6.

Entering the sixth, England were understandably desperate to close the gap, but despite an impressive effort from the English defense, Clarkin, true to his 8 goal rating, made a calculated play, hitting the ball 5ft in the air to fellow teammate, Keyte who scored their eighth goal. The visiting side clawed back another goal and www.polotimes.co.uk

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Photography by Eye Witness Images

Kihikihi Polo Club, New Zealand

Reports

James Beim in action for England

after four consecutive penalties, gained another. With the score marked at 8-8, the spectators held their breath and extra time looked like a certain outcome. However, the whistle was blown against England and a 60-yard penalty was awarded. To add to the suspense, the ball was deflected and in the ensuing melee the home team were awarded a penalty 2. Eventual Most Valuable Player, Craig Wilson, took the shot and scored the final goal of the game with the scoreboard clocking 9 goals to 8 at the close of play.

After the presentations, Polo Times spoke to 7 goaler, Tommy Wilson and asked him his thoughts on the Rosetown Holden International. “It wouldn’t have been so tense in the last chukka if we [New Zealand] had capitalised on our possession of the ball in the third, fourth and sixth.” He was also quick to congratulate the opposition, conceding that: “Beimy was the instigator of most of England’s plays and the players responded well to the way he organised the team.”

There was also talk regarding the possibility of the International becoming a three-match series, utilising the strong English contingent who winter in New Zealand. Both teams are said to be considering the possibility. “It would give us time to get to know our horses and get

up to speed with playing outside again after the gap from the European and Argentine seasons,” James Beim told Polo Times.

Promising developments for International polo in New Zealand – even if, this time, it wasn’t the right result for England supporters.

For a report on the Women’s International at Kihikihi, please turn to page 56 in Women’s Polo.

The Rosetown Holden International Polo Test; Saturday 7 February; Kihikihi Polo Club, New Zealand Principle sponsor: Rosetown Holden Handicap: 27 Result: New Zealand beat England, 9-8 Chukka scores (New Zealand): 1-2, 2-4, 5-5, 6-6, 7-6, 9-8 Most Valuable Player: Craig Wilson Best Playing Pony: Pepper, owned by Paul Kay and played by James Beim Teams: England (27): Max Charlton (7); James Harper (7); James Beim (7); Tom Morley (6) New Zealand (27): Simon Keyte (6); Craig Wilson (6); John Paul Clarkin (8); Tommy Wilson (7) Polo Times, March 2015

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SUPA National Universities Arena Championships, Rugby Polo Club

Reports

Record teams at SUPA Universities Four days of fun at the SUPA National Universities Arena Championships

Lucy Wilson reports from Rugby

www.polotimes.co.uk

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Photography by Peter James & Lucy Wilson

T

he largest tournament in the country sponsored this year by RJ Polo, with a staggering 121 teams and 372 students concluded on Sunday 15 February at Rugby Polo Club in Warwickshire. Weeks of planning from the Schools and Universities Polo Association paid off as the annual arena event went super smoothly. The introduction of online entries through the newly unveiled SUPA website proved its worth, with draws and team lists being made available to all participants online. The facilities for the pony providers had also seen a marked improvement with covered walkways for the stables, thankfully it only rained on Friday!

Rugby Polo Club has become the perfect location for this winter event, the spectator facilities that were opened last year with the walkway joining both bars that overlook the indoor and outdoor arenas, complete with onsite farm and tack shop with a cafĂŠ, there could be no better location for SUPA. University Nationals has become more than just a polo tournament in the winter season fixtures list. The social side of the event is just as important with students, providers, grooms, coaches and industry figures enjoying the only time in the season when they are all in one place.

Phil Baker, the new Section Manager for Universities Polo, put on more than a show with an exhibition match on Friday evening between Air Ambulance featuring JJ Spark (3), Harold Hodges (5) and Dean Lines (4), and Butchers with a line-up of Mikey Henderson (6), Matias Amaya (6) and Thom Bell (1). The game was a combination of the umpires (Matias Amaya and Mikey Henderson) and coaches from the tournament; Cambridge University’s coach Dean Lines and JJ Spark who teaches Oxford Brookes, and Thom Bell who teaches Stirling. The game was a fantastic

UWE vs Warwick Novice 2a Final

display of speed and skill, perfect for the budding players to aspire too. Umpire Nick Winterton had a taste of the hot seat as the professionals bickered in the beginning, but the tension was broken by Dean Lines with a comical embrace with Mikey Henderson

to the cheers in the viewing gallery. Butchers were the victors 18-16 at the end of the four chukkas. The SUPA Universities AGM was also held at the same time giving the university Captains a chance to find out what is in store for coming seasons with SUPA. Polo Times, March 2015

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Reports

SUPA National Universities Arena Championships, Rugby Polo Club

Guidiana, the Association of Polo Schools and Pony Hirers Best Playing Pony Award

The entertainment didn’t end there – on Saturday evening after The Association of Polo Schools and Pony Hirers drinks party and before the Traffic Light themed players’ party ensued, the revellers watched as coaches, tournament staff and a few willing students took part in a show of barrel racing.

JJ Spark, Sean Wilson-Smith, Matt Evetts, Emma Boers (on Polo Times regular feature Running Reports’ Squeaky), Rupert Lewis, Jake Hall, Jeremy Pigeon and Lucia Mander were the contenders. Despite JJ Spark on his pony Ponder being in the lead for most of the races Rupert Lewis beat his time to win in 1.97 minutes. The players’ party kicked off with plenty of competition in fancy dress outfits and boat races, turn to page 72 to see the publishable selection!

The standard of polo this year in the upper sections (Intermediate and Open) would have fitted in at any club level tournament. The beginner and novice sections were filled to the brim with second year players and newcomers to the sport with Beginner 1, 1a, 2 and 3 amounting

Lucy Bowman who won Most Valuable Player and was also picked as a USA SUPA Select team member

to 54 teams in total; accounting for nearly half of the teams in the tournament.

Newcomers to the tournament included Bournemouth University and Norland College in the beginner sections with the Nannies of Norland coming second in Beginner 2 (Georgina Watson, Rosie Trembath and Matilda Allerfeldt). The Open had a healthy entry of four teams this year from Exeter (Francisco Acosta, Charley Howell and Matias Bertola), Bristol (Sebastian Petragallo, Thady Gosden and Thor Gilje), University of London (Harold Hodges, Charles Scott and Peter Elser) and University of West England (Freddie Pendarves, Harry Hoare and Maimie Powell). The Final on Sunday was between the University of London and Exeter University with Harold Hodges, who was also awarded Most Valuable Player for the second year in a row, and his team running away with the trophy. Charley Howell’s pony Prima and groom Daniel McCormick were awarded the Polo Times award for the Best Turned Out Pony. Charles Betz

made an additional announcement about the start of the team selection for the SUPA team that will be travelling to the Empire Polo Club in California in March to play against a USA Intercollegiate team. The trip is being sponsored by Polistas and Johnny Lynn was on hand to present team shirts to Lucy Bowman and Adam Dove who have been selected. Subsequently, the two further places have been filled by Harold Hodges and Charlie Scott. Bowman played for the Upper Intermediate Royal Agricultural University team and won the section with team-mates Nick Winterton and Perdy Humfrey, she was also awarded the accolade of Most Valuable Player in her section.

Adam Dove played for Edinburgh University Upper Intermediate team who lost to RAU to make second place. The final chukka was clean and fast paced, a great display of team-work and a pleasure to watch as both teams were keen to hit and run with the ball, rather than tapping the ball from pillar to post. Spectator support on the Sunday was in abundance for all the Finals played,

SUPA players in high spirits after the presentations

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SUPA National Universities Arena Championships, Rugby Polo Club

Reports

SUPA National University Arena Championships; Rugby Polo Club 12 – 15 February 2015 Results Beginner 1

Beginner 1a

Beginner 2

Beginner 3

Novice 1

1

Oxford Brookes A

R. Holloway white

Warwick

Oxford Brookes

Oxford Brookes

2

Manchester

Manchester

Norland College

Portsmouth

Warwick

3

RAU

Winchester

R. Holloway White

Norland College

R. Holloway Green

4

Exeter

Warwick

Cardiff

London G

Cambridge

5

Cambridge

London E

Reagents

Bath Spa

Loughborough

6

R. Holloway

Portsmouth

Oxford Brookes

R. Holloway

Birmingham

Oxford Brookes playing Warwick in the Final of Novice 1

7

Nottingham

Loughborough

Nottingham

Warwick E

Liverpool

with cheers and sighs as players battled for goals and in some cases just to stay on as they played for the trophies in each section.

Oxford Brookes University and Warwick University both claimed the most titles – Oxford Brookes won Beginner 1, Beginner 3 and Novice 1 whilst Warwick walked away with Beginner 2, Novice 2 and Novice 2a. Warwick also entered a staggering 10 teams across 9 of the sections. Warwicks’s Chris Bond and Zoe Young were awarded MVPs for the Beginners and Novice sections respectively.

Universities Section Manager Phil Baker spoke to Polo Times saying: “We hope with the introduction of our new website, and the smooth running of this year’s event over the four days we will be able to accommodate more teams next year”. In past events, the tournament had fallen foul to students not being able to play all four days causing problems for pony providers and logistics for SUPA trying to fit over 400 chukkas into two or three days. Charles Betz, Chairman for the organisation, told Polo Times: “After a top to bottom reorganisation of the university section and the appointment of Phil Baker as University Section Manager, we hope to raise the capacity of the tournament to 200 teams.

The standard of polo played in all the sections, notably the Open, made selection of the SUPA International Team very difficult. Following the selection announced on Sunday we have also chosen Harold Hodges and Charlie Scott (returning to the team after missing out on the title in 2014).

Air travel is being subsidised by SUPA for the players and Phil Baker will also be going to coach the team”.

The Summer National Universities Championships will be held at Dallas Burston Polo Club 5 – 7 June. National Girls Schools will be held at Longdole on 1 March and National Senior Schools will be at Rugby Polo Club on 8 March.

8

Birmingham

UWE

Edinburgh

Kent

Stirling

9

Warwick A

RAU

R. Holloway Green

Warwick F

UWE

10

Bournemouth

Cambridge

Bath Spa

Edinburgh

11

Oxford

Stirling

London

Oxford

12

Cardiff

Liverpool

Reading

Manchester

13

Reading

Greenwich

UWE

Plymouth

14

Norland College

Edinburgh

Bournemouth

Exeter

15

UWE red

Warwick C

Bristol

16

Harper Adams

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Novice 2

Novice 2a

Novice 3

Lower Intermediate

Upper Intermediate Open

1

Warwick

Warwick

Cambridge

R. Holloway

RAU

London

2

Harper Adams

UWE

Winchester

Cambridge

Edinburgh

Exeter

3

Oxford Brookes

R. Holloway

Exeter 4

Warwick

Cambridge

Bristol

4

Birmingham

London

Exeter 3

UWE

SUPA Dupa

UWE

5

London C

Kent

Warwick d

London

Birmingham

6

Stirling

Reading

Birmingham

Exeter

7

RAU

Edinburgh

R.Holloway

Nottingham

8

Cardiff

Bristol

Bath Spa

Portsmouth

9

Regents

Birmingham

Newcastle

10

Nottingham

Exeter

11

Loughborough

Liverpool

12

Nottingham 2

13

R.Holloway

14

Portsmouth

Daniel McCormick groom of the Polo Times Best Turned Out Pony

NB – All Universities are listed and placed as their abbreviated names in the role of honour as supplied by SUPA

Most Valuable Player Open Section: Harold Hodges, Exeter Upper Intermediate Most Valuable Player: Lucy Bowman, RAU Novice Most Valuable Player: Zoe Young, Warwick Beginner Most Valuable Player: Chris Bond, Warwick The Association of Polo Schools and Pony Hirers Best Playing Pony: Guidiana owned by Sean Wilson-Smith from Hampshire Polo School Polo Times Best Turned Out Pony: Prima, owned and played by Charley Howell and presented to her groom Daniel McCormick

Polo Times, March 2015

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An exciting opportunity has arisen at

Sussex Polo Club We are looking for a Polo Manager to lead our thriving, friendly and professional club from the start of the 2015 summer season. The successful candidate will have excellent organisational and communication skills. They must be computer literate and preferably have an understanding of polo and horse welfare although someone with equine experience and management skills would also be considered.

The Polo Manager’s key roles will be to ensure the efficient day-to-day running of the club, to manage and nurture sponsor and member relations, and keep up to date with all pony welfare and general administration.

A proactive entrepreneurial approach is welcomed and encouraged.

The role can be seasonal or year-round and the salary package is dependent on experience.

Please send your CV to Sallie Anne on sa@sussexpolo.co.uk

Tidworth & Combined Services Polo Club are now looking for an

ASSISTANT POLO MANAGER for the 2015 season

The preferred candidate will have the basic HPA club coaching qualifications, hold a current HGV licence and should be at minimum a 1 goal player.

The applicant should have excellent interpersonal skills and a good work ethic.

Accommodation for both human and horses, financial package by arrangement.

Tel: 01980 846705 Mob: 07710176410 email: info@tidworthpolo.com

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Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Club Focus

A HOME TEAM of John Bunn (2), Alex Grant (0) and Daniel Acosta (3) won the inaugural Images of Polo Tournament at the All England Polo Club, Hickstead. The event was initially due to be held before Christmas but heavy rain and flooding forced organisers to reschedule to January 31 – 1 February. The Final featured Hickstead and Sophers Farm (Guy Harrison (1), Matt Simpson (3) and Bryony Taylor (2)), with Hickstead becoming the first team to win the title in this tournament’s debut year.

