Polo Times March 2021

Volume 26 • Issue 2 • March 2021 • £6.50

www.polotimes.co.uk

TUTORING FEATURE Schooling in the ‘New Normal’ ACTION ACROSS THE POND Gauntlet of Polo & WPL 2021 PRE-SEASON PREPARATIONS Health, Fitness & Nutrition PLUS: 5 Minutes With Lía Salvo & Rob Cudmore Passions

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

Contents Publisher Nick Hine publisher@polotimes.co.uk

What’s inside…

March 2021

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

Editorial Rosabella Hine rosabella@polotimes.co.uk

Principal Design James Morgan

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Design Tony Ruddy

Financial Controller Angie Clark accounts@polotimes.co.uk

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

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14 Contributors: Lorna Edgar, Dr.med. Andreas Krüger, Rege Ludwig, India Parker-Smith, Tony Ramirez, Lía Salvo & Jason Warren

News

Youth Polo

4 8

39

Cover photograph: La Indiana’s Nico Escobar & Daily Racing Form’s Jared Zenni.

By ©David Lominska

Comment

Contact details

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

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Call on +44 (0)1452 730 770 Subscribe online: www.polotimes.co.uk © Polo Times Limited 2021 and Database Right 2021 Polo Times Limited holds the copyright & database right to the information it publishes in Polo Times and on the Polo Times website. No content may be reproduced or distributed without the consent of the Publisher. ‘Polo Times’ is the trade mark of Polo Times Limited. ISSN 1461-4685

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All the Latest News Obituaries

Letters: Your Views & Social Media

Features 12

Simply Learning Tuition

Reports 14 18 22 24 28

2020 USPA Gold Cup Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series Sterling Cup Ylvisaker Cup WPL: All-Star Challenge

Club Focus 31

All Aspects of Youth Polo

Knowledge 40 42 44 46 48 50

Polodoc: Neck, Shoulder & Arm Pain Insuring for Polo Playing Tips with Rege Ludwig: Player & Horse Teamwork Nutrition Focus: Back to Work They Go! Chukka Wellness: Preparing Your Body Performance in Polo: Challenge vs Threat

Polo Directory 52 54

What’s On in March 2021 Classifieds

Final Bell 56

Passions: Rob Cudmore

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Women’s Polo 33 34 35

5 Minutes With… Lía Salvo A Round-Up of Women’s Polo 2020 U.S. Open Women’s Championship www.polotimes.co.uk

05/03/2021 18:08

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OUR OWN

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from the Publisher

Nick Hine, Publisher

Photography by Ned Dawson NZ

As we go to print on this March issue of Polo Times, it is hard to believe that this time last year Covid-19, furlough and lockdown had yet to become part of our everyday language, with news of the virus only just making headlines and with none of us expecting our lives to be turned upside down.

12 months on, we find ourselves enduring the ‘new normal’, with social distancing, face masks and working from home part of our everyday lives.

Whilst we are currently in the midst of the latest lockdown here in England, there is hope on the horizon with children going back to school and the government having outlined their ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown. With this it is hoped that not only will our everyday lives once again be blessed with social freedoms and economic prosperity, but also closer to home – a 2021 summer polo season at all levels!

Although there is currently no polo being played anywhere in the UK, we have managed to continue to produce Polo Times, with our Reports focus shifting overseas to the ongoing high goal in Florida with the World Polo League and Gauntlet of Polo. While it has been thoroughly enjoyable to watch some top level polo thanks to livestreaming technology, this has been slightly tinged with sadness that the winter season here was a non-starter due to the pandemic.

However, let us focus on the positive news – with one of the best vaccination programmes in the world, there is light at the end of the tunnel and as Abraham Lincoln said, “Good things come to those who wait”.

News

The NZ Polo Open was played but on a lesser scale than planned

NZ Polo Open

Due to Covid-19 restrictions the BMW NZ Polo Open event was cancelled on Sunday 21 February. The polo part of the event under ‘Level 2’ restrictions was able to continue with only a limited number of attendees and not open for general admission. Run by the Auckland Polo Club, the 12 goal Final was played between Tiger Mystery Creek and 4Cyte Hololio on the Worker Family’s, North Clevedon field, with 4Cyte Hololio narrowly clinching the win 11-10.

Edward Jones was named Most Valuable Player and Honey Badger, owned by Glenn Sheriff was chosen as the Best Playing Pony and NZ Racing Best Thoroughbred.

NZ Polo Open Final Teams: 4Cyte Hololio (12): Jeremy Jones (2), Edward Jones (1), Glenn Sheriff (5) & Henry Jones (4) Tiger Mystery Creek (12): Ben Johnstone (0), Kaleb Watson (0), Kit Brooks (5) & John Paul Clarkin (7)

Northern Polo League

The Northern Polo League (NPL) was born as an idea between Prensa Polo Fran Stuven Ortelli (Bramham Polo Academy). The idea is to encourage and promote low goal polo to compliment club tournaments on weekends. With this league they aim to unify the “north” from Northamptonshire to Yorkshire, where there is not currently any 12 or 22 goal, so they are trying to encourage polo to grow as there are so many great players in the North who are eager to play more and more polo.

The teams will each play one another home and away, this will be great exposure for all the clubs to host games. If there are six teams there will be a total of 10 matches. The matches can be played at any point in the week, this should allow flexibility and enable all teams to fit in all the games. Teams will collect points as they play and at the end of the season the points are counted to conclude a winner. Guidelines permitting, there are plans to organise a ball to award the prizes and hopefully celebrate a great season and successful league.

The league will have a handicap of 2 goals and they are also looking to have a second league with a lower handicap (-1) so that everyone has the chance to play more polo and travel around the great clubs in the North. Fran commented, “I am hoping you can support this idea as it will be great to get some exposure for polo in the North. There are a huge number of great players and great ponies who are keen to play more polo! There are also a number of talented up and coming young players, I am hoping the league will inspire them and give them the opportunity to watch and play some competitive games.”

Polo Rider Cup

It has been announced that Maison Décalé will be the official outfitter for the next three editions of The Polo Rider Cup; the brand has been the outfitter for the Barrière Deauville Polo Cup since 2018, Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly, The French Open and the Polo de Paris since 2020. Olivier Godallier, President & Co-Founder of GAME Polo, commented, “We are very honoured that MAISON DÉCALÉ has taken up the challenge to follow us in this brand-new polo club competition and we want to build a success story with them, creating quality polo items to dress the POLO RIDER CUP with class and elegance.”

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www.polotimes.co.uk

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News 2021 Copa República Argentina Teams Confirmed

New Face for Sussex Saddlery/ Equine Management Sussex Saddlery/Equine Management Ltd would like to introduce their new Sales Coordinator, Laura Parke. She will be visiting (whilst respecting Covid protocol) the company’s existing polo clients over the coming weeks. With very competitive prices and quality products combined with knowledgeable staff the company ethos is, ‘Quality is not expensive… it’s priceless.’

Any new team or Individual player with an enquiry, visit request or order please email: sales@sussexsaddlery.com or telephone: 07793 508933.

Photograph by Equine Management

The AAP has released a complete statistical summary of the 127th HSBC Argentine Polo Open, with all the results, top scorers, shooting and passing efficiencies, fouls, throw-ins won and much more, with all the stats available by team or per individual.

Adolfo Cambiaso was the top scorer of the competition with 45 goals, followed by Facundo Pieres (43 goals) and Guillermo Caset (36 goals), while Alejo Taranco had the best shot effienciency with 75%, followed by Juan Britos (69%) and Tomás Fernandez Llorente (58%). To view the full list of statistics, visit the AAP website.

Photograph by Archivo AAP – Matías Callejo

Photograph by Archivo AAP – Matías Callejo

AAP Release 2020 Argentine Open Facts

Over 19 – 27 March, the final round of the Copa República Argentina will be played in Palermo and Pilar.

Organised by the AAP, the tournament is the only one in the world where teams between 0 to 40 goals can participate. The Copa República Argentina The Copa República Argentina was first played for in 1929 was created by Don Francisco Ceballos and was first played for in 1929. For the tournament, Argentina is divided into 12 circuits, from which 16 teams will emerge at the top, securing their place in the final round of competition in March. This year will see 31 teams participate in each of the 12 circuits, which is a record number for recent years, the circuits with just one team entry (Noroeste, Sudeste, Cuyo & Cordillera) will see those teams proceed directly to the final round in Palermo and Pilar, while those circuits with the most participating teams (Metropolitano, el Este, el Oeste & el Litotal) will compete over two qualifiers.

The highest handicapped team this year is La Aguada (24 goals) while the lowest handicapped team is La Baguala (7 goals).

Laura Parke will be mobile for all tack and equipment needs

POLO IMMIGRATION SPECIALISTS 01798 343693 WWW.POLOPERMITS.CO.UK Authorised by the OISC Ref No F201400827

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Obituaries Obituary Rupert Heggs 1965 – 2021

Photograph by Nico Morgan

Rutland Polo Club’s former Chairman, member and player Rupert Heggs has passed away.

His Rathbones team won many tournaments, most notably, The Assam Cup in 2008. Rutland Polo Club remember Rupert, “All who know him were touched by the generous hearted and kind man he was, and are deeply grateful for all he did for polo at our Club. He will always be remembered as one of polo’s finest and most genuine players and characters.”

Tom Collie wrote in to remember his friend, “I think without fail Rupert was one of the best and most supportive polo supporters I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. In his time as Rutland Polo Club Chairman he couldn’t have done more to support and promote the Polo Club, constantly visiting other Clubs and inviting visitors to Rutland. One of my lasting memories in this regard was the always constant feature of Rupert at various RPC social events constantly bidding various auction prizes up to raise more funds for the Club.

One particular time Rupert even went so far as to coerce myself into a bidding war with him even though he was actually intending to pay no matter who won the auction, much to wife Bridget’s frustration.

It was my great privilege to have played polo for Rupert for a number of years and probably what sticks with me the most about Rupert was his never-ending generosity, whether it was towards myself, the people around us, or just visitors to the Club. Though a competitive polo player, Rupert never liked to see anyone left out, and would often

support less fortunate players to the detriment of his own team. One of his rituals I always used to enjoy was the pre-match tea or coffee, usually accompanied with some sort of snack on Rupert’s ramp with himself and groom Carly. We would usually discuss ‘team tactics’ in a very loose way, but more often have a bit of a laugh and a joke followed by some half-hearted stretching. I feel very lucky to have had Rupert in my life and he will be greatly missed.”

Philip Baker adds, “He’s given the sport and its family some truly wonderful years, and certainly given me some of the greatest memories of my polo journey.

I know he will carry those memories and the love of everyone he touched with him on his journey.

Rupert’s former groom Carly Carr, shares her memories, “One of my best decisions in life was to begin working as Rupert Heggs’ groom. He was kind, caring and considerate towards me and we had lots of fun and laughter over the years. In fact, the best years of my life were chasing Rupert up and down the pitch with ponies, sticks and the hole punch! He looked after his professionals, his groom and all his ponies and that’s just how it was. Rupert wanted people to achieve and be happy and if he could help with that then his smile would only get bigger, he was a true gentleman. Rupert went from my employer to a dear friend, his words of advice and encouragement will stay with me throughout my life. I was proud to be his groom and very proud to be his friend.”

Anna Hunt completes the lovely memories shared of Rupert, “He was the most helpful and inspiring Chairman, and I had the pleasure of working with him whilst I was Polo Manager of the Rutland Polo Club. With his great enthusiasm to improve the Club, new ideas to achieve better things for the sport of polo and the great support of Bridget, he motivated everybody and brought us into the 21st century. We will all miss Rupert, even though recently he hadn’t been able to play we still fondly remember the many tournaments he won with his Rathbones team, the highlight being the Assam Cup in 2008, such a fun filled week of polo and happy memories.”

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Obituaries

Obituary Lord Vestey 19 March 1941 – 4 February 2021

Obituary Mary Hine 11 January 1937 – 18 February 2021 Mary died peacefully on 18 February 2021 aged 84-years-old. Much loved wife of John, sister-in-law to Margaret, father to Sara, Andrew, William and Nicholas, aunt of two, adored grandmother of eleven and great grandmother of two, dear friend to many.

Born on 11 January 1937 in Nottinghamshire, Mary met John whilst learning to ride as a teenager. Their combined love of polo began in the early 70s, with their Langley Priory 8 goal team going on to be one of the most successful.

Family was the most important part of Mary’s life and for almost 50 years, Mary supported polo at all levels. From Pony Club to high goal, Mary was never more happy than when she was watching a match that involved one of her family playing. Whilst never actually playing polo herself, Mary loved horses and her knowledge of the game was that of a 10

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Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

The 3rd Lord Vestey, GCVO, businessman and master of the horse and four goal polo player was born on 19 March 1941. He died from a heart attack in hospital on 4 February 2021, aged 79. Lord Vestey played polo with his brother Mark and alongside Eduardo Moore and Hector Barrantes, formed the Stowell Park team, Lord Vestey won the Gold Cup in 1973, 1974 and 1978. Amongst others, he also won The Warwickshire, Midhurst Town, Cowdray Park Challenge Cups, and The Wills Cup. With the Cirencester Park team he won The Deauville Gold Cup in 1968. Mark was paralysed from the waist down during a fall with the Heythrop hunt in 1984. This had such an impact on Lord Vestey that he retired from polo altogether, the only exception being to play in his brother’s place in the 1987 Queen’s Cup, alongside Charles Beresford, Silvio Novaes and Philip Elliott; securing his fourth victory in the tournament. Her Majesty The Queen presented the trophy to Mark. Lord Vestey was Chairman of Cirencester Park Polo Club from 1975 to 1984.

goaler. Adept at knowing just when to give advice, and when not to, Mary always watched polo with a smile.

Loyal, protective, incredibly proud of her family, yet also very modest, Mary will be missed by all that knew her, and the sidelines will be all the poorer for her passing.

“Mary and John were always favourites with Sue and I as they always made such an effort with us. So many suppers with them in Kirtlington.” Rob Cudmore “I was just reflecting what fun we used to have going to matches when Andrew and Henry were playing in the same team. Mary and I would sit keeping our fingers crossed while in very very tense moments John would whizz off behind the stand to pray!!! It sometimes worked!” Margie Brett “Mary is one of the people I always think will be spectating at the matches as she has been present at nearly all of my matches as a player or umpire. That’s because I was either playing with or against Nick, Will or Andrew and more recently umpiring one of Andrew’s Teams or his children.” Jason Dixon A celebration of Mary’s life will take place in the Summer.

