Polo Times March16

Volume 21 • Issue 2 • March 2016 • £6.50

SNOW SPECIAL

All the polo, action and glitz from St Moritz China FIP World Championships

NACHO GONZALEZ Interview

SUPA

Record-breaking 156 teams in action

PLUS: HPA Nationals & Fitness for Polo

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Contents

What’s inside... March 2016

Contacts Publisher Nick Hine publisher@polotimes.co.uk Group Editor in Chief Richenda Hine richenda@polotimes.co.uk Advertising Manager Ben Bovill ben@polotimes.co.uk

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Club Liaison & News Manager Lucy Wilson lucy@polotimes.co.uk Overseas Reporter Katie Vickery katie@polotimes.co.uk Polo Reporter & Researcher Tilda Woodd tilda@polotimes.co.uk Editorial Rosabella Hine rosabella@polotimes.co.uk Principal Design James Morgan

News 4 14 16

Comment 18

Tony Ruddy

Financial Controller Angie Clark accounts@polotimes.co.uk

@PoloTimes

9,866 Followers

21 25

645 Followers

Contributors:

Stephen Biddlecombe, Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, Lorna Edgar, Dr. med. vet. Anton S. Milicevic, Martin Perez, Kate Scurfield, David Woodd

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38 42 44 47 48

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

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© Polo Times Limited 2016 and Database Right 2016 Polo Times Limited holds the copyright & database right to the information it publishes

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5 Minutes With. . . Sarah Wiseman Reports: Battle of the Sexes

Youth Polo

News from Home and Abroad

Military Polo

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RAF Polo Trip to New Zealand

Knowledge 62 64 67

distributed without the consent of the Publisher. ‘Polo Times’ is the trade mark of Polo

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Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Women’s Polo

in Polo Times and on the Polo Times website. No content may be reproduced or

Times Limited. ISSN 1461-4685

Cover Story: Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz The HPA New Year National Club Championships FIP Snow Polo World Championships USA Round Up Dominican Republic Round Up Dubai Round Up Thailand Round Up

Club Focus

55 Contact details

Cover Story: Nacho Gonzalez Interview Focus: Power of Polo Charity

Reports

www.facebook.com/PoloTimes/ 4,778 Likes

@polotimes

Your Views: Letters

60

Features

34 Additional Design

All the Latest News HPA News FIP Update

68

Pony Power Bit Focus: Rider’s Q&A Vet Insight: Thoroughbreds in Snow and High Altitude Nutrition Focus: Feeding for Fitness

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Fitness for Polo: Polo Biomechanics and Swing Analysis – The Forehand

Sidelines 70 71

Gossip: Don’t be the last to know Sidelines: Social pages

Polo Directory: 77 79

What’s on in March?

Polo Times Marketplace

Final bell: 80

Passions: Reto Gaudenzi

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Call on +44 (0)1452 730 770 Subscribe online: www.polotimes.co.uk Cover photograph: Charlie Wooldridge for Team Cartier and Frankie Menendes of the victorious Team Maserati do determined battle for the ball in the Final of the St Moritz World Cup Polo on Snow. By www.siggyphotography.co.uk

Polo Times, March 2016

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from the Publisher

News

As this March issue of Polo Times goes to press, worldwide news has shifted closer to home and is focused primarily on whether the UK should stay in, or exit Europe.

Christian Leopold Heppe, 1942 – 2016

David Cameron has added considerably to his Airmiles account visiting most, if not all, EU member states to argue the case for Britain staying within Europe, with an amended set of rules – and even Prince William’s words are being interpreted, (or perhaps that should read ‘misquoted’), on the matter.

For me personally, Britain has been in the EU for almost as long as I have been on the planet – so the jury is out until I have heard all the arguments – but looking at the editorial content within this issue, it would be difficult not to conclude how totally integrated British players are, on both the worldwide, and European polo circuits.

Illustrating, the close ties that British polo enjoys with Continental Europe, although narrowly being defeated in the Snow Polo World Cup Final in St Moritz, the Cartier team consisted of regulars to the English season: Spencer McCarthy, Charlie Wooldridge, Nacho Gonzalez and Chris Hyde. One umpire, Ollie Ellis was born and bred an Englishman, the other, Tim Keyte, (although originally from New Zealand), has been part of the English polo establishment for over 20 years. And the Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz Media Team… the all-Brit Polo Times line-up. Again highlighting that British polo is fully immersed in Europe.

Victoria Elsbury-Legg

Polo Times is very sad to report the passing of Victoria Elsbury-Legg. She will be greatly missed by the polo community and tributes to her have been shared across the world on Facebook. Her parents have expressed a wish for a private funeral, however a memorial service will be held at the start of the UK summer Victoria Elsbury-Legg has sadly passed away season. Further details will follow on a date and location. A full tribute to Victoria will be in the April issue of Polo Times. If you would like to share your memories for the tribute to Victoria please email lucy@polotimes.co.uk

In reality however, the impact of ‘Brexit’ on polo is unlikely to fill any news channels, so for anyone with the knowledge, and or, interest, please do drop me an email on your views, so that they may be published within our Letters page, in the run-up to the referendum.

England To Play USA In March

Photograph by Tony Ramirez/©www.imagesofpolo.com

Nick Hine, Publisher publisher@polotimes.co.uk

Chris Hyde and Tommy Biddle in action back in 2014, when USA defeated England, 21-17, for the Bryan Morrison Trophy

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Polo Times, March 2016

Photograph by Tony Ramirez ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Photograph by Tony Ramirez/©www.imagesofpolo.com

We are sad to report that Christian Heppe, a life playing member of Guards Polo Club and generous supporter of the game in general and Guards Polo Club in particular, has died. The founder of Hildon Natural Mineral Water, Christian Heppe played the game at the highest level, reaching the Final of the British Open (Gold Cup) with his own BBs team in 1984 and then seeing his Hildon House team lift the trophy in 1990. Sadly the Queen’s Cup did elude him, losing out to Foxcote in an emotional 1984 Final. However, such defeats failed to dim his passion for the game. He went on to create the high goal Hildon European Open at Smith’s Mr Heppe with Roddy Matthews Lawn in 2002 and formed the Hildon Sport high goal team, in Malta last November for the featuring a quartet of young professionals, which won the Guards Polo Club CHOGM event British Open in 2003.

Most recently, Hildon sponsored the Guards team in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2015 last November, at which Mr Heppe accompanied Neil Hobday at the shirt presentations at Malta Polo Club. Christian Heppe also generously paid for the construction of the Club’s Royal Box on The Queen’s Ground, firstly in the 1980s and then an improved version in 2002.

A full tribute will be published in the 2016 Guards Polo Club Yearbook.

THE ALL ENGLAND Polo Club at Hickstead will play host to the Arena Polo International Test Match on Saturday 5 March, with two 10 goal players captaining the teams. England will once again be captained by Chris Hyde, and the team is set to look stronger than ever following the news last spring that Hyde had been moved up to a handicap of 10 goals, the highest rating a polo player can be given. The home side will face a team from the USA, who will also be captained by a 10 goal player, Tommy Biddle, who led the US team to victory at Hickstead in 2014, when England lost the Test Match for the first time ever. Details of the full team line-up and the teams playing in the opening match will be announced in due course.

Tickets cost just £5 each and are available online, as well as unlimited tickets available to purchase on the gate. To purchase tickets in advance visit www.hickstead.co.uk www.polotimes.co.uk

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News

THE FINAL OF the 14th Valartis Bank Snow Polo World Cup took place in frosty Kitzbühel, Austria, under a steady dusting of snow on Sunday 17 January 2016. After a full on and fun-filled weekend, it was an all-English line-up that took the title, stealing the Final from under the noses of the opposition.

Team Engel & Völkers’ Johnny Good, Katrina Thomas and Alec Banner-Eve fought hard against Valartis Bank, playing against the odds, which saw handicap disadvantages for the over handicapped English team. Alec Banner-Eve commented after the match, “We were quite up against it, as they decided to make the tournament off our arena handicaps (the only snow polo tournament to do this). With none of the other countries taking arena handicapping as seriously as England, it meant all other teams were only 3 off their outside handicap, as opposed to our team which was 7, with Johnny off 8 and myself off 4 goals. This just annoyed Johnny though, and he went harder than ever!”

Despite the half goal advantage given to Valartis Bank, it was Engel & Völkers who set the pace of the game, breaking away from the off, with two early goals from 8 goaler Johnny Good. Valartis Bank soon caught up and the match remained neck and neck until the final chukka, the tension and excitement warming the frozen onlookers. With just half a goal in it going in to the final chukka, Valartis Bank hoped to close down the opposition and carry their advantage to the end, but it was not to be as a last-minute goal from Engel & Völkers meant a dramatic finish and a close 5-4½ win for the English team.

Alec Banner-Eve spoke to Polo Times after the match, explaining, “We were the only UK representatives playing, and all on the same team. Johnny was out of this world unstoppable and I did a bit of crashing and bashing, but the show stealer was Kat Thomas in the Final. She broke away at four or five key moments and got Most Valuable Player as a result! There were six teams, including Germany’s best female and male players, plus some Open players like Julio Novillo Astrada, but we came out on top, winning the Final by half a goal. The tournament was run

Photograph by Reinhardt & Sommer

Brits Boss It In Austria

Brit line-up, Team Engel & Völkers, defeat opposition to win Austria’s Snow Polo World Cup

to perfection. The best polo event I have been to or seen anywhere around the world. The hospitality was mind blowing, we felt like film stars!”

In earlier matches, Istra Domizil/Blackdove took on KCC/ GymEntry in a battle for third and fourth place. Last year’s winning team of Sebastian Schneberger, Philip de Groot and Julio Novillo Astrada were forced to be content with fourth place as they succumbed to KCC/GymEntry’s better play, 12½-8. Fifth place went to Team Audi, who defeated Bernd Gruber by 5½-4.

Mare, Chismosa, played and owned by Tito Gaudenzi, was awarded Best Playing Pony while the Most Valuable Player prize went to England’s very own Katrina Thomas.

The 14th Valartis Bank Snow Polo World Cup Final teams: Team Engel & Völkers (13): Katrina Thomas 1, Alec Banner-Eve (4) & Johnny Good (8) Team Valartis Bank (12): Omar Magalji (2), Pelon Escapite (7) & Tito Gaudenzi (3) Result: Team Engel & Völkers beat Team Valartis Bank, 5-4½

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Polo Times, March 2016

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News

New World Polo Tour Rankings THE WORLD POLO Tour (WPT) provides an international scale on which to rank players based on their success throughout the year. The players are awarded points based on their involvement and successes across the top tournaments included in the WPT ranking system.

In its 2016 updates, WPT has announced that The Sotogrande Gold Cup, the third and most prestigious trophy of The Santa Maria International Tournament, has become part of the Grand Slam category. This is the second highest ranked category on the international polo circuit, behind the Masters category, made up of the three Argentine Triple Crown series titles. Joining this category raises the Sotogrande Gold Cup’s status dramatically, recognising it globally as one of the most important and sought after titles on the circuit.

There are now three titles in the Grand Slam category: • The US Open Polo Championship, played at the International Polo Club of Palm Beach, Florida. This tournament takes place March 30 – 24 April and is of 26 goal handicap level • The British Open for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup, played at Cowdray Park Polo Club from June 22 – 17 July with a 22 goal handicap • The Sotogrande Gold Cup, played at Santa María Polo Club, Spain between 14 – 28 August. This tournament also holds a 22 goal handicap The Sotogrande Gold Cup is now worth 150 points for each winner, raised from the 125 points that it earned victors last year. Although still behind the US and UK Opens on points value (worth 250 and 200 respectively), this is still a big step for Santa María Polo Club as they are celebrated as joining the international greats of the IPC and Cowdray Park.

Matt Pinney Heads To Mumbai FARRIER CARE INTERNATIONAL (FCI) has been established to use an educational and hands-on approach to teach children and adults alike the principles of hoof management, as well as the care and welfare of their working animals.

On 18 February Matt Pinney, a 2 goal player from Blueys Polo Club, travelled to Mumbai with a team of vets and equine dentists to help provide specialist care and treatment to the working horses, ponies and donkeys. The team assisted with the training and education of the owners and carers to improve the quality of life for these hard working animals. Matt took a full set of farriery tools with him to donate to the charity out in Mumbai.

Your support and donations will have a direct and lasting positive impact.

A list of tools needed and prices are below. Chobham Forge are supporting the venture by very generously supplying the equipment at cost price for the trip. Details for donations and more info can be found by contacting Nicky Randall at nicky.randall@ btopenworld.com or 07703 297019.

Photograph by Pablo Ramirez

Turning hammer – £22, Nailing hammer – £16, Road nails – £50, Shoe pullers – £25, Box of Rasps – £80, Rasp handles – £15, Hoof snips – £35, Buffer – £10, Clenchers – £352, Hoof knives – £32, Hoof testers £45, Stall Jack – £145 Target total to reach – £510 Adolfo Cambiaso vs Juan Martin Nero at the Gold Cup Final 2015

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News

WITH SPRING-LIKE weather upon us and the majority of the UK summer season dates released, you can now plan your -8 to 22 goal polo up until September! So far there are 19 confirmed dates for all the ladies polo teams out there, including The British Ladies Open at Cowdray Park Polo Club from 8 – 16 July and National Ladies at Westcroft Park Polo Club 13 – 14 August. Although the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst are yet to confirm their dates with the HPA, there are still 12 other fixtures confirmed, including the popular Captains and Subalterns at Tidworth Polo Club from 15 – 17 July. For all the budding youth players from schools and universities around the country there are plenty of SUPA tournaments planned. The SUPA National University Tournament will be held at Dallas Burston Polo Club again from 3 – 5 June, however it does clash with the Varsity Day at Guards Polo Club which is Saturday 4 June. The Pony Club kicks off

at Vaux Park on 11 July with the Jorrocks Championships at their traditional home Hurtwood Park Polo Club on Wednesday 3 August. The remaining Pony Club Championships will be at Cowdray Park Polo Club from 5 – 7 August.

In the upper echelons of the summer diary the only confirmed International date so far is The Royal Salute Coronation Cup at Guards Polo Club on Saturday 23 July.

The HPA are yet to release details for the remaining Internationals, which last year were held at Cowdray Park Polo Club and Beaufort Polo Club. The Final of the Cartier Queen’s Cup will be on Sunday 12 June and The Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup for the British Open will conclude on Sunday 17 July.

At the time of going to press Fifield, Ranelagh, Sussex, Ranksboro and the Vale of York Polo Club had yet to confirm their fixtures. When their dates are made available they will be added to the Polo Times

Photograph by Tony Ramirez/©www.imagesofpolo.com

UK HPA Summer Dates For Your Diary

James Beim receiving the 2015 Royal Salute Coronation Cup from HRH Prince Charles

website. For all the dates that have been confirmed so far please visit the tournament listing page on our website or turn to page 77 to see our What’s On pages.

The Association of Polo Schools and Pony Hirers Update THE APSPH HAS announced a new partner for 2016. Medi-K First Aid Training offer equine specific first aid courses across the country that conform to Riding Establishment requirements and HS&E standards. The partnership means that APSPH members will receive a 10% discount on bookings.

To make a booking for a first aid course visit www.medi-k.co.uk

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Polo Times, March 2016

The APSPH are also urging all polo schools and pony hirers to participate in the consultation published by DEFRA on proposed changes to Riding Establishment Licences. The consultation survey can be completed on-line. To have your say in the changes proposed to licensing please visit the APSPH Facebook page for the link to the DEFRA consultation.

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News

Nic Roldan Named Ambassador For Brooke USA ROLDAN IS THE first polo player to become an ambassador for Brooke USA. In that new role he hopes to increase awareness of the condition of Nic Roldan is the new ambassador for Brooke USA working horses and the people who rely on them, in some of the world’s most destitute countries. Fourth generation professional polo player, Nic Roldan, made history at 15 when he became the youngest player ever to win the United States Open Polo Championship, a distinction he still holds.

Brooke USA supports the overseas work of the Brooke, the largest international equine welfare charity with a long track record of successfully improving the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules in impoverished regions of the globe. The Brooke has been providing sustainable solutions to many equine welfare issues for 82 years. Last year alone the Brooke reached 1.8 million equines, benefitting 10 million people in countries where many people earn less than a dollar a day. Roldan supports the Brooke’s efforts and hopes to emphasize the importance of education.

“I don’t think most people in my world are aware of what’s going on in much of the rest of the world in terms of working animals,” he said.

“Having the privilege of being in an equine sport in the USA makes us obligated to improve the welfare of donkeys, mules and horses in much less fortunate countries. The animals are suffering because their owners don’t know any better. What the Brooke does is great in bringing education to the owners and free veterinary care to the animals.”

Polo Times intrepid reporters Katie Vickery and Lucy Wilson catching the action as it happened in St Moritz

Thank You for Following THE POLO TIMES team have recently returned from the Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz where their role as Official Media Partner has seen a huge response from followers on all three social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Polo Times would like to thank all their followers for liking, retweeting and sharing all the news, videos and stories from the event of the snow polo calendar. Our reporters Katie Vickery and Lucy Wilson also took a trip up to Rugby Polo Club for the SUPA National University Arena Championships where they continued the social media coverage.

Just to blow our trumpet a little more, here are just some of the statistics from our weekends on the frozen lake and in the Midlands: Twitter @PoloTimes Total followers: 9866 Total impressions: 114, 044 Retweets: 328 Top tweet: Mighty Maserati match report (205 likes and 66 retweets)

Facebook – Total likes: 4778 Five short videos from St Moritz Total reach: 19, 655 Total views: 3, 654 Six short videos from SUPA Total reach: 31,500 Total views: 7,977

Instagram @polotimes Followers: 645 Total likes from St Moritz: 472 Total likes from SUPA: 335

Digging Underway For New Irrigation Reservoir at Cirencester Quality from Cowdray Four years after it was first confirmed by Chairman Kolin Dhillon, it seems that irrigation will at last come to Cirencester Park. Whilst currently only two of the Club’s grounds, (which are outside of the Park, at Aston Down), have irrigation, Polo Times have learnt that the new four acre lake will hold four million gallons of water and provide water for all fields in the main Park for the 2016 Executive Polo Manager Tim Keyte told Polo Times “It is something the players and members have been calling for and we have been trying to achieve for nearly 20 years, so to see the diggers finally doing their thing is very exciting.”

Long overdue for a Club hosting a high-goal tournament, hopefully the introduction of irrigation will see CPPC return to its former glory days.

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Polo Times, March 2016

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HPA News

Latest from the HPA HPA chief executive David Woodd rounds up the news from UK polo’s headquarters Overseas China Many congratulations to Hong Kong China who won the FIP Snow Polo World Championships in Tianjin against England in what was a very close Final. For a full report please turn to page 38.

Hong Kong China (16): Henry Fisher (4), James Harper (6) & Matias Vial (6) England (16): Alastair Paterson (4), George Meyrick (6) & Jack Richardson (6) New Zealand International Ladies The Ladies International was a great game with a large number of spectators; unfortunately England lost 5-3 to New Zealand. The series is at 1-1 now and the England team are already looking forward to getting out there next year to take the series score to 2-1.

Argentina An England team will play at Palermo for the Copa de Las Naciones (24 – 26 goals) at Palermo 16 – 24 April. The team has yet to be confirmed.

International Arena Test Match On Saturday 5 March The All England Polo Club, Hickstead, will host the 2016 Arena Test Match for the Bryan Morrison Trophy where England, captained by Chris Hyde, will play USA. USA will be led by the only other 10 goal arena player in the world Tommy Biddle, supported by Kareem Rosser and Pelon Escapate.

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

Development South Africa: The following were sent on a one week training course with Buster Mackenzie: Eric Appen, Jonny Beck-Brown, and Charlie Townsend Florida: For the third year in a row a group of young players were invited to take part in an exchange trip with the Polo Training Foundation. Representing England Colts were: Rob Fleming, Angus Rowan-Hamilton, Atlanta Stanhope-White and Alex Webb.

HPA Meeting Dates Tuesday 5 April Welfare AGM Sunningdale Park Hotel Tuesday 12 April Stewards Cavalry & Guards Club, London Wednesday 13 April Club Chief Umpires Sunningdale Park Hotel Thursday 30 April Council Cavalry and Guards Club, London

Important Changes to Pony Passports ON 1 JANUARY 2016 DEFRA introduced stricter regulations for horse passports (Commission Regulation EC 262/2015).

