Interview: Tommy Severn

Tommy Severn

Having started in The Pony Club at grass roots level, Tommy Severn has since won some of the most sought after medium goal tournaments in the UK, and due to his passion for the sport accompanied by impressive horsepower this year saw his handicap raised to 4 goals. Fresh from his latest polo exploits in India, Polo Times caught up with Tommy Severn as he talks about horses, family and of course polo!

Do you feel that being from a polo family has been beneficial and in which way?

Absolutely, without my family, and especially my grandfather [Christopher Hanbury], I would definitely not be playing. We have a huge family and my grandfather is unbelievably generous and loved watching us all play against each other when we were younger. Through that I always wanted to play competitively and watching my uncles play, further inspired me to play. Lovelocks Polo Stud has been hugely beneficial in my career and has also made me passionate about the breeding.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up just outside Cirencester and I was fortunate that my grandfather owned Longdole Polo Club, which we neighboured with, so we would always ride and play there. I was also very lucky that we spent the winters at El Remanso in Argentina. We would take the spring term out of school and go with family and tutors so we could continue with school and play polo at the same time.

Where do you call home now?

I am currently still living at home, however I am hoping to move to the Windsor area next summer

Which family members / member of the polo community inspired you to take up the sport professionally?

I have been lucky to have had a lot of good mentors/help. My grandfather and Charlie Hanbury have always pushed me. Rob Cudmore, who taught me to play and ride, always said I could play professionally if I wanted to, and he really got me passionate about the game. From a young age, I would spend a lot of time with him around the yard and playing. In more recent years, Will Lucas has been a huge help, in advising me daily on what to do and helping me with any problems I have.

“I always wanted to play competitively and watching my uncles play further inspired me to play”

Do you have an early polo / equestrian memory you would like to share?

I played The Potrillos in Argentina with Jeta and Barto Castagnola when I was about 11-years-old which was epic, even though we lost. I also remember vividly The Jorrocks Final in 2009, when it was a big game between Cotswold and OS&B. My team mate was being sick before the game because he was so nervous, and we were doing anything we could to win. I even tried pulling Valentine Hutley’s reins! We still lost.

Any ponies from the past that you would like to single out?

I had an amazing grey pony that I learnt to play on called “Sammy” which I think did

Tommy has had Lovelocks Mourinho (Atlantic x Pichincha) for two years, she is one of his best

“I love playing against close friends and family, as it really makes me concentrate”

Tommy riding Gete Anna who came from Argentina two years ago

the rounds and then ended up with me, I know Richard Tyrone learnt on him too. I won the Tic Tac Trophy [for the Best Playing Pony and Rider Combination] on him at Pony Club.

Where did you start playing?

I started at Longdole Polo Club, taught by Rob Cudmore, and I have two older brothers which I had to keep up with which forced me to learn quickly.

What is your earliest polo memory?

El Remanso in Argentina would be my earliest memory, we used to ride around the farm on little ponies with no saddles, and then we were finally allowed to stick and ball. I also vividly remembering watching The Argentine Open at a very young age.

Were there any other sports that had your attention when you were younger?

I used to be big into rugby and played for my school 1st team, which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, towards the end of school it was difficult when the whole team was training and bulking yet I was trying to stay lean for polo. I also love horseracing, and have always been passionate about it.

Are there any sports that still compete with polo for your attention and time?

There are a few, horseracing is something that I am seriously passionate about, and when I am not playing I am doing a lot of research and looking through catalogues for potential broodmares. I am an avid sports fan, I can watch any sport for hours. I was recently in India, and the IPL took most of my attention. I have also recently got really into darts and I am planning a trip to The Ally Pally.

Where have you played the majority of your polo?

It has mostly been in England and Argentina.

What have been your most notable polo achievements so far? Both in the UK and abroad?

One of my highlights would be winning The

County Cup at Cirencester Park Polo Club twice, which is a really special trophy to win. I also won The Gerald Balding two years ago at Cirencester, alongside my brother and step-father. Annoyingly, this year we lost the Final of The Dollar Cup at Cowdray which was frustrating, but I’m glad to have got to the Final. In terms of abroad, we qualified for The Republica this year with a really fun team, before Covid-19 stopped us from playing. In addition, I have played at Palermo a few times in the past, which has been an amazing experience.

What are your favourite polo locations?

England and Argentina are special because of the standard of polo and the players attracted there. However, Plettenberg Bay in South Africa is probably my favourite place to play. It has an ideal balance of good polo, people, the beach, and in all it is very good fun. I have played there a bit and I love it down there.

Who are the players who inspire you and why?

I have always looked up to a lot of players, unsurprisingly all the 10 goalers just because they are epic to watch. James Beim is unbelievable, his work ethic is ridiculous, yet he is always up for a laugh and in my opinion, he has probably been the most successful British player of recent times. Ruso Heguy is a top player and inspires and helps a lot of young players, including me. I have a huge respect for him and he is also really good fun off the field but so concentrated when playing.

Who has been your biggest polo influence?

