Evident botanicals make for a well rounded gin with fabulous complexity. The balance marks it out for universal purpose… it simply tastes great
3 STAR AWARD
Spicy and smooth, this organic gin has strong cardamon notes. Makes a great gin and tonic
THE TIMES, 25 AUGUST 2018
Forget bland aromas on opening. This gin has a different twist and lends itself to botanical flavours. Add mint, basil or a strawberry to the drink – a first for this occasional gin drinker – and a winning formula is created.
As the leaves begin to turn and the cold starts to bite, it is hard to believe another UK polo season is coming to an end. The past few months have been a terribly sad time with the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, dedicating her life to the United Kingdom and as our longest serving monarch she held a special place in all our hearts and through her and the Royal Family’s love of all things equine, including polo, many of us have special memories of this remarkable monarch. The gratitude and respect of the nation was evident from the astoundingly long queues to visit her Lying-In-State at Westminster Palace, so it is with a heavy heart that this issue includes her Obituary.
The onset of autumn heralds the imminent arrival of our October issue of Polo Times and despite the testing times it is great to see the polo schedule back at full force, with overflowing Reports, News, Sidelines and a whopping seven pages of Club Focus, all of which shows the strength of polo at all levels across the globe.
Our ever-popular Knowledge pages wouldn’t be possible without the insight and expertise of our contributors, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their continued support of Polo Times and dedication to sharing their insights into their respective fields. Readers will be interested to hear that we may even be including a yearly summary of all our Knowledge pages in a future issue of Polo Times as a ‘How To’ guide on all things polo.
Polo Times attended The II FIP Arena Polo European Championship at The Elite Horse & Polo Club Baku, Azerbaijan a few weeks ago and it was fantastic to see the support for the sport in a country with such a strong tradition of equestrianism, will their national team manage to defend their title in the upcoming 2023 Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz?
Keep well and play safe.
Nick Hine, Publisher
The United States Polo Association (USPA) has announced the inaugural Florida Circuit 16 Goal Series which will be played across multiple clubs, with the Championship hosted by the National Polo Center–Wellington (NPC). The participating clubs include Port Mayaca Polo Club (Okeechobee, Florida) and Sarasota Polo Club (Sarasota, Florida) as well as the Wellington Polo Tour (WPT) led by Patagones Polo Club (Wellington, Florida) and a series of private fields falling under the WPT umbrella. The tournaments will include The Joe Barry Memorial, Ylvisaker Cup, Iglehart Cup and Continental Cup. USPA Executive Director of Services Carlucho Arellano commented, “The Ylvisaker Cup, Iglehart Cup and Joe Barry Memorial have not been very well attended in regard to spectators and team participation the past few years. Often the same few teams play for the first two months. We wanted to make these events National Events to add to the prestige and attract more teams. It will be more exciting to see different teams, and we’re confident that it will bring more people into the stands.”
The FIP World Polo Championship will return to the USA for the second time in the tourna ment’s history and will take place between 29 October and 6 November. Eight international teams, Argentina, Australia, Italy, Mexico, Pakistan, Spain, the United States and Uruguay, will compete at The National Polo Center Wellington (NPC) and Valiente Polo Farm.
On 14 September 1922, after a merger of River Plate Polo Association (founded in 1892) and the National Polo Federation (1921), the Argentine Polo Association was created. After winning the English and United States Opens in 1922, Argentina entered the world stage of polo and in 1924 and 1936 secured gold medals at the Olympic Games. Argentina has continued to dominate the sport, producing some of the best players and horses as well as being home to the iconic Argentine Triple Crown.
On Sunday 18 September, Beverly Equestrian took The U.S. Open Arena Polo Championship title at Twilight Polo Club (Middleburg, Virginia) with an 18-11 win against Hotels at Sea and with it $20,000 in prize money. The youngest player in the competition, 16-year-old Wil Ballhaus, was chosen as the Most Valuable Player for his strong offensive and defensive efforts throughout the Final.
The U.S. Open Arena Polo Championship Final Teams: Hotels at Sea: Tareq Salahi, Marcos Bignoli & Nicolas Sivori Beverly Equestrian: Wil Ballhaus, Lucio Fernandez Ocampo & Jorge ‘Tolito’ Fernandez Ocampo Jr.
The international community was saddened by the untimely passing of Chevy Beh on Tuesday 23 August at 37-years-old.
The eldest son of BP Healthcare Group founder and chairman, Dato’ Beh Chun Chuan, Chevy worked as an investment banker in New York before he returned to Malaysia to assist his father in the family business. In 2014 he co-founded BookDoc, an online and mobile platform that allows users to search and make appointments with healthcare professionals.
Chevy started polo at the age of eight-years-old in Ipoh, Malaysia, jointly with his father, James Beh and he reached a 4 goal handicap. Chevy’s polo successes included winning the 2007 Hawaii vs Malaysia match, The Harriman Cup in New York in 2008, 2009 and 2010 during which he secured Most Valuable Player in 2009 and becoming the first Asian team to compete in
On Thursday 8 September, the UK’s longest serving monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at Balmoral in Scotland aged 96. The Queen was passionate about horses and this included polo, which was a favourite pass-time of HM King Charles III and the late HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Guards Polo Club was founded on 25 January 1955 with The Duke of Edinburgh, as the Club’s first President, a role he held for 66 years until his death in April 2021; the Club was originally named the Household Brigade Polo Club, only changing to its present form in 1969, Guards Polo Club became a fully civilian club in 2000.
Brian Stein, Guards Polo Club Chairman reflected on Her Majesty’s contribution to the Club and the sport, “HM Queen Elizabeth was an integral part of Guards Polo Club for almost seven decades. It was Her Majesty that first recommended Smith’s Lawn as the ideal location for a polo field and then wholeheartedly supported HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in his efforts in establishing the Club. We are hugely proud of our unique connection to the Royal Family and the Club was honoured to host Her Majesty in a private capacity at polo several times each year. Knowing that
HM The Queen would be presenting the prizes made winning a major trophy at Smith’s Lawn even more memorable. I believe some players were more nervous about meeting The Queen than playing in a high goal Final but Her Majesty always put them at their ease and spoke knowledgably to the players about the game and their ponies. The Board will now meet to discuss how best we can honour Her Majesty, without doubt the Club’s greatest supporter.”
Her Majesty was regularly spotted on the sidelines as well as presenting many a trophy in her time. One such occasion was in 1966 when Her Majesty presented The Cowdray Gold Cup to her beloved husband after he won the prestigious trophy with Windsor Park. The Cartier Queen’s Cup, one of the UK’s most coveted trophies, was first presented to Guards Polo Club in 1960 by Her Majesty and remains one of the top high goal tournaments in the country.
In tribute to not only her lifelong commitment to serving Great Britain, but also her involvement and support of polo, no polo was played on Friday 9 September and a minute of silence was held before matches were played in the days following her death.
The Hurlingham Polo Association’s Chairman, Nick Wiles, wrote, “I have no doubt the polo community will be deeply affected by the news of the death of Her Majesty the Queen. Her Majesty the Queen has been a huge supporter of polo and of her family’s involvement in polo for decades. Her presence has graced our sport. It is with great gratitude, respect and sadness that we remember her.”
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II pictured enjoying polo over the years
Whilst there are so many women donning their team colours to play polo, very few are of the black and white variety – why aren’t there more female umpires in polo?
I have been umpiring polo games since 2006 and yet I am considered, and indeed consider myself, a rare breed in the community. The more I umpire, the more I consider why this is still the norm and the more I want others to come forward! Before we begin, I would like to state that this isn’t an emotional plea for sexual equality – indeed the sport is not sexist in itself (of course, sexism can manifest in any situation, but generally polo is not tainted with the sexism brush as many sports are). I believe I was the first female to umpire a tournament in Argentina many years ago and, whilst one or two eyebrows were raised momentarily, they quickly descended into their original position and the game continued as usual. My point is this; I was seen as a professional first whilst my gender came second – which is exactly what I wanted.
So, if we brush the sexism card off the table, let’s move onto more important discussion points; renumeration, access and general experience.
The definition of remuneration is money paid for work or a service; money, therefore, in exchange for my work – umpiring. Let us break this down into two tangible and intangible payment methods. The sad fact is that sometimes tangible remuneration isn’t even on the table; indeed, the offer of a “Free Hotel” and “VIP Party” for some organisers seems to be payment enough, although I am not sure how many male umpires have been offered and accepted these payment terms! Let us quickly move on to the tangible remuneration; the actual payment in monetary value in lieu of services rendered. Whilst I know I SHOULD ask for the same remuneration as a man of the same Umpire Grade as myself, I am also fully cognisant of the fact that I will not be asked to umpire any games at that price point. I therefore reduce my fees, focus instead on building relationships, proving myself and then perhaps increase my remuneration once I have done all of the above, passed the test, dotted the Is and crossed those Ts! Again, I am not sure how many male umpires have to do all of the above in order to get paid their rightful dues.
Let’s move on to access and at this moment I feel personal experience is the only way to translate what I mean by access. A few years ago, I was invited to umpire a tournament in a major European city. I was asked to bring a second umpire with me and called a young male umpire who agreed and off we went to the tournament together. After the match he immediately started networking with all the players and the patrons on social media, putting himself forward for any future games! I also did the same
but sadly the responses to my requests included “I can’t accept your friend request as my girlfriend wouldn’t like it,” “Sorry I am married” and the third, “Which hotel are you in?” The assumption seemed to be that I must only be umpiring as a means to finding a boyfriend or husband. Whilst the older I become the less this becomes the go-to assumption, it isn’t fast enough as far as I am concerned!
This leads us on to General Experience. The above points, renumeration and access can be considered to be within my control. I am aware of the issues and work around them as I choose. Indeed, before I move on, I would like to state that I have experienced a lot of great tournaments where I have been treated fairly and justly by the vast majority of people – from the players to the patrons and the spectators. However, I feel to really understand the position of a female umpire in polo, I need to share this one experience to ensure I have been transparent from all sides.
I was recently umpiring an arena polo tournament from the sidelines and had to stand next to a well-known commentator for four matches a day, over three days. This person refused to acknowledge me, look at me or speak to me during the entire tournament, without offering a single word of explanation. He undermined all of my umpiring decisions during his commentary and said that my call of a “fair play” ball did not exist in the rules. To make sure that I was well and truly put in my place during the prize-giving he thanked everyone from the players to the line judges but did not thank the umpire. By not calling me forward he ensured that I was in no official photos of the tournament. This was not an isolated incident but, in fact, the third time that this has happened with the same commentator. The result was that he got what he wanted, which was to push me out of this particular game, and to make sure that his male colleague came in next year and took my place.
I understand that men can also use tactics on other men to push them out of jobs. What I have never seen before is that a professional, well-paid commentator, can refuse to speak to the umpire over three days of a tournament. If this has happened to anyone else please let me know and I will stand corrected!
So, I want to end with a big thank you to everyone who has taken a chance on me and hired me for games, those who have mentored me and for all those that have treated me simply as an umpire. For the others, let’s get the next generation out on the field with fair remuneration, fair access and fair experiences.
If you have a reply to Olivia’s comments, please email your Letter to editorial@polotimes.co.uk to keep the conversation flowing.
Majesty Queen Elizabeth II presented
Gold Cup to HRH The Prince
of Edinburgh
team
In the blink of an eye, we are all bidding fond farewell to the UK 2022 grass season; it seems just the other day the ponies were being brought in, boots dusted off and whites bleached, and now the polo circuit continues with the awakening of the Argentine, American and many other in the southern hemisphere countries’ seasons.
This beautiful photo of polo players riding off into the sunset was taken at The Yorkshire Open Polo Championships, now in its 14th year and this year had an unprecedented 18 teams entered into the competition! To read more about the event, turn to the Club Focus pages.
w Photograph by EKS Images
Clare Milford Haven reflects on her 2022 season, her 23rd year as a Playing Member of Cowdray Park Polo Club
While scrolling through social media during the last week, I have been struck by how many players have posted so positively about the 2022 UK season “Here’s to the best UK summer yet!!” wrote Jimmy Wood, on Instagram, who, amongst
others, were more effusive than normal when reflecting on a recent season. So, what was it that was so great about this year compared to others? I think we all agree that the feeling of being trapped and controlled by COVID-19 for nearly two years had a huge amount to do with it. Finally, we could
come out of all the bureaucracy connected with the pandemic – lockdown, isolation, wearing masks, rapid flow testing, playing behind closed doors and having to list every single person attached to a team before even entering the ground. This year, there was a great sense of freedom, and ‘going for it’ after feeling so restricted over the past couple of years. Cowdray certainly had its best year with 600 games played, compared to 480 in 2019.
Personally, this being my 23rd year as a Playing Member of Cowdray, and despite people asking if I’m ‘still’ playing, can only be described as one of the best ever. A humdinger. With Gallagher, one of the world’s largest insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting service companies continuing to sponsor and support our efforts on the field, there is always a feeling that winning is key… but obviously not always easy! When we managed to take home silver in both the 8 and 12 goal, I must admit to feeling a huge sense of relief as well as joy. Each team was enormous fun as well as being competitive. Like all polo teams, camaraderie is essential and we had that in
bucketloads. All the more so because our 8 goal team amounted to a cumulative age of 200 years! In one final, our friends and family supporters came out in full force and were enthusiastically performing Mexican Waves in the stands on Lawns 1 – it was a wonderful reminder of why we love this sport so much, at any level.