Horse passports can now only be issued where the silhouette (markings) has been completed by a vet, and the passport has to be completed on security watermarked paper. The HPA have therefore chosen to outsource the physical production of the passports, and have also had to make changes to the information required in order to be able to issue a passport. The HPA remains the DEFRA recognised Passport Issuing Organisation for polo ponies.

From 1 January 2016, the HPA can only accept the new application form which can be downloaded from the HPA website.

Other application forms will no longer be accepted. Passports cannot be issued unless every section is completed in full and must include: • Valid email address • Microchip number (if born after 2009) • Location of microchip on equine on silhouette 14

Polo Times, March 2016

• Vet stamp and signature on the silhouette page • Payment in full (Standard £30, three-day turn around £60, duplicates £60,

HPA Registration as a polo pony £18, change of ownership £18, changes £12.

Rates including VAT)

www.polotimes.co.uk

FIP News

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

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Polo Times, March 2016

Ambassadors Cup has been held in the UK, the last two being held in 1995 and 2007 at Beaufort Polo Club.

Dr. Richard Caleel, head of FIP Marketing, and Charles Ward of Ideaworks Inc. have also been busy, and FIP has recently signed the first of the Federation’s Global Partnerships with the exclusive Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation and hopefully there will be a further official announcement on other high profile partnerships in the near future.

Should you wish to be kept updated with the official FIP Newsletter please drop a line to sandy@fippolo.com and she will put you on our distribution list. In the meantime, may I wish you all a safe and prosperous season ahead.

For a full report on the 5th FIP World Snow Polo Championships please turn to page 38.

Photograph by Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers

You may be forgiven for thinking that, after the hectic week of meetings prior to a very successful General Assembly which was closely followed by the Festive Season, things would be quiet and relaxed going into 2016. Not so!

The 5th FIP World Snow Polo Championships, kindly sponsored by Mr. Pan Sutong of Goldin Metropolitan, was held in Tianjin, China and got off to a frosty start, as you will see from the photographs, but with clear blue skies, sun shining and an excellently prepared field, things soon warmed up. The Tournament Management Team, headed once again by the experienced Peter Abisheganaden as Tournament Director, consisted of Horse-Master, Gines Barjallo and a team of International Umpires under South African Steve Evans, as well as the usual squad of Stewards. There were six teams participating in this year’s event, which proved to be the ideal number, encouraging a friendly, relaxed atmosphere throughout. England’s team of Ali Paterson, George Meyrick and Jack Richardson were in the running from the start, their past experience on snow showed, and they played well as a team. Jack Richardson produced a remarkable conversion rate on penalties, which saw them through to the Final where, unfortunately, they were pipped to the post by a strong Hong Kong China side, led by Henry Fisher. Well done to all the teams who participated from France, Canada, Argentina, Chile, England and Hong Kong China and we hope that the 6th FIP World Snow Polo Championship next year will be as keenly contested.

Piero Dillier, FIP Zone Director for Europe and President of the St Moritz Polo Club, was also kept busy organising the St Moritz Snow Polo World Cup, which unfortunately coincided with Tianjin’s tournament this year. Piero is also overseeing the arrangements for the FIP European Championships playoffs with the Finals to be held in Germany in September. This is scheduled to be played on the historic Maifeld ground where polo was last seen as an Olympic Sport in the 1936 Games.

We are delighted that Steve Orthwein will be holding the 89th Ambassadors Cup in April at his beautiful Port Mayaca Club in Florida, and it is hoped that the 90th Ambassadors Cup will be held this season in the United Kingdom at the Ham Polo Club, London, to coincide with their 90th Anniversary celebrations.

This will be only the third time in the Federation’s history that an

The polo player fountain in Tianjin succumbed to the frozen temperatures

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Letters

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

Letter of the month

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

Dear Sir, I want to say how much we appreciate your support and input into the Power of Polo Charity. Your help has been instrumental in getting the recognition of the polo community and will pave the path for funding success as well. The coverage in Polo Times has been fantastic.

Power of Polo has been gaining momentum, from the initial concept stage to the running of several successful events in 2015; already including a residential week for deserving candidates. We owe the success of the charity to the dedication of our volunteers and supporters such as the Polo Times, and the commitment of the team lead by Katy Hayward, our inspirational CEO. Power of Polo provides a platform for the polo community to give something back and to inspire deserving groups to gain a chance of improvement in their lives, typifying our motto of ‘change your line...’ We have seen the direct impact of the charity on youths taken out of gangs and embarking on apprenticeship programmes, young persons who are HIV positive having the opportunity of feeling engaged and accepted, and injured war veterans given the ability to be back in the saddle with purpose and renewed empowerment. I would encourage all players in polo to support the charity and give something back from the sport we all love.

Regards, Vivek Rawal Chairman – Power of Polo

By Email For a full feature on the Power of Polo Charity please turn to page 26

Dear Sir, Many thanks to the Polo Times team of Lucy Wilson and Katie Vickery for their support and stamina over the four days of recordbreaking polo we have just hosted at the National University Arena Championships. When you consider that 16 teams, with three players each were new to the game of polo, it is not surprising that the students grabbed the editions of Polo Times and The Polo Magazine at the prize-giving. These new seedlings grow up to play again and hopefully return to the game long after their carefree days at university. Polo Times, like SUPA, is investing in the future of the game by our interventions and support.

We are also very grateful to our stalwart sponsors RJ Polo who lend huge support and are always present at events and also to our international sponsors Polistas. For the combined commitment from RJ Polo, Polistas and of course Polo Times SUPA and I are very aware and thankful.

Yours sincerely, Charles Betz Chairman and Trustee, SUPA

By Email For a full feature on the National University Arena Championships and more comment from Charles Betz please turn to page 47

18

Polo Times, March 2016

Dear Sir, I am writing further to receiving an email from the HPA dated 4 February regarding new passport guidelines, this email was presumably sent out to all members. The email states that DEFRA have introduced stricter regulations from 1 January this year, and sets out the fees for passports and over-stamping of passports issued by a recognized PIO, such as Weatherbys.

Last season I bought two ponies and had the ownership changed and records updated with Weatherbys who issued the original passports.

The HPA then told me that it was a DEFRA requirement that the passports were over-stamped by the HPA for a charge of £12 each. (This has now been increased to £18). I queried this as I had already paid the change of ownership fee to Weatherbys and couldn’t see why it was necessary. The HPA then said it was a payment required for insurance, to which my reply was that I didn’t require any further insurance, and if they were issuing insurance it should be per member not per pony, and included in the membership fee.

The HPA response was, ‘The HPA insurance cover comes with the membership and is not an available extra. We do not charge for change of ownership as stated in your email. Weatherbys passports (or passports from other organisations) need to be over-stamped, for which we make a charge of £12.’

At this point I contacted DEFRA and received the following reply from them, ‘Thank you for your email of 6 October about the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA). We have spoken to the HPA who have confirmed that their £12 charge is not requested to comply with DEFRA regulations. The charge is to pay for a discretionary insurance scheme for polo ponies run by the HPA and it is up to you whether you wish to pay the charge and take out the insurance. I hope you find this information helpful.’

I have contacted DEFRA again and received confirmation that they still DO NOT require the passport to be over-stamped in any way by the HPA to comply with the new regulations.

The way the HPA’s email is written implies that they are collecting £18 per passport for something which is a DEFRA requirement, which is not the case. By their own admission, insurance comes with HPA membership so I am at a loss to understand why they want £18 to overstamp a passport which is already DEFRA compliant.

Yours sincerely, Kate Gibbons

By Email Editor’s Note – the HPA have provided the following clarification: “The HPA Members’ Public Liability Insurance provides indemnity for members of two goals or less, and who own a maximum of ten horses, against injury or damage caused by a horse owned by a member that is registered/passported with the Hurlingham Polo Association in their name.

The HPA therefore require a member’s horse to be registered correctly with the HPA if the member wishes to be insured against any injury or damage caused by that horse. If the horse does not hold an HPA passport, but one issued by another Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO) such as Weatherbys, then it needs to be registered with the HPA. This registration process was referred to as “over-stamping”.

From now on, to avoid confusion, the process will be called HPA Registration; the £15 (+VAT) fee is for processing that registration.” www.polotimes.co.uk

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Cartier Conundrum

Q. Both Nacho Gonzalez and Chris Hyde have been snow polo regulars on the frozen St Moritz lake, winning the title between them nine times. How many times have they won the trophy together as teammates? For a bonus point what were the teams called?

A. Turn to page 78 to check your answer.

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Feature

Richenda Hine catches up with this quiet man of polo who has a hugely impressive list of victories to his name spanning a 26 year polo career

I

gnacio ‘Nacho’ Gonzalez is something of an enigma. First there’s the preconceptions that come with the name and the swarthy good looks – when he speaks you expect it to be with a thick and lilting South American accent.

Inwardly you sigh… not another bandit player on our turf…

Prepare to be surprised, Nacho speaks with an accent that is more English than mine. Think more Eastenders than Graduados. His father Carlitos was a 5 goal player/groom and Nacho grew up in the home counties. From humble beginnings his raw polo talent put him on a trajectory which saw him leapfrogging two or three handicaps a year to become seven goals at just 23 years of age. He has won an impressive list of tournaments: The Coronation Cup, The Cowdray Gold Cup, The Prince of Wales, The Warwickshire (several times), The Eduardo Moore, The Indian Empire Shield – take your pick– the list goes on. Being the first player ever to www.polotimes.co.uk

reach 9 goals in the arena and having that handicap for a total of 10 years; he is widely recognised as one of the very best in the arena game and again the trophy cabinet reflects that, with wins in the Arena Gold Cup and Nations Cup. Not forgetting, of course he is also one of the all-time greats of the snow polo in St Moritz, racking up an impressive four wins to rival the best of the best on the frozen lake.

So how did it all start? Nacho explains.

“I started riding at the start of my life so I can’t really remember the first moment – I was just aware that I rode”. He started swinging the stick in earnest at Flemish Farm where his father worked for Ricardo Mansour who had a high goal team at the time. By the time he progressed to being handicapped he was straight in at 0 goals.

As Nacho nonchalanty says, “I played a few chukkas and the handicappers said: ‘0’ and that was that”. His first professional game was at Ham Polo Club (HPC) at the tender age of 14 in 1990. Followed by Nacho’s

first trip overseas with Nicholas ColquhounDenvers, the current Chairman of HPC who remembers, “His first trip overseas was to play with me in Ghana, he was 14, off 0 goals. I took Sehr Ahmad as well. The Ghanaians will do anything to win, so when the HPC Team won and they complained, I merely pointed out we had given them a chance and brought a young girl and a 14-year-old, what more could we do?”

From there the arena became part of Nacho’s world, with the next big milestone being the day in 1993 when the late Bryan Morrison said, “Listen, John Manconi’s got a high goal team, Alcatel – and he’s playing with HRH The Prince of Wales, but it looks as though he can’t do it… so I’ve told John that you are the man.” So, at just 17-years-old and with a handicap of 2 goals Nacho found himself in the high goal hot seat. “So without a trial or anything I was in the team. We played the Queen’s Cup first and we lost the Semi Final. Then we went on and played the Warwickshire, but that Polo Times, March 2016

21

Photography by Lucy Wilson & Tony Ramirez www.imagesofpolo.com

Nacho Gonzalez

Feature

Nacho Gonzalez Interview

St Moritz World Cup on Snow – Quick Q & A Q What did you first think when you arrived for the first time in St Moritz?

A What a beautiful place, and I could live this lifestyle!

Q How does the game on snow differ from a traditional arena for you?

A There’s not a lot of difference really. It’s the same physical contact and roughly the same size ball; the only difference is when there’s lots of wind in St Moritz it does make it difficult to score goals.

Q What do you like in particular about St Moritz?

A Well, not many people get to play on a frozen lake. The organisation and the whole spectacle is amazing and sharing that with family and friends whilst they are having a great time with you is special – it’s an amazing place.

Q You last won in St Moritz with Chris Hyde for team Cartier in 2013. What is he like to play with on the snow?

A Chris and I have played three times in the snow polo and won twice, so not a bad record so far! It’s always easy to play with a player that’s good. So it is always good fun playing with him. I don’t’ really get to play with him in the arena, but when we did play together we were awesome (hahaha!)

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Polo Times, March 2016

Q You brought your own ponies over this year, what type of pony makes a good snow polo pony?

A Small, with lots of power pushing forward.

Q You have been away in Dubai for several winters, did you have an arena string or was it your summer ponies that made the trip to St Moritz?

A I haven’t played arena polo for the last five years so I haven’t got any arena horses, so I played my outside string.

Q If you had to sum up St Moritz in 3 words what would they be?

A Exciting, beautiful, fun.

was just to keep the horses going as we were really aiming for the Gold Cup. So the Gold Cup started and it was totally amazing and we ended up winning against Ellerston Black in the Final, it went to an epic eight chukkas and I scored the winning goal. That was with Gabriel Dononso and Piki Diaz Alberdi, unfortunately John Manconi got injured in the second Gold Cup game, so Pete Webb subbed in and the rest is history. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget.”

What is astounding to today’s young polo hopefuls is how quickly Nacho progressed from new boy to high goal player. But make no mistake, his earnings were not on a par with today’s young guns.

“In those days I was being paid £350 a week, with no expenses, but I was happy with that. The young boys now are getting £100 - £220K a season. Obviously times have changed and they’ve got a really good place to start from in the sense that they can invest in good horses.”

That horseflesh investment was the first thing that Nacho made himself, in 1994, whilst playing for Pegasus off a 4 goal handicap with Martin Bruce. He says, “I got a bit of money, more than my £350 a week (!) – so I think I paid for four horses, which was about £30,000 at the time”. The investment paid off as the team got to the Final of The Gold Cup once again to face Ellerston Black at Cowdray, but victory eluded them. Despite the loss, Nacho’s handicap was raised again to 5 at just 18 years-of-age. He made forays into medium goal, followed by a one season run for JeanFrançois Decaux, after which his handicap was raised to 6 in the 1998 season.

The next chapter was for Roger Carlsson and his successful FCT team, with a Prince of Wales Trophy win adding to the silverware tally in 2001. With another big victory, another handicap raise was on the cards as Nacho recalls. “I remember that because I was on the Handicap Committee, they were discussing my handicap and saying, “You’ve got to go to 7.” And I was saying, ‘No! I can’t –please give me a break!’ Anyway they put me to 7 and in my heart I was happy – I was just 24 at the time. I played off 7 for a few years and it was a great achievement”. It was a truly amazing feat from humble beginnings as Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers reflects, “What Nacho has achieved, the way he has, is a miracle. In my opinion he is one of the most professional of professionals. Always polite, quite reserved, quite self-effacing but very, very professional in the way he handles www.polotimes.co.uk

Nacho Gonzalez Interview

his patrons and his ponies. In my opinion he always had the disadvantage of being thought of as an Argentine player, due to his name and background, which I think he felt held him back a bit”.

Maybe Nicholas has a point, because at that 7 goal level Nacho failed to get a longterm high goal run and a patron to invest in him and his horses. Nacho says with a wry smile, “I didn’t actually get a lot of opportunities like some of the guys get now because of my background, but I’ve had some fun. The only thing that I think I could have had help with would have been a patron who said, “Let’s do it”, but there weren’t many at the time. The only one that I had was Jean-François, but he made the decision to go and play with 10 goalers instead, which unfortunately can be the way polo goes”.

But let’s not get the violins out just yet, don’t underestimate that Nacho has powered on through another 15 years of his career, racking up Test Match victories for England at Cowdray in 2005, 2006, 2007 and a Coronation Cup win in 2011 and, having just turned 40 this year, shows no signs of slowing down.

This longevity has also inextricably linked Nacho with his long-term patron Spencer McCarthy. They first met way back in 1993, when playing in a charity day at Ansty Polo Club. Nacho joined Spencer’s team Emlor in 2002, the first tournament they entered was the Eduardo Moore at RCBPC – they won and 14 years later, the rest as they say is history – except that history is still in the making as they are still notching up the wins. Spencer attributes Nacho’s characteristics for Emlor’s success saying, “On the field, Nacho works tirelessly, is very committed, never gives up; and always gets the job done. Off the field,

www.polotimes.co.uk

Feature

The first time Spencer McCarthy and Nacho played together: The 1993 Charity Polo Day at John McCarthy’s Ansty Polo Club, Wiltshire. Spencer McCarthy, HRH The Prince of Wales, Andrea Vianni & Nacho Gonzalez

“Nacho is one of the most professional of professionals”

Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers

Polo Times, March 2016

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Feature

Nacho Gonzalez Interview

Nacho is a complete gentleman, unassuming, modest, very honest, straight down the line and down to earth. Polo is his career and his passion, but he is a strong family man – his two daughters and his wife Sarah, mean everything to him. Nacho is a genuine bloke and I know that I can always rely on him. There is no ‘greyness’ with Nacho, it is either ‘black or white’. Not everyone likes that in a pro, but I do – and I value his honesty. Win, or lose, Nacho is always fun to play with. I am proud to call him a friend.”

It’s a feeling that is reciprocated by Nacho as he succinctly says, “We’ve gone past that barrier of being boss and employee now, he’s a great friend to me.”

So, what’s next for this quiet man of polo who has seen his career continue for an impressive 26 non-stop years? “I’ve got lots of ideas; polo school, polo holidays, polo coaching, there’s a lot to do in the polo world but I’m obviously going to keep playing polo for as long as I can. I don’t think I’m going to play competitively when I see that I’m not putting my weight into it.

But hopefully that’s a long way off.”

Nacho was part of the winning England team for the 2011 Coronation Cup

We couldn’t put it better ourselves Nacho.

Here’s to the next 16 years and beyond.

further interview with Nacho will appear in A the Summer issue of The Polo Magazine

Nacho Gonzalez – notable wins at a glance The Coronation Cup: 2011 - England (James Beim, Mark Tomlinson, Luke Tomlinson & Nacho Gonzalez) Test Matches: Cowdray Test Match: 2005 - England (Nacho Gonzalez, Henry Brett, Malcolm Borwick & James Beim) 2006 - England (Nacho Gonzalez, Malcolm Borwick, James Beim & Tom Morley) 2007 - England (Nacho Gonzalez, Luke Tomlinson, Malcolm Borwick & Satnam Dhillon Easter Test Match, Sydney: 1994 - England vs Australia 1995 - England vs Australia 5th Kurland International Test Match: 2006 - South Africa vs England Silver Jubilee: 2008 - Prince of Wales

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Polo Times, March 2016

Cowdray Gold Cup (British Open): 1993 - Alcatel Prince of Wales Trophy: 2001- FCT 2010 - Emlor 2013 - Emlor Warwickshire Cup: 2009 - Emlor 2010 - Emlor Indian Empire Shield: 2008 - Emlor Duke of Sutherland: 2010 - Emlor Royal Windsor: 2007 - Emlor Harrison Cup: 2008 - Emlor 2010 - Emlor Eduardo Moore Tournament: 2011 - Emlor Red

Arthur Lucas Cup: 2006 - La Golondrina 2008 - Emlor Victor Ludorum 15 Goal: 2008 - Emlor - 240 points Victor Ludorum 15 Goal: 2010 - Emlor - 140 points

RCBPC Arena Gold Cup: 2007 - Tschogan The HPA National Club Tournament: 2005 - Belmont

The National 15 Goal Championship (The County Cup): 1996 - Palmera

Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz: 2005 - Maybach 2008 - Brioni 2011 - France 2013 - Cartier

RCBPC Challenge Cup: 2001 - Black Cats

Deauville Gold Cup: 2008 - Emlor

The Argentine Club Cup: 2007 - Hurlingham

Dubai Gold Cup: 2009 - Mahra

The County Cup: 2015 - Emlor

Dubai Silver Cup: 2010 - Mahra

Net Jets British Polo Championships: 2005 - England British Polo Championships: 2006 - England

Thai Open: 2010 - The Next Level

www.polotimes.co.uk

Photographs courtesy of Power of Polo

Feature

Charity Focus

Participants, coaches and volunteers at the latest course

Power of Polo

Participants at Comberemere Barracks with SCY mentor Leon Gage

A new charity has emerged on the scene that is positively impacting lives with the sport of polo

I

n the second part of a series of features, we look at how a polo-specific fledgling charity for disadvantaged children and young people is managing to change their outlook on life by becoming involved with polo. For those of us who live, work and breathe polo, we know that it’s a sport that is more than just a game, it’s a massive community of people from all walks of life.