Polo Times, March 2021

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Letters

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

We follow them to save you the scrolling: @maragata_polo Monday Mood #horselove #instahorse #horsesofinstagram #horsegram #horses #regram @cophanbury

@rockin_a_photo That Friday feeling. Time to let that hair down. @bekayshow @ryankarl8 @leah.campbell14

@polo_valley Feel the adrenaline #polochallenge2021

Quick Question Q: The Ylvisaker Cup is played as tribute to William T. ‘Bill’ Ylvisaker, a 7 goal international player who had many notable achievements to his name including being chairman of the USPA in 1970-1975 and wins in America in The U.S. Open, Gold, Monty Waterbury, Continental, Centennial Cups, Butler Handicap and 20 Goal Championship. Which two high goal titles did Bill win in England and for bonus points can you name the years, team names and teammates?

A: Turn to page 53 to check your answer.

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@trippettspolo Such a joy to see homebred Eclipse ( Magdalena x Clarín) behaving himself impeccably during his first days of being backed #charlesseavill #ellerstonpolo #poloponies #starinthemaking #trigger

With the 2021 season seemingly suddenly fully back on, pre-season grooming preparations are underway in earnest – but with human hairdressers still closed the same standards cannot be applied to players and grooms!

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Feature

Simply Learning Tuition

U16 Education & Tuition

UK Independent Schools are incubators of nascent polo talent

P

olo has always been regarded as being somewhat exclusive; the sport of kings and indeed, in the UK, HM The Queen is the sport’s patron.

However, with more schools integrating polo into their sport curriculum, there is greater accessibility for young players, and increased visibility for the sport in general.

Since 1991, the Schools and Universities Polo Association (known as SUPA) has supported the development of polo in educational institutions across the UK. There are currently around 28 UK boarding schools that have polo teams for players aged 13-18, and more prep schools offering the sport to players under the age of 13-years-old.

UK Independent Schools have long since been incubators of nascent polo talent.

Wellington College won The Copenhagen Cup Final at Guards Polo Club in 2019, placing this team firmly on the map when it comes to young polo talent. Colleges like Eton, Cheltenham Ladies’, Millfield and

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Young player focus

Cheltenham College have a long history of producing successful polo players who go on to represent the country. Cheltenham Ladies’ College is the alma mater of Nina Clarkin, the world’s highest-handicapped female player, and Millfield continues to host the Millfield Polo Invitational in Somerset every year. Teams from schools including Marlborough College, Harrow, Rugby, Radley College and Stowe attend this celebrated event, as well as other tournaments, matches and training opportunities held across the country.

Advanced players may join the school team bringing with them their own ponies, coaches, and grooms. For those that are new to the game, schools provide equipment and training ponies, and form partnerships with local clubs, such as Druids Lodge Polo Club where the Marlborough team train, which gives them access to world-class coaching and indoor as well as grass pitches.

As a result, more and more young

people are playing at a professional level.

Beyond inter-school matches, training seasons and international tournaments in places like Argentina, Dubai and the US are an inevitable next step for aspiring young professional players. For players with a year-round commitment to the sport, international travel is essential if they want to earn a place on the world polo stage.

Unfortunately, coronavirus has had a huge impact on how polo fits in with young players’ lives. Since March 2020 government restrictions have forced teams and stables to severely limit their training and practice strategies. As early as June 2020, the Hurlingham Polo Association announced that only professional players and those aged 16 and over on ‘elite pathway programs’ would be able to compete in the UK that season. Younger and amateur players could look forward to a season of non-contact stick-and-balling, with a maximum of six people on the pitch. www.polotimes.co.uk

05/03/2021 18:09

Simply Learning Tuition At the same time, school closures meant that schools had to adapt to new learning conditions. Online learning has become an essential tool in maintaining continuity of education, allowing teachers to reach their students at home during lockdown. For many families, this was also an opportunity: remote learning is equally accessible wherever you are in the world.

International travel is currently replete with risks and inconveniences that make travelling to individual tournaments held in foreign countries entirely impractical. However, with events like The All Star Challenge, the delayed 2020 USPA Gold Cup, and The C.V. Whitney Cup all going ahead in Florida this month with relative freedom of movement, the prospect of making a permanent move abroad is an appealing one to families pursuing polo careers. The knowledge that this doesn’t have to come at the cost of a child’s education lifts pressure from previously complex decisions around how and what to prioritise.

Nonetheless, keeping up with a regular school schedule, even with the help of online lessons, can be draining for young students with demanding extracurricular commitments. Time differences have seen students in Hong Kong staying up late into the night, and students in New York waking up in the early hours of the morning, to attend online lessons conducted by their UK boarding schools. Though manageable as a short-term solution, the long-term impact on a child’s mental and physical health makes this an impractical setup going forward, particularly as schools across the UK are set to open over the coming weeks and teachers will be turning their attention back to inperson lessons.

As a private tutoring agency, Simply Learning Tuition (SLT) has seen how personal tutors have become increasingly popular – there’s been a massive spike in private online lessons since the beginning of the pandemic. For many families, online

Feature

tutoring presents an opportunity to receive the best education available in the current circumstances, and into the future. Their recent post delves into the benefits of online learning and forming a connection with an individual who is personally invested in your child’s education. Private tutors offer the flexibility that schools cannot always afford, and modern educational technology makes connecting with tutors increasingly easy.

For children whose polo careers make attending regular school impossible, online learning is one consequence of the pandemic that they may actually be keen to carry on into the future.

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Wellington & Harrow in action for the 2019 Copenhagen Cup

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Reports

Postponed 2020 USPA Gold Cup

“Almost a year after the original fixture was due to go ahead, it was the job of the players to think of other things than romance and Valentine’s Day”

Better Late Than Never La Indiana victory AND $100,000 in 2020 USPA Gold Cup played after 11 month postponement La Indiana’s Polito Pieres in flying form

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Postponed 2020 USPA Gold Cup

he 2020 USPA Gold Cup was postponed on 17 March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but 332 days later the tournament reconvened at the Semi Final stage. Daily Racing Form – the only team returning with the same line-up as 2020 – secured their ticket to the Final with a defeat of Las Monjitas, whist La Indiana defied the pundits by seeing off Pilot, the incumbent 2019 Gauntlet of Polo champions and also achieving a top seed twice unbeaten form.

So, almost a year after the original fixture was due to go ahead, it was the job of the players to think of other things than romance and Valentine’s Day, instead focusing on work as the Final dawned between Daily Racing Form and La Indiana.

Although La Indiana had shown great form in the Semi Finals seeing off Pilot, aficionados were interested to see how things would bed in with their changed line-up this time around, with featured Nico Escobar instead of Esteban Panelo. Another

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variation was that their very handy 2 goal patron, Michael Bickford could not play, so was replaced by 22-year-old Juan Crus “Cacu’ Marcos, as Jeff Hall explained, “I saw him playing at Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club this past summer with Dundas in the 12 goal and a little bit in the 16 goal. I called Robertito Zedda and he spoke with team owner Sarah Siegel-Magness who was gracious enough to let Cacu come play with us, so thank you!”

Action on Final’s Day started off relatively slowly for 22 goal level, but soon picked up momentum as La Indiana’s attacking form saw Daily Racing Form playing an extreme form of catch up. Racing Form received a one goal handicap advantage to start (due to Juan Cruz Marcos’ raise in handicap to 3 goals after the Semi but any scoreboard lead was soon undermined as La Indiana dominated the first half, conceding just one penalty goal and keeping Daily Racing Form in their own half. The result was at half-time La Indiana had raced ahead and led by a seemingly impenetrable margin of 9-2.

La Indiana, winners of the postponed 2020 USPA Gold Cup

Photography by ©David Lominska

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Reports

Postponed 2020 USPA Gold Cup

After the half-time break, Daily Racing Form had a sense of urgency about them as they tried to narrow the gap and managed to turn a seven goal difference into just three as they altered the momentum of the Final.

Yet, with time to spare in the fifth chukka La Indiana replied with strong teamwork and with a goal for each player, they pushed themselves firmly back into the lead. As the clock wound down, La Indiana focused on shutting down offensive runs to goal and secured the 2020 USPA Gold Cup with a final score of 14-9.

The victory was especially meaningful to Hall as the USPA Gold Cup was the only tournament of the three Gauntlet of Polo events he had yet to win. “Last year when the tournament was cancelled due to Covid-19 I didn’t know if we were ever going to get here,” Hall said. “I want to thank Michael Bickford and the whole La Indiana team!”

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Where: International Polo Club, Palm Beach

STATS AND FIGURES Final scores: Fouls committed: Throw-ins won:

LA INDIANA 14 8 14

DAILY RACING FORM 9 6 11

2020 USPA Gold Cup Final Teams: La Indiana (22) Juan Cruz Marcos (2) – raised to 3 goals after Semi Final stage Jeff Hall (6) Polito Pieres (10) Nico Escobar (4)

Daily Racing Form (22) Costi Caset (5) Agustin Obregon (6) Tommy Collingwood (5) Jared Zenni (6)

MVP Jeff Hall

BPP Best Playing Pony: Machitos Pangea, played by Polito Pieres in the fifth chukka 16

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Postponed 2020 USPA Gold Cup

Reports

“The result was at half-time La Indiana had raced ahead and led by a seemingly impenetrable margin of 9-2” Daily Racing Form’s Costi Caset leads the race to the ball with Juan Cruz ‘Cacu’ Marcos in close attendance for La Indiana

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Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series

Wins for Habtoor & UAE Action from first two phases of the 2021 series

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he Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series comprises of five tournaments – The Silver Cup, The Gold Cup, The Polo Masters Cup, The Dubai Challenge Cup and The Dubai Cup – The Gold Cup is one of only four tournaments in the world played as part of the World Polo Tour Championship Cup category; the other three include the

IFZA Silver Cup

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n Friday 5 February, the opening tournament of the 2021 Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series, The IFZA Silver Cup, came to an end at Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club. The Final saw Habtoor Polo face UAE Polo; UAE Polo began with a half goal handicap advantage which enabled the team to get off to a strong start with Guillermo Willington opening the scoring and securing the lead for his team in the first chukka. However, Habtoor Polo’s Facundo Sola secured two penalty conversions which shifted the advantage into Habtoor Polo’s favour in the second chukka and the boys in blue began to take control of the Final. UAE Polo continued to

Camara de Diputados Cup (Arg), the Sotogrande Gold Cup (Spain) and USPA Gold Cup (USA). The idea began in 2009 with just one tournament, The Gold Cup, and has now grown into the series we see today, with players competing from across the globe. So far, The IFZA Silver Cup and The Polo Masters Cup have been played, with THE IFZA Gold Cup underway as we go to print.

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FINAL fight back, managing to bring the scores to within half a goal several times throughout the five chukkas, but on each occasion JAN Habtoor just managed to pull ahead. Juan FEB Jauretche sealed the deal with a fantastic goal with just one minute left on the clock and as the seconds ticked by, UAE Polo were unable to make a reply and Habtoor Polo secured themselves the win with a final score of 11-8½. The win was a joyous occasion for Mohammed Al Habtoor’s Habtoor Polo, with the team last lifting the trophy eight years ago in 2013.

Meanwhile, The Hildon Cup Subsidiary Final saw Zedan Polo lead throughout to Where: Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club, Dubai secure a 9-6 win against IFZA-Mahra Polo.

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Photography by Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club

IFZA Silver Cup Final winners, Habtoor Polo

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Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series

IFZA Silver Cup Final Teams: Habtoor Polo (18) Mohammed Al Habtoor (0) Félix Esaín (3) Juan Jauretche (6) Facundo Sola (9)

UAE Polo (17) HH Sheikha Maitha Al Maktoum(0) Lucas Monteverde (3) Tomas Panelo (7) Guillermo Willington (7)

Chukka scores: (0-½) 1-2½, 4-3½, 6-4½, 9-6½, 11-8½, to Habtoor Polo

Reports

31 goals Tournament Top Goal Scorer: Facundo Sola (31 goals)

HH Sheikha Maitha Al Maktoum & Mohammed Al Habtoor tussle for possession

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MVP Facundo Sola

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Nobu, played by Tomás Panelo

Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Association Best Playing Pony: El Overo Z7 Sagitaria (Signo x Tía Loca), played

by Guillermo Willington

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Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series

Polo Masters Cup MVP O

The Polo Masters Cup Final Teams UAE Polo (8) HH Sheikha Maitha Al Maktoum (0) Rashid Al Abbar (-1) Lukin Monteverde (3) Benjamin Panelo (6)

Battistoni (7) Alessandro Barnaba (-1) Raja Abuljebain (1) Maxi Malacalza (3) Tomas Iriarte (4)

n Friday 12 February, the second Final of the 2021 Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series – The Polo Masters Cup – was played at Al Habtoor Raja Albujebain Chukka scores: (0-0½) 0-0½, 3-1½, 6-4½, 8-4½ to UAE Polo Polo Resort & Club. This year’s competition saw eight teams compete in the competition, with UAE Polo and Battisoni achieving their places in the Final on Friday.

Both teams tried their best to score in the first chukka, but the scoreboard remained goalless until the second chukka, when Cynthia, played by Benjamin Panelo Tomas Iriate made a break for Battistoni, adding to their half goal handicap advantage.

However, their early lead was short lived as three consecutive goals from Benjamin Panelo saw UAE Polo pull themselves into the lead at half time with a score of 3-1½.

Battisoni bounced back in the third chukka, scoring three goals, but UAE Polo Where: Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club, Dubai also managed to get three goals onto the scoreboard to maintain their lead, so it was all to play for in the final chukka. The fourth chukka decided the final outcome, with a goalless tally for Battistoni, while UAE Polo continued to push forward; a penalty goal from HH Sheikha Maitha Al Maktoum plus a last-minute goal from Lukin Monteverde secured the win for UAE Polo, 8-4½.

In the Subsidiary Final, Bin Drai managed to pip Altamira to the post with a UAE Polo, winners of The Polo Masters Cup Final narrow 5-4 victory.

