Volume 25 • Issue 8 • September 2020 • £6.50
EUROPEAN REPORTS Action from Germany, France & Spain CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP FINAL Castagnolas Clinch Historic Title DILLON BRINGS HOME THE BACON Polo Times Interview PLUS: Osteochondrosis, Technology in Polo & Victor Ludorum Update
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“Polo Times is undoubtedly the most influential contemporary polo magazine” Horace Laffaye
Contents Publisher Nick Hine publisher@polotimes.co.uk
What’s inside…
September 2020
Editor in Chief Richenda Hine richenda@polotimes.co.uk
Operations Manager Rosabella Hine rosabella@polotimes.co.uk
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Marketing Manager Lottie McDonagh lottie@polotimes.co.uk
Advertising Sales Richard Hine ads@polotimes.co.uk
Principal Design James Morgan
Additional Design Tony Ruddy
20 News 4 7
Financial Controller Angie Clark accounts@polotimes.co.uk
All the Latest News Obituary: Tim Keyte
Comment 8
Letters: Your Views & Social Media
Features Rosalind Cutter ads@polotimes.co.uk
10 12 14
Administration Assistant
Reports
Accounts & Administration Assistant
Lynne Berry
Contributors: Lorna Edgar, Rob Gould, Dr.med. Andreas Krüger, Rege Ludwig, Camilla Nock MA(cantab) VetMB MRCVS, India Parker-Smith, Tony Ramirez, Natalie Willcock
Contact details Hill Farm Studios, Wainlodes Lane, Bishops Norton, Glos, GL2 9LN Tel: 01452 730770 email:admin@polotimes.co.uk
www.polotimes.co.uk © Polo Times Limited 2020 and Database Right 2020 Polo Times Limited holds the copyright & database right to the information it publishes in Polo Times and on the Polo Times website. No content may be reproduced or distributed without the consent of the Publisher. ‘Polo Times’ is the trade mark of Polo Times Limited. ISSN 1461-4685
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Polo Times, September 2020
20 26 28 31 34
Big Picture Polo Valley: The Challenge of a Lifetime Interview: Dillon Bacon The Cartier Queen’s Cup The Deauville Coupe d’Argent 2020 German Polo Championship Final 49th MANSION International Polo Tournament Victor Ludorum Update
Club Focus 45
Your Club News from Home and Abroad
Youth Polo 50 53
All Aspects of Youth Polo University Focus: University of Manchester Polo Club
Cover photograph: A jubilant Barto Castognola celebrates his brother’s winning goal as his team, Les Lions/Great Oaks clinch the 2020 Cartier Queen’s Cup in extra time. By Helen Cruden www.helencruden.com
Women’s Polo 55 55 57 59
5 Minutes With… Holly Butler A Round-Up of Women’s Polo Victrix Ludorum Update Polo Park Zurich’s Ladies
Knowledge
60 Pony Power: Polo Times Best Playing Pony Series 62 Nutrition Focus: Yard Focus – Tommy Severn 64 Polodoc: Better Safe Than Sorry 66 Vet Insight: Osteochondrosis & OCD 68 Chukka Wellness: The Nearside Forehand 70 Playing Tips with Rege Ludwig: Swing Time vs Riding Time 72 Yoga for Polo: Yoga Poses for the Spine 74 Cotswold Forager: The Humble Blackberry
Sidelines 76
Gossip: Don’t Be the Last to Know!
Polo Directory 77
What’s On in September
Final Bell 80
Passions: Romilla Arber
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Polo Times, September 2020
HPA Tournament Conditions for 2021 Following Brexit and the UK’s departure from the EU, the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) Stewards have reviewed the Tournament Conditions to bring them in line with the Government and Home Office’s policy to provide greater support to those with British citizenship; “In recent years the majority of overseas players have played here as EU citizens, but after this season, unless they are clearly a patron, all players from overseas will have to be 4 goals and have a visa to play here. The visa will limit them to playing in the 12 goal and above although it is hoped that the Home Office will agree that a patron who brings in a player will continue to be able to play with him in the 8 goal. The current conditions limit teams to two such players in the high goal and one in the 12 and 15 goal.” “It has been the clear aim of the Stewards to structure the conditions so that there is one British or Irish player in every team at every level. However, in recognition of the restrictions on EU passported players following Brexit it is considered that it would be beneficial to all concerned if two overseas players are allowed in the 12 and 15 goal as well. It should be noted that players from South Africa and Chile will be treated the same as other overseas players as the agreements with those countries was through the EU. The HPA’s Tournament Conditions place certain handicap limits on teams and individuals and Any Overseas Professional Player (OPP) must be a minimum of 4 goals and be here on a Tier 2 or Tier 5 visa as a polo player, the HPA’s Tournament Conditions can be viewed in full by visiting the HPA website. The Stewards also reviewed the minimum age and handicap for the 22 goal and it was agreed that it should remain at 15 unless the player had reached 3 goals. Another topic was the number of ponies played in the 22 goal are limited to 40 for the team. This equates to the limits in place in Argentina.
