Polo Times May 2019 by Edit

Volume 24 • Issue 4 • May 2019 • £6.50

INTERVIEWS Ollie Cudmore & Matt Coppola USA SEASON CONCLUDES World Polo League & Gauntlet of Polo AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONALS Home sides victorious PLUS: UK High Goal Guide, Dubai Challenge Cup, Medical Robot Revolution

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Contents

Contacts Publisher Nick Hine publisher@polotimes.co.uk

What’s inside…

May 2019

Editor in Chief Richenda Hine richenda@polotimes.co.uk Editorial Manager Jen Liggins editorial@polotimes.co.uk Operations Manager

Rosabella Hine rosabella@polotimes.co.uk

Club Focus 47

Advertising Sales Richard Hine richard@polotimes.co.uk

Military Polo

Advertising & Subscription Sales

52 53

Rebecca Hastie sales@hinemarketing.co.uk

54 56 58

James Morgan

Additional Design

59 Subscriptions & Administration Assistant

Financial Controller

News

Overseas Reporter Katie Vickery katie@polotimes.co.uk

Contributors: Horacio Areco, Stephen Biddlecombe, Dr.med. Andreas Krüger, Will Lucas, Rege Ludwig, Angus Olds, ©Tony Ramirez/www.imagesofpolo.com,

Contact details

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

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© Polo Times Limited 2018 and Database Right 2018 Polo Times Limited holds the copyright & database right to the information it publishes in Polo Times and on the Polo Times website. No content may be reproduced or distributed without the consent of the Publisher. ‘Polo Times’ is the trade mark of Polo Times Limited. ISSN 1461-4685

Polo Times, May 2019

All Aspects of Youth Polo

Knowledge

Lynne Berry admin@polotimes.co.uk

Rosalind Cutter ads@polotimes.co.uk

Ladies International Test Match A Round-Up of Women’s Polo 5 Minutes With… Nell Jacob

Youth Polo

Tony Ruddy

Accounts & Administration Assistant

RAF South Africa Tour A Round-Up of Military Polo Action

Women’s Polo

Principal Design

Angie Clark accounts@polotimes.co.uk

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

6 11 14 16

All the Latest News Obituaries: Clive Peddle & Major Michael Fraser Legends Live Longer FIP News

Comment 18

Your Views & Social Media

Features 20 23 28 30

Sidelines 79 80

Big Picture Cover Story: UK High Goal Guide Polo Cover Story: Q&A: Matt Coppola 85 Cover Story: Interview: Ollie Cudmore

Reports 34 38 40 42

60 Equipment Focus: Bits: Pelhams 62 Polodoc: Robot Revolution 65 Playing Tips: Feeding of the Butt 68 Vet Insight: Lameness Investigation Explained 70 Nutrition Focus: Muscling Up 72 Fitness Insight: The Ultimate Performance Booster 75 Umpires’ Corner: 2019 rules update

Cover Story: CaptiveOne U.S. Open Polo Championship Cover Story: Dubai Challenge Cup Cover Story: Australian International Test Match Cover Story:Triple Crown of Polo

Gossip: Don’t Be the Last to Know! Sidelines: Social Pages

Directory What’s On: Polo Fixtures

Final Bell 88

Passions: Henry Porter

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Cover photograph: Gonzalito Pieres fights for the ball in Florida. By Joel Auerbach

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from the Publisher

As we go to press the Flannels England team are set to compete against the USA at The International Polo Club, Palm Beach on Sunday 28 April for The Westchester Cup. Following an injury to James Beim, the confirmed team is as follows: Flannels England (22): Henry Porter (3), Ollie Cudmore (6), Jack Richardson (7– Captain) & Tommy Beresford (6) Following last year’s success at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club for Flannels England, the USA will be looking to retrieve the illustrious title on home soil, with the home pony advantage. The tally between the two nations currently sits at 10 wins to the USA and eight to England, but with the Brits having retained the title for 31 years… could this be the year the tables finally

The Flannels England team has been confirmed for The Westchester Cup

turn back to the USA’s favour? A full report and Junior westchester report will follow in the next issue.

Gladiator Polo Team Palm Beach (Tommy Biddle, Toro Ruiz & Geronimo Obregon) defeated Team Los Angeles (Santiago Toccalino, Gringo Colombres & Tomas Garbarini) 15-7 on Friday 29 March in the U.S. Polo Assn. Coliseum at IPC. On Saturday 6 April, crowds once again gathered at The Coliseum at The International Polo Club, Palm Beach. New York and Dublin battled it out to determine which team would proceed through to the Final on Saturday 13 April. After a tough battle, it was Dublin who secured the victory with a score of 20-18, their spot in the Final as well as $18,000 prize money. On Saturday 13 April, the 2019 Gladiator Polo continued with the Final between Dublin and Palm Beach at IPC’S Coliseum of Polo. After six intense chukkas, it was Team Dublin who clinched the win with a final score of 17-14.

Photograph courtesy of Gladiator Polo

Team Dublin defeated Palm Beach

The Gladiator Polo Final Teams: Dublin: Mariano Obregon, Juan Martín Obregon & Tito Ruiz Palm Beach: Geronimo Obregon, Tommy Biddle & Victorino Ruiz

Gay Polo League

Photograph by Gail Damon

The Westchester Cup

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Many of us thought that the Brexit issue would have been put to bed by now, but yet again the situation continues in limbo as the scheduled departure date has been pushed back – this time to 31 October. Whilst I hope the fact that this coincides with Halloween is not an omen of things to come, we could all be forgiven for thinking that way! On a serious note, the continued question marks over the outcome of Brexit – with or without a deal – leaves the British polo community potentially exposed. However, it has been announced that in the case of a No Deal Brexit, UK horses will still be able to move to and from the EU as the UK’s listed status has now been approved. As the American season winds down, closer to home the UK season is upon us, with already a flurry of outdoor chukkas having taken place across the country. With another hot summer predicted, I suspect hydration, pony welfare and ground maintenance will once again be the buzzwords of the season. This issue of Polo Times is of course published at the intersection between the end of the American season and the start of the UK season, and is therefore packed with plenty of international polo news. With reports from America, Australia, South Africa and Dubai alongside our UK High Goal Guide, which is a useful introduction to who’s playing for who in the upcoming season. We also have not one, but two interviews with top polo players, Floridian Matt Coppola and Brit Ollie Cudmore, to find out more about what makes these polo hot shots tick. As always, the Knowledge section is brimming with useful tips and hints for getting the most out of you and your ponies’ game. In particular, I am grateful to Rege Ludwig for having taken the trouble to high-light the dangerous flaws in how the rules are currently seemingly being flouted in today’s modern game of polo. Excuses are often made that umpiring is subjective, but really, putting all other complexities to one side, how hard should it be for three match officials to objectively decide whether a player is “Exhibiting a lack of consideration for the safety of one’s self, one’s mount, or for another player.” This just leaves me to extend best wishes for the season to come and don’t forget to get yourself in shape as well as your ponies – the Knowledge section of this issue in particular, should really help you achieve your goals!

News

This year saw the GPL celebrate its 10th anniversary

Nick Hine, Publisher

The 10th Annual Land Rover Palm Beach International Gay Polo Tournament Presented by RSM US was enjoyed by many on Saturday 6 April. Team RSM US took the top Senator’s Cup trophy with the Best Playing Pony awarded to Peli, owned by Joey Casey of Palm City Polo Club, and the Most Valuable Player honours went to Bruce Schreiber. Goshen Hill picked up The Founder’s Cup trophy with the Most Valuable Player honours going to Chip McKenney. The Future’s Cup winner was Palm City Polo Club with Pete Grover as MVP.

Polo Times, May 2019

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A GOLDEN PERFORMANCE

PERFORMANCE RANGE TO SUPPORT POWER & SPEED BASED EXERCISE 2018, and a much celebrated win not only for El Remanso, but for English polo in the King Power Gold Cup. The all English team of players will go down in history for their unforgettable British Open victory. It was quite a celebration! #FeedtheDifference For nutrition advice or further information on our feeds please call,

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News HPA Welfare Directive for 2019 Following our story in the March issue of Polo Times, in which vet David Blakey from Three Counties Equine Hospital discussed Equine Influenza, on Monday 8 April, the following letter was sent out by The Hurlingham Polo Association regarding the welfare of ponies going into the 2019 British season. 1. The amount of travelling and mixing of polo ponies during the polo season increases the risk of a flu outbreak that could bring polo to a halt, at least in the main polo regions and that this could in turn lead to other equine disciplines being suspended. Consequently, the rules have been tightened up and all ponies taken to polo for playing or umpiring must: a. Be compliant with the rules below and b. At all times must have received their last booster vaccination (or second vaccination of a primary course) within the last 6 months +21 days, but c. No pony may play within 7 days after receiving a booster Inspections will be carried out by the HPA and clubs. Further details will follow on the actions to be taken if there is a known or suspected outbreak. 2. To be compliant: a. Vaccinations must be recorded in each pony’s passport, dated, signed and stamped by the administering veterinary surgeon who must be licensed to practice in the country in which the horse was vaccinated. If vaccinated outside the UK prior to the horse obtaining a UK-recognised equine passport, a fellow or member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS) must be satisfied that an appropriate licensed vaccine has been administered to the specific pony in question and shall record the details in any new UKrecognised equine passport once obtained with the date, signature and stamp. b. Previous vaccinations must have been administered as per below:

Ponies first vaccinated prior to 1 Jan 2014 must have received booster vaccinations annually (but not necessarily within 365 days) from the year they received their first vaccination Ponies first vaccinated between 1 Jan 2014 and 1 Jan 2016 must have received two primary vaccinations given no less than 21 days and no more than 92 days apart and booster vaccinations annually thereafter (but not necessarily within 365 days) Ponies first vaccinated between 1 Jan 2016 and 1 Jan 2018 must have received two primary vaccinations given no less than 21 days and no more than 92 days apart and a third booster vaccination given no less than 90 days and no more than to 215 days after the second primary vaccination and booster vaccination annually thereafter (but not necessarily within 365 days) Ponies first vaccinated after 1 Jan 2018 must have received two primary vaccinations given no less than 21 days and no more than 92 days apart and a third booster vaccination given no less than 90 days and no more than 215 days after the second primary vaccination and a booster vaccination annually thereafter (either within 365 days or anytime within a calendar window of March and April). Vaccinations against Equine Influenza for 2020. The Welfare Committee have agreed that the HPA aligns as a minimum with the FEI’s policy on flu vaccinations and has recommended that at all times polo ponies must have received a vaccination (either a second primary or booster vaccination) within the last 6 months and 21 days. Polo ponies not complying would have to restart a primary course of two vaccinations given no less than 21 days and no more than 92 days apart. A meeting of the British Equestrian Federation High Health Steering Group is due to be held in early June and the Welfare Committee will meet again to review the HPA rules for 2020 in the light of that meeting and the ongoing flu situation. For more information, please visit the HPA website.

Bucherer Polo Cup 2019

This season, The Bucherer Polo Cup weekend will be held in Berlin between 15 – 16 June. The first day of the event will see The International Test Match between Germany and Argentina, with a plethora of entertainment available for spectators, from vintage cars to delicious refreshments. What’s more, the following day will see the Final of The Bucherer Polo Cup itself.

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Cartier Queen’s Cup Semi-Finals

Two great games featuring the world’s top players and their ponies Sunday 16 June

Cartier Queen’s Cup Final

Historically played in the presence of HM The Queen Sunday 23 June

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News

Ellerstina La Baronesa, winners of The Copa Mitre Handicap

On Friday 29 March, The Copa Mitre Open and Handicap Finals were played at Alfredo Lalor de Pilar. Tortugas defeated Power Horse 11-8 to take The Open win, whilst Ellerstina La Baronesa defeated La Aguada 9-6 to win The Handicap Final. The Copa Mitre Open Final Teams: Tortugas (20): Martín Vilaró (1), Isidro Strada (7), Julio Novillo Astrada (7) & Marcos Menditeguy (5) Power Horse (20): Ignacio Brunetti (3), Joaquín Máiquez (6), Octavio Olmedo Guerra (5) & Santiago Marambio (6) The Copa Mitre Handicap Final Teams: Ellerstina La Baronesa (20): Joaquín Fernández Madero (2), Simón Crotto (4), Bautista Bayugar (8) & Francisco Irastorza (6) La Aguada (19): Manuel Novillo Astrada (3), Cruz Novillo Astrada (3), Valentín Novillo Astrada (6) & Clemente Zavaleta (7)

Copa República Argentina Final The Copa República Argentina came to a conclusion on Saturday 13 April with three Finals played. The two Subsidiary Finals were played at the AAP grounds in Pilar. In the Final, Copa Canadá Chapaleufu defeated LZ Cartagena de Indias, 11-10 and in the Final Copa Diario, La Nación El Desafío defeated Coronel Suárez, 12-11. La Esquina remained undefeated throughout the tournament The main Copa República Argentina Final was played in Palermo and saw the unbeaten La Esquina take on La Chativa La Natividad. The Final began with La Chativa La Natividad receiving a two goal handicap advantage, however La Esquina continued undeterred and took a quick lead in the first chukka. La Esquina’s dominance did not abate in the second chukka and the score was increased to 7-4. In the third chukka, La Chativa La Natividad came out fighting and by half-time had managed to draw the scores closer, to 7-6. However, La Esquina doggedly dominated the second half of the Final, with all four players gelling together in both attack and defence. When the final whistle sounded, La Esquina remained undefeated and secured the 2019 Copa República Argentina with a final score of 13-9. Peregrino Venucina, played by Francisco Bensadón was named the Jaime Amorín Best Playing Pony and Machitos Blusera, played by Pascual Sáinz de Vicuña was the Argentine Breeders Association Best Playing Pony. The Copa República Argentina Final Teams: La Esquina (24): Pascual Sáinz de Vicuña (6), Isidro Strada (7), Francisco Bensadón (7) & Tomás Rueda (4) La Chavita La Natividad (22): Camilo Castagnola (6), Franco Veronesi (4), Bartolito Castagnola (7) & Matías Machado (5)

Hurlingham Victor Ludorum Awards Dinner

During last summer and this winter, well over 200 teams from across the country competed in the Victor Ludorum tournaments. The HPA wishes to recognise all the winning teams, of the 4, 6, 8, 12, 15 and 18 goal along with the winning teams of the Victrix and Arena Victor Ludorum, by inviting them to an exclusive and special black-tie evening at Guards Polo Club on Monday 20 May to celebrate their achievement. The contact in the HPA office will be Lucy Lewis (lucy@hpa-polo.co.uk or +44 (0)1367 242 828) and she will be contacting the teams with further information.

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Polo Times, May 2019

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Photograph by AAP/Matias Callejo

Photograph courtesy of AAP

Copa Mitre Open

News

Luis Escobar’s polo pony Esperanza has been honoured with The Omega Alpha Healthy Horse Award as The Winter Equestrian Festival came to an end in Wellington, Florida. This award recognises horses from all equestrian disciplines, making it even more exciting for a polo pony to have received the honours. Esperanza is an 18-year-old 15.2hh mare who has played low, medium and high goal and is now set to retire.

The Shandur Polo Festival, the world’s highest polo tournament at over 3,700m above sea level, is set to take place during the first week of July. Tribes from the Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral regions traditionally meet in the Shandur pass every summer in North Pakistan to compete for the coveted title in their own unique and wild form of polo.

South African Open

On Saturday 20 April, Rhone Hill (Patrick Heffron, Chris Lund, Gareth Evans & Jacinto Crotto), won The Plett Polo South African Open Saturday Series at Plettenberg Bay Polo.

Obituary Clive Peddle 1950-2019 South African Polo has lost a great servant.

Photograph courtesy of The SA Polo Association

It is with great sadness that we remember the life of Clive Emblin Peddle, a faithful servant of polo in South Africa and indeed many other countries it has taken him to. Clive passed away after a short illness in Johannesburg. He leaves behind his wife Tash, children Iian and Michelle and grandchildren. Clive was born a farmer’s son outside the little village of Richmond in KZN midlands, on the family farm ‘Marion’ overlooking The Umkomaas Valley. Here his love affair with farming and polo began. His primary schooling at Richmond and high school at Maritzburg College revealed he was both a scholar and a gentleman, excelling both in the classroom and on the sports field. He graduated from University of KZN with a BScAgric Masters degree and did his National Service through Group 9 Umkomaas Commando, obtaining the rank of Commissioned Officer.

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The Shandur Polo Festival will take place again this year

Rhone Hill, winners of The Plett Polo South African Open Saturday Series

Clive’s dad died of a heart attack on the polo field aged 52 and so Clive was compelled to take over the family sugar cane farm. He played polo for Richmond, got to 4 goals, and was a committed Club Captain and Club Chairman for several years. His love of cattle challenged him to change the sugar cane enterprise into a dairy farm. Sadly, the farm was too dry and after running out of water in tough economic times he was forced to sell the farm. He moved to Eston and then to Craigieburn Estate near Mooi River as Farm Manager, which he ran with military precision. At this time he started getting involved in administration of Natal polo while he remained loyal to playing his polo in Richmond. When personal and political circumstances forced him to retire from Craigieburn Estates, he pursued a career with his second mistress, polo. Clive became Director of Kurland Polo Club in Plettenberg Bay, and later Executive Director of the South African Polo Association in 2009 until his untimely death on 18 March 2019. Clive became synonymous with South African polo. Passionate and loyal, he marched up and down the edges of polo fields across the country and abroad. He served on the SA Equestrian Federation board, was a Zone E Director of Federation of International Polo and involved in the World Cup Snow Polo in China. He had a heart for the development of children’s polo and ladies’ polo locally. Clive was a man of dignity and a more chivalrous man you would not meet on the edge of a polo field. He will be sorely missed by so many. A great tree has fallen. Rest In Peace.

Polo Times, May 2019

Photograph courtesy of Newstead Lund Family Vineyards

Esperanza was honoured with The Omega Alpha Healthy Horse Award

2019 Shandur Polo Festival

Photograph courtesy of Shandur

Photograph courtesy of Omega Alpha

Pony Honoured with Omega Alpha Healthy Horse Award

News Obituary Major Michael Quintin Fraser 1929-2019

Photography courtesy of his son, Charles Fraser

7th Hussars polo team winning the 1958 Inter-Regimental and Inter-Services Tournaments L-R Capt Billy Richardson, Major Hilary Hook, Capt Mike Fraser & Lt Col Tim Llewellen-Palmer

At the peak of the space race, when the Soviet Union was a major threat and the Beatles were a hot new band invading American music, the United States had a semi-classified human space programme called the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL). First announced in December 1963, the programme’s public aim was to ascertain the “military usefulness” of putting a human into space. Its real, classified aim however was to put a crewed surveillance satellite into orbit to spy on the Soviet Union. The Americans needed to survey the South Pacific Ocean for a base on which to locate rescue aircraft on a direct line from the launch centre in Vandenburgh California (later used for the Space Shuttle programme) and the only land mass on this direct path was the tiny Henderson Island in the Pitcairn group, which belonged to Britain. In July 1966 Captain Mike Fraser, an army officer in the Queen’s Own Hussars, on a posting to Fiji as the Military Intelligence Officer but on attachment to MI6 covering the Southern Pacific, was selected as the British representative for this secret NASA operation. He found himself boarding the USS Sunnyvale in Pearl Harbour to sail to this remote stretch of ocean. Mindful however not to miss an opportunity, the British government also gave him a secondary mission – to discover and observe as much as possible about the island’s flora and fauna, the only previous landing since its discovery by the Portuguese in 1606 having been by HMS Leander in 1937. The MOL was quickly superseded by the Apollo missions and became obsolete, but the information and observations he gained on the secondary objective were very useful to the Natural History Museum and other interested organisations for years to come. Mike’s earlier career in pure military terms had been somewhat interrupted due to his outstanding talent as an all-round sportsman, but particularly his gifted skills as a horseman. As a measure of this horsemanship, he was one of very few people to excel in two equine disciplines simultaneously, representing Great Britain in polo as well as achieving Olympic selection in Three Day Eventing. On the polo ground, along with his numerous Regimental conquests when the Queen’s Own Hussars (and their predecessor Regiment the 7th Hussars) were almost omnipotent, as one of the Army’s top handicap players at 3 goals, he led a diplomatic polo mission

Polo Times, May 2019

to Iran in 1961, hosted by His Imperial Highness Prince Gholuam Reza, deputising for his father the Shah who was on a foreign State Visit. Three years later he represented the British Army on a tour to India in a team including Captain Lord Patrick Beresford, Major Ronnie Ferguson and Major Hugh Dawnay. Mike also served on the Executive Committee of the HPA in 1965 under the chairmanship of Viscount Cowdray. Concurrent amongst this polo, he almost realised Olympic success and certainly achieved national admiration and respect as a highly gifted and courageous Three Day Eventer; the Colonel in Chief of his Regiment, HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, had presented The Queen’s Own Hussars with her rather excitable yet undistinguished steeplechaser, Gipsy Love. Mike, whose quiet riding and soft hands suited such a headstrong gelding, was tasked with transforming this impetuous mount into an eventer, which he did in remarkably short time. Thus, they soon found themselves selected for Olympic training for the Rome Games of 1960. Having completed most of the preparation under the watchful eye of the legendary Col VDS Williams, Mike and Gipsy Love competed in the Olympic trials at Badminton in May 1960 where, on the cross country phase disaster struck as the horse snapped his martingale, smashing Mike to the ground at full gallop. Concussed and with two broken bones in his left arm and a crack in his neck (unknown at the time), he remounted and finished the course with one hand. The following day in the show jumping phase, his left arm in plaster, he completed this pinnacle of eventing to finish in an admirable 7th position. Of the many plaudits, including those from Her Majesty, the report in the Daily Telegraph commented; “But of all the impressions I carried away from Badminton, the clearest is that of admiration for the visceral fortitude displayed by Capt Fraser who, crippled by a shattering fall, completed the course in splendid time on the well-bred but very green Gipsy Love”. The Colonel of his Regiment, General Sir Ralph Younger, evidently a polo man wrote to him that evening; “I understand you put up an outstanding display of guts in completing the course on Gipsy Love after you had broken your wrist…..but I hope it does not spoil any part of your polo season.” This enduring equine love and influence had started early in his life in India, when his father, Lt Col Sir Denholm de Montalt Fraser KCVO, CSI, CIE brought up in the old cavalry routine, had put young Mike on to his first pony aged two in Kashmir. By the time he was eight he, along with his two elder brothers and guided by their 6 goal father, formed the Fraser polo team in Mysore and Bangalore. His father, by way of the Indian Army, had entered the Indian Political Service, himself rising to follow his own distinguished father Sir Stuart Fraser KCSI, CIE as Resident (Governor) of the princely States of Kashmir and Mysore. In a unique passage of British Indian history, the combined service of father and son ran concurrently for a decade and covered the last 63 years of British administration in India.

British Army team 1964 tour to India and Rajasthan L-R Major Ronnie Ferguson, Capt Hugh Dawnay, Capt Mike Fraser, Capt The Lord Patrick Beresford & Capt Tim Ritson

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News Born in 1929 the youngest of three sons, Michael Quintin Fraser spent the first few years of his life in these privileged surroundings of the Indian Raj, which were the perfect playground in which to acquire his skills. After an intermittent prep school career hindered by WW2, Mike went on to Rugby, following his father, in 1944 a year late due to the war, where his natural sporting skills resulted in him being captain of Rackets, as well as in the 1st XI hockey team. Taking a different course from his two elder brothers who both went up to Worcester College Oxford, he then passed into Sandhurst and was commissioned into the 7th Hussars in 1950, where his uncle, Lt Colonel T A Thornton was Colonel of the Regiment. His first posting was to the German frontier garrison of Luneburg – the British Cavalry Regiments in BOAR (British Army of the Rhine) found themselves involved with the hundreds of remaining German troop horses and Fraser’s acknowledged skills were immediately required. Point to pointing, polo and hunting, both in Germany and on leave back in the UK kept Fraser fully immersed. In 1954 the Regiment was sent to Hong Kong, where his energy in trying to establish post war Far Eastern polo were somewhat thwarted by the poor calibre of mules that were available. In 1956 his Regiment deployed to the Suez crisis. They stopped en route in Tripoli, where they were placed in Reserve. The Regiment was frustrated by the delay while world leaders argued and eventually came to their peaceful conclusion. It was during this contained period however, that he met his future wife Vivienne, who was on leave from England with her parents and whose father, a learned Cambridge man was Colonial Commissioner and Economic Advisor to King Idris and the government of Libya. They were married a year later. In the following two decades they were posted to Germany, Cyprus, Fiji and Hong Kong again, interspersed with postings in Britain. By then a Major, Fraser left the Army in 1973 and settled down in retirement to farm in Aberdeenshire where his kinsman hailed from and cousins resided. Always willing to inspire and teach others, he lent his equestrian experience to the Aberdeenshire Pony Club where he designed numerous courses and acted as senior instructor and Steward. But the draw of full time equitation was too powerful and four years later he found himself appointed as Director of the Royal Stables in Oman, where the new Sultan, who had recently deposed his aged father in a bloodless coup with the aid of some military colleagues from Sandhurst and with the backing of the British Government, wanted to emulate the repertoire of equine disciplines and Household Cavalry troops he had seen when in Britain. Fraser immediately found himself purchasing troop horses from India, polo ponies from Argentina, racehorses from Britain and syces (grooms) from Pakistan. He was instrumental in creating in a short period a highly efficient and successful Royal Stables where the inaugural International polo match, sponsored by Dunhill, saw Kent, Ellis and

Major Michael Fraser at Badminton in 1969

Clarkin against John & Eddie Horswell with local Omanis making up numbers. They were blessed by a visit from HM The Queen and HRH Prince Philip while on their State Visit in 1978, but more importantly sanctified with the Sultan’s ability to beat his Gulf neighbours and rivals in equine competitions and more importantly in camel racing, the ultimate prize for these noble Bedouin descendants. He left Oman in 1983, spending some years renovating an old mill with some acres in rural France. As an accomplished carpenter and craftsman – skills learned in India from his father’s large complement of staff – his abilities were perfectly employed in these bucolic ‘Maylesque’ few years. However, having fulfilled his ambition, he then returned to Scotland, this time to Perthshire where he spent the last 30 years of his life designing and creating his beloved garden and woods near Dunkeld. And still he was drawn back to the world of horses and his desire to help others in equine life, particularly the young. He coached and umpired generations of pony club youngsters at the Perth & Dundee Polo Club, where he himself had first played back in the 1970’s. His teams successfully competed at the Pony Club championships at Cowdray Park in West Sussex for some years. He also stood as a Steward at the Blair Atholl Horse Trials for several years. Michael Fraser married Vivienne Pyke in 1957; they had two sons, the elder of whom Charles Fraser, is a former chairman of Cowdray Park Polo Club and HPA Steward for 10 years, and two daughters. He died suddenly on 18th January 2019 after a short illness. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, his four children and six grandchildren.