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Photograph by Khalil Ali/ Shine TV

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Action from the Final between UAE Polo & Battistoni

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Reports

Sterling Cup

Edge of the Seat Sterling Performances

Scone victory against La Indiana in closer-than-close Final

The Sterling Cup Final Teams: Scone (22) David Paradice (0) Adolfo Cambiaso (10) Poroto Cambiaso (6) Peke Gonzalez (6)

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La Indiana (22) Michael Bickford (2) Jeff Hall (6) Polito Pieres (10) Nico Escobar (4)

Chukka scores: 2-3, 7-4, 9-7, 11-8, 12-10, 14-13, to Scone

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La Indiana

Fast-paced action in a close Final at Grand Champions

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Where: Grand Champions Polo Club, Wellington, Florida

he 22 goal Sterling Cup tournament is a precursor to the Gauntlet of Polo and World Polo League series and this year saw six teams compete.

As the UK lockdown was in its full grip and the days were dark and…. well… February-y here in the UK it was with a degree of envy that we saw our American cousins in Florida, albeit playing behind closed doors; but looking sunny and relatively normal by comparison to a frosty and frigid England with zero polo taking place.

On Final’s Day Scone faced La Indiana, with Scone having secured their place in the Final with a 13-9 win against Santa Rita, while La Indiana earned their place following a 14-10 win against Casablanca.

Both teams were strong, the superbly horse powered Adolfo Cambiaso and his son Poroto brought a double barrel of power to the ranks of Scone, alongside the capable David Paradice and the superbly capable Peke Gonzales never one to give up without a valiant fight. Their opposition were unlikely to provide a walk-over scenario with good four man polo on the menu as the La Indiana patron Michael Bickford has proved he cannot be left to languish unmarked, backed up by Jeff Hall, Nico Escobar and the a fear-striking Pieres name in the form of the lethal 10 goal Polito.

Sterling Cup

Reports

Just 30 seconds into the first chukka saw La Indiana’s Escobar score the first of his impressive six goals of the day, but Scone quickly replied with a penalty conversion to put themselves on the scoreboard. Action to and fro saw two further goals for La Indiana and one from Scone to end the first chukka with La Indiana just in the lead, 3-2. The close scores of the first chukka were an indication of things to come for the remainder of the match as both teams tried to gain and maintain the upper hand but were matched by great opposition and offence to thwart their efforts. Just before half-time both Polito Pieres and Adolfo Cambiaso tussled for possession near the boards, resulting in a penalty 4 for Pieres, which took the scores to 9-7 in favour of Scone.

Throughout the tournament La Indiana had really shone in the fifth chukka, using the time to push ahead with plenty of goals, however during the Final their usual pace failed to materialise and by the end of the chukka Scone remained in the lead with a score of 12-10. The final chukka saw La Indiana move up a gear, but facing a two goal deficit and the symbiotic duo of the Cambiasos meant that odds were stacked against La Indiana.

La Indiana missed a series of opportunities, while Cambiaso Snr made sure the clock ticked down without Scone’s two goal advantage being worn away. At the last moment, Pieres managed to convert a penalty, taking the scores to 14-13, but there was simply not enough time left on the clock and Scone ran out the winners by the narrowest of margins.

BPP Dolfina Paloma J5 owned and played by Adolfo Cambiaso in the 3rd chukka

MVP Adolfo Cambiaso

Photography by ChukkerTV

Scone, winners of the 2021 Sterling Cup

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Reports

Ylvisaker Cup

Beverly Boss It! Fast-paced offensive battle beneath overcast skies

“The Final of the Ylvisaker was the fourth time the teams have faced each other this season”

“Rather than performing as the lesser handicapped underdogs, they came out of the pony lines with conviction and capitalised on this scoreboard bonus from the outset” 24

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Ylvisaker Cup

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he 16 goal line-up of Beverly Polo looked strong throughout the competition, but their opponents in the Final, Palm Beach Equine had also had an impressive run. In fact, the Final of the Ylvisaker was the fourth time the teams have faced each other this season.

Palm Beach Equine had emerged victorious twice out of the previous three meetings, so on paper they were top seeded and certainly the ones to watch to clinch the prestigious trophy. But, Despite narrowly missing out on the silverware in the Joe Barry Memorial Trophy and Bobby Barry Club, as Beverly Polo lined-up for the Ylvisaker Cup they had dusted themselves down, regrouped and were certainly up for a fight, despite Joaquin Panelo subbing in for Peke Gonzalez.

However, as we so often see in polo, what is predicted by previous form and the pundits often fails to materialise and the Final was a different story. Beverly Polo had received a two goal scoreboard advantage for their handicap difference and rather than performing as the lesser handicapped

Reports

“Playing for the first time in the 18 goal season, Beverly Polo’s accomplishment is even more impressive as the only 16 goal team in the tournament” underdogs, they came out of the pony lines with conviction and capitalised on this scoreboard bonus from the outset.

Displaying a strong game both in attack and defence which left their (by now familiar) opponents on the day, Palm Beach Equine trailing for the whole game.

The key to Beverley Polo’s success must be attributed to the outstandingly strong game played by Tolito Fernández Ocampo, rated at six and his partner in crime, Hilario Figureras who both scored five goals apiece. There was a high rate of scoring from both teams, so that by half-time it was still Beverly Polo in the lead, 10-7, but Palm Beach Polo were certainly putting up a fight.

However, the ‘take home’ statistic from the day was Palm

Beach Equine committed 14 fouls, which resulted in six penalty conversions for Beverley Polo, which cost them the victory, both mentally and on the scoreboard itself.

So, despite a valiant fight, it was not Palm Beach Equine’s day and Scott Swerdlin’s team had to accept defeat at the hands of an increasingly impressive Beverley Polo 15-11.

Playing for the first time in the 18 goal season, Beverly Polo’s accomplishment is even more impressive as the only 16 goal team in the tournament. “This is the biggest tournament that we’ve won at Beverly Polo and it was an amazing way for us to cap off our first 18 goal season,” Bill Ballhaus enthused after the game. “This is something that we’ve been building towards for several years now.”

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Polo Times, March 2021

Photograph by ©David Lominska

Hilario Figureas out in front for Beverly Polo, he scored five of his team’s goals in the Final

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Ylvisaker Cup Final Teams: Beverly Polo (16) Bill Ballhaus (0) Joaquín Panelo – subbing in for Peke Gonzalez (6) Tolito Fernández Ocampo (6) Hilario Figueras (4)

Palm Beach Equine (18) Costi Caset (5) Robbie Bilbao (5) Gringo Colombres (8) Scott Swerdlin (0)

18 Goal Sportsmanship Award: Bill Ballhaus

STATS AND FIGURES Final scores: Fouls committed Throw-ins won:

BEVERLEY POLO 15 10 11

PALM BEACH EQUINE 11 14 19

Where: International Polo Club, Palm Beach

BPP Best Playing Pony: One Juliana, played by Tolito Fernández Ocampo

MVP Hilario Figueras

4.6 goals

5.8 goals

Top scorers: Hilaro Figueras: tournament average of 4.6 goals per game for Beverley Polo Costi Caset: tournament average of 5.8 goals per game for Palm Beach Equine

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Reports

All-Star Challenge

26 Goal Gold Star Performance Pablo Mac Donough shows winning form in opening World Polo League tournament

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All-Star Challenge

FINAL

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Where: Grand Champions Polo Club, Wellington, Florida

Reports

Photography by ChukkerTV

he World Polo League (WPL) was founded by Grand Champions owners Melissa and Marc Ganzi and is the only 26-goal polo in the world outside of Argentina and was the couple’s response to the US Open being downgraded to 22 goal in 2019. The All-Star Challenge is the first in the season and will be followed by a series of tournaments to include: Founder’s Cup, Palm Beach Open, Triple Crown of Polo, and Beach Polo World Cup; culminating with Miami Beach Polo on 21 – 25 April.

To kick things off for the WPL a healthy seven teams entered to compete in the 26 goal All-Star Challenge. The qualifiers boiled down to the Final between Hawaii Polo Life and Richard Mille. Fresh from their success together in the Argentine Open it was interesting to see Pablo Mc Donough orchestrating the Richard Mille team against his Palermo teammate Adolfo Cambiaso, who was playing with his son Poroto for Hawaii Polo Life. As you will no doubt recall, the formidable Cambiaso father-and-son duo rounded off the UK high goal season with a win in the Cowdray Gold Cup, so it truly was a 10 goal master class as the two teams headed by these Goliaths of the polo world battled it out for the first of the WPL tournaments.

Hawaii Polo Life looked strong initially, with Poroto marking his dominance, despite his young age by seizing control of the game and running straight to goal, but Jeta Castagnola, Mac Donough and their crew were not going down without a fight and it was even stevens at three all at the end of the second chukka. Close marking and great four-man polo ensued, with Adolfo and his son working well together meaning the result was too close to call at the end of the first half with Hawaii Polo Life in the lead by 5-3.

However, Dire Straits beckoned for Hawaii Polo Life in the fourth chukka when they challenged the umpire’s call on a right of way violation (for those seasoned Adolfo Cambiaso watchers this is a well-trodden path of ‘lively’ opinion stating). The team lost the challenge and incurred a technical foul for unsportsmanlike conduct, allowing Jeta Castagnola and Marc Ganzi to score on penalty shots. Richard Mille converted four penalties during this pivotal chukka, while Jejo Taranco scored one goal for Hawaii Polo Life. The chukka ended with Richard Mille leading 7-6. From then on Richard Mille dominated the play, stretching their lead to 13 with only two in reply from their opponents and so it was that Richard Mille carried the day, winning with a final score of 13-8.

Pablo MacDonough, who was named Most Valuable Player, commented succinctly and correctly after the game, “We knew it would be a tough game against that team, but the fifth chukka was decisive.” Next up for the WPL is The Founder’s Cup, which is being played as we go to press and a full report will follow.

Poroto Cambiaso reaches for contact in the All-Star Challenge for Hawaii Polo Life

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All-Star Challenge

All-Star Challenge Final Teams: Richard Mille (26) Marc Ganzi (2) Camilo ‘Jeta’ Castagnola (8) Pablo Mac Donough (10) Paco De Narváez (6)

Hawaii Polo Life (22) Chris Dawson (2) Jejo Taranco (8) Poroto Cambiaso (6) Adolfo Cambiaso (10)

12 8 Richard Mille

Hawaii Polo Life

Chukka scores: 1-2, 3-3, 3-5, 7-6, 12-6, 13-8 to Richard Mille

The Argentine Polo Association Playing Pony: La Dolfina Volaris played in the second chukka

by Poroto Cambiaso

The World Polo League Best Playing Pony: Clavel, owned and played

by Paco de Narvaez

MVP Pablo MacDonough

The American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony: Irenita Rastrojera, played by Pablo MacDonough

Richard Mille, winners of All-Star Challenge

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Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Club Focus

Offchurch Bury Polo Club Despite the ongoing uncertainty over the resumption of polo in the UK, the Warwickshire based Club has announced their 2021 Summer Fixtures List which begins with The Spring Forward Cup on 3 – 9 May. Other highlights include the University National Championships on 4 – 6 June, The Horses Head National three aside on 21 – 22 August, with the season concluding on 18 – 19 September with The Round Up Cup.

Hawkes Bay Polo Club The Dewar Cup took place over 29 – 31 January at Hawkes Bay Polo Club. South Island A defeated Hawkes Bay B in a nail-biting Final to take home The Dewar Cup with a score of 8-7.

Alongside the main 6 goal Final, there were also several other tournaments played: Hawkes Bay Toyota took home The McKenzie Cup (Herbie Coates, Fred Coates, Jared Thompson & Simon McDonald) and Kihikihi B (Estée Brown, Chloe Kay, Steven Kay & Cam Gensik) secured The Nelson Cup. Herbie Coates won the prize for CD player showing the most potential, Angus McKelvie’s string won the CD Best String prize, Simon McDonald’s Charm won Best Junior Pony and Jimmy Wood’s ‘W’ won Senior Pony Prize, with his string winning Best String Of Ponies in The Dewar Cup. The Dewar Cup Final Teams: South Island A (6): George Gould (-1), Henry Batchelor (0), Jimmy Wood (5) & Roddy Wood (2) Hawkes Bay B (6): Pete Hyslop (0), Bill Glazebrook (0), Wiri Kururangi (1) & Angus McKelvie (5)

Cirencester Park Polo Club

Photograph by Kerri Kerley

Antelope, winners of The Carlton & Keleen Beal Cup Final

Eldorado Polo Club

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Photograph by CPPC

The Carlton & Keleen Beal Cup Final was played on Sunday 7 February between Antelope and Cavallo Ranch at Eldorado Polo Club. The Final was exciting and closely fought, with neither team leading by more than a goal at any time. The matched flowed freely throughout, although both teams missed opportunities during the match. Wesley Bryan substituted for an injured Segundo Saravi in the Antelope line-up, which meant the team had to play disciplined polo throughout in order to make the match as easy as possible for Bryan who was riding horses he didn’t know. Cavallo Ranch took an early lead and led 4-3 by half-time, but in the second half Antelope drew even and with the scores tied up until the last moments of the final chukka, a penalty 3 opportunity for Antelope saw Jimmy Wright seal the deal and with it secure an 8-7 win and The Carlton & Keleen Beal Cup. Jimmy Wright was later named Most Valuable Player, with Sorpresa (owned and played by Santiago Trotz) chosen as the Best Playing Pony.

The Carlton & Keleen Beal Cup Final Teams: Antelope: Grant Palmer, Santiago Trotz, Jimmy Wright & Wesley Bryan Cavallo Ranch: John Bickford, Max Menini, Tomas Obregon & Alejandro Gonzalez

The Gloucestershire based Club has and continues to be busy during the winter months, with various maintenance and restoration projects, with renovations to the Clubhouse, installation of new bathroom and shower facilities, as well as work being done to the grandstand. The CPPC team will now be based on site at the Club every day, meaning that the Ivy Lodge Bar will be open seven days a week from 10am, with also the option of remote working in the Clubhouse for season members. Additionally, Pololine TV will be livestreaming all of the Club’s key Victor Ludorum Finals for the 2021 season, the current Victor Ludorum dates for the Club Finals are below, but these are subject to change: The Gerald Balding – 23 May, The Warwickshire Cup – 19 June, The Apsley Cup – 27 June, The Queen Mother – 10 July, The Cheltenham Cup – 25 July, The Cirencester Ladies – 31 July, The County Cup – 14 August and The Kingscote Cup – 5 September.