New HPA Helmet Rules On Monday 24 August, the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) made the following announcement regarding their new helmet rules for 2020: Since 1 January 2018, it has been necessary to wear ‘type approved’ helmets. This meant that the helmets had to be CE marked to an approved standard (eg PAS015). An additional quality control mark (QC) such as the BSI Kitemark was not James Beim wearing his Armis Polo required at the time. However, the QC mark Edge helmet, which passes PAS 015 provides additional assurances of quality with BSI Kitemark fitted with MIPS and consistency in manufacture (via random auditing and testing), so in October 2019 (in line with other equestrian disciplines) the HPA made the decision to require a QC mark in all polo helmets from 1st April 2021. Due to the unprecedented circumstances during the Covid-19 pandemic, the HPA has made the following alterations to this directive: 1) Any HPA member buying a new helmet after 1st April 2021 must ensure it has a QC mark. 2) Any HPA member who already owns a helmet that does NOT have a QC mark may use it until 1st April 2024. This also reduces our environmental impact as the helmets will not be discarded prematurely before they would naturally begin to degrade. Manufacturers state that helmets should be replaced every 3-5 years as the materials within become less effective over time. The HPA would also like to take this opportunity to remind employers within polo that they have a legal obligation to ensure that their staff wear appropriate CE marked PPE (ie a certified helmet) when riding. The full list of HPA Helmet Regulations can be viewed on the HPA’s website. www.polotimes.co.uk
Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com
.Billy Ocean’s lyrics, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”, best sums up the collective tenacity that we have witnessed in ensuring that the UK 2020 polo season actually happened – and what a season it has turned out to be. Polo has been played the length and breadth of the country, with those playing, all experiencing, thrills and spills aplenty. The new rules that have been implemented so as to minimise unnecessary contact – no throw-ins, no changing ends after each goal, spot hits awarded when a ball goes over the boards, the list is long – have all contributed to faster, cleaner and more enjoyable polo being played. The season being extended to the end of September, possibly into October, is a long-overdue adjustment to the playing season, which mirrors the ‘Indian Summer’ that in recent years, has become the ‘norm’ in England. The downside this season?... polo being played behind closed doors, but let’s face it, that’s a small price to pay, when in reality, the majority of polo is only ever just that – played in front of a handful of dutiful spectators. That said, Pony Club Polo and SUPA, have both, of course been casualties of Covid-19 with the vast majority of youth polo having been curtailed this season. There’s a sense of irony in the Pony Club and SUPA decision, since scientists all seem to now agree that children are the only age group, being (almost) immune to, and not suffering the extreme effects of C-19. Is there a lesson to all this pandemic madness? Yes, a pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. Optimism was clearly part of Dillon Bacon’s 2020 Queen’s Cup team’s philosophy. Put together at very short notice, (April ’20), due to Jeta and Barto unexpectedly becoming available, Dillon’s Les Lions/ Great Oaks went on to unseat the Park Place Pieres powerhouse in extra-time – what a Final and what a finish! For 25 years Polo Times, has striven to promote, both the good and the bad in polo. Things were looking pretty bad at times for the 2020 polo season, but the polo community pulled together and the result has been an outstanding season where new rules have been implemented under necessity, but that have proven to be to the long-term betterment of the sport… plus, the extended season has still got over a month to run. Thanks must go to Polo Times’ subscribers and advertisers, plus also to everyone who has provided feedback to last month’s front cover which showed Aldolfo and Poroto Cambiaso celebrating their win of the Gold Cup. One online media suggested this was a controversial photo under C-19 in so far as the two players were embracing – but then again, parents tend to do just that. Paradoxically, the same online portal, ran a story under the guise of ‘journalism’ which could very well have put paid to everyone’s efforts before the season had even begun. Life’s a balance, and standing together as a community, I am certain that we will continue to make the right choices. Continue to play safe and have a great end to the season.