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News

Legends Live Longer

Photograph courtesy of Reto Gaudenzi

Players young and slightly older united at La Alegría

Legends Unite La Alegria from the beginning The very start In 1987 Reto Gaudenzi (hotelier), Andy Küchel (architect) and Adrian Laplacette (vet) set the seed for a never before seen successful project. They bought a farm and started playing polo in the wild environment of an Argentine farm outside of Buenos Aires. What started as a brave ‘guys project’ became a story of unbelievable success, evolving into a mecca of polo. At the time, Reto Gaudenzi was given the opportunity to buy the polo farm in Argentina, he was already a polo player and organiser of polo tournaments. Fond of the idea of going to Argentina with the Swiss polo circuit, he found a group of 11 interested investors. They met in one of the most famous Zurich restaurants to close the deal – but only Gaudenzi and Küchel had the courage to do so. Adrian Laplacette, a young polo player and entrepreneur joined the team alongside the two founders. Many rough chukkas were played all around the globe with the La Alegria Farm as the centre for new aficionados embracing the gaucho lifestyle, learning to play polo with Laplacette joining the team. With more infrastructure around La Alegria farm and the Salvador Maria village, a local fire fighter department with a rescue vehicle was sponsored to help with polo accidents.

Reto Gaudenzi on the polo field once again

Polo Times, May 2019

Tommy Rinderknecht readys himself

The legends meet again Now nearly 30 years later, the group of polo enthusiasts and entrepreneurs followed an invitation of Werni Meier and regrouped to write another page in the book of polo legends and stimulate future legends to feel the friendship and passion in the polo sport at La Alegria. With a group of friends (Küchel, Rinderknecht, Dillier & Gaudenzi) from Switzerland, Meier and Laplacette organised a revival tournament set between the Bien Mirada Ranch and the La Alegria Ranch. With fresh blood from a group of polo beginners from Switzerland and Germany, trained by pro Tommy Winter, training chukkas and a legends’ tournament was organised. As usual for The World Polo organisation, Reto Gaudenzi engaged Polodoc Dr. Andi Krüger as the qualified doctor to take care of the security knowing that some of these legends were more than 70-years-old. At this age, an accident or medical urgency in the pampa can be fatal without immediate treatment. Due to the experience of the players, the well-trained horses from Adrian Laplacette and Werni Meier, as well as the outstanding condition of the polo fields of Bien Mirada and La Alegria, there was only one fall with minor injury. Future legends Now many polo farms and clubs are in a 10km range of the farm, so Club chukkas and tournaments can be played easily. Many wellknown polo professionals, polo horses and trainers have now their home there. A whole generation of polo enthusiasts have made their first steps here or have improved their polo skills due to this organisation and facilities. As opposed to collecting medical fees for this tournament, the money raised was donated to The Basti Fund.

The core La Alegría group

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FIP News

FIP Update President of the Federation of International Polo, Horacio Areco, gives us an update on the latest FIP news from around the world

Photography courtesy of FIP

The 30th South East Games Organising Committee has approved polo to participate as a competitive sport in this year’s South East Asian Games. Peter Abisheganaden, Peter Prendiville and John Fischer in representation of FIP have worked with the Philippines South East Asian Games Organising Committee in preparing the ‘Technical Handbook for Polo’. The polo competition will consist of two events. A Division for teams between 0 and 2 goals will take place between 26 November – 2 December, with the Finals to be played on 1 December. A Division for teams between 4-7 goals will take place between 3 – 8 December with the Finals being played on 8 December. The format and competition schedule will be decided based on the number of countries entered. Games will be played at Miguel L. Romero Polo Fields and Inigo Zobel Polo Fields. As part of the process to get polo to take part in the 30th SEA Games, the Philippine National Federation of Polo Players has been created and they have submitted the application to become a full member of FIP. With regards to The 2020 FIP European Championship, FIP has approved the presentation made by Azerbaijan and the event will be called The FIP European Polo Championship Baku, Azerbaijan 2020. Azerbaijan will host eight teams and the event will take place between the 10 – 20 September 2020. Two new polo fields have been built at the Elite Horse and Polo Club in Baku as well as a grass training polo field.

Baku in action

The 2020 FIP European Championships will take place in Azerbaijan

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Whilst the men’s teams in the 111th Polo International at Windsor Polo Club were introduced with the NSW Police Marching Band and beautiful Bentleys XXXXXXXXXXXXX from Bentley Sydney, we’re convinced the ladies’ teams got a better deal – being escorted onto the field by youngsters bearing the Australian and British w XXXXXXXXXXXX flags. Cue cuteness overload! Unfortunately for the Flannels England Ladies, Saturday 6 April was not their day as the home team secured the win. To read more about the ladies’ match turn to our Women’s Polo pages, or to the Report section for the men’s International Test Match. wP hotograph by Jess Rea

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Polo Times, May 2019

What about playing polo in Switzerland ?

Learn to play polo or join us for chukkers or tournaments Polo Park and Country Club Zürich is one of the oldest clubs in Switzerland. Open from April until October. Take your customers, friends or family to watch our games on Sundays. More than 10 tournaments each season. We offer kids and adults polo school - discovery days - low and medium goal club chukkers. Clubhouse, changing rooms, apartments, stables, everything is ready to welcome you and play the best polo on full size fields in Switzerland.

e ebsit dates! w r June 1-2: Zürich Championship Low Goal nts k ou Chec ourname k.ch June 21-22: Kensington Polo Trophy ore t opar for m ww.pol June 29-30: Zürich Championship Medium Goal w July 5-7: 20th Zürich International Ladies Polo Cup August 31-sept 1: San Francisco de Asis Polo Cup september 7-8: Vecinos Cup

Polo Park & Country Club Zürich - info@polopark.ch - Join us on Facebook : Polo Park Zürich - www.polopark.ch

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High Goal Guide

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pring has officially sprung and with its return to our green pastures we also embrace the start of another UK high goal season. It’s every British polo fan’s favourite time of year when it is sun’s out, fun’s out and the ponies flock in from their long winter hibernations to start their pitch body ready diets and exercise regimes. The UK high goal season is one of the most rigorous seasons of the polo circuit, running from early May to the start of August and includes two of the most prestigious and coveted polo titles in the world: The Cartier Queen’s Cup taking place in Windsor Great Park at the worldfamous Guards Polo Club, followed by The King Power Gold Cup for The British Open at Cowdray Park Polo Club in Midhurst, West Sussex. As the players will be starting their migration back from sunny climes as the US, Dubai and Argentine seasons come to a close, Britain will once again be the main

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The Big Ones: The Cartier Queen’s Cup (Guards Polo

Polo Park and Country Club Zurich is one of the oldest clubs in Switzerland and opened this season with a brand new clubhouse. Take your customers, friends or family to watch our games on Sundays. We offer kids and adults polo school - discovery days - low and medium goal club chukkers. More than 12 tournaments each season. Clubhouse, changing rooms, apartments, stables, everything is ready to welcome you and play the best polo on full size fields in Switzerland.

Taking a look at the line-ups that will be battling on British soil this summer in the UK’s high goal season

Katie Vickery

UK High Goal Guide

The King Power Gold Cup for the British Open (Cowdray Park Polo Club): 25 June – 21 July

Other 22 Goal Tournaments:

The Trippett’s Challenge (Cowdray Park Polo Club): 7 – 16 May The Prince of Wales Trophy (Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club): 4 – 18 May

focus of the polo world’s attention and the excitement gets underway with some ‘warm-up’ tournaments: The Prince of Wales Trophy at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club and The Trippett’s Challenge at Cowdray Park Polo Club. This will be the first outing for many of the players and teams this season and is a great way for teams to test out new dynamics, tactics and team mates as well as any new horses they have added to their strings over the winter. Then it is on to the two tournaments that epitomise British polo and summertime in general for polo people all around the world. As well as hordes of polo players, grooms and managers, the usually quiet, rural areas of Berkshire and Midhurst soon become packed with fans and spectators, eager to take their place on the emerald green sidelines of the velveteen fields on which their heroes play. This year we will see 12 teams take part in the two most awaited tournaments of the polo calendar with some legendary line-ups, some fresh four-man combos and some slightly reshuffled team sheets. UK fan favourite El Remanso announced their retirement from high goal polo with last year’s spectacular win in The King Power Gold Cup, while another huge name to leave a void is that of Adolfo Cambiaso who PPZAddPoloTimesl.indd 2

Club): 21 May – 16 June

The Warwickshire Cup (Cirencester Park): 17 – 22 June will not be playing in the UK this summer but staying in the USA. Old favourites La Indiana, Monterosso, La Bamba de Areco, Talandracas and Murus Sanctus have signed up for another year of fast-paced, competitive polo and last year’s taste of the glory has Emlor and Park Place back for more action. Back on the scene are old rivals Dubai and King Power after a break from all the glory, as well as Sifani who took last year out but are back to battle once again. New faces include Scone, scooping up El Remanso’s ‘James squared’ combo of James Beim and James Harper, and UAE, fresh from a killer Dubai season. With some seriously competitive 22 goal teams taking to the field this year it will be a season not to be missed and both titles are truly anyone’s game. Last year saw two Finals with four different finalists, a break from the same old match-ups year in year out that we see in other seasons. The UK season is unique in its ability to draw equally talented teams who all have the potential to ride to glory. Here we take a look at these 13 teams and see how the high goal is shaping up so far. 20/06/17 15:11 I

The 2019 High Goal Teams Scone David Paradice is no stranger to the high goal, having played the last few years in The Colorado Open Series played at Denver Polo Club, home of the Valiente crew. With friends in such high places, it’s no wonder that he has been tempted to pursue his polo passion now overseas to join the fray in polo’s historical home. He will be supported by Brit power duo and last year’s Gold Cup winners James Beim and James Harper, who will show their new sponsor how it’s done on this side of the pond. Backed up by the powerful Pieres brother Nico, this is a punchy line-up that could make a big splash in their first year together.

Team Handicap: 22 Patron: David Paradice Tournaments entered: The Trippett’s Challenge, The Cartier Queen’s Cup and The King Power Gold Cup

David Paradice Handicap: 0 World Ranking: Unranked

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James Beim Handicap: 6 World Ranking: 37

James Harper Handicap: 6 World Ranking: 43

Nicolás Pieres Handicap: 9 World Ranking: 7

Polo Times, May 2019

Feature

UK High Goal Guide

La Bamba de Areco

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Team Handicap: 22 Patron: Jean-François Decaux Tournaments entered: The Trippett’s Challenge, The Cartier Queen’s Cup and The King Power Gold Cup

La Bamba de Areco had a fantastic season last year, reaching The King Power Gold Cup Final only to miss out on the win to El Remanso by a single goal. Although some handicap changes have meant they have lost their (not so) secret weapon Byron Watson to Park Place, they have gained an excellent, young, British replacement, well up to the task of helping them reach their potential. Kian Hall, fresh from a season working in the 26 goal for Valiente in the USA will be accompanying the La Dolfina duo of David ‘Pelón’ Stirling and Juan Martín Nero who proved last year that together they can achieve greater things than apart.

La Indiana PPZAddPoloTimesl.indd 2

Last year was the year that Michael Bickford’s La Indiana finally sealed the deal and took themselves from second to first with a Cartier Queen’s Cup win against Park Place. It was no coincidence that it was the same year they brought in number one in the world Facundo Pieres, who will be lining up in La Indiana grey once again. This year they have swapped out La Indiana stalwart Nic Roldan in favour of Brazilian machine Rodrigo de Andrade. Alec White has moved to pastures new to be replaced by the talented young gun James ‘Jimbo’ Fewster to complete the line-up of young, hungry athletes. With half a new team it will be interesting to see how this team gets on against some other more established four man combos.

Monterosso

Jean François Decaux Handicap: 0 World Ranking: 91

David ‘Pelón’ Stirling Handicap: 9 World Ranking: 5

Juan Martín Nero Handicap: 10 World Ranking: 3

Kian Hall Handicap: 3 World Ranking: 132

Team Handicap: 22 Patron: Michael Bickford Tournaments entered: The Trippett’s Challenge, The Cartier Queen’s Cup and The King Power Gold Cup 20/06/17 15:11 I

Michael Bickford Handicap: 1 World Ranking: 18

Facundo Pieres Handicap: 10 World Ranking: 1

Rodrigo Andrade Handicap: 8 World Ranking: 20

Jimbo Fewster Handicap: 3 World Ranking: 94

Team Handicap: 22 Patron: Alessandro Bazzoni Tournaments entered: The Prince of Wales Trophy, The Cartier Queen’s Cup and The King Power Gold Cup

Monterosso are back in the listing once again this time with a 50 percent change to their line-up, which sees Juan Martín Zubia out for Juan Gris Zavaleta and younger Toccalino brother Santiago out for Argentine player Joaquin Pittaluga. Last year they were unable to get past the zone stage matches, their performance always slightly falling short, but with this new combo of skilled forward playing team members, could they have what it takes to get themselves out of the rut they have found themselves in since joining the UK line-up in 2017. Alessandro Bazzoni Handicap: 0 World Ranking: 81

Park Place A stellar inaugural high goal performance last year saw this team reach the Final of The Cartier Queen’s Cup only to be defeated in a rough and tumble match against La Indiana. This year they hope to build on that great start and go all the way to the winners’ podium. With powerhouse 10 goaler Hilario Ulloa lending his cannon to the side once again, they have every chance of being in with a serious shot at glory. Tommy Beresford’s performance last year saw him raised in handicap and so it was time to bring in new talent, this time in the form of La Bamba’s Byron Watson. These two power players will be complimented by the quick, intricate play of Juan Britos to make up a real four man combo to beat.

Polo Times, May 2019

Ignacio ‘Cubi’ Toccalino Joaquín Pittaluga Handicap: 8 Handicap: 7 World Ranking: 24 World Ranking: 33

Juan Gris Zavaleta Handicap: 7 World Ranking: 22

Team Handicap: 22 Patron: Andrey Borodin Tournaments entered: The Prince of Wales Trophy, The Cartier Queen’s Cup and The King Power Gold Cup

Andrey Borodin Handicap: 0 World Ranking: 75

Hilario Ulloa Handicap: 10 World Ranking: 8

Juan Britos Handicap: 7 World Ranking: 31

Byron Watson Handicap: 5 World Ranking: 84

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UK High Goal Guide

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Talandracas

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Team Handicap: learn to22 play polo or join us for chukkers or tournaments Patron: Edouard Carmignac Tournaments entered: The Trippett’s Challenge, The Cartier Queen’s Cup and The King Power Gold Cup Polo Park and Country Club Zurich is one of the oldest clubs in Switzerland and opened this season with a brand new clubhouse. Take your customers, friends or family to watch our games on Sundays. We offer kids and adults polo school - discovery days - low and medium goal club chukkers. More than 12 tournaments each season. Clubhouse, changing rooms, apartments, stables, everything is ready to welcome you and play the best polo on full size fields in Switzerland.

Once again, the pink and grey of the French Talandracas side will be joining the ranks of the UK high goal season, this time led by team patron Eduoard Carmignac’s son Hugues. Having lost Guillermo ‘Sapo’ Caset last year to RH and this year to new team UAE, they have struggled to make their mark in the Finals matches. This year they remain with the same pro line-up and despite talented individual players, they may struggle once again without a true leader to give them the extra push they need, especially in this year’s hugely competitive team sheet. Hugues Carmignac Handicap: 0 World Ranking: 268

Emlor

Francisco Elizalde Handicap: 8 World Ranking: 23

Team Handicap: 22 Patron: Spencer McCarthy Tournaments entered: The Prince of Wales Trophy, The Cartier Queen’s Cup and The King Power Gold Cup, The Warwickshire Cup 20/06/17 15:11 I

PPZAddPoloTimesl.indd 2

It seems Spencer means business this year, putting together a strong, balanced team that could prove to be a real contender for those two big titles. Agustin Merlos played for Emlor last year, taking them to Subsidiary success in The Cartier Queen’s Cup but unable to get out of the qualifying stages in The King Power Gold Cup. This year though, he will be backed up by the strong number 4 player Fred Mannix Jr and the talented, young Argentine Alfredo Bigatti in what makes on paper a very solid line-up. If they can all play to their strengths and complement each other as well on the field as they do on paper, then this could be a team to watch this year.

Murus Sanctus One of only two women playing in this year’s high goal season, Corinne Ricard enters her team once again in to both The Cartier Queen’s and The King Power Gold Cups. Joined as ever by the faithful Facundo Sola, Gonzalito Pieres also returns to the team to play the defensive, number 4 position. Tommy Beresford joins the side this year to add some Brit flair to the French side and with him currently playing out of his skin and above his years, this could be the difference between last year’s lack lustre performance and a more fruitful performance in the UK season this year.

King Power King Power had reigned supreme in the UK season since they joined in 2014, up until they decided to take a break for the 2018 season. Last year their involvement was purely sponsorship, but it seems like the lure of the Guards and Cowdray tournaments has proven too much to resist and they have been tempted back into the iconic and successful blue shirts. The line-up has most certainly changed however, with Polito Pieres flying the flag for the industrious Pieres polo family this year as he takes his turn on the well-known side. He is joined by young Juan Martín Zubia who proved himself worthy of a spot last year in The Argentine Open with an impressive performance with his team La Ensenada. Finishing off the four in style is Argentine Marcos di Paola. We await to see what this new, old team has in store for us.

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Julián ‘Negro’ de Lusarreta Alejandro Muzzio Handicap: 7 Handicap: 7 World Ranking: 21 World Ranking: 13

Spencer McCarthy Handicap: 0 World Ranking: 150

Agustín Merlos Handicap: 8 World Ranking: 36

Alfredo Bigatti Handicap: 7 World Ranking: 49

Fred Mannix Jr Handicap: 7 World Ranking: 29

Team Handicap: 22 Patron: Corinne Ricard Tournaments entered: The Trippett’s Challenge, The Cartier Queen’s Cup and The King Power Gold Cup

Corinne Ricard Handicap: 0 World Ranking: 144

Facundo Sola Handicap: 7 World Ranking: 11

Gonzalito Pieres Handicap: 9 World Ranking: 4

Tommy Beresford Handicap: 6 World Ranking: 16

Team Handicap: 22 Patron: Top Srivaddhanaprabha Tournaments entered: The Cartier Queen’s Cup and The King Power Gold Cup

Top Srivaddhanaprabha Handicap: 0 World Ranking: 176

Juan Martín Zubia Handicap: 6 World Ranking: 34

Polito Pieres Handicap: 9 World Ranking: 9

Marcos di Paola Handicap: 7 World Ranking: 153

Polo Times, May 2019

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UK High Goal Guide

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Team Handicap: 22 Patron: Rashid Albwardi Tournaments entered: The Cartier Queen’s Cup and The King Power Gold Cup

Dubai

Another team that was ruling the UK season before they took the last two years off, we are excited to see Albwardi’s team back on English soil albeit without their Cambiaso weapon. This side is not to be sniffed at however, with Albwardi playing a strong forward position and the Castagnola boys playing way above their ages and handicaps all backed up by the punchy South African Nachi Du Plessis, a fantastic defensive player. A young but strong side, they will be out to prove that hunger can win out over experience.

Rashid Albwardi Handicap: 2 World Ranking: 53

UAE PPZAddPoloTimesl.indd 2

Camilo Castagnola Handicap: 6 World Ranking: 57

Bartolito Castagnola Handicap: 6 World Ranking: 65

Nachi Du Plessis Handicap: 8 World Ranking: 76

Team Handicap: 22 Patron: HH Sheika Maitha Tournaments entered: The Cartier Queen’s Cup 20/06/17 15:11 I

Following a four year hiatus, HH Sheikha Maitha brings her polo skills and 22 goal UAE team over after a hugely successful season out in Dubai and she’s coming in strong. She has enlisted the talent of a UK season stalwart Guillermo ‘Sapo’ Caset to lead her team with his accurate, powerful play. At back will be Santiago Toccalino, one of the most reliable number 4s out there and rounding up the team is Marcos ‘Cacu’ Araya. Although playing only The Cartier Queen’s Cup for now, it looks like the UAE team are looking to continue their winning streak. HH Sheika Maitha Handicap: 0 World Ranking: 56

Sifani After a short break from the UK high goal, Hilali Nordeen is back and once again sporting an all-Argentine pro line-up. Yet again Sifani enter only the first of the two main tournaments. This year having brought in La Dolfina hero Pablo Mac Donough, Nordeen will be hoping to improve on previous performance. With two young Argentine players joining the team, Mac Donough will have to work hard and use his experience to help guide them through against some tough competition. Both talented forwardrunning players, Min having made himself useful on the RH side last year and Isidro Strada a well-respected player in Dubai, this could be a match made in heaven.

Marchfield

Guillermo ‘Sapo’ Caset Handicap: 9 World Ranking: 12

Marcos ‘Cacu’ Araya Handicap: 6 World Ranking: 121

Santiago Toccalino Handicap: 7 World Ranking: 14

Team Handicap: 22 Patron: Hilali Nordeen Tournaments entered: The Cartier Queen’s Cup

Hilali Noordeen Handicap: 0 World Ranking: 745

Pablo Mac Donough Handicap: 10 World Ranking: 6

Mín Podestá Handicap: 6 World Ranking: 41

Isidro Strada Handicap: 6 World Ranking: 86

Team Handicap: 22 Patron: Saad Audeh Tournaments entered: The Prince of Wales Trophy and The Warwickshire Cup

Another new face in the UK high goal this year, Marchfield have been making their mark on the medium goal in recent years. This year, the UAE’s Saad Audeh steps up to join the big boys in The Prince of Wales Trophy in May and The Warwickshire Cup in June. A team stalwart, Manual Plaza de Ayala will be lining up with La Dolfina’s enigmatic number 3 Pablo Mac Donough, while the four will be completed by the quick thinking, quick playing Guillermo Terrera. This team may struggle against some of the others who will be playing the whole season together, but we look forward to being mistaken! Saad Audeh Handicap: 0 World Ranking: 349

Polo Times, May 2019

Pablo Mac Donough Handicap: 10 World Ranking: 6

Guillermo Terrera Handicap: 7 World Ranking: 26

Manuel Plaza de Ayala Handicap: 5 World Ranking: 199

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The MVP saddle In a league of its own

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Feature

Q&A: Matt Coppola

Matt Coppola USA Handicap: 4 Argentine Handicap: 3

First the USA, then the world

att Coppola hails from Florida, “born and raised”, as he puts it. Son of United States Polo Association (USPA) President and Tackeria owner Tony Coppola, he has been a familiar face on the USA circuit for longer than most of us care to remember, despite only being the tender age of 24. This season has seen him sport the iconic Las Monjitas colours on the Floridian fields, participating as one of the youngest players in the inaugural Gauntlet of Polo Series, alongside three Argentine powerhouses, Francisco Elizalde, Camilo Bautista and 10 goal machine, Hilario Ulloa. We spoke to him as the US season came to a close and he prepared for an exciting year to come.