Tony Ramirez, the man usually behind the lens, has been involved with AEPC as their official photographer for the last seven years, yet this time he had the opportunity to be on the other side of the camera for the presentations.

Earlier on in January, Hickstead had also hosted The Arundel Equine Hospital match. Recruiting Excellence (6 goal) took on Hincha Pelota (5 goal), with the latter side achieving the strong start – patron Chas Taylor was on form with his penalties, taking them into a four-goal lead within the first few minutes. However, consistency and good defence allowed Recruiting Excellence to stay in the game and despite leading from the start, a goal from Recruiting Excellence’s Acosta in

Photography by Tony Ramirez/ imagesofpolo.com

All go at the All England Polo Club, Hickstead

Winners of the 2015 Images of Polo Tournament, Hickstead

the final seconds, secured his side with a win. Recruiting Excellence were crowned winners with a final score of 13-12.

Hickstead also supported a team trip to the Czech Republic.

Please turn to page 26 to read about Hickstead on the snow.

Air Ambulance hop on the podium in The Kangaroo Challenge Photography by Jeremy Pigeon

RUGBY POLO CLUB hosted The Kangaroo Challenge 6 goal tournament over the weekend of 17–18 January.

Six teams from clubs around the country, including Longdole, Eclipse, Anchor House, C.A.N.I and Pond Farm as well as a team from St. Winners Air Ambulance featuring Jake Rigby, Matias Amaya and Cannatt Polo Club in France, Grant Collett descended on the Midlands based club. Saturday saw some hard-fought polo that ended with Pond Farm, C.A.N.I and Eclipse coming out the victors of their matches. Come Sunday, the 6 goal Final welcomed Pond Farm’s line-up of Chris Crawford (6), Chris Davies (2) and Tom Gordon-Colebrooke (0) against Eclipse’s Alec Banner-Eve (4), Ed Banner-Eve (3) and Jonathan Tidswell-Pretorious (-1). After a very close match, the final score read 7-7, and both teams decided to call it a draw.

The weekend also featured three high goal teams; Anchor House (David Allen (5), Jamie Potter (3) and Georgiana Crofton (2)), Air Ambulance (Jake Rigby (0), Matias Amaya (6) and Grant Collett (4)) and Chester Polo Team (Richard Thomas (1), Mikey Henderson (6) and Sebastian Dawnay (8)), who jetted straight off to play snow polo in Megéve. A 14-10 win for Chester Polo team against Anchor House awarded them a place in the Final, where they came up against Air Ambulance. After an intensive four chukkas of play, Chester Polo was not quite able to secure a win and Air Ambulance came out the winners 21 goals to 20.

www.polotimes.co.uk

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Alex Grant was awarded Most Valuable Player

Springing into action at Druids Lodge Polo Club WE MAY STILL be breaking the ice on the water troughs, but this Wiltshire based Club knows that the spring fitness regimes are just around the corner, and are already opening up their gates for summer liveries. The Club’s facilities include more than 80 stables, five polo pitches, a stick and ball ground, a summer and winter Clubhouse, an exercise track, turnout, a matchstandard floodlit arena, trailer and lorry parking, storage, and grooms’ accommodation. “We have great, experienced staff on site to help as required,” Yard Manager Frances Holman told Polo Times. “The most obvious benefit to livery at Druids is the fact that great club polo is available on site with no necessity to subject ponies and people to the stress of travelling, but the other huge plus is the availability of good hire ponies at reasonable cost so that there is never the need to overplay your own ponies or miss a game”. If you are looking for a summer location in the area do give the Polo Office a call on 01722 782597.

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20/02/2015 17:32

Club Focus

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Photography by LILA Photo

Joe Barry Final ripe for the picking for Orchard Hill THE FINAL OF the 2015 20 goal, the second tournament at International Polo Club Palm Beach of the season, was played between Steve Van Andel’s Orchard Hill (Facundo Pieres, Lucas Criado and Remy Du Celliee Muller) and Jim Zenni’s Villa Del Lago (Polito Pieres, Agustin Obregon and Julian de Lusarreta). An exciting match kept spectators on the edge of their seats as the Pieres cousins, Facundo and Winners Orchard Hill raise the 2015 Trophy Polito, dominated the game – both were clearly focused on the winners’ podium. Despite constant pressure from Polito, Orchard Hill’s resident 10 goaler Facundo kept the opposition at bay and led his team to a 15-13 victory over Villa Del Lago.

Dubai Gold Cup underway As Polo Times goes to press, the 12 teams entered in this year’s Dubai Gold Cup will be taking to the fields at Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club. The prestigious International tournament, which is also part of the World Polo Tour, began on 23 February and this year is being played off an increased team handicap of 18 goals. Defending champions Ghantoot have returned to the competition, although due to the change in handicap, the side are fielding a completely different line-up of Masser Al Shamsi (1), Felipe Llorente (3), Hugo Barabucci (6) and Alejandro Muzzio (8). Tariq Albwardy’s Desert Palm II side includes young English player, Tom Brodie (2) as well Diego Cavanagh (8) and Matias Zavaleta (7). HH Sheikha Maitha is the only woman entered in the tournament, and she has selected Lucas Monteverde (9), Santiago Stirling (5) and Ignacio Acuña (4) to join her UAE team.

The Semi Finals are due to take place between 9 –10 March, with the Finals on Friday 13 March.

New faces at Fifield Polo Club

All England Polo Club, Hickstead, West Sussex QUICK CLUB STATISTICS Chairman: John Bunn Polo Manager: Sarah Wiseman Size of Arena: 100 x 50m Number of Members: 12 Number of Ponies: 8 Polo Schools Taught: Woldingham School for Girls and The Old Surrey & Burstow Hunt Pony Club Polo School Coaches: Matt Pannell & Sarah Wiseman WHY AEPC? Home of the International Test Match, the West Sussex Club boasts, not only, a full size arena, but also an additional stick and ball arena and clubhouse; Sunday lunch with polo on the side is very inviting to the hardened winter polo enthusiast.

This club has it all, from livery to lessons, and even floodlights which allow for evening polo. The International Test Match, which was won by USA last year, will take lace on Saturday 7 March with England taking on Ireland, where both sides will be participating in their highest handicapped International to date.

Sebastian Dawnay, Ryan Pemble and Richard Le Poer will represent Ireland, whilst Chris Hyde will captain a line-up of Jonny Good and Jamie Le Hardy. In the earlier game of the day, Ricky Coopers’ Clogau Wales side, featuring Roddy Matthews and Roddy Williams will face a 12 goal Irish line-up (Richard Fagan, Niall Donnelly and Mikey Henderson). A report from the International will appear in the next issue of Polo Times.

Photography by Claire Dingwall

FIFIELD POLO CLUB continue to be busy. This season, they have welcomed Ryan Pemble as head of their new Polo Academy, and they have also seen Wellington College Polo join the club full time. The club also welcomed Roddy Matthews and Clare Warrender to their young horse programme. The Fifield hiring string has been supporting Hedonism Wines Polo Team, whose successes culminated in them winning the 12 Goal Nationals.

There are plans afoot for the clubhouse, which is to be decorated and the bulldozers are in the process of laying a new fibre and sand track in time for the arrival of the summer season horses.

The Berkshire based club has recently confirmed that they will be holding the second Polo for Heroes charity event on 11 July, which will include a party as their annual fund-raiser.

For more charity event dates in the UK summer season please turn to page 74.

Club Close Up

2014 participants in the Polo for Heroes event 50

Polo Times, March 2015

PT Mar15 1-52.indd 50

www.polotimes.co.uk

20/02/2015 17:32

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

SUMMER SEASON DATES for the diary have been announced by Ham Polo Club: Saturday 21 March: Polo liveries open at Ham Polo Club; Thursday 16 April: Preseason cocktail party; Thursday 23 April: Provisional date for first chukkas; Sunday 3 May: Opening matches of the polo season.

Ham Polo Club will attend Accra Polo Club, Ghana for The Independence Day Cup on Saturday 7 March. The annual away game is played as part of the country’s Independence Day celebrations and the last time Ham played there, the match was televised live on Ghana’s national television channel.

Photography by Bill Callow

Summer Triskelion season and Polo Club socials at Ham Polo Club Isle of Man beach action

TRISKELION POLO CLUB in the Isle of Man hosted their first Beach Polo on the beaches of Ballaugh on Saturday 14 at 12.45pm and Sunday 15 February at 2.15pm. The Army Reserves are fielded a line-up of Col. Simon Goldstein (-2), Col. Gearoid O’Connor (-2), Capt. Dan Von Barloween (-1) and Maj. John Morgan (-1) while their Triskelion Polo Club opposition featured Graham Dimelow (-2), George Osborn (-2), Sam Egan (-2) and Polo Manager Cameron Houston (0). Triskelion Polo Club won with a narrow victory 8-7.

Club Focus

New Zealand Farmlands Saville Cup won by Cambridge AFTER NEARLY A week of intense competition between teams and polo clubs from across New Zealand, the historic Saville Cup, which was held at Rangitikei Polo Club, culminated in double wins for Cambridge and Kihihiki in two out of the four sections.

After 148 chukkas of action, in this hugely competitive tournament, the Cambridge teams not only rode away with The Farmlands Saville Cup, but also The Wilson Cup. Kihihiki were the victors for both The Riddiford & Levin Final and The Mackenzie Salver.

On Tuesday 20 January, six international teams met for the first time at Thailand Polo King’s Cup with 10 goalers Gonzalo Pieres and Pablo MacDonough playing for the first time in Thailand, making it the highest handicapped tournament in Asia. After four days of exciting play it was the home side from Thailand, King Power (Apichet Srivaddhanaprabha (0), Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha (1), Gonzalo Pieres (10) and Marcos Di Paola (8)), who faced Ahmibah Brunei (HH Prince Qawi (-1), HRH Prince Jefri Bolkiah (0), Francesco Bensadon (8) and Ale Agote (8)) in the Final, which took place on the floodlit VR Field on Saturday 24 January.

With a ‘Vintage Victorian’ theme inspiring the twilight match, it was a stunning winged Pegasus and female rider in white who greeted the press and VIP guests. Playing under HPA rules and with umpires Oli Ellis and Tim Keyte in charge of play, the 15 goal Ahmibah Brunei side started the match with four goals on the board as a result of their King Power opposition’s higher handicap.

Despite the difference in handicap between the teams, the scores remained incredibly tight throughout the game with Ahmibah Brunei keeping up the pressure and midway through the final chukka there were double scores on both sides of the scoreboard as King Power equalised to make it 10-10. By the start of the sixth, 24 goals had been scored, an even 12 apiece. From a safety 60, three minutes into the final chukka Gonzalo Pieres scored for King Power which put them ahead 13-12, and as it turned out, it was a lucky number thirteen for King Power.

www.polotimes.co.uk

PT Mar15 1-52.indd 51

Photography by Thailand Polo Association

King Power continue to succeed

King Power were winners of the 2015 King’s Cup in Thailand

Fireworks and cheering spectators greeted the teams at the post-match presentation of the Trophy to King Power, with MVP being awarded to HRH Prince Jefri Bolkiah.

Polo Times, March 2015

51

20/02/2015 17:32

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20/02/2015 17:32

International

Women’s Polo

Women’s polo – or rather the opinions of the lady players – has had its time in the spotlight this month. Polo Times gives a round-up of women’s polo on the world stage, from Australia to Barbados.

Women’s handicaps for 2015 UK season THE 2015 SEASON will mark a change in women’s polo, with the introduction of a women’s handicapping system to the UK polo season which was announced by the HPA on 19 February.

There has been much debate surrounding the introduction of handicaps for ladies only polo in the UK. The hope from the Women’s Handicap Committee, which includes Cirencester Polo Manager Tim Keyte, Cowdray Manager Chris Bethell, the UK’s highest rated female player Nina Clarkin and her sister Tamara Fox, is that the transition to ladies’ handicaps will bring English players into line with the Ladies’ Handicap system already in place in America, Canada, Italy, France, Singapore and Argentina. Players who have previously played ladies’ tournaments in these countries will already hold an international ladies’ rating which will be carried across.

Those who have not will have their rating calculated using their regular handicap for the first tournament using the rule that -2 players take a 0 goal handicap, -1 a 1 goal handicap and so on. This will then be reassessed following the first ladies’ tournament they play.

Following the announcement of the handicaps there appeared to be an anomaly with 2 and 7 goal handicaps missing from the conversion table and handicap list.

Polo Times spoke to Women’s Handicap

Committee member Tim Keyte about the missing handicaps, “2 and 7 goal handicaps will be introduced when we physically begin to assess each player as tournaments are played in the season. We recognised that the lower end of the handicaps were bottom heavy and we wanted to allow room for manoeuvre. Without a doubt there will be plenty of 2 and 7 goal players rated by the end of the season. The handicaps at the moment are merely a base line to work with. This really is an exciting time for women’s polo and we hope that the introduction of these handicaps will give the sport the boost it needs for sponsorship.

I don’t think people really realise just how many women play polo, at the moment 763 registered female players on the HPA database.”