At Trippetts, we were busier than ever with two new welcome additions to our regulars, Marques de Riscal and Ojo Caliente. We were so thrilled that Riscal got through to the Quarter Finals of The Gold Cup, particularly as it was their first year playing here in the UK. In June, we hosted an exhibition game to mark The Queen’s Jubilee with over 1,000 people turning up to watch. There was a great atmosphere all summer with an abundance of asados and highlighted by our annual tradition of the Trippetts
v Milland football game. Sadly, this year resulted in an unexpected loss as the locals pulled out a much fitter and younger team than normal. Maybe the asados didn’t help! We also re-introduced our tennis tournament for anyone based at the farm including grooms and grounds staff as well as players. It turned out to be surprisingly competitive and was eventually won by 10-year-old Ramon Sorzana and his father Bauti.
Now, the hiatus gives time to reflect and time to look forward to 2023. Often, it’s hard to repeat something as uniquely golden as this year, but there’s no harm in planning and hoping. With the Argentine season already galloping through the Triple Corona, next year is not that far away after all. Here’s being grateful to still being actively involved in the best sport in the world, and looking forward to many more special seasons to come.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex wins for second year
“At Sentebale we strive to break generational cycles of trauma and stigma every day” Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex
Where: Aspen Valley Polo Club, Colorado
Sentebale was founded by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso in 2006 as a response to the needs of children and young people in Lesotho. The name means ‘forget- me-not’ in the Sesotho language, representing a pledge to remember the most vulnerable children in the region. Sentebale aims to reach children and young people living with or affected by HIV, especially the most vulnerable, who are additionally challenged by issues of deprivation, exploitation, abuse, or neglect. Sentebale’s vision is that all children and young people in Southern Africa are empowered, healthy, resilient and can thrive.
Every year The Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup raises awareness and funds to support Sentebale’s work with children and young people in Southern Africa whose lives have been affected by extreme poverty, inequality, HIV/ AIDS and recently COVID-19, which over the last decade has raised around $10 million to support Sentebale’s work.
This year the Cup returned to Aspen Valley Polo Club for a round-robin tournament between Sentebale, Royal Salute and U.S. Polo Assn, played infront of over 200 guests including former All Black rugby player and ISPS Handa Ambassador Dan Carter. Sentebale was captained by the charity’s ambassador, Nacho Figueras, who played alongside The Duke of Sussex, Grant Ganzi, and Steve Cox. Teamwork was the word of the day, with each of the Sentebale players scoring at least one goal each and this cohesion ultimately secured them the overall win. This was Sentebale’s second consecutive win in the tournament, with both Prince Harry and Grant Ganzi featuring in the team both years; Ganzi commented, "It's good fun to play in these kind of events. It was a great game. It was really fun to have Steve out there and amazing we got to play with Nacho and the Duke of Sussex. It was a wonderful cause that brings awareness and raises a good amount of money which is the No. 1 priority."
U.S. Polo Assn Ashley Van MetreSaul Socca
Gonzalito Pieres Collen Clark
Royal Salute David Farache Juan Bollini Malcolm Borwick Louis Devaleix
Sentebale Steve Cox Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex Nacho Figueras Grant GanziOpen Levita, played by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex and owned by Riley Ganzi
The Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup Teams
“It’s been a true platform to showcase how the ‘power of sport’ can bring us together, to make a difference in the lives of the children in Lesotho and Botswana” Midori Miyazaki, International Executive Director of ISPS Handa
Gaston Dorignac & Pablo Spinacci
Where: Elite Horse and Polo Club, Baku
Azerbaijan is a nation with a long history of equestrian sport; Chovgan, the country’s polo-like national sport, has been played by skilled horsemen for centuries and since 2013 has been included on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, so polo has been embraced with open arms. The inaugural FIP Arena Polo European Championship was won by Team Azerbaijan in 2015 and this year saw the home team and defending champions pitted against three international teams, Spain, Austria and Switzerland.
Polo in this amazing country has grown exponentially over the past 10 years, thanks to the dedication of The Equestrian Federation of Azerbaijan Republic (ARAF) and the support of World Polo; polo is truly, “Coming home” and the enthusiasm of the crowd each day of The II FIP Arena Polo European Championship, Baku, Azerbaijan, mirrored this. World Polo in partnership with The Equestrian Federation of Azerbaijan Republic (ARAF) have been putting together polo tournaments at Elite Horse & Polo Club Baku for 10 years, with World Polo’s Reto Gaudenzi and General Elchin Guliyev, President of the Equestrian Federation of Azerbaijan Republic working together to take polo in Azerbaijan from strength to strength. This combination has come a long way and avid polo followers may remember that earlier this year, Team Azerbaijan Land of Fire were champions of The Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz 2022, an event which Reto launched in 1985.
On Tuesday 13 September the teams were presented at The Dreamland Golf Hotel and the excitement rose for the following four days of competition in a city like no other. The following day, competition kicked off at the magnificent venue of the indoor covered arena at Elite Horse & Polo Club Baku with action streamed live on national television and hopes were high for the home side as they enjoyed a resounding 6-4 win against Austria.
Wednesday 14 September
Match 1
Azerbaijan defeated Austria, 6-4
Match 2
Spain defeated Switzerland, 9-5
Friday 16 September Match 1
Spain defeated Azerbaijan, 8-5
Match 2
Austria defeated Switzerland, 7-5
Saturday 17 September
Match 1
Azerbaijan defeated Switzerland, 5-1½
Match 2
Austria defeated Spain, 6-4
Sunday 18 September
Subsidiary Final
Azerbaijan defeated Switzerland, 7½-3
Final Austria defeated Spain, 3-2
“Polo is truly coming home”
The support for the tournament saw packed grandstands every day
“Support for the tournament was clear in the packed grandstands, avid flag waving and cheering”
A rest day on Thursday 15 September allowed the teams to enjoy exploring the sights of Baku and keeping their ball skills in tune on The Dreamland Golf Hotel’s 18 Hole Cynthia Dye designed course. Action resumed again on Friday 16 September, this time at Elite Horse & Polo Club Baku’s vast, outdoor, grass arena, where the scope of support for the tournament was clear in the packed grandstands, avid flag waving and cheering. This year’s tournament format meant that each team had a chance to play each other, but with two wins apiece for Azerbaijan, Spain and Austria, the finalist positions ultimately came down to goal difference. This meant that, to the dismay of the local supporters, Azerbaijan did
not qualify for the Final, but still put on a crowd-pleasing spectacle in the Subsidiary Final against Switzerland. This match saw an injured Andres Fernandez Llorente replaced by Tarlan Gurbanaliyev, who had been part of the 2015 winning team alongside team mate Elcin Jamalli, so the odds were good for the ‘boys in green’ to bag a coveted Bronze Medal place. Azerbaijan came out of the traps with determination, quickly adding to their half goal advantage with a flamboyant flurry of goals, with just one in response from Switzerland.
At half-time, the score was 3½-1 to Azerbaijan, much to the delight of the enthusiastic home supporters. Tomas Ruiz Guinazu worked tirelessly and opened the scoring for the second half with a goal for Switzerland, but Team Azerbaijan replied with a competently executed cluster of goals, with the local supporters roaring their approval. Guinazu scored for Switzerland in the dying seconds of the last chukka, but it was a case of too little, too late and Azerbaijan deservedly won the Subsidiary Final with a decisive 7½-3 score.
“Polo has been embraced with open arms”
The Final saw Austria vs Spain for the second day in a row, this time for the Gold and Silver Medal positions, with onlookers undecided who would come out on top with both sides having two wins under their belts. The match did not disappoint, with frenetic pace and great end-to-end polo as the evenly-matched sides jostled for dominance of the scoreboard.
It was Austria who got the better start, with two confident goals in the first chukka, but Spain were not taking it lying down, showing strong defence and impressive marking to stop the Austrian goal scoring and get one of their own on the board; so at halftime the scores were close at 2-1 in Austria’s favour – but only just. The fifth chukka was decisive, with Mario Gomez flamboyantly
finding the posts for Spain, with one rapidly slotted through in reply by Diego Braun for Austria. Going into the sixth and final chukka it was edge of the seat stuff with the scores at 3-2 to Austria. With the close marking continuing, nobody else added anything else to this tally, with Austria running out the victors and securing the coveted Gold medal by the narrowest of margins and securing The II FIP Arena Polo European Championship. The polo action didn’t stop after the Final, with an invitational international between Team USA and Team Azerbaijan on Wednesday 21 September to commemorate their two new grass polo fields, turn to page 24 to read more from this match.
AUSTRIA (10)
Walter Scherb (2)
Diego Braun (4)
Martin Bleier (4)
Reserve: Jakob von Plessen (1)
SPAIN (10)
Jamie Visser (1)
Mario Gomez (4)
Nicolas Ruiz Guinazu (5)
Azerbaijan (9)
Elcin Jamalli (3)
Tarlan Gurbanaliyev (1)
Fabian Bolanteiro (5)
Reserve: Agustin Kronhaus (5), Ali Rzayev (2) &
Andres Fernandez Llorente (4)
Switzerland (11)
Fabio Meier (2)
Tomas Ruiz Guinazu (6)
Tito Gaudenzi (3)
Reserve: Stefan Roth (1) & Katja Grauwiler (0)
The FIP focus now shifts to USA for The XII FIP World Championship, which culminates on Sunday 6 November so keep an eye on the December issue of Polo Times which will include a report.
from Grand Champions Polo Club, USA, travelled to Azerbaijan to take part in a friendly polo match at The Elite Horse and Polo Club for the inauguration of their two new grass polo fields. The new facilities mean that in addition to the two new full size grass polo fields, the Club now boasts an arena polo grass field stadium which seats 4,000 and was recently used for The II FIP Arena Polo European Championship, an arena sand polo stadium that seats 500, one indoor sand arena polo field with 1,000 seats and one arena sand training field. Grand Champions hosted Azerbaijan’s national team in 2018 for The International Cup and this time the teams met at a friendly 6-6, with Melissa Ganzi as President and owner of Grand Champions, being given the honour of the first player to hit a polo ball on the new field. Organiser and World Polo President, Reto Gaudenzi commented, “I’m very glad to having organized this game with the Azerbaijan Equestrian Federation with such fantastic teams and players, since Azerbaijan is known for its Karabakh horses, polo is a significant advertisement for the country and its sportsmanship.” To read more about The II FIP Arena Polo European Championship, please turn to page 18.
Agustin Kronhaus
Fabian Bolanterio
Elcin Jamalli
Andres Fernandez Llorente
On Saturday 27 August, Dubai added to their win just a few weeks earlier in The Terralpa Silver Cup with a 12-0 win against Marques De Riscal in The High Goal Globant Gold Cup Final on field 3.
Defending champions, Marques De Riscal started off strong and the battle between the two sides kept spectators on the edge of their seats and by the sixth chukka the match was tied at 9-9 following a penalty from Sapo Caset. Camilo Castagnola did not have as strong a match as in the earlier phases of the tournament, but this did not seem to matter too much as the team gelled well together and Englishman Matt Perry, later named Most Valuable Player, scored three consecutive goals which allowed Dubai to take home the longawaited title. In the post-match presentations, Alazanas Soñada, played by Camilo Castagnola was the Best Playing Pony and Antu Walung Torta Frita, played by Sapo Caset, was the Argentine Association of Polo Horse Breeders Best Playing Pony.
The Globant High Goal Gold Cup Final Teams: Dubai (20): Camilo Castagnola (9), Rashid Albwardy (1), Matt Perry (5) & Carlos María Ulloa (5) Marques De Riscal (20): Luis Aznar (0), Louis Hine (4), Sapo Caset (9) & Santiago Cernadas (7)
Ayala and Jolly Roger kicked off the weekend of Finals with The Medium Goal Globant Gold Cup on Friday 26 August. Ayala put on a great performance, with Benjamin Panelo the top scorer for the team with eight goals. Each time Jolly Roger looked like they were getting ahead, Ayala managed to find a way to stretch their lead and, in the end, ran out the winners, 13-11, claiming their second title of the series having already secured The Volvo Bronze Cup. Panelo’s performance was rewarded with the Most Valuable Player award and Gran Llanura, played by Panelo was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.
The Medium Goal Globant Gold Cup Final Teams:
Ayala (14): Iñigo Zobel (0), Jesús Cobino (2), Benjamin Panelo (6) & Santiago Laborde (6) Jolly Roger (14): Rosendo Torreguitar (4), Alicia Gariador (0), Salvador Jauretche (4) & Chris Mackenzie (6)
Also played on Saturday 27 August, The Low Goal Globant Gold Cup Final between San Leonardo and Estancia Lamar saw Rayyan Al Ajaji’s team continue their Gold Cup form to overcome a strong start from San Leonardo to take a 12-11 win in an extra chukka. Juan Guerrero received the Most Valuable Player award and Alazanas Golondrina, played by Guerrero won the Best Playing Pony prize.
The Low Goal Globant Gold Cup Final Teams:
Estancia Lamar (8): Rayyan Al Ajaji (0), Manuel López (2), Estanislao Grahn (3) & Juan Guerrero (3) San Leonardo (8): Cristóbal Méndez De Vigo (0), Pascual Álvarez (1), Benjamín Araya (5) & Juan Torroba (2)
Low Goal: Estancia Lamar
Low Goal: Cotton House
was a battle between two home teams in The Marta & Lucien Barrière Coupe d’Or Final at Deauville International Polo Club as Brittany Polo Club and Talandracas went head-to-head on Sunday 28 August.