This is the type of building which will be added to the Clubhouse

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Club Focus

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Dallas Burston Polo Club again. In light of the recent announcement and the plan to get out of lockdown we have a date that we can now work to and can start to play polo again with our first tournament starting at the polo club on the 26 April” The first tournament, Get into the Swing of Spring, kicks off on Monday 26 April with the Finals held on Sunday 2 May 2021.

Major Richard Carney, Director of Operations Matias Amaya, DBPC at Dallas Burston Polo Club said, “We can’t new Polo Manager wait to welcome people back to the polo club after nearly a year of closure and no polo played on site. This gives us something to look forward to as we come out of lockdown and head towards some brighter times ahead where we can host games and events and once again welcome polo back to the Club” For details on the spring/summer fixtures visit www.dppoloclub.com

The road to the Final was not an easy one, with La Portola, Dundas and Dundas II all tied after the Semi Finals with two wins and one loss each; following a shoot-out Dundas II and La Portola were set for the Final, but due to scheduling difficulties La Portola had to forfeit their place to Dundas. With a 12 goal team handicap vs a 13 goal handicap for Dundas II, Dundas began the match with a one goal handicap advantage. On Sunday 14 February, Dundas defeated Dundas, winners of The Limited Edition 12-Goal Final Dundas II in The Limited Edition 12-Goal Final with a score of 11-9 at Jan Pamela Farm. Robertito Zedda, who controlled the match for Dundas from the back, was named Most Valuable Player, while Dolfina Secuaz, owned

by J5 Equestrian and played by Zedda in the fifth chukka was awarded the Best Playing Pony honours.

The Limited Edition 12-Goal Final Teams: Dundas: Sarah Magness, Hugo Taylor, Mariano Fassetta & Robertito Zedda Dundas II: Cable Magness, Juan Cruz Marcos, Geronimo Obregon & Juan Martin Obregon

On Sunday 14 February, BN Polo Team secured The Pantera Energy Aibak Polo Cup 2021 following a 10½-8 win against Remounts in the Final at Lahore Polo Club. Tito Ruiz Guiñazú, who was the top scorer of the Final with seven goals, was named Most Valuable Player, while the Most Action from The Pantera Energy Aibak Energetic Player of the Polo Cup 2021 Final was awarded to Babar Naseem and the Best Playing Pony was Camila, ridden by Tito Ruiz Guiñazú. Earlier in the day, Barry’s beat Colony Polo Team 7½-6 in the Subsidiary Final.

The Pantera Energy Aibak Polo Cup Final Teams: BN Polo: Babar Naseem, Raja Mikail Sami, Eulogio Olariaga & Tito Ruiz Guiñazú Remounts: Ld Imran Shahid, Bilal Haye, Vieri Antinori & Igna Negri

Photograph by Lahore Polo Club

Lahore Polo Club

Photograph by ChukkerTV

Grand Champions Polo Club

Photograph courtesy of DBPC

Dallas Burston Polo Club (DBPC) are excited for the new season ahead as they welcome their new Polo Manager Matias Amaya.

Matias replaces Huw Bevan at the Club who we were sad to see the departure of and wish him all the best in his future ventures.

Originally from Lobos, Argentina Matias came to the UK in 2005, playing for polo clubs up and down the county. Matias started playing polo when he was eight-years-old and it is a family tradition as his father and grandfather were both professionals.

Matias holds a 5 goal handicap which shows the high level of his knowledge of the game, horsemanship and team strategy. He really is a great asset to the Dallas Burtson Polo Club team.

Matias brings to the polo club not only a wealth of experience, but a full tournament of polo events lined up for 2021.

Matias commented, “Like everyone else in the world the sport of polo was impacted by the pandemic and we had to wait for official guidance from the Government and the HPA as to when we can play

Empire Polo Club Photograph by Jim Bremner

On Sunday 7 February, the Final of The National Amateur Cup was played between Hanalei Bay and La Fortuna/Blazers at Empire Polo Club, California.

Both teams had met earlier in the tournament, with Hanalei Bay securing themselves a two goal win, but in the Final La Fortuna/Blazers made a strong second half performance and secured the title with a 7-5 win. Luis Saracco was named Most Valuable Player and Lupita, a 10-year-old mare owned and played by Robert Payne III was the Best Playing Pony.

The National Amateur Cup Final Teams: Hanalei Bay: Krista Bonaguidi, Ryan Kerley, Robert Payne III & Daniel ‘Cacho’ Galindo Jr La Fortuna/Blazers: Elise Bigelow, Pat Powell, Kyle Fargey & Luis Saracco

2021 National Amateur Cup winners, La Fortuna/Blazers

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International & Home

©www.imagesofpolo.com

5 minutes with…

Lía Salvo

Ladies handicap: 10 (Argentina), 9 (UK) & 9 (USA) Mixed handicap: 2 goals How did your polo career start?

It started when I was around nine-years-old through my Dad, he was a 6 goal amateur player and always loved horses and we had horses at home. I’m the youngest of three sisters and dad never thought anyone was going to follow his steps in polo, so I started playing – I insisted so much that he realised that I really loved it and then he agreed and started to support me a lot.

What’s your greatest achievement to date?

My greatest achievement is being able to make a living out of polo; in terms of polo competitions, my biggest achievements are winning The Jockey Club Open in 2016 with Adolfo [Cambiaso], Juan Martín [Nero] and Pablo [Mac Donough], and winning my first Ladies Argentine Open two years ago.

Which lady players do you admire? Why? I admire everyone in my team (Hazel Jackson, Clara Cassino, Milly Hine) and of course Nina Clarkin.

What’s your favourite tournament/Club?

I really enjoy playing in St. Tropez and Sotogrande, they are my favourite places to play, but my favourite tournament is probably The Guards Ladies Charity Polo [Victrix Ludorum] in England.

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

For a girl’s team I would pick Nina, Hazel, myself and either Clara or Milly – it’s difficult to choose as it would depend on who is playing each position!

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

Well I love both to be honest, I really enjoy playing mixed and ladies. I use men’s polo more as training for myself, I try to play mostly mixed polo and then the most

Women’s Polo

important ladies tournaments. I think for now men’s polo is a lot quicker – you need to be strong and in good form to be able to play with men, but I can’t say I love one more than the other, I love doing both!

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

I would like to see more women playing with men, like in some of the big tournaments in England such as The Gold Cup and The Queen’s Cup, it would be nice to see some of the big teams maybe sometimes hire more women to be part of their line-ups. I am waiting for the English Gold Cup and Queen’s Cup to have versions for women, like the US Open and Argentine Open have female versions, so it would be nice to see this in England too, or something such as a women’s Triple Crown.

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

I couldn’t have done it without my Dad, he’s been my mentor, my teacher, my best advisor, he just taught me everything he knew without keeping anything for himself. He’s always been super strict and always helping me to get better and try to be as close to perfection as possible – he’s been just the most important person in my career by far.

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

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Gonzalito Pieres

Polo Times, March 2021

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Women’s Polo

International & Home

Eldorado Polo Club Eldorado Polo Club has been hosting the Eldorado Women’s Chukker League on Fridays, with Sutter Buttes and Rancho del Sol the January winners.

Photography by Eldorado Polo Club

WIP 2021 League Dates

Sutter Buttes – Olympia Grange, Libby Fogel, Raeann Magill & Julie Reeske

Women in Polo (WIP) has announced their 2021 league dates for the 12 and 8 goal, which sees a total of 14 tournaments planned for the upcoming season. Rutland Polo Club will host the first tournament on 29 – 30 May (8 and 12 goal), with the League culminating on 11 – 12 September with The Knepp 8 Goal.

Rancho Del Sol – Julie Reeske, Kate Fitzsimons, Serena Belsby, Sherry Gibson & Megan Flynn

2021 Victrix Ludorum Draft Dates

WIP 2021 League Dates: 29 – 30 May: Rutland Polo Club (12 & 8 goal) 5 – 6 June: Silver Leys (12 & 8 goal) 12 – 13 June: Tedworth Park (12 & 8 goal) 19 – 20 June: Binfield Heath (12 goal) 26 – 27 June: Westcroft Park (12 & 8 goal) 1 – 4 July: Knepp Castle (12 goal) 10 – 11 July: New Forest (12 goal) 20 July – 1 August: Cirencester Park (8 goal) 7 – 15 August: Cortium (12 & 8 goal) 19 – 22 August: Kirtlington Park (12 & 8 goal) 17 – 29 August: Beaufort (12 goal) 4 – 5 September: Thoresby Park (8 goal) 11 – 12 September: Knepp Castle (8 goal)

Photograph by The Art of Polo

Following the UK government’s announcement that sport will be able to resume from 29 March, it is hoped that the 2021 English polo season will go ahead as planned. Currently there are plans for the Victrix Ludorum 12-18 goal to begin on 15 June at Black Bears with the series concluding on 28 August at Guards Polo Club.

2021 Victrix Ludorum Draft Dates: 15 – 27 June: Black Bears 30 June – 4 July: Knepp Castle 5 – 17 July: Cowdray Park 20 – 31 July: Cirencester Park 26 July – 7 August: Beaufort 9 – 15 August: RCBPC 17 – 28 August: Guards

The series begins at Black Bears in June

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

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Postponed 2020 U.S Open Women’s Championship ON POSTP FROM

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Where: International Polo Club, Palm Beach

Women’s Polo

he International Polo Club Palm Beach was in the midst of hosting the most prestigious women’s tournament – U.S. Women’s Open back in March 2020. However, as the competition progressed the dreaded Covid-19 loomed into view and the tournament was postponed. Fast forward eleven months later to 27 February and the wait was over as action resumed and the tournament reached it conclusion. Could last year’s favourites, Hawaii Polo Life claim a second, consecutive victory despite the hiatus of nearly a year?

Last year the tournament was played up to Semi Final places, with Rocking (featuring Milly Hine and Hazel Jackson for us Brits) set to play Hawaii Polo Life and Cowdray women’s polo stalwart Lia Pearson’s Cowdray Vikings due to play BTA/ The Villages. But due to logistics with the postponement and the need to get the Final played Rocking and Cowdray Vikings had to forfeit. So action for the title fast-forwarded to the Final with BTA/ The Villages returning with exactly the same all American line-up, whilst Hawaii Polo Life swapped out Anja Jacobs for Dolores Onetto.

Hawaii Polo Life looked strong from the outset, branding their dominance on the action with three consecutive goals in the first chukka from Nina Clarkin. Despite fouls aplenty in the second chukka it was Nina Clarkin for Hawaii Polo Life who capitalised on the penalties, finding the posts twice from the Penalty 2 line. With a 5-1 tally in their favour at half time Hawaii Polo Life had certainly done what they had set out to do as Helen Flanagan explained, “We knew that they [BTA/The Villages] were going to come in really hard, so our plan was to play as hard as we could and get as many goals on the board in the first half.”

Clarkin Clinches Championship Postponed 2020 U.S Open Women’s Championship played

“Hawaii Polo Life looked strong from the outset, branding their dominance on the action with three consecutive goals in the first chukka from Nina Clarkin” All handicaps are HPA women’s handicaps, unless stated otherwise Is your women’s polo not featured? Email editorial@polotimes.co.uk with all your women’s polo news!

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Women’s Polo

International Postponed 2020 & Home U.S Open Women’s Championship

2020 U.S. Women’s Open Final Teams: American BTA/The Villages (22) Kylie Sheehan (5) Paige Boone (5) KC Krueger (6) Tiffany Busch (6)

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Hawaii Polo Life

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Hawaii Polo Life (22) Pamela Flanagan (4) Mia Cambiaso (8) Nina Clarkin (10) Dolores Onetto (0)

BPP Dolfina Maria, played by Mia Cambiaso

American BTA/ The Villages

6 goals Top Scorer of the Final: Nina Clarkin scored all six of her team’s goals

Photography by ©David Lominska

Hawaii Polo Life’s Dolores Onetto in action against BTA The Villages’ KC Krueger

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

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Postponed 2020 U.S Open Women’s Championship

MVP Tiffany Busch

Valiant efforts from BTA/The Villages did not really gain momentum until the final chukka when they clawed back four goals with nothing in reply from their opponents. But, sadly, as so often is the case, it was too little too late and Clarkin and Co.’s dominance in the previous three chukkas meant Hawaii Polo Life clinched the victory 6-4 and so the retention of the title they won back in 2019.

Although Pamela Flanagan, Mia Cambiaso and Clarkin were familiar with each other after playing and winning in 2019, Dolores Onetto was new to the team dynamic.

“Dolores is an incredible horsewoman and that’s why we wanted her on our team,” Flanagan said. “First and foremost, we wanted a good, solid rider who could keep up, take the man and really get in the game and she did all of that.”

Having no opportunity to practice as a team beforehand, the women of Hawaii Polo Life came together really well on the field,

Women’s Polo

particularly as Onetto was playing for the first time at the 22 goal level. “I only truly started playing polo about two years ago so I don’t have much experience in fast-paced games like this,” she revealed. “This win is just so surreal for me – to be put on a team like that, to even be considered. I was grateful to actually be playing with these wonderful women and it’s an experience I’ll never forget.”

It was an impressive display of strength from Nina Clarkin, despite only flying in from New Zealand the day before she notched up all of her team’s six goals herself, “I arrived yesterday, stick and balled and then came to play today, so it wasn’t ideal, but I was given amazing ponies and when you play horses of that quality it’s very easy to just get on.”

All eyes will now turn to the 2021 tournament, with the Final scheduled for 20 March. Clarkin will be competing and commented, “I think as long as we have the support of clubs like the International Polo Club Palm Beach and we get the exposure of playing on fields like this, women’s polo will just keep growing. We just have to keep making sure we have enough players coming up and that we’re giving them the right direction and the opportunities they deserve to come in and join us so that we can continue growing the sport.”

The 2020 U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship winners, Hawaii Polo Life

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

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Horse Riding Holidays Worldwide info@farandride.com

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All Aspects of Youth Polo

Photograph courtesy of NZPA

NZ CD vs SI U21

The CD vs SI U21 teams

On Friday 29 January, Hawkes Bay Polo Club hosted the Central District Colts vs South Island Colts Under 21 match. The match was played in between Dewar Cup games at the Club on the number 1 ground with Jimmy Wood and Jonny Coddington umpiring the match.