Yes, the outside impression can be elitist and snooty, but Katy Hayward, founder of the latest equine charity on the block, Power of Polo, is taking advantage of our polo family values. The vision for the charity is simple; to positively impact the lives of anyone facing social, economic or health challenges by utilising the sport of polo. Each one of the charity’s programmes is designed to use the sport of polo as a vehicle for change in the lives of its participants.

Why polo?

“Horses don’t care if you have any money or if you don’t have any money, they just respond to how you are as individuals. That’s what they care about and so when you’re with horses, that is the most incredibly special thing because they are relating to you as a person. They’re not relating to you because of what you have and what you own, who you know or anything like that. It’s just you and the horse.” Jayne Rumsey, patron and player based in the Berkshire area who supports the charity sums up exactly why the model for this new charity is already a positive force for young people.

Polo is a sport that combines demand for physical fitness with a need for discipline, teamwork and focus. Working with horses is also well recognized as providing enormous benefit for mental and physical well-being for a number of physical and physiological conditions.

26

Polo Times, March 2016

How are the courses structured?

The courses aren’t just about riding or playing polo. So far three different group courses have been run. Power of Polo has been working with partners who reach out to the poorest economic groups, such as South Central Youth and the Children’s HIV Association (CHIVA). HIV positive children and young people have complex health-related needs that stem from managing a highly stigmatised, complex health condition.

Due to society’s negative response to HIV, schools and friends are often not told and young people can feel extremely isolated.

Children’s HIV Association (CHIVA) Power of Polo ran a one-day polo experience and workshop for six young people, which was an opportunity for children to meet each other from around the country to reduce the feelings

HPA Coach Roddy Matthews helping with the Youth Programme

of isolation they feel. Around the polo experience the charity also ran additional tailored sessions, which were organised by the CHIVA team.

Ex-Military Programme This polo programme supports participants after medical rehabilitation and is an example of the power that polo has to contribute to the restoration of self-confidence after a traumatic life change, as well as helping them to regain an active life.

Based at Tidworth Polo Club, Help for Heroes offers weekly lessons with a fully trained HPA instructor to injured ex-servicemen and women. www.polotimes.co.uk

Charity Focus

Feature

Mark Emerson giving a talk about veterinary care

Working with horses is also well recognized as hugely beneficial

Polo requires teamwork, which is key to a positive outlook

Power of Polo are supporting the growth and sustainability of this programme by providing further organisational support and opportunities for mentorship and joint working with the young people programmes.

be supporting the charity: The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club, Fifield Polo Club, Westcroft Park Polo Club alongside the polo Academy Cool Hooves who will also be part of the team.

A four-day camp for 10 participants at each venue will be run. Two locations will be part of a new work-to-ride programme, where returning participants can grow into leaders and gain key skills whilst helping them to manage the programme.

Power of Polo are looking for anyone who would like to join them as a patron or by sponsoring a young person for a week. Donations can be made through the gift aid link below and can be made anonymously.

Youth Programme The pilot, focusing on making a change for disadvantaged young people, included an intensive four-day course with lessons in polo, grooming and tacking up, mucking out, a vet session and a faradic therapy session. Housed at the Comberemere Barracks they also met serving soldiers.

All the attendees found the programme valuable and felt it could offer a fantastic opportunity to change perspectives.

Call to action for the next Power of Polo chapter After the success of their 2015 launch, Power of Polo announced that they will continue to run the Power of Polo Cadet programme, working with South Central Youth, and they will be extending their partnership with the ex-military team and Combermere Barracks. A new high profile partner, soon to be announced, will also be joining the charity. The youth programme is going to be expanded and three major clubs will www.polotimes.co.uk

Positive outcomes – what it has meant to the participants “There are a lot of positive people around the game of polo and the people that are involved in polo. Being able to come out from our backgrounds and be able to come here to do this is a privilege.”

“I thought that I might not even like it the first day because I’ve never ridden a horse before.

Then to actually hold a stick in my hand and try to hit the ball took me on to a new level and I actually thought ‘it’s not a difficult game to

play.’ It’s a rich man’s game and it’s put me in a position to know where I would want to go in the future.”

“A lot of things have happened in my life and sometimes I think, ‘is life worth living?’

Being here around the animals and people involved is changing my mind. It’s like people care for me. It’s starting to change slowly and it’s helping me manage. I was upset one time here and my attitude changed straight away as soon as people started to talk to me and I was around the animals and the horses. So thank you for the chance to do this.”

“I don’t really have that many positive people around me to do something better for me. For a long time I have tried to open up and do things differently and polo has worked for me.” read a letter to the editor from Power of To Polo Chairman Vivek Rawal please turn to page 18 How to donate and contact Donate: https://www.justgiving.com/powerof-polo Email: Katy.hayward@powerofpolo.org.uk Website: www.powerofpolo.org.uk Twitter: @powerofpolo #changeyourline Polo Times, March 2016

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Reports

Snow Polo World Cup, St Moritz, Switzerland

Mighty Maserati

Maserati Breaks the Spell for Three Times on the Trot Winners Cartier

Lucy Wilson reports from Switzerland

T

he Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz is truly unlike any other polo event.

The venue is the birthplace of snow polo, with the first tournament taking place on the frozen lake back in 1985.

Over the course of three days the super chic and tranquil hideaway nestled in the glorious Engadin Valley is roused into wakefulness by the sound of Maseratis zooming players and VIPs around from polo to parties. But this is also truly unlike any other Apline resort – the residents and regulars are well accustomed to the best that money can buy and Cartier, Gucci, Armani, Dior and Tom Ford all vie for attention in the streets of St Moritz, which boasts some of the best hotels and restaurants in Europe. Team this with the resort’s credentials as a ski destination (twice hosting the Winter Olympic Games and set to be the venue for the Alpine World Ski Championships in 2017 for the fifth time) and you have one of the most stunning destinations in the world. Bobsleigh was invented here and just one week after the polo caravan has packed up the White Turf horseracing takes place on

the frozen lake, a tradition started in 1907. All this makes for a truly unique atmosphere which should be on any polo fan’s ‘to do’ list.

The crowds at the matches were a glamorous mix of fur-clad Euro elite, enthusiastic super-chic locals, Army, Navy and RAF Cresta Run teams sporting a great deal of tatty tweed and even a bus load of London Alumni Polo Club players.

As Reto Gaudenzi said at the presentation of the players and sponsors the eve of the first game, “Polo without champagne is like polo without ponies,” and there wasn’t a lack of either as the Perrier-Jouët flowed in the VIP grandstands as the guests snuggled under Cartier rugs and the ponies arrived en masse on the Monday and Tuesday from as far away as the UK to begin acclimatisation to the altitude and snow underfoot.

On the Friday as the first games began, five times winner of the tournament Chris Hyde told us, “we are all about having fun, that’s what we are here for. The other teams have upped their games with both the standard of players and the horses, so it may be a different story to recent years.” A master of St Moritz Hyde clearly knew that the 2016 title wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. His patron, Spencer McCarthy, who had missed out on the 2015 edition of the tournament after a nasty fall in Argentina, was more upbeat about their chances, “We have the Number 1 player on snow, and second in the world in the arena in Chris Hyde, so we will

1ST PLACE MASERATI

28

go out all guns blazing for the title.” Hyde was joined on the Cartier team by fellow Brit Nacho Gonzalez, himself a winner four times; the duo last joined forces in 2013 and secured the podium top slot. So Cartier looked like a dream team, but victory wasn’t to be, the mighty team Maserati broke the spell of the red shirted Cartier by winning the Final of the Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz in a battle that was far from easy.

The preliminary games had been tough, but the Musso and Menendes duo, with the support of Vazquez and Gianni for team Maserati had learnt a tough lesson about how to navigate round the formidable duo of Hyde and Gonzalez on the ice. The artificial snow had performed well up until the last day, but the unusually warm weather conditions did make for tough going in the Final. Umpire Ollie Ellis, who also played in the 1987 tournament, said to Polo Times, “I thought it was a really good Final, but it was tough. We knew it was going to be a difficult contest with that cast of characters, but I think the Maserati team were the best team on the day and I think they deserved to win. Cartier were always trying to catch up a little.”

The first chukka set the tone for the remainder of the game with Hyde powering through the wall of snow-white Maserati shirts to score the first two goals of the game on his favourite pony Gamuza. Maserati’s Musso scored two goals to answer the Cartier lead and end the chukka on a tie, 2-2. The second chukka

2ND PLACE (16)

CARTIER (14)

Rommy Gianni

(1)

Spencer McCarthy

(1)

Luciano Vazquez

(2)

Charlie Wooldridge

(1)

Dario Musso

(7)

Chris Hyde

(6)

Frankie Menendes

(6)

Nacho Gonzalez

(6)

Polo Times, March 2016

www.polotimes.co.uk

Reports

Photography by www.siggyphotography.co.uk, Lucy Wilson & Katie Vickery

Nacho Gonzalez and Dario Musso fight for the ball

3RD PLACE

4TH PLACE

BADRUTT’S PALACE HOTEL (15)

PERRIER-JOUËT (15)

Melissa Ganzi

Cédric Schweri

(0)

Agustín ‘Tincho’ Merlos (9)

Luca Zindel

(1)

Mariano Gracida

(4)

Aluisio Rosa

(7)

Tito Gaudenzi

(2)

Olavo Novaes

(7)

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(0)

Polo Times, March 2016

29

Reports

Perrier-Jouët nearly score against Badrutt’s Palace Hotel

was tough for both sides, with only one goal scored by Menendes to take Maserati into the lead. Cartier managed to win five penalties but failed to score with any of them, while Maserati only won a single penalty in the whole chukka.

Gonzalez and Hyde broke away on a number of occasions to show the crowd their powerful ponies and their superb snow polo skill, but the Maserati defence followed their weekendlong strategy – to shut down the top players at all costs. The first half of the game ended with Maserati in the lead, 3-2.

Cartier’s Gonzalez started the penultimate chukka with a penalty. The powdery uneven surface was hard work for the players and the ponies and a few critical errors from the threetime winners Cartier, meant that Maserati were able to extend their lead to 5-2 going in to the final chukka. The play was speckled with 30

Polo Times, March 2016

beautiful teamwork from Cartier, with each player passing to one another, up and down the field. Hyde managed to convert two penalties to close the gap 5-4. With just one minute left on the clock, Cartier looked as though they would equalise and take the game in to an extra chukka.

But it was not to be – Maserati remained hot on their heels, maintaining the pressure right down to the last second, to win the 32nd Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz.

The Argentine 6 goaler Frankie Menendes told us after the game, “Dario and myself have played before, but for Luciano it was the first time. It was great. We had the best time and winning made it even better.” Rommy Gianni had been on the losing BMW team at the 2015 edition of the tournament and it seems that his determination to win this year took him to Cortina for some extra snow polo practice.

The Cartier team looked more than a little dejected after the presentation, but the British fighting spirit was still strong, “It was a tough game, it felt a little bit like the other team didn’t quite go by the rules by not having two amateurs on the team, but we got on with it, and we were unlucky,” said Gonzalez, before the whole team chorused, “We will be back!”

Earlier in the day team Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, led by the first ever lady Captain on the ice, Melissa Ganzi, took on and defeated the canary yellow shirts of the Brazilian and Swiss team, Perrier-Jouët. Ganzi’s 9 goaler Agustín ‘Tincho’ Merlos had not quite lived up to expectations on the ice in earlier games, showing that extensive arena and snow polo experience really is key to the team performance. However, by the Subsidiary Final for the La Martina Cup he seemed to have found his snow-shoes and www.polotimes.co.uk

Snow Polo World Cup, St Moritz, Switzerland

Reports

Number of ponies per player – 5

Number of wins in the tournament for Chris Hyde – 5 Number of wins in the tournament for Nacho Gonzalez – 4

Number of players per team – 4 Total penalties awarded in the tournament – 72 Team awarded the most penalties Cartier with 21 penalties

How many studs in a single horseshoe – 2

13 goals

Top tournament scorer – Chris Hyde with 13 goals www.polotimes.co.uk

20,000 Size of the field – 20,000 square metres ½ the size of a grass pitch

Handicaps – Outdoor handicaps are used rather than arena handicaps. For example Chris Hyde plays off 6 goals on snow but 10 goals in the arena

NINE Highest handicapped player on the field – Agustín ‘Tincho’ Merlos

Polo Times, March 2016

31

Reports

Snow Polo World Cup, St Moritz, Switzerland Friday 29 January The Maserati Cup – Cartier vs Perrier-Jouët Scores: 2-0, 3-2, 6-2, 6-3 to Cartier Trois Pommes Trophy – Maserati vs Badrutt’s Palace Hotel Scores: 1-0, 2-0, 3-1, 3-2 to Maserati Saturday 30 January Lufthansa First Class Trophy – Badrutt’s Palace Hotel vs Perrier-Jouët Fifth chukka game Scores: 1-0, 2-2, 3-5, 5-5, 6-5 to Badrutt’s Palace Hotel Deutsche Bank Wealth Management Challenge – Maserati vs Cartier Fifth chukka game Scores: 0-0, 3-1, 4-3, 4-4, 5-4 to Cartier

A lap of honour for Maserati

played with impressive verve and flair, much to the delight of the crowds. The youngster Mariano “Nano” Gracida, under the careful eye of Merlos, really stole the show and is definitely one to watch. His play was clean, to the point and his shots never missed the mark. He was a real asset to the line-up and Ganzi praised him after the game saying, “Nano played really well throughout the tournament, he just got better and better. The grooms and horses were also fantastic.” The combination was key for Badrutt’s Palace Hotel securing the La Martina Cup. Enrico Roselli, CEO of La Martina, described the event at the presentation of the La Martina Cup as, “a big party celebrating the passion and bravery of playing on the snow

and ice.” He really wasn’t wrong.

Umpire for the tournament Tim Keyte had similar sentiments after the game, “I think the Subsidiary Final was actually probably one of the best games of the whole tournament. It was the most open. The whole tournament has been a really great success.”

If you haven’t added the Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz to your polo bucket list, then do so now, it is a truly extraordinarily wonderful polo experience. Pack up your snow boots, fur hats and ski legs – what are you waiting for?

Sunday 31 January La Martina Cup for the Subsidiary Final– Badrutt’s Palace Hotel vs Perrier-Jouët Scores: 1-0, 2-1, 4-3, 5-3 to Badrutt’s Palace Hotel The Cartier Trophy for the Final – Cartier vs Maserati Scores: 2-2, 3-2, 5-2, 5-4 to Maserati To catch-up on the social gatherings at St Moritz turn to page 74, to find out more about the vet care needed in the Alpine conditions turn to page 66 and to read more about Chris Hyde’s star pony Gamuza turn to page 63. Or to catch up with Reto Gaudenzi, one of the founders of polo on snow in St Mortiz and the VP of the Board of Evviva Polo St Moritz AG then please turn to our Passions feature on page 80.

Team Maserati celebrate their win

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Polo Times, March 2016

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Reports

The HPA New Year National Club Championships, RCBPC, Berkshire

Yellow, Orange and Blue

A

reports from Berkshire

fter two weeks of competition, the HPA New Year National Club Championships 3 and 12 goal came to an end at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club on Saturday 23 January. The Finals for both the 3 and 12 goal were action packed and tense with all the teams fighting to the end. Both Finals featured orange and blue shirts, but it was the recurring presence of the yellow card, or in the arena the ‘yellow duster’, that spiced up the show for the hardened arena spectator.

The 3 goal Final between HPC Print On Demand and FPC Tchogan was a really fantastic game with two well-matched teams, both sporting father and son combinations. First time finalists in the competition Max and Heiko Voelker, led by professional player Roy Prisk, showed great teamwork and skill. They certainly gave the Cork family trio a run for their money.

The game was fun to watch with plenty of flow in the play, few whistles, and a balanced effort from all the players which sadly the spectators didn’t experience from the 12 goal games. Both teams had plenty of scoring opportunities but Marcus, Josh and their father Andy just missed one or two more than the Voelker team who led the score throughout the game.

The clean lines of play meant that most of the goals scored were done so from the field, and the opportunity to change the scoreline didn’t depend on penalties. The two-point goal system in the arena, achieved either by a field shot behind the 25 yard line or a penalty, meant that despite leading throughout the game FPC Tchogan were never in a truly safe position and the threat from the Hertfordshire team was ever present. The father-son combination of Max and Heiko Voelker was certainly refreshing to watch, with the supportive lynch-pin Prisk always on hand to keep the team together and provide the all important last minutes saves and passes.

It looks as though this 3 goal team could do a lot of damage in the UK low goal arena circuit.

Admittedly their opponents were never more than a few goals behind, however it wasn’t enough 34

Polo Times, March 2016

The HPA New Year National Club Championships Finals were a colourful affair to secure the trophy. FPC Tchogan finished the game on a closer than close tally of 14-13.

The 12 goal Final was a completely different story; the game began with a fast and furious style of play from both sides. The play was frantic and aggressive to the point where shouting, yellow cards and even a sin bin were the only options for the umpires to keep control of the game. The crowd were more than a little vocal throughout the game for both teams, and it seemed more of a battle than a competitive game of polo. In the initial round of games Simon Arber’s EPC Four Quarters had taken on RCBPC Gaucho and won, with a score of 21-12, so it was more than a little surprising to see the scoreline fluctuate so much for the lead in the Final. Phil Meadows played his socks off, and scored a few valuable goals for Gaucho despite a bad back and a few cracked ribs from a badly timed ride-off earlier in the week. Nico San Roman was on fine form, working well with Richard, the Earl of Tyrone, to whip the opposition into a frenzy.

Photography by Gillian Hughes & Lucy Wilson

Lucy Wilson

12 goal winners EPC Four Quarters with Olly Hughes and RCBPC Gaucho

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Reports

Richard, the Earl of Tyrone and Faisil Al-Rifai in the 12 goal Final

The intimacy of arena polo, for a spectator, is quite often a fun affair bringing the action to within a hair’s breath of the stands, but on this occasion it just wasn’t the best example of an enjoyable game. The swearing and cross-team interaction was heated; begging the question, did the team patrons even enjoy the game? The Earl of Tyrone was sent off at the end of the third chukka, however his team still managed to score a further two goals whilst he changed ponies by the gate. Up until this point he would have been a strong contender for The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player Award as he guided his stunning ponies around the tight corners of the RCBPC arena. His speed and San Roman’s power combination meant that the orange Four Quarter shirts pushed Gaucho to run, turn and stop even faster, increasing the potential for them to foul.

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The scoreline, much like the 3 goal Final, was close to the end. It looked for a moment as if it could have gone either way and Faisil Al-Rifai had the opportunity to steal the win with a two pointer, but the chukka bell stopped him almost mid-swing. Four Quarters took the trophy with a final score of 21-20.

The Sub Finals for both sections were held in the morning with RCBPC Los Caballeros winning with a score of 14-13 against AFPC Sau Wild in the 3 goal. Whilst in the 12 goal substitute team Tally Ho Farm lost to RCBPC Sifani with a final score of 24-18.

The HPA New Year National Club Championships 12 goal Final teams: EPC Four Quarters Polo: Simon Arber (1), Nico San Roman (4) & Richard, the Earl of Tyrone (7) RCBPC Gaucho: Phil Meadows (2),

Faisal Al-Rifai (3) & Adolfo Casabal (7) Result: EPC Four Quarters beat RCBPC Gaucho, 21-20 The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player: Adolfo Casabal Polo Times Best Playing Pony: Paddy, owned and played by Richard, the Earl of Tyrone The HPA New Year National Club Championships 3 goal Final teams: FPC Tchogan: Max Voelker (-1), Heiko Voelker (1) & Roy Prisk (3) HPC Print On Demand: Marcus Cork (2), Josh Cork (1) & Andy Cork (0) Result: RCBPC Tchogan beat HPC Print On Demand, 14-13 The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player: Roy Prisk Polo Times Best Playing Pony: Barbie, owned

by Julia Luke and played by Max Voelker Polo Times, March 2016

35

Reports

The HPA New Year National Club Championships, RCBPC, Berkshire

The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player Adolfo Casabal

12 goal Final chukka by chukka Chukka 1 A quick volley of goals from both sides started the game with a score of 3-2 to Gaucho, then Casabal scored a two-point penalty to make it 5-2. Tyrone missed a penalty but made up for it after a lot of tempers and crashing to make it 5-3. Arber followed up with a casual backhand to score 5-4. Tyrone scored with a nearside tap, 5-5. Adolfo is given a ‘yellow duster’ and a Penalty 1 is given to Four Quarters who took the lead, 7-5.