Talandracas already had six previous Coupe d’Or titles under their belts and so the 2,000 strong crowd were in for a treat. The teams did not disappoint and up until the end of the third chukka the scores were never separated by more than a goal. After half-time, Brittany Polo Club took off and gained a three goal lead but Rufino Bensadon, later named Most Valuable Player, brought Talandracas back into the game. As the clock ticked down the scoreboard read 10-9 in favour of Brittany Polo Club when Bensadon was offered an equalising opportunity penalty, however the ball just slipped wide of the posts and the win went to Brittany Polo Club. A grinning Diego Cavanagh commented, “We knew it was going to be a tough game and that the score would be close. We went into the last chukka with a three goal lead, which is always good at this stage of a game. But then Rufino Bensadon put on a real show, he was unstoppable when he went off dribbling the ball and scored three goals that made us having doubts. He’s an incredible player, full of talent, very quick, almost impossible to ride-off. He was on fire in that last chukka, he put Talandracas back in the game yet fortunately it ended well for us.” This was Jean-Francois Decaux’s first Coupe d’Or win, adding it to his British Gold Cup titles with La Bamba de Areco in 2009 and 2021.
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This year’s Engel & Völkers French Open was a resounding success with 16 teams and 11 of the top 40 players taking part in the two week competition at Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly, just outside of Paris. A record 2,000 spectators descended upon the Club on Sunday 18 September for the Final between Los Dragones and Talandracas. Going into the Final both teams were incredibly strong, Talandracas is a familiar name on both the English and French circuits, having won six Deauville Gold Cup, one Cartier Queen’s Cup and one French Open, while Los Dragones (winners of Deauville Gold Cup 2021, two French Opens and 2021 Polo Rider Cup) had managed to knock out tournament favourites and 2022 Deauville Gold Cup winner, Brittany Polo Club, in the Semi Finals thanks to the scoring power of Bautista Bayugar.
Twenty years after their first French Open victory, Talandracas immediately took control of the Final, leaving the seemingly stunned Los Dragones to try and catch up to the seven goal lead established by the end of the first chukka. Despite a counterattack from Los Dragones in the second half, Talandracas shut down their advances to take the win, 11-5.
Talandracas’ Rufino Bensadon and Juan Martin Zubia, later named Most Valuable Player, worked together seamlessly, but it wasn’t all plain sailing according to Zubia, "Contrary to appearances, it wasn't an easy victory. They were a little
slow at the beginning, but afterwards it was a hard fight. They were a complicated team that had won all their games in the qualifying phase, which was not the case for us, and we were prepared for a tough final. Our strength was that our team has grown stronger since Deauville as did my understanding with Rufino with each game. In the end, we understood each other perfectly. But Huguito (Hugues Carmignac) and Edouard have also raised their game since the beginning of August and helped us a lot in this victory." For Hugues Carmignac, it was an emotional victory alongside his father, Edouard Carmignac, who last won the tournament 20 years ago.
“Contrary to appearances, it wasn’t an easy victory” MVP, Juan Martin Zubia
Victor
Victrix
Both sides had strong and organised defence
Itseems like only yesterday that this year’s Victor & Victrix Ludorum series began and now this issue of Polo Times includes the end of season results; congratulations to Black Bears, Emlor & Confido, Wascosa, Wildebeest, Timb-Ply Polo & Semper Anticus on winning their respective sections. Sadly, with the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II, Guards Polo Club’s 2022 season was shortened as Windsor Great Park was closed following her death, which meant The Autumn Nations 12 Goal Final was cancelled.
Cowdray Park Polo Club – The Autumn Cup Final – Sunday 18 September Number of teams: 12 Winners: Four Quarters Orange Points: 60
Farm faced the only undefeated team of the tournament, Four Quarters Orange in the last 12 goal competition of the season at Cowdray Park Polo Club.
Bamboleo/Madams
Both sides had strong and organised defence in the first half which meant that only four field goals were scored despite an additional seven shot attempts between the two teams on goal. The pace picked up in the second half with end-to-end play resulting in a high-scoring third chukka. Ignacio Negri extended Four Quarters Orange’s lead to three, but on the following throwin, Christian Staubach completed a nice run to goal with a shot on the nearside to bring Bamboleo/Madams Farm back within two. Taking advantage of each opportunity in the chukka, Four Quarters Orange turned to Merlos, who added two consecutive field goals to leave Bamboleo/Madams Farm with some work to do to make up the deficit as they trailed 6-3 with just one chukka remaining. An early foul sent Negri to the 30-yard line, where he converted his third penalty of the match, keeping the momentum with Four Quarters Orange. Sending a pass through traffic, Merlos found Evan Power in front of goal for his first goal of the contest which sealed the outcome, as Four Quarters Orange completed their undefeated run through the tournament, claiming the 9-4 victory to raise The Autumn Cup.
The Most Valuable Player prize was awarded to Santos Merlos and his pony, Zeus, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.
The Autumn Cup Final Teams:
Four Quarters Orange (12): Simon Arber (0), Evan Power (2), Ignacio Negri (6) & Santos Merlos (4) Bamboleo/Madams Farm (12): Christian Staubach (1), John Martin (3), James Beim (6) & Ben Crowe (2)
Beaufort Polo Club – The Wichenford Bowl Final – Sunday 21 August
Number of teams: 12
Winners: Los Chinos
Points: 60
Los Chinos began The Wichenford Bowl Final with a half goal handicap start which helped them get off to a flying start, scoring the first two goals of the match in the first chukka. Wascosa fought back though and worked well together to score four times by the end of the match. However, despite a great effort, after four chukkas were played, they were unable to match Los Chinos, who between goals and penalties ran out the winners 6½-4. Most Valuable Player was awarded to Nico Antinori, whilst Best Playing Pony went to Tom Beim’s Gamble, who was played in the first and fourth chukka.
The Wichenford Bowl Final Teams:
Wascosa (8): Pierandrea Mueller (1), Phillip Mueller (0), Seb Dawnay (3) & Nacho Gonzalez (4)
Los Chinos (7): Alison Clark (-1), Olivia Lamphee (0), Nico Antinori (4) & Tom Beim (4)
This year eight teams competed for the Roehampton Cup. Being played for in its 120th year it is one of the oldest trophies in the country. With the preliminary matches being played at Black Bears, the tournament was hard-fought over two weeks. The eventual finalists, Mount Loftus and Para Ti travelled to Ham Polo Club to contest the Final.
Mount Loftus scored three unanswered goals in the first chukka, two penalties and a good field goal from Josh Clover, which had the opposition on the back foot from the outset.
Ed Morris-Lowe, the author of all his team’s goals, pulled a couple back in the second. However, Georgina Brittain kept up the pressure for Mount Loftus with a superb goal just on the stroke of half-time.
The third chukka was dominated by Brittain’s team, two goals each converted by Josh Clover and the rock-steady Jonny Good, who was consistently reliable in defence. Morris-Lowe and Phil Seller, who put in a commendable performance, worked hard to claw back two more goals, but at the final bell, it was Mount Loftus who laid claim to the Cup, running out victorious 8 goals to 5.
The Best Playing Pony prize was awarded to Roxy, selected from Jonny Good’s exemplary string. The Roehampton Cup Final Teams: Para Ti (6): Zorawar Dhillon (0), Junaid Safdar (1), Phil Seller (2) & Edward Morris-Lowe (3) Mount Loftus/Winkfield (6): Georgina Brittain (0), Rob Wilson (0), Josh Clover (2) & Jonny Good (4)
Ham Polo Club – The Roehampton Cup Final – Sunday 21 August
Number of teams: Eight
Winners: Mount Loftus/Winkfield Park
Points: 60
Number of teams: Eight
Winners:
Points: 30
The Final of The Kingscote Cup was played as the last Victor Ludorum fixture of the season at Cirencester Park Polo Club between AMOS and Wildebeest. The two teams both won their individual Semi-Finals by three goals putting them headto-head in the Final. As the rain cleared in time for the start of the game, it was AMOS which made a head start putting three goals on the scoreboard in the first chukka. Wildebeest swiftly caught up and the score was even at 7-7 by the start of the fourth chukka, putting pressure on AMOS who until this point had led. Ultimately, it was AMOS who overtook Wildebeest in the last few minutes of the final chukka, adding two more goals onto the scoreboard finishing on 9 goals to 7. Nico Fontanarrosa’s Doc Jazz was the Best Playing Pony and Mikey Henderson received the Most Valuable Player award.
The Kingscote Cup Final Teams:
AMOS (6): Olivia Lamphee (0), Max Sponor (1), Mikey Henderson (4) & Caspar West (1) Wildebeest (6): Charlie Peagram (1), Jamie Frankum (1), Nico Fontanarrosa (3) & Neil Cox (0)
Cirencester Park Polo Club – The Kingscote Cup Final – Sunday 4 September Photography by Shaun Brooks VictorGuards Polo Club – The Cle De Peau Beaute Guards Ladies Charity Polo Tournament Final – Saturday 27 August Number of teams: Nine Winners: Semper Anticus Points: 60
AM Polo faced Semper Anticus, the talented team who had won the British Ladies Open Championship at Cowdray just a month earlier, in The Cle De Peau Beaute Guards Ladies Charity Polo Tournament Final on the last Saturday of August at Guards Polo Club.
The first two chukkas were tense, with Nina Clarkin for Semper Anticus and AM Polo’s Milly Hine trading both tough ride-offs and horse races down The Queen’s Ground. Semper Anticus were ahead 5-3½ at half-time but this game still looked as if it would go either way.
Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi’s team stepped up a gear in the latter stages of the match though. Nina successfully converted a 60-yard penalty to give Semper Anticus a bit of air on the score (6-4½). She then fired through a field goal from the subsequent throw in and followed that up with a brilliant pass to Chloe Horswell to give Semper Anticus a strong, 8-4½ lead going into the final chukka. AM Polo stayed focused though, with Olivia Merlos finding the flags in the first minute of the fourth chukka. A minute later though Lucy Coddrington found the flags for Semper Anticus. This gave Clarinda’s team a comfortable 9-5½ advantage and although there was plenty of fast play for the remaining four minutes, tight defending from both sides ensured no further goals.
Ciara Lynott, Brand Manager for Clé de Peau Beauté presented the prizes, including the Lord Patrick Beresford Trophy and Clarkin was chosen as the Most Valuable Player, while Morejon Pelicana whom Milly Hine has played in the first and fourth chukkas was the Best Playing Pony.
Aside from the polo, the main focus of the day was to raise funds for Ovacome – the UK’s national ovarian cancer support charity – for the other match results of the day turn to the Women’s Polo pages and for social pictures from the afternoon turn to the Sidelines pages.
The Cle De Peau Beaute Guards Ladies Charity Polo Tournament Final Teams:
Semper Anticus (17): Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi (1), Chloe Horswell (1), Lucy Coddington (5) & Nina Clarkin (10)
AM Polo (16): HH Sheikha Alya Al Maktoum (2), Juana Lavinia (3), Olivia Merlos (4) & Milly Hine (7)
The54th San Jorge Open Duke of Edinburgh Trophy is named after the late His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh who presented the it to the San Jorge Military Equestrian Club in 1966, the same year he played in The Hurlingham Open Final with Horacio and Alberto Pedro Heguy, and Daniel González.
Over 6,000 spectators filled the grandstands to watch this year’s Final between Ellerstina Pilot and Martindale RUS, with this also being Nico Pieres’ return to high goal polo in Argentina after his injury in The Hurlingham Open last year. Ellerstina Pilot were aiming to build upon their runners-up place in 2019 and managed to defeat Martindale RUS, 8-6, despite it only being pa tron Curtis Pilot’s second time playing on the Argentine grounds. Martindale RUS did put up a strong fight, with the experienced Tomás García del Río, top goal scorer of the match, managing to secure a 4-4 tie at the start of the fifth chukka. However, it was from this point on that Most Valuable Player, Facundo Pieres, took charge of the last two chukkas and scored three goals to give his team a convincing win, the four players’ first San Jorge Open title of their careers.
good shade with plenty of water available at all times for both drinking and washing off. With so many team entries, the matches were highly competitive with finalists on Sunday decided on goal difference. The tournament was brilliantly umpired over the weekend led by Mark Holmes.
Higher Level (0 to 2 goal):
Winners – BPA Knight Frank (2): Adam Cutler (-1), James Farrell (-1), Tom Collie (2) & Fran Ortelli (2)
Runners Up – Parc Ferme (2): Becky Fletcher (-2), Ehab Allam (0), Rob Shearman (1) & Sebastian Funes (3)
MVP – James Farrell (Knight Frank)
Best Playing Pony – Becky Fletcher’s Prima
Subsidiary Final – Summit won against Andrew & Roger’s
Middle Level (-1 to -4 goal):
Now it its 14th year, The Yorkshire Open Polo Championships takes place annually in August at White Rose Polo Club and is aimed at celebrating all levels of amateur polo player. This year’s tournament saw an unprecedented number of entries with 18 teams competing across three levels. Players and teams came from around the country including, Cheshire, Beaufort, Rutland, Thoresby Park, Cambridge and Toulston. There was a wide range of experience on the field from the youngest player Fede Gomez, aged 14, up to John Nash, at 82! It was a wonderful weekend of competitive polo with a great atmosphere and well attended by enthusiastic spectators. Plenty of irrigation in the weeks leading up to the tournament ensured the grounds at White Rose were in perfect condition for ponies and players. Horse welfare was high priority by White Rose Polo Club as always, especially due to the August heatwave. Matches started at 8am on Sunday and there were dedicated areas for the horses in
Winners – Jodpur of Yorkshire (-1): Anna Kinge (-2), John Nash (-1), Oonagh Bagley (-1) & Bauti Funes (3)
Runners Up – Wild Cats (-1): Rob Fawcitt (-1), Ben Crooks (0), Angus Willison (0) & Steve Radford (0)
MVP – John Nash
Best Playing Pony – Angus Willison’s Voulez-Vous Subsidiary Final – Aclands won against Coraje Holandes
Lower Level (-5 to -6 goal):
Winners – VetMed UK (-4): Fede Gomez (-2), Suzanne Hart (-2), Charlotte Innes (-1) & Steve Radford (0)
Runners Up – White Rose (-5): Sheila Mcintosh (-2), June Graham (-1), Wayne Scurrah (-1) & Liza Wilson (-1)
MVP – Charlotte Innes
Best Playing Pony – Sheila McIntosh’s Pinturita Subsidiary Final – Thorseby won against Rutland
The Lambourne Trophy Final was won by Asian Art, while the Subsidiary Final was secured by Tchogan.