News
Science and Technology Applied to Cloning in Argentina
Fernando L. Riera +54 9 2355 575553 E-Mail: friera@donapilar.com.ar Luis Riera +54 9 11 6237 8557 E-Mail: luisriera@donapilar.com.ar @donapilarargÂ
/donapilararg
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News Singapore Polo School Receives AAP Accreditation
Broghil Festival 2020 Dates
Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Cancelled
Photograph by Khyber Pakhunkhwa Tourism
The Colts Polo & Riding School of Singapore has become the first polo school to be accredited by the Argentine Polo Association (AAP) outside of Argentina. The school is attended by roughly 150 people each week, with a high level of service and so Eduardo Novillo Astrada, AAP President, was impressed with their set-up. Patrick Furlong, founder of Colts Polo & Riding, stated that “We are immensely proud to be the first AAP-accredited polo school in the world. We share the AAP’s vision of developing the sport of polo, raising awareness of the sport, and growing its audience among players of all ages and backgrounds. We look forward to promoting this partnership and providing the best experience to enthusiasts in Asia and other parts of the world.”
Yak polo will feature in the two-day festival
The second edition of the two day Broghil Festival will take place over 5 – 6 at Broghil National Park in the Upper Chitral district, Pakistan. The event will be organised by Khyber Pakhunkhwa Tourism Department and will showcase various activities such as donkey, horse and yak polo, wrestling and buzkashi – the ancient Asian game in which horse-mounted players attempt to place a goat or calf carcass in a goal.
2021 BMW NZ Polo Open
Photograph by NZ Polo Open
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the difficult decision was made to cancel the 2020 Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad, however plans are already in place for the 2021 edition which is scheduled for 19 – 22 August 2021.
2020 finalists Mystery Creek & Glenmark
Save the date for the 2021 BMW NZ Polo Open on Sunday 21 February 2021. With polo, best dressed competition, BMW vs horse race, the 44th NZ Polo Open is set in the Auckland Polo Club grounds and will feature some of the country’s best players. Tickets go on sale from 10 August.
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News
Photograph by Kathrin Gralla
Basti Fund
Over 10,500 CHF has been raised so far for Basti
On 11 August 2017, Bastian ‘Basti’ Fernandez, an Argentine groom in his mid-twenties, working in Switzerland, fell from a polo horse, and sustained major injuries to his fifth cervical vertebra. He is now quadriplegic, which is a paraplegia involving all four limbs, (arms and legs). Despite good Swiss accident insurance, his full costs are not covered. This is why Adolfo and Poroto Cambiaso joined with Michael Husted of Performance Polo and the Le Page family of Polo Park Zürich to organize a fundraising for Basti to help cover some of his disability costs, and reintegration. Each ticket was CHF 50 and gave an equal chance to win a polo helmet designed and signed by Adolfo and Poroto Cambiaso. The draw was made by Basti himself on 16 August in Polo Park Zürich during the Swiss Medium Goal Tournament; In a single month 10,500 CHF was raised and the lucky winner was Tomas Leguizamon from Argentina, Tomas decided to re-donate the helmet so more funds can be raised over the following months. Basti’s story can be seen on Bastifund.org.
Obituary Tim Keyte
Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com
Tim Keyte passed away aged 67 on Tuesday 11 August at home with Gail by his side. Tim was a respected figure within the polo community, heralding from a prestigious polo playing family in New Zealand and in the early days of his professional polo career won New Zealand’s oldest trophy, The Savile Cup. Having hung up his polo sticks, Tim has filled positions such as Executive Polo Manager at Cirencester Park Polo Club and following the sad news, the Club held a two-minute silence before The Gouldsmith Bowl league game in remembrance for Tim and his contribution to the polo community. Tim was an amazing person and contributed greatly to the polo as a whole. He was an inspiration to many younger players all around the world and he will be greatly missed for the positive energy he imparted to all. Oli Ellis remembers a dear friend: “Luckily for me, I got to spend quite a bit of time with Tim. We did plenty of travelling, from Thailand to Switzerland and places in between and he was the best company you could have. He and I umpired in St. Moritz and Veytay for many years and we sorely missed him in 2019 when he first felt that all wasn’t well. As Polo Managers we would regularly discuss the state of polo and I’m sure he was destined for more important roles in the hierarchy particularly where umpiring was concerned, a subject he was passionate and very knowledgeable about. While we took our umpiring duties very seriously, we also took our time off in the same spirit. An evening in his company was worth its weight in gold and I, for one, will miss him very much.” Everybody at Polo Times would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Gail and the Keyte family
Tim Keyte umpired for many years at The Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz
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Comment
Your Views
Letters
Letter of the month The writer of letter of the month wins a bottle of British Polo Gin @britishpologin 18 years and over only
We follow them to save you the scrolling: @insidepolo Native American polo in Montana 1915
@snoopypolo CLONES Los hermanos Anton, Kim, Emil y Paul Grabosch
@druidslodgepolo Say . #cameraready
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@cowdraypolo Today’s #FlashbackFriday takes us back to the 1981 Gold Cup. The Falcons rode to victory; made up of Amaya, Merlos, Pieres and Ebeid.Â
Quick Question Q: Which Argentine player currently holds the highest number of wins in both The Gold and Queen’s Cups? For a bonus point, how many wins does the player have in The Queen’s Cup? A: Turn to page 77 to check your answer.