Chukka 2 Started with Tyrone converting a penalty 8-5, then Meadows answering with a goal for Gaucho, 8-6. Tyrone scored another penalty to widen the gap, 9-6. San Roman changed onto Cookie, the cracking, chunky little pony featured in the Christmas Nationals. Nico scored a penalty to widen the gap, 13-7 and Meadows scored again 13-8, but San Roman answered quickly to finish the chukka, 14-8.

Chukka 3 Al-Rifai scored an epic two-pointer for Gaucho in the opening minute, 15-10, but Tyrone converted a penalty awarded to Four Quarters, just before he was sent off. Four Quarters scored twice more before the bell, finishing the chukka at 20-16.

Chukka 4 Al-Rifai opened the chukka again with a goal after Arber fluffed a backhand, 20-17. Tyrone is given another ‘yellow duster’ just one minute into the chukka, shortly followed by Casabal also receiving one. Tyrone went on to score, which was followed by an answering goal from Meadows to make, 21-18. Casabal drilled a penalty home to close the gap and Al-Rifai added another to make it 21-20, but the Berkshire team ran out of time and EPC Four Quarters sneaked past by just one goal.

3 goal winners RCBPC Tchogan with Olly Hughes and runners-up HPC Print On Demand

3 goal Final chukka by chukka Chukka 1 The match began with an early goal for Tchogan, shortly followed by a nearside two-pointer goal from Prisk to take the lead 3-0. Max then scored a goal with a casual backhand, 4-0 just before Print On Demand’s first goal 4-1. A penalty in the last 30 seconds taken by Andy Cork didn’t make it, but a second chance penalty taken by Marcus brought the score to 4-2 to Tchogan.

Chukka 2 Heiko scored straight out of the line out, 5-2. Lots of unlucky shots for the Corks, but a penalty after a minute of flowing play to Print On Demand, taken by Marcus to make 5-3. Tchogan scored another two-pointer followed by another goal from Heiko to make 8-3. Josh scored a penalty to close the gap 8-4, but answered by Prisk winning a foul against Andy to edge away 9-4, but a lucky penalty for Print On Demand brought the score to 9-5 in Tchogan’s favour with just 34 seconds on the clock.

Chukka 3 Unlucky and slow play for both teams, however, they both managed another goal by the halfway point of the penultimate chukka, Tchogan remained in the lead, 10-6. Both sides felt the pressure in this chukka, but managed to score another goal apiece each to make 11-7. Print On Demand picked up the pace to score a two-pointer to close the gap 11-9 before winning a Penalty 1 and almost drawing the scores at 11-10, but Tchogan remained in the lead at the end of the chukka.

Chukka 4 Heiko took a tumble early on, but got back on to cheers from the crowd as the score edged away in team Voelker’s favour, 13-10. Roy took another penalty, but it ended in a mess in the corner and even Umpire Howard Smith audibly groaned at the schoolboy errors in the final chukka. Print On Demand managed another couple of goals before Marcus then had the opportunity to even the score with a penalty, but missed leaving it at 13-12. Some desperate play from both sides saw the Voelkers take another goal, 14-12. The Corks scored again 14-13, but in the dying seconds of the game they were unable to manage the needed two-pointer to win the game and Tchogan ran out the winners.

more information on both Polo Times Best For Playing ponies please turn to page 62 for our Pony Power features.

36

Polo Times, March 2016

Marcus Cork and Max Voelker fight for the ball

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Reports

Photographs by Tony Ramirez/©www.imagesofpolo.com and courtesy of Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club

Action from the Final between Hong Kong China and England

The Dragon Roars Hong Kong China defeat England to win FIP Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup 2016

T

he dragon proved mightier than the lion at China’s magnificent Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club, as Hong Kong China vanquished England to be crowned champions of the Snow Polo World Cup 2016 on Sunday 31 January in a close match that ended with just one goal between the Finalists.

In four fiery chukkas of polo action, the Hong Kong China trio of Brits Henry Fisher and James Harper alongside Matias Vial proved just too hot to handle for Alastair Paterson, George Meyrick and Jack Richardson of England.

Alastair Paterson for England was first to score, connecting with a nearside backhand some distance from goal, the ball bobbling all the way in, unimpeded. It was 2-0 to the white shirts a moment later, as Jack Richardson nudged in a technical penalty. Another 30 yard penalty by Richardson made it 3-0. Home team frustrations bubbled over at the boards in a snarling clash that saw George Meyrick’s horse down but unhurt. Eventually, Hong Kong China’s number three, Matias Vial, settled his team’s nerves, running in a goal with thirty seconds left to make it 3-1 in favour of England.

It seemed that spectators were witnessing two

38

Polo Times, March 2016

contests unfolding simultaneously on the South Field: England versus Hong Kong China and Jack Richardson versus Matias Vial who were locked in battle for the ball and domination of the game.

Vial looked to be getting the better of his opposite number as he set up teammate James Harper who pounced on the opportunity to close the gap to a single goal. Another penalty opportunity for Hong Kong China allowed Harper to score another and level the game at 3-3, going into half-time.

Hong Kong China came out looking sharp after the half-time rest to win a penalty, but James Harper was unable to steer it home. It was then Vial’s turn to hit in from the spot, but he couldn’t find the accuracy he needed either. England’s George Meyrick sought to capitalize on Hong Kong China’s profligacy, galloping in from the boards and showing nimble stick and ball skills, but his final shot was wayward. Matias Vial got the chance to make up for his earlier penalty miss at the three minute mark and this time the Chilean national made no mistake, hitting it home to make it 4-3 to Hong Kong China. But it was not over yet, as clever play by England’s Jack Richardson got his side right back into the game, putting on the brakes in front of goal and winning a penalty. He knocked in the resultant penalty to

make it 4-4 going into the final chukka.

Hong Kong China set up camp in front of the English goal for the beginning of the last chukka, but the winning shot eluded them. It took a wonderful run by James Harper, charging along the boards in front of the grandstand, and in the process winning a penalty, which Vial slotted home, to take Hong Kong China into the lead. Time was running out for England, but on each occasion they ventured forwards, Vial was there to block them. Try as they might, England couldn’t find the goal to send the game into extra time, and at the final bell the Hong Kong China players celebrated their victory. With only one goal in it England had missed out on victory by the tightest of margins, with a final score of 5-4.

Horqetado, played by James Harper and owned by the Club was awarded the Best Playing Pony rug. Harper also received the Most Valuable Player Award.

In a dramatic Subsidiary Final, Chile fought back against Argentina to take third place. The game was poised at seven goals each in the final chukka, and with seconds left on the clock, Alejandro Vial galloped clear and won a penalty, which he converted to conclude a hard-fought victory with a final score of 8-7.

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FIP Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup 2016, Tianjin

Reports

ENGLAND George Meyrick (6) Jack Richardson (6) “This year the surface was really good because it was so cold and the groundsman had done a great job. This was my third time playing on the snow.

I won on my first visit but was knocked out early on during my second trip; I also managed to get to the Final of The Super Nations Cup one year.

“We played Chile first which was a very tough game and I managed to score with 40 seconds left! I then gave away a foul right at the end – but luckily they missed. Chile were a great team and most probably should have beaten Hong Kong China in the Semi Finals. Our second game was against France, which we managed to turn around from being 5-1 down going into the third chukka. Changing our tactics in the last two chukkas meant we won by a goal.

“I think this year our team worked really well.

We played with myself at back and Ali and George in front. We got our tactics mostly right throughout the tournament, but the first two chukkas went wrong in the Final which made us lose by a goal. But that is polo; it’s not an easy game. We sorted the horses out well between us, with Ali and George taking the faster, gruntier ones and myself taking the easier, more agile ones. I had two good ones, Beetle from New Zealand and La Gorda from Argentina. Overall the standard of horses in Tianjin is high compared to most big places abroad. They are a great bunch of horses and managed very well by John Fisher. The set up is always very good at the Club and well managed

by Derek Reid and John Fisher. They coped very well with the situation between the Club and the FIP and I am very thankful to them for making such a successful tournament go ahead. I find it a very interesting place. I think everyone should see it at least once in their lifetime.”

“I’ve been to Tianjin a few times now for the snow polo, but also the Super Nations Cup. The snow this year was much better than I remember it being than last time, I think they got it spot on. It was safe and we were able to play pretty good polo on it. I think we played really quite well. We had a tough league, I think tougher than Hong Kong China as we had France and Chile in our draw and we did well to win against them. Both teams were good, they have also played there before and were well organised. As far as the horse-power is concerned, there were a couple of ponies that stood out for me. Esperanto, a chestnut gelding, just got better and better and Siesta, a dark bay mare, also went well. I remembered a few of the ponies from previous trips, and I was impressed how well prepared they were. John Fisher has done a great job.

“There was a good feeling in Tianjin this year, with a great bit of interaction between the teams off the field. I was impressed with the sportsmanship of all the countries involved.

Derek Reid did a really good job, considering quite a lot of it was last minute, it ran very smoothly. Thanks must also go to Alan Kent, it was great to have him as a coach; it made a big difference to the team to have him there.

“The more I learn about China the more enjoyable it is, it has an interesting history; I would like to see some other parts of the country, in particular the Terracotta Army and Shanghai.”

Ali Paterson (4) “This was a triple first for me, finally I have got my first cap for England, being in China and playing on the snow. The field was amazing, apparently the best ever. The -15 temperatures helped for sure. It helped we are all young and enthusiastic (including coach Kent) and we bonded both on and off the field.

“They have done a great job over there with the pony power, both John Fisher and Derek Reid have sourced them from all over the world, getting together a great bunch of horses.

Lissy was a little mare I played in the last game. She had heaps of handle and plenty of grunt – what more does a man want!

“The FIP did a great job, all things considered. It all ran very smoothly once we were out there. It was a great experience and I hope it continues and as many people as possible get to experience Chinese hospitality.”

Who’s who at the 5th FIP World Snow Polo Championships President of the FIP – Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers Goldin Metropolitan Sponsor Representative – Pan Sutong General Manager of Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club – Domenico Palumbo Tournament Director – Peter Abisheganaden Director of Stable Operations and Hong Kong China Coach – John Fisher Director of Polo Operations – Derek Reid Horse-Master – Gines Barjallo International Umpires Co-ordinator – Steve Evans England Coach – Alan Kent

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Best Pony Award winner Horqetado with Domenico Palumbo, General Manager of Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club

Polo Times, March 2016

39

Reports

FIP Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup 2016, Tianjin

HONG KONG CHINA James Harper (6) – Most Valuable Player “It’s my second time playing China snow polo and I have also been once for the Super Nations Cup, but this is the first time I have played for Hong Kong China. The snow field was very good this year. It was a little broken by the Finals but it was very good before that.

We had an easy game in the league rounds against Canada but a tougher game against Argentina. We were lucky to beat Chile in extra time in the Semi Finals. England had a great start against us in the Final, but once we sorted ourselves out we were more confident. The England boys had a really good tournament and were improving every game. Personally I was a little out of polo shape but after a few games I was good to go.

“I knew a lot of the ponies from Australia and there were some that I had played before.

The horses are a very good standard for this sort of tournament and they were allocated into very even groups. This always works well. I had a few that took a few games to get used to, but turned into very good horses for me, and Jack had a few good ones too.

“We were very well looked after in China and we had a fun group of people out there, plus Jack Richardson’s Chinese has become pretty good so he was useful to have out there.

“We also played an exhibition game with players mixed up from the Hong Kong China and England teams. That day it was -16 with a -25 wind chill. It was so cold no one could feel their hands. It even kept George quiet for a few minutes!

“It was great fun playing with Henry and having John Fisher as our coach. Matias Vial was very solid throughout the tournament and a lot of fun to play with. It’s always nice to receive Most Valuable Player and Best Playing Pony. It’s like a pat on the back, but I think the Final was a tough close game with few mistakes made by both teams. It was a real team effort.”

Most Valuable Player James Harper with Anita Chan, Executive Director of Goldin Properties Holdings Limited

Henry Fisher (4) “The tournament was run very well and the surface was very good, I’m told much better than previous years. This was my first time playing on snow, but I have been to China a few times before for the Super Nations Cup. The ponies were in great shape and everyone seemed well mounted. Luckily I knew quite a few of them from previous trips but the pony that went best for me was a grey called Aztec.

“Our team had a good vibe, everyone worked hard and for each other. My brother, John, was our manager and coach, which was a big help and also he does a great job being in charge of all the horses in the build up to the tournament. We hung out a lot with the England boys and Alan Kent who was coaching them. One thing I would say is how impressed I was with Jack Richardson’s Chinese – he’s picked it up very well, and was certainly a favourite of the waitress in the hotel!”

All the participating teams celebrate the end of the tournament

40

Polo Times, March 2016

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Reports

USA Round-Up

The Joe Barry Memorial Cup All the Action from Across the Pond

I

t’s been a tough 20 goal season so far for the International Polo Club Palm Beach, who have been tousling with the weather throughout January. The storm that has been ravaging the East Coast has been well-documented in the news and has caused alarming weather throughout the Spring season. With Mother Nature stalwartly refusing to play ball, the season

has been sprinkled with matches in the short breaks between the deluges, and constant scheduling and rescheduling due to heavy rain has disrupted the first two tournaments – The Herbie Pennell Cup and The Joe Barry Cup. The rain plaguing the East coast has caused havoc for the teams who have been juggling schedules and trying to maintain their ponies’ match fitness as the season progresses.

Katie Vickery reports

The Joe Barry Memorial Cup Final teams:

PALM BEACH ILLUSTRATED/ TECHNOGYM (20)

Nacho Badiola

Jared Zenni

Handicap 6 Goals 13 Penalty Shots 0/0 Throw-ins Won 18

Handicap 3 Goals 7 Penalty Shots 0/0 Throw-ins Won 15

Facundo Obregon

Jesse Bray

Handicap 6 Goals 29 Penalty Shots 15/24 Throw-ins Won 22

Handicap 5 Goals 12 Penalty Shots 0/1 Throw-ins Won 22

Fast paced action from The Joe Barry Final

VILLA DEL LAGO (20)

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Polo Times, March 2016

Jim Zenni

Agustin Obregon

Handicap 0 Goals 2 Penalty Shots 0/0 Throw-ins Won 4

Handicap 5 Goals 5 Penalty Shots 0/1 Throw-ins Won 12

Hilario Ulloa

Gringo Colombres

Handicap 9 Goals 40 Penalty Shots 25/36 Throw-ins Won 25

Handicap 6 Goals 1 Penalty Shots 0/0 Throw-ins Won 10 www.polotimes.co.uk

USA Round-Up

Photography by Alex Pacheco

Nacho Badiola gets out of the way of a big under the neck shot from Agustin Obregon

Reports

The Joe Barry Memorial Cup Despite the atrocious weather, the organisers, ponies and players gallantly fought on to play The Joe Barry Memorial Cup against all the odds and the level of competition and polo has been worth the wait. Unlike many other tournament series, where the finalists are often a sure fire thing, the 20 goal season in Palm Beach, Florida is always a surprise, with underdogs coming from behind and the usual polo superstars are forced to settle for second, third or even fourth place. The Joe Barry Memorial Cup has been no different seeing Palm Beach Illustrated/ Technogym and Villa del Lago fend off the likes of Polito Pieres and Sebastian Merlos to earn their places in the Final on Friday 5 February.

This was the second meeting of these two teams in the tournament and the result was just as close as last time. This time Palm Beach came out on top, reversing the one goal advantage to their favour with a breathtaking, last second goal from Nacho Badiola. Despite Argentine superstar Hilario Ulloa’s best efforts, which saw him score 11 of his team’s 13 goals, Villa del Lago couldn’t quite hold on to their impressive 12-7 lead at the beginning of the fifth. The comeback from Palm Beach had audiences watching on with bated breath, but it was the final chukka which really had the hearts racing, Ulloa equalising the game at 13-13 with just 30 seconds left on the clock. The audience, and Badiola, breathed a huge sigh of relief as the ball whizzed through the posts just six seconds before the final bell went, with Palm Beach victorious with 14 goals to Villa del Lago’s 13. Facundo Obregon was awarded the Most Valuable Player prize, while Hilario Ulloa’s mount, Noble, won Best Playing Pony.

The Ylvisaker Cup The second in the 20 goal series of tournaments at the International Polo Club, Palm Beach began on schedule, despite the delayed Joe Barry Memorial Cup Final.

The Ylvisaker Cup began on Thursday 4 February, with opening wins from Valiente, Orchard Hill, White Birch and Horseware/ 5 Star/ Tackeria, and will go on throughout February, with 12 teams vying for the top spot. World number 1 and 2 players Adolfo Cambiaso and Facundo Pieres join the ranks, playing for Valiente and Orchard Hill respectively and the polo community will watch on excitedly to see who comes out top dog.

Palm Beach Illustrated victorious in The Joe Barry Memorial Cup

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, March 2016

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Reports

The Polo Challenge Bronze Cup, Dominican Republic

Fast paced action from The Polo Challenge Bronze Cup

Victory for Victor Vargas Lechuza Caracas Triumphant in The Polo Challenge Bronze Cup

Katie Vickery reports

Victor Vargas’ Lechuza Caracas raise The Polo Challenge Bronze Cup high

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Polo Times, March 2016

2016 saw the inaugural high goal season in the Dominican Republic. It is the first time this country has opened its doors to the glamour and excitement of the high goal polo world, and they have done it with such style and flair one would think they were ‘old hands’. With an impressive line-up of top players at their disposal, including 10 goalers Juan Martín Nero and David ‘Pelon’ Stirling, the polo was to be a success from the start. Famed for its stunning beaches and flawless weather the Dominican Republic,

www.polotimes.co.uk

The Polo Challenge Bronze Cup, Dominican Republic

www.polotimes.co.uk

Photography by Matias Callejo

which forms part of a Caribbean Island, is the perfect new setting for an everexpanding polo circuit.

With a set up much like that of The Santa Maria Polo Club in Sotogrande, Spain, the season, dubbed Polo Challenge, is made up of four consecutive tournaments: The Bronze Cup, The Silver Cup, The Gold Cup and the Caribbean Cup. The Bronze Cup, the first of the series, got underway Thursday 14 January. At the time of going to press, The Silver Cup was in full swing and The Gold Cup was scheduled to follow between 3-19 March before The Caribbean Cup taking place between March 24 – 2 April.

Just one tournament in and there is already a strong favourite leading the pack.

Victor Vargas’ Lechuza Caracas have proved themselves unbeatable so far, winning all four of their first round matches, breezing through the Semi Finals and arriving seemingly fresh and ready to take on their biggest rival Agualinda in the Final.

The long-awaited decider took place on Saturday 30 January and pitted the two La Dolfina teammates against each other, a power struggle between Lechuza’s Juan Martín Nero and the Uruguayan golden boy Pelon Stirling. It was also Vargas vs Vargas as Victor fought off the advances of nephew and opponent Alfredo. The family and teammate ties might suggest an amicable game, but the competition was fierce and familial relationships were left outside the field as the two teams struggled to get scores on the board.

With a few stops for injuries, the flow of the match was slightly halting, but the play none-the-less impressive for it, as the 10 goalers did battle. Lisioli, the 6 goaler and right hand man for Agualinda, proved himself to be irreplaceable to the team as three incredible under the neck shots flew through the posts in the third chukka to keep his team in with a fighting chance. A little thing like being smashed in the arm by a ball in the third chukka was not enough to put off Pelon Stirling, who made the most impact on the scoreline, racking up a hattrick, and being awarded the Most Valuable Player Award as a result. However, these accolades were not enough to win them the game and it was patron Victor Vargas who scored the all-important goal that assured victory for his team, converting a penalty that put his team into the 6-5 lead.

As the lowest scoring match of the tournament, the scoreboard did not reflect what had been one of the most exciting matches of the tournament. It was

Reports

Adolfo Cambiaso on the ball

The action was non-stop out in sunny Dominica as Polo Challenge hosted yet more 10 goalers and superstars for the Royal Salute Charity match on Saturday 6 February.