South Island Colts came away with four goals in the first chukka, but after some words from Central District Colts’ coach Angus McKelvie, the next chukka was scoreless with both teams displaying strong defensive team work. South Island Colts’ Zoe Reader and Oscar Power both scored in the third chukka, and Central District Colts held up the defence to end the match 6-3 in favour of South Island. Harry Bird was named Most Valuable Player and was presented with a foot mallet.

CD vs SI U21 Teams: South Island Colts (0): Blake Lilley (0), Zoe Reader (0), Tom Turner (0) & Oscar Power (0) Central District Colts (-3): Herbie Crates (-2), Ethan Nesbitt (-1), Harry Bird (0) & Angus Kelsey (0)

Youth

Pony Club Resumes 29 March On Tuesday 23 February, The Pony Club announced that activities will be resuming on Monday 29 March in the below statement: “The Prime Minister announced the 4-step plan to ease lockdown yesterday, under the current guidance we anticipate the resumption of Pony Club activities in England on March 29th. All activities will run with our COVID secure protocols in place, to ensure we continue to keep everyone safe, whilst we move slowly towards normality.”

The full CEO update on Friday [26 February] will confirm our Return to Riding Phase and we hope to share more detail provided by DCMS, due out this week.

We hope that Scotland, Wales and Ireland will provide more detail as April approaches and that all 4 nations can enjoy the resumption of Pony Club activity together.”

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

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Knowledge

Medical Insight: Polodoc

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

Neck, Shoulder & Arm Pain What is it and why is it related to C-19?

Daily life has changed radically during the last year due to C-19. For many of us, sporting life came to an abrupt halt. Many of us worked from home in a sitting, nonergonomic setting and tried to compensate with different physical activities mainly without professional guidance.

This combination is a starter for constant pain and reduced ability to perform in polo.

Problem

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

MRI Cervical Spine: Disc herniation C5/6 C6/7

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Muscles like to move. The favourite way is with contraction followed by release.

Constant holding labour or position is demanding and very exhausting if repeatedly overdone. Tendons have a very slow regeneration and overall repair potential is low, while the muscle tissue itself can repair faster due to high blood circulation. Joints are covered with cartilage. This cartilage has a sponge-like structure; when the cyclic loading of this sponge is reduced it cannot fill itself up with the required nourishing joint fluid. There is also minor nutrition which occurs through diffusion from the blood vessel system of the bone tissue. Less exercise with constant less blood circulation will also impact the blood stream and the elated recovery of joints surfaces.

MRI shoulder: Tendinopathy rotator cuff

MRI elbow: Partial lesion extensor tendon

www.polotimes.co.uk

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Medical Insight: Polodoc

Symptoms

Symptoms are not straightforward. Slight pain can start in the neck with radiation to the arm and ending in the hand. Local pain in the shoulder is mainly present when actively moving the shoulder above the horizontal or in a combination of external rotation and abduction (typical swing pattern). In the elbow, the pain can be located on the inner side over the insertion of the flexor tendons or on the external side over the insertion of the extensors. Due to the main sources of pain being unclear, the correct diagnosis can be difficult due to the mimicking of common medical conditions.

Diagnostics

X-rays are good for looking for basic problems with the bones in the cervical spine or the shoulder and minor changes in the joints. X-rays can only show bones and other hard substances, but they won’t show injuries or lesions to soft tissue like muscles.

An ultrasound scan can show inflammation with swelling, as well as damage and problems with the tendons, muscles or other soft tissues in the shoulder. It uses highfrequency sound waves to examine and build pictures of the inside of the body.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans

are helpful if more complex problems with the soft tissue in the spine or the shoulder.

An MRI can build a picture to show what’s happening to the bones and soft tissue, such as the muscles and tendons or nerves and the spinal cord. Sometimes dye is injected into the shoulder before the MRI to get a clearer picture – especially in cases of shoulder problems. Nerve conduction studies can show whether the problem is being caused by the nerves in the arm being pinched or irritated. They measure the electrical activity in the muscles and nerves.

High resolution Ultrasound examination can detect possible compressions of nerve truncus due to enlarged lymph nodes.

Discussion

Neck pain in healthy sporty persons is mostly from musculature overuse. A majority of these problems is related to non-ergonomic work position and overuse of modern communications devices. The cell phone use with head down or sitting long hours with not adjusted screen are these major issues.

Examples of common conditions causing neck pain are degenerative disc disease, neck strain, neck injury such as in whiplash, a herniated disc, or a pinched nerve. These structural pathologies can be diagnosed by

Knowledge

common measures as x-ray and MRI. Neck pain can also be a possible, albeit rare, side effect from common infections, such as virus infection of the throat, leading to lymph node (gland) swelling and neck pain.

Prevention

A well-structured work and life setting in combination with an adapted sport routine is key to prevent impacts of C-19 on polo performance. Sitting and standing while working and correct use of the cell phone in head straight position can help to tackle these challenges. When compensating the daily stress with sport activity, a good view on training load and recovery time is substantial.

If a C-19 infection was detected, an ultrasound control of the neck / shoulder area can be auxiliary. All recovery tools like facia rolls, percussion or compression devices are prerequisites to recovery faster and turn on the circulation when long sitting and restricted sport capacities are present.

For more information on Polodoc contact Andreas Krüger at drmedkrueger@gmail.com or www.polodoc.ch

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Knowledge

Insuring for Polo Q & A with Strathon Park Financial

Nobody likes paying for insurance, it’s only when you need it and an injury has happened that you see what it does, Strathon Park Financial offer personalised insurance cover, providing protection advice for people from all walks of life, but they specialise in working with people in the equine industry. We spoke to Tom Fish, who has been at Strathon Park for nearly five years as a Financial Protection Advisor about the various plans and benefits they offer.

What typical claims are made by equestrians?

The typical claims are broken bones, mainly collarbones, vertebrae, arms, legs and ankles. There are a lot of ligaments and dislocations, shoulders and knees seem to be the ones there. One thing I have noticed is that I have as many claims from nonhorsey incidents, as well as from falling off.

Slipping when out running seems to account for many wrists, texting while going down the stairs claims quite a few bones too!

There are various different types of insurance plans: * Personal Accident Plans The normal plans that riders take out are personal accident plans; these are very straightforward and pay out a predetermined amount as a lump sum for an injury such as a broken bone. For example, recently a client of mine broke their wrist and arm and received a payment of £3,500. This was on an affordable £18 per month plan and allowed my client to continue to pay their bills whilst they were recovering.

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* Income Protection Another type of insurance is Income Protection, which pays a weekly or monthly amount for the time you are off work due to injury or illness. This type of insurance involves a few more questions as it takes into account your income and previous medical history. This type of insurance could keep paying you up to your 70th birthday if your injury or illness was something horrendous. It is designed to be a bit more substantial, as it provides continuous payments until you are recovered and the doctor has given you the all clear. * Private Medical Insurance Another important insurance is private medical insurance which would cover you to receive medical treatment for injuries and illnesses.

Having the right cover for an injury sustained whilst playing polo and being a sports professional is hard to find. A policy that covers professional sports injuries and international travel insurance ‘all in one’ is very useful.

This has been particularly important during COVID-19, whilst the NHS waiting lists for diagnosis and treatment are longer than ever.

How long does a claim take?

Claiming is really easy. There are no excesses to pay, as there are with car insurance. The insurer needs to know what happened, when – and then the injury to be confirmed by a medical professional, something like a discharge form. Once the insurer has the information, you normally have the money paid to you within five days.

I am also here to help you navigate this process as part of my service.

Will that affect your policy?

Again, using the car insurance as a comparison, it is quite different, there are no renewal dates, so making a claim doesn’t affect a policy. There are no tie-ins so the policy will run until a certain age, unless you cancel, which you can do at any time. I have a number of policies that are suitable for the equestrian world so talking generally, you are covered over your working lifetime, to age 65 or even 70. I have a good process that I follow and talk through with each client about them and what they want to be covered for.

Budget is an important question too.

Then I can build a plan; sometimes we even use a couple of policies to fully protect the client. This is particularly relevant if the client rides and competes in a number of equine disciplines – as well as polo, our policies also cover, eventing, show jumping and even point-to-pointing. www.polotimes.co.uk

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Insuring for Polo

Knowledge

“A policy that covers professional sports injuries and international travel insurance ‘all in one’ is very useful” Testimonials

“Nobody likes paying for insurance, it’s only when you need it and an injury has happened that you see what it does” Policies vary in price, starting at about £8 per month. However, a typical policy for covering a someone that does typical groom and riding work, is £20 to £30 per month.

I find that many people say they are covered on their ‘horse’ insurance or company insurance and they don’t need any more insurance. From my experience, whilst they might have insurance, they are often only covered if they have a very serious accident – such as being left paralysed or losing a limb. They do sometimes have a policy that covers temporary disablement – but again, perhaps because they have not been advised they are paying for a policy that they have to be able to prove an income of over £20,000 a year to be able to claim the amount they are paying for. Basically, they can only claim 65 percent of what the HMRC have taxed them on which for self-employed people can cause problems and result in claims being turned down.

Because they have not used an advisor, checking the small print is left up to the individual to find the pitfalls and make a decision on taking out a policy. I work through www.polotimes.co.uk

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Photograph courtesy of Beaufort Polo Club

Strathon Park Financial offer personalised insurance cover, including for polo related injuries

“During a match a ball came up and hit me in the jaw. I went to hospital where they X-rayed me and confirmed that it was fractured. I needed to have surgery and two plates screwed in. I contacted Tom and he explained what documents were needed to make a claim and helped me to submit the claim. I had two policies with him and both paid out within a week of the incident. This was a great relief to me as I knew that I was going to need some time off to recover.

Having the policy helped me financially, to know bills could be paid, I needed someone to ride the horses for me too. It does start to add up when you think about it! Luckily I wasn’t off for too long, but it did allow me to relax, focus on getting better and not rush back too soon making the injury worse. My teeth were also damaged and the pay-out enabled me to cover the cost of the work to fix them. It is reassuring to know that I do have good financial protection in place if I am injured. I never knew that this insurance existed until Tom cam to talk to me about it, I now know how important it is.”

Ida Thore “Tom has been doing my personal insurance for a few years now.

Last year I wanted to check something with my GP. On my insurance he arranged for me, was a GP service. Within a few minutes I had arranged a video call with a private GP, my consultation was done and a prescription ready and waiting at my local pharmacy. This saved me so much time and was a really useful perk on a policy.”

Henry Browne, umpire and former professional player all of this with the client and make sure that what I recommend is suitable for them.

Q: What are you not covered for?

A broken nose and being drunk are the main exclusions. It does depend on what policies are in place and this will be discussed with clients. Professional sports people are harder to cover, but I do have policies for them.

Being honest about what you want cover for means that I can provide the right policy.

The cover normally covers you in work and outside of work. Even away on holiday, for example skiing. There isn’t a definitive answer, but I make clients fully aware of any limitations on what they are taking out.

Where you live is important, so Ireland can be difficult and it comes down to your registered residence. UK is not a problem, The Channel Islands does limit things, but I can cover people there with some policies. If you are visiting places abroad then there isn’t a problem with cover.

What if you have a preexisting condition?

Typically, pre-existing conditions can have exclusions. But if you have fully recovered, then they are often not a problem. Again, this will be discussed. It really comes down to the severity and how long ago the pre-existing conditions began. Most clients do tend to have had injuries and illnesses previously and we can normally still provide a solution for them.

Lastly, where can we find out more?

We have a dedicated Strathon Park Financial page on Facebook also each advisor has their own page, mine is Tom Fish Strathon Park Financial which you can type in the Facebook search box. I have clients all over the country and when not in lockdown, I prefer to go and see each client as that makes the process easier for clients to understand. I can sit with them and explain better in person. A quick sale on the phone is not best for the client. I’m here to help and do things properly, this eliminates misunderstandings and builds a relationship with the client. I’m an advisor and want to do the best I can for a client now and in the future.

Tom Fish Financial Protection Consultant Strathon Park Financial Ltd Commer House Station Road Tadcaster LS24 9JF Mob: 0788 088 2482 Tel: 01937 837707 Email: tom.fish@strathonpark.co.uk Web: www.strathonpark.co.uk

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Knowledge

Playing Tips

Playing tips with Rege Ludwig Player & Horse Teamwork Getting the most out of your polo playing partner

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

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Perfecting your partnership with your horse will increase your ability to play polo to the best of your ability

One afternoon in the early 1980s, I was fortunate to witness Memo Gracida working with a young Tom Gose of the Retama Polo Club in San Antonio, Texas. Memo was preparing Tom to play the number 1 position in the US Open Championship. Memo would have Tom run briskly from the goal to a ball approximately 100 yards from the goal, quickly slow his horse down, execute a quick turn, retrieve the ball, and dribble it through the goal while running the horse at near top speed. Having gone through the goal with the ball, Tom would get another ball, turn it, and do the same thing going the other direction.

Memo had Tom do that again and again and again. That one drill could last up to a half hour of using horse after horse. Seldom for most of us is there a similar concerted objective when stick and balling. Most of us tend to be content with having hit the ball.

Think back for a minute, when was the last time, not in a game, when working on improving hooking, riding off, accelerating, decelerating, or turning your horse was an objective of one of your practice sessions.

When was the last time you dribbled fifty balls to goal at speed, or gave thought to arriving at the ball to hit a particular 44

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shot correctly? Leaving those skills to be practiced in the game is a contradiction in terms, because there just is not enough time in a game to think about how to hit a particular shot correctly, or how to most effectively accelerate, decelerate, or turn your horse.

Another significant point to not lose sight of is, within the game most opportunities to execute a manoeuvre (accelerate, decelerate, hook, ride-off) presents themselves for the briefest of moments.

Under game conditions, you must be ready to respond to each of those brief moments.

Consider for a minute that every level of handicap rating is trying to accomplish the same things under game conditions. What separates the levels of competency between the levels of handicap ratings is the ability to correctly and accurately execute each play as the speed and/or intensity of the game increases.