Keyte stressed the positivity of the introduction of the new handicaps as a way to boost the growth in this sector of the sport. By highlighting the magnitude of numbers in women’s polo new sponsors will be more attracted to events such as the UK National Women’s Tournament at Ascot Park Polo club which hosted 20 teams last summer and Tally Ho

Farm take title sponsorship for the first time.

Cirencester (21 – 26 July) and Cowdray (13 – 18 July) will both be hosting 12-18 goal handicap tournaments this summer under the new handicap systems.

Nina Clarkin, one of the world’s greatest lady players and member of the Women’s Handicap Committee told Polo Times, “I think it is important to follow America, Argentina and France’s lead and introduce women’s handicaps.

At the moment there are too many women compressed between -1 and 1, meaning there is often a huge difference between players on the same handicap. With the introduction of this system, there is more room for growth and development of individual players resulting in an overall improvement in the game. It is also the best way to grow the female side of the sport without affecting the women who play competitively in mixed polo. Implementation of a HPA women’s handicap will give recognition worldwide of the dominance and strength that currently exists in its English female players and the growth in popularity that women’s polo has experienced in recent years”.

The HPA have published a full list of women’s handicaps online, an exert of which is listed below, please head to www.hpa-polo.co.uk to find out more.

If you have an opinion on the new women’s handicaps, or any other issues that impact on ladies’ polo please do join in the debate and let us know your views by emailing us at: letters@polotimes.co.uk Nina Clarkin is a member of the Women’s Handicap Committee

UK Ladies’ Handicaps as from April 2015 Name

H’cap

Name

H’cap

Name

H’cap

Name

H’cap

Name

H’cap

Clarkin, Carina

9

Craig, Kirsty

4

Beardshaw, Emma

3

Dawson, Freya

3

Holland, Lucy

3

Hale, Sunny

9

Haverhals, Stephanie

4

Black, Lavinia

3

de Ferranti, Leonora

3

Hughes, Sarah

3

Salvo, Lia

9

Heaton-Ellis, Sophie

4

Bowman, Lucy

3

Dear, Janie

3

Hughes, Sophie

3

Castagnola, Marianela

8

Herbst, Siobhan

4

Boyd, Susi

3

Donovan, Louisa

3

Hunt, Esther

3

Jackson, Hazel

8

McGregor, Izzy

4

Brittain, Georgina

3

Eastwood, Aurora

3

Hutchinson, Saffron

3

Wiseman, Sarah

7

McLaren-Tosh, Louise

4

Brockett, Jemima

3

Etchells, Alice

3

Hutchinson, Georgina

3

Anderson, Emma

6

Scott-Hopkins, Amelia

4

Broughton, Lorna

3

Fernandez, Kelly

3

Hutton, Gaynor

3

Brougham, Claire

6

Stanhope-White, Lolly

4

Brown, Louise

3

Foreman, Abigail

3

Jackson, Hilary

3

Fox, Tamara

6

Taylor, Lucy

4

Brown, Nicole

3

Forster, Lisa

3

Kavanagh, Julia

3

McNaught Davis, Annabel

6

Taylor, Bryony

4

Buckles, Amanda (Sam)

3

Giles, Caroline

3

Kent, April

3

Ross, Rosie

6

Wilson Smith, Heloise

4

Charloux, Celine

3

Gipps, Alice

3

Lamacraft, Lottie

3

Tomlinson, Emma

6

Norman, Amanda

4

Clutton-Brock, Amber

3

Grant, Judith

3

Langman, Charlotte

3

Gross, Tiva

5

Holroyd, Katie

3

Collett, Tessa

3

Griffin, Vicky

3

MacDonald, Katie

3

Al Maktoum, Maitha M Rashid

4

Aplin, Deborah

3

Craig, Gemma

3

Hall, India

3

Macnamara, Clare

3

Andrews, Jessica

4

Bazan, Nadine

3

Crofton, Georgiana

3

Henderson, Sarah

3

Maldonado, Claire

3

Clutton-Brock, Amber

4

Bazzard, Rebecca

3

Davidson, Nicola

3

Hitchman, Ella

3

Mallach, Olivia

3

www.polotimes.co.uk

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Polo Times, March 2015

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20/02/2015 17:28

Women’s Polo Name

H’cap

International

Name

H’cap

Name

H’cap

Name

H’cap

Name

H’cap

Mathias, Clare

3

Bosley, Courtney

1

Fuller, Page

1

Mander, Lucia

1

Taylor, Jennifer

1

McCulloch, Holly

3

Bowman, Christine

1

Gallon, Shirley

1

Manderfield, Katherine

1

Taylor, Tina

1

Meadows, Saskia

3

Brayboy, Elizabeth

1

Gertsen, Hannah

1

Massey, Sharon

1

Tempest, Ellie

1

Milford Haven, Marchioness of

3

Brown, Alex

1

Gibbons, Tamara

1

Mate, Julie

1

Teroerde, Natalie

1

Ormerod, Laura

3

Brown, Jackie

1

Gillman, Helen

1

Mathias, Jenny

1

Thornett, Claudia

1

Powell, Maimie

3

Brown, Sarah

1

Goddard-Watts, Helen

1

Matthews, Cheryl

1

Tilley, Isobel

1

Reilly, Fiona

3

Buckenham, Hannah

1

Goudkuil, Charlene

1

Matthews, Phoebe

1

Turk, Rosanna

1

Ricard, Corinne

3

Bucknell, Zoe

1

Granchi, Sophie

1

Maundrell, Frances

1

Turner, Fleur

1

Robertson, Sheena

3

Burt, Carla

1

Grant, Sarah

1

McCarthy, Ellie

1

van Straaten, Mariane

1

Rosso Baldacchino, Farida

3

Cade Davies, Lynsey

1

Griffiths, Victoria

1

McKibbin, Ciara

1

Varney, Catherine

1

Rowlinson, Anna

3

Cawthorn, Zoe

1

Griggs, Caroline

1

McWilliam Herbert, Lisa

1

Vestey, Rosie

1

Servaes, Alice

3

Cecil, Lydia

1

Gwynn-Jones, Eleisha

1

Meadows, Genevieve

1

von Bulow, Nichola

1

Sherman, Kim

3

Cecil, Emily

1

Hadley-Piggin, Gail

1

Miller, Sophie

1

Walker, Lynda

1

Skeggs, Alexandra

3

Cheyney, Grace

1

Hale, Sara

1

Morris-Lowe, Jacqui

1

Walsh, Alice

1

Sleeman, Lucy

3

Clark, Sarah

1

Hamilton, Melanie

1

Muddle, Jess

1

Ward, Anna

1

Spiers, Lisa

3

Clark, Alison

1

Hamm, Nina

1

Neal, Nicola

1

Watts, Abigail

1

Squire, Alice

3

Coats, Susanna

1

Hare, Melanie

1

Nicholson, Emma

1

Weber, Margo

1

Stern, Caroline

3

Cobbold, Felicity

1

Harper-Vandamme, Brenda

1

Oddie, Rachel

1

Wehtje, Helene

1

Swales, Portia

3

Cork, Alysen

1

Harris, Charlotte

1

Parker, Phoebe

1

Whitby, Rosie

1

Sweeney, Charlotte

3

Coulbeck, Louise

1

Hart Humphreys, Elizabeth

1

Parnes, Anneliese

1

White, Margaret

1

Talbot-Rice, Elspeth

3

Coull, Anna

1

Hawes, Jessica

1

Parry-Jones, Hannah

1

White, Daisy

1

Thomas, Katrina

3

Coventry, Charlotte

1

Heard, Laura

1

Parry-Jones, Susie

1

White, Sophie

1

Thome, Christine

3

Cowler, Kate

1

Henderson, Jayna

1

Patmore, Lynne

1

Whyman, Lisa

1

Thompson, Sophia

3

Craven, Henrietta

1

Hennessy, Ann-Marie

1

Payne, Claire

1

Wilkinson, Diana

1

Tomlinson, Claire

3

Crees, Pippa

1

Herzer, Jella

1

Peagram, Katy

1

Wilson, Catherine

1

Turner, Sophie

3

Croutear, Kim

1

Hinaman, Jessica

1

Pejkovic, Melanie

1

Wiltshire, Lindsay

1

Walters, Rebecca

3

Darrington, Emma

1

Hoare, Virginia

1

Perkins, Karen

1

Wood, Jessica

1

Whaley, Ann

3

Davies, Jo

1

Hoey, Derville

1

Phizackerly, Stephanie

1

Woodhead, Annabel

1

Wood, Georgina

3

Dawson, Sally

1

Holding, Abigail

1

Piddington, Lisa

1

Woodhead, Olivia

1

Woodd, Matilda

3

Dean, Jackie

1

Hoskins, Rosemary

1

Plant, Laura

1

Woollatt, Thea

1

Woodd, Tabitha

3

Dear, Arabella

1

Houghton, Debbie

1

Poggiolina, Ilaria

1

Young, Amy

1

Woodhouse, Rachael

3

Dickins, Kate

1

Howell, Charley

1

Price, Aislinn

1

Berner, Florence

1

Zeisberger, Claudia

3

Dixon, Beverly

1

Hutchinson, Olivia

1

Quinn, Lorraine

1

Boorman, Deborah

1

Dowie, Lucy

3

Donnelly, Chon

1

Hutley, Lulu

1

Richards, Rosie

1

Braathen, Eline

1

Jacob, Nell

3

Draper, Alaina

1

Hyde-Andrews, Hayley

1

Richards, Susie

1

Buck, Claudia

1

Sanderson, Emma

3

Draper, Amelie

1

Inness, Charlotte

1

Richardson, Wendy

1

Calvert-Ansari, Jasmine

1

Smith, Francesca

3

Eckett, Jo

1

Isted, Catherine

1

Rigby, Jenny

1

Cloake, Eleanor

1

Surridge, Luci

3

Elkington, Susan

1

Jackson, Lesley

1

Ross-Wilson, Camilla

1

Deverall, Lottie

1

Watson, Lucinda

3

Elliot, Annabel

1

Jebson, Louise

1

Rutland, Eliza

1

Dickinson, Diana

1

Archer, Rebecca

1

Elliot, Charlotte

1

Jenkins, Kathleen

1

Sajjad, Anita

1

Doherty, Jenny

1

Bosley, Keira

1

Elliott, Laura

1

Jenkinson, Katie

1

Saville, Gillian

1

Edwards, Alexandra

1

Davenport, Juliet

1

Elsmore, Catherine

1

Johnson, Emily

1

Scammell, Mandy

1

Ewart, Kate

1

Holmes, Emma

1

English, Sarah

1

Jordan, Katy

1

Schofield, Belinda

1

French, Harriet

1

Marson, Charlotte

1

Escobedo, Ana

1

Kang, Jane

1

Schwabe, Alison

1

Frost, Jane

1

Pearson, Lila

1

Evans, Robyn

1

Kaute-Brown, Karina

1

Seligman, Henrietta

1

Gray, Helen

1

Rumsey, Jayne

1

Eynon, Sophie

1

Keeling, Caroline

1

Servaes, Harriet

1

Guy-Jovy, Amy

1

Ainscough, Helen

1

Farnworth, Maxine

1

Keen, Lucy

1

Servaes, Rebecca

1

Haycox, Jenny

1

Albrow, Hannah

1

Featherstone-Witty, Virginia

1

Kemp, Christina

1

Shairp, Naomi

1

Hine, Milly

1

Alderman, Livi

1

Fenner, Victoria

1

King, Holly

1

Shea, Olivia

1

Holt, Tilly

1

Anderson, Nicky

1

Fieldsend, Julia

1

King, Amy

1

Shumiloff, Laura

1

Mackay, Zoe

1

Anderson, Polly

1

Finn, Rebecca

1

Kleimunt, Jackie

1

Skinner, Claire

1

Mitchell, Anita

1

Anderson, Alexandra

1

Fitzpatrick, Hannah

1

Krasker, Sarah

1

Sloan, Holly

1

Morris, Arabella

1

Andrew, Susannah

1

Fitzwilliams, Tilly

1

Lamphee, Olivia

1

Smith, Hanna

1

Morris-Lowe, Emily

1

Arber, Romilla

1

Fletcher, Rose

1

Le Seelleur French, Georgina

1

Smith, Meredith

1

Noel, Lettie

1

Armitage, Georgie

1

Flint, Eileen

1

Leggett, Amy

1

Sones, Lucy

1

Perry, Anne-Marie

1

Atkin, Emma

1

Foley, Nicola

1

Leland, Ruth

1

Spring, Georgina

1

Schiebel, Laura

1

Aylott, Claudia

1

Fonseca, Rosie

1

Letman, Katy

1

Stead, Deborah

1

Stanhope-White, Jasmine

1

Bahlsen, Bettina

1

Fontanarrosa, Amanda

1

Lewis, Adele

1

Stuart, Joanna

1

Styles, Harriet

1

Beitner, Mandie

1

Ford, Karen

1

Lewis, Martina

1

Sutcliffe, Mel

1

Sweeney, Georgia

1

Bernard, Katy

1

Francis, Lizzie

1

Lloyd, Sarah

1

Swift, Saskia

1

Tatlah, Yasmin

1

Bilimoria, Amrita

1

Frankum, Sarah

1

Lockhart, Gillian

1

Swift, Camilla

1

Watson, Moira

1

Bolton, Lucy

1

Fraser, Charlotte

1

Malasomma, Gemma

1

Talbot, Natalie

1

Whiteley, Vanessa

1

As supplied by HPA 20.02.15. Correct at time of going to press. For a full list including 0 handicap please see the HPA website: www.hpa-polo.co.uk

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www.polotimes.co.uk

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International

Women’s Polo

Australia

Perth Polo Festival Professional player, Claire Donnelly reports

Smart Teachers thanking organisers of The Perth Polo Festival.