Audiences enjoyed a thrilling 30 goal match between Maserati and Royal Salute. World number 1 Adolfo Cambiaso, who’d popped in en route to the States, was joined by Nacho Novillo and Cubi Toccalino, as well as his US patron Bob Jornayvaz. Playing against them were Bronze Cup rivals and La Dolfina teammates, reunited once more, Pelon Stirling and Juan Martin Nero, playing alongside Victor Vargas and Francisco Bensadon. The match gave the players a chance to showboat their skills, playing in the air and taking risky long shots that only the giants of polo can pull off with such casual ease, all for the entertainment and delight of the newest polo audience. The match ended with a friendly and diplomatic 6-6 draw.

certainly what the hundreds of spectators who flocked to the paradise island, came to see – two giants of polo go head to head in a climactic clash in the Final of an exhilarating competition.

Earlier in the day Pitirre-Potranca defeated home team Casa de Campo 12-11 in the Subsidiary Final in a nail-biting match that ran on in to a seventh chukka thanks to Bensadon’s last second goal, but they could not keep it up and it was Pitirre-Potranca’s Rodrigo Rueda who scored the golden, winning goal.

It may be the end of The Bronze Cup, but the best is yet to come with action from The Silver, Gold and Caribbean Cups to look forward to over the next few months.

The Polo Challenge Bronze Cup Final teams: Lechuza Caracas (22): Victor Vargas (1), Juan Jauretche (5), Gerardo Collarden (6) & Juan Martin Nero (10), Agualinda (22): Alfredo Vargas (1), José Donoso (5), Gastón Lisioli (6) & David ‘Pelon’ Stirling (10) Result: Lechuza Caracas beat Agualinda, 6-5 Most Valuable Player: David ‘Pelon’ Stirling Polo Times, March 2016

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S tal l i o n re ce n tl y arri ve d to th e UK:

‘CL AR ION’ Cla r e t

x N ig ht Ope ra

C

larion has been an integral part of the famous Ellerston Australia breed. He has been used consistently for the past 7 years and already boasts 40 playing horses of 6 years and below.

His Mother ‘Claret’ (Pinky x Monty) won the Gold Cup best playing pony in 2006 with Gonzalito Pieres, and became very famous with Facundo Pieres in Argentina playing the Open 5 times. Pinky is mother to Dinghy, Burgundy, Champagne, Shiraz. Monty sired Music, Casa, Soprano.

Claret is also the mother to Clarity, Open Cabernet, Classify, Clarify and Clark amongst others.

His father is Night Opera an Australian Thoroughbred, used extensively at Ellerston in Australia.

He is sire to Husky, Clark, Samara and Caribbean amongst others.

Clarion is Full brother to Clark (Stallion). who played queens and gold cups in UK and Spain for the past two seasons with Pablo MacDonough, and is now in Argentina playing the Argentine Open with Pablo. Clark has many promising foals on the ground in the UK. Clarion’s main attributes which he passes on to his progeny are; his incredible temperament, great agility, compact polo type and a low action with a short stride.

Jim Gilmore says: ‘He’s a proven sire with exceptionally dominant blood lines.

Guaranteed to give you a quality polo type.’

Service Fee: First season offer £1,200 + VAT. Frozen semen also available.

jamesbeim@gmail.com +44 7808961541 For Terms and conditions visit: www.equineembryotransfer.co.uk Contact:

Dubai Round Up

Reports

Zedan Take The McLaren Cup First Trophy of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series 2016 Ends

Photograph by Gonzalo Etcheverry

Zedan, champions of The McLaren Cup

T

he first trophy of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series came to an end after an exciting day of polo at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club on Friday 5 February following the Semi Finals on Tuesday 3 February.

In the first Semi Final, Zedan had to battle hard to defeat the tough line-up of the UAE Polo Team. Sheika Maitha´s team had a great start taking the lead by 4 goals to 2 in the first chukka and increasing the gap during the first minutes of the second period. That was until Pablo MacDonough fired up his 10 goal engine to score four consecutive goals which took Zedan into the lead by one goal at the end of the second chukka.

In the second half, Zedan´s team managed to take control of the match to secure the victory and the ticket to the McLaren Cup Final. Pablo MacDonough was the top scorer of the match with 8 goals, whilst young Brit Jack Hyde, with 3 goals, was the top scorer for UAE Polo.

In the second Semi Final, things were a little easier for Bin Drai, despite the continuous defence of the Wolves team. In the second half, the talented Guille Terrera led Bin Drai´s team to victory with a great performance, well supported by his teammates. Raúl Laplacette with 4 goals was the top scorer of the match and Diego Araya, scoring 3, was the top scorer for the Wolves team.

Zedan became the champions of The McLaren Cup after defeating Bin Drai Polo in the Final by 10 goals to 9. Five chukkas of full-on action began with a strong offensive from www.polotimes.co.uk

Action from the Final between Zedan and Bin Drai Polo

Bin Drai Polo, who took an early lead of 3-0, catching Zedan off-guard. A quick reaction by Pablo MacDonough, who led Zedan scoring eight consecutive goals out of the 10 on the final scoreboard, put Zedan in the lead. Zedan maintained this lead from the second chukka, through to the end. Top goal scorer for the tournament MacDonough, was named Most Valuable Player having notched up a total of 27 goals. His mare Paloma was awarded Best Playing Pony.

Earlier in the day the Subsidiary Final was played for the Hildon Cup between Habtoor Polo and Mahra.

Mohammed Al Habtoor´s team took the Hildon Cup after a thrilling match, with Guillermo Cuitiño scoring the winning goal in

the final seconds of the game to also finish on a score of 10-9.

The next tournament in the series is the Julius Baer Gold Cup, in which 12 teams will battle for the trophy. The Final is scheduled for Friday 11 March.

T he McLaren Cup Final teams: Bin Drai Polo: Saeed Bin Drai (0), Marcos Panelo (4), Guillermo Terrera (8) & Raúl Laplacette (6) Zedan: Amr Zedan (0), Martin Gandara (4), Pelayo Barasadi (4) & Pablo MacDonough (10) Result: Zedan beat Bin Drai Polo, 10-9 Most Valuable Player: Pablo MacDonough Best Playing Pony: Paloma, owned and played

by Pablo MacDonough Polo Times, March 2016

47

Thailand’s Top Tournaments

T

wo of Thailand’s biggest polo clubs hosted fantastic tournaments throughout January and February, showcasing their country’s talents and bringing in some of Asia’s top players to compete in fast-paced and exciting polo. The sport’s popularity is growing each year in Thailand and the huge crowds and spectator support are a testament to this new-found enthusiasm and the tournaments are much more than just polo; they are spectacles and events with plenty of fun and flair to be enjoyed between matches and chukkas.

The All Asia Cup, VR Sports Club On Saturday 16 January, the Final of the All Asia Cup, held at the VR Sports Club in Thailand, was played between home team

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Polo Times, March 2016

Thailand and Indonesia. Both teams had flown through the qualifying stages, coming up against little opposition from the other teams in the tournament, and arriving to the Final unbeaten and ready to take on what would be their first real challenge. With the teams well matched it was set to be a good, even game and the fans gathered round to watch and cheer on their home team. They were not disappointed as Thailand took an early lead, dominating the game from the off and sealing the deal as the tournament favourites. Their aggressive attacking meant that the Indonesian side were on the defence from the off, but it was all in vain, goal after goal was clocked up by Thailand with only one in return as they neutralised the Indonesian offence. The final result was a convincing 7½-1 win for Thailand.

Photograph courtesy of Thailand Polo Association

Asian Action

Action from the All Asia Cup

Earlier in the day a three-way penalty shoot-out determined the third, fourth and fifth places with Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei all in an equal position to claim the Subsidiary title. Third place went to the Philippines after scoring every one of their penalties put them above the Malaysian Tigers, fourth and Brunei, fifth.

The day was replete with classic Asian glamour and spectacle as onlookers enjoyed acrobats, fire shows, horse parades and speeches as the formal presentation of the All Asia Cup was made. Not a day to be forgotten for Thailand, as they celebrated their home win with a huge gala dinner, musical shows and equine demonstrations.

T he All Asia Cup Final teams: Thailand (3): Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha (1), Thanasin Chuawangkham (0), Apichet ‘Tal’ Srivaddhanaprabha (0) & Natthapong Pratumlee (2) Indonesia (4): Acep Krisnandar (1), Billy Lumintang (1), Glendy Buyung (0) & Novel Momongan (2)

www.polotimes.co.uk

Thailand Round Up

Reports

It’s a horse race between 22BR and Thai Polo

Macau took place, with a win for the Jumabhoy side, La Sarita.

The other two teams, Royal Pahang and HLF Polo, battled it out for fifth and sixth place on Friday 22 January. It was HLF Polo who came out on top with a 5-3½ victory.

The Thai Polo Open Final teams: Thai Polo (12): Caroline Link (0), Harald Link (0), Pablo Dorignac (6) & Pablo Jauretche (6) 22BR (12): Claude Haberer (0), William Zhao (0), Agustín Garcia Grossi (5) & Pedro Fernandez Llorente (7)

Photograph courtesy of Dominic James | www.dominic-james.com

Now in its tenth season, the Thai Polo Open is one of the most prestigious events in the Asian polo calendar with crowds flocking to the beautiful Thai Polo and Equestrian Club to enjoy the action hosted by Club owner Harald Link and sponsored by BMW. After five days of exciting polo, the Final of The Thai Open 12 goal tournament was played on Saturday 23 January for the H.R.H Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Cup between Thai Polo and 22BR. The tournament began on Wednesday 13 January, seeing triumphs for La Sarita, The Next Level/ Macau, 22BR and Thai Polo, all of whom played in the Semi Finals on Wednesday 20 January.

22BR, featuring Claude Haberer, William Zhao, Agustín Garcia Grossi and Pedro Fernandez Llorente, moved into the Final after a 10-5 victory over The Next Level/Macau. Also in the Final was home team Thai Polo, winners of the other Semi Final against La Sarita.

Having lost to Thai Polo, 5-1, in the qualifying rounds, 22BR hoped to learn from their mistakes and turn the result around in their favour. This they did, coming out on top with 7 goals to 6 thanks to excellent play by key player Agustin Garcia Grossi.

Just before the Final, the Subsidiary Final between La Sarita and Next Level/

Photograph courtesy of Dominic James | www.dominic-james.com

The Thai Polo Open, Thai Polo and Equestrian Club

All the teams looking happy after a fun, successful tournament

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, March 2016

49

Club Focus

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Dawson Group Marauders Defeat DBPC

Photograph by Lucy Wilson

Photograph by Huw Beavan

Winners Dawson Group Marauders FREYA DAWSON’S TEAM Dawson Group Marauders, ahead of their trip out to play in Megève for the BMW Snow Polo Masters, won the The Bascote Bowl 10 Goal tournament at Dallas Burston Polo Club. The tournament was played with a snow polo-style format in the SuperArena at the Warwickshire Club. Dawson’s team line-up of Mikey Henderson and Grant Collett raised the trophy on Sunday, having defeated DBPC, Rugby Polo Club and Louise Jebson’s regular on the 6 goal Victor Ludorum circuit C.A.N.I. Dallas Burston Polo Club have also released details for their summer season.

The Opening Season and Victor Ludorum Party will be on Saturday 14 May. Last year the event sold out, so book your tickets early. The Finals of the Victor Ludorum tournament will be on Sunday 22 May. The remaining major dates in the DBPC calendar include Ladies Day on Sunday 26 June, Fine & Country on Sunday 10 July, Lexington Polo Day on Sunday 28 August and the last big day at the Club will be on Sunday 11 September.

Ampurdan UP-AND-COMING dates for the nonstop season in Spain at the Club de Polo Ampurdan. From 18 – 20 March they will be holding the IV Ampurdan Polo Clinic with intensive lessons on rules from the AAP, HPA and the USPA. From 8 – 17 April there will be the 6 goal International tournament IV Spring Polo Cup. Shortly after this there will be the III Ladies First Polo Cup. For more information on all the fixtures and rates please visit www.clubdepoloampurdan.com 50

Polo Times, March 2016

RCBPC

Action from the 2015 Arena Gold Cup

A HEALTHY SIX teams have entered this year’s Arena Gold Cup at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club. There has been a bit of shuffling around of players from earlier in the season. Hilali Noordeen’s Sifani has suffered defeats at both outings at the RCBPC so far, but for this tournament Nico San Roman has joined the team alongside Chris Hyde. San Roman’s place on Simon Arber’s Four Quarters Orange team has been snapped up by Jack Richardson, who will play alongside Richard, the Earl of Tyrone for the tournament.

Many of the teams are sporting players fresh from the global snow polo circuits, with Hyde, Wooldridge, Good, Banner-Eve and Richardson all having recently competed in St Moritz, Megève and Tianjin respectively.

New to the RCBPC high goal fixtures, Picazo Polo Stud, a German based team have entered, however they are the lowest handicapped team in the tournament with a combined 13 goals made up of Eduardo Anca (7), Patrick Maleitzke (5) and Estelle Wagner (1). For upto-date scores and the draw visit the Polo Times website.

Longdole Looking Good THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE CLUB has launched a new website for the forthcoming summer season.

Visit www.longdolepolo.com to check out all the new digital pages for Longdole. You can also follow them on twitter @longdolepolo

Easter Sunday at Geebung Polo THE ANNUAL BATTLE between the Cuffs’n’Collar city boys and the country lads from the Geebung Polo Club will again be the feature entertainment on Easter Sunday at Cobungra Station. Early bird tickets are now on sale along with a limited amount of fieldside car parking spots that will be allocated on a first come-first served basis. Additional entertainment details will be released over the next few weeks. Tickets available online by visiting www.geebungpolo.com.au www.polotimes.co.uk

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Reeling Gay Gordons

Images of Polo Tournament

Photograph courtesy of VOYPC

A LIGHT DUSTING of snow provided the wintery backdrop for this year’s Images of Polo Tournament at The All England Polo Club (AEPC), Hickstead.

The first game of the day on Sunday 17 January was the Final, with Alcedo up against Sopers Farm/Exclusive Rooms. Alcedo started with a two goal advantage, and for three chukkas held on to this advantage well, with some great team play. Terence Lent was very good on the attack with Nick Clague working hard against his 5 goal opponent, Niall Donnelly. Sopers Farm/Exclusive Rooms had battled it out for a 12-10 win in what was a very tightly fought game The second game of the day was a very fast and open affair in the Subsidiary Final between Mrs B’s and Aspect Polo. Some fast paced polo saw several goals for both sides, and after an epic, high scoring final chukka, Mrs B’s secured a 19-16 win.

Och aye the noo to the winning Gay Gordons and runners up the Frosty Jockstraps

Change of Plans at Westcroft Park THE INAUGURAL WESTCROFT Park Arena International & 4 Nations Cup has been rescheduled due to a combination of circumstances. The event will now take place 16 – 17 December 2016. England will take on a visiting International team on Saturday, as will the England Ladies in the morning. On the Friday the schedule will include the Subsidiary and main Finals as England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales do battle for the Inaugural 4 Nations Cup. Fixtures remaining in this winter’s arena season include the upcoming Women’s Nationals, 27 – 28 February. The Club are accepting entries for a range of levels, and individual players can also apply to be placed in teams.

Looking ahead to the summer, Westcroft Park have also announced the addition of livery facilities for the summer season. The Surrey Hills Summer Cup is scheduled to be played over 10 days from 11 – 19 June, both 0-4 and 4-6 goal tournaments. The Final’s Weekend will play host not just to polo, but a car show, both old and new, along with a festival of music and food, with entertainment and things to see and do for the whole family. The Club are planning a full schedule of tournaments from 0-8 goal. www.polotimes.co.uk

Photograph by Tony Ramirez/©www.imagesofpolo.com

VOYPC’s ANNUAL ROBBIE Burns Beach Match held on Sunday 17 January, with the Frosty Jockstraps taking on the Gay Gordons! Richard McAlistair-Martin told Polo Times, “Despite a snow covered stable yard, the ponies were loaded into the fun bus and everyone set off to sunny Cleethorpes, to do battle on the beach. Conditions, when everyone arrived, were perhaps the best of the winter season so far, despite sub-zero temperatures, but no snow and brilliant sunshine instead of gales or tsunami rain.

“Based on the team selection, this was always going to be fast open polo, which it proved to be, with end-to-end runs. With most players donning tartan and two players in kilts, it was certainly entertaining for the spectators in their survival suits!”

Ultimately, the Gay Gordon’s with their 2 goal Captain, Paul Piddington-McBurns, took the match 5 to 3.

The Gay Gordons (Green): Sian Saxton-McBurns (-1), Lee Burgin-McBurns (-1) & Paul Piddington-McBurns (2) The Frosty Jockstraps (Blue): Craig Buckley-McBurns (-1), Hobgoblin-McBurns (0) & Lisa Piddington-McBurns (0)

Club Focus

Final Winners, Sopers Farm/Exclusive Rooms, with their Images of Polo prizes

Images of Polo Tournament teams: Sopers Farm/Exclusive Rooms: Kevin Shaw (1), Guy Harrison (1) & Niall Donnelly (5) Alcedo: Andrew Swaffield (0), Terence Lent (2) & Nick Clague (4) Mrs B’s: Maxine Betteridge (0), John Bunn (2) & Sarah Wiseman (4) Aspect Polo: Ricky Cooper (1), Memo Raschia Grau (3) & Daniel Acosta (4)

Polo Times, March 2016

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Club Focus

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Sau Wild Win

Photograph by Gillian Hughes

THE PAUL SWEENEY Memorial Trophy was won by Sau Wild after a two-day competition in which four teams battled for the trophy.

On Saturday 6 February Sau Wild defeated Essex Angels with a score of 15-13 to go through to the Final against KHHP/La Aguilas who had defeated Ash Farm for the finalist slot. The Final was a high scoring game with an ending tally of 18-14 to Michael Poppel’s grey shirted team Sau Wild. Earlier in the afternoon a trio of 1 goal players for the Essex Angels took the Sub Final win, with a score of 13-11. Up-and-coming Pony Club player George Marsden was awarded The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player Award for his double two-pointer goals in the The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Final for Sau Wild. George went home with Player Award went to George Marsden an RJ Polo kitbag filled with goodies from Black Hound Sports, Polo Times, The Polo Magazine and Sporting Hares. Kalua, owned and played by Michael Poppel, who scored 4 goals in the third chukka on her, was named Best Playing Pony. After the prize-giving all the spectators stayed on for an asado and entertainment from guitarist and singer Mary Kelly.

KHHP/Las Aguilas: Michel Granchi (0), Charley Howell (1) & David Banner-Eve (2) Ash Farm: Jemma Byrne (1), Chris Benford (1) & Georgia Sweeney (1) Essex Angels: Hannah Buckingham (1), James Mann (1) & Richard Newman (1) Sau Wild: Michael Poppel (0), George Marsden (0) & Rosie Ross (3)

Tidworth do Battle of the Sexes TIDWORTH POLO CLUB hosted a Battle of the Sexes on the weekend of 30 – 31 January, sponsored by Women In Polo. The game was between Women In Polo (Lisa Ives, Suvi Ellila, Judith Feuchtwanger/Bridget McLeroy) and a Household Cavalry team (Evan Sidwell, Russel Jarman and Richard Speight). In a hard-fought match the men came out on top despite determined play from the girls.

An open tournament was also held with four teams competing. The Subsidiary Final was an extremely close game with Tidworth (Ed Barker, Jessica Andrews and Stevie McCraith) winning by 1 goal against the Thirsty Farmers (Jack Aldridge, Lorna Broughton and Michael Howe ).

The Final saw Millfield School (Oscar Luard, Will Penfold and Charles Cooney) take on Santos (Larissa Westall, Gonzalo Bazen and Sean Wilson-Smith). Despite Millfield’s best efforts, strong play from Wilson-Smith proved too much, with Santos running out the winners 13-11.

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Specialists in groundcare & used equipment supply. www.greenheath.co.uk 52

Polo Times, March 2016

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International

Women’s Polo

Katie Vickery reports on the latest women’s polo taking place at home and abroad All handicaps are HPA women’s handicaps, unless stated otherwise

5 minutes with…

The top all-female polo now is like playing good 4 goal mixed polo, and it’s very competitive.

I like to play good, fast, open polo. It doesn’t matter if it is ladies or mixed.

Sarah Wiseman Sarah Wiseman, the popular 7 goal player, bouncing from Argentina to the UK to Barbados finds the time to talk to Polo Times about her achievements, ambitions and changes she’d like to see in polo.