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Polo Times, September 2020
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Over 8 – 9 August, Beaufort Polo Club hosted their first Junior Games Weekend; the junior polo players compete for the top title amidst searing heat. There were ponies and players of all age and size, from fluffies to Thoroughbreds, everyone was welcome, pictured here are Ottie and Freddie Williams in action! w Photography by JRidley Art & Photography
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Polo Times, September 2020
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Feature
Polo Valley
P
olo Valley are searching for six highly-driven and motivated individuals who are ready to push their bodies and minds to the limit in a rigorous two-week accelerated training programme to drastically improve their polo game. The Polo Challenge 2021 is a rare opportunity to invest in your development as a player for those ready to put the work in and experience real results. With four hours of saddle time per day everybody will be pushed to their limit. This level of intensity, focus and intricately planned schedule allows coaches to make a huge impact on your polo game as improvements are cemented into muscle memory and by the final match each participant’s game is transformed, finally leaving as totally different players. Absolutely
everything is taken care of during these weeks (accommodation, meals, transport) so you can wholeheartedly focus on the programme. Days typically begin with early morning sunrise yoga sessions then hour-long riding drills followed by polo tuition, practice games, fitness for polo and tactics and strategy sessions, to name a few. Recovery day is aided by pre-scheduled physiotherapy sessions and ice baths and in your limited down time you are given materials to help you process everything being taught. The week is fuelled with delicious, healthy food and asados with the rest of your team to reflect on the day’s experience and all that’s been achieved. The Polo Challenge is not for the faint hearted but for ambitious, highly motivated and competitive individuals who are ready for
this “once in a lifetime” experience. With the instruction of world class polo professionals and full support from a team of personal trainers, nutritionists and physiotherapists everyday on the programme is a game changer. Building to the final, unforgettable day when participants will battle it out against opponents in a professional match on the championship polo fields of Sotogrande, playing at the height of summer in front of crowds, friends and family. As the programme comes to an end Polo Valley host a special event at their finca, celebrating everything that has been achieved with coaches, support staff, friends and loved ones. If you instinctively feel you are up to the challenge and are prepared to be thrown in at the very deep-end then call or email Polo Valley to hear more about this unique programme. POA.
The Challenge of a Lifetime
WEEK ONE (optional) Saturday 12 - 19 June WEEK TWO Saturday 17 - 25 July GAME DAY Saturday 24 July Call: 0208 246 5301 Email: info@polovalley.com Whatsapp: +34 690 036 016
The Polo Challenge 2021
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Polo Times, September 2020
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Feature
Interview: Dillon Bacon
Dillon Bacon The Queen’s Cup winner tells us about this year’s momentous victory, past achievements, his love of polo… and more
W
hen Dillon Bacon agreed to an exclusive interview with us, the first question we had was – what questions do we ask him? As a guy who likes to keep a low profile, not many people, particularly outside of the high goal circuit know much about him. So, we decided to start at the beginning and ask this charismatic patron some basic questions about what everybody wants to know – about life, polo and, of course, (excuse us please)… bringing home the bacon in the Cartier Queen’s Cup. Where did you grow up? I’m half British and half American, but grew up in the UK from the age of six, having spent my school years here. Where do you call home now? I have just moved back to the UK from New York, where I was for University and my first few years of work.
polo when I was young and initially forced me to play when I was 12. I didn’t have a kids pony or lighter mallets, so it was difficult, at first, because of my age. What started off initially as a chore, quickly grew into a passion though – I grew up playing farm polo at our place in Long Island with the Garcia del Rio family, with the father, Felipe and his three sons, Tomas, Gonzalo and Marcos. And when I went to high school, our school had a team and so I got play there as well.