Photography by Claire Brougham

“IN THE LAST 12 months, I have played over 20 ladies tournaments in nine countries and been raised to a ladies’ handicap of 6 goals. It’s been quite a year.

On the 24 and 25 January, I was privileged to play in the Perth Australia Ladies tournament as part of the Perth Polo Festival at the historic Kings Meadow grounds in Guildford. With five teams, split over two grades, it made for a very competitive weekend of polo.

“Thanks to Julie Nasir, I was flown half way around the world to play for Lancaster Wines alongside her and our other great teammates, Mel James and Kirsty Watson. The level of polo was superb – as many of the Aussie girl players came from an eventing or polocrosse background, their riding skills alone were some of the strongest I’ve seen. Notably, Clementine Mann, a Melbourne-based player who had flown over to Perth and played unknown horses exceptionally well.

“The matches themselves were fast-paced and incredibly physical and luckily I had been given some fantastic horses by James Lester who ably stood up to the job!

The Final was a great game of polo with many of the male players and spectators shocked at the quality of polo they were watching. It was definitely the fastest 0 goal ladies I had ever played in! Both teams displayed great teamwork and fought extremely hard – Chloe Kiely, in particular, proved just how tough us girls can be when she took a massive tumble through the goals posts. Unfazed, she jumped straight back on, played a brilliant game and was deservedly awarded MVP. Sadly, after some near misses we ran out of time and were unable to beat the strong force of Smart Teachers who rode off the winners, 4½ -3.

In the lower level grade, three teams tussled for the trophy. Each side included one man per team who were only allowed two simultaneous hits and weren’t allowed to score. The polo was fast and furious with the Alka Pellets team coming out on top.

“The following weekend, I was honoured to play in The Lance Shepherd Memorial Trophy. Six teams were entered with a high number of lady players rocking out on the field. Alongside my fellow teammate, Julie Nasir, we went on to win the tournament, but most importantly the event raised $AUD 8,000 for charity.

“Perth was an exceptional experience, fantastic polo, great horses and wonderful polo people!”

Claire Brougham & her Lancaster Wines teammates

England

Photography by Katriona Shrives

Colombian ladies’ polo comes to Tidworth

IN CONJUNCTION WITH Women in Polo (WIP), Kamalú Sports and Voyages will be running a reciprocal Women’s Tournament this summer. The aim of these tournaments is to give women from the UK and Colombia a chance to experience polo in a new country and in a cost effective way. There will be four players from each country and they will play in a two day Women’s Tournament.

The first is to be held in the UK and the second in Colombia, and the host country will provide the horses for the guest players.

The UK tournament will be held at Tidworth Polo Club on 22 – 23 August, with the Colombian Tournament scheduled for 19 – 20 September at Los Pinos Polo Club.

Columbian players at their ground at Los Pinos Polo Club www.polotimes.co.uk

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Women’s Polo

International

New Zealand

England ladies triumph in New Zealand impressed by the standard of play. England experienced a few nerves at the start of the match, but managed to gain control yet still found it difficult to penetrate the opposition’s defense until the last chukka.

In the middle of chukka four, two quick goals saw the visiting side take the lead for the first time with the final goal scored by Harriet McKelvie to win the game 5-4. Lucy Taylor, at 1 goals and the most experienced player in terms of international polo on the pitch, spoke to Polo Times about the game: “Maddie Rankin from the South Island was really tough – she told me that there are lots of girls like her playing and that this will become an annual event. NZ is really supporting women now and I think next year, more girls will put their names

forward to be selected so hopefully the standard will improve year on year.” Nina Clarkin, who was unable to play due to too high a handicap, coached the England ladies and kept an eye on her team from the sidelines. “All the ladies played fantastically and really did us proud… it was an excellent game to watch.”

Photography by Eye Witness Images

WHILST THE INTERNATIONAL Day at Kihikihi Polo Club in New Zealand may have been one for the male England squad members to forget, it definitely wasn’t the case for the English ladies’ side. Lucy Taylor, Lottie Lamacraft, Fiona Alexander and Harriet McKelvie took on a New Zealand line-up of Suzie Hamilton, Renn Erceg, Missy Browne and Maddy Rankin for The Bridges Insurance Ladies International in the first match of the day. It was a close game with England just claiming victory by a narrow one-goal lead. All goals were field goals with tough ride-offs and few melees on the ball, which made for a fastpaced and exciting match for spectators on the sidelines. New Zealand led for most of the match with the England team left

Action from The Bridges Insurance Ladies International

England’s Lucy Taylor rides off the New Zealand opposition

News snippets Ampurdan Polo Club DATES FOR THE first ladies tournament in the European Spring season at Ampurdan Polo Club in Figueres will be from 17 – 19 April. The Ladies Cup will consist of three days of polo competition, with international players coming from Europe, USA, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Horses are available to rent for visiting

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players, or you are welcome to take your own ponies for the weekend. Asados, dinners and additional activities will be planned for the course of the weekend.

To enter a team, contact Eva Campos on +34639548690 Ladies polo milestone in India HISTORY WAS MADE, Monday 16 February,

at Imphal Polo Club, recently visited by the Polo Times and Black Hound-sponsored England team, as Miss Tana Devi of Chingkheihunba Polo Club took to the pitch.

Tana is the first female player of Manipur to compete and play with male players. Devi also managed to score a goal for her Club during her match in the 30th N Hazari & Dr N Tombi State Polo Tournament 2015.

www.polotimes.co.uk

20/02/2015 17:28

International

5 minutes with…

Tiva Gross

2 GOALER, TIVA Gross has just flown home after playing the Battle of the Sexes Tour in Barbados with Sarah Wiseman and Hazel Jackson. Currently studying at Oxford Brooks University, when she isn’t working around her exam timetables, she’s playing polo in Singapore, Thailand, Florida and Zambia. The 21-year-old talks to Charley Larcombe about growing up in Kenya and the need for greater recognition and sponsorship for women’s polo.

How did you first become involved in polo?

I was born and grew up in Kenya by parents who both achieved a 4 goal handicap so I have always had a truly inspirational polo upbringing. My mum, Rowena Murray Gross, played some ladies polo around the world, so it’s amazing that I have had the opportunity to follow in her footsteps.

I have two older brothers and a younger sister who all play; to us, it’s a family hobby, which we all love.

Which of the top playing ladies do you admire?

Nina Clarkin gave me an amazing opportunity to work for her in

New Zealand on my gap year and I learnt so much. Her talent as a player is inspirational.

Also Sarah Wiseman has been a great friend and mentor; her support and encouragement have given me amazing opportunities. To finally get to play alongside her in tournaments like The Battle of the Sexes Tour, has been a highlight.

Tell me about your winter exploits: In December, I played in Kenya, before I was then lucky enough to play at Polo Escape in Thailand for two weeks. Shortly after that, I arrived in Barbados to play for Kenya against an island team, and that was followed by the Battle of the Sexes. I’d heard about the latter early

Barbados

Diamonds International Battle of the Sexes

Photographs by Lisa Davis

THE 13TH BATTLE of the Sexes in Barbados, an annual tournament conceptualised by Diamonds International managing director Jacob Hassid and Barbados player Monique Archer in 2003,

The ladies line-up at the 2015 Battle of the Sexes Tour in Barbados

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produced another closely-contested series of crowd-pleasing matches, fully justifying the original aim of enhancing the interest in women’s polo.

After four matches, three at the Barbados Polo Club’s Holders Hill Ground and one at Apes Hill, the tournament was drawn two-all, although the Virgin Atlantic Ladies more than once looked capable of winning the series. In the opening match, the Ladies were defeated 5-3, with Stephen Williams playing a key role for Diamonds International Men with a hattrick, supported by Richard Gooding’s two goals. Tiva Gross, Hazel Jackson and Sara Wiseman scored for the Ladies.

Two days later, the Ladies levelled the series, with a 4-2 win. Linda Williams and Joshua Archer each scored once in the

Women’s Polo

on in my childhood as mum used to play it in Jamaica. To me it’s always seemed like an exciting prospect to play four women, against four men. It was my first time playing in the country and I can only begin to describe it as an exotic polo paradise!

We had such a fun team, all the people have been so friendly and hospitable, the grounds have been good, the ponies, lovely and there’s been lots of rum! The Battle of the Sexes has been hosted to perfection with fantastic sponsorship, lots of support for us girls and well-matched teams.

What more could be done to promote women’s polo?

I guess it’s all down to more sponsorship and recognition. It would be nice to have more women’s International games hosted in different countries. The WCT polo league has taken a big leap into the future of women’s polo, which is, and will continue to have, a big influence on global ladies polo.

How do you see the future of women’s polo?

It’s taking off globally and it’s really exciting! It’s incredible how much things have changed when I compare my mum’s experiences to my own.

first chukka, while Adam Deane added a second goal for the men in the second. A determined performance from the Ladies saw them surge ahead, however, with two goals from Jackson and one from Wiseman.

When the venue switched to Apes Hill on the Thursday, the Ladies looked set to run away with the game early on, with Jackson and Tiva Gross each scoring in the opening minutes. Gooding quickly responded for the men, while a further goal and a third from Marc Atwell gave the men a 3-2 lead heading into the final chukka. Wiseman scored two goals in the dying moments, however, to give the Ladies the series lead going into the final game, back at Holders.

The Diamonds International Men fought back from the start of the Final, with goals from Bruce Bayley and Adam Deane in the first and second chukkas, but the Ladies showed great determination to equal the score, with goals from Gross and Wiseman in the second chukka. While Wiseman scored once more, however, Atwell and Deane secured victory, to bring the series level.

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Youth

Youth Charles Whittington Pony Club Chairman

I

write this in the midst of a very cold snap, but I hope by the time you read this, the weather will have warmed up, your ponies will be in work, your tack will have been looked at and cleaned, and your sticks all inspected and sent for mending if needed. If not, get busy straight away!

I thought this would be a good time to recap on the opportunities for young players in the summer going through the opportunities by age, so you can jump straight to the age-group of interest. I have listed contact details for the Pony Club, SUPA and British Junior Polo at the bottom.

Polo’s Hipwood competition is for better players who have multiple ponies and a handicap. Watch the HPA website for the handicap limits, etc. SUPA will play during the summer term and the Pony Club and British Junior Polo play in the summer holidays.

Under 16. Again, lots of choice: Loriner is for Pony Club Members with one or two polo ponies. Better players may get into their Senior Schools teams for SUPA competition in the summer term and can play Langford with the Pony Club; the best players may be able to get a team in Buckmaster with British Junior Polo. See Under 18 below for these competitions.

At this stage, players ought to be thinking about taking their Rules Test.

Ages 6 to 11. Pony Club’s Jorrocks section is probably best suited to this age group – four six-year-olds played last year – and you must play on a pony which is under 13.2hh (138cm). If you aren’t a member of the Pony Club, find your nearest branch from the website – if they don’t play polo you can start it, or find the nearest branch which does play. There are practices in the Easter holidays and summer half term, and competitions in July and August. Better players who have polo ponies can play Junior Schools or Surtees – see below.

Under 14. Lots of choice here: Handley Cross is for Pony Club Members with nonpolo ponies under 14.2hh (148cm), Surtees is for players with one or two polo ponies. If you aren’t a Member, contact the Pony Club.

Junior Schools with SUPA is for players in school teams with polo ponies, but some non-polo ponies are suitable. British Junior

Photography by Dhruva Chandramouli

Warwick University at DBPC Super Arena

Warwick University Polo Club Warwick Polo Club ventured to Dallas Burston Polo Club on Saturday 24 January 58

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Under 21. Many universities play polo and SUPA will advise how to start polo or contact a club local to your university.

SUPA run one and multi-chukka competitions for university teams within university term time. Rendell is the Pony Club division for players aged 17-21 with one or two ponies and is very popular.

Gannon is the flagship division for Pony Club players and is generally a 4-chukka competition for teams of -2 to +2 goals.

Players can make their own teams and the final is played on the Lawns grounds at Cowdray in August.

Note: both Pony Club and British Junior Polo take their ages from 1st January, not the school year.

Under 18. Again, lots of choice: In the summer term, try to get into a school team – organise one if your school doesn’t play already. Langford is 2/4 chukka polo in the Pony Club and is extremely popular.

Langford is played in the summer holidays and will have two 2 chukka matches on a day in the early stages and 4 chukka matches in the later stages – the handicap limit for teams is -6 to -2 goals. -7 or -8 goal teams can play, but they have to play off -6 aggregate handicap. Rendell (see under 21) is the Pony Club division for those who have one pony. The best players Under 18 might find a place in a Gannon team – see Under 21 below. Buckmaster is the British Junior Polo division – watch the HPA website for handicap limits etc.

Contacts: The Pony Club: www.pcuk.org Pony Club contact: Laura Armstrong: laura@pcuk.org Tel: 02476 698 309 SUPA: www.supa.org.uk British Junior Polo: www.hpa-polo.co.uk/ development/british-junior-polo

to play Oxford University Polo Club, where the two clubs played a series of six friendly chukkas in Dallas Burston’s all-weather Super Arena. Warwick selected two novice teams and a beginner team, and with the Nationals happening just weeks later (1215 February), the day provided them with a perfect opportunity to get some practice in.