Polo Times, May 2019

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Photograph courtesy of the USPA

Matt Coppola

Matt Coppola playing in Argentina

Career Progression

How did you get involved in polo? I got involved in polo at just five-years-old. It was my dad who introduced me, who was playing at the time and had horses. We would ride together and I would play in local kids’ tournaments. Your family own and run The Tackeria in Florida. How involved have you been with the business? I try to be as involved as possible with the store, but playing so much polo all year round and managing our polo operation proves to be very time consuming. Eventually I hope to take it over with my cousin who is the Manager now.

From what age did you know you wanted to play polo professionally? At the age of 16, I secured my first polo job and from then on I knew this is what I wanted to do. It has taken a lot of hard work, but I’m definitely on the right road! Please tell us a bit about your progression to the upper echelons of polo. It wasn’t an easy road to get here, playing the 22 goal Gauntlet of Polo, but I think I’m mounted very well. This tournament has also seen the introduction of the American rule (one USA player per team), which has played a big part for me. In the future I think this will prove to be a great help for not just myself, but also my fellow Americans playing the high goal. www.polotimes.co.uk

Q&A: Matt Coppola How much would you say horsepower plays in your game? I would say that horsepower is 70 percent of the game, you can be a really good player but if someone has a better horse than you, they have a good chance of beating you in any play. From there you’ve just got to rely on your skill and perseverance! What has been your career highlight so far? My career highlight so far would have to be playing in the 2019 US Open for the first time as a professional. I substituted for four out of six games for Lechuza [Caracas] in 2012, but this is my first year as a pro. It’s something I’ve always wanted to play and I’m very fortunate that I have the opportunity to be playing against the top players in the world.

Polo

Has it been a huge leap to play in The Gauntlet of Polo this season? It’s been a huge leap to play The Gauntlet this year. I’ve learned a lot so far and everyday I’m continuing to learn. It’s been a fantastic opportunity for me and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

How do you cope with the pressure of the high goal? There’s a lot of pressure playing this calibre of polo, but I like the pressure it brings. I feel it helps me to push myself to the height of my ability. What are your strengths on the field? I think my strengths on the field would be going forward with the ball and also creating gaps for my team mates, at least that’s what they tell me!

Outside Polo/Future

When you’re not on the field, where will people find you? I spend a lot of time at my barn with my horses and grooms. We have a strong string and are making green horses all year round. I enjoy being at the barn so you can usually find me there, if you’re looking! To be honest, it is a struggle to find time to do anything else these days.

Feature

Do you have an ultimate goal? Winning The US Open would be a dream come true. We made it to the Final, but it didn’t happen for me this year – there is always next season! Are you interested in following in your father’s footsteps into the administration behind the sport? I would love to follow in my father’s footsteps and eventually be on the board of administration. But, for now I’m really happy playing and trying to get to the top. Where will we see you next? In May I will be playing in Dallas, Texas, then in June I will be heading to New York to play at Mashomack and Greenwich Polo Clubs. I’d love to play in Argentina next season as well as in the high goal in the USA, but I’ll just have to see what opportunities come my way.

Where do you envisage your polo career taking you? I hope to make it to 8 goals and having a very good string of ponies to my name. Watch this space!

Photograph by USPA/©David Lominska

How have you found it bonding with your new team mates? I’m really enjoying being around my team. We train together almost every day and just being around two guys that play in the Argentine Triple Crown is helping me on and off the field. Also, being around Camilo [Bautista] has been a pleasure. He is the nicest patron I’ve played for and I’m enjoying being part of his team.

Up against Facundo Pieres

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Polo Times, May 2019

Feature

Interview: Ollie Cudmore

El Remanso win the 2018 King Power Gold Cup

Ollie Cudmore Next generation flair

Handicap: 6 22 Goal Handicap: 6

ince our last conversation in 2010, Ollie Cudmore has risen at a rate of knots through the polo ranks, from the beginnings of what was set to be a thrilling professional career to winning The King Power Gold Cup with his team mates and close friends, El Remanso in 2018. Ollie’s polo achievements include winning The Silver Cup in Sotogrande with Richard Mille, The Diamond Cup at La Dolfina with El Remanso and The Gold Cup at Ellerstina with Valiente, to name just a few, not to mention appearing for England on numerous occasions. We spoke to him before he set sail for his two International Test Matches, the first in Australia and the second in the USA.

mount yourself well in one country yet alone two, so I’m very proud that I’ve been able to play high goal polo on my own horses in both England and Argentina.

Since we last interviewed you in 2010, your career has come on leaps and bounds. To what do you feel you owe this progression? A lot of things. Mainly hard work and making a big effort to be mounted and play The Copa Camara and other top level polo in Argentina. It’s incredibly difficult to 30

Polo Times, May 2019

How did it feel the first time you were picked for an International England side? It’s something all professional sportsmen aim to achieve and I have been incredibly lucky to have played for England. The first time I played The Coronation Cup in 2014 was an amazing experience, we played against Argentina which included both Facundo Pieres and Adolfo Cambiaso. It’s always very special listening to the National Anthem before the game! How much of your skill is hard work and how much comes naturally? As a kid I had good hand-eye coordination and loved all sports; it always came naturally to me and I tend to read the game. Since turning professional in polo, it’s taken a lot of hard work to get to where I am, not just playing, but riding and making horses.

Ollie playing for El Remanso

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Interview: Ollie Cudmore

Feature

it’s always very “ special listening to the National Anthem before the game!

”

Photograph by Helen Cruden Photography

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, May 2019

Feature

Interview: Ollie Cudmore

Ollie in action

How much would you say horsepower plays in your game? A huge amount. I’ve got a good reputation with the top players for my horsepower and I think that’s contributed to the nine consecutive seasons I’ve had in the high goal. As a player known for his diversity on the field, do you have a favourite position? I’ve played a lot at number two in the last few years and I enjoy it – you’re always in the thick of the game and need to be fast and aggressive. It’s good fun, but probably the hardest position on the horses. Was there ever any question that you’d make it as a professional player? I wasn’t far away from starting university at Exeter and then I picked up the high goal with Zacara, so deferred university for a year. The following season I played with Dubai and have never looked back (sorry university) – I’ve loved it the entire way through. Looking back, what has been the highlight of your career so far? Without a doubt winning The King Power Gold Gup last year. I’d always dreamt of it as a kid and to win it with my friend, Charlie Hanbury, having played together since the Jorrocks Division in Pony Club was very special.

The Westchester

How does it feel to be part of this iconic side once again? I’m really excited to play The Westchester in America. It’s always very special to play for England and I can’t wait! How do you feel the Flannels England team will fare on US soil? It’s always tough to win an away 32

Polo Times, May 2019

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

What would you say your biggest weakness is on the field? Posy [Ash, Ollie’s fiancée] likes to tell me I need to work on my backhands, so we’ll go with that!

International Test Match, but if we can get well organised with horses, I think we’ve got a great chance. We are a young team so it will be great experience for us. Do you feel a special ‘bond’ with your British team mates, having played not only on the El Remanso side, but also the England side together so many times before? I certainly do with my El Remanso team mates. We had the same team for three years and to finish by winning The Gold Cup is something we will never forget. The Internationals are very special occasions, but you don’t get to spend huge amounts of time together as a team as they are one-off matches. Pre-match discussions are key in this scenario, so we all end up in the right place at the right time! What is the process to transfer between the International in Australia and the USA? The main thing we will try to take from Australia to USA will be Jack Richardson and I playing in the middle together. We’ve been mates, team mates and playing against each other for 20 plus years, so it’s going to be great to play with him for Flannels England. I think we compliment each other’s games well.

Future

With El Remanso not taking to the field for the high goal this season, what are your 2019 summer plans? I’ve got a lot of polo to look forward to in 2019, and I’m hoping the highlight will be another opportunity in The Gold Cup.

Ollie with fiancée Posy Ash

Have you had to make any sacrifices to get to where you are today? Yes lots – when I was younger it involved a lot of time away from home and many missed holidays or parties with mates from school, but I wouldn’t swap it for the world. Now I think Posy has made the sacrifices to support what I do, she gave up her eventing which she did to a very high standard, her job and everything to be able to travel with me. She’s great at making sure everything is organised allowing me to concentrate on just the horses and the polo during a big tournament like The Gold Cup. Where will we see you next? Everywhere! I’m always travelling and this month I’ll play in Australia and America before heading back to the UK for the season, where I’m based in Cowdray. Most importantly, have you and Posy set the big date?! Not yet, 2020 for sure. I didn’t realise quite how much there is to do and organise. I’ll let Posy take control of this one! www.polotimes.co.uk

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Reports

Polo Times, May 2019

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Reports

Photography by ©David Lominska/United States Polo Association

US Open Championship Final, IPC

Pilot, winners of the inaugural Gauntlet of Polo

Prosperous Pilot Pilot take inaugural Gauntlet of Polo and $1,000,000

he 2019 USA season saw expectation and anticipation as the USPA announced the launch of the inaugural Gauntlet of Polo series, with a possible $1,000,000 prize pot for any team able to secure the US Triple Crown. The question on everybody’s lips was, which, if any team would manage this mighty feat? Low and behold, on Sunday 21 April at International Polo Club, Palm Beach, Pilot made history as the winners of the first ever Gauntlet of Polo series and with it the coveted $1,000,000 prize with a 16-0 undefeated winning streak throughout the three Gauntlet of Polo tournaments. Pilot went from strength to strength throughout the series and their flawless performance in The US Open Final saw them take not only the prize money, but also their rightful place in the history books as the first Gauntlet of Polo champions. www.polotimes.co.uk

“

Gonzalito had an amazing day. He’s a player that in important moments is always there

”

Despite the odds being stacked against them, Las Monjitas had nothing to hide as they had an unblemished record in The US Open qualifiers with five wins under their belt. However, Pilot weren’t holding any punches and exploded into the first chukka to take the lead 4-1 at the end of the period. In the second chukka, both Fran Elizalde and Facundo Pieres converted penalties for their teams, which maintained the score gap. Although Las Monjitas’ own attempts on goal failed to hit home, they managed to effectively shut down Pilot’s Facundo Pieres

from adding to the score throughout the third chukka, and with a converted penalty finding the posts, Elizalde managed to reduce the deficit to 5-3 going into half-time. After some team talks and strategising, Pilot came out in the second half undeniably strong, mirroring the intensity of their first chukka. Although Pilot’s 10 goaler missed the opening Penalty 4, Facundo soon made up for it with two consecutive field goals, which were swiftly followed by an impressive neck-shot from team mate and brother, Gonzalito. Despite the best efforts of Las Monjitas to stay in the game, this fourth chukka saw Pilot pull ahead and signalled the beginning of the end for Las Monjitas as they now had an uphill struggle to contain the power of the Pieres brothers. Las Monjitas tried and failed to create their own attacking plays in the fifth chukka, but by now Facundo and Gonzalito were Polo Times, May 2019

Reports Curtis Pilot and Matías González celebrate

rightful place “in thetheirhistory books as the first Gauntlet of Polo champions

”

in full swing, demonstrating their effective, wide and open plays and mercilessly notching up goals, and despite Ulloa’s goal in the last 40 seconds of the penultimate chukka, the scoreboard read 10-5 in favour of Pilot. Notwithstanding the daunting goal deficit, Las Monjitas were determined to keep playing until the final whistle, however Pilot were equally unrelenting on their goal scoring mission. Gonzalito managed to cheekily steal the ball from 10 goaler Hilario Ulloa and drove it through the posts to further Pilot’s lead. Despite two last-minute goals from Ulloa, Pilot’s early and incessant lead was too much to overcome and Pilot took the win with a score of 12-7. After the match Facundo commented, “Gonzalito had an amazing day. I told him after the game that, for me, it was his best game of the season and I was very happy because we needed him. He’s a player that in important moments is always there.” Patron, Curtis Pilot commented upon his team’s momentous win, “When I first came into the sport, I’d never ridden a horse until I was 49. I’ve been playing for about 10 years now and I always wanted to play with Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres. The first time we ever played in the 22 goal we won every game and I couldn’t be any happier. It’s like a fairy tale and a dream come true for all of us, the whole team. We won 16 games in a row and you cannot do that with just the four of us. We needed the horses, vets, grooms and everybody to make this happen.” Meanwhile, in the Subsidiary Final, SD Farms defeated Old Hickory Bourbon 11-10 for the Hall of Fame Subsidiary Cup, with SD Farms’ Peco Polledo named Most Valuable Player and Ponderosa, played by Old Hickory Bourbon’s Miguel Novillo Astrada awarded Best Playing Pony honours. Hall of Fame Subsidiary Cup Final Teams: SD Farms (22): Timmy Dutta (2) Pelon Escapite (6) Tito Ruiz Guiñazú (8) Peco Polledo (6) Old Hickory Bourbon (21): Will Johnston (2) Jason Crowder (6) Miguel Novillo Astrada (9) Stevie Orthwein (4)

Polo Times, May 2019

www.polotimes.co.uk

US Open Championship Final, IPC

Reports

FINAL

27 21 R MA

Where: International Polo Club, Palm Beach, Florida

APR

The US Open Final Teams:

Pilot Curtis Pilot Matías González Gonzalito Pieres Facundo Pieres

(22) (0) (3) (9) (10)

Las Monjitas (22) Camilo Bautista (0) Francisco Elizalde (8) Hilario Ulloa (10) Matt Coppola (4)

Chukka scores: 4-1, 5-2, 5-3, 9-4, 10-5, 12-7 to Pilot

MVP Most Valuable Player of Final: Matías González

BPP Argentine Breeders' Association Best Playing Pony: Mega Chistosa, owned and played by Facundo Pieres. Judged by Julian de Lusarreta

MVP

Most Valuable Player of the Gauntlet of Polo: Francisco Elizalde

BPP

Best Playing Pony of the US Open: Dolfina Molinera, played by Francisco Elizalde

Best Playing Pony of the Gauntlet of Polo: Open Canosa, played by Facundo Pieres

BPP Best Playing Pony of the Final: Mega Chistosa, owned and played by Facundo Pieres

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times, May 2019

Photography by Khali Ali

AM Polo faced UAE Polo in the Final

UAE Polo Remains Unbeaten Dubai Challenge Cup

n Wednesday 27 March, the fourth trophy of the Dubai Gold Cup Series 2019 was held aloft by the victorious, and so far unbeaten, UAE Polo. The rainy afternoon began with the Subsidiary Final between Dubai Wolves and Shanshal/PBS. Each chukka of this match saw teams on an equal footing, with the scores regularly tied, but in the end it was Dubai Wolves who were able to clinch the win with a score of 8-7½ and Justo Cuitino as the Top Scorer of the Match. Next-up was the much-awaited Final of The Dubai Challenge Cup, between UAE Polo and AM Polo led by Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikha Alya Al Maktoum respectively. UAE Polo took an early start with a goal from Lucas Monteverde followed up by another goal from team mate Alejandro Muzzio, with Dubai Challenge Cup Final Teams:

HH Sheika Maitha closing the second chukka with another goal to give UAE Polo a three goal advantage going into half-time, 4-1. The following two chukkas saw four goals from AM Polo’s Guillermo Cuitiño, but UAE Polo maintained their momentum and Monteverde closed the game with a final goal to take the scores to 8-5 in favour of UAE Polo. After the Final, Mohammed Al Habtoor, Vice Chairman and CEO of Al Habtoor Group awarded the runners-up and winners of The Dubai Challenge Cup 2019. Lucas Monteverde was named the Most Valuable Player and MDQ, played by Sheikha Alya Al Maktoum, won the Best Playing Pony accolade.

Where: Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club, Dubai

FINAL

16 27 MA

MAR

MVP Lucas Monteverde

UAE Polo (12) Alejandro Muzzio (8) HH Sheika Maitha (0) Lucas Monteverde (1) Bejamin Panelo (3)

AM Polo (12) Guillermo Cuitiño (6) Sheikha Alya Al Maktoum (-1) Alejandro Gowland (3) Jorge Cernadas (4)

Chukka Score: 2-1, 4-1, 6-3, 8-5, to UAE Polo 38

Polo Times, May 2019

BPP MDQ, played by Sheikha Alya Al Maktoum

Dubai Challenge Cup winners, UAE Polo

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Reports

Australian International Test Match, Windsor Polo Club, Australia

2019 Polo International Sydney

Flannels England lose out to Australia at 2019 Polo International

Jessica Rea

he 2019 Polo International saw Australia take on Flannels England on home soil, and what a glamorous affair it was. James ‘Jimbo’ Fewster came out fighting taking the ball to goal in the opening 15 seconds of the match. Australia responded to Jimbo’s opening goal with an equaliser from Jack Archibald, the Australian Captain. Dirk Gould closed the first chukka with a second goal for Australia, putting them just ahead of Flannels England as they headed into the second chukka. A fall from Jack Richardson early on in the second chukka seemed to put Flannels England off their stride. As play resumed, Dirk Gould took the ball the length of the field to secure yet another goal for Australia.

Photography by Jess Rea

reports from Australia

The victorious Australian team

However, Flannels England were not going to go down that easily. They dug deep and James Harper, England Captain, found the goal in the second half of chukka two to bring the British side back. This spurred the team on as they closely followed with

another goal from Harps and a penalty hit which landed safely between the posts, putting them on top of the Aussie side, 3-4. The teams were clearly very well matched, as Australia responded to Flannels England’s surge of energy with three goals and held England goalless in the third chukka. A stand out goal from Gould 20 yards out, put Australia ahead, 6-4 at half-time. A second wind of three goals from Flannels England and the ability to keep Australia goalless in the fourth chukka levelled the playing field.

James Harper in action for Flannels England

Polo Times, May 2019

www.polotimes.co.uk

Australian International Test Match, Windsor Polo Club, Australia Matt Grimes neatly took the ball to goal from the line-out to open the fifth chukka for Australia. Both teams settled at eight goals apiece heading into the sixth and final chukka, and at this point it was anyone’s game. The players did not disappoint. The final chukka closed with a goal that came out of nowhere from, Ruki Baillieu. The long-range goal secured Baillieu the Most Valuable Player trophy and the Best Playing Pony award for his pony, Pistol. Australian Captain Jack Archibald summed up the game as, “Seriously good fun, thoroughly enjoyable and probably a bit of an upset.”

Reports

Chukka Score: 2-1, 3-4, 6-4, 6-7, 8-8, 9-8 to Australia Australian International Test Match Teams:

Where: Windsor Polo Club, Richmond, Australia

Australia (23) Jack Archibald (6 – Captain) Matt Grimes (6) Jack ‘Ruki’ Baillieu (6) Dirk Gould (5)

Flannels England (23) James Harper (7 – Captain) Jack Richardson (7) Ollie Cudmore (6) James ‘Jimbo’ Fewster (3)

APR

BPP Pistol, owned and ridden by Ruki Baillieu

MVP Ruki Baillieu

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“ I am proud to put my name to such a superb saddle. The light weight is a fantastic bonus too.” Gonzalito Pieres

Polo Times, May 2019

Reports

Triple Crown of Polo, Grand Champions Polo Club

Colorado Champion World Polo League draws to a close

Polo Times, May 2019

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Triple Crown of Polo, Grand Champions Polo Club

Reports

Audi & Colorado went head to head in the Final despite the rain

www.polotimes.co.uk

he inaugural World Polo League came to an end on Sunday 14 April, with the Final of The Triple Crown of Polo between Audi and Colorado. As with other Clubs in the area, the afternoon's weather threatened to cause chaos for the Final, however the show must go on and so it did, following a 40 minute rain delay before the start and another rain delay three minutes shy of the final bell. However, the appearance of a beautiful rainbow appearing over the field at Grand Champions Polo Club went someway to make up for the inconveniences. Colorado set the pace early on in the match and caught Audi on the back foot as they struggled to defend Colorado’s attacks and Colorado quickly took a three goal lead. It was Marc Ganzi who brought Audi back on track with a converted penalty in the second chukka, putting Audi on the scoreboard for the first time. This was swiftly followed by a field goal from Ganzi to end the second chukka 3-2. The third chukka began with a goal apiece for both teams, however the deadly combination of Juan Martín Zubía and Jero Del Carril meant that by the end of the fourth chukka, Colorado had managed to gain and maintain a massive 9-3 lead. However, Audi weren’t ready to swallow the bitter pill of defeat yet and came back with five consecutive goals, but luck wasn’t on their side as rain and penalties took their toll on Audi’s momentum. With the sixth chukka came the return of the storm clouds and the Final had to be paused to let the rain pass and Juan Olivera of Grand Champions, Robertito Zedda of Valiente and WCT Commissioner Dale Smicklas walked the entire field to make sure it was still Polo Times, May 2019

Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

The Triple Crown of Polo Trophy

Reports

Triple Crown of Polo, Grand Champions Polo Club playable and safe. Adolfo Cambiaso commented on the conditions, “We all wanted to finish because the crowd was here. The field was really safe. The problem was at one moment we couldn’t see the other end. In the last throwin I saw lightning off in the distance and said ‘look, we have time to play.’ So, we came out and suddenly the rain slowed down and we played.” Although the rain continued to fall, it lessened enough to let the play continue, but by this time the writing was on the wall for Audi as Colorado’s earlier lead proved impenetrable and the final score rested on 9-8 in favour of Colorado. Commentating after the match, Rob Jornayvaz said, “It was a super tough game. We weren’t sure at the beginning if we were even going to be able to play. It was a battle from the start. It’s always awesome to have Adolfo on your team because he is always good in those clutch moments. I think most of all it was a matter of safety. The thing that surprised us the most was how the field held up. It took a lot of water. I think we got a couple of inches in a few hours. When you have that amount of water on a field you always have to be concerned with safety first and luckily, we were able to finish.” The result sees Colorado join The World Polo League winners’ podium alongside Valiente, Grand Champions and SD Farms, who all secured titles in the inaugural World Polo League, and with the win Colorado retained their unbeaten record and also took home $90,000 prize money.

Colorado with the Triple Crown of Polo trophy, designed by Tiffany & Co.

The Triple Crown of Polo Final Teams:

FINAL

30 14 MA

APR

Where: Grand Champions Polo Club, Florida

BPP

Grand Champions BPP of Final: Dolfina Gata, played by Cambiaso and owned by J5Equestrian

Polo Times, May 2019

Colorado (26) Rob Jornayvaz (2) Juan Martín Zubía (7) Adolfo Cambiaso (10) Jero del Carril (7)

BPP

Audi (26) Marc Ganzi (2) Nic Roldan (8) Pablo Mac Donough (10) Kris Kampsen (6)

Best Polo Argentino of Final: Irenita Subaru, owned and played by Pablo Mac Donough

BPP

MVP

Tournament & Final MVP: Adolfo Cambiaso

American Polo Horse Association BPP of Final: Irenita Rodizio, owned and played by Pablo Mac Donough

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Visit Rutland Polo Club this Season Tournament highlights include:

Assam Cup

DNRC Presentation

The Tony Gilks Trophy

RUTLAND POLO CLUB IS A WARM AND WELCOMING CLUB, OFFERING A HIGH STANDARD OF LOW GOAL POLO FOR ALL TO ENJOY. The Spring Cup

-4 to 0

4th May

The Horsefeeds Cup

-6 to -2

11th and 12th May

The Mobil Cup

-1 to 2

RAF Cranwell

The Bronze Horse

Invitational

18th and 19th May

-6 to -2

25th - 26th May

-1 to 2

The Collie Cup

The Rutland Ladies - WIP League

11th and 12th May

25th - 26th May 26th May

The Ladies Cordoba Cup

4 to 8

The Rutland Cup

-1 to 2

15th - 16th June

2 to 4

26th June - 30th June

The Ladies Ranksboro Cup

0 to 4

The Twidale Cup

The Westerby Investment Management Ltd Assam Cup (VL) The Findlay Trophy (over 5 days) The Findlay Plate

The Tony Gilks Trophy

-1 to 2 -2 to 0

The Preston Lodge Bowl The Hartopp Trophy The Masters (players 50 years plus)

13th - 14th July

-4 to -1

27th - 28th July

-6 to -2

10th - 11th August

OPEN

17th - 18th August

OPEN

Escalina Ladies - Open The Tankard Trophy The Ruddles Cup The Seavill Bowl

27th - 28th July 10th - 11th August

14th August

17th - 18th August

-8 to -5

24th - 25th August

-6 to -2

31st - August - 1st September

-1 to 2

The Wilkinson Sword

13th - 14th July

Restricted -4 to 0

The Ruddles Plate

26th June - 30th June

-6 to -2

-1 to 2

The Sandicliffe Cup

15th - 16th June

28th & 29th June

0 to 4

The Belvoir Cup

27th May

Restricted -1 to 2

The MADE Trophy

27th May

24th - 25th August

31st August - 1st September

For all enquiries, please contact

Polo Manager Hugh Crouch Mobile and Text 07885 399433 Email: polomanager@rutlandpoloclub.co.uk Website www.rutlandpoloclub.co.uk

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@rutlandpoloclub

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Photograph by Darian Blond

Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club Cheshire Polo Club

Habtoor Polo, winners of The Dubai Cup

The Dubai Cup Final Teams: Habtoor (8): Santiago Gómez Romero (4), Tomas Panelo (4), Mohammed Al Habtoor (0) & Raja Abuljebain (0) Abu Dhabi (8): Faris Al Yabhouni (0), Hugo Barabucci (5), Ali Al Merri (0), Felix Esain (3)

Cheshire Polo Club has changed it address. From now, the Club’s main address will be as follows: Cheshire Polo Club, The Polo Office, 9 Ravens Corner, Ravensmoor, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8PP. The telephone number and email address will remain the same.