Away from polo, do you have a ‘day job’? As fanatical as I am about polo, I do have a job. I work in finance doing investments in private companies, mostly late stage startup businesses. When did you start to ride? First memories on a horse was when I was four. Riding and feeling comfortable on a horse was something that I was brought up with. I even got my first riding accident when I was five, when my small pony Rose bolted; when I tried to emergency dismount, my foot got caught in the stirrup and I got dragged. I remember waking up in hospital and still carry a scar from that today. I was riding again not long after that, so I think I got over any fear of horses from a young age.
Were there any other sports that had your attention when you were younger? I grew up playing lots of sports with my family and at school. Rugby was my first great passion in sport as I was good at tackling (maybe why I work well marking in polo!). I also love all racket sports, especially squash though, which I’ve always loved playing. After polo, squash is my favorite sport to play and what I’m most obsessed by. Other sports I love include, skiing, road cycling, tennis, badminton and kite surfing.
Are you from an equestrian background or a polo family? Fortunately, yes. My father started playing
Are there any sports that still compete with polo for your attention and time? Up until the last two years I would say squash. I would play religiously throughout the winter, and have always been obsessive on how to improve every aspect of my game, and likewise with polo in the summer. Squash is an incredible game because of the amount of exercise and focus you can do in a 30 minute match. It takes a lot of fitness, technique and focus to improve as a player, much the same with polo. For the last two years, I have spent more time in the winter training for polo, strength building and Pilates, to ensure I hit the ground running when it came to the polo season. This has meant I haven’t had as much time to play squash. Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com
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Polo Times, September 2020
Where have you played the majority of your polo? What have been your most notable polo achievements so far? Both in the UK and abroad? I grew up playing polo in the UK until I was 18-years-old, both schools polo (winning the National Schools’ tournament in 2009) and at Guards. From then on, I played mostly in the Hamptons, Long Island. www.polotimes.co.uk
Interview: Dillon Bacon
Feature
Q: If you had to sum up winning the Cartier Queen’s Cup in four words? A: dream come true
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Polo Times, September 2020
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Feature
Interview: Dillon Bacon
Notable seasons were 2009, playing with Sebi Merlos, Tomas and Marco Garcia Del Rio in a 20 goal tournament. We won both the Mercedes-Benz Cup and Hampton Cup against the famed Greenwich team, White Birch. It was my first experience playing high goal and I learnt a lot from it. Tomas and Sebi are both fantastic players and taught me so much that season. After the 2009 season, my highlight would be winning the three 6 goal tournaments in Sotogrande 2014. This was a super fun season as I was playing with two good friends – Felipe Gomez and Aristide Faggionato – and we played proper four man polo and we had very good horses for the level of polo. It taught me the importance of being well organized for the level you play in and to always try to be over prepared with horse power. We were undefeated for the season and I often joke that I won the Triple Crown! Regrettably for me I won’t ever get close to the actual Argentine Triple Crown, so I am very happy with this as a substitute. Lastly, playing for La Indiana in the 2019 Queen’s Cup as a substitute for Michael Bickford. It was my first experience in the UK high goal and playing with the best player in the world was an awesome experience. Sadly, we got knocked out in the Semis against Park Place, but it taught me a lot and prepared me for this season’s success.
by who they play against. I hope that is not a cliché to say that – given I just played with them! The other player I have always loved watching play is Pablo Mac Donough. He has an amazing amount of talent, I admire the way he moves around a polo field and what he can do with the ball. He is also a very cool headed player, playing mostly on instinct rather than clear team tactics.
What is your favourite polo location? Sotogrande. I only ever played one season there, but it was a fantastic place to play due to the weather, fields and three competitive levels.
Who has been your biggest polo influence – is there anybody you would like to thank? In general, my biggest influence would be Tomas Garcia Del Rio. I have played the most high goal tournaments with him, and he really pushed me to think about being a team player and how to work off the ball. Also, his brother Gonzalo has been my manager for the past few years and has really helped me get better mounted. I’ve had a lot of fun playing with Gonzalo over the years. For this season though, I have to thank John Horswell. It was my first season working with John, but he really helped me think about and improve my technique for hitting the ball. No one really teaches technique in polo; therefore, it’s difficult figuring out what you are doing wrong most of the time. John helped answer the questions I had and taught me how to improve. In addition, he has helped coach me on the pitch, giving strong encouragement and cool advice when needed. For any player serious about improving, he is a fantastic person to work with and a really lovely guy on top of everything.