Congratulations to Hedonism who won The September 4 Goal on Sunday 18 September.
The first Annie Colquhoun-Denvers Tribute Polo Cup an international polo tournament organized by Rabii Benadada was played on the beautiful grounds of the Palmeraie Polo Club owned by Patrick Guerrand-Hermès in Asilah close to Tangier. Annie was an icon of polo for over 35 years; her husband Nicholas was Chairman of HPC The London Polo Club for 24 years as well as a past Chairman of the Hurlingham Polo Association and past President of the Federation of International Polo.
The three day tournament ended on Sunday 11 September with the Royal Cavalry of Oman Team emerging champions after defeating the Bordeaux Team, 5-5.
The three day event featured teams from five competing countries; Morocco, USA, Netherlands, France, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Czech Republic and the Sultanate of Oman.
In the Final between the Royal Cavalry of Oman and Bordeaux French Team polo was played with great enthusiasm and matched goal for goal for most of the first and second chukkas, but Royal Cavalry of Oman ended the third chukka with a small lead and by the end of the fourth overran their opponents.
The Annie Colquhoun-Denvers Tribute Polo Cup Teams: Royal Cavalry of Oman (1): Alraissi Jamal (0), Al Balushi Hussain (0), Al Hadrami Haitam (0) & Al Bulushi Mashal (1)
Bordeaux Polo Team (2): Hachchach Mohamed (1), Khalid Al Suwaiket (0), Robert Gray (1) & Hichame Zine (0)
Horbach Polo Team (2): Slavik Horbach (0), Eda Horbach (0), Kelly Coldiron (1) & Samantha Leach (1)
PGH Polo Team (4): Nourdean Anakar (1), Natascha Scholten (1), Taissir Kadiri (1) & Brittany Hall (1)
On Monday 19 September, the final match for The Gold Cup of the High Handicap Metropolitan Tournament was played, in which El Overo Z7 UAE won by a tight 13-12 against La Cañada La Plegaria, in an extra chukkar with a golden goal by Barto Castagnola from a penalty, to win the trophy.
The Silver Cup went to Martindale APG, who defeated La Mariana Brava 10-8.
The Gold Cup of the High Handicap Metropolitan Tournament Teams: El Overo Z7 UAE (24): Agustín Acuña (0), Lucas Monteverde (6), Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade (8) & Barto Castagnola (10)
La Cañada La Plegaria (23): Rafael Pando (5), Facundo Llosa (7), Santiago Luján (5) & Nicolás Recaite (6)
The Silver Cup of the High Handicap Metropolitan Tournament Teams: Martindale APG (23): Justo Calafell (3), Manuel Calafell (6), Tomás Fernández Llorente (8) & Juan Calafell (6)
La Mariana Brava (23): Agustín Marcos (5), Bautista Arrastúa (6), Juan Cruz Merlos (6) & Martín Huertas (6)
Wrapping up the summer season at Beverly Polo Club, The Regional President’s Cup Final saw Dragonfly/Pineapples vs Point to Point/ Highfields. Both teams had met earlier in the season in The National 8 Goal Final when Point to Point/Highfields took the win, so there was spirited rivalry between the two sides in their second consecutive 8 goal Final. Keen to avoid a repeat of the previous result, Dragonfly/ Pineapples put up a strong defence and combined with a five goal contribution from Martin Ravina resulted in an 8-6 win and with it The Regional President’s Cup title.
The Regional President’s Cup Final Teams: Dragonfly/Pineapples: Martin Ravina, Santiago Gonzalez (substitute), Marcos Bignoli, Merrall Echezarreta & Andy Hertneky Point to Point/Highfields: Michael Smith Liss, Francisco Rodriguez-Mera, Duilio Diaz & Liam Lott
The Cedar Tree Trophy was won by Medeva Polo Team who defeated Abercairny Polo Team in the Final and Scarlett McCoy, who was named Most Valuable Player, received a leather folder. The Members at Carlitos Polo Club enjoyed their last weekend of the 2022 polo season, competing in The Carlitos’ Own Polo Tournament, which was won by the Carpe Diem Polo Team in the Final on Sunday 25 September against Cedar Polo Team with a score of 4½-4. The Club also held a thank you dinner for the grooms at Don Beni’s the polo themed restaurant in Berkshire; “Carlitos would like to thank everyone for such a wonderful summer of Polo and hope your polo ponies keep in rude health throughout the winter”.
On Friday 16 September, The Cholderton Changas won League 1 beating last year’s champions Miguel’s Minions, and The Tedworth Tigers beat the Seriously Cool Cats in League 2 of the 2022 Groom’s Instructional Challenge.
The last tournament of the Sotogrande season, The Copa Despedida, was played from 1 – 11 September between four 6-8 goal teams. Electric Polo took the title after defeating Düsseldorf 6-4 in the Final. Dirk Baumgartner received the Fair Play Award, Francisco Crotto was named Most Valuable Player and Electric Simpatía, played by Crotto, was the Best Playing Pony.
Düsseldorf (8): Dirk Baumgartner (0), Carlos Gomez (1), Gerardo Mazzini (5) & Nicolas Alvarez (2) Electric Polo (8): Sarah Braune (-1), Alicia Gariador (0), Francisco Crotto (4) & Benjamin Araya (5)
Oxford Polo’s new Arena Club will be hosting their first tournament, The Gallos Brook Open from 29 October – 6 November. David Ashby, Oxford Polo’s Managing Director and Head Coach commented, “We are really looking forward to welcoming you to our new arena club. This new facility for the polo community has been a while in the making but we have an action-packed season ahead with fixtures, training and social events. Membership is now open. Please email Katie (katie@oxfordpolo. co.uk) for an enrolment pack and fixtures list. Save The Date: The QE2 Platinum Vase Tournament will take place on Saturday 18 December at our Members Party and Official Opening.”
The SunGod 8 goal was played on Sunday 4 September and the first chukka started with Los Chinos taking the lead with two goals. Virgo Stone fought back in the second chukka with Kevin Greenleaves’ first goal. A tight game finished 5-4 and saw Los Chinos take home the trophy for a second year running. Kevin Greenleaves won a bottle of Champagne as the Most Valuable Player. The Club expressed their thanks to SunGods “for sponsoring this tournament again this year with such fantastic prizes”.
The SunGod 8 Goal Final Teams:
Virgo Stone (7): Kevin Greenleaves (0), Alex Boucher (1), Tamara Fox (2) & Dave Allen (4) Los Chinos (7): Alison Clark (-1), Lorna Broughton (0), Mikey Howe (4) & Tom Beim (4)
Photograph courtesy of James Fielding Photograph by Nigel Pugh showed why polo is such an intense sport. Burley Polo team were exceptional today and we were pushed all the way, but we held together as a team, defended well and took our chances. This is a great achievement on our debut, and I am very proud of the whole team.”
HRH Prince Salman bin Mansour’s SMA Polo won a prestigious Cheshire Polo Club Trophy in the team’s first competitive appearance. After intensive training at J F Polo Academy HRH Prince Salman bin Mansour teamed up with Jonny Coddington, James Fielding and Lenny Cunningham and fought for a strong 6-2½ win against the Burley Polo team for The Dataframe Solutions Cheshire Bowl Final. HRH Prince Salman bin Mansour commented upon his win, “To lift the trophy today is a great feeling. Both teams
Madams Farm delivered an impressive performance to win The Duke of Cornwall Trophy at Guards Polo Club on the last Sunday in August. This 16-goal team led from the first chukka and never relinquished their advantage. Bardon, who were competing in their second successive Duke of Cornwall Final, were eager to go one better this year but had to settle for the runners-up spot, going down 11-6 after four, fast-paced and thrilling chukkas.
Ojo Caliente patron Ana Escobedo presented the prizes, including the Most Valuable Player prize to James Emlyn. The Coolcore Best Playing Pony award went to Sierra, who had been played by Jack Richardson.
On Wednesday 5 October the Club will be hosting their annual World Coffee
Congratulations to Burley Polo Team (Challon Smith, Harrison Patrick, Steffan Groch & Charlie Walton), winners of The End of Season 4 Goal Final at Cheshire Polo Club.
Morning to help raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. The coffee morning is open to everyone and there is no need to pre-book, so please bring friends and family and enjoy a relaxed morning of coffee, cake and fundraising. Nick Hebditch Executive Chef at Mosimann’s Guards will be on hand to judge the much anticipated ‘Guards Bake-Off’ competition.
The Duke of Cornwall Trophy Final Teams:
Bardon (16): Andras Tombor (0), Jose Ramon Araya (4), Alfredo Bigatti (8) & James Fwester (4) Madams Farm (16): Sam Browne (1), James Emlyn (3), Oliver Cudmore (6) & Jack Richardson (6)
On Monday 22 August, NetJets won The NetJets Rocky Mountain Open in over-time against Tonkawa, with Nic Roldan scoring the winning goal, after which he was named Most Valuable Player, his third MVP award of the season at the Club; Florencia, played by Gonzalito Pieres, was selected as the Best Playing Pony.
On Sunday 29 August, Los Amigos won its third tournament of the season at Aspen Valley Polo Club by defeating defending champions Tonkawa, 5-4, in The Triple Crown of Polo-Aspen Final. Grant Ganzi was named Most Valuable Player and El Jebel, a nine-year-old homebred bay mare played by Ganzi, was selected American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony, with Ganzi commenting, “She doesn’t miss a beat”.
Victory led from the outset to take an 11-9 win against Los Amigos and with it capture the second annual Silver Queen Invitational title at Aspen Valley Polo Club. Torito Ruiz, on his last appearance at the Club this season, was named Most Valuable Player for the second time this season and Jabalina, played by Marc Ganzi and owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm, was the Best Playing Pony.
NetJets (Marc Ganzi, Brian Boyd, Nic Roldan & Jason Crowder) won its second tournament of the season, The Ute Challenge, on
Saturday 11 September in the last tournament of the year at Aspen Valley Polo Club with a 9-8 win against Victory (Kevin Schmeits, Sugar Erskine, Grant Ganzi & Pancho Bensadon). Crowder was chosen as the Most Valuable Player and Moon Quartz, a 10-year-old played by Grant Ganzi and owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm, was the Best Playing Pony.
The NetJets Rocky Mountain Open Final Teams: NetJets: Melissa Ganzi, Jason Crowder, Nic Roldan & Juan Bollini Tonkawa: Jeff Hildebrand, Marc Ganzi, Tomacho Pieres & Gonzalito Pieres
The Triple Crown of Polo-Aspen Final Teams: Los Amigos: Paul Foster, Jason Crowder, Grant Ganzi & Nic Roldan Tonkawa: Jeff Hildebrand, Marc Ganzi, Tomacho Pieres & Juan Martin Nero
The Silver Queen Invitational Final Teams: Victory: Vinny Sangaline, Kevin Schmeits, Torito Ruiz & Pancho Bensadon Los Amigos: Paul Foster, Nic Roldan, Marc Ganzi & Tomacho Pieres
On Sunday 11 September, the Final of the first edition of The Minuto Siete Cup was played at Roma Polo Club. Six teams, up to 12 goals, had competed in the tournament, with Korea Polo and Battistoni reaching Sunday’s Final. Korea Polo dominated from the first throw in and swiftly established an early lead which proved essential as Battistoni launched their comeback just a little too late and Korea Polo claimed a narrow 9-8 win. Segundo Condesse was chosen as the Most Valuable Player and Lassie, played by Santiago Irastorza was the Best Playing Pony.
The Minuto Siete Cup Final Teams: Korea Polo (12): Camila Aprile (0), Segundo Condesse (3), Miguel Diaz (4) & Santiago Irastorza (5) Battistoni (12): Anastasio Perrone (0), Giordano Flavio Magini (2), Juan Jauretche (6) & Pierre Jauretche (4)
Smiths Polo, winners of The Chairman’s Cup
On Monday 29 August, Smiths Polo defeated Noon Giraffe 6-5 in The Chairman’s Cup Final, with Mikey Henderson chosen as the Most Valuable Player and Max Hutchinson’s Angel the Best Playing Pony. Indubitable won the Subsidiary Final 6-2 against Lodge Service. Los Chinos defeated R&R 6½-3 in The Gouldsmith Bowl Final on Sunday 11 September with Tom Beim chosen as the Most Valuable Player and Lovelocks Vienetta, played by Ollie Jones, the Best Playing Pony.
The End of Season 8 Goal for the Town Cup saw Los Chinos defeat R&R 4½-3 in the Final, with Tamara Fox named Most Valuable Player and Pebbles, played by Zac Beim, the Best Playing Pony. Elmsley Polo won The End of Season 4 Goal Final.