Cirencester Park Polo Club Photograph courtesy of CPPC

The 2019 Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series came to an end on Friday 12 April with the Final of The Dubai Cup. The Subsidiary Final was a round-robin match between Hesketh, Kingpins and Dubai Wolves, with Kingpins securing two 4-3 victories. The Final was between Abu Dhabi and Habtoor Polo with Abu Dhabi taking an early lead. However, Habtoor Polo soon took control of the scoring and by half-time led 5-3. Habtoor Polo continued to hold this lead right until the

last chukka, when with the scores resting on 9-6, Habtoor Polo were crowned victors of The 2019 Dubai Cup. Tomas Panelo was named Most Valuable Player, and Cosmetica, played by Panelo, received Best Playing Pony accolade. Habtoor Polo has won the April AHPRC League at Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club. The league is a week long, 4-6 goal competition held every month at the Club and the April League saw four, 4-6 goal teams compete. On the last day of the League, Los Alceres narrowly lost 6-6½ against Hesketh Polo. In the Final match between AM Polo and Habtoor Polo, Habtoor took the lead from the first chukka and took the win, 6-4.

Ampurdan Polo Club Photograph courtesy of Ampurdan Polo Club

The season is getting underway at Ampurdan Polo Club in Spain. Between 22 – 31 March, teams participated in The Pre-Season League, which was followed by a Club asado, whilst between 5 – 14 April, eight teams took part in The VII Spring Polo Cup. There is much more to come this season. Play is underway at Ampurdan Polo Club

Beaufort Polo Club Beaufort Polo Club has announced a new arena sponsor for The Gloucestershire Festival of Polo, taking place between 8 – 9 June. As the Club’s insurance provider, NFU Mutual’s Wotton-under-Edge agency offers personal, business and farming insurance in addition to pension and investment advice and financial services. The Club has also announced that it now has facility for a second bore hole for irrigation for the upcoming season, meaning the Club will have unlimited access to water for the reservoir and therefore the ability to irrigate as much as needed throughout the season. Along with the bore hole, the Club will also have pipework laid to supply the Roadside ground with water, ensuring all the Beaufort grounds are now irrigated. Furthermore, over the Easter weekend, chukkas began at Beaufort Polo Club, who are also delighted to announce that The Spiced Hawk have come on board as Clubhouse caterers for the 2019 season. www.polotimes.co.uk

Cowdray Park Polo Club Midhurst-based Cowdray Park Polo Club’s 2019 season will kicked off in April and is set to welcome players for over 400 matches between April and September. The high goal season will kick off with The Trippetts Challenge for The James Wentworth Stanley Cup between 9 – 19 May, with the highlight of the Club’s high goal season welcoming back the world’s best players for The King Power Gold Cup for The British Open between 30 June – 21 July.

Club members gathered to paint the newly refurbished Clubhouse over the weekend

RJ Polo and Cirencester Park Polo Club have teamed up to deliver the 2019 official Club merchandise, all available from RJ Polo online or in store. In other news, the Club has announced that tailors Barrington Ayre will sponsor a new 6 goal tournament as part of The Club Domestic Series. More information is due to follow shortly. What’s more, Club members have gathered to paint the newly refurbished Clubhouse, which will be open in time for the first Club tournament.

Chester Polo Club Chester Polo Club has announced a new tournament offering this season, in the form of The White Oak UK Polo Series, which is scheduled to take place between 21 – 22 June. What’s more, the Club will be hosting The Supper Club on Friday 21 June, with tickets priced at £30, designed to enable guests to enjoy sharing platters of delicious food and entertainment before sunset. Spectators will be invited back for The Roodee Challenge on Saturday 22 June, which with an all new festival feel, will be the perfect familyfriendly event. Polo will begin at 2pm with the prize-giving taking place after the two matches. Polo Times, May 2019

Club Focus

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Costa Careyes Polo Club Photograph by Rebecca Foltz

Between 19 – 24 March, Costa Careyes Polo Club hosted The Arte Careyes Mexico Tournament, with four international teams competing. Play was very competitive, but in the end the Cabinet Connection/La Karina team came out the winners 7-6½ over Guadalajara. Polo continues to be played at Costa Careyes Polo Club throughout April, with a youth and beginners Polo Festival. The Arte Careyes Mexico Tournament Final Teams: Cabinet Connection/La Karina: Chris Falk, Will Falk, David Buller & Brian Boyd Guadalajara: Guillermo Jimenez, Manual Matos, Diego Gonzalez & Manual Yerena

Careyes secured The Arte Careyes Mexico Tournament title

Fifield Polo Club

Ebony Horse Club Photograph courtesy of Ebony Horse Club

Photograph courtesy of Polo for Heroes

This year’s Polo for Heroes will take place on Saturday 13 July

Charity Team of the Year Award – Chris Laurence, the team from Ebony Horse Club & Matt Baker

Ebony Horse Club in Brixton has won the Charity Team of the Year Award at the Ceva Animal Welfare Awards. Ebony Horse Club believes that riding and horse care can have a transformative effect on young people growing up in one of South London’s most disadvantaged communities. Speaking at the ceremony, David Fleming, said, “We are honoured and delighted to have won the Charity Team of the Year Award at the Ceva Animal Welfare Awards and I would like to thank everyone at Ebony Horse Club for their hard work in really making a difference and turning children’s lives around.”

Houston Polo Club

The season is underway at Guards Polo Club, with The Spring Amateur Tournament, The Spring Tournament and The Valerie Halford Memorial Trophy matches taking place as we go to press. Furthermore, the AGM will take place in the Clubhouse at 12.30pm on Saturday 27 April. Members are invited to a Laurent-Perrier Tasting Dinner at Guards in conjunction with Mosimann’s on Saturday 11 May, with tickets available now by emailing guards@mosimann.com

On Sunday 31 March, Houston Polo Club began their 2019 polo season with The Legation Cup between Texas and Great Britain. Charles Cadogan opened the scoring for Great Britain and by half-time Great Britain had secured a two goal lead. In the third chukka, Bryan Middleton from home team Texas scored three unanswered goals on Best Playing Pony of the match, Max. In the final chukka, Billy Mudra and Paul Hobby secured a further two goals for Texas to take the score to 5-2. However, Great Britain were not willing to yield and Charles Cadogan converted a penalty and Will Emerson secured a field goal. Yet, it wasn’t enough and Texas ran out the winners, 5-4.

Polo Times, May 2019

Photograph courtesy of Houston Pollo Club

Guards Polo Club

This year’s Polo for Heroes event will be held on Saturday 13 July at Fifield Polo Club, Windsor, marking the Club’s 10th anniversary. The day is set to be an exciting array of polo and hospitality, all held in aid of Help for Heroes and The Irish Guard Charitable Fund.

Will Emerson and Joe Fitzsimons in action in The Legation Cup

www.polotimes.co.uk

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Club Focus

Grand Champions Polo Club

Photograph courtesy of Ham Polo Club

Ham Polo Club

Ham Polo Club will be hosting its Friday Night Sessions this season

www.polotimes.co.uk

London-based Ham Polo Club will once again host its Friday Night Sessions this coming season, with seven nights of polo, live music, cocktails and dancing scheduled thus far. What’s more, the Club is currently holding a flash sale, with savings of £5 per ticket up for grabs until 1 May. Visit the Club’s website for more details.

Photograph courtesy of GCPC

On Saturday 30 March, La Dolfina became the youngest team to win The National 12 Goal Tournament at Grand Champions Polo Club after defeating Beverly Equestrian 13-10 in the Final and took home $50,000 in prize money. La Dolfina’s team age averaged just 16-years-old, previously the youngest team was GSA in 2017 who had an average age of 18-years-old. Juan Martín Zubía was named Most Valuable Player, scoring eight goals over the course of the Final. The Grand Champions Polo Club Best Playing Pony rug was awarded to Norma Jean, played by Hilario Figueras, whilst The APHA Best Playing Pony rug was awarded to Dolfina Lufthansa, played by Poroto Cambiaso. Less than 24 hours after their loss to La Dolfina in the $50,000 National 12 Goal, Beverly Equestrian lifted The Top Pony 12 Goal Series on Sunday 31 March after defeating Igea, 13-10. Tolito Ocampo was named Most Valuable Player, whilst the Grand Champions Polo Club Best Playing Pony was eight-year-old mare Casita Robada, played by Figueras, out of the Cría Yatay breeding operation. On Monday 1 April, WPL won its first league tournament of the US winter polo season, Limited Edition 8 Goal Series, against Dutta Corp. With the score tied at 11-11, the Final was pushed into overtime, after two missed opportunities by both teams it was WPL’s Juan Bollini who picked up the winning ball to score the winning goal. Gussie Busch was named Most Valuable Player after scoring eight goals for WPL. On Friday 5 April, Valiente added another win to their trophy cabinet in The WPL U.S. National Mixed Doubles Championship. The tournament is the first of its kind, featuring two men and two women with combined handicaps on each team. 10 goalers Nina Clarkin and Adolfo Cambiaso were named Female and Male Most Valuable Players. Fausto, a six-year-old gelding played by Mia Cambiaso in the third chukka and owned by La Dolfina, was Grand Champions Best Playing Pony, and Augustina, a 14-yearold mare, played by Flanagan in the third chukka and owned by J5Equestrian, was named American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony. On Saturday 20 April, Aspen Valley Polo Club captured The USPA National President’s Cup trophy with a 12-9 win against Palm City Polo Club. Gene Goldstein was named Most Valuable Player, whilst Tinder, a five-year-old American Thoroughbred played by Oliver Firestone was named The Grand Champions Best Playing Pony. The USPA National President’s Cup Best Playing Pony was awarded to Paula, played by Esteban Hernandez. In other news, in the fifth annual Polo Training Foundation (PTF) International Cup on Thursday 18 April, PTF defeated Grand Champions 3-2 in a thrilling match. Bayne Bossum and Monte Swain-Grainger were jointly awarded the Most Valuable Player honours for the Peter Perkins Best Young Player Award, whilst Gallega, played by Ned Hine, was named Best Playing Pony.

PTF defeated Grand Champions in The PTF International Cup

National 12 Goal Tournament Final Teams: La Dolfina (12): Santos Merlos (0), Segundo Merlos (2), Poroto Cambiaso (3) & Juan Martín Zubía (7) Beverly Equestrian (12): Bill Ballhaus (0), Geronimo Obregon (4), Hilario Figueras (3) & Tolito Ocampo (5) The Top Pony 12 Goal Series Final Teams: Beverly Equestrian (12): Bill Ballhaus (0), Geronimo Obregon (4), Hilario Figueras (3) & Tolito Ocampo (5) Igea (12): Adam Lipson (-1), Santino Magrini (4), Toro Ruiz (6) & Johnny Redlich (3) Limited Edition 8 Goal Series Final Teams: WPL (8): Santos Bollini (1), Nico Harriott (1), Gussie Busch (1) & Juan Bollini (5) Dutta Corp (8): Juanse Olivera (1), Timmy Dutta (2), Tolito Ocampo (5) & Tim Dutta (0) The WPL U.S. National Mixed Doubles Championship Final Teams: Valiente: Bob Jornayvaz, Pamela Flanagan, Mia Cambiaso, Adolfo Cambiaso Audi: Milli Sanchez, Nina Clarkin, Alejandro Novillo Astrada & Marc Ganzi The USPA National President’s Cup Final Teams: Aspen Valley Polo Club: Gene Goldstein, Melissa Ganzi, Marc Ganzi & Juan Bollini Palm City Polo Club: Kris Kampsen, Oliver Firestone, Moritz Gaedeke & Esteban Hernandez The PTF International Cup Teams: PTF: Monte Swain-Grainger, Milly Hine, Timmy Dutta & Lucas Escobar Grand Champions: Olivia Uechtritz, Bayne Bossum, Ned Hine & Will Harper

Hurtwood Park Polo Club Between 18 May – 17 August, teams are invited to compete in The £25,000 2 Goal Tournament, with the Final due to be played at The Rock ‘N’ Horsepower Event. Team entries are £4,000 with more details available from the Polo Office on polo@hurtwoodparkpolo.co.uk Polo Times, May 2019

Club Focus

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

La Cañada

La Aguada Polo Club

Photograph courtesy of La Cañada

V Argentine Amateur Championship Final Teams: Esmowing (23): Nicolás Pisarenko (6), Miguel Vigano (6), Ignacio Uranga (6) & Marcelo Young (5) Libres del Sur (24): Emiliano Nespola (5), Ezequiel Nervi (6), Christian Condomi Alcorta (7) & Eduardo Novillo Astrada (6) La Natividad Washington, winners of La Cañada Open

La Cañada Open Final Teams: La Natividad Washington (27): Camilo Castagnola (6), Rufino Bensadon (5), Bartolito Castagnola (7) & Facundo Sola (9) Magual (27): Simon Prado (5), Juan Martin Zubía (8), Marcos Di Paola (7) & Jero Del Carril (7)

Leadenham Polo Club

Leadenham Polo Club has announced its dates for the 2019 season. Play begins with The -4-6 Goal & -2-0 Goal Spring Cup between 25 – 26 May, followed by The Summer Tournament (-4- -6, -2-0 & 0-2) between 6 – 7 July. The -2-0 Goal August Cup will then take place between 3 – 4 August, with the 0-6 Goal Ladies Tournament running alongside. The highlight of the season will be The £4,000 4 Goal Tournament between 16 – 18 August, followed by the final tournament of the season, The Autumn Trophy between 14 – 15 September.

Esmowing, winners of V Argentine Amateur Championship

Polo Wicklow Photograph courtesy of Polo Wicklow

La Natividad Washington won La Cañada Open on Sunday 21 April after defeating Magual, 15-6. The Final for The Ezequiel Guerrico Cup was not only a great display of polo, but also highlighted the talent of the next generation top Argentine polo players. After scoring seven goals for La Natividad Washington, Camilo Castagnola was awarded the Most Valuable Player title, whilst Facundo Sola was awarded the Best String honour. Facundo Sola’s Cachiyuyo Millonaria was Best Playing Pony and The Argentine Breeders Association Best Playing Pony was Chalo Vida, played by Camilo Castagnola and bred and owned by Bartolomé Castagnola.

Photograph by Matias Callejo

On Sunday 7 April, the Finals of the V Argentine Amateur Championship were played at La Aguada Polo Club. Esmowing received a half goal handicap advantage to begin with and managed to finish the Final with a winning score of 10½-9 against Libres del Sur. Ignacio Uranga was named Most Valuable Player and Marcelo Young received the Fair Play Award.

Home team Ireland defeated the USA at Polo Wicklow

Home side Ireland emerged victorious against the USA in a close and competitive International Test Match over the weekend at Polo Wicklow, with a final score of 10-8. Guests and players were treated to a spectacular arena-side luncheon following the Final.

Between 14 – 30 June, The Polo Club de Domaine de Chantilly will be hosting the 2019 Charity Cup 12 Goal tournament, with €12,000 up for grabs in prize-money (€8,000 for the winner and €4,000 for the runnerup). Furthermore, later in the season, the Club will be hosting the highlight of the French polo calendar, The Open de France between 7 – 22 September. What’s more, the Club has released its 2019 season rates which include preferential rates for both livery and grazing for Club members. Furthermore, throughout the season, The Ferme d’Apremont will be charging for 4-6 goal tournaments and above in a package format instead of per match, which will include the cost of onsite medics, umpires and practice chukkas. The registration form for each tournament must be received a minimum of 15 days before the tournament is due to start. 50

Polo Times, May 2019

A.W. Jenkinson won The Campeion Del XVII Memorial Conde de Guaqui

In the Final of The Campeion Del XVII Memorial Conde de Guaqui, A.W. Jenkinson came out the victors against their rivals. With the weather heating up, the season continues this month at Santa María Polo Club. www.polotimes.co.uk

Photograph courtesy of Santa María Polo Club

Polo Club de Santa María Polo Club Domaine de Chantilly

Your Club News from Home and Abroad

Club Focus

Port Mayaca Polo Club

Photography courtesy of Port Mayaca Polo Club

Postage Stamp Farm defeated Horseware Polo, 9-4, on Saturday 30 March in The Woodcock 6 Goal Final at Port Mayaca Polo Club. A strong first half set the tone, with Antonio Aguerre, later named Most Valuable Player, helping his team with field three goals to lead, 6-1. Horseware came back strong in the second half, putting three goals on the board to give their team a fighting chance going into the last chukka. However, they were unable to maintain the momentum when Annabelle Gundlach came out on Best Playing Pony Picassa and scored two field goals. On Sunday 31 March, ML Bar Ranch (Mia Bray, Steve Krueger, Cody Ellis, Drew Luplow) defeated Speedwell/Crossfit El Cid, 11-5, in The President’s Cup 8 Goal Final. Cody Ellis was named Most Valuable Player and Jason Wates’ Remy was awarded Best Playing Pony honours. In The Heritage Cypress Cup 12 Goal on Tuesday 2 April, ML Bar Ranch and Skaneateles battled back and forth. The Final was tied 5-5 after the third chukka and ML Bar Ranch came out strong in the fourth, scoring three goals, going into the fifth chukka with an 8-7 lead. Rain and thunder hampered the last minute of the fifth chukka, but the teams

ML Bar Ranch, winners of The President’s Cup 8 Goal

completed the chukka. The final chukka was played the next day due to the weather, which saw Skaneatles level the scores to force overtime. Five minutes of exciting play occurred, before a pass to Cesar Jimenez for Skaneatles gave him a breakaway to score the winning goal for his team, 11-10. Cody Ellis was awarded Most Valuable Player and Cody Ellis’ Muscle Milk was named Best Playing Pony.

Thai Polo Argentina

Postage Stamp Farm, winners of the Woodcock 6 goal

The Woodcock 6 Goal Final Teams: Postage Stamp Farm (6): Annabelle Gundlach (0), Brandon Phillips (4), Nick Manifold (3) & Antonio Aguerre (-1) Horseware Polo (5): Tom MacGuinness (0), Tiffany Orthwein (0), Hugo Lloret (5) & Lukas Valencia (0)

White Waltham Polo Club

Photograph by Matias Callejo

To mark the beginning of the 2019 season, White Waltham Polo Club held Polo Clinics over the Easter Weekend, concentrating on the polo swing, team tactics, riding skills and finally the rules of polo. The event was well attended on all four days and with Club chukkas commencing at 11am on Saturday 27 April, there is an exciting season ahead.

La Picaza/El Despertar, winners of The Thai Polo Autumn Cup Photograph courtesy of White Waltham Polo Club

The Thai Polo Autumn Cup came to an end on Sunday 31 March at Thai Polo Argentina. Six 14 goal teams competed in the tournament and the Final was played between La Picaza/El Despertar and La Esperanza, which La Picaza/El Despertar won, 9-5½. The Thai Polo Autumn Cup Final Teams: La Picaza/El Despertar (14): Ema Kovalivkir (1), Jorge Lazo (2), Santiago Solari (6) & Tachu Solari (5) La Esperanza (13): Kevin Korst (2), Antonio Heguy (2), Nito Uranga (6) & Cruz Heguy (3) www.polotimes.co.uk

Four days of Polo Clinics were well attended

Polo Times, May 2019

Military

A Round-Up of Military Polo Action

RAF hone their skills in South Africa Cpl Emily Altass reports

Photography courtesy of The RAFPA

The RAF Polo Team travelled to South Africa

The RAF players

Emily Altass tells us all about the RAF’s exciting trip to South Africa

he South African summer was ending, but in March, Underberg provided the perfect climate for five Royal Air Force Polo Association players who only needed to acclimatise to the occasional peak of 30°C. For around two weeks, their home was on the picturesque grounds of Underberg Polo Club, where Absolute Polo, run by the Watson family, conducts coaching and chukkas. Absolute Polo is set in the heart of rolling green hills framed by the imposing Drakensberg peaks. The Club has three pitches, a great Clubhouse and the perfect backdrop of epic scenery for photographs. If the beauty of landscape doesn’t take your breath away, the horses will! The Thoroughbreds are exceptionally well trained and capable of playing high goal chukkas. There appeared to be a very natural style of horsemanship in the ponies’ training, as some Club players and grooms were seen guiding the ponies from field to field effortlessly with no tack. It seemed as though each pony became accustomed to their rider’s style and quirks, allowing the players to fully immerse themselves into the chukkas. Brett Watson, a 5 goal professional and Absolute Polo coach, proved not only an excellent instructor but also a fantastic host. The RAF Polo team was humbled by the whole experience Brett had catered for the 52

Polo Times, May 2019

tour, as he provided tailored instruction for each player and approached every day with a creative and fun way to deliver his lessons. For beginners he was aware not to overload the players with too many directions and knew how to build a strong foundation for effective swings and good player positioning. His focus for the more advanced players was to help them build their skills towards the next handicap level. It was very apparent that Brett’s friendly and structured approach raised the playing level of the whole RAF Polo team, as towards the end of the tour, beginners were charging down the pitch hitting full swings, and the established players were dominating chukkas with more confidence in their team tactics. A typical day in March in Underberg is dry and sunny, however, even after some unexpected rainfall, when the field needed a morning to dry out, Brett found innovative ways to build our polo competence and team tactics. From cattle cutting to games of tag, the classroom theory lessons came to life! The polo ponies were surprisingly adaptable to hacking out across trickier terrain, such as crossing over streams, and were fantastic for herding Brett’s cattle. This creative exercise explored the ways a player could dominate the field, block their opponent, and isolate them from their team mates. In addition to applying polo tactics, the players found their riding style had become more relaxed and intuitive to playing polo. For example, one newer player had developed severe muscle aches from the first set of chukkas, but then discovered, through the exercise, that she had been too tense when riding and swinging the stick. Taking polo concepts into a new environment relaxed her riding style, and with the relaxed riding style she managed to perfect her swing. Not only did shots become

Great improvements were made throughout the week

more powerful and accurate but relieved her from developing unnecessary aches. After a full day on horseback, Brett and his wife, Nita, also hosted in a guesthouse a stone’s throw away from the Club, next to their family home, where the RAF players were treated to the Watson’s boundless hospitality. The Old Inchgarth Farm boasts a polo themed residence for visitors, making it the ideal setting for the team to gather and watch GoPro footage of the previous day, analysing gameplay and establishing working points. The RAF team valued the Watson’s endless support and encouragement, and even with some muscle stiffness from a full day of polo, the players, well fed and watered, could not wait to get back into the saddle the next day! South Africa has so much to offer, from breath-taking landscapes, tourist attractions and fascinating history. Whether seeking thrilling adventures or a lunch in a luxury inn, there is plenty to do on a rest day from chukkas. But when it comes to polo, Brett’s passion for the sport and dedication to instructing was inspirational to the RAF Polo team, as they had left their training tour energised and prepared for their own polo season back in the UK. To find out more about RAF Polo, find us on Twitter and Instagram @ RAFPoloOfficial, or on Facebook, facebook. com/RAFPoloOfficial. www.polotimes.co.uk

A Round-Up of Military Polo Action

Military

Polo Celebrates an Important Birthday: 1869 – 2019 2019 marks a special year for the sport of polo. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the first acknowledged game of polo. ‘Hockey on horseback’, as it was referred to then was organised by officers stationed at Aldershot, one of whom had read about a form of the game in India, in The Field magazine. Etiquette, followed by rules developed very quickly afterwards, as did the emergence of polo being played at many Clubs, Hurlingham being amongst the first (1874). With this is mind, Polo150 will be celebrating this momentous occasion throughout 2019 with a series of events and tournaments, including The Chapple Cup Series military matches, International matches and The Poloafrica Tour to the UK hosted by UKAFPA between 17 – 25 June culminating in a weekend of games at Cirencester Park Polo Club for

The Warwickshire Cup Day and The Royal Windsor Cup at Guards Polo Club. Polo150 will be inclusive, acknowledging the military origins of the sport, but incorporating all elements and players (past and present) of today’s ‘global’ game. HRH The Prince of Wales is Patron of UK Armed Forces Polo Association Charity (UKAFPA) and supports the Polo150 initiative. “As Patron of the U.K. Armed Forces Polo Association, I am delighted to support their ‘Polo150’ initiative to celebrate this significant landmark in the sport’s history. “I do congratulate the U.K.A.F.P.A. for taking on this initiative, and for using it to bring the world of polo together to celebrate a most remarkable sport – from which I still bear the scars! – and send my very best wishes to everyone in the polo world as we celebrate its one hundred and fiftieth birthday.”