Who are the players who inspire you and why? After watching them the past two years, I would say Jeta and Barto [Castagnola]. They have a winning mentality and are not phased
What have you done on the UK circuit in the past? What have been your greatest wins and achievements? To be honest, before The Queen’s Cup, the last tournament I won in the UK was
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The Committee Cup back in 2009. I’ve only done two other seasons in the UK since then and the level of polo here is so competitive, it means you don’t always have the opportunity to win a trophy. Why do you choose to play the UK season? Outside of the Argentina, the UK is the most competitive polo in the world, with the best organizations, horses and players. Not just the high goal, but every single level of polo is super competitive. Therefore, it’s the best place to compete, try to improve and hopefully win a cup. Plus, with two great clubs, Cowdray and Guards, so close to London, there is a lot of good polo to play in. What do you think has been the reason for your success with Les Lions/Great Oaks this year? Firstly, that we were a four man team. Four man teams are difficult to play against, even for the best organization and players like Next Gen [Generation] and Park Place. It takes the pressure off each individual player in the team, each player’s
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Interview: Dillon Bacon horses and means we can play more classic, position polo. We weren’t the only four man team to do well this season; Thai Polo also had an incredible season, reaching the Quarters and Semis of the Gold and Queen’s Cups respectively. Secondly, Jeta and Barto are something special in that in the key moments of a match, when the game is on the line, they are able to create that magic to win. It’s an amazing thing to witness and to have been part of, but they consistently did this throughout the season. I lost count of how many games in OT [overtime] we won in, but there were a lot, including the Queen’s Cup Quarters, Semis and Final. It didn’t matter that they were playing against the two best players in the world, Adolfo and Facundo, they kept their cool.
What was the decision behind hiring the Castagnola brothers – how long had that been planned? Did it begin when you saw them win the Gold Cup last year? This was a last-minute opportunity that came about as their original team fell apart in April due to Covid. We started talking then with Lolo [Castagnola] and quickly agreed to play together. I had been following Barto and Jeta’s success following their 2019 UK season and saw them play live in Argentina against Las Monjitas. That was an historic match to witness, a 28 goal team competing neck-and-neck with a 38 goal team. I recognized that this team had a strong chance of being able to win a cup and if there was ever an opportunity to step up to play the high goal with the idea to win, this was it. Importantly, I also felt that I was
Feature
prepared with horsepower to compete at that level. I only ever wanted to compete at that level if I had the horses and this year fortuitously, I was ready. In this year’s Gold Cup, you missed out to Next Generation in the Finals. What changed to allow you to clinch victory in The Queen’s Cup? The team as a whole had a bad day that day. It took us too long to get into the rhythm of the game, and we were constantly chasing Next Gen, playing their game rather than ours. We also committed too many foals, especially me. I think personally I was a bit lost that day too, and that had a big impact on the rest of the team as I had been making a difference in defense in previous matches. And all four of the Next Gen team had a fantastic game that
Q: If you had to sum up playing polo in four words? A: An addictive love affair
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Polo Times, September 2020
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Feature
Interview: Dillon Bacon
day. They deserved the win that day as we did not bring our best on the day. We relished a rematch though, and the Quarter Finals of The Queen’s Cup was a completely different match. We adapted to the way they played, changed some things around like positions and from the first seconds of the match, we imposed our style of play. I think the tables turned that match and they had to adapt to our style of play. Who was the opponent in this year’s high goal you were most worried about playing against… and why? Both Park Place teams. Andrey has built a fantastic organization and the partnership with Ellerstina makes them amongst the top teams, if not the top. Park Place Vaara with the strong Hilario [Ulloa] and [Juan] Britos partnership is also a formidable team. In fact, they were the only team to beat us in every single match this season. I also lost against the both of them last year playing for La Indiana in the Semis of the Queen’s [Cup], so I haven’t had the best record with them! How did it feel when you saw Jeta score the winning goal to win the The Cartier Queen’s Cup? It was an immediate eruption of emotions 18
Polo Times, September 2020