The Chairman’s Cup Final Teams:
Smiths Polo (10): Lisa Smith (0), Zac Beim (3), Mikey Henderson (4) & Seb Chialvo (3) Noon Giraffe (10): Chris Fagan (0), Charlie Walton (4), Henry Smith (2) & Max Hutchinson (4)
The Gouldsmith Bowl Final Teams: Los Chinos (7): Alison Clark (-1), Olivia Lamphee (0), Nicholas Antinori (4) & Tom Beim (4) R&R (8): Mahesh Parmar (0), George Meade (1), Ollie Jones (3) & Will Lucas (4)
The opening tournament of the Club’s autumn season saw Whitehall Ranch and Brown Bears/San Saba face each other in The USPA H. Ben Taub Memorial Cup Final. Brown Bears/San Saba began with a 1½ handicap advantage, but this didn’t daunt Whitehall Ranch who held a strong 5-3½ at half-time. Whitehall Ranch were quick to add to their tally and although Brown Bears/San Saba replied with goals of their own, it was not enough and Whitehall Ranch ran out the winners, 8-5½. Joaquin Arguello was chosen as the Most Valuable Player and Reynosa, played by Dawn Jones, was the Best Playing Pony.
The 2022 NetJets Pacific Coast Open is the highlight of the Club’s high goal season and this year’s Final saw L.I.N.Y.’s four young players shaking things up against Farmers & Merchants Bank (FMB); each of L.I.N.Y.’s players were 21-years-old or younger and their youthful exuberance showed as their early energy provided them with a lead they were unwilling to relinquish throughout the Final. A last-minute charge by Poroto
Cambiaso, later named Most Valuable Player, allowed L.I.N.Y. to resist FMB’s last-minute charge and the youngsters took the win and with it the impressive five foot trophy, 12-11. Dolfina Ojos (Hazel x Ballet), a 7-year-old black mare owned by La Dolfina and played by Cambiaso in the third and sixth chukka was awarded Best Playing Pony.
On Sunday 18 September, Zahedi Chogan/FMB Too! defeated Big Hitters 13-8 in The Regional President’s Cup Final at Santa
Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. Bayne Bossom played a pivotal part in his team’s success and was named Most Valuable Player, while Maria Luisa, a nine-year-old mare owned and played by Martin Tassara was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.
The NetJets Pacific Coast Open Final Teams:
L.I.N.Y. (20): Santino Magrini (4), Paquito de Narvaez (3), Kristos ‘Keko’ Magrini (4) & Poroto Cambiaso (9)
Farmers & Merchants Bank (20): Danny Walker (2), Lucas Criado (6), Facundo Obregon (6) & Peke Gonzalez (6)
The Regional President’s Cup Final Teams:
Big Hitters: Cory Williams, Martin Tassara, Karl Hasz, Tomas Ussher & Florencio Curti FMB Too!/Zahedi Chogan: Henry Walker, Sy Zahedi, Bayne Bossom, Santiago Wulff & Nico Piex (substitute)
The August Bank Holiday weekend was another busy one at Cowdray Park Polo Club with three Finals ushering out August. On Monday 29 August, the Final of the penultimate 6 goal tournament of the season, The West Sussex Cup, was played between Oriflamme and Help for Heroes; Jason Warren scored the winning goal for Oriflamme to take a narrow 4½-4 win with Tubby, played and owned by Jack Berner chosen as the Best Playing Pony.
In The Selham 2 Goal Trophy, TLC Polo was victorious against Los Hamblinos in the Final on Ambersham 5 with a final score of 7-6 and the Best Playing Pony rug was presented to Fizz played by Josh Cork and owned by Wills Harper.
The annual Cowdray versus Ham match was also played on Bank Holiday Monday. Ham secured the win 6½-5.
Bad Boys Polo Team secured The PSI Trophy with an 8-4 win against Bamboleo in the Final, the Best Playing Pony rug was awarded to Froom, played and owned by Wills Harper.
Congratulations to the Club’s End of Season Awards winners:
Most Successful Patron of the Season –Marco Vignali
Most Improved Junior Player – Beanie Bradley
The Large Cup for Pony Welfare – Angus Rowan Hamilton
The Millennium Plate for Umpiring Service –Ben Turner
Team Bodegas Salentein won The Argentine Polo Days Trophy in Holland. Over 3 and 4 September, two days of beautiful weather and very close matches in the Netherlands produced a treat for the spectators. The Final against NederlandFM was very close but was decided by the strong performance of Aki van Andel and his best horse Mr. Indian made the difference in the determining moments of the match.
Bodegas Salentein (2): Aki van Andel (2), Bob Lebbink (-1), Juan Eiras (2) & Alexia Verheij (-1) NederlandFM (-3): Jim Souren (0), Brenda de Boer (0), Willem Immink (-1) & Robert Watson (4)
On Sunday 4 September, a 21 goal England Ladies polo team played at the Inanda Polo Club in South Africa against a combined 22 goal All Africa team.
Prior to the international match, all the players took part in the 12 goal tournament The Diamond Ladies Open at the East Rand Polo Club. All the players were allocated into different teams with local players and all the matches were won with very tight margins. The qualifying teams for the Final were Lolly’s Quatro Invicta and Izzy Parson’s Balderja
La Familia. The golden goal was scored towards the end of the extra chukka by Lolly. Rosanna Turk’s team, QMS Medical, secured the Subsidiary Final win.
The England team was well mounted for the international on some brilliant horses supplied by the local players and patrons. It was an epic game that was extremely hard fought and evenly matched throughout. The teams had very different structures, with the All Africa star player Izzy Parsons leading the Africa charge, whereas the England
team were all very evenly handicapped. All Africa caught the England team off guard in the first chukka and scored two goals very quickly. For the rest of the game the match was even, however the England team couldn’t quite make up the deficit. All Africa took home the win with a final score of 8-5. The atmosphere was electric with thousands of people in attendance, and England’s travelling reserve Alice Walsh taking home the win in the car v horse race after the match. Rebecca Walters was named MVP having scored some brilliant goals that kept the England team in the hunt. The HPA expressed their thanks to those involved with organising the event, “Lee-Ann Spark and Craig and Katherine James who arranged the trip and coordinated the fixtures and hospitality, which was second to none. Also, to Campbell Mcnab, Davie Evans and the other horse lenders, who mounted the team on some of the best horses the players have had the pleasure of riding abroad. Finally, to Mdu who coordinated our travel and made the players feel so welcome throughout the trip.”
Lolly Stanhope-White summarised up the experience, “An outstanding and memorable trip! The organisation and hospitality we received as a squad was second to none. The horses were first rate; we were so lucky to be so well mounted and provided for during our stay for both the Diamond Ladies Open and the England v All Africa test match. The HPA did incredibly well to make links with such wonderful and hospitable hosts from both East Rand Polo Club and Inanda Club. We have made such fabulous links and friendships that we all plan to continue with.”
Lolly Stanhope-White (6), Emma Boers (5), Rosanna Turk (5) & Rebecca Walters (5) All Africa Ladies (22): Megan Griffiths (4), Lee-Ann Spark (4), Jossie Spilsbury (6) & Izzy Parsons (8)
On Saturday 27 August, Guards Polo Club held their annual Clé de Peau Beauté Guards Ladies Charity Polo Day which this year was in aid of Ovacome, the UK’s leading ovarian cancer support charity. To read more about the Victrix Ludorum match, turn to our Reports pages, but the third match of day was a charity match featuring Guards Polo Club’s patrons plus one higher handicapped lady per team. Victory in this match went to the Clé de Peau Beauté team. They beat Guards Polo Club 3½-1. Jushna Begum from Clé de Peau Beauté and Victoria Clare, CEO of Ovacome presented the charity match prizes. Olympia Paus was named the Most Valuable Player while her beautiful grey, whom Olympia had played in the third chukka, was named the Best Playing Pony and received a stunning flower headcollar.
Players, members, lunch guests, stall holders and many visitors
Where: Polo Club du
18 September saw the 100 percent French team, DS Automobiles, face the entirely British team of Rouge Absolu Paris in the 12th French Women’s Open at Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly. Six teams up to 16 goals had competed over the course of the week, with the team lineups featuring some of the top names in women’s polo, including the French sisters, Elena, Pearl and Lucie Venot who between them held back to back French Women’s Open wins in 2020 and 2021.
Both Rouge Absolu Paris and DS Automobiles had already sized each other up in their league match on Friday 16 September, which saw Rouge Absolu Paris secure themselves an 8-3 win; coincidentally it was the exact same score and outcome in the Final as well. British 10 goal player, Hazel Jackson, led her team to a compelling win against the French side, with top French player, Caroline Anier, unable to play as freely as she would’ve liked. Jackson won 80 percent of her ride-offs, which allowed the ball and Rebecca Walters, later named Most Valuable Player, to find goal after goal.
The 12th French Women’s Open Final Teams
Rouge Absolu Paris (16)
Louise Owen (0)
Kristina White (1)
Hazel Jackson (10)
Rebecca Walters (5)
DS Automobiles (16)
Liza Vetois (3)
Ambre Ploix (3)
Charlotte Garaud (4)
Caroline Anier (6)
“The 100 percent French team, DS Automobiles, face the entirely British team of Rouge Absolu Paris”
“Hazel Jackson led her team to a compelling win against the French side”Photography
The ASCB Captain’s & Subaltern’s Tournament (first played for in 1897) took place at Tedworth Park Polo Club (TPPC) over the last weekend in August having been rescheduled from the 16 – 17 July due to the extreme heat.
The tournament was in the balance due to the continuing drought up until Thursday 18 August but after four health and safety inspections on the Perham Down pitches it went ahead with seven Army Teams and one RAF. TPPC’s Justin Stanhope-White and Andy Speight did great work in preparing the Perham Down ground, it held up during the weekend very well. The RAF won the League 1 Main Captain’s & Subaltern’s Cup and The Defence Academy won the League 2 The Mabway Trophy. On both days there were over 150 spectators. No MVP was awarded but Capt Will Young RA and Lt Ed Richards RSigs showed real promise. Prizes were awarded by Air Cdre Tim Brown Dir AFPA.
The ASCB Captain’s & Subaltern’s Tournament Teams: League 1 C&S Cup:
The RAF (-5): Sgt Christopher Broadbent-Combe (-2), Sgt Nick Howland (Sat)/ Flt Lt Claire Crichton (Sun) (-1), Sqn Ldr Ross Thomson (-1) & Flt Lt George Linfield-Brown (-1)
The Veterans (-4): Andrew Speight (0), Dickie Winchester (0), Richard Dilworth (-2) & Lucie Barker/Kate Talbot-Rice (-2)
The Royal Logistic Corps (-6): Pte Nick Akuffo (-2), Capt Henry Christiansen (-2), Maj Nigel Prescott (-1) & Lt Col Lucy Anderson (-1)
The Army Medical Services (-6): Cpl Paige Curley (-2), Maj Sam Bunyan (-1), Cpl Mollie Darwin/Maj Liv Allenby-Dilley (-1) & LCpl Felicity Townend (-2)
League 2 Mabway Trophy:
The Defence Academy (-8): Maj Alex Humphreys RL (-2), Maj Ali Robertson RL (-2), Maj Sam Daly (-2) & Ocdt Michael Avery (RN) (-2)
The Royal Artillery (-7): Capt Sara Allen (-2), Capt (Retd) Matt Cornell (-2), Lt Col Jim Luck (-2) & Capt Will Young (-1)
The Royal Signals (-8): Signaller Freja Galliven/ Lt Finly Niekirk (-2), Signaller Amelia Green (-2), Lt Tori RawdigGuille (-2) & Lt Ed Richards (-2)
The Royal Yeomanry (-8): Tpr Victoria Rayner (-2), Tpr Ed Warner (-2), Tpr George Row (-2) & Tpr Sam Bolimowski (-2)
The Army team (Capt Tom Windsor-Clive CG (-2), Lt George Cadogan WG (1), Capt Giles Bromley-Martin IG (1) & Capt Oli Powell WG (2)) retained The Major General’s Cup on Sunday 4 September at Guards Polo Club after defeating Edward Horswell’s Sladmore team 4-3. Col Jeremy Bagshaw, Chief of Staff at Army Headquarters London District and Lt Col Sean O’Dwyer, Vice President of Guards Polo Club, presented the prizes; Lord Milo Manton, playing for Sladmore, was named The Most Valuable Player and the Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug was awarded to Monty, played and owned by the Army’s Capt Oli Powell – to read more about Monty, turn to the Pony Power pages.
On Sunday 4 September, the RAF faced the Royal Navy at Tedworth Park Polo Club (TPPC) for The Duke of York’s Cup, which saw the Royal Navy run out the winners.
The British Army Polo Team departs for the King’s Club Cairo on Monday 26 September. Three days of chukkas and coaching at the Club under Army Coach Gaston Devrient will be held before the six chukka match against Mohammed El Sewedy’s Egyptian team on Friday 30 September. The team will be Capt Giles Bromley-Martin IG (1), Lt Jamie Thomas RHG/D (2), Capt Paddy Selfe KRH (2) & Capt Oli Powell WG (2) and is the highest handicapped Army Polo team to compete overseas since 1994.
The first inaugural Scotland vs England International match took place over 10 –11 September at Kinross Polo Club with two, four chukka matches played over the weekend. England were ultimately the winners with a score of 10-6, Abigail Johnson was chosen as the Most Valuable Player. The teams were also a part of history by showing their respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by lining part of her final route through Scotland.