So, if you want to play better, learn to ride, control, and play your polo horse by way of using the polo style of riding to accomplish it. The Polo Style of Riding represents a unique discipline of riding skills, which, when applied correctly, enhances

your ability to play your horses and the game with greater effectiveness. Because that is true, I reiterate, The Polo Style of Riding is as unique to the skill of playing the game of polo as is the jockey style of riding is to the world of horse racing, the dressage style of riding is to the world of horse-showing, and the bucking horse style of riding is to the world of rodeo.

In 1939, former USPA 7 goal player Dr. John D. Richards wrote a book entitled, Observations Upon the Nature of the Gallop, and the Timing of a Polo Stroke and Form in Striking. In that book, Dr. Richards states, “The more difficult thing for the polo player is not hitting in good form but synchronizing with his horse. This in great measure constitutes the art of riding… If the time in telling players how to hit were spent in teaching them how to ride, hitting would improve immeasurably…”

There is an axiom in polo that has been around for hundreds, if not even thousands, of years, “The horse is 80% of the player’s ability to play the game”. Axioms do not stay around for that long without bearing a great degree of validity. To make that axiom more accurate there should be a continuing line stating: 98.999% of how you use your riding skills determines how well your horse can, and will, play for you.

That age-old axiom puts the importance of the horse in its proper perspective – 80% of your ability to play the game.

The underlying significance of that axiom emphasizes the importance of your riding, controlling, and playing your horse in a way that helps your polo horse play most effectively with you and for you.

Because the horse represents 80% of your ability to play the game; the horse should be considered a polo-playing partner.

Therefore, I strongly suggest to you that to increase your chances of playing the game of polo to the best of your ability, you should learn to ride, control and play your polo-playing partner to the point where it is playing as efficiently and effectively for you as you can possibly get it to do so. To that end I unequivocally assure you that understanding and correctly using the Polo Style of Riding is the most effective way of helping your polo playing partner play better with you and for you, allowing you to a better player. www.polotimes.co.uk

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Knowledge

Nutrition Focus

Lorna Edgar – specialist equine nutritionist

Back to Work They Go!

‘grass belly’ as actual body fat. Are the ribs visible or easily felt? Have they got top line?

Are they individuals with big deep girths and wide sprung ribs cages? Conformation really does come into this, and so often I find those with the deep girth and wide sprung ribs are the ones thought to be fat, when they are not – it is their structural shape!

Fat is found as a solid cresty neck, fat deposits behind the shoulder, fatty deposits over the TOP of the rib cage and over the tail head. Do a hands-on Body Condition Score to feel where those fat pads are. Just standing back and looking at them from a distance doesn’t give you the true answer!

So, fear not, the ‘big belly’ will go once some core muscles are engaged again, top line muscle is built back up and a nice soft, good quality forage is fed.

Your pre-season questions answered

Photograph by Harry Muddle

Early exercise on track

As I sit in Lockdown still, it’s bitterly cold outside, but the sun is shining and the daffodils on my kitchen table are getting me thinking about my favourite time of the year, when those fabulous polo ponies are coming back into work to get fit for the summer. They go from hairy mud monsters to sleek athletes in a few weeks – and I bet with this freezing cold weather they can’t wait to come in!

I have received some messages over the last couple of weeks asking questions in preparation of the horses coming back in to 46

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work, some are whom are already in with the hope of getting to Spain, so I thought I would share the questions and answers with you in the hope they will help you too.

Q: My horses have wintered well this year, but a couple of them, I feel, are too fat with huge bellies, what should I do when they come in?

A: A great question, as I often talk about Body Condition Scoring at this time of year as I don’t want people mistaking a large

Q: When we bring our horses back into work, do I need to feed them straight away?

A: In the ideal world, feeding the horses in the field before they come back in off their holidays allows them time to adjust to having concentrates in their diet and to be receiving those all-important vitamins and minerals.

This is preferable to giving a conditioning feed (remembering calories and energy are the same thing) twice per day, resulting in them having too much energy.

If you are unable to feed them in the field, it would be worth giving them a couple of days in the stable to settle and very small amounts of concentrates given and increased GRADUALLY (to allow the digestive tract time to adjust to the change in feed) – NOT to feed two scoops of Conditioning Mix twice per day from day one as they are needing condition as this is asking for trouble (increased risks of colic and tying up in particular).

For a low energy but nutrient dense option I would use a balancer, such as Performance Balancer, with lots of digestible fibre to provide calories such as an alfalfa or beet pulp, Alfalfa with Oil or Fibre-Beet. Alternatively, you could begin with a High Fibre Horse & Pony Cube, or a Conditioning Cube.

Q: Are the risks of colic increased as the horses come back into work – we have a couple that always show colicky signs about a week after they have come in from the field? How can we help the colicky episodes?

A: Yes, absolutely the risks of colic are increased significantly, there are a lot of changes for some horses, especially those that go from being in a field all day and night to being stabled 24/7 – a huge change to their digestive tract and their state of mind.

They also have a big change in the forage they are eating and have concentrates for www.polotimes.co.uk

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Nutrition Focus

Knowledge

Q: Do we start feeding our horses the same feed as we would once they are playing?

A: No, really it is not necessary to do this, you can use the same feed type, such as a Conditioning Cube for instance, but they would need a much smaller amount.

Generally, I would be anticipating 1½ to 2 round bowl Stubbs scoops per day for the beginning of work, and as their workload increases the amount of cubes would be increased to support the work being asked of them and to maintain their condition.

Q: My horses have wintered well, but I have one that is new to my string, she is quite light and ribby – is it better to feed four small meals or just stick to two big ones? And do I need to give her a muscle supplement to help build her top line?

A: Absolutely, sticking with four small feeds to increase condition is going to produce much better results than two large feeds. Unlike us humans, the horse has a stomach and digestive tract which functions much more effectively when it imitates trickle feeding rather than large, infrequent meals. The absorption of nutrients is increased and therefore calories will be utilised a lot more effectively and your horse will reap the benefits.

An example diet (split over four feeds) for her would be…

• 2 heaped Stubbs scoops of Ease & Excel Cubes per day • 2 scoops of soaked Fibre Beet or Alfalfa with Oil per day • 2 measuring mugs of Outshine per day • Pre/probiotic supplementation • Ad lib hay/haylage www.polotimes.co.uk

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Photograph by Oli Hipwood

their digestive tract to adjust to eating again, so we are always encouraging a gradual change of diet to allow the digestive system, in particular the hind gut, time to adjust.

So, for those horses that are susceptible to colicking at this stage, I would encourage you to make a concerted effort to make changes gradual, over 10-14 days is ideal.

With the introduction of forage, if you can use some of the forage they have had in the field and mix it with the new forage in the stable – perfect, if not then then do go for a soft leafy forage, not too wet if haylage and not too coarse and stalky and allow them absolute ad lib forage as they would have done in the field. Introduce the concentrate feed very slowly and really focus on low starch but high fibre and high oil feeds if calories are required.

Finally, to really help with maintaining a stable gut flora in the hind gut I would definitely use a pre/probiotic supplement, which very often helps to reduce the incidence of colic during this time when the digestive tract is adapting to the new feeding regime.

Ponies experience a lot of changes at the start of the season

It is really important to get her teeth checked and make sure she is on a good worming programme – otherwise the feed you are investing in will be pretty much wasted!

A muscle supplement really should not be needed as when a balanced diet of good quality forage and concentrates is fed, all those essential amino acids required for muscle development will be provided – remember more is not always better!

Q: At what point do I add pre and probiotics into their diet?

A: I would introduce pre and probiotics into their diet as soon as they come in from the fields. Even if you don’t start feeding hard feed straight away, I would encourage the pre/probiotics start immediately in some damp chaff or beet pulp.

Quite often when the horses come back in from their holidays they will get loose droppings from the change and stress to their changed routine, from being on grass and supplemented hay/haylage to a different type of hay/haylage at the stable – both can cause digestive upsets and loose droppings, the pre/probiotics will help to stablise that hind gut bacteria and help reduce or stop this.

Some yards I work with keep certain individuals on the prebiotic supplement throughout the season, generally for those ones that drop their weight and become tucked up and hollow in the flanks, it does them no harm at all to.

Q: When the horses come back into work and are being stabled again, how soon should we start feeding them smaller quantities of hay/haylage?

A: In the ideal world I would keep them being fed ad lib hay/haylage (forage). At the beginning you will probably find they are more settled having forage to continuously eat, and the majority of them will then begin to self-regulate – they will graze at their forage rather than eat it in one sitting, as they do when restricted.

As they have been grazing all winter on grass or hay/haylage, it is again another shock to their system to come in to a stable and have restricted fibre and muzzles, as I have mentioned in the answer above, the risk of colic is again increased significantly.

Once they begin playing chukkas you may want to monitor the amount the gooddoers are receiving if you are worried they are developing fat pads – so little and often quantities in small holed haylage nets will work really well without increasing the risk of gastric ulcers.

I hope these are a few pointers that will help you bring your horses in on a diet that works for them! When allowed, I really look forward to being out on yard visits again, my fingers are tightly crossed! Take care all and see you soon.

Contact Lorna Edgar of Baileys Horse Feeds on lorna@baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk Polo Times, March 2021

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Knowledge

Chukka Wellness

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

India trains both international and UK polo professionals focusing not only on functional movements and body maintenance, but also advising clients on fuelling their bodies correctly for mental alertness and physical endurance

Preparing Your Body It’s that time of the year again, the UK season is approaching (if not a little bit delayed), ponies are coming in from their winter holidays, grooms are preparing for a busy few months and players are brushing off their polo boots!

But how many of you are preparing your body for the hectic season?

We have worked with many high-goal players including Nina Clarkin, Rebecca Walters, Santiago Araya and Ned Hine and their fitness programme changes drastically for pre-season.

Chukka Wellness is here to reveal the ingredients needed to become ‘polo fit’ using our 2021 moto – Supple, Stable, Strong

Low lunge with thoracic twists

Step 1 – Stability

* Mobilise Begin by focusing on creating a supple and stable body.

Mobility exercises help to reduce risk of injury and contribute to the strengthening of muscles and joints within the correct biomechanical position.

Arm swings

Within polo we come across many common injuries including sore backs, tennis elbow, wrist strains, rider muscles strains.

The majority of the time these injuries occur through lack of mobility and players not performing an effective mobility routine.

By adding in a 10-15 minute pre-riding warm up can help to reduce further injury

Foot taps

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Pre-season training starts now!

and prepare the body for action!

Try adding in the following mobility exercises to your pre-riding routine: 1. Low lunge with thoracic twists 2. Foot taps 3. Arm swings 4. Gate openers

Gate openers

www.polotimes.co.uk

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Chukka Wellness

Knowledge

Step 2 – Strength * Functional Movements Polo has very specific movement patterns that as humans we don’t perform very often in ‘everyday life’.

The game is full of rotational movements, uni-lateral movements and balancing on a moving object – so it is imperative that we bulletproof the body for these actions.

Here are a few functional exercises to get you started: 1. Squat and rotate 2. Single leg balance with arm extensions 3. Fast feet with high knee

Single leg balance with arm extensions

Squat and rotate

Fast feet with high knee

Step 3 – Suppleness

* Stretching To further reduce risk of aches and pains; a post-riding stretch is highly recommended.

Stretching keeps the muscles strong and improves range of motion in the joints. This allows for enhanced suppleness and stability for the rider.

If muscles are tight during training, exercises cannot be performed correctly – for example, if your hamstrings are tight (very common in riders) you will struggle to perform a squat correctly. This means the muscle adaptations will be limited and the risk of muscle strain and long-term damage is heightened.

Here are some useful stretches: 1. Pigeon Pose 2. Child’s Pose 3. Hip Stretch

Pigeon Pose

Child’s Pose

Hip Stretch

Looking to kickstart your Pre-Season Training now?

Chukka Wellness has created an online Eight Week Fitness Training Programme which offers daily workouts, stretches and meal plans to ensure riders reach optimum fitness in time for their next busy season.

Follow along with a mixture of polo specific, upper body, lower body and core workouts (each 20/30 minutes long).

Need inspiration for healthy and energising meal suggestions? – Gain access to our easy-to-make daily meal plans, recipe book and snack list.

The eight week plan is designed to help riders stay focused during their fitness journey and have fun achieving their goals!

The programme is ‘mobile-friendly’ which means you can access and complete the online programme anywhere in the world.

For more information visit www.chukkawellness.co.uk Instagram @chukkawellness Facebook Page: Chukka Wellness

Check out our Eight Week Pre-Season Training Programme for more mobility routines* www.polotimes.co.uk

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Knowledge

Performance in Polo

Challenge vs Threat The two state’s effect on performance

Jason suggests a challenge perspective to help your performance

Challenge and Threat are two opposing mental states that can really influence an athlete’s ability to perform at their best.

To become a good polo player, we must manage ourselves while simultaneously dealing with external factors. To do this, it is important to get ourselves in a certain mental 50

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state, so we are ready to overcome the highs and lows of a game.

Here’s an analogy to help you understand the two states: Imagine you are walking through a park at night and you get approached aggressively by someone who tells you they

Photograph by Emily Gordon

Having written previously about ‘fitness for polo’, Jason Warren has now turned his hand to more in-depth coaching through his coaching business ‘Tola Performance’ Jason has been working with high performing clients within polo and outside of the sport, helping them to develop their performance by delving into their mindset, preparation, routine, diet, training and many other factors that can influence it. Feel free to get in touch with Jason if you or your team are interested in coaching/mentoring

want your wallet. Apart from not greeting them warmly and asking how their evening stroll’s going, you will most probably be forced into an immediate response of either: * Option 1: Threat (fear) The paralysing fear will do several things to your body physically and psychologically.

Physically your breathing will be short, you may not even breathe, your muscles will tighten, with an uncontrollable heart rate and your adrenaline going through the roof. Mentally you will not be thinking with composure or with method, your mind may fill with all the things that may happen next, but not the solution. All this will hinder your ability to get out of the situation. * Option 2: Challenge (the brave, me…joke) – prepare for a fight If you are the person who immediately prepares for a fight (AKA Batman), your physical and psychological state will follow in a certain way. Physically your breathing will be measured, muscles relaxed and heart rate controlled, adrenaline bubbling.

Psychologically you will be composed, measured, maybe even excited. You will feel the thrill of the challenge and how you will achieve victory, meaning your actions will be measured with method. The result is more likely to end well with both the subject lying on the path and you walking away unscathed.