like I have never experienced before, accompanied by a lot screaming and shouting! A moment of pure joy, satisfaction and also disbelief. It did not feel real, like somehow reality was lying to me because I could not believe that something I had dreamed of winning, that so many players dream of winning, had actually come to transpire. The Queen’s Cup was my entire bucket list – I grew up watching the tournament as a kid and dreaming of one day playing in the tournament. So, winning with the boys and in the manner that we did, beating both Cambiaso (in the Quarters) and Facundo in OT, well it could not have gotten more perfect than that. It was the happiest moment of my life. I think the next time I’ll feel like that again is on my wedding night! Personally, how did you prepare for this year’s UK season and how do you think you did? Personal training and creating a program to prepare for the season is important if you are not able to play all year long. I would also recommend Pilates to keep your riding in shape. Are you happy with the level of handicap you have achieved? Or are you aiming for a higher rating year on year? I am happy with my handicap at 2 goals. It’s difficult going further up, because then
I have to compete against professional players who play all year long, while I don’t have that luxury. Of course, I always want to improve and get better, so if I could continue to improve and if it is necessary they move me, then great. But, it does make it more difficult as a part-time amateur to be competitive. After your Queen’s Cup win – after the celebration party – what’s next? I will be playing The French Open in September with Tommy Beresford, Barto and Aristide Faggionato. It will be fun playing with my friend Aristide again and also Tommy, as we played against each other in The Queen’s Cup. He had a great season this summer and I think together we have a competitive team. Will you be back next year on the UK circuit? Yes, I’ll be back playing in the UK. I love the polo season here and hope to be able to continue playing. Hopefully I will be back playing The Queen’s Cup again. We will have to see about handicaps and how plans shake out for next season. If I play, it will be with the Castagnolas again. We get along very well on/off the pitch and they are all a wonderful family to spend time with. www.polotimes.co.uk
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Reports
The Cartier Queen’s Cup
Two Sets of Brothers in Fraternal Battle for Trophy Pieres Vs Castagnola in legendary Cartier Queen’s Cup campaign
T
he zenith of the rearranged UK high goal season did not fail to disappoint in an extra chukka, turbo charged, cliffhanger as two sets of brothers clashed on Sunday 23 August as Les Lions/ Great Oaks took on the might of Park Place for The Cartier Queen’s Cup Trophy. The 60th anniversary of this match was played at Guards Polo Club on the iconic Queen’s Ground behind closed doors due to the pandemic, but was available to view live on Guards TV in collaboration with PolocamTV, therefore opening up the match to those not able watch at the Club. Those viewing from their homes were also joined by Laurent Feniou, Managing Director of Cartier UK, who also could not attend as he was self-isolating at home due to a recent overseas trip, but sent a message to all the teams taking part. “It has been incredible to see such powerful games played by some of the very best polo players in the world, during this year’s Cartier Queen’s Cup, despite the unprecedented turn of events this year. I am truly inspired by the resilience and talent of these wonderful players capturing the true essence and spirit of the sport.” Despite the lack of spectators, the players certainly did not hold back on performance as both teams fought valiantly from the outset. Park Place were keen to avenge the memory of their Queen’s Cup defeat at the hands of Scone last year and came to the 2020 Final with an impressive undefeated run in the tournament. But what was truly fascinating to see was the fraternal ease
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Polo Times, September 2020
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The Cartier Queen’s Cup
Reports
What was truly fascinating to see was the fraternal ease of play between two sets of brothers
Photograph by Šwww.imagesofpolo.com
Facundo Pieres and Jeta Castagnola fight for possession
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Polo Times, September 2020
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Reports
The Cartier Queen’s Cup
Despite the lack of spectators, the players certainly did not hold back on performance as both teams fought valiantly from the outset
The talented Barto Castagnola in action
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The Cartier Queen’s Cup
Reports
of play between two sets of brothers. The powerhouse duo of flamboyant 10 goal Facundo Pieres teamed with his reliable stalwart brother, 9 goal Gonzalito are always a joy to watch, and their huge wealth of experience, teamed with the tsunami of horsepower they bring, should have seen Park Place dominate from the start. But the Pieres duo seemed unsettled from the first throw in, their feathers seemingly ruffled by the relatively ‘new brothers on the block’ in the form of the 17-year-old Jeta Castagnola and his older brother Barto. Maybe this was in part due to Barto being raised from 7 to 8 goals in the mid season handicaps, so the total of the Les Lions/Great Oaks team was actually 23 goals. Yes, Park Place received a one goal advantage to level this out; but at the end of the day, it was still a 22 goal team facing a 23 goal line-up. Could Facundo play better than his 10 goal maximum to level out the disparity? Would he pull out the stops for a 12 goal masterclass of piston pumping polo? Would he and his brother use the experience of a collective nine Queen’s Cup victories between them, to out-manoeuvre their opponents? Time would tell.