The Scotland vs England International Teams: Scotland (-4): Katie Lambert (-2), Cath Wilson (-1), Ben Humphries (-1) & Mhairi Campbell (0) England (-4): Abigail Johnson (-2), Zac Campbell-Breedon (-1), Raphael Redmond (-1) & Naji Aziz (0) England celebrate their win
Over Friday 11 – Sunday 13 September, the National Youth Tournament Series (NYTS) Championships were held at La Herradura Polo Club in Santa Ynez, California; the competition featured four teams battling for the Girls’ Championship and four teams fighting for The Cecil Smith Cup.
NYTS Girls’ Championship Final saw Electric Charge (Victoria Picha, Winifred Branscum, Olivia Reynolds & Micaela Saracco) dominate the scoreboard to take a commanding 6-1½ win against Ever Ready (Francesca Felhaber, Sophia DeAngelis, Aurora Knox &
Robyn Leitner), an impressive feat considering the Electric Charge team were all NYTS Championships newcomers.
Next up was The Cecil Smith Cup between Western (Sebastian Celis, Daniel Miranda, Ryan Kerley & Piers Bossom) and Southeast (Harrison Reicher, Josh Escapite, Aiden Meeker, Joaquin Vilgre La Madrid). After scoring the first seven goals of the match, Western didn’t relinquish their lead and secured a 9-5½, which brought the Cup to the west coast for the first time in the tournament’s history.
On Sunday 19 September a new edition of The National Tournament for Minors was held at the Alfredo Lalor Headquarters in Pilar which saw 32 teams compete, grouped into six categories. The winners of each section were:
Youth: Ellerstina (Cayetano Guzmán, Felipe Castellet, Jerónimo Goti & Benjamín Feeney)
Girls: Las Praderas (Dominique Laulhé, Enriqueta Sánchez, Valentina Olmedo Giacosa & Olivia Bogo)
Older: Pilarchico (León Donoso, Cruz Ojea Quintana, Mariano Barroso & Zenón Bianchi)
Younger: La Irenita (Santos Goti, Milo Mac Donough, Francesco Fracchini & Matías Maury)
Minis: Old Post (Andino Donoso Blaquier, Julio Casares, Franco Kohner & Constantino Renzi) Mini Minis: Three teams (Ellerstina, La Dolfinita & la Irenita) played a friendly tournament
Horses
lick
Height: 15.1hh Age: 11-years-old Colour: Bay Sex: Mare
Owned and played by: Tom Beim Tournament: The Wichendford Bowl at Beaufort Polo Club
Where is she from/breeding? She is out of Rengo Lusito/ Gouldie, a New Zealand Thoroughbred owned by Will Lucas.
How long have you had her? I’ve had her for three years.
What are her strengths? She’s agile, has a great brain and is very easy.
How has she gone this season? She’s gone really well this season.
Has she won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? She won the BPP in The Gerald Balding this year and another in a domestic 10 goal.
What are your plans for her in the future? I plan to keep her and not sell her and to pass her to my son Zac when he needs.
Describe her in three words? Loves to win.
Height: 15.1hh Age: 12-years-old Colour: Chestnut Sex: Mare
Owned and played by: Oli Powell Tournament: The Major General’s Tournament at Guards Polo Club
Where is she from/breeding? Her sire is Dutch Art and her dam is Casterossa.
How long have you had her? We’ve had her for nine years.
What are her strengths? She is very handy.
How has she gone this season? From strength to strength.
Has she won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? She has been a Best Playing Pony a number of times over the years.
What are your plans for her in the future? I plan to keep her for another season or two.
Does she have any special quirks? She is a bit dopey.
Describe her in three words? Reliable, agile & safe
Finger and hand injuries are common among nearly all athletes. These injuries occur most often in contact sports, such as those that involve catching a ball or using hand equipment like ski poles or common sports, like basketball and volleyball. Especially problematic are sports where you must hold a stick and must control the precise movement of it, like in polo. A seemingly small thing like a ripped off fingernail can stop you from playing a while.
Common acute finger and hand injuries include Bruises
Ligament damage, especially thumb sprains Tendon injuries, such as in the mallet finger Joint sprains
Dislocations
Crushing injuries
Any finger or hand injury requires proper treatment to ensure you have no permanent loss of function or deformity. In polo, most injuries result from an accidental hit to the hand with the stick. But while competing and wearing no gloves, even pulling forces can be massive. Pulling injuries through the reins may also be the cause for tendon injuries. Injuries to the fingernail are rare but can be extraordinarily painful.
When these injuries happen the first
diagnosis is clinical examination on the field. Often the hand has been hit by the mallet, so that the soft tissue is bruised.
In the case of no clear deviation or a clear rational abnormity and movement is normal, then no further examination is directly needed. Conventional X-rays are needed for the initial facture assessment. If unclear then additional CT or MRI can help to clarify. Ultrasound examination is very helpful for functional testing.
Typically taping can be a good help for bruised fingers. Most braces are too big to fit under a glove. When off the field splints can be very helpful to reduce pain and speed up healing. Most bandages or orthesis are available in orthopedic shops.
The nail bed should be repaired with sutures (requiring nail removal) if the nail bed is significantly injured, as long as the wound is not infected and less than 24 hours old. Repair is not necessary if the laceration is small and held in place by intact nail folds. Previously, nail removal was routinely recommended in patients with a crushed fingertip (with or without an underlying fracture) to evaluate the degree of nail bed injury and to determine whether repair was
required. However, the nail does not need to be removed if there is no significant injury or deformity to the nail itself. In such cases, nail bed laceration, if present, is likely to heal well on its own when a splint is applied; trephination is done as needed to relieve pain caused by a subungual hematoma. If the nail appears severely damaged or deformed, the nail should be removed, and the nail bed repaired with thin, absorbable sutures. Then the fingertip is wrapped in nonadherent dressing (e.g., xeroform gauze); the wound should be checked within 24 hours to make
sure the nail bed does not adhere painfully to the dressing. Evidence suggests that although the injury is technically an open fracture, antibiotics are not needed after nail bed repair in patients with a tuft fracture.
Small injuries can have a big effect. Wear gloves when possible. Correct initial assessment and treatment is the most critical for a speedy return to play. Fingernail injuries can be demanding in treatment and need long recovery.
Krüger at
Tight, stiff muscles limit the normal range of movement (ROM) and can inhibit proper muscle action, which can reduce performance as well as lessen blood circulation. Restriction of ROM can result in muscle fatigue, muscular imbalance and dysfunction. Short, tight muscles can lead to a loss of strength and power during physical activity and an increased risk of injury. Physical fitness is the first prerequisite to health and fitness to improve endurance, speed and power. Stretching is a simple, effective activity to enhance performance and minimise the likelihood of injury and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Lack of flexibility can be a major contributing factor to muscle and joint pain. In this latest article, Natalie introduces simple stretching exercises to benefit the polo player on and off the field.
Roll down stand with your feet hip-width apart and parallel. Keep your abdominals hollowing into your spine (imagine that you are lengthening your navel to spine). Inhale and lower your head towards your chest, exhale and allow your body to slowly roll forwards, keeping your arms hanging as you roll as far as is comfortable. Inhale and use your abdominal muscles to curl back to the starting position. Repeat up to three times.
(option to place a a pillow underneath your sacrum).
Lower back stretch (lumbar stretch) using a pillow underneath your sacrum. Bring your knees to your chest. Inhale to slowly pull your knees towards your chest, whilst allowing your pelvis to lengthen into the cushion. Exhale as you float the knees away. Repeat up to five times. Allowing the sense of relaxation in the breath and body.
Take a deep inhalation and round forward hollowing your abdominal muscles in and Imagine you are curling your body up and over a swiss ball. Exhale and return your body to the starting position with your spine upright. Repeat up to five times.
Lie supine (on your back) with your legs and feet together. Bring your arms out to the side in line with the shoulders and palms facing down. Inhale as you flex (bend) your right knee and place the sole beside your left kneecap. Place the left hand on top of the right knee and as you exhale gently bring the right knee towards the floor. Turn the head to the right to look towards the arm. Hold the position for as long as comfortable. Inhale to return to the starting position, exhale to lengthen the legs and repeat on the other side. Practice this stretch once to each side.
Sitting upright with both legs squeezed together. Inhale to lift as you rotate your spine. Retain the breath and hold the spiral for a couple of seconds. Exhale as you come back to the starting position. Repeat eight times alternating each time.
This stretch is best performed up against a wall to start with to have the sense of lengthening up and out of your spine. Once you become familiar with this stretch then perform it away from the wall. Sitting up straight with your legs slightly wider than hip-width apart and both feet in dorsiflexion. Reach both arms out in front of you whilst keeping them in line with your shoulders.
Lie supine with your knees flexed (bent) and place your right ankle across your left knee. Interlace your fingers behind the left thigh. Repeat the stretch on the other leg.
The
Thai
Bellamar Pampa Norte comeback, but by the fifth and sixth chukkas, it was Lavinia who were controlling the action with Carlos María Ulloa and Manuel Giménez Villamil commanding the team from the back and combining well with their forwards, Ramon Cassino and Jack Whitman
secure Lavinia
first Thai Polo Cup title, 10½-4.
This stretch eases tightness in the front of the chest and the spine. If the stretch is too intense then bend (flex) the knees. Stand facing the wall with your feet a hip width apart and hands flat against the wall level with the shoulders (slightly wider than shoulder width). Lengthen up through the spine. Take a deep inhalation, and as you exhale lower the chest towards the floor by flexing the hips. Keep the head in line with the spine and hollow the abdominal muscles whilst imagining that you are lengthening out of the spine. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds. Repeat twice. Target muscles: pectoralis and latissimus dorsi.
The Hipwood and Rocksavage, which have previously been Junior HPA tournaments, will now be merged into the Pony Club from this season onwards, while the Buckmaster section will be discontinued. The format of Hipwood and Rocksavage will remain unchanged, with three and four chukka matches on private grounds over 4 – 17 July, which will allow players to also compete in other Pony Club tournaments. Hipwood and Rocksavage players will be required to be members of both the HPA
Kneeling onto the floor take a step forward lunging the front leg forward as you exhale. Try to take care not to collapse into the stretch otherwise, you are only hanging into your joints. Keep the knee directly in line with the ankle whilst you lengthen up out of the spine. Repeat on the other leg.
Polo
Argentine Association of Horse Breeders’
Stand upright with your feet hip-width apart. Hold a wall or chair for support and flex one leg and hold onto the front of the foot, whilst keeping the standing leg strong by engaging the thigh. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat on the other leg.
Best Playing Pony: Future Lituania, played by Carlos María Ulloa
and Pony Club; all Pony Club members less than 3 goals will play a flat rate of £50 for their HPA membership. Andrew Barlow, Chairman of the HPA Development and Coaching Committee, commented, “A vital HPA role is to promote grassroots polo and the development of young polo players. In combining the previous Junior HPA with Pony Club tournaments, this allows us to enhance our long-term objectives of promoting talent for the benefit of all players and the sport in the future. With generous
Best Playing Pony of the Final: Alberta Belvedere, played by Carlos María Ulloa
financial support from Park Place this new partnership enables us to focus on our structured development pathway whilst wholeheartedly supporting and promoting Pony Club Polo”. For more information on Pony Club polo please contact Charles Whittington, or for Hipwood and Rocksavage specifically contact Jilly Emerson.
Lie supine with your knees bent at a ninety-degree angle. Lift one leg and hold onto the back of the lower limb (or use a towel around your foot if your hamstrings are tight). Take a deep inhalation and draw your leg a little closer to your body. Avoid lifting your pelvis off the floor as this is counterproductive. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds and exhale to lower the leg to repeat the stretch on the other leg.
Fair Play Award: Carlos Braun
This aids back flexibility and hip alignment. Standing upright with feet parallel lunge the right foot forward whilst anchoring the
then repeat on the left leg. Keep the pelvis still as you twist.
Although the end of the season has passed, I felt I wanted to do one last Yard Focus for this summer season. Last year Jason Warren got in touch with me asking for some guidance for him and his grooms on feeding his string of polo ponies for the following season, as they play for Benn Shepherd’s team, Oriflamme. We initially discussed their nutritional needs and quirks, and when they came into work in March, I went to meet the horses, Jason and his grooms, Deni Psenicna and Maru Špačková.
I visited the yard every month from March at their base at Black Bears to look at each horse individually with Deni, Maru and Jason, to assess how the horses were holding their condition, how they were going during the busy times of polo and if their energy levels were adequate. Deni and Maru were great in taking on board my suggestions and treating each horse for their individual, and sometimes special, needs!
Interestingly, Benn and Jason had five new horses arrive from Argentina. They arrived at the end of January and during their initial six weeks in the field they put on and maintained condition, thanks to Sara who wintered them at Black Bears stud; Sara fed them a concentrate diet twice a day with additional forage. During the season Maru and Deni kept them in very good condition, without significantly dropping any condition. Jason found that their energy levels were generally consistent throughout the long season, which is something he was initially worried about. It will be interesting to see how the horses differ in their second season in the UK.
As the horses all wintered well, we started them on a High Fibre Cube as they came into work, thus helping to maintain condition and not providing excessive energy. As their work progressed, we began to top up the cubes with a balancer, thus
ensuring their top line muscle was being supported and vitamins and minerals were being provided to support the increasing workload. Once calories were required, we began to introduce some Conditioning Mix and reduced the High Fibre Cubes, however the balancer remained in the diet for all –added in varying quantities depending on the amount of mix or cubes that was being fed.