First to enter the arena were the Novice 1 teams, and it was Warwick who secured the opening win of the day, 4 goals to Oxford’s 2. Next up were the beginners, with some representing Warwick for the first time after just four months of playing, while the Novice 2s, who together produced a close, tense two chukka display, concluded the day. Disappointingly for the visiting side, a second victory was

not to be as Oxford ran out the winners 6-1 and 3-2.

So, as you can see, the field is wide open for young players in the UK. For a really full summer of polo, you have the opportunity to play in SUPA, the Pony Club and British Junior Polo! I think this is the widest choice of any polo playing country, and it is a testament to the many volunteers and sponsors who make it all possible.

Thank you to all of them.

Oxbridge Academy, West Palm Beach Oxbridge Academy, the independent secondary school in West Palm Beach, has partnered with Boyton Beach-based Wall Street Farm to launch an all-inclusive equestrian programme. The after school club will offer lessons for all levels of experience, from beginner to advanced and once riders have mastered basic horsemanship, they will be able to choose one of three offered disciplines: polo, hunter/jumper, or dressage.

More than 25 students have already signed up for the club, and Oxbridge plans to form a competitive polo team by next year. www.polotimes.co.uk

20/02/2015 17:28

Royal Agricultural University Royal Agricultural University (RAU) is hosting a charity polo event in aid of Riding for the Disabled Association’s Watershed Group at Coates. The event will take place on Saturday 14 March at Longdole Polo Club in Gloucestershire. The day’s programme will feature Pony Club games, followed by a celebrity polo match (names to be released soon). There will be a selection of food stands and the Club will also be holding a raffle and an auction to raise funds.

Empire Polo Club, California The 2015 Polistas International Test Series with the USA Intercollegiate All-Stars facing off against the SUPA Universities will be held at the Empire Polo Club in sunny Palm Springs, California on March 11-15. Polistas also supported last year’s 2014 International Test Series with the SUPA Universities hosting the USA Intercollegiate All-Stars at Rugby Polo Club Arena in February. The First Test Match of the series ended in an 18-18 draw and the Second Test Match was won by the visitors 8-6.

Peter James Photography/peterjamesphotography.com

Youth

2014 SUPA and USA test match teams at Rugby Polo Club

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Knowledge

Arthroscopy

(keyhole surgery) in the horse

K

eyhole surgery of joints (arthroscopy) is a commonly performed procedure in the treatment of joint disease in horses.

In many cases, diseases of tendons and ligaments are also treated with this technique, which is then referred to as tenoscopy.

The principles of arthroscopy are that by distending a joint with fluid or air, a small arthroscope (telescope) can be inserted into the joint. A powerful source of light is then transmitted down the arthroscope using fibre optics to allow visualisation of the joint interior. The procedure is usually performed under general anaesthesia although in certain

Richard Parker MRCVS is a partner at Endell Veterinary Group. The 25-vet practice has a purpose-built equine hospital in Salisbury, Wiltshire. His particular interests are lameness and surgery, and he holds Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) certificates in equine practice and equine orthopaedic surgery. cases it may be carried out under sedation and local anaesthetic. Surgical instruments are then inserted into the distended joint to grasp and remove debris and fragments from the joint. Small hand-held motorised equipment with a variety of attachments may be used to remove damaged areas of cartilage, torn ligament fibres or even to grind away sharp pieces of bone which are found in arthritic joints (called ‘osteophytes’).

Richard Parker MRCVS performing arthroscopy using general anaesthesia

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The whole operation is carried out by the surgeon whilst he/she watches on a TV screen. This also allows the whole operation to be recorded and photographs to be taken for later study or comparison.

Following the surgery the joint is usually flushed with saline and the small skin incisions closed with one or two stitches. The surgery is much less traumatic and provides excellent cosmetic results post-operatively. Arthroscopy allows horses to return to work much quicker than previous traditional surgery. With keyhole surgery the need for bandaging after surgery is reduced and the risk of infection is much smaller. Post-operative lameness is significantly reduced due to the lack of large incisions and trauma to the soft tissues surrounding the joint.

In recent times, techniques for exploring virtually all joints and tendon sheaths in horses have been developed and are performed routinely. In polo ponies the most commonly operated joints are the fetlock and knee, although tendon sheath and some suspensory ligament branch injuries are ideally suited to keyhole surgery. The development of equine arthroscopy has revolutionised orthopaedic surgery in horses. The whole procedure requires a team of an anaesthetist, a surgeon and a trained nurse who all work to ensure that the operation works smoothly and quickly. A major advantage of arthroscopy over other surgical techniques is the fact that arthroscopy is a minimally invasive method of both making a diagnosis and treating the joint at the same time.

Arthroscopy is commonly used in polo ponies for: · Removal of chip fractures from joints, particularly knees, hocks and fetlock joints (Figure 1 & 2) · Treatment of osteochondrosis (OCD).

Arthroscopy is the treatment of choice for many foals, yearlings or older horses with OCD, particularly when in the hock and stifles (Figure 3) · Treatment of infected joints. Arthroscopy has the major benefit in the treatment of www.polotimes.co.uk

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Knowledge

Figure 1. A bone chip in the fetlock joint of a polo pony being lifted using a needle

Figure 2. After chip removal

Figure 3 OCD fragment in a fetlock joint

Fig 3a. An OCD fragment in the hock of a polo pony

Figure 3b. Severe OCD- cartilage loss in a stifle of a polo pony

Figure 4. A blackthorn in a knee joint in a polo pony

Figure 5. A bone cyst in a stifle joint

Figure 5a. Injecting a stifle bone cyst with cortisone using arthroscopic guidance

Figure 6. Severe wear lines in the fetlock joint of a polo pony

Figure 7. Torn tendon fibres in tendon sheath of a polo pony

· ·

·

·

·

septic joints over traditional treatment because the surgeon can see all the introduced debris and infected material that can then be removed. Wounds on or around joints are frequently treated using arthroscopy to flush any debris from the joint (Figure 4) Treatment of bone cysts, particularly in the stifle joint (Figure 5 & 5a) Inspection of joints that are not responding to conventional treatment, for example horses with persistent fetlock joint pain. Arthroscopy allows a precise prognosis for many of these joints, when X-rays often do not give an accurate picture as to what is going on in the joint.

It may also be possible to treat areas of damage with the motorised equipment (Figure 6) Evaluation of the stifle joint. Many equine stifle joint problems are related to meniscal (cartilage) and ligament injuries such as cruciate damage. The extent of these injuries cannot be assessed on X-rays. This gives a more accurate prognosis for the animal’s long-term soundness Treatment of tendon sheath problems.

Keyhole surgery of tendon sheaths allows the assessment and repair of damage to tendons such as splits in the deep digital flexor tendon. These injuries are common in polo ponies and are responsible for large windgalls around the fetlock or thoroughpin above the hock joint (Figure 7) Recently, keyhole surgery of the navicular bursa has been described and the technique can be used to assess horseswith navicular disease or treat horses with infection within the bursa

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Figure 7a. Torn tendon fibres being removed using a motorised shaver

Figure 8. Fetlock arthroscopy performed under standing sedation

Recent advances in arthroscopy have allowed surgery to be performed in the standing patient.

Bone chips in the fetlock joint may be removed under sedation without the need and risk of general anaesthesia. This ensures a quick recovery and an earlier return to activity (Figure 8).

Richard Parker MRCVS Endell Equine Hospital Tel: 01722 710046 Email: mail@endellequinehospital.co.uk Or visit www.endellequinehospital.co.uk

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Knowledge

Nutrition focus

Lorna Edgar – specialist equine nutritionist

‘Pre’ and ‘Pro’ … What?

Prebiotics and probiotics are so beneficial in many situations and at this time of year, when ponies are coming back into work from being on grass, hay and haylage for 5 months, they are about to encounter something a little different to digest – restricted fibre with concentrates, often introduced too quickly.

Beneficial bacteria in the hind gut is rather sensitive to change, so during this transition, prebiotics and probiotics can really help. Remember the Pony Club advice of making changes in the diet gradual?

This is because of the sensitivity of hind gut bacteria and how rapid changes to the diet can cause digestive upsets – loose droppings, colic etc.

What are prebiotics and probiotics?

They are classed as ‘digestive enhancers’ (along with yeast) and are of benefit to the horse as they work on the fibre digesting bacteria in the hind gut, or in human terms, ‘the friendly bacteria’!

•

Probiotics – are live bacteria, which aim to flood the gut with beneficial bacteria (of which there are many species).

• Prebiotics – are a ‘food source’ for already existing beneficial bacteria in the gut to stimulate growth and repopulation of the bacteria.

I generally recommend a probiotic for short term and a prebiotic for long term use – probiotics acting initially to replace the beneficial bacteria, with prebiotics then continuing to feed it, if necessary. When an individual horse is generally looking in good health but is a little hollow or has loose droppings I suggest feeding a prebiotic first for a month or so and, if those signs have not cleared up, I would be looking to use a probioitc as well. For an individual that is not thriving, a little dull coated and quite thin I would suggest using a prebiotic and probiotic together.

As we all know, the horse has evolved to eat FIBRE which the ‘beneficial bacteria’

helps digest. However, situations arise when this process is compromised and we can help by adding ‘digestive enhancers’. Many feeds contain these to help maintain gut health, but when a problem occurs, there may be a need to provide higher levels.

When are they of benefit to polo ponies?

• Changing hay/haylage/grass ie. coming in from the fields after winter turn out • Loose droppings caused by stress, hard work or travelling – for good doers as well as those that struggle to hold condition • Ponies arriving from overseas • Horses on box rest, receiving antibiotics or prone to colic • Restricted fibre (often causing loose droppings or giving a ‘hollow’ and ‘tucked up’ look) intake • Older ponies, especially if they have teeth problems and loose droppings We have all heard of Yakult and Actimel!

These are some equine equivalents I have used successfully – Protexin, BioGold and Baileys Digest Plus.

As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we wish Polo Times a Happy 20th birthday

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www.polotimes.co.uk

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Knowledge

Playing tips with Rege Ludwig Hitting Spot

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

should have your index finger pointing down and to the inside edge of your right foot.

At this point lean your torso ever so slightly forward and down, allowing your knees to bend slightly.

Notice that your right hand has moved proportionately back, and your right index finger is now pointing to the outside of your right foot and slightly further back.

Next, rotate your shoulders ever so slightly clockwise, which will change the spot where your index Fig 1 Fig 2 finger had been pointing.

If you were to rotate your shoulders further clockwise, he point in the swing where the mallet head contacts the ball is your right hand and index finger will rotate even further out and back referred to as the ‘hitting spot’. When that contact takes place from your toes. By rotating your right shoulder even more in the at the correct spot within the swing process, the effect on the clockwise direction, your index finger will be pointing even further back hit tends to maximise the effectiveness of the hit, especially relative to to the extent of pointing in toward your right heel. direction. It is important to understand that the shot being executed Relative to swinging the polo mallet to hit the polo ball, a (offside/nearside, forward/backward, neck shot/tail shot), and the consequence of your right shoulder rotating clockwise and moving angle on which the ball is to be hit, must be factored into the hitting your mallet hand in a likewise fashion, the spot where you should make spot equation. contact with the ball will have changed consistent with where your The swinging motion of the polo mallet is considered to be similar to mallet hand is pointing the mallet head. that of a pendulum (Fig 1), which according to Merriam Webster’s online In essence, the greater the angle to the right on which you wish to dictionary is “A body suspended from a fixed point so as to swing freely hit the offside fore shot, the greater should be the clockwise rotation to and fro”. If a ball were to be hit using a pendulum swing, maximum of your right shoulder, which will cause the hitting spot to have moved effectiveness of that contact would take place when the ball is directly further back and in toward your horse’s right hip. below the fixed point of the pendulum arm, which, as it works out, is the lowest point in the arch of the pendulum swing, and is the point where If you want to hit the ball left, as in an offside neck shot (Fig 2), the the velocity of the pendulum arm is maximised. front of your right shoulder should rotate counter clockwise, which will Relative to the pendulum swing of the polo mallet, that fixed point move your right shoulder and the hitting spot forward and in toward is your right shoulder. Therefore, the ideal spot for contacting the polo your horse’s neck, and in front of its chest. Rotating your right shoulder ball is when it is directly under your right shoulder. Realise that you counter clockwise also helps in establishing the mallet on a plane of must adjust your seat positioning in the saddle relative to the shot being swing consistent with the desired direction of the hit. executed (offside/nearside, forward/backward), as well as to the angle When hitting a nearside (forward or backward), rotate the front of on which the ball is to be hit. As your position in the saddle changes to your right shoulder even further counter clockwise to the point where accommodate each shot, so changes the position of your right shoulder it is over, or to the left of your horse’s neck. Keep in mind, when hitting causing the hitting spot to change correspondingly. on the nearside, you are using the same pendulum arm from the Try the following experiment to discover how the rotation of your same fixed point of your right shoulder. Therefore, the criterion used right shoulder helps in identifying the hitting spot for any shot: for determining the hitting spot on the offside, applies to hitting on the Standing up comfortably straight on the ground with your torso nearside; under the hand of your right arm, extending straight down perpendicular to your feet, allow your right arm to hang naturally down from your right shoulder. so your hand is slightly in front of your right hip, and is turned ever so slightly in towards the mid-line of your torso. Your relaxed right hand Rege Ludwig is a world renowned polo coach and author of “Polo in the

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21st Century” www.polotimes.co.uk

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Knowledge

Equine legal advice

Planning wills and probate This month’s article deals with the importance of Estate planning and having a valid Will in place. These days modern society is highly complex with many different facets to each individual, namely business partnerships and multiple marriages meaning that adequate Estate planning is more important than ever.