I am greatly indebted to my grandfather, Christopher Hanbury, my uncle, Charlie Hanbury, and my stepfather, Will Lucas, as without them I would definitely not be playing. Also, the Beims, Ruso Heguy, Will Emerson, have all helped and supported me an immense amount.

What have been your greatest wins and achievements in the UK?

This year I got into quite a few Finals, and not winning that many of them has been frustrating! I have won a lot at Cirencester; The Kingscote Cup, Gerald Balding, Humphrey Guinness Plate, and The County Cup. Over the past couple of years, we did well in The Harrison as we reached the Finals for two years in a row, but falling short on the last game. This year we got to The Dollar Final, however we sadly lost.

What about achievements abroad?

I have played the Republica a couple times, which has been a great experience. Unfortunately, this year’s was cancelled after we qualified. It is a really unique tournament with the handicapping system in which any team can enter. 2018 in Argentina has to be a highlight for me as I won five tournaments and only lost one game during that season. This resulted in me going from 0 to 3 goals at the end of the season. I also played the 22 goal last year at La Aguada and Polo One, with Charlie Hanbury, Matt Perry, and James Beim, which was really good fun and a huge learning curve.

What do you think has been the reason for your success with your handicap raise this year?

I think my horsepower this year has been much stronger than other years; I am now playing eight Lovelocks ponies of my 10 ponies, and they are going really well. I have also been playing a much better standard of polo recently. In some of the teams I have been in, I have had to step up and be the second player, which has made me develop and play better. I played a lot of good tournaments in Argentina last year, which is very different to just playing practices and it makes me play better.

Who was the opponent in this year’s UK circuit you were most worried about playing against?

There is not really anyone in particular, but I love playing against close friends and family, as it really makes me concentrate and make me even more competitive.

Personally how did you prepare for this year’s UK season and how do you think you did?

I spent a lot of time in Argentina preparing for this season and I was also training for the

marathon, so I was quite fit which helped. When lockdown happened I still had all my horses in work, so I spent endless hours stick and balling. I played a lot in a condensed season; I played 89 games, winning quite a few tournaments resulting in a positive win ratio.

Are you happy with the level of handicap you have achieved with your raise this year? Or are you aiming for a higher rating year on year?

Yes, I am pleased I went up this year and next year I should be playing better as well as becoming better mounted for next season. Of course, the aim is now going to 5, and to get as high as I can.

What is it that you look for in an ideal pony?

My ideal pony is just tough and grunty, I don’t really mind too much on size, but it needs to be handy and responsive. Ideally 15.1, quite compact and solid, with lots of run and a good mouth, but they are pretty hard to find. I have been playing a lot the last few seasons and the horses need to be tough and sound.

Where do you source your ponies from?

Most of mine are Lovelocks Ponies, and they are really strong and reliable. I tend to choose them in Argentina and bring the best one or two over each season.

Who are your favourite ponies at the moment and why?

I have a few, Mini Toast is one I got from Andrea Vianini which I have had for a while and she is just so tough and so easy, but doesn’t have top speed. Lovelocks Rufio is another favourite who came from Argentina in 2019, and is so easy and gives me so much confidence as she beats everyone on the turns. I have also just got a new one this year from Charlie Hanbury called Vasca Judoka, which Jeta played in The King Power Gold Cup, who is freakishly good. She is small, powerful and moves so well, she literally skips around other horses. She is a really good looking chestnut, with a white face that helps her stand out.

What are your plans for next year – anything on the cards yet?

I have a bit, but always looking for more! I am moving up to Alan Fall’s yard in Ascot, so will be based there.

What would be your ideal dream team?

Nachi Heguy, Ruso Heguy, Charlie Hanbury and me. There would be a lot of shouting!

What would be your ideal dream team / location to play / opposition combination?

It would have to be in Plettenburg Bay:

Me, Charlie Hanbury, Hugo Taylor & Nachi Heguy vs James Emlyn, Ruso Heguy, James Beim & Wills Harper

And then a seriously good party afterwards…

What are your plans for this winter?

I have just got back from playing in Delhi with Sunjay Kapurs’ Sona Polo Team. Sunjay is a really nice guy, and is really keen to play in England next year. I will be heading back out to India in December to play for two weeks. After Christmas the aim is to go to Argentina, hopefully to La Pampa with Ruso Heguy until mid-April.

How has Covid -19 impacted on your plans this year / this winter / moving forward?

Before the season, it was pretty scary as I had 12 horses in work and no income. This winter it has slightly affected me, but not too

“Q: Sum up playing polo in four words? A: Exciting, difficult, fast, expensive”

badly. I still managed to get to India, but the visa situation was just a bit more difficult. Moving forward, I am in the same boat as everyone else and I just hope we can get back to normal life soon.

Will you be back next year on the UK circuit?

I will be back next year, better mounted and should be playing a lot better.

If you had to sum up playing polo in four words?

Exciting, difficult, fast, expensive.

If you had to sum up winning The County Cup this year in four words?

Stressful, exciting, relief, champagne.

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