As the horses started playing regularly some had oats introduced to their feeds, again depending on the amount of energy that was required. We also ensured the oats fluctuated according to the amount of polo they had rather than feeding a constant amount of two scoops per day, for instance.
I like to keep the use of supplements to a minimum, so these were limited to: a ‘glug’ of linseed oil in each feed to assist with coat shine and supple skin, a prebiotic (Baileys Digest Plus) to support the beneficial fibre-digesting bacteria in the
hind gut and the all-important and essential electrolytes.
Annoyingly, the sun was not at its best
when we took these photographs at the beginning of September but they hopefully still illustrate horses that are finishing their season
A big thank you to Maru and Deni for working with me this summer, the horses have continued to look and go well, your hard work has certainly paid off. As you read
looking in great condition after a lot of polo!
The FAB FOUR that have been chosen for this Yard Focus, are as follows:
Kilombera is 13-years-old and was the first horse Benn bought and a firm favourite for the last three years. She holds her condition well during the season so calories are generally not required, but she can lack a little energy at times. As the season has progressed her oats have increased, but fluctuate with the amount of polo she has, so the mainstay of her diet is a balancer to provide all the essential proteins, vitamins and minerals, without the calories.
Paradise is a 14-year-old who is one of Jason’s main horses that always provides a reliable chukka. She has plenty of natural energy, which is not always contained, but she settles into her work over time. She generally holds her condition well, but being the finer Thoroughbred type she is the type to drop condition as the season progresses, but she has maintained her condition well thus far.
½ a scoop of alfalfa chaff per feed 2 measuring mugs (500g) of Performance Balancer per feed ½-1 scoop of bruised oats per feed Supplements
– as mentioned above Ad lib haylage in the stable and out in the field at night Fed twice a day
Current Diet
½ a scoop of alfalfa chaff per feed
1 measuring mug (250g) of Performance Balancer per feed
1½ scoops Conditioning Mix per feed
½ a scoop of bruised oats per feed during busier periods of polo Supplements – as mentioned above Ad lib haylage in the stable and out in the field at night Fed twice per day
Coco Cola is a 10-year-old pocket rocket and a great favourite in Benn’s string – and also Deni’s favourite! She is what I would describe as quirky, being quite sharp and an anxious individual who goes on hunger strike at the drop of a hat. During the first couple of months, we realised that she was going to be better suited to a low starch feed that would also provide adequate calories to maintain her condition, so we opted for Baileys No.24 Ease & Excel Cubes, which she also found palatable. As she is quite small, we found that using the balancer as well was not necessary. During the season we used a supplement paste called Baileys Foal Assist to give Coco Cola a boost of trace minerals and vitamins, and B vitamins, which helped to boost her appetite for her concentrate feed, but most importantly the fibre element of her diet as well.
Careta is an 8-year-old who only arrived this year from Argentina. Luckily, she has a good appetite and maintains her condition well. She can be quite stressy so oats are not required in her diet, but the right type of energy was found in the addition of some Conditioning Mix.
Current Diet
½ a scoop of alfalfa chaff per feed
1½ scoops of No.24 Ease & Excel Cubes per feed Supplements – as mentioned above Ad lib haylage in the stable and out in the field at night Fed twice per day
this article, the season will have finished and the horses embark up on their winter break and arena horses come into work. Winter well and stay well all.
Current Diet
½ a scoop of alfalfa chaff per feed
1½ measuring mugs (325g) of Performance Balancer per feed ½ a scoop of Conditioning Mix per feed
Supplements – as mentioned above
Ad lib haylage in the stable and out in the field at night Fed twice per day
Contact Lorna Edgar of Baileys Horse Feeds on lorna@baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk
It is not necessarily uncommon for me to struggle identifying topics I want to write about. Thanks to recent email exchanges between Andrew Hine and myself; Andrew has supplied me with the topic for this month’s article.
According to Andrew, “As an 18-yearold teammate of Memo Gracida he gave me the best advice / told me the best strategy of all, “polo is won off the field…not on it!”
In my opinion there can be no denying that Memo is one of the greatest polo players to ever play the game of polo; to some, he is the best, ever.
I have known Memo for many years and am incredibly appreciative of his positive influence on my polo career. I am not so much impressed with how many tournaments Memo has won, as I am with how he went about winning them. As Andrew points out in his quote from Memo, “polo is won off the field…not on it!”.
I remember Memo as a young, 3 goal player at the Retama Polo Club in San Antonio, Texas. He was on a horse at 7:00 o’clock just about every morning. He did not have to be there that early; he chose to be. He was, in effect, establishing himself as the leader, the pace setter, the professional, in essence, the example for the rest of the team to follow.
Without a doubt, Memo was immensely talented; however, talent alone could not have accomplished for him all that he achieved for himself and his teammates. Memo coupled talent with a tremendous work ethic, i.e. in the saddle every morning by 7:00 o’clock.
A reality of improving to realize is that we all have talent that can be developed to a higher degree. However, the ability to use that talent comes from understanding how to develop that talent, and then working hard enough to use it effectively in the game.
From the way I see it, we can all be the best polo player we are capable of being, as long as we are willing to work at it; which reminds me of two quotes I remember reading in a book of quotes I read a few years back. The first quote is from former United States president, Thomas Jefferson, “The harder I work the luckier I am.” The second is from Oprah Winfrey, “Luck is when opportunity meets preparation”.
I am well aware that most polo players
have to work at outside jobs to afford to be able to play polo; and, they might have families that they have to spend time with; be that as they may be. If you are going to play polo and you want to improve, then you must find time to practice within those areas of polo that you want to improve upon. If you cannot, or do not want to, find that time; my suggestion is for you to accept the way you are playing polo now, with the thought in mind that you are going to enjoy playing the game of polo at the level that you are currently playing it. Polo for most of us is a never-ending pursuit of playing better,
Relative to the areas of polo that you should be working on to improve your polo playing skills; it is said that the horse is at least 70% of a player’s ability to play the game. With that thought in mind, if you want to improve upon your polo playing skills, it only makes sense to me that you should work on the largest portion of the game, i.e., work on playing the horse more affectively.
The reality of playing the game of polo to the best of your ability can be directly related to learning to help the polo horse play better for you, and then working hard enough with the horse to figure out how to make it happen.
Keep in mind that the horse is carrying you, and every move you make on the horse’s back is causing the horse to have to respond to whatever move you make on its back. And, if you make a move that you did not intend on making, the horse is almost obliged to perceive of that move as being intentional; consequently, the horse will, most likely, try to respond accordingly with your not knowing why.
A comparison to make is that of you carrying a 50lb child (23kg) on your shoulders while you are running. The fact of the matter is, the child will not have to shift its weight but very little before affecting your ability to carry it on your shoulders.
Even though the horse is running on four legs, the effect of your moving on the horse’s back is not so different from that of your running on two legs while carrying a 23kg child on your shoulders.
As the one being carried, you should work very hard at making your movements on the horse’s back as undisruptive to
the horse’s ability to carry you as you possibly can.
Basically speaking, the polo horse is being asked to do three things while carrying you on its back, in the game: 1. accelerate, 2. decelerate, and 3. change direction by way of turning or executing a lateral maneuver.
Now, think about how a child carried on your shoulders would affect your ability to do any of those things while you are running.
When you can develop an understanding of that, you should be able to develop an understanding of what the polo horse is going through carrying you on its back while playing the game of polo with you, and for you.
I can almost promise that being a better polo player is directly related to learning to help the horse work more effectively for you, off the field, and then taking that better way of riding onto the field and into the game with you.
A reality of the polo playing situation is, there is not enough time in the game to think about how to most affectively accelerate, decelerate, or change the direction of the polo horse, as you are trying to keep up with the pace of the game.
Consider this; assume you are riding down field against an opposing player, and your teammate hits a big back shot past you and the opponent. Within the process of thinking about how to slow down, turn and accelerate the horse to get back to the ball: the opponent slows down a third of a second faster than you, turns a third of a second faster than you, and accelerates back up to speed a third of a second faster than you. Under those conditions, the opponent has been given a full second in time, which equates to an approximate eight feet advantage in distance of getting to the ball first.
I feel safe in suggesting that keeping up with the pace of the game is greatly facilitated by way of figuring out how to accelerate, decelerate, and change the direction of travel of the horse off the field; then taking that improved polo style of riding onto the field, and into the game with you; i.e. Memo, according to Andrew, “polo is won off the field
In January of 2022 my intention was to release my educational program in May of 2022. That objective turned out to be a bit overzealous. I am now shooting for a release date of July/August 2022 The final product should contain five primary books of approximately one hundred pages each, i.e., an Introduction Book, a Riding Book, a hitting Book, a Strategy Book, and a Course Outline Book. Additionally, there will be approximately twenty-five booklets consisting of about ten pages each, detailing:
Hitting, A booklet for each of the twelve shots used in the game, another on: dribbling, another on turning the ball, another on gripping the mallet handle, another on the plane of swing, another on the hitting spot, etc.
Plane of swing equals a sheet of glass
Riding, One riding booklet details: collecting the horse’s body and stride, another accelerating, another decelerating, another changing direction by way of turning, and another changing direction by way of a lateral move), etc.
Strategy, there is a booklet for each of the positions; with each dealing with the offense and the defense perspectives of that position. There is another booklet on the throw in, another on the hit in, and another on set plays, etc.
Weight on inner side of feet, (big toe) CORRECT
Weight on lateral side of foot (little toe) WRONG
Additionally, there will approximately twenty-five videos demonstrating what is described in each of the booklets. Each video will be approximately five-minutes-long.
India Parker-Smith is the founder and owner of Chukka Wellness which provides the leading training and movement methodology designed for the equestrian athlete to enhance suppleness, stability and strength in the saddle. India is a Personal Trainer who offers online and offline fitness training designed to elevate the well-being of the equestrian athlete. Using her knowledge of seven years she has created a series of masterclasses, a virtual membership hub and online training programmes all designed to complement the equestrian’s health and wellness both in and out of the saddle. You will find more information on India’s services on her website www.chukkawellness.co.uk and Instagram page @chukka_wellness
Knee and hip issues are very common among riders and exercisers in general. Along with knocks from ride offs and biomechanical issues, a contributor to joint pain can be due to incorrect form during exercises.
Four sets of 15 reps
Do
• Engage core before starting the movement
• Keep pelvic tilt strong
• Shoulders retracted to keep good form
Two very effective compound movements for lower body strength and stability are the squat and lunge. Not only do they improve hip and knee joint stability but they encourage core control and strengthen the glutes and leg muscles
allowing more control and balance in the saddle. Despite used in many training programmes – these exercises are regularly performed with poor form. Here is how to correctly move during the squat and lunge
• Take a deep breathe in before starting the downward movement and exhale on the upward phase of the squat
• Squeeze your glutes to control the downward phase and propel the hips up during upward phase
• You should be able to wiggle your toes at the bottom of the squat
• Avoid pushing the weight forward through the knees during the downward phase
• Avoid arching the back during downward phase as this puts too much pressure on the spine
• Try not to raise the heels off the ground during the squat –disperse the weight evenly through the sole of the foot
• Keep the chest up rather than letting the torso fall forward
Four sets of 15 reps
Keep torso up and shoulders retracted
Maintain the pelvic tilt during the whole movement
As you step forward or backwards maintain neutral spine alignment
Breathe in during the downward phase and exhale during
the front knee does not track over the ankle joint – keep a straight line between the knee and ankle
take too big a stride as this can put too much pressure on the knee joint and lower back
Paul Sweeney Memorial Final; Ash Farm Polo Club; Sunday 20 February
fold forward with the torso, keep the
The Paul Sweeney Memorial was founded by Lesley, Charlotte and Georgia Sweeney in memory of Paul Sweeney after his unexpected death in 2009 at just 48-years-old in order to keep his spirit and legacy alive. Each year, the tournament attracts a number of players and spectators, gathering at Ash Farm Polo Club to cheer on the finalists. This year saw a record number of teams and after a two-year postponement due to Covid-19, the grandstands were packed. Twelve Oaks managed to stave off a last-minute attempt by Rosina to claim the title and took a 14-12 victory.
engaged
Chukka Wellness are launching their very own fitness App which offers follow along pre season, on season and off season programmes, mobility warm ups, stretching routines, tutorials, masterclasses from top nutritionists and mindset coaches, nutritional tools, motivational tools to ensure you stick to your fitness goals. Check out more info at www.chukkawellness.co.uk
The Clé de Peau Beauté Guards Ladies Charity Day saw three matches played, Semper Anticus took home The Clé de Peau Beauté Guards Ladies Charity Polo Tournament trophy, while Maiz Dulce won the Subsidiary Final earlier in the day and the charity match featuring Guards Polo Club’s patrons plus one higher handicapped lady per team was won by the Clé de Peau Beauté team. The main focus of the event was to raise funds, via a silent auction plus a raffle, for Ovacome, the UK’s national ovarian cancer support charity.
The Clé de Peau Beauté Guards Ladies Charity Day; Saturday 27 August; Guards Polo Club
Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com
Kayleigh Kniveton, Charlotte Jolly, Neil Young & Ruby Hammer
Olympia Paus’s Cevillana, Best Playing Pony in the charity match Rosie Ross
Kateryna Renucci
Cristina Carneiro de Mendoca
Nadia Chalfin & Tissy Sievwright
Georgie & Charlotte Gomez
Victoria Clare & Lee Priestly
Alexander Nix & Olympia Paus
Artist Nick BottingJushna Begum
Heloise
The II FIP Arena European Championship; 1 3 – 18 September; Baku, Azerbaijan Team Austria Achieves Success in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, The Land of Fire, hosted three visiting teams for The II FIP Arena European Championship. International guests, players and officials enjoyed a week of the finest Azerbaijani hospitality at The Dreamland Golf Hotel, The Elite Horse & Polo Club and Scalini Port Baku for the World Polo Party. Although the planned celebrations were muted and black ribbons of remembrance in honour of those lost in the recent border incidents, the event was hugely successful at demonstrating the deep regard and long history of equine sports Azerbaijan has. After four days of competition, it was Austria who ran out the champions, to read more about the action, turn to the Reports pages.