How did your polo career start?

Playing Pony Club Polo. I went to a Pony Club rally and had a go at playing polo on my little fluffy horse – she didn’t love it but I was hooked.

What’s your greatest achievement to date?

In terms of women’s polo, winning the US Women’s Open back to back is pretty high up there. It’s such a great tournament to play in. Although I think playing for England in Florida against the USA in 2012, and winning, is also a close contender.

What’s your greatest ambition?

To be the best player I can be! For years I always found it difficult to find a happy medium between playing polo to make a living and playing polo for the love of the sport, and to improve. It’s hard as a 1 or 2 goal professional to make a living, so you want to keep your handicap low so you are in demand and can afford to feed your horses. But that puts other pressures on your polo and it becomes about a pay cheque as opposed to the main reason why we all play – because we love it!

From now on, I will play for the love of it and to try and get to the highest handicap I

can. Obviously it’s my career as well, but I chose it because I love every minute of playing, not because I thought I would become a millionaire!

Which lady players do you admire? Why? There are so many inspirational lady players out there around the world, which is great for the sport.

In the USA we have Sunny Hale and Kristy Outhier (née Waters) who have both played the US Open Final and are still great players today.

They play with the ability to inspire those around them and always offer great advice. In the UK we have Claire Tomlinson and Nina Clarkin who have both played the high goal with great success.

Claire continues to inspire through coaching and Nina is one of the best players to play with and against (although she keeps beating me). She is a consummate professional and has helped me more than she probably realises.

What’s your favourite tournament/Club?

That’s become a harder question to answer over the years. I’ve had the pleasure of travelling the world and playing at some great Clubs and on some very special fields. I think it still has to be Cowdray, Lawns 2. I’ve had some great matches on that field in both ladies and mixed games.

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

There is no doubt that the quality of ladies polo has improved and as I mentioned earlier, we get to travel and play in some exceptional places.

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

I would like to see it become a more mainstream sport. With that, it would bring more sponsors and bigger tournaments. Polo is such an exciting game to watch, so if we can get more people interested in the game, it would be brilliant.

The sport has changed a lot in recent years, and the introduction of live streaming of matches has improved its accessibility and appeal as you can really see the tactics and skill close up.

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

We had a Ladies All Star team that played in Scottsdale, Arizona last year, with myself, Sunny Hale (3), Paola Martinez (2) and Caroline Anier (2). That was quite an exciting 9 goal team and it was a privilege to play with three polo greats!

If I could play with Sunny, Nina and Kristy Outhier in a 12 goal that would be awesome!

They are the three most encouraging and exciting lady players around and it would be an honour to play alongside them all at the same time.

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

My mum and my favourite pony Janice. They have always been there for me, inspired me and never questioned my decisions. Janice is semi-retired now, but she still sorts me out!

Mum never misses a game (unless I’m overseas) and knocks me into shape when she knows I can do better.

Four teams took part in the WIP University Ladies Tournament on Saturday 23 January.

Two teams from the University of London plus an Exeter and a Kent team played some fast and open matches in the shiny, new arena at Tidworth Polo Club; all conducted under the watchful eye of Jess Andrews. The first match of the day was the Beginners’ Section where Lucy Hitchcock, Catherine Allen and Paule de la Poype of Kent, played Kate Adams, Clare Dinham and Alice Moreton of the University of London Red team. The match was close throughout and this is reflected in the final score line which saw Kent defeated by just one goal, 10-9. The Most Valuable Player awards went to Kate Adams and Lucy Hitchcock.

The second match of the day was fast and furious with some excellent play from Most Valuable Player Sophie Turner, whose offensive play saw Exeter gain an early lead. This they maintained throughout, finishing on a 13-9 win against the University of London White team. Emma Cowlrick was also awarded a Most Valuable Player award for her play with University of London teammates Lucy Hall and Natascha Hedegaard.

Photograph by Katie Vickery

WIP University League at Tidworth

Team Exeter and Team University of London White

www.polotimes.co.uk

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Women’s Polo

International

Over the course of the first week in February three of polo’s top lady players, Hazel Jackson, Sarah Wiseman and Claire Brougham, headed to Barbados to take part in the annual Battle of the Sexes tournament, this year sponsored by Virgin Atlantic.

The tournament was conceptualised 14 years ago by Diamonds International and since its beginning has proven to be a great fun and competitive tournament, giving lady players the chance to prove their skills against the men.

Four matches were played over the week, with the men’s team changing each day and a fourth local Bajan Lady player joining the British women for each match.

Sunday 31 January – Christansia Evelyn (-1) Tuesday 2 February – Linda Williams (-1) Thursday 4 February (rescheduled to Friday 5 February due to rain) – Ashleigh Deane (-2) Sunday 7 February (Final) – Vicki Gonzalez (-1) Sunday 31 and Tuesday 2 saw the Mens’ Diamonds International team defeat the Ladies’ Virgin Atlantic team by 2 goals to 1 each day. The Ladies were having none of it though, retaliating and bringing it back when it mattered most, getting into their stride and defeating the guys with an impressive 9-3 on Friday 5 February.

They arrived at the Final ready for battle in order to defend their sex. The crowd was definitely cheering on the Virgin Atlantic Ladies, excited to see the four talented women doing exactly what the tournament was originally designed for – encouraging the sport of women’s polo. The support clearly had a positive effect, and the Ladies defeated the Diamonds International side once again, this time, in a much more tightly contested match, which ended 5-4. As well as winning the Final, the girls won the tournament overall on goal difference. Well done ladies!

For many, the highlight of the week was the trip to the local all-girls school, Springer Memorial, where Hazel, Claire and Sarah gave an inspirational talk to the girls.

The tournament was once again a great success and well done to the Virgin Atlantic Ladies for their triumphant win in the Final.

Photography courtesy of Barbados Polo Club

The Diamonds International Battle of the Sexes, Barbados Polo Club

Sarah Wiseman, Hazel Jackson, Virgin Atlantic Marketing and Communications Executive Beverley Layne, Head Girl at Springer Memorial School Winmarie Bowen, Claire Brougham and Vicki Gonzalez

Women’s Polo Dates For The Diary Tidworth – Military Ladies Tournament (Open): 2 May Lacey Green – Women’s National Cup (Open): 20 – 21 May Vaux Park – Ladies Tournament (Open): 11 June Blueys – Ladies Sugar Bowl Tournament (-4-0): 25 – 26 June Edgeworth – Ladies Tournament (open): 29 June Lacey Green – 2nd International Women’s Tournament (Open): 2 – 3 July Knepp Castle – International Ladies Tournament (Open): 9 – 10 July Cowdray – British Ladies Open (Open): 8 –16 July Cirencester – The International Ladies Tournament (1218): 9 – 10 July White Rose – Ladies Tournament (-6- -2): 30 July New Forest – Women’s Festival (-8-12): 30 – 31 July Beaufort – The Beaufort Ladies Tournament (12-18): July 29 – 6 August RCBPC – Polo Festival Ladies (10-15): 1 – 7 August Westcroft Park – Ladies Nationals (Open): 13 – 14 August Wicklow – International Ladies Invitational Tournament (-4-0): 13 – 14 August Tidworth – WIP Ladies Tournament (Open): 20 – 21 August Dundee – Ladies Cup (0-4): 27 – 28 August Kirtlington – Thorneloe Ladies Tournament (Open): 27 – 29 August West Wycombe – Ladies Mixed (Open): 10 – 11 September

Sarah Wiseman showing her ‘Girl Power’ in a big ride-off

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www.polotimes.co.uk

All Aspects of Youth Polo

Youth

A round-up of this month’s Youth polo, at home and abroad, from Katie Vickery and Lucy Wilson

SUPA Record Breaker The annual SUPA National University Arena Championships at Rugby Polo Club was a world record breaker this year with 156 teams participating in 15 different sections, making it the biggest tournament in the world. The Midlands Club coped well with the huge numbers of players, supporters and pony providers flooding in for the four day festival, with the three arenas and eateries positively brimming as the battle commenced for the top title in each section. This growth in the numbers of teams gives a positive outlook for SUPA and the wider Club community. Even if just a fraction of these new-to-polo players choose to carry on the sport after their time at university, then the overall playing numbers country-wide look set to do well.

To spice up this year’s edition of the tournament Charles Betz, the Chairman and trustee of SUPA and University Section Leader Phil Baker both pulled off an intercollegiate international spectacle played over Friday and Saturday evening, which included Ireland, Great Britain and a team from the USPA I/I programme in America.

The Americans, with a line-up of Casey Woodfin, Daymar Rosser, Emma Eldridge and Tony Uretz, meant business and flew round the arena taking no prisoners as they went. Umpire for the evening Dean Lines was certainly kept busy and awake after a day of Beginner and Novice chukkas to umpire.

The scores were combined over the two evening’s games to produce a win for Great Britain whose line-up included, the epitomy of University polo himself, Harold Hodges, Charlie Scott and Will King and Rayahan Sherlala who split a seat both evenings.

Warwick University Polo Club had a fantastic weekend, winning three sections.

They could also have won a medal for the loudest supporters at their games and the presentation! London and Kent also had a great tournament, both winning two sections each, but the most sought after Open section title this year went to The Royal Veterinary College. 5 goaler Harold Hodges had an excellent weekend, but also formed part of the winning Open team www.polotimes.co.uk

Photography by Lucy Wilson

The popularity for polo as a sport at university shows no bounds

Harold Hodges waits to pick up a shot from his opposition, Durham, in the Open section

for RVC helping to take home the top prize for the International. The SAPA section, designed for alumni, saw a revival this winter with four teams playing, featuring some household Club names such as Rugby Polo Manager Jeremy Pidgeon, Dallas Burston Polo Manager Huw Beavan, professional players Chris Crawford, Rosie Ross, Phil Baker and Matt Evetts. Betz plans to hold a more extensive SAPA fixture list in the future, so watch this space. The University of Buckingham entered its first team, right in the deep end, in the Lower Intermediate section.

Not only did they make fourth place out of 12 teams but Thomas Gordon-Colebrooke won the Most Valuable Player Award.

Organising such a tournament is no mean feat and there is a small army of helpers scuttling about the Onley Equestrian Complex, shepherding teams and ponies into the right arena, at almost the right time, for four days on-the-trot. The real unsung heroes cannot go unpraised; Nigel ‘Superman’ Mercer with Lydia ‘Superwoman’ Styler by his side worked tirelessly to keep all 156 teams and well over 100 horses happy. Reassuringly and a testament to the work of The Association of Polo Schools and Pony Hirers (APSPH) all 15 of the providers were a member of the new association. The APSPH also awarded

a Best Hired Playing Pony rug to Balla, a 14-year-old bay mare owned by Matt Evetts who runs Inglesham Polo Centre. The mare was played by Julien Van Elslander who was part of the winning Cardiff #poloyolo team in the Novice 2 section.

Plans for future SUPA endeavours and fixtures for the international programme are well underway according to Charles Betz, “We would expect to invite SUPA Scotland to play this same event in 2018 and continue on that rotation with SUPA Ireland thereafter, unless SUPA Wales can produce a team of a similar standard. The USPA I/I confirmed that they intend to make this reciprocal bi-annual event a firm fixture. SUPA Britain will be invited to the USA (Florida is rumoured to be on the cards for 2017). SUPA and USPA I/I have agreed to establish a University International Challenge Cup for this bi-annual event.

“We may be sending a team to New Zealand in late March (but selecting a date is proving tricky) but we have scheduled a return to Nigeria/Ghana for another SUPA International there in December 2016 at Accra, Ghana.” To read more from the SUPA Chairman turn to Letters on page 18.

Of course Uni Nationals would not be the same without a party – to check out the social spread turn to page 72.

Polo Times, March 2016

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Youth

All Aspects of Youth Polo

SUPA National University Arena Championship Winners

Beginner 1 1st – Warwick 2nd – Oxford Brookes 3rd – Winchester

Beginner 1a 1st – London 2nd – Royal Holloway 3rd – Warwick

Beginner 2 1st – Kent Owls 2nd – RAU Angry Birds 3rd – Exeter

Beginner 3 1st – London 2nd – Cambridge 3rd – Harper Adams

Novice 1 1st – Warwick 2nd – Kent Eagles 3rd – RAU Goldilocks

Novice 1a 1st – Manchester 2nd – Regents 3rd – Oxford Brookes

Novice 2 1st – Cardiff #poloyolo 2nd – Oxford Brookes 3rd – Birmingham

Novice 3 1st – Cambridge 2nd – Exeter 3rd – Warwick

Lower Intermediate 1st – Kent Ospreys 2nd – Nottingham 3rd – Cambridge

Upper Intermediate 1st – Warwick 2nd – Royal Holloway 3rd – London

Lower Combined 1st – Exeter 2nd – Nottingham 3rd – Edinburgh

Upper Combined 1st – Harper Adams 2nd – Exeter

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All Aspects of Youth Polo Tournament Sponsor

International Sponsor

Media Partners

Open 1st – Royal Veterinary College 2nd – Exeter 3rd – Durham

Most Valuable Player – Thomas GordonColebrooke (Buckingham)

International 1st – Great Britain 2nd – USPA I/I 3rd – Ireland

SAPA 1st – Puffles/DBPC 2nd – Royal Holloway 3rd – Rugby

The APSPH Best Hired Playing Pony – Balla, owned by Inglesham Polo Centre and played by Julian Van Elslander (Cardiff) www.polotimes.co.uk

Youth

SUPA & Young England Youth Dates For The Diary Rugby – National Senior Schools Championships: 6 March Westcroft – National Girls Schools Championships: 13 March Ireland – SUPA Tri-Nations: 20 March Longdole – National Junior School Championships: 15 March Rugby – SUPA Camp and Trials: TBC May Guards – Jack Wills Varsity Day: 4 June Westcroft – National Girls Schools Championships: 5 June DBPC – National Universities Championships: 3 – 5 June Kirtlington – SUPA v KPPC (Towler Trophy): 12 June Kirtlington – National Senior Schools: 19 June RCBPC– SUPA v RCBPC (Quatro Amigos Trophy): 26 June TBC – International Polo Festival (SUPA Gold Cup): 1 – 5 July Cowdray – The Colts Cup: 9 – 11 August Ham – Stagshead Trophy: 14 August Rutland – England Colts vs Scotland Colts: 17 August Kirtlington – Alan Budgett Trophy: 27 August Cheshire – SUPA Home Nations Cup: 28 – 29 August

Pony Club Vaux Park – 11 July Taunton – 12 July Frampton – 14 July Suffolk – 16 July Kirtlington – 19 July Epsom – 20 July Hurtwood – 22 July Cirencester – Qualifying Pony Club Tournament: 26 July Longdole – Qualifying Pony Club Tournament: 28 July Hurtwood – Qualifying Pony Club Tournament: 2 August Hurtwood – Jorrocks Championships: 3 August Cowdray – Pony Club Championships: 5 – 7 August

Polo Times, March 2016

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Youth

All Aspects of Youth Polo

The battle of the Blues, with the rivalry of Oxford and Cambridge Universities, is legendary in the sport of polo. The summer Varsity Match, first played in 1878 is the oldest annual match played in Europe.

Now, 138 years later, on 23 January 2016 Cambridge University hosted the inaugural Winter Varsity Arena Tournament versus Oxford at the pristine grounds of the Cambridge County Polo Club, in front of a large and supportive crowd. Oxford’s lineup of Heather Winsor, Aurelia Vandamme and Issa Dasu Patel took on a Cambridge side of Clifton Yeo, Ben Lawrence and Tripurdaman Singh.

The first goal didn’t come until three minutes into the match when Cambridge’s Ben Lawrence hit a clean backhand into goal, just out of reach of the staunch defensive efforts of Issa Dasu Patel. Oxford were not deterred and continued to play as a well-honed team. Heather Winsor tapped in two goals in quick succession to take the lead with a score of 2-1 with just two minutes remaining. Countering quickly, Cambridge’s Clifton Yeo scored a runaway goal to level it 2-2 only to be countered by Aurelia Vandamme, running the ball along the right wall to safely edge

Military

Photograph by Jacqui Gilbert

Winter Blues

The light and the dark blues in the Cambridge County Arena

Oxford ahead by one. With just 30 seconds remaining, Ben Lawrence, collecting a pass from Tripurdaman at the back, equalised the chukka to take it to 3-3.

The second chukka began with Cambridge quickly racing out to a 5-3 lead with a clever deflection from Tripurdaman Singh then echoed by Ben Lawrence.

However, the spirit of the Dark Blues was not to be so easily defeated, with Heather Winsor not only seizing the reins of her horse but also the game, racing down the pitch for a beautiful clean counter goal from just inside 15 yards. This brought Oxford back into touch of a win, closing out the second chukka 7-5 to Cambridge.

The third chukka was notable for Oxford’s skill in marking by Aurelia and Issa, mixed with deft positional play and determined counter attacking right down to the last minute by the Dark Blue’s Heather Winsor. However, with a home-ground advantage, large supporting crowd and pride on the line, the raw strength and determination of the Light Blues was too much to beat on this day. Ben Lawrence was ruthless in his pursuit of the goal, dominating in the ride-offs to tap in multiple goals from along the fence, placed in perfect position by his experienced team-mates Tripurdaman and Clifton. Despite a last minute goal from Oxford it was to be Cambridge’s day – coming away with the win, 13-9.

A Round-Up of Military Polo Action

RAF Polo Trip to New Zealand

Photographs courtesy of Georgina Harwood

This marks the sixth consecutive year of RAF representation in New Zealand. Both players have returned to the UK eager to become involved with the upcoming military grass polo season for 2016.

Despite coming off second best against a strong team of Waimai novice players, both John and Georgina had an amazing time and would like to pass on their thanks to the Department of RAF Sport, the Combined Services Polo Association, and the team at Amberwood Polo for their support during the Training Camp.

Georgina and John sporting the RAF team shirts with fellow Waimai Polo Club Players

Two new members of RAF Polo travelled to New Zealand in January to develop their skills and play their first match at Waimai Polo Club in New Zealand. Under the expert tutelage of their coaches Matt and Toby Pitts from Amberwood Polo, Georgina Harwood and John Sweet made great progress in their polo skills, having completed beginner courses in the UK during the 2015 summer season.

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Military Dates for the Diary Tidworth – Adm Kumar Cup (RN vs Eton): 30 April Tidworth – Military Ladies’ Tournament (Open): 2 May Tidworth – RN Sacher Cup (Open): 2 May Tidworth – Duke of York Cup (RN vs RAF): 29 May Tidworth – Rundle Cup (RN vs Army): 9 July Tidworth – ICOA Trophy (CSPA vs RSA): 9 July Guards – Inter Regimental Finals: 10 July Guards – United States Cup (CSPA vs RSA): 10 July Kirtlington – Rupert Thorneloe Memorial Trophy (Open): 16 July Tidworth – Captains & Subalterns (Open): 16 – 17 July Tidworth – Sassoon Cup (Army vs RAF): 24 July Tidworth – AGC Cup (Open): 29 August Guards – Major General’s Cup (0-2): 2 – 4 September Taunton – Faulkner Cup (RN vs Taunton): 4 September www.polotimes.co.uk

Knowledge

Fitness for Polo

Prof. Martín Perez is an Argentine-born physical coach who works with professional polo players and patrons throughout the polo community from high goal to low goal. He graduated from the Romero Brest Institute at the National High Sports Performance Centre in Buenos Aires, Argentina with a degree in Physical Education, and distinctions in Functional Training, Nutrition for Athletes, Thai Massage, High Performance Sports Training and Biomechanics Analysis of the Human Motion.

In 2014 he founded the company Fitness for Polo with the aim of bringing the advantages of polo specific training to a wider audience.

Polo Biomechanics and Swing Analysis

The Forehand

With the English polo season just around the corner Polo Times will be talking to physical coach for polo players Martín Perez of Fitness for Polo for a brand new feature series on getting fit for the game, the biomechanics of polo and swing analysis.

Very often in polo the learning curve at the beginning is steep, lots of lessons, instructional chukkas and different pros telling us what to do and what not to do. After a little while this learning curve reaches a plateau, as we master the basics and grow in confidence.

Lessons fall by the wayside and instructional chukkas turn to club chukkas, matches and tournaments. In any other sport the training is constant throughout our playing careers, with consistent coaching, drills and exercises to hone and strengthen skills. This is not the case in polo and very often bad habits are picked up which not only have a detrimental effect on our polo, but can also lead to muscular imbalances and injuries.