During the year, Polo150 will be raising money for polo related charities all over the world. Donations can be made through Just Giving or via the UKAFPA website ukafpa.org.uk

gates open - 11.30am parade of raf and ham teams - 12.20 2 goal exhibition match, raf versus ham - 12.30

A full afternoon of polo to follow, including anauction of polo 150 items limited number of clubhouse enclosure tickets available at £30 per person plus a donation to raf polo

picnic enclosure tickets available a £15 per person plus a donation to raf polo to arrange tickets or for more information please contact rafpoloevents@gmail.com All funds raised will go to RAF Polo Association, a registered charity

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

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Polo Times, May 2019

Ladies International Test Match, Windsor Polo Club, Australia

Photography by Jess Rea

Women’s Polo

Flannels England faced a tough Australian side

Home Team Triumph England take on Australian home-side

Jessica Rea

reports from Australia

he Australian and Flannels England women’s sides gathered at Windsor Polo Club for the highest level of women’s polo to be played in Australia this year. The Ladies International Test Match saw the 18 and 19 goal sides battle it out in front of a full house of spectators. The ladies

Australia, winners of the 2019 Ladies International Test Match at Windsor Polo Club

Polo Times, May 2019

set the standard for the men’s game which followed later that afternoon. Australia came out fighting and were first to put the ball over the back line with a goal from Indi Benetto on her gelding, Rhythm. Despite a hard-fought opening chukka, Australia remained one goal up at the whistle. The battle continued throughout the second chukka with near misses and hard ride-offs from both sides. The ball continued to roll over the line though both teams struggled to make it between the posts. Flannels England secured the equaliser with a goal from Lucy Bliss seconds before the half-time whistle. Flannels England continued their ferocious attack into the third chukka with an early attempt at goal and a beautiful neck shot from Sian Barnacle which unfortunately rolled just wide of the posts. With four misses over the line for Flannels England and just one goal scored the ladies needed to dig deep. Benetto was once again able to find the ball and carry it the length of the field and over the line to take Australia up to two goals to one, heading into the final chukka. Mounted on a pony called Pink, owned by Earl Herbert, Benetto continued to take the ball to goal for Australia. Eventually their

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

Ladies International Test Match, Windsor Polo Club, Australia hard work resulted in a winning goal in the closing minutes of the final chukka. Billie Mascart tucked a neat pass from Alessia Russo between the posts to settle the final score at 3-1. Speaking on her team’s success, Australian Captain Alessia Russo said, “I’m really happy with how we played today. It was a tough game against the English team, but it was a well fought out battle and I’m glad we could get away with the win.”

Women’s Polo

International Test Match Ladies Australia vs Flannels England Teams: Flannels England Ladies Lottie Lamacraft (6 – Captain) Alex James (3) Sian Barnacle (6) Lucy Rose Bliss (4)

Australia Ladies (18) Alessia Russo (4 – Captain) Billie Mascart (5) Whitney Warren (4) Indi Benetto (5)

Chukka Score: 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1 to Australia

APR

MVP Indi Benetto

BPP

Canonbar Revenge, seven-year-old homebred gelding owned and ridden by Indi Benetto

Where: Windsor Polo Club, Richmond, Australia

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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Polo Times, May 2019

Women’s Polo

International & Home

Photograph courtesy of AAP

CAIH Femenino 2019

Arden’s Fine Jewelers Women’s Tournament

CAIH Femenino Final Teams: San Luis I (8): Catalina Jantus (1), Martina Díaz (0), Milagros Ordoñez (0) & Milagros Sánchez (7) Córdoba Sur (6): Valentina Echavarri (0), Katerina Courreges (2), María Seculini (3) & Mora Aldao (1)

Photograph courtesy of The Villages Polo Club

San Luis I, CAIH Femenino winners

San Luis I made history on Sunday 21 April, winning the first CAIH Femenino after defeating Córdoba Sur 10-5½ in the Final at Malagueño Polo Club. Córdoba I beat Mendoza 7-3½ to take third place and San Luis II took fifth place with an 11-8 win over Cordoba II. Overall, eight teams between 0-8 goals competed in the tournament, with teams travelling from as far as Tierra del Fuego and Tucumán.

Ladies’ African Open Arden’s Fine Jewelers, winners of the round-robin

Photograph courtesy of Plettenberg Bay Polo Club

Starting on Friday 12 April, The Villages Polo Club hosted a round-robin tournament for the Arden’s Fine Jewelers Women’s Tournament. Three teams competed in the 14-16 goal tournament, which eventually saw Arden’s Jewelers victorious over their rivals.

Ladies gathered for The Ladies African Open

Polo Times heard from Heloise Wilson-Smith about her trip to Plettenberg Bay Polo Club for The Ladies’ African Open between 22 – 24 March: “What a place of outstanding natural beauty for a Polo Club setting. Plettenberg Bay Polo Club, on The Kurland Estate welcomed female players from all corners of the world with open arms. The tournament was held over three days, each team playing a different team each day, win or loss goal difference was not accounted for in and in the event of a tie it would come down to penalty shootouts. Six, four and a half minute chukkas per game, we found was a really good format, Rosie [Ross] and I agreed it would be nice to adopt in the UK. As it turned out, the four teams fell perfectly into place and we ended up with a Final and Subsidiary on the Sunday. A fine display of 12 goal ladies’ polo played for the viewers from the spectacular Pavilion that stretches alongside their Ground One. "Players with impressive skills that stood out to me were: Rosie Ross, her flawless outstanding 60 yard penalties never fail to take your breath away. I look forward to playing with her this summer in the 18 goal VL with Céline Lawrence & Lolly Stanhope-White. "Sally Jellis and Jossie Spilsbury, from the winning finalists were a fantastic duo working together closely to pull a win in the final chukkas every match. Jossie is a quick and gutsy player, impressive on 4 goals and Sally, winner of the Most Valuable Player award, showed great ball control and disciplined skill that she brought with her years of experience to show off. Alicia Wood played very well playing above her handicap of 0 and showed some impressive nearside backhands in defence. "All the players were a delight to play with and against and the tournament was a true success.” 56

Polo Times, May 2019

Arden’s Fine Jewelers Women’s Tournament Teams: Arden’s Jewelers (15): Rileigh Tibbott (0), Kylie Sheehan (4), Dawn Jones (6) & Clarissa Echezaretta (5) The Villages Insurance (16): Sheryl Sick (3), Midge Ellison (2), Paige McCabe (5) & Courtney Asdourian (6) Fross & Fross (16): Anja Jacobs (2), Kerstie Allen (4), Mia Novillo Astrada (6) & Kim Von Stade (4)

Polo Park Zürich The 20th Zürich International Ladies’ Polo Cup is scheduled to take place between 5 – 7 July at Polo Park Zürich and marks one of the highlights of the season at the Swiss Club. The tournament will be split into two leagues, 0-4 goal Low Goal and 8-12 goal Medium Goal.

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

International & Home

Copa Apertura Inés Ayerza

Women’s Polo

Subsidiary Final saw Araucaria La Cautiva defeat Centauros La Maroma, 7-6. Meanwhile, La Dolfina Brava secured the win in the lower section, winning 5-4½ against Martindale Tromen.

Photography by AAP/Matias Callejo

Copa Apertura Inés Ayerza 12-15 Goal Final Teams: Polo One Why Not (15): Alicia Jane Woods (0), Pieternal Mila Kimman (0), Hazel Jackson-Gaona (10) & Hana Grill (5) Cuatro Vientos Legión Extranjera (12): Esperanza Uranga (2), Elina Braun (3), Jazmín Dupont (4) & Azucena Uranga (3) Polo One Why Not, winners of 12-15 goal section

La Dolfina Brava, winners of 6-8 goal section

After three days of women’s polo in Pilar at the Alfredo Lalor Headquarters, on Sunday 7 April the Copa Apertura Inés Ayerza came to an end. Over the course of the tournament five teams between 12-15 goals competed in the high handicap

and eight teams between 6-8 goals in the low handicap division. In the high handicap, Polo One Why Not, featuring Brit Hazel Jackson-Gaona, took the top spot after defeating Cuatro Vientos Legión Extranjera 8-6½. The high handicap

Australia Spring Women’s Polo Tour

Women’s Weekly League

Photograph by Ramon Casares

The 2019 Australia Spring Women’s Polo Tour route has been confirmed and will begin in Queensland, including a plethora of women’s polo, plus other activities such as beach visits and a women’s polo clinic. The tour will begin on 22 September in Queensland with a Battle of the Sexes, followed by a Ladies' tournament 25 – 26 September and Representative Polo Day on 28 September. The tour will then move to New South Wales for Timor Polo Club tournament on 5 October. Next-up is Jemalong Polo Forbes on 12 October and Sydney Ladies Polo on 26 October. Organisers expect teams from Poland, Germany, Dubai, Switzerland and France to take part, plus the possibility of an English team to compete in The Lauren Biddle Tribute in Queensland, and encourage any players interested in taking part to get in touch. To find out more, email the Women’s Polo Collective at f-hpolo@bigpond.com

Copa Apertura Inés Ayerza 6-8 Goal Final Teams: La Dolfina Brava (8): Pilar Banchero (1), Bianca Pagano (2), Maitena Marré (3) & Clara Martínez Ferrario (2) Martindale Tromen (7): Victoria Rueda (1), Celina Fernández Ocampo (1), Delfina Donovan (3) & Catalina Ayerza (2)

On Wednesday 27 March the Weekly Polo League came to an end

Held every Wednesday during the US winter polo season in January, February and March, The Women’s Weekly League is held at Santa Rita Polo Farm under The Polo School’s umbrella. On the last Wednesday of each month a tournament is held. On Wednesday 27 March the Weekly Polo League came to an end in a tie at Santa Rita Polo Farm. San Saba rallied in the fourth chukka when Echezarreta broke away on a nice run to score for a 3-3 tie against CrossFit El Cid. San Saba’s Echezarreta commented, “I’m glad we came back. I thought they were going to beat us, but we pulled it together. The teams were even and handicaps were good. It was a lot of fun.” The Women’s Weekly League Teams: San Saba: Malicia von Falkenhausen (2), Nicole Watson (2), Alina Carta (4), Belinda Brody (4) & Clarissa Echezarreta (5) Crossfit: Cindy Halle (4), Slaney O’Hanlon (4), Cecelia Cochran (4), Anna Winslow (4) & Rileigh Tibbitt (0)

Is your women’s polo not featured? Email rosabella@polotimes.co.uk with all your women’s polo news!

Polo Times, May 2019

Women’s Polo

International & Home

5 minutes with…

Are there any changes you would like to see in polo as a sport? I would love to see more female professionals getting opportunities to play in mixed polo.

Nell Jacob

Ladies Handicap: 5 Mixed Handicap: 1 Arena Handicap: 3 How did your polo career start? My sister, Alex, started playing Pony Club polo, but I was always determined that I was a show jumper not a polo player. I was given a little pony by Farida Rosso who was an all-rounder but loved to play polo, so I gave it a go one day and that was it! What’s your greatest achievement to date? In 2017 I trialled for Talandracas and in 2018 I was a substitute for Emlor in The Cartier Queen’s Cup Subsidiary Final. This winter I was really proud to win The HPA National Arena Championships 3 Goal with an all-girl team (Christabel Horswell, Genevieve Meadows and myself) and got to the Final of the 6 goal level with both the Meadows sisters. What’s your greatest ambition? I am in the process of starting a company, Polo Circles, so I would love to see that take off and be successful.

What lady players do you admire? Why? I think Nina Clarkin is incredibly talented. I also really admire Tamara Fox and Sarah Wiseman. I think they are all brilliant at instilling confidence and positivity in players and the whole team. What’s your favourite tournament/Club? I have always loved arena polo and so The HPA Arena National Championships at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club are probably one of my favourite tournaments, but Ranelagh Farm Polo Club is sort of like home for me (and is home for the ponies), it has such a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Which version of the sport do you prefer, mixed or ladies’ polo? The two are so different it is hard to compare, but I do prefer mixed polo. I prefer the style of play and like to be able and prove myself against men playing off the same handicap as me.

Sunny Hale’s Legacy WCT Finals

Photograph by Ramon Casares

Polo Times, May 2019

“I couldn’t have done it without…”? My mum has always been amazing and I honestly couldn’t have done it without her. She has always encouraged me to believe in myself and realise what I’m capable of. In the last few years Oscar Mancini has also been very supportive of my polo. He has taught me a great deal about the business element of the sport and allows me lots of time off work to play! “It means a lot to be here and play. She was a very special person. Without her I wouldn’t be playing polo here.” Resynosa, played by Dawn Jones in the third chukka was the Grand Champions Best Playing Pony and Panamana, played by Nina Clarkin and owned by La Dolfina was the American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony. In the 16 Goal Division, Melinda’s Prospect defeated Blue Pegasus 8-5½, with Kylie Sheehan named Most Valuable Player after scoring three goals for her team, Melinda’s Prospect. Malia Bryan was awarded Best Goal of the Day and Milly Hine received the Fair Play Award. Catena USA were the official timepiece of the WCT Finals and so the winning team players each received a diamond watch.

WCT Finals attracted players from throughout the U.S. and internationally

On Saturday 6 April, teams gathered at Grand Champions Polo Club for the highly anticipated Sunny Hale Legacy Women’s Championship Tournament (WCT) Finals. The only women’s polo event of its kind and largest polo league in the world, now in its 13th year, it was created by Hall of Famer Sunny Hale, who sadly passed away in 2017.

If you could pick a fantasy team, who would be on it and why? I remember watching Guillermo ‘Sapo’ Caset in The Cartier Queen’s Cup Semi Finals a few-years-ago, he played his game for Talandracas and then substituted for Cambiaso and I thought his commitment and work rate was awesome. I would also have Diego Cavanagh – I met him when I worked for Dubai and he was so down to earth. I suppose I’d have to let Alex play or she might kill me!

The WCT Final attracted players from throughout the US and internationally, including Brits players 10 goaler Nina Clarkin and Milly Hine. The Open Division Final saw WPL take on San Saba, with San Saba taking the win, 6-4. Brit player, Sarah Wiseman was named Most Valuable Player and commented,

The Sunny Hale Legacy Women’s Championship Tournament Teams: Open Division Teams: WPL: Delfina Blaquier, Mili Sanchez, Mia Cambiaso & Nina Clarkin San Saba: Dawn Jones, Sarah Siegel, Lía Salvo & Clarissa Echezarreta 16 Goal Division Teams: Blue Pegasus: Mia Bray, Milly Hine, Alyson Poor & Jennifer Williams Melinda’s Prospect: Malia Bryan, Cindy Halle, Anna Winslow & Kylie Sheehan

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

All Aspects of Youth Polo

Youth

NSW Colts Match

‘Double Double’ for Texas A&M Photograph courtesy of the USPA

Photograph courtesy of Jess Rea

NSW Country and City came together on International Day

NSW Country and NSW City came together to compete in the Colts match as a precursor to The International Test Matches at Windsor Polo Club on Saturday 6 April. Due to handicap difference, The NSW Country team began with a 1½ goal handicap advantage, which ultimately ended up being the difference between a win and loss, with both sides taking turns to hold the lead. Anna Dowling, later named Most Valuable Player, was perhaps what made the difference for the NSW Country Team, as she finished the match with two goals to her name. Anna’s work all over the field, backed up by some strong plays from her team mates ensured The NSW Country Team were presented with The Ken Austin Trophy, as they secured a final 7½-6 score.

Texas A&M secured a ‘double-double’ in Virginia

The men’s and women’s teams from Texas A&M University (TAMU) became the second team in history to complete a rare ‘doubledouble’ in intercollegiate polo, sweeping the competition for the second year in a row to bring home The National Intercollegiate Championship title on 7 April at Virginia Polo Inc in Charlottesville, USA. In the women’s Final, Texas A&M defeated University of Virginia 20-9. Galleta, played by UVA’s Demitra Hajimihalis was named Best Playing Pony. In the men’s Final, Texas A&M defeated UVA 21-8, with Nemo, played by Jack McLean named Best Playing Pony.

The NSW Colts Match Teams: NSW Country: Anna Dowling, Lachie Gilmore, Henry Williams & Max Nell NSW City: Jack Grimes, Dylan Jones, Hamish Dowling & Enzo Mascart

The Women’s National Intercollegiate Championship Final Teams: Texas A&M: Marissa Wells, Ally Vaughn & Hannah Reynolds UVA: Demitra Hajimihalis, Meghan Miligan & Sadie Bryant

Copa Alberto Beguerie

The Men’s National Intercollegiate Championship Final Teams: Texas A&M: Christian Aycinena, Fritz Felhaber, Mariano Silva & Colton Valentine UVA: Jack McLean, Nachi Viana & Brennan Wells

Photograph courtesy of the AAP

Photograph courtesy of Regent’s

Regent’s University London’s Sports Awards

Nicholas ColquhounDenvers presented the FIP badges

The inaugural Regent’s Sports Awards were held at Regent’s University London at the end of March, with polo taking home many of the accolades. Cristianne Sanjines Andrade took home the Players’ Player of the Year award, whilst Kitty James was awarded the Coaches’ Player of the Year award. Furthermore, Georgie Pask was named Sports Personality of the Year. Special guest, past President of FIP Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers presented the two Filippo Corsini International Polo Scholarship students, Georgie Pask and Clara Forstner with their FIP badges, acknowledging their commitment to Regent’s Polo.

SUPA Summer Dates SUPA has announced the dates of its summer fixtures. The fixtures will take place across the country, with play beginning on 10 May. The full list is as follows:

Pilarchico, winners of The Copa Alberto Beguerie

Pilarchico secured The Copa Alberto Beguerie title on Friday 29 March at Field 2 Campo Argentino de Polo in Palermo, after defeating La Unión 11-9 in the Final. It was later decided to postpone the match for The Copa Diego Láinez. Copa Alberto Beguerie Final Teams: Pilarchico (14): Teodoro Lacau (2), Ignacio Arbelbide (3), Manuel Sundblad (4) & Simón Prado (5) La Unión (14): Teodoro Von Neufforge (5), José Festa (1), Juan J. Storni (5) & Emiliano Giacobone (3) 10 May: SUPA Tournament at Silver Leys 11 May: SAPA Tournament at Silver Leys 12 May: Junior Schools National Championship, TBC 7 June: Universities Summer National Championships, Offchurch 8 June: SAPA Universities Summer National Championships, Offchurch 16 June: Senior Schools National Summer Championships, Black Bears

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

Polo Times, May 2019

Knowledge

Equipment Focus: Bits

Stephen Biddlecombe of Equine Management Ltd answers a question on Pelhams

To Pelham or Not to Pelham Q. We have a friendly game in July, ahead of our first season targeting The Pony Club Championships. Do Pelhams still have a place on the field, and what ponies do they suit – e.g. are they a strong bit? K Astell, Newark

The Bomber Blue Pelham, which produces amazing results for the majority of ponies, is ported for tongue relief and very light

with mainly the snaffle rein. In Pony Club polo, riders may use one or two sets of reins, and Pelhams are popular bits. One of the most popular bits that I recommend for polo is the Bomber Blue Pelham, which produces amazing results for the majority of ponies; it is ported for tongue relief, and very light. The material is nonmetallic, which allows the bit to remain light – it encourages salivation. It is particularly well suited to ponies that object to metal mouth pieces. The Bombers Happy Tongue Pelham is another nice bit, and many players whose ponies shake their head find success with this one. It has a medium port, creating space for the tongue, relieving pressure, and allowing the pony to relax further.

We stock eight varieties of polo Pelhams, although we can order bespoke bits for interested customers – other Pelham mouthpieces, in addition to the Bomber Blue and Happy Tongue versions, include the Elliptical Roller, a reasonably strong mouthpiece with a central roller, and the Johan DuPlooy, which has a ported mouthpiece with a central roller filling the port, which helps keep the tongue beneath the bit, and provides something for the pony to play with. (Don’t forget to make sure your bridle is comfortable and suited to the pony’s head conformation – our Stephen’s Polo Snaffle Bridle or the Stephen’s Rope Cavesson both work very well with the Bombers Bit range, and look very smart.)

Bombers Bits include hundreds of off the shelf bitting solutions, and customers can even design their own bespoke bit from a selection of mouth pieces, cheek pieces and widths, using a ‘design your own bit’ service. Bombers bits are made from blue sweet iron - the metal oxidises easily, creating a warm, sweet taste in the horse’s mouth. This encourages salivation. Visit www.worldwidetack.com. Message my Facebook page – facebook.com/SBBITS – or email Stephen at info@ equineman.com to enter a prize draw to win a voucher towards the Bombers Bit of your choice.

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Photograph courtesy of Bombers Bits

A. The Pelham cheekpiece uses a variety of pressures; but notably the curb (via the curb chain), and the poll (as the bit rotates), as well as some tongue, lip and bar pressure, depending on the bit mouthpiece, and the rider’s preferred way of riding and handling the reins. In terms of what ponies they suit, and whether they have a strong bite, you can get a good idea of the severity of a Pelham by looking at not only the shank (commonly 75mm in polo), but also the purchase, which is the part of the shank that extends upwards from where the mouthpiece attaches to the shank. The longer the purchase and shank, the more pressure is exerted at the curb area of the lower jaw and the poll. Pelhams are still popular because the mouthpieces are wide and varied – it is no longer just a case of a straight bar, narrowported, or vulcanite mouthpiece. For ponies that respond to curb and poll pressure, Pelhams are still popular bits, for many players. When the first (snaffle) rein is used, the Pelham puts slight pressure on the poll, but mainly on the internal mouth structures, depending on the mouthpiece chosen. The second (curb) Pelham rein, if used, introduces more leverage and poll pressure. As the Pelham has the potential to be very strong, many adult players play effectively

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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

Robot Revolution

The interactive training session

Game-based robotic personal training With the new century and its accompanying digital revolution, medical care has gone through an evolution. Machines improve the recent techniques in the individual rehabilitation process after a critical illness or injury, with customised rehabilitation having been raised to the next level. Jacqueline Sander was a robust low goal polo player until a health issue forced her to stop playing. Now she is fighting her way back to the saddle and training with the latest equipment in the training and rehabilitation.

Dynamic devices

The Robotic Personal Trainers from Dynamic Devices, called DD Systems, have a proven track record of highly effective, fun and functional training sessions and testing. 62

Polo Times, May 2019

Thanks to neuromuscular and neurocognitive training units, people of all ages and conditions can build up their leg muscles. The DD Systems improve physical function, increase performance and support recovery at any level. All training data is recorded and monitored transparently and is then used for analysis and training automation. Due to the fact that the main qualities required for perfect mobility are a flawless combination of balance, coordination, strength, good reflexes and a strong visuomotor connection. Regardless of whether you run or play polo, it is the subtle and elegant interplay between our environment, perception, and musculoskeletal system which makes a difference, as mobility

and quality of life are tightly interwoven. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter produced by our brains, plays a major role in the control of pleasure and reward-motivated behaviour. With game-based robotic personal training, dopamine kicks can be produced so our brains are tricked and a hard workout turns into a ‘fun’ activity. These robots combine real-time visual feedback, unprecedented dynamic control and diagnostics facilities into motivating and effective neuromuscular and neurocognitive training units. The user can select intrinsically rewarding training and test protocols and generate thousands of unique training plans to optimise the interplay of four basic neuromotor abilities, such as coordination, strength, power and endurance. www.polotimes.co.uk

Photography courtesy of Gian Luca Reich

Dynamic Devices “– Innovate. Automate. Motivate ”

Medical Insight: Polodoc

Neuromuscular training in seating position on the DD System Elite

Expert Opinion Dr. Max Lungarella Dynamic Devices AG, Schweiz #ddrobotec Dr. Max Lungarella, CEO and Co-Founder Dynamic Devices AG Experienced entrepreneur, engineer and scientist with an interdisciplinary and open mindset. Co-inventor of the world’s first game- based robotic personal training and data analytics technology. He envisions a future where individual health, functional independence, and well-being can be sustained throughout life. "Thanks to neuro-muscular and neuro-cognitive training units people of

The DD System Elite with personalised set up

Speed training with SpeedCourt® These plans are then personalised to the specific training goals and needs of each user in a matter of seconds. The post-workout boost of dopamine exploits the user’s intrinsic pleasure and reward mechanisms to a deep positive impact on the mental and physical health. This impact is key for athletic training, injury prevention, back-to-sports scenarios and treatment of central/peripheral nervous system impairments.