How can we use this on the field of play?

As you can probably guess, there is a state that will be more beneficial to how you perform and one that can hinder you.

How we view our sport or challenges can influence how we operate on the field by the fact it has a direct impact on our physical and psychological state.

The key point is moving our perception to excitement rather than fear.

Let’s pretend you are about to play a team that has better horses than you and a player that is under handicapped AKA a ringer! Here are two examples of how you and your team approach the game: * Threat Perspective Perception ‘I’m worried they are going to run rings around us on those horses, hopefully I won’t www.polotimes.co.uk

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Performance in Polo

Knowledge

performance. You may not win but the • Write down three points about how you miss my penalties and Timmy won’t play chances are you and your team will perform would feel after the game if you played like a **** like he did last game’ better and get more from the game. badly Result Susie Godwin & Barrie Upton • Time alone to concentrate on the game • Nerves and tension at penalties Joss Ridley, Jayne breathing, Darling-Parkstight & Claire Allen high Tools to alter your state: * Perspective (short muscles, * Preparation Awareness of the internal and team narrative adrenaline) of the game. Change the perception, write • No creative flare and low energy A delicious lunchGetting organised, good nutrition, sleep, planning the day, time before the game, it down. Discuss with your team the overall (mindset on how to avoid failure, not communication with the team so you can be perspective and how you want to approach seeing opportunity) more in control. the game.

• Giving Timmy no confidence through Party;adrenaline Cowley Manor, Cheltenham; * To sum up * Controlling communication which negatively CPPC Christmas December adrenaline/ stress down The key is to close the gap between a 6/10 influences his performance (lack of Friday 13Bringing • Relaxing music (pregame) performance and a 6½/10 performance. belief and positivity to offer others) • Stretching (pregame) Alongside getting more enjoyment out of * Challenge perspective • Relaxed and fun team chats (pregame) the game and Williams striving&for performance over ‘I’m excited to see how my horses compare Christine Duncan Branch With Christmas on the horizon, Cirencester Park Polo Club result. When the teams are close in standard, • Write three things you are looking forward to theirs, I reckon if we play as a team and Peter O’Rorke, Matt Evetts Tonycan Haynes members and to friends gathered to celebrate the festive season it could be the difference between a win and about the game in the morning I hit my penalties well&we beat them! at the iconic near Cheltenham.

Alongside • Cowley SettingManor expectations of what you and a a loss. Or if a little one sided, the difference Plus, Timmy normally plays like a champion’ delicious lunch,your served to want perfection the lovely Cowley team from by a game between a progressive performance and a Result laughter festive cheer forand enjoyment over aplenty, result as guests demoralising thrashing.

• Relaxed penalty swing (breathing, staff, there•wasAiming exchangedIncreasing Christmas adrenaline/ tidings of great joy! With all eyes turned excitement relaxed muscles, belief) Find Jason on gossip flew around the room – who will Energising music • Creative flare and energy (positive/ to the 2020• season, Instagram: @jason_tola_warren the next big• Ciren star exercises be? Which(5pros will play(pre-game) for which proactive mindset) Intense to 15mins) or contact him at: teams next year?

Who will take the most falls?

Suffice to say, • Getting Timmy fired up and believing in • Quick release energy (Energy bar, jasontolawarren@gmail.com a wonderful lunch was had by all; the perfectcaffeine) way to begin a himself (energy to give others) sweets, chocolate, Banana, www.tolaperformance.com thrilling festive season.

As you can see the challenge perspective • Write down three reasons why you’re allows more chance for a better grateful for playing the sport Photography by John Hankin

Ciren Does Christmas

Yanna Mudie, Ginny Williams & Natalie Meredith

Maureen Moseley, Georgie Seddon-Brown & Isabel Branch

Professional Farriery Services, Specialising in Polo and Competition Horses.

- Hot Shoeing - Lightweight steel and aluminium shoes - Free lost shoe cover - Stud holes included Covering Berkshire, Tidworth & Beaufort areas

www.red-anvil.co.uk charlie@red-anvil.co.uk

www.polotimes.co.uk

+44 (0) 7834 551 357

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Polo directory

What’s On – Polo Fixtures

At the time of going to print, the UK’s government had announced the ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown, which aimed to see outdoor sports resume from 29 March at the earliest – in light of this, the Hurlingham Polo Association was in discussion with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to support the Government’s requirements and seeking to put the necessary plans in place to ensure our 2021 season can start on time. The below Victor & Victrix Ludorum dates are still only a draft, with the HPA yet to finalise the start of the season.

Draft Victor & Victrix Ludorum Dates 2021 Club 22+ Goal RCBPC Trippetts Guards CPPC Cowdray Park TBC 18 Goal Black Bears Cowdray CPPC Guards Cowdray 15 Goal Beuafort Guards RCBPC Cowdray CPPC 12 Goal Cowdray RCBPC Beaufort CPPC CPPC Guards 8 Goal CPPC Guards RCBPC Cowdray Beaufort 6 Goal Dallas Burston Beaufort Binfield Heath KPPC Ham CPPC 4 Goal KPPC Rutland Silver Leys Cheshire Druids Lodge Dallas Burston Victrix Ludorum Black Bears Knepp Castle Cowdray CPPC Beaufort RCBPC Guards 52

Tournament

Handicap

Start Date End Date

Prince of Wales Trippetts Challenge Cartier Queen’s Cup Warwickshire Cup King Power Gold Cup New Tournament

22 22 22 22 22 22

11/05/21 11/05/21 18/05/21 15/06/21 22/06/21 24/07/21

15/05/21 15/05/21 13/06/21 19/06/21 18/07/21 15/08/21

Oxford Cup Duke of Sutherland Apsley Cup Indian Empire Shield Cowdray Challenge

18 18 18 18 18

04/05/21 18/05/21 09/06/21 29/06/21 19/07/21

16/05/21 06/06/21 27/06/21 17/07/21 01/08/21

Arthur Lucas Royal Windsor Eduardo Moore Harrison Cup County Cup

15 15 15 15 15

18/05/21 01/06/21 22/06/21 12/07/21 03/08/21

29/05/21 20/06/21 11/07/21 31/07/21 14/08/21

Dollar Cup John Prestwich Prince of Wales Queen Mother Cheltenham Cup Duke of Wellington

12 12 12 12 12 12

10/05/21 31/05/21 14/06/21 28/06/21 14/07/21 31/07/21

30/05/21 12/06/21 26/06/21 10/07/21 25/07/21 15/08/21

Gerald Balding Archie David Gjulian & Howard Hipwood Holden White Wichenford Bowl

8 8 8 8 8

10/05/21 04/06/21 30/06/21 19/07/21 09/08/21

23/05/21 27/06/21 17/07/21 01/08/21 22/08/21

Stoneythorpe Cup Rojas Lanusse 6 Goal Budgett Everett Roehampton Cup Kingscote Cup

6 6 6 6 6 6

10/05/21 01/06/21 05/07/21 29/07/21 10/08/21 24/08/21

22/05/21 12/06/21 11/07/21 08/08/21 22/08/21 05/09/21

4 Goal Assam Cup 4 Goal Junior County Cup Rose Bowl 4 Goal

4 4 4 4 4 4

02/06/21 15/06/21 28/06/21 05/07/21 26/07/21 24/08/21

08/06/21 27/06/21 04/07/21 11/07/21 01/08/21 29/08/21

Black Bears Women’s Tournament Knepp Castle Ladies Tournament Ladies British Open Cirencester Ladies Beaufort Ladies RCBPC Ladies Victrix Ludorum Guards Ladies Charity

12 to 18 12 to 18 12 to 18 12 to 18 12 to 18 12 to 18 12 to 18

15/06/21 30/06/21 05/07/21 20/07/21 26/07/21 09/08/21 17/08/21

27/06/21 04/07/21 17/07/21 31/07/21 07/08/21 15/08/21 28/08/21

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USA Club

Handicap

Start Date End date

Legends

Tournament Southwestern Circuit George S. Patton Jr Texas Military Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Texas Military General Lewis B. ‘Chesty’ Puller IPC C.V. Whitney Cup Grand Champions The Founders Cup Hobe Florida Circuit Governor’s Cup

3 to 6

29/01/21 21/03/21 30/01/21 31/01/21 17/02/21 18/02/21 19/02/21

Eldorado

0 to 3 3 to 6 18 to 22 26 0 to 6 12, 4 to 6 & 0 to 2 0 to 3

26/02/21 28/03/21

3 to 6

26/02/21 21/03/21

0 to 4 26

26/02/21 07/03/21 03/03/21 21/03/21

0 to 4

03/03/21 08/03/21

4 to 8 8 to 12 0 to 2 22 0 to 4 8 to 12 0 to 6 0 to 2 4 to 6

04/03/21 05/03/21 08/03/21 10/03/21 12/03/21 13/03/21 13/03/21 13/03/21 18/03/21

10

19/03/21 28/03/21

26 6 to 8 18 to 22

24/03/21 17/04/21 27/03/21 03/04/21 31/03/21 18/04/21

Tournament Handicap U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship Open

Start Date End date 10/03/21 20/03/21

Spreckels Cup

Southwestern Circuit Arena Legends Sportsmanship Cup Southwestern Circuit Legends Sherman Memorial Empire Pacific Coast Circuit Congressional Cup Grand Champions Palm Beach Open Northeastern Circuit Arena Simsbury Sportmanship Cup Port Mayaca Regional President’s Cup Sarasota National Inter-Circuit Championship Sunset Loxahatchee Groves Cup IPC USPA Gold Cup Empire Lions Cup Eldorado Rossmore Cup Eldorado Pacific Coast Circuit Governor’s Cup Eldorado Pacifica Coast Circuit Amateur Cup Sarasota Florida Circuit Sportmanship Cup National Outdoor CommanderSarasota In-Chief Cup Grand Champions Triple Crown of Polo Costa Careyes Border Circuit Constitution Cup IPC U.S. Open Polo Championship

27/03/21 27/03/21 07/03/21 07/03/21 05/03/21

26/02/21 07/03/21

27/03/21 13/03/21 13/03/21 28/03/21 21/03/21 21/03/21 21/03/21 21/03/21 28/03/21

WOMEN’S Club IPC

AUSTRALIA Club

Tournament

Melbourne City

March Cup

Perth Sydney Fultons Lane Windsor Serpentine Adelaide Melbourne City Ellerston Melbourne City Windsor Mingela Melbourne City Hexham Sydney Serpentine Garangula

Perth Cup & International Sydney Polo Invitational Windsor polo Serpentine Classic Barr Smith Polo Victorian Cup Ellerston 14 & 6 Goal Club Cup Windsor Polo Daylesford Polo Invitational Club Cup Dunkeld Polo Sydney Polo Gooch Cup Garangula 14 & 6 Goal

Handicap 0, 4 to 6, 8 to 10

Start Date End date 05/03/21 07/03/21 06/03/21 06/03/21 07/03/21 13/03/21 13/03/21 13/03/21 13/03/21 13/03/21 19/03/21 20/03/21 20/03/21 27/03/21 27/03/21 27/03/21 27/03/21 27/03/21

07/03/21 07/03/21 07/03/21 14/03/21 14/03/21 14/03/21 14/03/21 21/03/21 21/03/21 21/03/21 20/03/21 28/03/21 28/03/21 28/03/21 28/03/21 04/04/21

Handicap Start Date 0, 3, 6, & 12 03/03/21 06/03/21 13/03/21 0, 2 & 8 13/03/21 6 13/03/21 0, 2 & 8 19/03/21 19/03/21

End date 07/03/21 07/03/21 14/03/21 14/03/21 14/03/21 21/03/21 19/03/21

6, 2 & 0 6, 2 & 0

0, 2 & 4 14 & 6 0, 2 & 4 6, 2 & 0 0, 2 & 4 6, 2 & 0 14 & 6

NEW ZEALAND Club Amuri Kihikihi Cambridge Amuri Queenstown Wigram Waireka

Tournament Savile Cup 1/2 Dozen Cup Bombay’s Walker Memorial Lochiel & Deans Trophy Queenstown Home International Open SIPA Club Championships SUPA Tournament

www.polotimes.co.uk

05/03/2021 18:10

Polo directory CLUB

PHONE

EMAIL

Edgeworth Polo Club

01285 821695

edgeworthpolo@gmail.com

Edinburgh Polo Club*

01314 496696

djamesjamie@aol.com

Emsworth Polo Grounds*

01344 883112

info@fourquarterspolo.co.uk

Epsom Polo Club*

07961 232106

epsompoloclub@hotmail.com

FHM Polo Club*

07778 436468

frances@fhmpolo.co.uk

Fifield Polo Club*

01628 620061

fifieldpoloclub@live.co.uk

Great Trippetts Polo Club

01428 741916

charles@trippetts.com

Guards Polo Club*

01784 434212

polo@guardspoloclub.com

Ham Polo Club

020 8334 0000

office@hampoloclub.com

Hertfordshire Polo Club*

01707 256023

polo@hertspolo.co.uk

Home Farm Polo Grounds

07807672120

rachaelkearnet@hotmail.co.uk

Hurtwood Polo Club

01483 272828

polo@hurtwoodparkpolo.co.uk

Kirtlington Park Polo Club

01869 350138

info@kirtlingtonparkpolo.co.uk

Knepp Castle Polo Club

07920 023639

info@aspectpolo.co.uk

Leadenham Polo Club

07429 299026

office@leadenhampoloclub.com

Longdole Polo Club*

01452 864544

info@longdolepolo.com

Moor Farm Polo Club

07494 114190

shop@moorfarmshop.co.uk

Moor Hall Farm Polo Club*

01279 450637

alecbeve@btinternet.com

New Forest Polo Club

07977 224404

annabelparryjoyner@yahoo.co.uk

Norfolk Polo Club

01508 480400

office@norfolkpolo.co.uk

EMAIL

Northern Ireland Polo Club

07803 020577

info@northernirelandpoloclub.co.uk

dstone@indigo.ie

Offchurch Bury Polo Club*

07816 830887

info@offchurchburypoloclub.co.uk

polo@hickstead.co.uk

Pangbourne Polo Club

07708 906810

aprice@polofix.com

07766 016 833

polomanager@peoverpoloclub.co.uk

FRANCE Lamonte Beauvron Arena Polo Tour 2021 Deauville Arena Polo Tour 2021

4 to 6 4 to 6

06/03/21 07/03/21 20/03/21 21/03/21

EMIRATES Al Habtoor Al Habtoor Al Habtoor Al Habtoor

Gold Cup Dubai Challenge Cup AHPRC League Dubai Cup

18 10 4 to 6 6 to 8

14/02/21 13/03/21 22/03/21 31/03/21

05/03/21 20/03/21 26/03/21 09/04/21

Quick Question

Answer -

to the question posed on our Letters page

A: William T. ‘Bill’ Ylvisaker won The Coronation Cup in 1973 (America: alongside Thomas Wayman, William R. Linfoot and Harold L. Barry) and 1974 (America: alongside Thomas Waymna, Roy Barry Jr and Lester Armour) as well as The Queen’s Cup in 1974 (San Flamingo: alongside Ronald Driver, Julian and Howard Hipwood).