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here are numerous misconceptions about inheritance laws and what would happen to your Estate should you die without a Will in place. Taking adequate steps to make sure that your Will is valid, up to date and is a true reflection of your wishes, would leave surviving loved ones without added complications of dealing with paperwork at a highly emotionally challenging time. It is an uncomfortable topic, however there is no escaping the necessity to deal with it. Moreover, accidents happen whether on the polo ground or driving a car, therefore alleviating any pressure for your loved ones in your absence is really the only prudent move.

There are various items that your Will needs to address depending on your age at the stage that you make it. Issues such as who would look after your children may be relevant. It is a common misconception that grandparents or godparents would automatically take legal guardianship of orphaned children, however this is not the case and provision needs to be made to address this within the Will if applicable. If there is no provision then the Court would intervene and decide who would be best suited to raise your children. With this in mind it is vital that the legal guardian is named in the Will with a current address.

Another common misconception is the fact that people normally make the mistake in assuming that their partner would automatically inherit their entire Estate however this is not always the case. If there is no legal partnership or marriage then siblings, parents and other family members have the right to claim over possession of assets.

If you are making a Will at a later stage in life then it is important to keep this updated. Common errors appear where recent grandchildren have not been included within the Will. As a matter of course it is recommended that your Will is reviewed at least every three years.

Single people with no dependants often do not see the need for a Will, however unless you have clearly outlined how you would like your assets to be divided and to whom, then your Estate will be at the mercy of the Courts to 64

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decide how things are divided. Should you wish to leave special bequests to family and friends or charities then these wishes need to be recorded in a valid Will.

The common question that arises with riders on the whole, is with regards to their horses.

Unless horses are specifically dealt with within the Will they will be included under chattels and divided up according to whoever is bequeathed your chattels.

Lasting Power of Attorney Another important section of paperwork that is advisable to be completed and registered, is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). It enables you to appoint an attorney who if you subsequently become mentally incapable of managing your own affairs then this person can continue to act as attorney. The power cannot be used until it is registered with the Court of Protection, whether you are mentally competent or not.

Once registered, the attorney can act on behalf of you without interference from the Court.

There are many reasons why it is important to have this in place notwithstanding the fact that polo, along with many other horse sports, is considered dangerous. This document gives you peace of mind that you will know who will deal with your financial affairs if you are unable to do it yourself either temporarily or permanently. In the long run it saves you time, trouble and money, as well as avoiding the costly and lengthy process of applying for Deputyship from the Court of Protection in the event of mental incapacity and this can take usually in the region of six months. It simplifies the administration of your affairs for your family and your friends in the event of you being mentally incapable of managing them and it prepares you for the unforeseeable. Mental incapacity can occur unexpectedly and bills still have to be paid, a business still needs to be run and arrangements need to be made to sell a house or organise nursing or residential care.

This together with the Will is a prudent measure to take, in order to protect your loved ones and minimise potential issues. There are two types of LPAs, one is for Property and Financial Affairs and the other is for Health and Welfare.

The distinctions are fairly self-explanatory and when drafting these documents with your Solicitor they should take you through exactly what each document entails.

Tax Planning Effective Tax Planning makes an enormous difference to your family’s financial wellbeing in the event of your demise. It is a crucial part of Estate planning. Care and thought needs to be given in order to reduce the Inheritance Tax (IHT) liability on your Estate and also any Capital Gains Tax liability. After many years of hard work, you will want to make sure that you have protected your wealth as much as possible and pass it on to those who you would really like to benefit from it. In the event of your death, your Estate can pass tax free to your spouse however on the death of your spouse assuming he or she does not predecease you the IHT of 40% is payable on the Estates which are above the Nil Rate Band (NRB). The NRB is currently £325,000 and this has been frozen until at least 2018. If a deceased spouse has not used their NRB then the NRB’s may be combined giving a married couple a joint allowance of £650,000.

Upon consideration of the value of your home and possibly other properties as well as savings and investments this allowance can soon be exceeded. Adequate planning can enable avenues such as Business Property Relief (BPR) to be explored and Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and these can all be set up in advance to protect your wealth from IHT. Trusts are an obvious way to safeguard your assets for your family and these are worthwhile exploring.

In summary, it does not take long to put a Will in place together with an LPA, along with effective planning to safeguard your assets and wealth. Aside from updating these regularly or if you get married or remarried then obviously these documents will need to be revised.

For more information call Lottie on 07725 240233 or email her at lgoldstone@hcrlaw.com. As the recognised legal partner with the HPA, all HPA members are entitled to 15 minutes free legal advice with Lottie and a 10% reduction in fees upon initial instruction. www.polotimes.co.uk

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Lux Levels and Spillage charts available for planning applications

20/02/2015 17:28

Equipment Focus: Bits

Knowledge

The Barrie Gag As part of the Polo Times bitting series, Stephen Biddlecombe of Equine Management Ltd. looks at the merit of the Barry Gag

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he Barrie (also known as Barry) bit has two mouthpieces, and as such is considered to be fairly severe – it should only be used in experienced hands. Essentially the Barrie is ‘two bits in one’.

As part of the Gag family, the Barrie bit is often used for older, wiser horses that evade by pulling. The ‘pulley’ ropes at the bit rings raise the bit up in the horse’s mouth and exert pressure on the bars and roof of the mouth, as well as creating poll pressure. The unique action of the Barrie is that the centre links of the two mouthpieces are offset by 20mm, giving the bit a double nutcracker action on the tongue. Two rein sets are used. The main points of pressure for a Barrie Gag are the tongue, lips, bars and poll.

Why use a Barrie?

The benefit is really greater leverage, and

Half Twisted Barrie Ring Gag

ultimately stopping at speed. If a horse has a persistently low head carriage, or pulls the bit forward and down against rein pressure, the rider can utilise the bit’s action to combat the horse extending its neck.

Styles The actual cheek-pieces of the Barrie, as you’d expect, come in different styles such as a loose ring (in standard or big-ring size), full cheek, 3-ring and eggbut. There are also several mouthpieces available, which include: Smooth Barrie, with both mouthpieces being smooth without twists; Half Twisted Wire Barrie – the round, twisted wire on one of the mouthpieces creates even more pressure points on the bars; the Reversible Barrie, which includes one twisted wire mouthpiece and a smooth one – the bit can be ‘flipped’ and used

The action of a Gag bit

either way; and the Square Twist Barrie, the dual twisted mouthpieces of which are in a square shape, rather than round, to further create pressure points.

Smooth Big Ring Barrie Gag

Bombers Bits include hundreds of off the shelf bitting solutions; customers can design their own bespoke bit from a selection of mouth pieces, cheek pieces and widths, visit: www.bombersbits.co.uk. Call Equine Management on 01825 840 002.

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Knowledge

Pony running reports

PONY running reports

As another season is drawing to a close we take a look at how the five ponies we have been following got on in February. Glen Armstrong’s Passion has been travelling on the ferry between New Zealand’s North and South Islands for games, whilst back in the UK, Huw Beavan has taken the plunge and played Madge in her first young horse chukkas. Squeaky has been to SUPA National University Championships at Rugby Polo Club and was played

by Bath Spa University and the nannies of Norland College; Squeaky also had a go at barrel racing with her old owner Emma Boers. CSC Polo and Chris Crawford’s Rainbow came back into work after Christmas and played in both Berkshire at Emsworth polo grounds and made it to the final of The Kangaroo Challenge at Rugby Polo Club. However, Agnes Stamp is still making plans for Rainbow’s dressage career. Mexicanita is recovering from a tendon injury and hoping to be back on the pitch soon. *PUBLISHER’S NOTE This ongoing feature is aimed at following the training programmes, the amount of polo played, and any additional costs incurred on top of the usual livery or field rental costs.

Livery can be hugely expensive, but keeping ponies at home or at grass in a rented field can be vastly different in price. By excluding the cost of livery, which can vary greatly across the UK and internationally, the feature focusses more on the costs such as shoeing, vet bills or chiropractor appointments. Likewise, we track the number of miles travelled from an interest point of view, but do not enter in to discussion about costs of diesel, trucks, drivers etc. We hope you find the included facts and figures enlightening.

MEXICANITA Age: 5 Height: 15.1hh Sex: Mare Owners: Carlitos & Mariano Gracida Breeding: Out of Valid Expectations From: Mexico Base: The former Crab Orchard barn, Palm Beach, Florida Level of polo: High goal “Mexicanita is now based at Valiente, but sadly got injured this month. She

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suffered a small tendon injury, but we have tried different treatments on her and she is now slowly starting to get back into real work. We started her off in a hydrotherapy treadmill, where the cold water calmed down the inflammation and aided the tissue regeneration. She used the walker for two weeks and we saw a marked improvement. We also gave her regenerative therapy in the form of stem cell treatment, whereby cells were taken from her body fat, processed in a lab and then injected into her tendon. She is now back on sets and light rides. Hopefully she will start playing in practices again soon, but for now I am riding her and getting her ready to play for Adolfo [Cambiaso] with Valiente in the 26 goal at International Polo Club Palm Beach.”

February overview: Number of chukkas played: 0 Number of miles travelled: 0 Cost this month: Still waiting for the vet bill!

Total cost: £ Expensive, watch this space…

SQUEAKY Age: 16 Height: 15hh Sex: Mare Type: Polo pony Name of owner: Matt Evetts Base: Inglesham Polo Club Level of polo expected: Beginners to intermediate Squeaky has had a busy few weeks in the lead up to SUPA National University Championships. Norland College, Royal Agricultural University and Bath Spa have all been training hard for the tournament. We have spent a lot of time getting ready for the games. SUPA was fantastic fun and Squeaky also took part in the barrel racing on the Friday evening with her old charge Emma Boers, before the Evetts owned her, Emma used to play Pony Club polo so they both had fun racing against the clock. Squeaky is a real character, she spent the four days at Rugby Polo Club revelling in all the attention from the students and cheering crowds, but she also knew when to chill and catch a few winks in her stable. Keeping her clean for all her games was a struggle as the ponies from Inglesham were all bedded down on straw and of course in between chukkas they all had their tack off so they could relax in their stables. Squeaky took this as the perfect opportunity to get as filthy as possible. Now that SUPA is over she will have a few days off in the field to stretch her legs and rest. All the teams that she played for did really well at the tournament and I think they know a lot of their success was down to having Squeaky on their team!

February overview: Number of chukkas played: 27 chukkas (4 per week and extra at SUPA) Number of miles travelled: 131 (Inglesham Polo Club to Rugby Polo Club and back) Cost this month: Shoeing £80 and carrots (but the students bought them) Total Cost: £80 www.polotimes.co.uk

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Pony running reports

RAINBOW Age: 6 Height: 15.1hh Sex: Mare Type: Argentine Thoroughbred Name of owners: Chris Crawford (CSC Polo)/ Tristan Pemble Base: Kirtlington Park Polo Club Level of polo expected: 10 goal in arena Rainbow came back into work after her Christmas holidays refreshed and relaxed.

This month has been comparatively quiet for her, with only one tournament and a few practice matches to travel to. Her best performance this winter has been in these chukkas, which we put down to her schooling regime during the week. She is worked during the week with Mondays off.

When she’s not being ridden, she either goes on the walker or she’s lunged in a de Gogue to help encourage a rounded frame.

Playing highlights this month included the 6 goal Kangaroo Challenge at Rugby (we made it to the final) and practice matches at Emsworth.

She was turned away again at the start of February, and is due to come back into work mid-month. She will then start preparing for the summer grass season, where she will be upgraded to the A string.

We expect great things from this little mare.

February overview: Number of chukkas played: 4 tournament chukkas and 4 practice chukkas Number of miles travelled: 368 miles Cost this month: Shoes £70, 1kg carrots 75p and unconditional love £priceless Total cost: £70.75 www.polotimes.co.uk

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MADGE

(ON THE BIAS)

Age: 4 Height: 15.2hh Sex: Mare Type: Thoroughbred Name of owner: Huw Beavan Base: Dallas Burston Polo Club Level of polo expected: Youngster so, not 100% sure

Knowledge

PASSION Age: 13 Height: 15.1hh Sex: Mare Owner: Glen Armstrong Breeding: NZ Thoroughbred Base: Christchurch, New Zealand.

Level of polo: 4-18 goal

Madge’s exercise regime has remained much the same this month, although the intensity has increased slightly. She has now started to become more responsive both in trot and in canter as she has begun to build up muscle in her hind quarters.

Due to this, I have been doing some gentle stick and ball with her every other day, in canter, making sure she stays correct. She is already used to the stick and the ball due to prior schooling in the early stages of making her. When stick and balling her which was done at a slow, collected canter, I also introduced her to riding off. This was done using another made pony, and gently making contact between them, in the correct manner. It is critical that the other rider and pony allowed Madge to win every ride off, to give her confidence.

In the last couple of weeks, I have taken her out to do some slow young horse chukkas. No contact was made during these except in a controlled situation and the same speed was maintained throughout the chukkas. I will continue to do this with her over the next couple of months, in addition to schooling her daily.