Speed court

After Jacqueline experienced the effect of the seated position training on the robot, she stepped to the next level on the field court. Here the aim is to increase processing speed and neural speed. It’s about perfecting the elegance of movements in all dimensions and being efficient and unloading previously untapped forces and abilities. The SpeedCourt® Return, Swiss Speedtech, was specially developed for efficient rehabilitation. The focus is mainly www.polotimes.co.uk

on the implementation of return-to-sport, return-to-competition/return-to-work and return-to-play tests. Furthermore, the entire range of applications of the mobile SpeedCourt® edition ranges from the analysis and improvement of postoperative imbalances to the treatment of stroke patients and other neurological indications. With the addition of a GlobalSpeed Syncbox, a Noraxon analysis system can measure precisely mobile 3D motion through inertial sensors, EMG analysis, pressure distribution and highspeed video. The SpeedCourt® will automatically analyse the motion on the basis of the ground contacts. In professional sports, speed is the key to success. In the modern world of 21st century sport, coaching staff, physicians, psychologists and scientists are constantly looking for methods and techniques to bring their performers to an optimum. SwissSpeedTech GmbH stands for ideal methodical training for the children’s and youth sector as well as for the amateur and professional sector. The system can be used for analytical purposes, shortterm performance optimisation, long-term performance building, with rehabilitation measures. The aim of the SwissSpeedTech GmbH is to supply exploitable data and provable training results, whilst providing a challenging and motivating test and training environment for children, adolescents and athletes. As different and individual as the training and test requirements of the athletes are, so specific and individual are the GlobalSpeed® systems. Thanks to its unique combination of modern technology and software, the innovative concept can guarantee a holistic test and training. Provable and measurable at any time, all crucial aspects of speed are trained and improved. This applies to cognitive performances (e.g. perception, deciding and spatial orientation) as well as to motoric

Knowledge

all ages and conditions can build up their leg muscles. The mentioned machines can improve physical function, increase performance and support recovery at any level. All training data can be recorded and monitored transparently and is then used for analysis and training automation. "Training hard on the DD Systems is easy because the training experience is so good that it feels real. The game-based interaction greatly speeds up the transfer of the cognitive and physical benefits of DD Training to activities of daily living and in return-to-play scenarios. The combination of scientific acumen in robotics, artificial intelligence, software engineering, bionics and mechanical fabrication techniques with movement and neurosciences will be key for the next level training and rehabilitation." performances (e.g. coordination and reaction). It’s a fact that SpeedCourt® makes good athletes better, it helps injured persons to get fit faster and it makes both strengths and weaknesses transparent. The SpeedCourt® is a two dimensional, multifunctional diagnosis and training system for all forms of acyclic speed. As a tactile measuring system with at least ten sensors, expandable to a maximum of 32 sensors (incl. 3D with sensors in the vertical), it equally takes cognitive and athletic processes into account in a special way (among others multidirectional changes of direction, explosiveness, speed endurance, perception, cognition, reaction, speed of action). The SpeedCourt® is reliable, honest and objective and thus complies the three recognised main quality criteria. The different sizes and types enable an optimal user-specific integration into both existing premises and new buildings. The flooring complies to the sports flooring norm (DIN 18032) and therefore meets the standards of professional athletes. The multi-variant software SpeedPro® enables nearly endless customisable programming of various exercises with numbers, symbols, colours, pictures, videos and acoustic signals, so even a polo set-up is possible. The last step before re-entering the real polo setting is then the use of the racewood horse – an equestrian simulator where complex swing situations can be trained in any speed. For more information on Polodoc contact Andreas Krüger at drmedkrueger@gmail.com or www.polodoc.ch info@swissspeedtech.com

Polo Times, May 2019

Playing Tips

Knowledge

Playing tips with Rege Ludwig

Understanding Polo Rules Better

Feeding of the Butt

Renowned polo coach, Rege Ludwig gives his expert advice on how to get more out of your game There is much talk today about speeding the game up and making it safer. Well, as things stood 50-years-ago, those same two topics were talked about, and with the same degree of fervor, as they are today. In fact, one of the greatest polo players of all time, Memo Gracida, was moved to the point of writing an article for the then USPA Polo Magazine on that very subject. If my memory serves me correctly, in that article Memo refers to a defending player entering the Right of Way (ROW) in front of another player to slow them down as, Feeding the Butt, which is not so different to the modern term of – Blocking. Both are used to upset the flow of the offensive team to slow them down in the hopes of their losing possession of the ball; and, to give defensive team mates more time to mark their offensive opponents. Memo’s contention was that because Feeding of the Butt is so potentially dangerous, it should not be condoned. Imagine in a football game, (soccer), an offensive player makes a quick manoeuvre to run down field to receive a pass, and just in time, a defensive player grabs the offensive player by the arm and holds them back, Foul? FOR SURE. Well! Feeding the Butt, or Blocking, creates the exact same effect of slowing the offensive player down. However, Feeding the Butt, or Blocking in polo is so much more potentially dangerous to both the human and equine players. Again, if my memory serves me correctly, Memo effectively stated that the player with the right, or precedence, to hit the ball should know that when they look down to the ball, and go to the whip to get there, they can close their eyes and not have to worry about a defending player entering their ROW, i.e., Feeding the Butt, or Blocking, in front of them to slow them down. Because speeding the game up and making it safer are still fervently talked about issues, one can only assume that neither issue has been resolved. That has me wondering – WHY!, after fifty years, or more, the same problem still exists, and to a greater degree. Could it be that the rules are not written to a point where they are sufficiently clear and concise so as to be enforceable? Another possibility is that the authorities who have had the responsibility of enforcing the www.polotimes.co.uk

rules, over the last fifty years, have not been sufficiently forceful in their efforts of enforcing the rules to create the effect for which they were written, i.e., create safety, speed, and fairness of play for all players involved in the game (human and equine). The problem of a lack of resolve, probably falls somewhere between the two scenarios. If we are truly a concerned community of polo players, we must stop talking about the problem, determine where the problem lies, address it and resolve the issue so a resolution is not forced upon us from outside our community of polo players, which is not outside of the realm of possibility. The problem of Blocking, or Feeding the Butt, is not disappearing. As a matter of fact, I feel quite comfortable in saying that most polo players who have been playing polo for 20, 30, or even 40 years, will tell you that the problem of Feeding the Butt, or Blocking, is greater today than it has ever been. According to Memo, who is still an active player, “That is just the way polo is played today.” I truly do understand that 40-years-ago is not today, and that things and times change. However, when that statement is put into perspective, it truly is a sad commentary for the state of the modern day game and sport of polo. I seriously doubt that the intention of the rules is to protect the highest rated player and better horse in a game more than the lowest rated player and the lesser horse. If common sense were to prevail, the opposite is true. However, the reality of the situation is, the rules of the game are intended to be applied equally to all players in a game, and the overriding prerequisite should be the safety and fairness of play as applied from the lowest to the highest level of playing ability in a game. When there is a 0, a 1, or even a 2 goal player in a game with high or medium goal level players, a play that would have not been a foul in a 35 goal game could easily be considered a foul at the 10, 15 or 20 goal levels of play. Not allowing Feeding of the Butt does not suggest that the defensive player is being denied a play on the offensive player. What it is suggesting is, the defensive player must make their play earlier, and do it back alongside the offensive player rather than in front of them to slow them down.

HPA Rule 32. RIDING OFF. A player may ride-off an opponent provided that the ponies are travelling at the same speed, are shoulder to shoulder and come together at a safe angle… . USPA RULE 25 - STOPPING ON BALL b. A player who has safely entered the Right of Way of another player along the projected path that the ball has yet to travel, whether meeting or following the ball, may not slow down or stop in that other player’s Right of Way. A truly unfortunate aspect of this whole – make the game faster and safer scenario is – the rules that govern those situations have been in the rulebook for 50 years (or more), using basically the same words, every year: HPA rule 24, c. No player shall enter in front of the player on the LOB except at such a speed and distance that not the (“slightest risk”) of danger to any player is involved… USPA RULE 12, b. - RIGHT OF WAY No player may enter, cross or obstruct the Right of Way of the player entitled to it unless at such a distance that (“no risk”) of collision or danger to either player is involved. From the way I understand those two rules, once the offensive player has complied with the rules, and has safely established within the right to hit the ball, that offensive player must be given every benefit of the doubt to proceed safely within the established ROW to the ball. Any manoeuvre the defensive player makes that could be construed as creating the slightest risk of danger to any of the players (human or equine) must be considered a foul; and as such, that manoeuvre must evoke the immediate response and retribution of the whistle. I follow that statement with my favourite rule of all time: USPA rule 26 Dangerous Riding, Subparagraph e. – Exhibiting a lack of consideration for the safety of one’s self, one’s mount, or for another player or mount. I remember telling my classes over the years, “Polo does not need any rules other than USPA Rule 26 e. With a clear grasp of that one rule, the umpires and the referee can control the safety, fairness, and speed of play of any level of game. The problem with that rule is, the umpires and the referee must be made stringently aware of what a lack of consideration for safety means relative to the level of the game being played.” Polo Times, May 2019

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Playing Tips

The HPA rule that is most close in intent is APPENDIX B Guidelines for Game Officials RULE 17 – Line of the Ball and Precedence. As a general principle, the player who creates the danger should be penalised. It is important to try to be consistent in what is blown and what is allowed When the rules are not enforced by way of the whistle, the players are effectively being told that they can determine their own interpretation of, “Slightest Risk of Danger.” The problem with that situation is that there will be a huge difference of opinion between the offensive and the defensive players as to how the Slightest Risk of Danger should be applied to any particular play. Not only that, according to HPA Rule 29 and USPA Rules 30 and 33; players are forbidden to express their opinions on the field, verbally or by gesture, during the course of the game. HPA Rule 29 – UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT states: No player, team or member of a team’s organisation may behave in a way which is inappropriate or risks bringing the game into disrepute. The following are examples of what may be considered to be unsportsmanlike conduct and may lead to the umpires awarding a red or yellow flag in addition to any penalty: a. Showing disrespect or using vulgar or abusive language or gestures to any official, player, coach, or spectator. This includes continuing to appeal or argue with the umpires or officials, verbally, by gesture or with a stick. While USPA RULE 30, – APPEALING A FOUL states: No player may appeal in any manner to the Umpire for a foul… . In my opinion that rule should read, “for or against a foul.” USPA RULE 33, – UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT states: Unsportsmanlike conduct, including but not limited to the following, shall not be permitted a. Vulgar or abusive language b. Disrespectful attitude toward any official, player, coach or spectator c. Arguing or unwanted talking with umpires or other officials … . . I was inspired to write this article by three separate incidences. The first was the article in the July 2017 issue of Polo Times’ ‘Your Views on Blocking’. Another incident was a play I recently had the unfortunate experience of witnessing. The play was so potentially dangerous; I still cannot believe I saw what I saw. The scenario was as follows: A defensive player had Fed the Butt to the offensive player with the ball by being completely crossways of the two projected ROWs in front of the offensive player. The block was so successful that the offensive player had to turn their horse and the ball right and 66

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away from the defensive player to maintain possession of the ball. The play developed to where the defensive player’s horse was put into the position of having its chest perpendicular to, and in contact with, the left shoulder of the offensive player’s horse. At that point the defensive player started using the whip and pushing more aggressively to where the offensive player’s horse was pushed sideways five to seven feet, and at one point stumbled to the point of almost falling down. When that happened, the defensive player backed off; however, the offensive player had already lost the ball. Fortunately, none of the players (human or horse) were obviously hurt; however, the potential of a truly disastrous incident was far beyond probable. HPA RULE 26 RIDING OFF. A player may ride-off an opponent provided that the ponies are travelling at the same speed, are shoulder to shoulder and come together at a safe angle… . USPA RULE 26- DANGEROUS RIDING On even terms, a player may ride-off an opponent or may interpose the player’s mount between an opponent and the ball, but may not ride dangerously, as for example: a. Riding-off in a manner dangerous to a player or mount; i.e., with undue force. What is considered a dangerous ride-off is left to the discretion of the Umpire. Whenever a mount is knocked off balance, whether it falls or not, a dangerous ride-off has occurred, and the mere fact that some of the dangerous factors listed below were absent does not mean that a foul should not be called. It is not like no one saw that play; because immediately after that play, three different people watching the game asked me, “Did you see that?” As well as, once the offensive player’s horse started being pushed side-ways, the offensive player started screaming; “HEY, HEY, HEY!” as though to save his life. The truly unfortunate aspect of that play is, neither of the three fouls: Feeding of the Butt, an extremely dangerous ride-off, or the appealing for foul by the offensive player drew any response from the whistle. I promise, with 60 plus years of polo experience, I have never seen a play that was so blatantly dangerous as that one. I keep asking myself, “If that play did not meet the qualifications of – “slightest risk of danger to any player”, (human or equine) – then what in the world does it take to meet that qualification?” Another play I witnessed recently happened as follows: the defensive team gained control of the ball at about midfield to become the offensive team. A current offensive player turned the ball to take it down field in the desired direction. At which

point, a current defensive player made a quick and aggressive manoeuvre to mark the offensive player with the ball. At which point, a team mate of the offensive player then ran directly in front of the defensive player to stop that player’s manoeuvre on the offensive team mate; and, man oh man did it ever work. Then the same offensive team mate turned and went back across and in front of the defensive player again to ensure the defensive player could not get to the offensive player with the ball. That manoeuvre also worked well, as the offensive team got the ball across the back line on the other end of the field. If I am not mistaken, that same play is described in HPA rule 33, Blocking; however, under hit-in conditions. Again, it was not like no one saw the play as it was happening. The defensive player was screaming very loudly to make sure everyone saw what was happening. One more time, there was no whistle for creating an extremely high level of potential danger for two horses and two players by the offensive team mate crossing in front of the defensive player, not once but twice. Neither was there a whistle for the defensive player appealing for a foul. If the rules are intended to accomplish maintaining the safety and fairness of play for all players, and to allow for the speed of the game; those two plays failed miserably at accommodating that objective. My hope is that before too many more players (human or equine) become injured from an apparent acceptance of potentially dangerous playing tactics, someone with the wisdom to realise what must be done, the same someone who has the willingness to do something about it, and the same someone who has the power to get it done will come along and say, “Enough is enough, excessively dangerous playing tactics are being brought under control, as of RIGHT NOW!” It is with great hope that I wish; until that time and that person arrives, polo will be capable of withstanding the heat that is inevitably coming our way if change is not forthcoming regarding safety and fairness for all players the game of polo, (human and equine). Polo has been a sport and a game for approximately 3,000 years. And, if the enjoyment of another 3,000 years of the oldest team sport on earth is to endure; it is the responsibility of this generation to carry the torch of sport and game forward to future generations of polo players. Without rules that players can and will adhere to, the possibility of chaos increases commensurate with the degree of lack of respect the players are willing to and allowed to display toward the rules; and, from what I have witnessed lately, that seems to be significant. Rules (laws) and change are not bad things. As a matter of fact, the success of the future is quite often based on changes www.polotimes.co.uk

Playing Tips recently implemented. Either the current population of polo players must be made to comply with the rules as they are written, or the rules must be rewritten to comply with the current polo player’s desires to play the game the way they want to play it. I close this article asking you to imagine yourself in the following scenario: your horse is running at approximately 30mph, you are at midfield, you just hit the ball 80 yards straight to goal, you have an opposing player hot on your heels trying desperately to hook you, and there is no one in front of you. How fast would you be willing to run to prevent the opposing player from catching up to you? Then when you are approximately 20 yards from the ball an opposing player on your left travelling at about half the speed you are going enters a foot and a half into your five feet ROW approximately ten yards in front of the ball (projected ROW). How do you think you are going to respond, and what do you imagine will be the outcome of that response with an opposing player within inches of hooking your mallet? Next consider, if out of fear of a penalty two being called or being kicked out of the game for continuous infraction of a rule, that defending player knew better than to Feed You the Butt. HPA rule 24 c. No player shall enter in front of the player

Annex H, Rule 20c, page 113 Rules Handbook 2018 – Possession of the Ball. A player may not block the progress of an opponent in possession by positioning himself in such a way that his opponent cannot move forward. A player in possession should be allowed approximately 5 feet wide measured from the ball to the player’s near side leg to continue down the LOB. Preventing the player from moving forward (shading) is done at all speeds and should be blown straight away and any penalty must be moved up the field.

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on the LOB except at such a speed and distance that not the slightest risk of danger to any player is involved… USPA RULE 12 b. – RIGHT OF WAY No player may enter, cross or obstruct the Right of Way of the player entitled to it unless at such a distance that no risk of collision or danger to either player is involved. I can almost promise, if HPA Rule 24, c. and USPA Rule 12, b. were enforced consistent with the way they are written, Feeding of the Butt, (Blocking), would be greatly diminished, and the game of polo would have the chance of becoming that faster and safer game. For the sake of the safety of the players of the game and the enjoyment of the sport, the LOB and the ROW on the polo field should accomplish for polo players what the lanes and the line of separation between the lanes on a two lane highway accomplishes for drivers of cars – a lane in which to travel safely to your destination. Thank You Memo, Polo Times, and the players who break the laws of polo by creating such high-risk dangerous plays. I apparently needed each of those situations to inspire me to write this article. I can only hope that sometime within the next 50 years, this message will have served the beneficial effect of helping to make the sporting game of polo faster, safer and more enjoyable for all players (human and equine).

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Vet Insight

Dr Connie Bowkett-Pritchard BVSc PG Cert (VetMed) MRCVS Connie graduated with distinction from The University of Liverpool in 2017 and then completed an internship at Oakham Veterinary Hospital. During this time, she also undertook a post graduate certificate in equine medicine and surgery with the University of Nottingham. She now works for Field Equine Vets, a busy practice in the West Midlands and is particularly interested in colic, orthopaedics and imaging

Lameness Investigation Explained The key indicators

Photography courtesy of Connie Bowkett-Pritchard

The fetlock and coffin joints, as well as the digital flexor tendon sheath are locations where effusions can be felt

The sensor positions when an Equinosisa) lameness locator is used in an investigation

Lameness is one of the most common health issues in the horse. A National Equine Health Survey in 2016 found that one third of horses with health problems are lame; of these horses 41.2 percent were diagnosed with degenerative joint disease1. This is a common issue in horses that undergo a longer duration of training and have greater athletic longevity such as polo ponies2. Diagnosing the cause of a lameness is very important so that an appropriate treatment plan can be instigated. This article describes how to recognise lameness, the steps in an initial veterinary examination and explores the options available for further investigation.

lame in both front legs or both hind legs you may see a short, shuffling stride and it may be difficult to pick which leg is lame. Studies have shown that orthopaedic injuries are more common in the forelimb in polo ponies, along with racing and jumping horses. Orthopaedic injury is more frequent in the hindlimb in dressage horses2.

How to spot Lameness

Lameness is a sign of orthopaedic pain or gait restriction. Forelimb lameness is easier to see than hindlimb lameness. The horse will raise his head when landing on the lame leg. Hindlimb lameness is seen in several ways; when standing behind the horse as he trots away, you will see greater movement of the muscle mass and hip of the lame leg compared to the sound leg. This is known as a ‘hip hike’. When assessing a horse on the lunge for a suspected hindlimb lameness you may see a toe drag, lower foot flight and a shorter stride on the lame leg. Sometimes horses can be lame on more than one leg. If 68

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The Veterinary Visit Taking a History

The first step in any lameness examination is taking a history. Important things for a vet to ascertain are: · How long has the lameness been present for? · When was the lameness first noticed and what was the horse doing when it was noticed? · Has the lameness got worse? · When was the horse last shod or trimmed? · Has the horse suffered any previous episodes of lameness? · What is the horse’s normal level of activity?

Clinical Examination

The vet will then observe the horse moving at walk and trot on a straight line. Lameness is graded out of 10 or five depending on clinician preference. Flexion tests may be

performed – the limb is held in a flexed position for around 60 seconds before the horse trots immediately away. If a horse becomes obviously more lame this can indicate joint pain, however flexion tests are a crude indicator of this; some horses with joint issues may ‘flex negative’. Vets may test the upper and lower parts of the limb separately. The horse is then lunged on each rein and, ideally, on a soft and hard surface. This may not be possible, depending on the facilities available. It is important to see horses on a straight line and on the lunge as different movements can highlight the lameness. Different surfaces can exacerbate or mask lameness. Often, a ‘foot sore’ horse is worse on a hard surface. Sometimes the horse will be examined ridden as well; this is commonly done in poor performance cases. The vet will palpate the horse’s limbs for any abnormalities. These include · Effusion – this is an increase in the amount of fluid in a joint or tendon sheath (these wrap round the tendons as they pass over a joint). Fluid is normally present in these structures – it acts as a lubricant for normal biomechanical function. If a structure becomes inflamed, then the fluid production increases and is felt as a soft swelling on the horse’s leg. www.polotimes.co.uk

Vet Insight work from the lower leg upwards, unless the horse has shown localising signs on clinical examination. In the forelimb, most lameness originates in the foot. If the horse significantly improves after a nerve block, the lameness is originating from below the block site. Joints and tendon sheaths can also be blocked – this is done in a sterile fashion to prevent infection. Once the horse has ‘blocked’ to an area this can then be imaged to diagnose the problem. Not every horse is suitable for nerve blocking; if a horse is fractious, alternative diagnostic methods may be needed in the interest of safety.

Lameness Locators

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The arrow demonstrates coffin joint arthritis. The joint space between the bones is obscured at the upper aspect of the joint

These are an exciting development in lameness investigation. Sensors are placed on the horse’s poll, pelvis and pastern which are connected using Bluetooth to a tablet on which the stride information can be viewed. They provide an objective analysis of the horse’s gait and are particularly useful to assess subtle or multi-limb lameness. Locators can also quantify the degree of improvement before and after a nerve block as a percentage.

· ·

Swellings – these can be of bone (which can indicate remodelling and arthritis), tendons and ligaments. Structures of particular importance in the lower leg are the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons, the suspensory ligament and the check ligament. Heat Increased digital pulses – these can be felt on the back of the pastern or fetlock. If increased this indicates a foot problem. Increased digital pulses are seen in conditions such as laminitis and foot abscesses. Pain – if foot pain is suspected, the vet will use hoof testers to check for sensitivity. The hoof testers are applied around the wall of the hoof, between the wall and the frog and over the heel bulbs. Foot abscesses, a very common cause of lameness, are detected in this way. Not all cases will show signs that can be felt on clinical examination.

Diagnostic Anaesthesia (Nerve Blocks) This is an important diagnostic tool to localise a lameness so that further imaging is targeted. It involves injecting local anaesthetic at certain locations over the nerves which supply the leg. Vets will usually

Radiography (X-rays)

X-rays are taken very commonly in lameness investigations. They are used to examine bony abnormalities – for example narrowing of the joint spaces, thickening of bone (sclerosis) and remodelling (the bone has an abnormal shape). Foot X-rays are also useful to assess shoeing and balance. Soft tissues like tendons and ligaments cannot be seen.

Ultrasonography

Ultrasound assesses soft tissue structures. It is commonly used to assess the flexor tendons and suspensory ligament and can be used as far down as the pastern. Ultrasound does not penetrate the hoof capsule. It can also be used in some circumstances to assess the contour of bones.

MRI

MRI is an increasingly used imaging modality. It provides excellent detail of tendons, ligaments and bone, detecting abnormalities that X-ray and ultrasound cannot. It is more expensive and only available at referral hospitals but is extremely useful in providing answers. An MRI is normally performed with the horse standing and sedated – images can be taken to just below the knee and hock. Some MRI scanners can scan higher, including the hock and knee, but horses need to be anaesthetised for this procedure.

References: Slater J, National Equine Health Survey report. The Blue Cross, BEVA and the Royal Veterinary College. Report number: 6, 2016. 2. Sousa, Nicole Ruas de et al. Relation between type and local of orthopedic injuries with physical activity in horses. Cienc. Rural [online]. 2017; 47(2). Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_ arttext&pid=S0103-84782017000200602&lng=en&nrm=iso. [accessed 05-04-2019]. a) Equinosis LLC 104 E Broadway Columbia, MO 65203 1.

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Photograph courtesy of E Chilvers

The location of a needle during a ‘low six-point’ nerve block

The digital flexor tendon sheath in a hindlimb with a marked effusion

Bone Scan (Scintigraphy)

A bone scan detects areas of abnormal bone activity and is available at most referral hospitals. Horses are injected with a radioactive marker and then scanned around 90 minutes later. The radioactive marker highlights abnormal areas which appear as ‘hotspots’ on the scan. This is useful for parts of the horse which are difficult to image, such as the pelvis and sacroiliac joint, horses with complex lameness issues and those which are difficult to nerve block.