Photography by Kathrin Gralla/www.derrotedrache.com
Stefan Roth & Katja Grauwiler
All of the Event Officials
Mark Holmes Chris Hyde
Dr Andreas Krüger
The crowds were very supportive of the home teamTeam Spain
Elmar Balster
Irina GaudenziRuth Guevara Dr Piero Dillier
Ernest Judd
Christian Dunkelberg
General Javid Abdullayev
Tito Gaudenzi
General Elcin Gulijev Fabio Meier
Elcin Jamalli
Rolls-Royce attended Finals DayDiego Braun
Reto Gaudenzi
The matches were livestreamed on National Azerbaijan
imaging with 60 second scan times
motion correction technology
user interface and easy-to-use system
footprint with an open design for patient safety
December
“It really complemented what the MRI had told us about the content and signal intensity and, in this case, helped with surgical planning, providing useful information on the bone margin.”
They say a dog is a man’s best friend, and no Polo Club would be complete without its array of canine companions, so what better way to end the season at Cowdray Park Polo Club than with a dog show! With classes for Most Handsome Dog, Most Beautiful Bitch, Best Junior Handler, Golden Oldie (Veteran Class 8yrs +), Best Lookalike, Best In Show and two dog races there really was something for everyone –congratulations to all the winners.
With Christmas on the horizon, Cirencester Park Polo Club members and friends gathered to celebrate the festive season at the iconic Cowley Manor near Cheltenham. Alongside a delicious lunch, served to perfection by the lovely Cowley staff, there was laughter and festive cheer aplenty, as guests exchanged Christmas tidings of great joy! With all eyes turned to the 2020 season, gossip flew around the room – who will the next big Ciren star be? Which pros will play for which teams next year? Who will take the most falls? Suffice to say, a wonderful lunch was had by all; the perfect way to begin a thrilling festive season.
The technology is ideal for lower limb imaging where it can detect non-displaced fractures, subtle changes in bone density and small lesions without the expense, radiation risks and power requirements of other systems.
Photography by John Hankin Photography by Mark BeaumontAs installations continue, the new Hallmarq system is now up and running at Rainbow Equine Hospital, North Yorkshire.
Adding slCT to their state-of-the-art diagnostics suite was an obvious next step forward for the practice, as Dr. Jonathon Dixon, member of the referral team and European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging explains,
“We are really excited to put into practice the development so far to help facilitate the move into second phase clinical trials and
A dual-concentric ring design allows for safe and easy access
offer our customers a world first.”
Horse owners should contact their veterinary surgeon to discuss how advanced imaging can help in the diagnosis of lameness.
Web: hallmarq.net
Tel: 01483 877812
Although Cowdray Park Polo Club’s end of season Ambersham Party was delayed due to HM Queen Elizabeth II’s so was held on Wednesday 21 September rather than the planned Sunday, players, Club Members and supporters descended upon the Clubhouse for an evening of reminiscing on highs and lows of the 2022 season and started making plans for next year’s teams and tournaments.
The Ambersham Party; Wednesday 21 September; Cowdray Park Polo Club
Photography by Clive Bennett
Hannah Parry-Jones & Nick Van Oppen
Bella Black, Eleanor Wheeler, Jimmy Wood & Pete Walters Harry Revell & Fran Townend
Olivia Whittle & Lucy BowmanNick Clague & John Martin
Poppy Willis & Sophie Le Butt
Mathieu Jnr, Mathieu & Josephine Van Delden
Chris Bethell, Nick Clague & John Martin
Daniel Rusterholz & Holly Norris Sam Tay
All Ireland Polo Club 00353 01 6896732 dstone@indigo.ie
All England Polo Club Hickstead* 01273 834 315 polo@hickstead.co.uk
Apsley End Polo Club* 01462 712444 tobiana.scott@gmail.com
Ash Farm Polo Club* 07799 812739 ashfarmpolo@hotmail.com
Barfold Polo Club 07778 808853 mborwick@gmail.com
Bawtry Polo Club 01302 773282 info@bawtrypoloclub.co.uk
Beaufort Polo Club 01666 880510 enquiries@beaufortpoloclub.co.uk
Beverley Polo Club* 01964 544877 info@beverleypoloclub.co.uk
Binfield Heath 01491 411969 bhpcmanager@gmail.com
Blueys Polo Club* 07930 323263 polomanager@blueyspolo.co.uk
Bramham Polo Academy 07811 993316 emmadvh@btinternet.com
Bunclody Polo Club 00353 87 6605917 info@poloclubbunclody.com
Burningfold Polo Club 01483 200722 derrek@burningfold.com
Cambridge Polo Club* 07711 217004 cambridgepoloclub@icloud.com
Cambridge County Polo Club* 01223 812922 info@cambridgecountypoloclub.co.uk
Carlton House 07901 561113 harrietservaes@hotmail.com
Chester Racecourse Polo Club 01244 304602 amorris@chester-races.com
Cheshire Polo Club 01948 861020 info@cheshirepoloclub.co.uk
Chiltern Polo Club 07973 174542 info@chilternpoloclub.com
Cirencester Park Polo Club 01285 653225 info@cirencesterpolo.co.uk
Cowdray Polo Club 01730 813257 enquiries@cowdraypolo.co.uk
Curraghmore Polo Club 00353 51 387102 mkennedy@cssgroup.ie
Dallas Burston Polo Club* 01926 811 111 enquiries@ixlevents.com
Dorset Polo Club 01202 623985 office@dorsetpolo.co.uk
Druids Lodge Polo Club* 01722 782597 abi@druidspolo.co.uk
Dundee and Perth Polo Club* 07831 365 194 jamesscrawford@aol.com
Eastwood Polo Club 07875 743475 frankums@googlemail.com
Edgeworth Polo Club 01285 821695 edgeworthpolo@gmail.com
Edinburgh Polo Club* 07971 072336 james.dgls@gmail.com
Emsworth Polo Grounds* 01344 883112 info@fourquarterspolo.co.uk
Epsom Polo Club* 07961 232106 epsompoloclub@hotmail.com
FHM Polo Club* 07778 436468 frances@fhmpolo.co.uk
Fifield Polo Club* 01628 620061 fifieldpoloclub@live.co.uk
Great Trippetts Polo Club 01428 741916 charles@trippetts.com
Guards Polo Club* 01784 434212 polo@guardspoloclub.com
Ham Polo Club 020 8334 0000 office@hampoloclub.com
Hertfordshire Polo Club* 01707 256023 polo@hertspolo.co.uk
Home Farm Polo Grounds 07807672120 rachaelkearnet@hotmail.co.uk
Hurtwood Polo Club 01483 272828 polo@hurtwoodparkpolo.co.uk
Kirtlington Park Polo Club 01869 350138 info@kirtlingtonparkpolo.co.uk
Knepp Castle Polo Club 07920 023639 info@aspectpolo.co.uk
Leadenham Polo Club 07429 299026 office@leadenhampoloclub.com
Longdole Polo Club* 01452 864544 info@longdolepolo.com
Moor Farm Polo Club 07494 114190 shop@moorfarmshop.co.uk
Moor Hall Farm Polo Club* 01279 450637 alecbeve@btinternet.com
New Forest Polo Club 07977 224404 annabelparryjoyner@yahoo.co.uk
Norfolk Polo Club 01508 480400 office@norfolkpolo.co.uk
Northern Ireland Polo Club 07803 020577 info@northernirelandpoloclub.co.uk
Offchurch Bury Polo Club* 07816 830887 info@offchurchburypoloclub.co.uk
Pangbourne Polo Club 07708 906810 aprice@polofix.com
Peover Polo Club 07766 016 833 polomanager@peoverpoloclub.co.uk
Polo Wicklow* 00353 404 67164 siobhan@polowicklow.com
RAF Cranwell 07739 569491 rafcranwellpoloclub@yahoo.co.uk
Ranelagh Polo Club* 01344 885697 ranelagh@labravapolo.com
RCBPC* 01344 890060 polo@rcbpc.com
RMAS Polo Club 07973 174542 rmas-nc-aci-projinters@mod.uk
Rugby Polo Club* 01788 817724 info@rugbypoloclub.com
Rutland Polo Club 07772 040668 secretary@rutlandpoloclub.co.uk
Silver Leys Polo Club 07730 060200 silverleyspoloclub@gmail.com
St. Albans Polo Club 07956 017090 info@stalbanspoloclub.co.uk
Stewarton Polo Club 07974 706045 info@stewartonpolo.co.uk
Suffolk Polo Club 07990 576974 aes3@cam.ac.uk
Sussex Polo Club* 01342 714920 info@sussexpolo.co.uk
Taunton Vale Polo Club 01823 480460 nhs.wheelers@gmail.com
Tidworth Polo Club* 01980 846705 info@tidworthpolo.com
Toulston Polo Club 07776 234638 info@toulstonpoloclub.com
Triskelion Polo Club* 07624 272547 polo@triskelionpolo.club
Vale of York Polo Club* 07788 426968 info@valeofyorkpoloclub.co.uk
Vaux Park Park Polo Club*
524613 vppc@btconnect.com
West Wycombe Park Polo Club* 07787 560729 secretary@westwycombepolo.co.uk
Westcroft Park Polo Club*
White Rose Polo Club*
White Waltham Polo Club
858545 info@westcroftparkpolo.co.uk
875767 info@whiterosepolo.co.uk
670587 kim@playpolo.co.uk
6ft Heavy Weight Masta Rug
Literally used for a month, a year ago. Washed and reproofed. Only reason for sale is I have too many. £35. Tel: 07769
1995 Bateson Deuville 55
Bateson two horse, front and rear ramps which takes two 16hh horses with ease. I have owned it since 1998 and during that time has had a new floor, rear ramp and new tyres. It is in good mechanical order and ready to use. I am only selling because we have a lorry and don’t use it now. It comes with a locking wheel clamp. Any questions feel free to ask. £1,995. Tel: 07595 300843
Polo Knee Guards
Standard Size. 28 cm length/19 cm width and two adjustable velcro straps. £80. Tel: 07791 132113
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
Medium Premier Equine Carbon Tech Air Cooled Boots
3 full sets (front & back) of size medium premier equine carbon tech air cooled eventing boots (purchased for polo). £35 per pair. Tel: 07747 033728
Children’s Riding Boots
size
Ariat riding boots.
Selling these knee pads that I got at Christmas because they are unfortunately too big for me. Worn once, top condition. Can be handed over in SW London or posted +£8. £45. Tel: 07722 595945
SANITISER
sanitiser
www.polotimes.co.uk
Mark Holmes held a 2 goal outdoor and 5 door arena handicap in his early career, but since 2013 is more often seen in black and white stripes umpiring across the world from Europe to the USA at events such as The Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz and The World Polo League. Polo Times caught up with Mark at The II FIP Arena Polo European Championship where he was providing integral Sport Organizational Support
What is your biggest passion and why? I really enjoy field sports and outdoor pursuits – anything from hunting and shooting to fishing.
What is your all-time best polo memory? Finishing in over-time with Tim Bown and Seb Dawnay at a 20 goal Arena International in South Africa.
Who were/are your favourite teammates? Terence Spilsbury and Martin ffrench Blake. Hardest opponent? Everybody, they were all better than me!
Which sports do you like outside of polo? Rugby and field sports.
Favourite film?
Pulp Fiction I like the Tarantino style of it not being very obvious and having to work it out.
Favourite song/ album?
Back in Black by AC/DC.
Favourite food/ dish? Eggs benedict, steak tartare and a gooseberry fool.
Favourite hobby outside of polo? My children, Fleur and Delphina.
Most prized possession?
I can’t travel without Yorkshire Tea, I always bring it with me whenever I go abroad and I always share it with my good friend and touring partner Jan-Erik Franck.
Best holiday destination & activity? Oaklands, South Africa.
Best pony and why?
Lilypig, an Appaloosa mare I bought for £300. She was the first pony I bought and trained myself. I played 17 seasons on her in everything from -6 to 18 goal! In her honour, my daughter’s middle name is Lily.
Favourite celebrity and why? Johnny Wilkinson for his work ethic and total commitment to the team above himself.
Are you passionately superstitious? No.
Describe yourself in three words? Confident, honest and forgetful.
One thing which would surprise us about you?
I think football is overrated.
Suicide is the leading cause of death in men under 50 in the UK. Our mission at James’ Place is to stop men dying by suicide.
James' Place was founded by Clare Milford Haven and Nick Wentworth-Stanley following the tragic loss of their son, James Wentworth-Stanley, aged 21.
James’ Place is a place where men in suicidal crisis can access support, advice and help. Our centres in Liverpool and London provide a safe, therapeutic environment in which men are cared for, respected, and treated by professional therapists. Since we started delivering our intervention in August 2018, we have seen over 1,100 men in crisis.
We now need to expand our service to provide our life-saving, unique intervention nationally, treating 2000 men per year, by opening three further centres in England.
If you would like to help us in this aim
you are able to make a donation, please visit
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