Club contacts UK and Ireland CLUB All Ireland Polo Club All England Polo Club Hickstead*

PHONE 00353 01 6896732 01273 834 315

Apsley End Polo Club*

01462 712444

tobiana.scott@gmail.com

Peover Polo Club

Ash Farm Polo Club*

07799 812739

ashfarmpolo@hotmail.com

Polo Wicklow*

00353 404 67164

siobhan@polowicklow.com

Barfold Polo Club

07778 808853

mborwick@gmail.com

RAF Cranwell

07739 569491

rafcranwellpoloclub@yahoo.co.uk

Bawtry Polo Club

01302 773282

info@bawtrypoloclub.co.uk

Ranelagh Polo Club*

01344 885697

ranelagh@labravapolo.com

enquiries@beaufortpoloclub.co.uk

RCBPC*

01344 890060

polo@rcbpc.com

info@beverleypoloclub.co.uk

RMAS Polo Club

07973 174542

rmas-nc-aci-projinters@mod.uk

bhpcmanager@gmail.com

Rugby Polo Club*

01788 817724

info@rugbypoloclub.com

07772 040668

secretary@rutlandpoloclub.co.uk

Beaufort Polo Club Beverley Polo Club* Binfield Heath

01666 880510 01964 544877 01491 411969

Blueys Polo Club*

07930 323263

polomanager@blueyspolo.co.uk

Rutland Polo Club

Bramham Polo Academy

07811 993316

emmadvh@btinternet.com

Silver Leys Polo Club

07730 060200

silverleyspoloclub@gmail.com

Bunclody Polo Club

00353 87 6605917

info@poloclubbunclody.com

St. Albans Polo Club

07956 017090

info@stalbanspoloclub.co.uk

Burningfold Polo Club

01483 200722

derrek@burningfold.com

Stewarton Polo Club

07974 706045

info@stewartonpolo.co.uk

cambridgepoloclub@icloud.com

Suffolk Polo Club

07990 576974

aes3@cam.ac.uk

info@cambridgecountypoloclub.co.uk

Sussex Polo Club*

01342 714920

info@sussexpolo.co.uk

01823 480460

nhs.wheelers@gmail.com

Cambridge Polo Club* Cambridge County Polo Club*

07711 217004 01223 812922

Carlton House

07901 561113

harrietservaes@hotmail.com

Taunton Vale Polo Club

Chester Racecourse Polo Club

01244 304602

amorris@chester-races.com

Tidworth Polo Club*

01980 846705

info@tidworthpolo.com

Cheshire Polo Club

01270 611 100

info@cheshirepoloclub.co.uk

Toulston Polo Club

01422 372529

info@toulstonpoloclub.com

Chiltern Polo Club

07973 174542

info@chilternpoloclub.com

Triskelion Polo Club*

07624 272547

polo@triskelionpolo.club

Cirencester Park Polo Club

01285 653225

info@cirencesterpolo.co.uk

Vale of York Polo Club*

07788 426968

info@valeofyorkpoloclub.co.uk

Cowdray Polo Club

01730 813257

enquiries@cowdraypolo.co.uk

Vaux Park Park Polo Club*

07703 524613

vppc@btconnect.com

Curraghmore Polo Club

00353 51 387102

mkennedy@cssgroup.ie

West Wycombe Park Polo Club*

07787 560729

secretary@westwycombepolo.co.uk

Dallas Burston Polo Club*

01926 811 111

enquiries@ixlevents.com

Westcroft Park Polo Club*

01276 858545

info@westcroftparkpolo.co.uk

Dorset Polo Club

01202 623985

office@dorsetpolo.co.uk

White Rose Polo Club*

01430 875767

info@whiterosepolo.co.uk

Druids Lodge Polo Club*

01722 782597

abi@druidspolo.co.uk

White Waltham Polo Club

07748 670587

kim@playpolo.co.uk

Dundee and Perth Polo Club*

07831 365 194

jamesscrawford@aol.com

Eastwood Polo Club

07875 743475

frankums@googlemail.com

* Also open for arena polo in the UK winter

Team Tristar (UK) Ltd

Manufacturers of Quality Horseboxes

For details of our current stock or for a new build, please phone or email or visit our website.

www.tristarhorsesboxes.co.uk Tel: 01570 422250 Email: sales@tristarhorseboxes.co.uk www.polotimes.co.uk

PT March2021 Inners.indd 53

Polo Times, March 2021

53

05/03/2021 18:10

Polo directory

Marketplace In association with Chukkout Polo Transport

TENDON BOOTS FOR SALE 3 pairs of Roma tendon boots for sale.

Can post at buyers expense. £10 per pair. Tel: 07572 855366

Special occasion polo cards for birthdays, anniversaries, get well soon, weddings, & baby congratulations; from £2.99 TRAILER plus p&p IFOR WILLIAMS Aluminium

floor Ifor. Always serviced. Tyres all good. Last serviced spring last year, Visit used a bitwww.Katesart.com over the summer but not txt/tel 678421 nowordue to lock07887 down. Immaculate condition as pictured.

Covered all or email: enquiries@Katesart.com winter; every winter. Breaks were all image copyright protected

by Katesart.com good back in the spring has been 2007 lightly used so no doubt they’re fine.

Lights all working as they should. £2,750 ONO. Tel: 07721 033258 VALVERDE BOOTS Size 3 Valverde

Equipment

Impermeables, Not worn outside of the house only to try on, perfect condition and still have sole stickers. £210 plus postage. Tel: 07964 664455

Misc Executive helicopter charter service HAND SANITISER Heli Air can make your day at a polo Hand matchsanitiser an even more memorable supplied at 80% experience. Fly by helicopter to the events of your choice, from wherever ABV to WHO you live or are staying, on the day with speed and comfort.

Formula 1. Available in 100ml (from £2), Heli Air Head Office • Warwick • CV35 200ml (from £4) or 9EU 5 Also at: Wycombe, Silverstone, London/Denham, London/Fairoaks, litre (from £45) sizes.

Personalised labels Thruxton and Gloucestershire Airport available at extra 01789 470476 • HeliAir.comcost.

• Charter@HeliAir.com Discounts & free delivery for bulk purchases.

Tel: 07969 456214

REFURBISHED POLO MALLETS A range of newly refurbished polo mallets, mostly 190g-200g heads with the exception of one 53” light blue and white which is 175g. Also, a range of new pony club mallets from 42” to 48” all light heads. Collect from Midhurst or can send at buyers’ expense. £45 to £50 per stick. Tel: 01730 814991

ͻ ůŝŐŚƚĞƌ ͻ ƐƚƌŽŶŐĞƌ

DROP NOSEBAND FOR SALE All leather drop nose band. Used in excellent condition. £30.

Tel: 07850 664235

ͻ ƉŽǁĞƌĨƵů

ͻ ĐŽŶƐŝƐƚĞŶƚ

54

Polo Times, March 2021

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RANGE ROVER ALLOYS 19 INCH x4 Range Rover / Land Rover 19 inch alloy wheels for sale. They are all in fantastic condition. £95/wheel or £350 for all four. Tel: 07792 422209

ĂŶĞ ŵĂůůĞƚƐ ĂůƐŽ ŵĂĚĞ ƚŽ ŽƌĚĞƌ 'ƌĞĂƚ ƐŚŝƉƉŝŶŐ ƌĂƚĞƐ ĚŽŽƌ ƚŽ ĚŽŽƌ

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

Visit www.SportingDesigns.co.uk Advertising or call +44 (0)7860 303217 STIRRUP CUP Lawrence R. Watson & Co Silversmiths, Goldsmiths & Jewellers - Silver Plate Stag Stirrup Cup. £120.

Tel: 07786 567893

STABLE YARD ON THE COWDRAY ESTATE, WEST SUSSEX An opportunity has arisen to rent a stable yard with approximately 17 acres of grazing, situated in the heart of the Cowdray Estate. The site has easy access to Cowdray Park Polo Club and is available to let immediately. The property consists of a 4 No. stable block; 1 modern open barn suitable for 8 demountable stables; 3 open stalls and further traditional buildings. A lease is available on a secured fixed term of 10 or more years. Rent subject to negotiation Viewings of the property will be strictly in accordance with government Covid-19 guidance. For further information and all enquiries please Email: property@cowdray.co.uk

Polo directory

Property

Submit your

POLO LOT FOR SALE Exceptional polo lot at the Estancia Villa Maria development. The lot is ready for house construction and front facing x 3180 SM. Location: Buenos Aires Price: £ 178,000.00 Email Paul docpaul200@yahoo.co.uk

www.polotimes.co.uk

classified adverts

online or contact

01452 730770

WŽůŽ dŝŵŝŶŐ ůŽĐŬ )XOO\ 5HPRWH &RQWURO $XWRPDWLF /RXG Y FDU KRUQ DW PLQV <RX FDQ TXLFNO\ 5H ² VHW WKH KDQG EDFN WR =HUR 6WDUW 6WRS DOO YLD WKH 5HPRWH &RQWURO ĚĚ LJŽƵ ůƵď Žƌ ^ƉŽŶƐŽƌƐ >ŽŐŽ

h< ŵĂŶƵĨĂĐƚƵƌĞƌ ZZZ VSRUWFOR[ FRP WůĞĂƐĞ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ ƐĂůĞƐΛƐƉŽƌƚĐůŽdž͘ĐŽŵ

tĞ ƐƵƉƉůLJ ƚŚĞ tŽƌůĚ dŚŝƐ tŝŶĚƐŽƌ WŽůŽ ůƵď ŝƐ ŝŶ ƵƐƚƌĂůŝĂ͊

For the Pessimist: Rain Sheets, Non-Slip Gloves and Whips For the Optimist: Summer Sheets, Tinted Goggles and Electrolyte

ATS www.polotimes.co.uk

We’ve got everything for polo Look on our website:

05/03/2021 18:10

PT March2021 Inners.indd 55

05/03/2021 18:10

Final bell

In association with Aprés Polo

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Originally harking from a farming family 300 miles North West of Sydney Rob Cudmore grew up watching his 7 goal father Peter play. Arriving in the UK aged 24 at Beaufort, he was soon taken under the wing of Claire Tomlinson who he went on to work with for a further four years. In 1995 Rob was employed full time

by Christopher and Bridget Hanbury, heading up the Lovelocks operation, polo in Brunei and Longdole Polo Club. Rob notched up a slew of wins at 18 goal and for four years at 22 goal level. Rob orchestrated the setup of the Hanbury El Remanso operation in Argentina from 2003. Forward 26 years on from that first UK season and Rob is now Polo Manager at Black Bears Polo Club and sits on the HPA Handicap and Welfare Committees. A devoted father to Matt and England International Ollie, and devoted husband to his late wife Sue, Rob is one of polo’s ‘nice guys’, a consummate horseman and a true professional What is your biggest passion and why?

Polo, but more specifically making polo ponies and seeing them play at the highest level. I enjoy being involved in many HPA Committees and especially Welfare, as this is such an important thing for all of us going forward. I have been lucky enough to play with many great players as well as with my father, wife, three brothers and my sons Matt and Ollie.

What is your all time best polo memory?

There are many, but two stand out. Winning The Warwickshire Cup with three great team mates, Alan Kent, Jason Dixon and Adrian Wade. We beat some of the big teams on the way to the Final and beat Black Bears in an extra chukka in the Final. The other was watching El Remanso win the 2018 Gold Cup with an all English team. For the Hanburys and Cudmores this was the result of so much work and planning over thirty years.

Most prized possession?

My 1953 International Pickup which was my father’s first car.

I had it restored and brought it to England and now have it at Black Bears. My brothers and I all learnt to drive in it.

Who were/are your favourite teammates?

Christopher Hanbury who I played with for over twenty years with plenty of success.

Win or lose Christopher always came off the field with a smile on his face. Playing with Matt and Ollie was always special and we had a really fun six goal team playing with Racehorse Trainer Charles Egerton.

Hardest opponent?

Will Lucas who always gave 100 percent.

I always preferred playing with Will than against him as he is a winner!

Which sports do you like outside of polo?

Golf, rugby and cricket.

Favourite film and why?

Hangover. Always makes me laugh!

The Hangover Favourite song/album?

Swing.

Dire Straits. Sultans of Swing Favourite food/dish?

Ribeye steak with salad.

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Polo Times, March 2021

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Favourite hobby outside of polo?

Golf. I play regularly with professional umpire Julian Appleby for our personal Ashes Series! He is fiercely competitive but luckily a good loser! In Australia, I play with my brothers and Matt and Ollie and there is always plenty of sledging!

Favourite celebrity and why?

Ash Barty World number one tennis player.

She is an amazing athlete, as well as being a brilliant role model for young professional sportsmen and women.

Best holiday destination & activity Mooloolaba Beach on The Sunshine Coast in Queensland. Fantastic weather, food, surf and golf courses.

I have spent every February there for the past twenty years with family and friends and it is always fun.

Best pony and why?

Jupiter who was an Irish Retrained Racehorse. The easiest and most natural horse I ever made and she played a number of Argentine Opens with Gonza Pieres, Lolo Castagnola and Adolfo Cambiaso.

Are you passionately superstitious?

Not at all.

Describe yourself in three words…

Passionate, loyal and happy.

One thing which would surprise us about you?

I represented New South Wales Schools in rifle shooting a long time ago! www.polotimes.co.uk

05/03/2021 18:10

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