Summary

Lameness investigation can be a timeconsuming process but a thorough and pro-active approach is worthwhile. Early diagnosis gives owners an understanding of the problem, and veterinary surgeons the information to put an appropriate treatment plan in place. Field Equine Vets New House Farm Belbroughton Rd Blakedown Worcestershire, DY10 3JH 01562 701334 www.fieldequinevets.co.uk Polo Times, May 2019

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Nutrition Focus

Lorna Edgar – specialist equine nutritionist

Photography courtesy of Lorna Edgar

Gift at the end of the 2017 polo season

Muscling Up Last spring, a little nine-year-old mare called Gift arrived with Kerri Dyte. Although she had previously played a lot of polo and is very talented, she is very sensitive with quite a few complex issues. Luckily, Kerri enjoys a challenge! When she arrived she had very little top line, which was something we needed to change to help her carry herself better in her work, but due to her being so sensitive, we couldn’t just feed her up on Conditioning Cubes, as they would provide her with too much energy and increase her sensitive nature. Kerri’s plan was to keep Gift in over the winter and not be turned away. We opted for a very gradual introduction of Stud Balancer as the ‘quality protein’ is higher, thus helping to build muscle from those key amino acids, such as lysine (muscle building) and methionine (muscle function). Due to her sensitive nature, we took longer than usual to build her up to the recommended levels of 950g (four mugs) per day, which was bulked out with some alfalfa chaff. During this time Kerri was introducing work very slowly – not in a traditional way for polo ponies on the exercise track, but trying to encourage Gift to use her body in a very different way of going, by lunging in a Pessoa to engage her core and change her outline. Gift has also had regular physiotherapy treatments and has had a saddle professionally fitted, all contributing to the results we now see. Whilst her diet of protein, vitamins and minerals from the balancer had been 70

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sufficient, as Gift has had her workload increased, she had a need for more calories. We gradually introduced a low starch, high oil, high fibre feed (Ease & Excel) into her rations up to two Stubbs scoops per day, whilst reducing the balancer to three mugs per day – all alongside ad lib hay. Once Gift is working harder and begins to play polo

Gift’s form had changed by January 2019

again, she will have her diet increased. If calories are needed, the Ease & Excel will be increased by another scoop per day, or if the calories do not need to be increased, we may just up the balancer. ontact Lorna Edgar of Baileys Horse C Feeds on lorna@baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

Gift, at the beginning of the 2019 season

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Fitness Insight

In this feature, we speak to Angus Olds, trainer to the polo stars, about what it takes to be in peak fitness, ready to do battle on the polo field from high goal to low goal. Gus has worked with a number of professional athletes and teams for well over a decade including members of British Ski and Snowsports, UK Polocrosse, British Dressage and England Polo to name but a few. Gus worked within the El Remanso high goal operation for two years and saw the team reach the Final of The British Open on both occasions. In the off-season, Gus consults with private individuals on health optimisation and athletic performance

The Ultimate Performance Booster

Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com

For life and in polo

How would you like to live longer, boost cognitive function by 20 percent minimum, stave off brain and heart disease, reduce injury rate by 30 percent and play better than you ever have? Right, now that I have your attention, it’s only fair to say that this article is about sleep, if you manage to stay awake until the end you may well have a different outlook to this traditionally neglected subject. Your grandmother was not wrong – you do in fact need eight hours of sleep a night to remain healthy; note that is eight hours of sleep, not two hours of checking emails in bed, three minutes of bedroom antics with some lucky recipient, 57 minutes of trying to get to sleep, 10 minutes of being woken up by your bladder and four hours and 50 minutes of actual sleep. Why eight hours? Simple really – your 72

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body needs at least that long to complete a number of vital processes that, if left incomplete, can have disastrous short and long term ramifications; here are some of the major players that may interest you: If you aren’t sleeping your healthy eating won’t be making much difference: Impaired sleep means that you will have sugar cravings as your body signals hunger hormones that are normally suppressed during this time. The kicker here is that you wake up craving food but are less able to handle calories as poor sleep messes with your storage hormone insulin meaning that you are more likely to store that food as fat than burn it for energy. This can happen with as little as one night of poor sleep – one! (ref 1). Poor sleep also creates a leaky gut wall which means that things that are designed to

be in your stomach and not your blood get in there and trigger your immune response, which is often how food allergies start. Short term reduced memory and decision making; long term Alzheimer’s risk increase: Believe it or not, your brain washes itself while you sleep (ref 2), in so doing it rids itself of the potentially harmful build-up of certain types of plaque that when lodged in the brain in the short term, reduce your memory, reaction speed and ability to make decisions and in the long term contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease (ref 3). One we all know, is that poor sleep leads to equally poor memory, decision making and reaction times. What you may not realise as an athlete is how small a reduction may have an impact on your performance, studies www.polotimes.co.uk

Fitness Insight show that as little as a three hour reduction in usual sleep time reduced reaction times by 14 percent. (ref 4) So, how do you optimise your sleep? Routine – all of your hormones in your body run off two major ‘master switches’, light exposure and food. Timing your meals around your sleeping and waking hours goes a long way to resetting the clock genes in your gut that help when releasing the hormones that modulate your daily rhythms. While intermittent fasting is a big thing at present, I like my athletes to stick to a routine in season and try to get breakfast in close to waking and dinner two hours pre-bedtime, especially when travelling. The second ‘master switch’, light, is perhaps the most difficult to get right in today’s world. Simply put, nature in her wisdom has designed a giant light clock that tracks across our sky every day and dictates our hormonal shift pattern. Mother nature is so brilliant in fact, that she has ensured the light we are exposed to in the morning when we need to wake up is of the correct sort of blue light to stimulate the mild stress hormone that wakes us up (cortisol) and at night is of the correct sort of red light to stimulate our sleep hormone (melatonin), so we can get some rest. The snag with this scenario is that the light we often expose ourselves to pre-bed from phones or neon/

LED lights, is of the blue spectrum and tells the body to wake up when we least need it to. This means you go to bed wired and sleep is compromised (ref 5). Bad news on the booze front too I’m afraid! Despite the common practice of using a night cap as a soporific, alcohol actually reduces not only the quality of your sleep but also the duration. So, while you may fall asleep easily, you do not enter the state of sleep needed for recovery and wake up under-recovered and in a poor state to perform, this happens with very little volume, so limit intake (ref 6). Fix this by practicing sleep hygiene, limit phone and light exposure at night and get plenty of light (sunlight if not in England…) in the morning. Have an early breakfast and an early supper and for best results have a totally dark and cool room, both of which help with sleep quality. Supplements have a role to play here too. Athletes often have busy travel schedules and as we all know, nothing messes up a sleep routine like changing time zones. Injury rates skyrocket in tired athletes, so I always look to get athletes acclimated quickly. Five grams of the amino acid Glycine in some valerian and lime flower tea is a great way to do this. Don’t do this all the time, just use it to reset your rhythm for a day or two after arrival in a new time zone. I do also use Glycine with athletes to help them sleep the night before a

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big game or Final when nerves are a factor. Many players are so under slept that they develop a new norm of operation during the day. Follow the tips above and watch your mood and performance improve this season, on and off the polo field. References:

1: Donga et al. (2010). A Single Night of Partial Sleep Deprivation Induces Insulin Resistance in Multiple Metabolic Pathways in Healthy Subjects. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Pages 2963–2968 2: Xie et al. (2013). Sleep Drives Metabolite Clearance From The Adult Brain. Science. Pages 373-377 3: Shokri - Kojori et al. (2018). B - Amyloid Accumulation In The Human Brain After One Night Of Sleep Deprivation. Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences USA. Pages. 4483- 4488. 4: Morteza et al. 2012. Effect of Sleep Deprivation on Choice Reaction Time and Anaerobic Power of College Student Athletes. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine. Pages 15-20. 5: Lockley et al. 2003. High Sensitivity of the Human Circadian Melatonin Rhythm to Resetting by Short Wavelength Light. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Pages 4502 - 4505. 6: Irshaad et al 2013. Alcohol and Sleep 1: Effects on Normal Sleep. Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research. Pages 539 - 549.

Gus can be reached via email on gusolds@me.com and posts regular health and performance information on Instagram @gofitcoach

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Polo Times, May 2019

2019 Rules and Regulations Update

Knowledge

Umpire’s Corner

2019 Rules and Regulations update

As we head into the 2019 season, The Hurlingham Polo Association has released updates to the Rules and Regulations. We spoke to Chairman of the Umpire and Rules Committee Will Lucas, two years into his tenure, about these changes and what they mean for those on the field. “For the last couple of years, we’ve been trying to align with Argentina and America. We’ve given ourselves the ability to opt out of any rules, as in if there are any disagreements – any country or Club can opt out of a rule if they want to and then that allows us to keep one set of clear rules for everybody.” At the end of each of the last five high goal seasons, the USPA, AAP and HPA have met to really get into the nitty-gritty of the rules, trying to align the differing systems. “The hope of these rules is that people will view them in a way they deem to be helpful and interpret them for a better, cleaner game. “Having made some quite serious changes last year, particularly in regards to when the ball goes out of play and the timings, this year it is nice to know that there are really just a few tweaks with what’s going on. The major changes are: 1. Team Captains will need to wear armbands – there is no specific type that needs to be worn, it just needs to clearly identify the Captain. This was something that was started in the USA and it puts the onus of responsibility, for the whole team (grooms, coach, players – everybody) on the Captain. So, if for example a Coach on the side of the field is being too loud or abusive, the umpire can go to the Team Captain and ask them to deal with the situation. The responsibility will be on the Team Captain, who could be penalised (i.e. yellow carded) if they weren’t able to keep their team under control. www.polotimes.co.uk

2. Up until now, on a Penalty 2, if you take it from the spot, you’ve been allowed to run the ball in. Now whether you want a spot or a 30, it has to be one hit. This avoids the potential danger of someone running out or crossing etc. 3. There is a tightening up on the timings that we think will be more relevant to matches that are played in front of crowds. This means, when taking a penalty, a player now has 20 seconds to take it. The reality of this is to stop a team’s three other players taking 45-50 seconds changing their ponies during penalties. We’re hoping that Clubs will work out how strongly they want to enforce this rule for their domestic tournaments. Obviously, if there is a game when both teams are happy with players changing during penalties, then this rule can be interpreted as such. 4. We’ve made changes to the flag system. This has probably been the most talked about and strongly felt subject in the past 12 months. Everyone has a strong view of what should happen and we almost end up with a Brexit type situation where the eventual system is probably not what everyone wanted, but it becomes a collective compromise. We’ve tried to group it so that if you get flags in levels, they group together, because last year we had guys playing 90 games and guys playing 15 games and the system wasn’t quite equitable in that way. This has now been changed and tightened up. 5. Lastly – whipping. One of the main problems with this is that people stand up and say we have one rule in the arena like this, one on grass like this etc. We’ve come up with a tightening on the definition of what’s allowed, but most importantly we now say that you

can’t lift your left arm above the elbow. And we’ve also tried to define where the horses should be struck. We’re trying to get the umpires to collectively educate people to try and reduce the amount of whipping. We’re hoping that all the good habits from the global associations will come together here. We will continue to constantly search and amend the rules to ensure the welfare of the horse is the priority at all times.

Umpiring

“With regards to the umpires, by the end of this year, we would like to try and have some more people joining in. The areas where I think we can help with umpiring are as follows: • We can give them more support • Try and have smaller group seminars during the season • To try and ensure they get a good and fair reward for what they do • Try to bring the English umpires up to a standard that would ensure other European countries would want to utilise them as they see them as well trained “That’s where we feel a bit of modernisation can help. We would like to send HPA umpires to the smaller Clubs for their main tournament, at HPA’s expense, and in their role of umpiring they would also help explain the HPA’s position on ground welfare, animal welfare, ground safety etc – to almost act as an educator. At the moment we only have a few who are representing the HPA across the country and we feel there are a lot more who deserve the opportunity. We are also interested in talking to clubs about hiring umpires for the entirety of a tournament, bringing some consistency to tournament qualifiers. This is something that will be discussed in upcoming HPA meetings.”

Polo Times, May 2019

Knowledge

2019 Rules and Regulations Update

2019 Part 1 Rule changes 2. PLAYERS a) Team. A team is limited to 4 players on the field of play in all games. b) Team Captain. An on-field Team Captain must be nominated to the umpires at the beginning of the game. He shall wear an arm band and only he may speak with the umpires. If replaced for any reason, he shall hand it to another player. f) Substitution. If a match is about to start or has started and a player is late or unable to play through accident, sickness or duty, he may be replaced by a substitute. The substitute must be qualified to play in the tournament and the team must remain qualified after the substitution has been made. If the game is on handicap and a higher handicap player is qualified to play, the goals awarded on handicap will be recalculated as if he had started the game. It is the responsibility of the team to mount the substitute. Further substitution rules may apply for specific tournaments or in different countries. See Part 2 Annex C. 4. PONIES d. (iv) The lateral extension or projection of a shoe must not be more than 5mm proud of the hoof wall. 11. DURATION OF CHUKKAS a) Normal Chukka. Except for the final chukka or extra time, each chukka shall be a maximum of 7½ minutes. After 7 minutes, the first bell will be rung to indicate that up to 30 seconds remain. If the ball is out of play when the bell is rung, the umpire will blow his whistle to end the chukka. Otherwise, after the first bell is sounded, the chukka will end when there is a break in play or when the second bell is rung. If a foul is awarded, the penalty shall be taken at the beginning of the next chukka. b) Final Chukka. In the final chukka, the game will end on the first sound of the 7 minute bell unless the teams are tied. If tied, play will continue until either a goal is scored or awarded or until the first sound of the second bell. If a whistle is blown for a penalty during the last 5 seconds of the last chukka, 5 seconds shall be allowed for the execution of any penalty. If ‘no foul’ is agreed, then play shall continue only for the time remaining when the whistle was blown.

Polo Times, May 2019

14. CHANGING ENDS a) Ends shall be changed after every goal; play is restarted with a throw-in on the centre line unless a Penalty 1 has been awarded in which case the restart shall be with a Penalty 5b. The players shall be allowed 25 seconds before the ball shall be thrown in or dropped for a penalty 5b. 35. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT g) Abuse of a pony such as using a whip when the ball is out of play, using a whip or spurs unnecessarily or in excess at any time, or hauling or jabbing a pony in the mouth. See Part 2 Rule 3c re Whips. 38. TAKING OF PENALTY HITS Once the umpire has dropped the ball, he will call ‘play’ and the team fouled must play the ball within 20 seconds. 40. PENALTY 2 – SPOT OR 30 YARD HIT If the foul occurred within the 30 yard line the Captain of the team fouled shall be offered the choice of one undefended free hit from either the spot where the foul occurred or 30 yards from the goal line of the team that has fouled opposite the centre of the goal: · All of the team taking the hit to be positioned behind the ball. The player taking the hit may hit or hit at the ball only once and may not make another play. Should the ball fail to cross the goal or back line or rebound into play off a goal post the team facing the hit will be awarded a free hit from where the ball came to rest, as for a Penalty 5a. The ball may be moved outwards towards the boards or side line should a goal post interfere with the player taking the hit. · The team facing the hit has no play and must be 30 yards from the ball, behind their back line and not between the goal posts nor behind the goal. They may not distract the player taking the penalty, including unintentionally, and must allow the ball to come to a rest. PENALTY 5A – SPOT. A Penalty 5a shall be a free hit from the spot where the ball was when the foul occurred, but at least 4 yards from the boards or sidelines. a) The team taking the hit to be free to position themselves where they choose. b) The team facing the hit to be behind an imaginary line parallel to the back line 30 yards from the ball.

PENALTY 5B – CENTRE. A Penalty 5b shall be a free hit from the centre of the field of play. a) The team taking the hit to be free to position themselves where they choose. b) The team facing the hit to be behind an imaginary line parallel to the back line 30 yards from the ball. 51. AWARDING OF FLAGS b) Red Flag. I. A player may be awarded a red flag at any stage, including for a first offence. II. A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted. If the player has been awarded a red flag for leaving the game before the final bell without the permission of the umpires, he may not be substituted. III. A player shall be awarded a red flag if he has not obtained the permission of the umpires to leave a game before the final bell and in respect of conduct after the final chukka has ended the umpires may only award a red flag. IV. A player awarded a red flag shall be automatically suspended for the next match of the tournament and the rules for a team change shall then apply. If awarded during or after the last match in the tournament, the suspension shall apply to another match or matches of equivalent standing as decided by the HPA. c) Report Forms. A report with details of the incident shall be completed by the umpires and referee for a red flag and a statement by the player shall be obtained by the Club and submitted to the HPA within 12 hours. All reports of yellow flags are to be posted on the Umpires WhatsApp with a short statement and the reason for the award of the yellow flag.

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2019 Rules and Regulations Update

d) Disciplinary Review Panel. The Disciplinary Review Panel (DRP) will consist of a panel of 3 persons appointed by the Chief Executive of the HPA from time to time and will normally be chaired by the Disciplinary Officer. The function of the Panel is to review as and when it thinks fit a player’s conduct in any of the 22 goal or VL tournaments of 8 goals and above. I. Red Flag. Whenever a red flag is awarded the DRP will consider the circumstances to ascertain whether a match suspension is appropriate and may either remove the one match suspension, increase it to two or direct that the player will start future matches on a yellow flag, which may be specified by number, tournament or time frame. II. Accumulation of Flags. If a player accumulates three yellow flags across games in any 22 goal or VL tournaments of 8 goals and above the Disciplinary Review Panel may direct that the player will either: · Start future matches on a yellow flag; this may be specified by number, tournament or time frame. · Receive a formal warning that a fourth yellow flag will lead to that player starting future matches on a yellow flag, to be specified as above. If starting on a yellow flag, a player shall not receive a red flag through accumulation, only as a result of an offence that is judged to merit such. However, any yellow flag shall result in a sin bin and thus a player may be sin binned several times within a chukka and/or game. e) Appeals. A player may only appeal a decision of the Disciplinary Review Panel if his match suspension is increased. Such appeal shall be to an HPA Board as provided for in paragraph 3.5 of Part 3 of The HPA Rules and Regulations for Polo as if the decision of the Disciplinary Review Panel had been a decision of a Club Board. The HPA Board shall have the powers provided for in paragraph 3.5b and its decision

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shall be subject to appeal to an Appeal Board as provided for in paragraph 3.8. The provisions of paragraph 3.9 shall also apply in relation to costs and fines.

Part 2 Rule Changes 2019

k) Insurance. See the HPA’s website. 2.3 PLAYERS EQUIPMENT a) Helmets. Polo helmets must always be worn during play and must be type approved to the standard PAS015: 2011 or PAS015:1998 with CE mark (type approval must be performed by a UK headquartered Notified Body for Personal Protective Equipment), SNELL E2001 or E2016, VGl 01.040 2014-12, or UTAC/CRITT04/2015 and any newer version of an approved standard. b) Spurs. Any spur likely to wound a horse is not allowed. Spurs, including any rowel, must be blunt with the shank of no more than 1.25 inches (3 cm) pointing downwards and to the rear. c) Whips. Whips must be no more than 48 inches long including any tag. Broken whips are not allowed. The whip may only be used with left hand when the ball is in play and then only down its shoulder or on its quarters. Misuse includes: · Use of the whip when the ball is not in play. · Hitting the pony more than once on its quarters without allowing the pony to react before any further hit. · Hitting the pony on its flank, i.e. anywhere between its shoulder and quarters. · Raising any part of the left arm above shoulder height. · Misuse of the whip constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct and is therefore subject to a yellow flag. 2.4 PONIES AND PONY WELFARE j) Medication. I. Permitted Medication. The administration to a pony of any drug or substance that is not a normal constituent of horse feed is prohibited with the exception of those listed below as permitted medication subject to their always being prescribed and administered within

· · · · · · · · · · · ·

Knowledge

the manufacturers’ recommendations and therapeutic guidelines and within HPA rules: Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) (e.g. ‘bute’) Corticosteroids Diuretics Clenbuterol (e.g. Ventipulmin®) Dembrexine (e.g. Sputolosin®) lsoxsuprine (e.g. Navilox®) Altrenogest (e.g. Regu-mate®) Cemetidine (e.g. Tagamet®) Ranitidine (e.g. Zantac®) Omeprazole (e.g. Gastrogard®) Antibiotics and anti-fungals (except procaine penicillin) Regumate (for mares and fillies only)

k) Vaccinations against Equine Influenza for 2019. No pony will be allowed to play at a Club or in a tournament unless the pony’s passport shows that it has been vaccinated against Equine Influenza in accordance with the HPA rules for vaccinations as set out on the HPA website. 2.7 REPORT FORMS b) A report Form may be completed by the Team Captain if he considers that the Tournament Committee has acted improperly or that the umpires have failed in their duties. Should the report contain defamatory content, such as an accusation that an umpire favoured one team against the other, then the Report Form must be accompanied by a cheque for £1000 as surety and this sum will be forfeited if the defamatory comment is not proven. The form must be signed by the Team Captain and at least one other member of the team and be lodged with an HPA official within 24 hours of the match. In addition, one of the signatories must be available within the following 48 hours to review the match with an assessor or a panel designated by the host Club which may include a member of the opposing team. If a DVD of the match is available, then this should be provided by the complainant. It should be noted that the burden of proof lies with the complainant and that it is extremely difficult to consider such accusations without a visual record of the match.

Polo Times, May 2019

Gossip

DORA THE EXPLORER

Sidelines

WELCOME BÉLTRAN

The HPA’s Will Mawby and his wife Amy have exteneded their family once again. Dora the puppy will we’re sure be a regular in the sidelines this summer

Sophie Stanek and her husband Béltran Barcaiztegui have welcomed their first son Béltran, who will be the fourth son in the family to bear this name. Congratulations to you both!

CONGRATULATIONS SIEVWRIGHTS!

On Saturday 6 April, Ebe Sievwright and fiancée Tissy Van Reyk were married at Rockley Manor, Wiltshire amongst a horde of friends and family. Congratulations to the wonderful couple!

MALIA BRYAN MAKES HISTORY

On Wednesday 3 April, 18-year-old Malia Bryan made history as the youngest female player to play in the U.S. Open Championship. Malia was substituting for Jeff Hildebrand of Tonkawa and managed to score the first goal of the match against Pilot. Congratulations Malia!

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

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Polo Times, May 2019

Harriet Sharp, Tilly Davies, Caitlin Nicholls, George Fraemohs, Aime Breiner & Juliette Trifiro

Georgia Sweeney

Edwin Morris-Lowe

Rock the Polo; Ash Farm Polo Club, Surrey; Wednesday 27 March

Rocking Good Time Royal Holloway University Polo Club hosted the legendary â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Rock the Poloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at Ash Farm Arena Polo Club in a flurry of black-tie excitement. The event, which is usually held in November, was moved back to March to signify the end of another successful arena season for both the university and the Club polo. The night started with a fierce 10 goal exhibition match, entertaining both seasoned players and newcomers to the sport, before the guests were able to relax and party the night away in the intimate venue. The Royal Holloway Polo Club expressed their thanks to the Sweeney family for their continued support making the event become a reality for another year. Suffice to say, teams, students and locals partied into the early hours, with nothing but celebration on the mind. Juliette Trifiro & Alexandra Upton

Imogen Moore & Phoebe Leake

Photography by Chloe Martin Photography

Lawrence Randle & Chloe Hindes-Boyd

Josh Smythwood, Mo Barker, Chloe Tyler & Sam Palmer

Olivia Seymour, Elliot Mactaggart, Josh Cork, Faye Fisher & Jason Warren

Saskia Meadows & Genevieve Meadows

Charlie Simpson, James Mann & Will Newman

Mary Kelly & Sam Collister

Poppy Lovell & Chloe Martin

Issabella Anderson-Pass & Claudia Hall

Ocean Bellamy, Yacob Alramly & Riccardo Dana

Camelia Ramsey, Juliette Trifiro, Cristina Challenor, Chloe Hindes-Boyd & Iona Hindes-Boyd

Olly Hughes

Sam Thompson & Alexia Gowland

Rob Warren

Jack Archibald

Australian Polo International; Windsor Polo Club, Richmond; Saturday 6 April

Aussie Polo Meets British Glamour Spectators from across the wider Sydney area gathered to watch the highest level of polo to be played in Australia this year. Supported by sponsors including Bentley, Ellerston Onassis Polo and Catalina Equine Genetics, the Polo International combined skill and performance from some of Australia’s best ponies and players, with the glamour more regularly seen at the British high goal. The crowds enjoyed the Colts competition with NSW City facing NSW Country early in the morning, followed by the Ladies International Test Match and the Men’s International Test Match. They were also treated to fashion on the field and an interesting grooms’ race, where grooms battled it out the tack-up and race their ponies the length of the field as quickly as possible. Lucy Rose Bliss

Photography by Jess Rea

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NSW Police Marching Band National Anthems

Ready for the grooms’ race

Ricky Mershad, Ricardo Santa Cruz & Marc Ganzi

Philippe Urreiztieta, Anuschka Bahlsen & Fred Mannix Jnr

David ‘Pelón’ Stirling & Juan Bollini

Juan Martín Nero, Bob Jornayvaz, Nic Roldan & Fred Mannix Jnr

Dale Schwetz & Bob Jornayvaz

Lisa Hall & Nic Roldan

Jan-Erik Franck & Nicole Obermeier

Melissa Ganzi, Delfina Blaquier & Nacho Figueras

World Polo League End of Season Celebration; Santa Rita Polo Farm, Wellington, Florida; Friday 12 April

Inaugural Year Ends

Diego Cavanagh & Tucan Pereyra Irada

2019 was The World Polo League’s inaugural season, and what a season they have had! With seemingly endless 26 goal matches and Finals, alongside 10 goal commentary and live streamed coverage, it has certainly achieved its goal to preserve 26 goal across the pond. Before The World Polo League wrapped up for the season with The Triple Crown of Polo Final on Sunday 14 April, the players, patrons and founders who made this unique League possible came together for an asado and celebrations at Santa Rita Polo Farm on the Friday night to celebrate the birth of a new form of polo.