Passion played in a few local tournaments over January and then travelled to the North Island for a 3 week long trip. She played in a 4 goal tournament at Kihikihi, 8 goal at Cambridge, and also 8 goal in Auckland.

Each tournament was 3 games over 3 days.

Her front legs were a little sore after the second tournament so I put ‘back on track’ wraps on her at night in the paddock and in a coupe of days she was fine. I also started adding sugar beet to her feed to help keep her weight on and it seems to be working really well. She is still the fittest horse in my string, naturally lean and quick and great fun to play as she runs flat and with a lot of power.

February overview: Number of chukkas played: 6 slow young horse chukkas Number of miles travelled: 20 (from Rugby to Dallas and back) Cost this month: Heavy weight rug £60, cooler rug £20, headcollar and lead rope £20 Total cost: £100

February overview: Number of chukkas played: 22 (4 in practice) Number of miles travelled: Approx 1,860miles (two ferry trips between North and South Islands – 8 hours) Cost this month: Ferry trips £100, fuel £100, feed £30 Total cost: £230 Polo Times, March 2015

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Sidelines

Jabin Hall, Ara Shikhalislami, William Golding, Sara Rowe, Mads Villemoes Povlsen, Matthew Lloyd, Marcus Williams, Zoe Young, Craig Wells & Jess Lowe

Vivian Phan, April Merrick, Robyn Annetts, Jabin Hall & Sophie Hardy

Warwick University Polo & Riding Charity Masquerade Ball; Leamington Spa Royal Pump Rooms, 24 January 2015

A magical masquerade

Marcus Williams & Zoe Young

Warwick University Polo Club enjoyed their second annual charity ball, joining forces with Warwick Riding for a sell-out night of dancing, fine dining and fundraising.

Guests included Harper Adams, Cardiff Polo Club and Warwick University alumni. Held at Leamington Spa’s most famous landmark, the Grade II listed Royal Pump Rooms, the masked guests enjoyed Michelin starred cuisine accompanied by a jazz quartet. A raffle successfully raised £935, with prizes including a private flight and a Warwick Polo Club Signature Shirt, supplied by sponsors StaaG; all generously donated by a multitude of companies and individuals, in aid of Riding For The Disabled.

Oliver Redgrove & Emily Surtees

Photographs by Dhruva Chandramouli

Alice Turnbull & Quincy Gdb William Golding & Sarah Rowe

Dhruva Chandramouli & Sam Dunstan

Robyn Annetts

James Gee, Laura Woodall, Bethanie Scriven, Kate Meyer, Robyn Ottley,

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Jamesxxxx Taylor-Ims, Polo Times, 2015 Rumi Jahani, Adam Collins & Theo Saville

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Harriet Hope

Chris Noble & Jabin Hall

Samantha Lander, Tessa Collett, Christina Seed, Jamie Golunski, Blaudia Krudlo, Sam Dunstan, Charlie Fish, Alex Boardman & Catherine Rawes www.polotimes.co.uk

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BABY BERTIE

John and Antonia Milner-Matthews (RVC Polo Club and SUPA members) are thrilled to announce the arrival of Robert Simon Anthony MilnerMatthews (Bertie) at 23:10 on 2 February weighing in at 7lb 8oz.

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

OFF-PISTE ENGAGEMENT

Lacey Green Polo Club member and regular player for the Army polo team, Ben Marshall and Lucia Crimp have become engaged whilst on a ski trip to St Anton. Ben proposed on the snowy off-piste of the Arlberg on 14 February.

WINNING IN WELLINGTON © 2015 SusanJStickle.com

Photograph by LILA PHOTO

Tom Johnson, Edward Olver & Sam Adams

The aptly named Sugar Erskine, 6 goaler from South Africa, sported candy red matching boots, stirrups and kneepads whilst playing for Coca-Cola in the Ylvisaker Cup Semi Final at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Photograph by Alex Pacheco

CAMBIASO INJURED

As we go to press, reports indicate that Cambiaso has been hit in the elbow by a polo ball. It forced him to retire just two minutes into the third chukka, whilst playing for Valiente against Alegria in the C.V. Whitney Cup at International Polo Club in Palm Beach. At the time of going to press there is a question mark about his fitness for the Final.

Get well soon Adolfo!

SUGAR SEES RED!

Mark Tomlinson and his family have enjoyed the winter in Florida. It has proved a winning combination, with Mark playing polo in Wellington and Laura back in the dressage saddle for the first time since having their daughter, Annalisa. Laura rode Unique to victory at the Global Dressage Festival, her first international event in 18 months. The British team gold medalist won the Prix St Georges on Thursday 5 February. Well done Laura!

Guests at the 2015 British Polo Day launch

British Polo Day Shoot; Holland & Holland private ground; Wednesday 11 February 2015

BPD Prove Good Shots Edward Lumley, Bobby Dundas, Zeina Dakak, Tristan Phillimore & George Meyrick

Bobby Dundas with a H&H instructor

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George Meyrick

Open countryside and rolling woodland welcomed British Polo Day guests to Holland & Holland’s private shooting grounds to celebrate the launch of the 2015 British Polo Day Series.

Keen shooting enthusiasts and first timers gathered for breakfast at Bruton Street and were then chauffeured from Central London to the grounds in Harefield in a convoy of Land Rovers, some lucky enough to experience the exclusive Holland & Holland Range Rover. Placed in the hands of Holland & Holland’s professionals, renowned for their exceptional expertise, guests were led round the course by the instructors allowing them to try a hand at the different traps.

Top Gun was awarded to Ed Tryon, closely followed by Top Gun-ess Tory Kingdon. Team prize went to the British Polo Day Players Team who was awarded a one-off bespoke trophy crafted by British Silverware. There would be no better way to round off the day than with a Royal Salute, expertly presented by Peter Prentice.

Photographs by James Bedford

Ben Vestey, John Stevenson & Tristan Phillimore

Ryan Taylor & Carola Hoyos

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Sidelines

Oxford Brookes University with coach JJ Spark

Cardiff University Polo Club

Winchester University with coach Sean Wilson-Smith

Loughborough University Polo Club

Traffic Light Players Party, SUPA National University Championships, Rugby Polo Club, Saturday 14 February

Play hard party hard at SUPA

Royal Agricultural University with coach Matt Evetts

After watching their coaches and pony providers barrel race in the arena, the universities resumed their après polo party. Boat races and table top dancing ensued, with Warwick University challenging Oxford Brookes University to drinking games, proving that competition was just as strong outside of the arena. Vodka luge shots, food, disco dancing and team chants were the order of the evening at the upstairs bar over-looking the indoor arena. Fancy dress cowboys, unicorns and players in pyjamas partied until the small hours of the morning in preparation for the Finals of the tournament!

Rugby Polo Club’s Phil Baker & the Vodka Luge

Photographs by Lucy Wilson

Reading University Polo Club

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Emma Boers barrel racing on Squeaky who features in Running Reports

Stirling University all ready for bed

Cambridge University with coach Dean Lines

Winner of the barrel racing competition Rupert Lewis

www.polotimes.co.uk

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Richard Fagan, Max Hutchinson and umpire Oli Ellis get a lift back to the presentations

James Harper makes a quick change with G G Hocquigny’s assistance

Enrico Roselli & Neil Hobday

Pepe Riglos was on form for team Trois Pommes

Snow Polo World Cup; St Moritz, Switzerland; 30 January – 1 February

St Moritz sparkle Commentator and ‘Voice of Polo’ Jan-Erik Frank with Reto Gaudenzi

The über glamorous location of the frozen lake once again hosted the Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz. Fortunately for the crowd and players alike, the Swiss sunshine took the edge off the chill and true to form, Jan-Erik’s commentary kept everyone entertained. This year saw the addition of a DJ, who provided thumping tunes as a backdrop to the tournament – from Mark Ronson to Bob Marley. Playing loudly after every score and in between chukkas, it really got the crowd grooving in their furs to stave off the minus 13 chill. As usual there was a strong British contingent, this year with an added twist of Irish in the form of a Hutchinson and Fagan contingent for team Badrutts Palace. With Jonathan Munro Ford’s Cartier team lifting the trophy and the Perrier-Jouët flowing, it was difficult not to enjoy the atmosphere in this fantastic location.

Greta & Jamie Morrison

Photographs by Richenda Hine Charlotte & Stephen Hutchinson

Chris Hyde & Jonathan Munro Ford celebrate their hat trick win as they get a lift back to the Final presentation

The Duke of Argyll

Spencer McCarthy

Kela the BMW ‘team mascot’ keeps watch over equipment in the ponies’ tent

Marcella Garrahan & Kerri Dyte & Oli Ellis

Christiana & John Wright

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Georgie, James & Jeanette Munro Ford

Richard Fagan takes a half time break

Sophie Brogen & Hannah Charlton

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Polo directory

Dates for your diary

What’s on in March 2015 UK highlights – Listed in date order Test Matches AEPC – The Bryan Morrison International Trophy (OPEN): 7 March

Medium Goal Rugby – The OGEC Cup (6-10): February 28 – 1 March Ascot – The Westcroft Park Plate (4-8): February 28 – 1 March Rugby – The Kiwi Cup (4-8): 7 – 8 March

Druids Lodge – Easter University Tournament (OPEN): 11 March Wicklow – SUPA Tri Nations (OPEN): 13 – 14 March Longdole – SUPA National Prep Schools (OPEN): 15 March Longdole – Cotswold Hunt Pony Club Arena Tournament (OPEN): 29 March Wicklow – USA (Yale) vs. Ireland (OPEN): 4 – 5 April

Snow Polo Highlights

Low Goal Epsom – St. Patrick’s Cup (3-4): February 28 – 1 March Rugby – The OGEC Cup (-2-2): February 28 – 1 March Epsom – 4 Goal Tournament (2-4): 7 – 8 March Rugby – The Kiwi Cup (-3-0): 7 – 8 March Epsom – Mayflower Cup (2-4): 14 – 15 March Maywood – 4 Goal Tournament (2-4): 21 – 22 March FHM – Stickhedz Tournament (-3-0): 22 March

Open Druids Lodge – The Watersfield Challenge: February 20 – 15 March AEPC – The South Lodge Final: February 28 – 1 March Wicklow – France (Deauville) vs. Ireland: 7 – 8 March Longdole – Spring Club Tournament: 7 – 8 March Druids Lodge – Druids Spring League Finals Weekend: 7 – 8 March AEPC – The Hangover Cup: 8 March Rugby – T-Bone Challenge: 10 March Vale of York – ABI Beach Challenge: 15 March Vale of York – Lay-Soft Arena Challenge: 18 March

Youth Polo Highlights Rugby – SUPA National Senior Schools (OPEN): 8 March

Groeden/Wolkenstein, Italy – PIPA International Snow Polo Championships Tour (2-6): 13 – 15 March

International Highlights USA Empire Polo Club, California – The 2015 Polistas International Test Series (OPEN): 1 – 6 March International Polo Club, Florida – Piaget USPA Gold Cup (26 goal): 4 – 22 March International Polo Club, Florida – 111th Maserati US Open (26 goal): March 25 – 19 April Argentina Palermo – Argentina Polo Tour (16 goal): February 24 – 7 March La Dolfina – Argentina Polo Tour (16 goal): 10 – 21 March Centauros – Argentina Polo Tour (16 goal): March 24 – 4 April Dubai Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club – Julius Baer Gold Cup (18 goal): February 23 – 13 March Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club – British Polo Day: 27 March Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club – British Polo Day: 21 March

Spain Santa Maria Polo Club – XXXVI J. I. Domecq Memorial Cup (8 goal): March 27 – 5 April Switzerland Polo Park and Country Club, Zurich – The In Vino Challenge (-2-2 & 3-6): 16 – 17 March Barbados Holders Hill and Lions Castle Polo Club – Cheshire Tour : 1 – 8 March Apes Hill and Holders Hill – Barbados Open (OPEN): 12 – 22 March Apes Hill – Polo under the Stars: 28 March South Africa Val de Vie – Veuve Clicquot Polo Masters (OPEN): 7 March Australia Garangula Polo Club – Garangula Polo Club 16 Goal Tournament: 7 – 15 March Windsor Polo Club – The Dudley Cup (OPEN): 25 – 29 March Thailand Polo Escape – James Ashton Trophy (6-8): 13 – 15 March Thai Polo Club – Thai Polo Cup (3 goal): 20 – 22 March

Save the Date Charity Events Longdole Polo Club – RAU Charity Day – Riding for the Disabled Association: 14 March Tidworth Polo Club – The Best of British Polo – Help for Heroes: 31 May Longdole Polo Club – The Inaugural Watershed RDA Celebrity Bicycle Polo Match – Riding for Disabled: 5 June Fifield Polo Club – Polo for Heroes Tournament – Help for Heroes: 11 July

Answer -

to the question posed on our Letters page

Memory tester...