By taking each different polo swing back to an anatomical level, Fitness for Polo’s analysis and training methods can show us not only how to avoid injury, but also how to improve technique and strengthen each swing through specific exercises both on and off the horse.

In this month’s issue we start at the beginning, with the most used shot in polo – the offside forehand. This is the first swing that we learn and it is the shot that we use most often in a match, practice or even just stick and balling.

So let’s look at the basics of the swing, what muscles are being activated and how to train specifically to improve those target areas.

There are many things to look at from a fitness and biomechanics point of view in the forehand and the most important aspect to pay attention to physically is the backswing.

From bottom to top, we can see that the legs are pressing the horse and applying a lot of pressure on the animal while galloping. This sets the foundations, which keep the whole body in position. Then the hips are trying to keep our lower body balanced and aligned with our upper body. The upper body is rotating to its fullest in order to provide the force needed for a proper back-swing.

Once the upper body has reached its maximum backwards rotation, the momentum will then be transformed into a powerful forehand offside swing as seen in these pictures here. As we twist it into the same position as the picture, we are going to see the importance of a proper back-swing in generating that forward momentum.

What comes right after it is a tiny fraction of time in which we relax these muscles whilst at the same time contracting the opposite muscles at the right moment with the timing Photography by Tony Ramirez/©www.imagesofpolo.com, Agustin Lastra & Katie Vickery

Hazel Jackson with a perfect offside forehand back-swing

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Polo Times, March 2016

Nico Pieres rotates at the core utilising abdominal and lower back muscles

The muscles of the hips and legs create a strong base from which to rotate

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Fitness for Polo

Knowledge

Key muscles activated: The primary muscles involved are: LEGS – They offer support, stability and balance.

CORE MUSCLES – They provide power, energy and stability.

SHOULDERS – They provide stability to the shoulder joint all the way through the swing.

The core and rotational muscles have created the momentum for the swing

needed to hit the ball, therefore rotating the upper body in the opposite direction to complete the forward swing. This is known as the follow through and is a passive, but no less important, part of the swing.

The most important thing to do before and after any physical activity is to stretch properly. We must warm up the muscles that are about to be activated in order to

The upper body pings back, generating forward momentum

avoid injury and to prepare our bodies for the physical tasks that we are about to perform.

Cooling down and stretching effectively after exercise is also vital in order to relax muscles and avoid aches and pains the next day.

Stretching before and after playing, stick and balling or working out will also help to improve flexibility, a quality many polo players never fail to underestimate.

The secondary muscles involved are: CHEST – In the active part of the swing, it helps the core muscles to transfer the energy to the arm.

UPPER BACK – In the back swing, they help to stabilize the shoulders and reduce strain on them in the follow through phase.

FOREARM – These muscles are responsible for creating a good grip, very important when hitting the ball.

Exercises:

Here are two exercises that will strengthen and stretch the above key areas and help you generate a more stable and powerful swing.

Both exercises require the use of a kettle bell or any weight.

Exercise One: With the weight in your right hand, bend your knees slightly and swing the weight backwards in imitation of an offside forehand pre-swing. Allow your upper body to rotate fully, bringing the opposite shoulder over and down but keeping the hips facing forwards. Having reached full rotation let the weight fall and carry your arm forwards in a controlled, swinging action. Return to the start position and repeat for 20 seconds to start with, slowly increasing the time as you get stronger. Repeat on both sides. This exercise works your rotational muscles, crucial to generating power in the swing. It also helps us to practice compartmentalising our bodies, rotating the upper body without it affecting the lower half.

Prof. Martín Perez www.polotimes.co.uk

Tel: +447551 878270

Email: info@fitnessforpolo.com

Exercise Two: Holding the weight in one hand down by your side, put the other hand up by your head. Incline over the weight lowering it to your knee, but making sure to keep your upper body straight and not bending forward or backward with the weight. Return to starting position and repeat.

Do this on both sides to avoid muscular imbalances.

Three sets of 20 repetitions to each side. This exercise strengthens your core muscles, improving stability and increasing available power.

Website: www.fitnessforpolo.com Polo Times, March 2016

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Knowledge

Pony Power

Richard, the Earl of Tyrone talks to Lucy Wilson about Paddy, who won The 12 Goal HPA New year National Club Championship Polo Times Best Playing Pony Awards at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club

What are his strengths? He is unbelievable going round corners to both the left and right. He has a decent combination of power and speed. He has incredible wind and never gets tired. He is tough and can play day in, day out.

How has he gone this season? Very well. He has come into the arena season in incredible form.

Photograph by Gillian Hughes

What are your plans for his future? I plan to keep him until his playing days are over.

Tough geldings like him to play medium/high goal polo are very valuable to a professional string, I would say.

Paddy Age: 10-year-old Colour: Black Height: 15.1 Sex: Gelding Owner: Richard, the Earl of Tyrone What is the pony’s breeding? Paddy is by Pyrus (by Mr Prospector) out of Fussing (out of Persion Bold).

Where is the pony from? He was bred and born in Ireland.

Tell us about his background? I bought him as a two-year-old in Ireland from a thoroughbred sale as I liked his conformation.

He was a nightmare of a gelding to have, he always had natural ability, but he was very sharp and spooky and had very little confidence. He was very immature and it took a very long time to get him right, however, in the last few years he has been going well and now he is one of my stalwart horses.

Julia Luke talks to Lucy Wilson about Barbie, who won The 3 Goal HPA New Year National Club Championship Polo Times Best Playing Pony Award at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club

Does he have any special quirks? He spooks away from pretty much everything – very annoying trait.

Does he have any relations who have achieved anything notable?

His grandfather on his father’s side (Mr Prospector) is a famous sire of champions within the racing world. There are many top class polo ponies from around the world with his bloodlines.

Describe him in three words? Agile, athletic, spooky. quick to go to the sides plus she is really, really easy. She is quite powerful so I wouldn’t give her to a beginner, she is for a more advanced rider, but she is 100% honest, she will do whatever you tell her. You can ride her without a headcollar on sets – the grooms love her too. Everyone calls her Pink – she is quite pink when she hasn’t been clipped.

Photograph by Gillian Hughes

How has she gone this season? She has been brilliant with everyone this season.

Everyone who rides her loves her.

Barbie Age: 13-year-old Colour: Strawberry Roan Height: 15.1 Sex: Mare Owner: Julia Luke, but hired by Max Voelker 62

Polo Times, March 2016

What do you know about her background? I bought her from Rikki Forno, last year so I have had her a year. He used to play her in the 15 goal.

Where is the pony from? Argentina.

What are her strengths? She is fast and

What are your plans for her future? She will go out to grass at the end of the season.

She will probably come back in in June for the tail-end of the summer. She has been doing the A group for Wellington, that’s why I’ve kept her in for the winter. I will keep her. Roy has tried to buy her a few times, but I try and keep my better school horses because people like them. I invest quite a lot of money in my hire string, it’s important.

Does she have any special quirks? No – she is so simple, she doesn’t make a fuss about anything.

Describe her in three words? Pink, easy, powerful www.polotimes.co.uk

Pony Power

Knowledge

Chris Hyde talks to Lucy Wilson about Gamuza, one of his stars of the 2016 Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz and medium goal UK summer ponies

Chris and Gamuza in St Moritz in 2013

What are your plans for her future?

She will stay in my main string for the medium goal season. Hopefully she will be full of beans for the summer after a break.

She is the kind of pony you want to keep, so it would be nice to have a few foals in the futures, but we have a few more games to play together before then.

Gamuza, unlike many ponies, is always on-the-bit Photography by Lucy Wilson & Tony Ramirez/©www.imagesofpolo.com

Does she have any special quirks?

From the bombproof stable manner you would think she was half dead. She is so quiet in the yard, but is the complete opposite and a nightmare to get on at polo. Plus she isn’t particularly comfortable to ride, it’s a bit like having three different ponies all stitched together. Unlike many polo ponies, she is always on-the-bit. She is also my daughter’s favourite pony; I had to buy her a fluffy toy one from Tally Ho Farm because she looked just like her.

Chris taking a spot hit on the frozen lake this year

Gamuza Age: 11-year-old Colour: Chestnut Height: 15.2 Sex: Mare Owner: Chris Hyde What is the pony’s breeding?

American Thoroughbred Where is the pony from? I have had her for five years now, but I bought her from Carlos Gracida, who bred her.

What are her strengths? She is very powerful, perhaps not the fastest on the ground as she doesn’t quite have that top super speed, but her powerful stop-to-go ability is phenomenal. She has the best turn www.polotimes.co.uk

on her that I have ever sat on. She is a great power-play horse. She is the dopiest horse in the stable, the kids can go in with her and jump around and play, she is so gentle.

When she is tacked up and you get on her it’s a completely different horse. Bev, my Yard Manager is not her biggest fan. She was also featured on the 2013 March Polo Times front cover when I won against BMW in the Final.

How has she gone this season?

She’s been a bit of an on-and-off over the last few seasons. Last winter she fractured a small bone, so she had the first part of the summer off, but then we brought her back in and we played the last bit and I leant her to my son Jack a few times as well. I didn’t play her in St Moritz last year as she was still recovering. She will play the Arena Gold Cup then go out for a bit.

Does she have any relations who have achieved anything notable?

No, she is one of a kind.

Describe her in three words?

Caring, quirky, sharp.

Chilling in her stable in between games in St Moritz

Polo Times, March 2016

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Knowledge

Equipment Focus: Bits

Rider’s Q&A

Stephen Biddlecombe of Equine Management Ltd answers a reader’s question on bitting

The 2.5 Ring version of the Spinner mouthpiece softens the leverage action

Q – What does the Spinner mouthpiece do?

A – Spinner mouthpieces are formed of two circular rings which adjoin to the bit itself and sit on top of the horse or pony’s tongue.

The point of the Spinner mouthpiece is that this additional metal-work moves with the tongue to prevent the horse from putting his tongue over the bit, or rolling his tongue up behind the bit.

‘Balling’ the tongue up is a form of resistance that some polo ponies can demonstrate. Press your own tongue back and upwards towards the roof of your mouth and imagine what effect this would have on the action of a bit! Tongue balling or putting the tongue over the bit can prove a tricky habit to break, but by using a Spinner bit, players can stay soft with their hands, and when the horse or pony tries to pull its tongue up and back, it simply meets a barrier and it can’t flip it over the bit. This works in a similar way to a bit with a high port.

Using a Spinner mouthpiece can be ideal for the process of breaking and schooling young, green ponies that may try a host of evasion tactics when beginning

their playing career. It can also be highly beneficial for equines that demonstrate stress or anxiety on the pitch.

Together with the blue sweet iron mouthpiece, which oxidises in the horse’s mouth to create a warm, sweet taste, the Spinner mouthpiece bits from Bombers Bits also encourage mouthing, salivation and acceptance of the bit. They are offered in a variety of styles that include Loose Ring, Fulmer, 2.5 Ring and Rag formats, and for polo, the ever popular Relham. The Chaplin Spinner Pelham is designed to make the horse or pony more relaxed in his mouth, and encourage him to go forwards into the

The Chaplin Spinner Pelham allows for an immediate release of pressure

bridle, rather than ducking behind the bit or ‘fussing’ in the mouth. The bit also allows for an immediate release of pressure when the rein aids are relaxed, thus rewarding a correct response quickly, mid-game.

The Pelham as usual has attachments for two reins, one near the mouthpiece and one at the end of the shank. These reins have a similar action to the curb and bradoon reins in the double bridle.

The 2.5 Ring version of the Spinner mouthpiece is a nice alternative to a stronger bit, as the half ring softens the leverage on the mouthpiece and the poll.

Bombers Bits include hundreds of off the shelf bitting solutions, and customers can even design their own bespoke bit from a selection of mouth pieces, cheek pieces and widths, using a ‘design your own bit’ service. Bombers Bits are made from blue sweet iron – the metal oxidises easily, creating a warm, sweet taste in the horse’s mouth. This encourages the horse to salivate. Call Equine Management on 01825 840 002 or visit www.bombersbits.co.uk Submit your bitting questions to info@equineman.com to enter a prize draw to win a voucher towards the Bombers Bit of your choice.

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Polo Times, March 2016

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21

Knowledge

Veterinary Focus

Dr. med. vet. Anton (Toni). S. Milicevic Toni has been the head veterinarian of the Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz since 2005. He runs his own veterinary practice in Sils, near St Moritz, and also serves as the veterinarian for the famous White Turf Horseraces on snow.

He qualified in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Zurich in 1996.

Thoroughbreds in Snow and High Altitude The Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz on-call vet discusses the difficulties faced by ponies playing in extreme conditions

A broken snow-pad being replaced before a game by farrier Stuart Craig

Most players will use polo studs on both the outside and inside of the shoe

Every January and February, St Moritz plays host to a series of international equestrian events. Showjumping, polo, and horse racing have taken place on snow for over one hundred years. The participating horses usually do not live in St Moritz — hence, they first need to get used to the prevailing conditions.

The ponies for the Snow Polo World Cup usually arrive in St Moritz at the beginning of the tournament week. The polo field on the frozen Lake St Moritz lies at an altitude of 1,800 metres above sea level.

Just like humans, animals can take a while to get acclimatised to the altitude. Usually, this goes without a hitch, but it can happen that the animals suffer from mountain sickness. They will then refuse to feed and show a drop in performance, and will need special care and rest.

Becoming accustomed to the conditions is important for another reason. Horses competing on snow for the first time need to become familiar with the new surface.

Added to that, they have to cope with the freezing and dry cold. Temperatures between -10 and -25 degrees celsius are not out of the ordinary in St Moritz in January. That is the reason a big tent next to the polo field provides protection from wind and cold for the polo ponies stood in the pony lines.

66

Polo Times, March 2016

When playing on snow, the horses need special winter shoeing. A so-called ‘hoof grip’ will complement the horseshoe: a layer of rubber is set in-between the hoof and the horseshoe when fitting the horse with shoes. The ‘hoof grip’ prevents snow and ice from clumping together underneath the hooves, which could be hazardous: the horse would no longer have a firm step, could injure its legs, or even fall. The ‘hoof grip’ is the brainchild of a St Moritz farrier and is today being used around the world.

Additionally, two studs can be added on each shoe, this makes for a better grip on the often slippery surface. With a kick of the heel, though, they might also injure themselves. To keep them from hurting their legs, we bandage up the horse’s lower legs using a special technique.

In St Moritz, snow polo is not played on an arena field, but instead on a larger field, measuring 220 by 90 metres. The large field combined with the grooming of the surface — perfected over the years — make for a very dynamic and fast game.

As the ponies made the trip more often, they became more confident with the surface

www.polotimes.co.uk

Veterinary Focus

Front line polo people spoke to Lucy Wilson in the St Moritz stables about their stay with the ponies and working on a frozen lake.

Stuart Craig – Farrier and pony hirer “You can leave the snow-pads on as long as you want, it doesn’t hurt the ponies to go home with them on. The way they work is what I can only describe as a hose pipe that is fitted round the inside of the shoe, so when the horse picks up its feet it throws the snow out, meaning that it doesn’t compact inside the hoof causing bruising or injuries to their feet. I’ve been using them here for ages, and they have been used on horses in the snow for decades on the continent. This year Team Cartier are just using polo studs on the back, on the inside and outside of the shoes, and smaller ones on the front. Chris only uses one on the outside because he doesn’t want the ponies to have so much concussion through their legs and tendons. There are no restrictions on the studs used as far as I am aware, unlike polo back in the UK. I have even seen spiked studs on some of the horses.

The grooms were all a bit scared about riding down to the ice for the first time, so I drove with them in the pick-up. The rugs were all falling off and Sergio, who was grooming for Nacho Gonzalez, had to stop in the bus station to sort them all out. The Cartier rugs we were given didn’t have any surcingles. They are alright for just standing around in the pony lines, but not to move around in.”

Jess Van Der Velden – Groom for Chris Hyde “Getting the horses down to the lake, without them falling over on the road, panicking or losing it was tough. The first day was very stressful.

They could feel a bit of ice on the roads and without the studs there was no grip, so they panicked and pushed into the horse next door, and then they lost their footing even more and so it became a horrible, jostling nightmare. There was, actually, loads of grip on the snow, it was just the patches of ice that were the problem.”

Sophie Bates – Groom for Charlie Wooldridge “The toughest bit was the journey for the horses, they are on the lorry for about 26 hours. It was tough on us too because we just didn’t sleep. They are all good travellers and the roads are smooth, so it’s not like being on the roads at home. We did most of it during the night so the roads are quiet and the ferry didn’t seem to bother them either. We brought our own food and haylage, as the hay they have here is very different. We didn’t want to take the risk of changing anything. We took them all for a walk straight away when we first arrived, then they had some water and haylage.

They got here at about 1pm on Tuesday afternoon and we put them straight into clean beds. Then later on Chris and Nacho came to single them. The ride from the barn to the polo field was difficult, particularly as some motorists seemed oblivious to horses!”

Photograph by Tony Ramirez/©www.imagesofpolo.com

Double studs can be used on all four feet

www.polotimes.co.uk

Stuart Craig, Jess Van Der Velden & Sophie Bates

Still, polo on snow is not as fast as grass polo. That is one of the key reasons our ponies were spared major injuries in 2016 once again. After the tournament, they embarked on their journey home the very next day, in the caring hands of their grooms.

Photograph by Fotoswiss, Cattaneo

Photograph by Tony Ramirez/©www.imagesofpolo.com

The pony tent provides shelter for the pony lines

Knowledge

Dr. med. vet. Anton S. Milicevic Tierärztliche Praxis Via dal Malögia 2 7514 Sils - Maria (Oberengadin) Schweiz Tel: +41 81 826 55 60 Email: info@vet-engadin.ch Website: www.vet-engadin.ch

Over-reach boots, tendon boots and bandages provide plenty of protection

Polo Times, March 2016

67

Knowledge

Nutrition Focus

Lorna Edgar – specialist equine nutritionist

Hi Ho Hi Ho, It’s Back to Work They Go! How to feed ponies coming back in to work after a winter off

A top class mare in the field in March, ready to get ready fit

I do hope your ponies have all wintered well, and that they are ready to come back into work to build muscle and top line, burn a bit of fat and tuck up that ‘grass belly’!

Most importantly, when your ponies first come in, I would not even consider restricting their forage. Let them eat as much as they want. It will not cause any harm in their fitness regime, but will aid their transition back into work from having been on ‘holiday’, by not making any drastic changes to their diet and digestive system.

I strongly suggest using pre/probiotics, especially for those ponies needing a little extra condition, but they will be beneficial to all types of ponies as well. Pre/probiotics assist hind gut bacteria when changes are made to diet and work status, for example when forage intake is reduced and hard feed increased. For those that lose weight easily throughout the season, using a prebiotic continuously is ideal.

If your ponies have wintered well, feeding for fitness will be easier. You will not be battling to put condition on whilst burning calories in work, and so a high fibre, low energy cube will suffice. If you are very lucky and your ponies have done too well, use a balancer so protein (essential for muscle), vitamins and minerals are fed, but not calories. Not feeding whilst getting ponies fit is not an option, as muscle development will not occur and immunity will not be supported.

For those that have not done so well over the winter and need a bit of condition, I would suggest a conditioning feed – a cube rather than a mix if natural energy is abundant!

68

Polo Times, March 2016

The same mare at the beginning of May…

… and in June as the season is in full swing (excuse the pun)

Quantities to Feed Cube or mix – 5-7lbs per day for initial work, increasing gradually to 10-14lbs for hard work – weigh your scoop!

Balancers should be fed in small quantities. Read the instructions first – approximately 2-3 ½ pint coffee mugs per day for walking to canter work.

Bulking with alfalfa chaff will increase chewing time.

Any of the above feeding regimes need to be introduced gradually, (over the course of seven-ten days) otherwise you may have an adverse reaction, with some having too much energy. If they have not had hard feed, that provides very digestible energy, vitamins and

minerals, for five months, they will suddenly feel too well if you introduce it too quickly!

C ontact Lorna Edgar of Baileys Horse Feeds on lorna@baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

www.polotimes.co.uk

Sidelines

Gossip

CONGRATULATIONS To Polo Times’ very own Head of Sales, Ben Bovill and his wife Emma, on the recent birth of their first child, Toby William, born at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on 12 December 2015 weighing in at 6.10lbs.