Martin & Maria Aguerre

Luis Junior, Maria Lia & Luis Garrahan Santa Rita Polo Farm

Marc & Grant Ganzi

Steve Jenkins & Ann Whaley

Yvonne & Paul Gater

Jamie Thomas, Abby Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brian, Gemma & Ben

Cheshire Polo Club Pre-Season Party; The Fox & Barrel, Cotebrook; Friday 12 April

Charming Cheshire Dickie Cotterill, Tony & Ann Steele & Martin Kidd

134 Cheshire Polo Club members attended the Pre-Season Party at the newly refurbished Fox & Barrel by kind invitation of Mr & Mrs Tony Steele, to celebrate the start of the 2019 season. The food was exceptionally good, with lasagne and green curry with chips and various vegetarian options followed by chocolate mousse or Eton Mess. Martin Kidd, the Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chairman, together with his wife Rachel, welcomed all the guests. It is set to be an exciting season! Photography by Mark R. Heath

Spencer Atkinson & Deryn Nicholls Lee Foster, Jemma Garside, Don Gibbs & Robin Sturch

Jason, Ann & Paul Richards

Leo, Emma & Oliver Conway-Johnson

Martin & Rachel Kidd with Pam & Howard Davies

Rod Scammell & Friends

Ged & Karen Kelly

Horse Riding Holidays Worldwide info@farandride.com

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What’s On – Polo Fixtures Club

Tournament Name

Guards

Valerie Halford Memorial Trophy 8 - 12

24/04/19 11/05/19

Guards Tidworth

Spring Tournament Rabbit Cup

24/04/19 12/05/19 27/04/19 28/04/19

Binfield Heath Cheshire Druids Lodge

Welcome Tournament Chukka Challenge Spring Trophy (Spring League Finals) The Badminton Cup Bryan Bethell Cup La Martina Queen Mother’s Centenary Cup The Spring Cup Adm Kumar Cup (RN v Eton) The Edgeworth Shield Vladivar Cup Aspiga Trophy Mad May Hare Tournament Kingsett Cup The May Cup Committee Cup May Cup Kingsett Cup Farewell Cup The May Cup JP Morgan Challenge Match Recoleta Memorial Cup The Prince of Wales Trophy Black Bears Trophy Petworth Cup The Management Cup a’Brassard Trophy Murus Sanctus Trippetts Challenge May Cup

Beaufort Cowdray Guards Rutland Tidworth Edgeworth Cheshire Druids Lodge Suffolk Tidworth Silver Leys Taunton Binfield Heath Tidworth Cheshire Silver Leys White Waltham White Waltham RCBPC Black Bears Cowdray Kirtlington Cirencester Cowdray Cambridge County Cheshire Binfield Heath Ham Taunton White Waltham Edgeworth Cheshire Rutland Cambridge County Rutland Guards Cowdray Beaufort Cowdray Cirencester White Waltham White Waltham Binfield Heath Cheshire White Waltham Tidworth Beaufort Suffolk Cheshire Edgeworth

Handicap Start Date End Date

2-6 -2 - 2 & -6- -2 -4 - 0 -8 - -5 -4 - 0

27/04/19 28/04/19 27/04/19 28/04/19 27/04/19 16/06/19

4-8 12 - 15 12 - 15

01/05/19 12/05/19 03/05/19 16/06/19 03/05/19 19/06/19

-4 - 0 Open 0-4 -4 - 2 1-2 -4 - 2 0-2 -2 - 0 -2 - 0 -4 - 0 -4 - 0 -4 - -1 -4 - -2 -6 - -4 -2 - 2 17 - 22 18 8 - 12 4-6 0-4 20 - 22

04/05/19 04/05/19 04/05/19 04/05/19 04/05/19 04/05/19 04/05/19 04/05/19 04/05/19 04/05/19 04/05/19 04/05/19 04/05/19 04/05/19 04/05/19 04/05/19 04/05/19 04/05/19 05/05/19 07/05/19 09/05/19

0-4

11/05/19 12/05/19

Tickled Pink Cup The Coppid Cup Ham House Tournament Chairman’s Cup Summer Cup Field Barn Cup Argentine Cup The Mobil Cup May Cup

0-2 -2 - 2 0-2 0-2 -2 - 2 0-2 -4 - 2 -2 - 0 -4 - 0

11/05/19 11/05/19 11/05/19 11/05/19 11/05/19 11/05/19 11/05/19 11/05/19 11/05/19

12/05/19 12/05/19 12/05/19 12/05/19 12/05/19 12/05/19 12/05/19 12/05/19 12/05/19

The Horsefeeds Cup Committee Cup Cicero Cup La Ema Polo Mallet Dollar Cup Gerald Balding Cup Aiglon v Gordonstoun JP Morgan Challenge Match Margaret Duvall Allied Cables Cheshire Champion Cup Camelot Bowl Tournament Maddison Cup Intro Tournament Mansfield Advisors’/Terracotta Horse Visitor’s Bowl The 0 Goal Tournament

-6 - -2 4-8 12 - 15 0-4 8 - 12 4-8 0-2 -6 - -4 4-6 2-4

11/05/19 11/05/19 11/05/19 13/05/19 13/05/19 14/05/19 15/05/19 18/05/19 18/05/19 18/05/19

12/05/19 26/05/19 27/05/19 26/05/19 05/06/19 27/05/19 15/05/19 18/05/19 19/05/19 19/05/19

-2 - 2 0-2 -2 - 2 -4 - 2

18/05/19 18/05/19 18/05/19 18/05/19

19/05/19 19/05/19 19/05/19 19/05/19

-4 - 0 0

18/05/19 18/05/19

19/05/19 19/05/19

04/05/19 04/05/19 05/05/19 05/05/19 05/05/19 05/05/19 05/05/19 05/05/19 05/05/19 05/05/19 05/05/19 05/05/19 05/05/19 05/05/19 06/05/19 18/05/19 19/05/19 15/06/19 06/05/19 17/05/19 19/05/19

Club

Handicap Start Date End Date

-2 - 0 -4 - 0 -8 - -2 -4 - -2 -6 - -2 0-2 0-6 15 - 18 -2 - 2 -2 - 2 4-8 17 - 22 6 10 -2 - 0 4-6 4 2-4 2- 4

18/05/19 18/05/19 18/05/19 18/05/19 18/05/19 18/05/19 20/05/19 20/05/19 21/05/19 21/05/19 21/05/19 21/05/19 22/05/19 22/05/19 24/05/19 25/05/19 25/05/19 25/05/19 25/05/19

19/05/19 19/05/19 19/05/19 19/05/19 19/05/19 02/06/19 01/06/19 09/06/19 25/05/19 02/06/19 08/06/19 16/06/19 02/06/19 18/07/19 27/05/19 26/05/19 26/05/19 26/05/19 26/05/19

-2 - 2

25/05/19

26/05/19

0-2 -4 - 2 -2 - 0 -6 - 0 -2 - 0 0 -4 - 0 -4 - 0 -6 - -2

25/05/19 26/05/19 25/05/19 26/05/19 25/05/19 26/05/19 25/05/19 26/05/19 25/05/19 26/05/19 25/05/19 26/05/19 25/05/19 26/05/19 25/05/19 26/05/19 25/05/19 26/05/19

-6 - -2 -6 - -4

25/05/19 25/05/19

26/05/19 26/05/19

-6 - -4 0-2 3-4 -6 - -2

25/05/19 25/05/19 25/05/19 27/05/19

26/05/19 27/05/19 02/06/19 27/05/19

0-6 4-6 0-6

28/05/19 30/05/19 30/05/19

09/06/19 02/06/19 16/06/19

Rocket Rentals Junior Tournament SUPA Tournament SAPA Tournament Junior Schools National Championships Universities Summer Nationals Championships SAPA Universities Summer National Championships Senior Schools National Summer Championships

Open

31/05/19

Open Open Open

10/05/19 11/05/19 12/05/19

Open

07/06/19

Open

08/06/19

Open

16/06/19

WIP Military Ladies Tournament RN v TVP (Kemble Salver) Queens Royal Hussars Cup Queens Royal Hussars Cup Royal Artillery Cup

Open Open 0-4 -4 - 0 Open

06/05/19 06/05/19 11/05/19 11/05/19 27/05/19

06/05/19 06/05/19 12/05/19 12/05/19 27/05/19

YOUTH Longdole

www.polotimes.co.uk

Tournament Name

Silver Leys Blue Ribbon Cup Taunton Hatchmoor Boomerang Cup Moor Farm The Timmis Cup Silver Leys Blue Ribbon Cup Tidworth Maddison Cup Guards The Labrador Cup Beaufort Kernow Cup Cowdray Duke of Sutherland’s Cup Longdole Zimbabwe Spur Cirencester Tyro Cup Cowdray Easebourne Cup Guards The Queen’s Cup Black Bears Henly Cup Emsworth 25 One Hundred Ham Mixed Doubles Tidworth Cholderton Cup Emsworth May Cup White Waltham International Polo Challenge Cambridge Tournament County Cambridge Tournament County Rutland The Bronze Horse Cheshire K & L Freight Chairman’s Plate New Forest Spring Tournament Blueys Beginners Cup Leadenham Spring Tournament Eastwood May Tournament Taunton Weston-Super-Mare Trophy Tidworth Cholderton Cup Cambridge Tournament County Rutland The Collie Cup White Waltham Young Farmers Challenge Match Leadenham Spring Tournament Edgeworth Edgeworth Challenge Druids Lodge The June Trophy White Waltham The Mar del Plata Ice Bucket Challenge Cirencester Committee Cup Kirtlington Barlow Cup Cowdray Jersey Lillies Cup

Silver Leys Silver Leys TBC Offchurch Bury Offchurch Bury Black Bears

MILITARY Tidworth Tidworth Tidworth Tidworth Tidworth

Polo Times, May 2019

Polo directory WOMEN’S POLO Kirtlington Rutland Tidworth Stewarton

WIP La Rosada Ladies Ladies Polo Day WIP Ladies vs Hackett Army Scottish Women’s Championship

Tidworth

WIP Ladies Tournament

Cambridge County Black Bears Edgeworth Beaufort Cowdray

RCBPC Kirtlington Guards Cheshire

Cavendish Tournament - VL Atlantic Cup Ladies Tournament Ladies Tournament WIP Ladies League British Ladies Open VL Womens Festival Charity Weekend British Ladies Championships Ladies Tournament Ladies Tournament The International Ladies VL The Beaufort Ladies Tournament VL Polo Festival Ladies VL Thorneloe Ladies Ladies Charity Polo Victrix Ludorum Mu Kershaw Memorial Cup

Kirtlington Rutland

WIP La Rosada Ladies Ladies Polo Day

New Forest Cowdray Blueys Cirencester Cirencester Beaufort

6-8 Open 4-6 Open 4-8 & 8-12

18/05/19 27/05/19 01/06/19 01/06/19

19/05/19 27/05/19 01/06/19 02/06/19

15/06/19

16/06/19

12-18

18/06/19

23/06/19

18 Open 0-8 Open 10-14 & 0-8 6-12 Open 8-12 12-18

19/06/19 26/06/19 05/07/19 06/07/19

30/06/19 26/06/19 07/07/19 20/07/19

06/07/19

07/07/19

06/07/19 10/07/19 23/07/19 23/07/19

20/07/19 11/07/19 03/08/19 04/08/19

12-18

29/07/19

10/08/19

18 6-8 12-18 Open

12/08/19 17/08/19 20/08/19 26/08/19

17/08/19 18/08/19 31/08/19 26/08/19

6-8 Open

18/05/19 19/05/19 27/05/19 27/05/19

12 - 16 8 - 12 12 - 16 9 - 12

01/05/19 15/05/19 15/05/19 24/05/19

Open

27/04/19 28/04/19

Open

08/06/19 09/06/19

Open

12/07/19 13/07/19

America Houston New Bridge Houston Central Coast

Regional Classic – Southwest Tommy Hitchcock Memorial Western Challenge Cup WCT Arena

12/05/19 30/05/19 26/05/19 27/05/19

Beach Polo Intercontinental Hua Hin Hörnum Sandbanks

10th Asian Beach Polo Championship 12th Julius Bär Beach Polo World Cup 2019 British Beach Polo Championships

Social Events Tidworth London Beaufort Cirencester Dorset Cirencester Beaufort

Heroes Day Chestertons Polo in the Park Cocktail Party Clubhouse Opening Dorset Polo Festival 125th Year Anniversary Ball 30th Anniversary Ball

01/06/19 07/06/19 25/05/19 26/05/19 23/06/19 29/06/19 16/08/19

09/06/19

International Test Matches Club Beaufort RCBPC

Tournament Gloucestershire Festival of Polo Coronation Cup

Start Date 08/06/19 27/07/19

End Date 09/06/19 27/07/19

2019 Victor Ludorum and High Goal Dates 22+ Goal RCBPC Cowdray Guards Cirencester Cowdray 18 Goal Cowdray Cirencester Guards Cowdray 15 Goal Guards RCBPC Cowdray Cirencester Beaufort 12 Goal Cowdray RCBPC Beaufort Cirencester Guards Cirencester Cowdray 8 Goal Cirencester Guards RCBPC Cowdray Beaufort 6 Goal Beaufort Kirtlington Ham Cirencester 4 Goal Rutland Cheshire Druids Lodge

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

04/05/19 09/05/19 21/05/19 17/06/19 25/06/19

18/05/19 19/05/19 16/06/19 22/06/19 21/07/19

Duke of Sutherland Apsley Cup Indian Empire Shield Challenge Cup

20/05/19 12/06/19 02/07/19 22/07/19

09/06/19 30/06/19 20/07/19 04/08/19

Royal Windsor Cup Eduardo Moore Trophy Harrison Cup National 15 Goal Championship (County Cup) Arthur Lucas

04/06/19 25/06/19 15/07/19 07/08/19 20/08/19

23/06/19 14/07/19 03/08/19 17/08/19 01/09/19

Dollar Cup John Prestwich Prince of Wales The Queen Mother Trophy Duke of Wellington Cheltenham Cup Autumn League

13/05/19 01/06/19 17/06/19 01/07/19 03/08/19 27/08/19 09/09/19

05/06/19 15/06/19 29/06/19 13/07/19 18/08/19 08/09/19 22/09/19

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

14/05/19 04/06/19 03/07/19 22/07/19 13/08/19

27/05/19 30/06/19 20/07/19 04/08/19 25/08/19

Eduardo Rojas Lanusse Trophy Budgett Everett Roehampton Cup Kingscote Cup

04/06/19 01/08/19 13/08/19 26/08/19

15/06/19 11/08/19 25/08/19 07/09/19

Assam Cup Junior County Cup Rose Bowl

24/06/19 08/07/19 30/07/19

30/06/19 14/07/19 04/08/19

Club contacts UK and Ireland CLUB

PHONE

CLUB

PHONE

All Ireland Polo Club

00353 01 6896732

dstone@indigo.ie

Binfield Heath

01491 411969

bhpcmanager@gmail.com

All England Polo Club Hickstead*

01273 834 315

polo@hickstead.co.uk

Blueys Polo Club*

07930 323263

polomanager@blueyspolo.co.uk

Apsley End Polo Club*

01462 712444

tobiana.scott@gmail.com

Bramham Polo Academy

07811 993316

emmadvh@btinternet.com

Ash Farm Polo Club*

07799 812739

ashfarmpolo@hotmail.com

Bunclody Polo Club

00353 87 6605917

info@poloclubbunclody.com

Barfold Polo Club

07778 808853

mborwick@gmail.com

Burningfold Polo Club

01483 200722

derrek@burningfold.com

Bawtry Polo Club

01302 773282

info@bawtrypoloclub.co.uk

Cambridge Polo Club*

07711 217004

cambridgepoloclub@icloud.com

Beaufort Polo Club

01666 880510

enquiries@beaufortpoloclub.co.uk

Cambridge County Polo Club*

01223 812922

info@cambridgecountypoloclub.co.uk

Beverley Polo Club*

01964 544877

info@beverleypoloclub.co.uk

Carlton House

07901 561113

harrietservaes@hotmail.com

Polo Times, May 2019

www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo directory CLUB

PHONE

CLUB

PHONE

Chester Racecourse Polo Club

01244 304602

amorris@chester-races.com

Offchurch Bury Polo Club*

07816 830887

info@offchurchburypoloclub.co.uk

Cheshire Polo Club

01270 611 100

info@cheshirepoloclub.co.uk

Pangbourne Polo Club

07708 906810

aprice@polofix.com

Chiltern Polo Club

07973 174542

info@chilternpoloclub.com

Peover Polo Club

07766 016 833

polomanager@peoverpoloclub.co.uk

Cirencester Park Polo Club

01285 653225

info@cirencesterpolo.co.uk

Polo Wicklow*

00353 404 67164

siobhan@polowicklow.com

Cowdray Polo Club

01730 813257

enquiries@cowdraypolo.co.uk

RAF Cranwell

07739 569491

rafcranwellpoloclub@yahoo.co.uk

Curraghmore Polo Club

00353 51 387102

mkennedy@cssgroup.ie

Ranelagh Polo Club*

01344 885697

ranelagh@labravapolo.com

Dallas Burston Polo Club*

01926 812409

polo@dbpoloclub.com

RCBPC*

01344 890060

polo@rcbpc.com

Dorset Polo Club

01202 623985

office@dorsetpolo.co.uk

RMAS Polo Club

07973 174542

rmas-nc-aci-projinters@mod.uk

Druids Lodge Polo Club*

01722 782597

abi@druidspolo.co.uk

Rugby Polo Club*

01788 817724

info@rugbypoloclub.com

Dundee and Perth Polo Club*

07831 365 194

jamesscrawford@aol.com

Rutland Polo Club

07772 040668

secretary@rutlandpoloclub.co.uk

Eastwood Polo Club

07875 743475

frankums@googlemail.com

Silver Leys Polo Club

07730 060200

silverleyspoloclub@gmail.com

Edgeworth Polo Club

01285 821695

edgeworthpolo@gmail.com

St. Albans Polo Club

07956 017090

info@stalbanspoloclub.co.uk

Edinburgh Polo Club*

01314 496696

djamesjamie@aol.com

Stewarton Polo Club

07974 706045

info@stewartonpolo.co.uk

Emsworth Polo Grounds*

01344 883112

info@fourquarterspolo.co.uk

Suffolk Polo Club

07990 576974

aes3@cam.ac.uk

Epsom Polo Club*

07961 232106

epsompoloclub@hotmail.com

Sussex Polo Club*

01342 714920

info@sussexpolo.co.uk

FHM Polo Club*

07778 436468

frances@fhmpolo.co.uk

Taunton Vale Polo Club

01823 480460

nhs.wheelers@gmail.com

Fifield Polo Club*

01628 620061

fifieldpoloclub@live.co.uk

Tidworth Polo Club*

01980 846705

info@tidworthpolo.com

Great Trippetts Polo Club

01428 741916

charles@trippetts.com

Toulston Polo Club

01422 372529

info@toulstonpoloclub.com

Guards Polo Club*

01784 434212

polo@guardspoloclub.com

Triskelion Polo Club*

07624 272547

polo@triskelionpolo.club

Ham Polo Club

020 8334 0000

office@hampoloclub.com

Vale of York Polo Club*

07788 426968

info@valeofyorkpoloclub.co.uk

Hertfordshire Polo Club*

01707 256023

polo@hertspolo.co.uk

Vaux Park Park Polo Club*

07703 524613

vppc@btconnect.com

Home Farm Polo Grounds

07807672120

rachaelkearnet@hotmail.co.uk

West Wycombe Park Polo Club*

07787 560729

secretary@westwycombepolo.co.uk

Hurtwood Polo Club

01483 272828

gary@hurtwoodparkpolo.com

Westcroft Park Polo Club*

01276 858545

info@westcroftparkpolo.co.uk

Kirtlington Park Polo Club

01869 350138

info@kirtlingtonparkpolo.co.uk

White Rose Polo Club*

01430 875767

info@whiterosepolo.co.uk

Knepp Castle Polo Club

07920 023639

info@aspectpolo.co.uk

White Waltham Polo Club

07748 670587

kim@playpolo.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

Northern Ireland Polo Club

07803 020577

info@northernirelandpoloclub.co.uk

* Also open for arena polo in the UK winter

Quick Question Answer -

to the question posed on our Letters page A: The first US Open Polo Championship was played in 1904 at Van Cortlandt Park in The Bronx, New York City. The match saw Wanderers defeat Meadowbrook Freebooters.

NAVY POLO BANADAGES 30 sets of Navy Polo Bandages which have only been used for one game! Clean rolled and ready to go. £10 a set of 4, offers considered for multiple sets or £250 for the lot. Tel: 07503 990 390 Midhurst

Marketplace The Ultimate Polo Domain Names

FOR SALE

Equipment

BERNAY BRO POLO SADDLE 18 inch. Suede seat brown leather polo saddle, would suit Thoroughbred with high withers .This is an excellent condition £100 Tel 07767 308666 Glasgow, Scotland

thepoloacademy.co.uk thepoloacademy.com BEN HASTIE PHOTOGRAPHY - Equine & Countryside Photography specialising in Polo www.benhastiephotography.com/ 07970 348883 Cheltenham

All enquiries text call or WhatsApp: 07860 906 032

Transport MAN HORSE-BOX FOR SALE BARGAIN PRIVATE SALE - MAN Horse-box 7.5T “55 Plate” Excellent Cab/Chasis with Aluminium box, rubber matting. Sold with one year Plate/MOT. Up to 5 polo ponies. OIRO £5,500 Please contact 07767 477207 or robert2019@btinternet.com near Salisbury Wiltshire

www.polotimes.co.uk

SCOREBOARDS AND CLOCKS DESIGNED FOR POLO Outdoor and arena sizes. Fully electronic, displaying the time counting down, both scores and chukka number. Automatic bell/horn. Controlled wirelessly by a remote control you can even wear on your arm. Visit www.SportingDesigns.co.uk or call +44 (0)7860 303217

Livery

Miscellaneous MOROCCAN LEATHER BELTS AND DOG COLLARS Shop now for kilim Lambskin and Camel Leather Belts Each unique and hand made for rider and pooch to stand out £20-£35 www.adornldw.co.uk Berkshire

WINTER TURNOUT GRAZING FOR 2019 Excellent winter grazing for polo ponies on a beautiful 825 acre farm in the rolling hills of Buckinghamshire, 15 minutes from Junction 7 of the M40. Large fields with secure fencing, lined with mature hedging. Barns available when extra shelter required. Horses checked over daily, quality hay provided as required, large well maintained water troughs, onsite assistance available for vet visits etc. Now taking booking for the 2019 season. Please contact Zoe Mackay on 07968 910101 zoemack29@ hotmail.com. Buckinghamshire

Polo Times, May 2019

Final bell

In association with Aprés Polo

Photograph by Hillary Oswald

Henry Porter is a first generation player who has been flying the British flag all over the world for several years now. He doesn’t come from a ‘horsey’ background, nor do any of his family have any polo playing genes, but here he is, ready and raring to once again represent Flannels England, this time in his home away from home, Florida. From starting his career in Dubai, then falling in with the Argentine crowd at an early age, having been taken under the wing of Matias Magrini, Henry travels between the UK, USA and Argentina competing in everything from low goal to high goal and succeeding on all levels. We spoke to him as he was getting ready to face his American foe in the iconic Westchester Cup at The International Polo Club. What is your biggest passion and why? My biggest passion is polo and horses. I’ve been playing for 10 years, three of which as a professional.

Hardest opponent? So far, I would say Valiente in the Final of The Ylvisaker Cup 2018 Final.

Favourite hobby outside of polo? Studying… yes really! Favourite celebrity and why? John Krasinski – he became my favourite after watching The Office and 13 Hours. Best holiday destination & activity: Skiing in Aspen, Colorado.

Which sports do you like outside of polo? Tennis and golf. Photograph by Hillary Oswald

What is your all-time best polo memory? Winning The US East Coast Open in 2017. Who were/are your favourite team mates and why? Matías Magrini, Santino Magrini and Toro Ruiz. I have grown up playing under the Magrini’s wing therefore we have built good chemistry between us, plus we have a good track record when we play together.

Polo Times, May 2019

Favourite film and why? Black Hawk Down. It has the most action you can pack into a film! Favourite song/album? Take you down by Illenium. Favourite food/dish? Chinese!

Best pony and why. Rosinanta. She’s a mare I got two-years-ago and she’s proved to be my best in my US string. She’s definitely the best horse I’ve ever sat on. One thing which would surprise us about you? I’m the only one in the family who plays polo.

www.polotimes.co.uk

DISCOVER THE ULTIMATE POLO EXPERIENCE WITH POLO VALLEY SOTOGRANDE

Whether you are a total beginner or a seasoned professional, playing polo at Polo Valley is an experience you will never forget. Play polo just minutes from the beaches of Sotogrande on well-schooled ponies and immaculate ďŹ elds that will give you no excuses for missing that ball. With over 300 days of sunshine, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss the opportunity to get out onto the grass early this year. Disconnect and take in the peaceful surroundings by staying at our on-site Guesthouse, enjoy late night asados and breathtaking views all just 65 steps from the main stables.