74

Polo Times, March 2015

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Chris Hyde has won the Snow Polo World Cup in St Moritz a total of 5 times, in 2001, 2005, 2013, 2014 and again this year.

www.polotimes.co.uk

20/02/2015 17:29

Dates for your diary

Club contacts UK and Ireland CLUB

PHONE

All Ireland Polo Club

+353 (0) 1 6896732 dstone@indigo.ie

Polo directory

* denotes winter arena polo venue hTo contact the HPA, tel: 01367 242828

EMAIL

CLUB

PHONE

EMAIL

Lacey Green Polo Club

07956 525222

mfdarritchon@fibertel.com.ar

All England Polo Club Hickstead* 01273 834 315

polo@hickstead.co.uk

Leadenham Polo Club

01400 272885

jameshreeve@hotmail.com

Ascot Park Polo Club*

info@polo.co.uk

Little Bentley

01206 250435

fred@littlebentleypark.co.uk

01276 858545

Ash Farm Polo Club*

07799 812739

ashfarmpolo@hotmail.com

Longdole Polo Club*

01452 864544

jo@longdolepolo.com

Asthall Farm Polo Club

01367 860207

ashfarmpolo@hotmail.com

Luton Hoo

07934 882713

poloprive1@gmail.com

Apsley End

01462 712444

peter.pollak@btopenworld.com

Lychett Heath

01202 623985

office@lytchettpolo.co.uk

Beaufort Polo Club

01666 880510

enquiries@beaufortpoloclub.co.uk

Moor Hall Farm Polo Club*

01279 450637

alec@mhfpolo.co.uk

Beverley Polo Club*

01964 544877

info@beverleypoloclub.co.uk

Moyne

+353 85 1313224

moynepolo@hotmail.com

Binfield Heath

01491 411969

bhpcmanager@googlemail.com

New Forest Polo Club

02380 811818

info@newforestpoloclub.co.uk

Blueys Polo Club*

0771 0558485

polomanager@blueyspolo.co.uk

Norfolk Polo Club

01508 480400

office@norfolkpolo.co.uk shutchinson@tayto.com

Bunclody Polo Club

00 353 87 6605917 info@poloclubbunclody.com

Northern Ireland Polo Club

02890 727905

Burningfold Polo Club

01483 200722

info@burningfoldpolo.co.uk

Offchurch Bury Polo Club*

07816 830887

info@offchurchburypoloclub.co.uk

Cambridge County Polo Club

01223 812922

info@cambridgecountypoloclub.co.uk

Pangbourne Polo Club

07708 906810

aprice@polofix.com

Chester Racecourse Polo Club

01244 304602

ctaylor@chester-races.com

Peover Polo Club

07876 254110

polomanager@peoverpoloclub.co.uk

Cheshire Polo Club

01270 611 100

info@cheshirepoloclub.co.uk

RAF Cranwell

07739 569491

rafcranwellpoloclub@yahoo.co.uk

Cirencester Polo Club

01285 653225

kim@cirencesterpolo.co.uk

Ranelagh Polo Club*

01344 885697

polo@ranelaghfarm.com

Cowdray Polo Club

01730 813257

enquiries@cowdraypolo.co.uk

Ranksboro Polo Club*

01572 720046

joe@ranksboropolo.co.uk

CSPA

01672 5649114

markcann@cspa.org.uk

RCBPC*

01344 890060

info@rcbpoloclub.com

Curraghmore Polo Club

00353 51 387102

mkennedy@cssgroup.ie

RMAS Polo Club

07738 414133

rmas-stables-polo-oic@mod.uk

Dallas Burston Polo Club*

01926 812409

april@dbpoloclub.com

Royal Navy Polo Club

07950 328097

jockiewilson@hotmail.co.uk

Druids Lodge Polo Club*

01722 782597

abi@druidspolo.co.uk

Rugby Polo Club*

01788 817724

huw@rugbypoloclub.com

Dundee and Perth Polo Club*

07831 365 194

gillian@glockhart.wanadoo.co.uk

Rutland Polo Club

01572 724568

polomanager@rutlandpoloclub.co.uk

Eastwood

07875 743475

secretary@eastwoodpolo.co.uk

Rockett’s Castle

353 87 2520301

rcpoloclub@gmail.com

Edgworth Polo Club

01285 821695

edgeworthpolo@gmail.com

Rowley Park Polo Club*

07971 200160

carterlegeorge@hotmail.co.uk

Edinburgh Polo Club*

01314 496696

djamesjamie@aol.com

Silver Leys Polo Club

07535 697854

silverleyspoloclub@gmail.com

Epsom Polo Club*

07961 232106

epsompoloclub@hotmail.com

St. Albans Polo lub

07535 697854

info@stalbanspoloclub.co.uk

Fifield Polo Club*

01628 620061

fifieldpoloclub@live.co.uk

Suffolk Polo Club

07990 576974

aes3@cam.ac.uk

FHM Polo Club

07778 436468

fhmpolo@yahoo.co.uk

Sussex Polo Club

01342 714920

admin@sussexpolo.co.uk

Guards Polo Club*

01784 434212

polo@guardspoloclub.com

SWF*

01962 885500

info@maywoodpolo.com

Cambridge Polo Club*

07711 217004

info@haggisfarmpolo.com

Taunton Vale Polo Club

01823 480460

jstanhopewhite@aol.com tidpolo@tiscali.co.uk

Ham Polo Club

020 8334 0000

polomanager@hampoloclub.com

Tidworth Polo Club*

01980 846705

Heathfield Polo Club*

07762 069 420

chris@cscpolo.com

Toulston Polo Club

01422 372529

info@toulstonpoloclub.com

Hertfordshire Polo Club*

01707 256023

polo@hertspolo.co.uk

Vale of York Polo Club

07788 426968

info@valeofyorkpoloclub.co.uk

07703 524613

vauxpark@gmail.com

Higham Polo Club

07788 753948

sarah@highampoloclub.com

Vaux Park Park Polo Club*

Hurtwood Polo Club

01483 272828

hurtwoodparkpolo@btconnect.com

West Wycombe Park Polo Club* 01494 264725

secretary@westwycombepolo.co.uk

Inglesham Polo Club*

01367 358051

mattevetts@hotmail.com

White Rose Polo Club

01430 875767

info@whiterosepolo.co.uk

Kirtlington Park Polo Club

01869 350138

secretary@kirtlingtonparkpolo.co.uk

White Waltham Polo Club

07748 670587

kim@playpolo.co.uk

Knepp Castle Polo Club

07920 023639

info@aspectpolo.co.uk

Wicklow Polo*

+353 404 67164

siobhan@polowicklow.com

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PT Mar15 55-80.indd 75

0845 313 8167 Polo Times, March 2015

75

20/02/2015 17:29

PT Mar15 55-80.indd 76

20/02/2015 17:29

Tidworth Polo Club Home of Combined Services Polo Tedworth Park Tidworth Wiltshire SP9 7AH Tel: Email:

2015 Key Dates April

25th/26th

May

2nd 2nd/3rd 4th 4th 9th/10th

31st Rabbit Cup (-2 to 2 & -6 to -2)

RN v Eton (Kumar Cup) (Open) Kingsett Cup (-2 to 2 & -6 to -2) Military Ladies Tournament (Open) Intra RN Sacher Cup Queen’s Royal Hussars Cup (-2 to 2 & -6 to -2) 16th/17th Maddison Cup (0 to 2 & -4 to 0) 23rd/24th Cholderton Cup (0 to 4 & -6 to -2) 25th Royal Artillery Cup (Open) 30th RN v Taunton (Kemble Salver) 30th Almost Best of British Tournament (-2 to 0 & -6 to -2) 31st Best of British Under 25’s

PT Mar15 55-80.indd 77

June

6th/7th

Chairman: Managing Director: Polo Manager: Secretary: Chief Umpire: Welfare:

01980 846 705 info@tidworthpolo.com

Col J. W. Denny MBE Christopher Andrews Esq Jessica Andrews Melanie Robertson James Haigh Esq Susie Richards BSc BVSc MRCVS

www.tidworthpolo.com

Correct at time of going to press Duke of York Cup (RN v RAF) (Open)

Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars Cup (0 to 4 & -4 to 0) 13th/14th Mixed Doubles Tournament (-2 to 2 & -6 to -2) 20th/21st Grenadier Cup (0 to 2 & -4 to 0) 24th - 28th Tidworth Polo Week Strategic Shipping 10th Hussars Cup (0 to 4) Queen’s Royal Lancers Trophy (-4 to 0) Presidents Cup (-6 to -2) 28th Finals Day

July

1st 4th/5th 11th 11th 12th 12th 18th/19th 25th/26th 26th

Crabs vs Cav (Open) Douglas Nugent Cup (0 to 2 & -4 to 0) Rundle Cup (RN V Army) (Open) Indian Cavalry Officers Trophy (Open) Manlein Cup (-2 to 0 & -6 to -2) Inter Regimental Final (Guards) 9th Lancers Cup (4 to 6 & -6 to -2) Captains & Subalterns Trophy (Open) TPC V New Forest(Clitherow Cup) (AWAY)

22nd/23rd La Chamiza Ladies Tournament (Open) 22nd/23rd Druids Sickle Gentlemen’s Tournament (-4 to 0) 23rd The EFG Sassoon Cup (Open) 29th/30th Frost Cup (0 to 4 & -6 to -2) 31st The AGC Tournament (Open)

September 4th 5th/6th

Grooms Instructional Tournament (Open) Full Swing Polo Trophy (0 to 2 & -6 to -2) August 12th/13th Polo Captains Trophy (0 to 2 & -4 to 0) 1st/2nd Light Infantry Trophy (0 to 2 & - 4 to -0) 19th/20th Cavalry Cup (-2 to 2 & -6 to -2) 9th/10th Kings Royal Hussars Cup 26th/27th Valete Cup (Champion (0 to 4 & -6 to -2) Team Announced) 15th/16th Canada Cup sponsored by (-2 to 2 & -6 to -2) Seriously Cool Events (0 to 2 & -4 to 0)

20/02/2015 17:29

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21/03/2014 17:10

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(inc App & Website access) UK (direct debit only) UK EU WW SUPA/SAPA

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PT Mar15 55-80.indd 79

Polo Times, March 2015

79

20/02/2015 17:29

Final bell

In association with Aprés Polo

New Zealand 6 goaler, Simon Keyte

6 goaler, Simon – or ‘Sly’ as he’s more commonly known – Keyte has just been part of the winning New Zealand line-up who defeated England at Kihikihi Polo Club earlier this month. The long-term member of the Schwarzenbach’s Black Bears set up shares his passions for re-training racehorses, the great outdoors and how “horsemanship is the key to it all”.

What is your fondest polo memory?

I would have to say they were all in my early years of polo, before the excitement of playing, turned to nerves. I couldn’t sleep the night before games because of the anticipation of what might be. However, winning The Coronation Cup in 2002 with the Commonwealth team is a fab memory.

Who are your favourite teammates?

The following people double as the ones I’ve had most success with also: Will Lucas, Glen Gilmore, JP Clarkin, Tom Hunt, Paco O’Dwyer and Guy Schwarzenbach.

Hardest opponent?

Clearly there are different degrees of brilliance.

In the earlier days when I had high goal runs against the likes of Adolfo or the other greats, I wondered how anyone at my level was meant to compete with such greatness. I was right – they can’t! Adolfo remains incredible to this day.

Favourite polo venue?

Kaipaki polo ground at Mystery Creek Polo Club, at my home farm in New Zealand.

Which sports do you like outside of polo?

I’m not overtly sporty myself, but I’ve been becoming an avid cricket, rugby and football fan with my son, Zachary. He enjoys the lot and I’m the chauffeur to as many of these matches as I can manage. Several members of my family and I, support horse racing. We take on many failed racehorses and re-train them as polo ponies.

If you weren’t involved in polo, what would you be doing as a career?

I’ve loved plants, especially trees, since forever. I love everything about them – even the planting, 80

Polo Times, March 2015

PT Mar15 55-80.indd 80

pruning and mowing side of it! I have a new venture on the horizon, which I hope will give me the best of both the polo and great outdoors worlds.

Person you would like to meet most and why?

My great grandfather. I’d like to ask him if he’s the reason my cousins and I are so cheeky and constantly get ourselves into trouble. I’d also like to know whatever happened to the vast amounts of land and inheritance he worked so hard for, and why we didn’t end up with a little each!

What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?

At this point, there will be friends who are sweating at the thought of me telling any uncensored versions, so I best not tell! Let’s just say getting smuggled across the NSW and Queensland borders under 500kg of horse covers and tack in 40-degree heat was not one of my finest hours…!

Favourite film?

Braveheart.

Most prized material possession?

I have a restored metal trunk that my grandfather brought back from the War, which is very special to me.

Describe yourself in three words…

Cheeky, loyal, dedicated.

Who has had the biggest influence on your life?

I followed in my dad’s footsteps. Then the late Paul Clarkin then took me under his wing and showed me that horsemanship was the key to it all.

What has been your proudest achievement to date?

Definitely being given the opportunity to manage the Black Bears and Garangula polo teams. I’ve lived and worked with them since I was 16-years-old and it’s what makes me tick.

Who would be your dream polo team?

I think everyone’s dream team at present is La Dolfina, isn’t it? I wouldn’t mind even being a fly on one of their saddle blankets!

Which is the favourite pony in your string?

A NZ Thoroughbred called Reddy who recently retired. I’ve had her since she was three-years-old.

She’s a little unconventional, but she’s my favourite – and a great mate.

What makes you angry?

In-house politics makes me angry. Sometimes, we all need to stop and smell the roses!

Which polo person offers the best advice?

The person who gives the best advice, now and over the last 24 years is PJ McMahon, the vet.

I have the utmost respect for him as a professional and enjoy his tales from yesteryear!

Photographs by Tony Ramirez/ www.imagesofpolo.com

www.polotimes.co.uk

20/02/2015 17:29

PT Mar15 Covers.indd 3

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