WEDDING BELLS BECKON Photograph by www.siggyphotography.co.uk

On Tuesday 19 January Steph Targett, McTimmoney practitioner recently featured in Polo Times, and professional 4 goaler Dave Allen got engaged. Everyone in the Polo Times office say a big congratulations!

APPEAL OF THE MONTH Poor Chris Hyde and his pony, Promise, took a fall in the Final of the Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz.

Luckily both were fine after their skate across the snow field. Somehow Maserati’s Dario Musso thought that Hyde had crossed the line – we don’t think he meant to Musso!

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

CONGRATULATIONS

BABY BOOM

Congratulations to Sam and Laura Tylor from Kirtlington Park Polo Club on the arrival of their first baby. Alice Rose Tylor was born on Sunday 17 January weighing a very healthy 9lbs.

Congratulations to Aurora Eastwood and her fiancé Matt Darwin on the safe arrival of Flora Lilly Eastwood Darwin.

Younger sister, to a very proud Felix, was born on Thursday 21 January in Winchester Hospital weighing 8lb exactly.

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Polo Times, March 2016

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Seba, Carly & baby Clara Sabaj

Badia El Amir & George Marsdon

Ed Morris-Lowe & Josh Clover

Suzie Meadows & Rosie Ross

HPA New Year National Club Championships; The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club; Saturday 23 January

Breezy Berkshire

Simon Arber & Olly Hughes

The mist, gales and occasional show of sunshine didn’t stop the Berkshire crowd from turning up en masse to get vocal in the stands at the New Year Nationals. The day’s polo was a relaxed affair with players, grooms and uni polo players rocking their “I’ve-just-played-polo outfits” in the Berkshire grandstand.

A sprinkling of pre-St Moritz glitz could be seen, and the gossip by the gates with the grooms was full of who was going on a sledging pub-crawl down the Engadin mountains as everybody made plans to meet up. Warm tomato soup and mulled wine served by the Clubhouse provided a welcome warmer in between the chukkas, as teams from Hertfordshire, Fifield, Berkshire and Emsworth battled to the bitter end for the silverware. Post-polo, the triumphant players headed to the bar to celebrate and commiserate their day’s work.

Amy Leggett, Vicky Griffin & Marcus Cork

Phil Meadows, Katy Hayward & Jamie Morrison

Photography by Lucy Wilson

Jess Van Der Velden

Tahra Mohamed & Harriet Rankine

Alice Gipps, Sarah Jeanes & Lucy Wilson

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JJ Spark & Sophie Heath

Emma Boers, Rich Bucket & Tabba Woodd

Kent University found Nemo

SUPA National University Arena Championships; Rugby Polo Club; Warwickshire; 11 – 14 February

Super Social

Oxford Brookes were ready for bed

Play hard, party hard is always the motto for SUPA National Universities whether it’s in the arena or out on grass. This year’s four-day intercollegiate festival was no different. The competition between the universities continued out of the arena and in the ‘Pick-a-theme’ players’ party on Saturday evening, with some clubs opting to do battle on the fancy dress front. The Rugby bar was awash with sharks, jellyfish, wild cats, a small herd of pink glittery unicorns, superheroes and even the odd Welsh sheep and shepherd. Oxford Brookes took their theme to another level by making donations to Breast Cancer Research and wearing anything pink for their costumes.

In the daylight the warm up arena was a welcome respite from the chilly Midlands wind for all the grooms and supporters. On the Friday evening the APSPH held drinks for all the pony providers as the biannual SUPA university event is the only time they all find themselves in the same geographical spot – a perfect opportunity to catch-up and talk ponies and polo.

It’s only just finished but everyone is already looking forward to the summer tournament in June.

Photography by Lucy Wilson & Katie Vickery

When you lose a bet at Oxford Brookes…

Bournemouth University hoping for a catch

Oxford Brookes pink ladies & gentleman

Superheroes from the University of West England

Jeremy ‘Puffles’ Pidgeon & Lydia Styler

Grant Collett & Matias Amaya

Johnny Lynn, Charles Betz, Nigel Mercer & Dean Lines

The Cardiff University flock

Nottingham University on the prowl

Exeter University Yodelling Club

Warwick University and their Leader Ara

On safari with Nottingham University

Bournemouth University butterflies

London University’s herd of unicorns

Plenty of fish in the sea for our USPA friends

Tito Gaudenzi, Nano Gracida, Agustin ‘Tincho’ Merlos & Melissa Ganzi celebrate before taking to the podium

The Perrier-Jouët team pose for photos

Charlie Vaughan-Lee, Nick Wilkinson, James Wilkinson, William Wales & Joe Bell

The Snow Polo World Cup; St Moritz; 29-31 January

Magical St Moritz

Nacho Gonzalez & Spencer McCarthy

Ollie Ellis & Tim Keyte

Cédric Schweri with his son aloft

James Turner wraps up warmly in the stands

Sophie Kyriazi

St Moritz sparkled with more than just Perrier-Jouët bubbles over the weekend of the world famous Snow Polo World Cup. A three-day spectacle filled to the brim with parties and polo, both as fast and furious as the Maseratis whizzing around the ice taking players and VIPs from the super luxe of their hotels to the frozen lake. The event was glamour incarnate, from the opening presentation ceremony, to the aprés-polo at the Saturday night Gala Dinner or lavish celebrations at the King’s Club Badrutt’s Palace Hotel on Sunday night.

This historic Alpine hideaway, nestled in the stunning Engadin mountains, pulled out all the stops to make its guests welcome. The sun blazed down all weekend warming up the spectators in the VIP grandstands, as they watched the competition heat up on the ice, kept toasty

by Deutsche Bank and Cartier blankets, and refreshed by even more champagne handed out by the dutiful Lufthansa hostesses. Sunglasses and snowboots were the order of the day as the sold-out crowds milled around the frozen lake, enjoying the VIP enclosure and atmosphere between chukkas.

Jan-Erik Frank & Sarah Gonzalez

Photography

by Tony Ramirez/©www.imagesofpolo.com & Polo Times

The Polo Magazine and Polo Times reporters catching the icy action on camera

Enrico Roselli

Editions of Polo Times & The Polo Magazine took prominence in the La Martina boutique on the frozen lake

Dr. Thomas Rinderknecht, Co-Founder Evviva Polo St. Moritz, Annette & Dr. Richard Caleel former FIP President

Malcolm Borwick

Katy Stankova

Chris Hyde

Melissa Wadley

Matteo Beffa from Legacy Polo

Tony Ramirez on the other side of the lens

Charlotte Kendall & Charlie Wooldridge

Graham Wooldrige

Christian Gartmann & Isabel Wenger

Reto Gaudenzi, Founder & CEO, Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz, Käthy Dobers, Director, Cartier St. Moritz, Dr. Piero Dillier, Chairman, Evviva Polo St. Moritz & Guillaume Alix, CEO, Cartier Switzerland

Nick Hine with Anne & Peter Bond

Stuart Craig

Polo Times’ Katie Vickery & Lucy Wilson

Agustin ‘Tincho’ Merlos celebrating the Semi Final win

Carriages complete with bells and warm furs brought spectators to the the polo

Ellie McCarthy

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Dates for Your Diary

Polo directory

What’s On in March 2016 UK Arena Fixtures Internationals

AEPC – The Bryan Morrison International Trophy: 5 March

Medium Goal

DBPC – The Charlotte Trophy (4-8): 12 – 13 March Rugby – The Toft Shield (4-8): 19 – 20 March

Low Goal

Epsom – 4 Goal Tournament (2-4): 5 – 6 March Epsom – Mayflower Cup (2-4): 12 – 13 March Rugby – The Faraday Cup (2-6): 26 – 27 March Rugby – The Faraday Cup (-2-2): 26 – 27 March Rugby – The Toft Shield (-3-0): 19 – 20 March FHM – Stickhedz Tournament (-3-0): 20 March

Open

Wicklow – France vs Ireland: 5 – 6 March Druids – Druids Spring League Finals Weekend: 5 – 6 March Rugby – T-Bone Challenge: 7 March Vale of York – ABI Beach Challenge: 13 March Druids – Sandpool End of Term Cup: 15 March Vale of York – Lay-Soft Arena Challenge: 13 March

Looking Ahead UK Summer 2016 High Goal Dates Guards – The Royal Salute Coronation Cup (Open): 23 July RCBPC – The Prince of Wales Trophy (17-22): 7 – 14 May Guards – The Cartier Queen’s Cup (17-22): May 17 – 12 June Cirencester – Warwickshire Cup (17-22): 14 – 19 June Cowdray – The Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup for the British Open (Open): June 21 – 17 July Cowdray – Duke of Sutherland’s Cup (15-18): May 15 – 5 June Cirencester – The Apsley Cup (15-18): 8 – 26 June Coworth – Indian Empire Shield (15-18): June 28 – 16 July Cowdray – Challenge Cup (15-18): 18 – 31 July

www.polotimes.co.uk

Victor Ludorum UK Summer 2016 Season Dates

Overseas Highlights

15 Goal Victor Ludorum

Guards – The Royal Windsor Cup (12-15): May 30 – 19 June RCBPC – The Eduardo Moore Tournament (12-15): June 25 – 9 July Cowdray – The Harrison Cup (12-15): 18 – 30 July Cirencester – The County Cup (12-15): 1 – 14 August Beaufort – The Arthur Lucas Cup (12-15): 16 – 28 August

12 Goal Victor Ludorum

Cowdray – Dollar Cup (8-12): 9 – 29 May RCBPC – The John Prestwich Trophy (8-12): May 30 – 11 June Beaufort – The Prince of Wales’ Cup (8-12): 13 – 25 June Cirencester – The Queen Mother Trophy (8-12): June 27 – 10 July Guards – Duke of Wellington Trophy (8-12): 2 – 14 August Cirencester – Cheltenham Cup (8-12): August 23 – 4 September Cowdray – Autumn League (8-12): 6 – 18 September

8 Goal Victor Ludorum

Cirencester – Gerald Balding (4-8): 16 – 30 May Guards – Archie David (4-8): 3 – 26 June RCBPC – The Julian and Howard Hipwood Trophy (4-8): June 29 – 16 July Cowdray – Holden White Challenge Cup (4-8): 19 – 31 July Beaufort – Wichenford Bowl (4-8): 8 – 21 August

6 Goal Victor Ludorum

DBPC – The Stoneythorpe Cup (2-6): 16 – 22 May Beaufort – The Eduardo Rojas Lanusse Cup (2-6): May 31 – 11 June Rutland – The Assam Cup (2-6): 20 – 26 June Cheshire – Junior County Cup (2-6): 4 – 10 July Cambridge County – The Cavendish Cup (2-6): 18 – 24 July Kirtlington – Budgett Everett Trophy (2-6): July 28 – 7 August Ham – Roehampton Cup (2-6): 12 – 21 August Cirencester – Kingscote Cup (2-6): August 22 – 3 September

America

IPC – C.V. Whitney Cup (26): February 28 – 6 March IPC – USPA Gold Cup (26): 13 – 27 March IPC – US Open Polo Championship: (Open) 3 – 24 April Santa Barbara – The Belmond El Encanto Polo Classic (16): 8 – 10 July Santa Barbara – USPA Maserati Silver Cup (16): 15 – 24 July Santa Barbara – USPA Nespresso America Cup (16): July 29 – 7 August Santa Barbara – Gulfstream Pacific Coast Open (16): 12 – 28 August

Dubai

Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club – Julius Baer Gold Cup (18): February 19 – 11 March Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club – Dubai Cup (18): 8 – 15 April

New Zealand

Auckland – Savile Cup (0, 3, 6 & 16): 8 – 13 March Auckland – Brinks Tournament (0, 2 & 8): 19 – 20 March

South Africa

Plettenberg Bay – Plett Easter Tournaments: March 14 – 3 April

Polo Times, March 2016

77

Polo directory

Dates for Your Diary

Save the Date Charity Events

Ham – International Charity Support Trust Polo Classic Tournament: 16 July

Dominican Republic

Barbados

Holders – Cheshire Tour: February 28 – 6 March All Clubs – Barbados Open: 8 – 20 March Apes Hill – Night Polo: 26 March Holders – Canadian Tour: March 26 – 3 April Apes Hill – John Bunn Tour: March 29 – 2 April Apes Hill – International Ladies’ Tour: 5 – 9 April Holders – President’s & Kearns Trophy: 14 May

Casa de Campo – The Gold Cup: February 26 – 19 March Casa de Campo – The Caribbean Open: March 24 – 2 April

Save the Date Social Events

Rugby – Midlands Festival Ball: 26 March DBPC – Opening Season Party: 14 May

Cultural Corner

Osbourne Studio Gallery, London – Alistair Little (Equestrian art): 5 – 22 April

Women’s Polo For ladies polo highlights turn to our Women’s Polo section for a full list of dates.

Editor’s Note – All dates are correct at time of going to press. Polo Times takes no responsibility for fixtures moved, cancelled or altered. Always check with the club(s) for the most up-to-date fixtures lists.

Cartier Conundrum Answer -

Croatia

Rovini – Beach Polo Tournament: 12 – 15 May

to the question posed on our Letters page A. Chris Hyde and Nacho Gonzalez won twice together as teammates with Maybach in 2005, and in 2013 with Cartier.

Club contacts UK and Ireland CLUB

PHONE

EMAIL

CLUB

PHONE

EMAIL

All England Polo Club Hickstead 01273 834315

polo@hickstead.co.uk

Moor Hall Farm Polo Club

01279 450637

alec@mhfpolo.co.uk

Apsley End

01462 712444

peter.pollak@btopenworld.com

Norfolk Polo Club

01508 480256

office@norfolkpolo.co.uk

Ash Farm Polo Club

01932 872 521

ashfarmpolo@hotmail.com

Offchurch Bury Polo Club

07901 803285

info@offchurchburypoloclub.co.uk

Beverley Polo Club

01964 544877

info@beverleypoloclub.co.uk

Park Lane

07976 242877

mbhancock@yahoo.co.uk

Blueys Polo Club

0771 0558485

polomanager@blueyspolo.co.uk

Ranelagh Polo Club

01344 885697

polo@ranelaghfarm.com

Cambridge Polo Club

07711 217004

info@haggisfarmpolo.com

Ranksboro Polo Club

01572 723755

polojoe@hotmail.com

Cambridge County Polo Club

01223 812922

info@cambridgecountypoloclub.co.uk

RCBPC

01344 890 060

admin@rcbpc.com

Dallas Burston Polo Club

01926 812409

ella@dbpoloclub.com

Rugby Polo Club

01788 817 724

info@rugbypoloclub.com

Druids Lodge Polo Club

01722 782597

abi@druidspolo.co.uk

Sussex Polo Club

01342 714920

info@sussexpolo.co.uk

Edinburgh Polo Club

0131 449 6696

djamesjamie@aol.com

SWF

01962 885500

info@maywoodpolo.com

Emsworth Polo Grounds

01344 883112

enquiries@fourquarterspolo.co.uk

Tidworth Polo Club

01980 846705

tidarenapolo@tiscali.co.uk

Epsom Polo Club

07961 232106

epsompoloclub@hotmail.com

Triskelion Polo Club

07624 272547

polo@triskelionpolo.club

Fifield Polo Club

07778 436468

francis@fhmpolo.co.uk

Vale of York

07788 426968

info@valeofyorkpoloclub.co.uk

FHM Polo Club

01628 620061

fifieldpoloclub@live.co.uk

Vaux Park Park Polo Club

07703 524613

vppc@btconnect.com

Heathfield Polo Club

01869 351111

info@heathfieldparkpolo.co.uk

Westcroft Park Polo Club

01276 858545

richard@westcroftparkpolo.co.uk

Hertfordshire Polo Club

01707 256023

polo@hertspolo.co.uk

West Wycombe Park Polo Club

07787 560729

secretary@westwycombepolo.co.uk

Inglesham Polo Club

07818 508136

mattevetts@hotmail.com

White Rose

01430 875767

info@whiterosepolo.co.uk

Wicklow Polo

00 353 404 67164 siobhan@polowicklow.com

Kinross

07831 365194

thom@thombell.co.uk

Longdole Polo Club

01452 864544

jo@longdolepolo.com

78

Polo Times, March 2016

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2005 MAN 8.155 7.5 Ton,Ramp 5/6 11 Horse, Day Cab, Hydraulic Horse, Newly Painted, Test Until Large Tack Lockers, 12 Months MOT March 2016. Bottle Green In Paint Shop to be painted

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

MERCEDES 814 HORSE TRUCK FOR SALE 2 axle, 7.5 tonne, 6000cc turbo. Immaculate box with aluminium frame and galvanized partitions with full height opening tack area. Carries 4-6 ponies. 11 months test. 218500 miles. Reg H976 HJF. £5,995 Contact Chris Crawford on 07762 069 420.

Kirtlington

SCOREBOARDS AND CLOCKS ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR POLO Outdoor and arena sizes. Fully electronic, displaying the time counting down, both scores and chukka number. Automatic bell/horn. Controlled wirelessly by a remote TNS Quarter page portrait.indd control you can even wear on your arm.

Visit www.SportingDesigns.co.uk or call +44 (0)7860 303217

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Situations POLO GROOM / BREAKER Looking for a Polo Groom / Breaker young Ex-racers for season and permanent job. Experience in polo a must & Train young horses for polo, & pregnant mares on farm Accommodation would be provided Hgv License a Bonus £200/pwk.

Email alhassan@myself.com Ewhurst Surrey

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THOROUGHBRED 11 year old mare 15.2hh by Averti raced 4 times won and was 2nd. Played polo all last season. Could play arena or do other disciplines. £3,000 Contact 07740774158 Banbury

POLO PONY WANTED FOR LOAN WITH VIEW TO BUY Polo pony wanted for coming season on loan with view to buy for Low Goal lady player. Must have gears! Must be good to hack and with children / animals 14.3-15.1hh, Age 6-15 ideally but not essential. Must be sensibly priced for purchase after loan period. Contact 07792 202531 nataliegwilliam987@icloud.com Ilkley West Yorkshire

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© Polo Times Limited 2016 and Database Right 2016

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

Polo Times, March 2016

79

Final bell

In association with Aprés Polo

The Godfather of snow polo Reto Gaudenzi, CEO of Evviva Polo St Moritz, and the mastermind behind the Snow Polo World Cup took time-out to chat to Polo Times about his passions in polo, sport and beyond.

What is your biggest passion and why?

My biggest passion is playing and organising polo!

What is your all time best polo memory?

I started playing polo in Sotogrande in 1978 and won the Gold Cup in 1980, this is one of my greatest memories. I also won a bronze medal with the Swiss National Team, which I founded in 1993 on grass in St Moritz, and of course my five wins of the Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz. I still do not know how I managed the organisation, playing and winning, all at the same time as running the Palace Hotel in those days! I can also add 11 tournament wins from the German high, medium and low goal Championships to my list of favourite memories!

Who were your favourite teammates and why?

Adrian Laplacette, Piero Dillier and Werner Maier; they are also my friends and we travelled the whole world playing polo and having fun.

But also with Alfonso Pieres and ‘Ruso’ Heguy – it was fantastic to play alongside them!

Hardest opponent?

In England, the Lucas brothers, James and William, in the 1990’s.

Favourite food/dish?

Being a hotelier, I have great food all the time, that increases the ‘advertising space’ around my waist! But really nothing beats a great plate of spaghetti arrabiata with an excellent glass of red wine!

Describe yourself in three words…

Positive, hard, fun-loving, (sometimes lazy, but productive)… oops that’s a bit more than three words!

One thing which would surprise us about you?

That I can sing.

Favourite hobby outside of polo?

Everything possible to do with sport, action and watching!

Most prized possession?

My kids – Tito and Lina!

Best holiday destination & activity?

The Engadin Valley in winter and summer or any sea/coastal location in the world.

Best pony and why?

Gorda. She came from the Alegria polo farm and played polo with me for 12 years at the highest level.

Are you passionately superstitious?

Not at all!

Which sports do you like outside of polo?

I had the luck of growing up in St Moritz. I was a great skier and I was in the Swiss National Bobsleigh Team as a Pilot.

I played Ice Hockey in the Swiss National League and had a Pilot Licence. I play golf, tennis, football and shoot. I love to move fast in my Maserati.

Favourite musician?

Bob Dylan.

80

Polo Times, March 2016

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