The Pieres duo seemed unsettled from the first throw in, their feathers seemingly ruffled The youthful Castagnola brothers are truly a force to behold, having an ease of placement which sees them seemingly effortlessly pop up in the right place at the right time, a skill that is innate rather than being learnt. Although with Lolo Castagnola, the legendary 10 goal polo master craftsman of our sport as their father, what they have not inherited has certainly been reinforced by a childhood of expert fatherly instruction – day on day, year on year, tournament on tournament. So, talent and practice has enabled their meteoric explosion onto the UK high goal scene. In 2019, during their debut 22 goal UK season, the brothers wowed the crowds at Cowdray with a flamboyant and confident Gold Cup win. This year they have consolidated with assured performances in every 22 goal Final. For the 2020 Cartier Queen’s Cup their incredible talent and ability teamed with Santiago Laborde as a willing and able accomplice and Dillon Bacon who plays a skilled game off just 2 goals and unlike many patrons in the high goal certainly cannot be left unattended and unmarked without repercussions, creates a formidable force to www.polotimes.co.uk
Polo Times, September 2020
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Reports
The Cartier Queen’s Cup be reckoned with. Add into the mixture a back of house team of excellent coaching and organisation and the combination is a recipe for success that powered Les Lions/ Great Oaks through the game with a force, that despite close scoring, always looked credible with the half-time score of 4-3 in their favour truly reflecting the tide of the first half. The age and experience of the Pieres brothers seemed to gain traction in the second half, as the Les Lions/Great Oaks team waivered slightly in their path to victory. Whilst hugely experienced with hours in the saddle beyond their youthful years, the Castagnola brothers seemed rattled by the continuous onslaught from Park Place as scores were matched goal for goal. In what had been a great match for Will Harper, he played an unbelievable shot to equalise the scores at the end of the sixth chukka for Park Place. And so it was all to play for in extra-time. In what seemed a completely fitting end to a match which had ostensibly been a tale of two sets of brothers, Barto Castagnola found himself powering
The Cartier Queen’s Cup Subsidiary Final
Monterosso Polo Team, winners of the Subsidiary Final Cartier Trophy
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The youthful Castagnola brothers are truly a force to behold, having an ease of placement which sees them seemingly effortlessly pop up in the right place at the right time towards goal, with Andrey Borodin in close attendance. In a display of fraternal generosity, or well drilled altruism (remember their father Lolo was watching with raptor-like attention), Barto moved to one side, taking Borodin with him, to let his brother Jeta take the ball and score the winning goal to bring the final score to 9-8 in Les Lions/Great Oaks favour. Patron of the winning team, Dillon Bacon received the historic trophy from Brian Stein, the Chairman of Guards Polo Club whilst each member of the winning team received a Cartier Tank watch. Bacon was also named the Cartier Most Valuable Player for his truly un-patron like play, while the stallion Chalo Angelo, which was unusually played by both Barto and Jeta Castagnola in this match, received the Cartier Best Playing Pony prize, a Cartier rug.
Earlier in the day, Brian Stein presented Alessandro Bazzoni of the Monterosso Polo Team with the Cartier Trophy. Interestingly, this was the first time in the history of the tournament that a Cartier Queen’s Cup match has been played between a husband and a wife. Alessandro Bazzoni was competing in this tournament for the fourth time while, his wife Siri was making her Cartier Trophy debut with her MT Vikings team. This was a close game played over six chukkas with Monterosso just stealing a 6-5 win in the final chukka. Alessandro Bazzoni was rewarded with the Cartier Most Valuable Player prize in this Cartier Trophy match. The Cartier Queen’s Cup Subsidiary Final Teams Monterosso (22): Alessandro Bazzoni (1), Guillermo Terrera (7), Ignacio Toccalino (8) & Jeronimo del Carril (6) Monterosso Vikings (22): Siri Bazzoni (0), James Beim (7), Sebastian Merlos (8) & Juan Martin Zubia (7) www.polotimes.co.uk
The Cartier Queen’s Cup
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J U LY Where: Guards Polo Club, Windsor
MVP Dillon Bacon
BPP Best Playing Pony: Chalo Angelo, ridden by Barto Castagnola
Reports
The Cartier Queen’s Cup Final Teams
FI
NA
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43 goals
Les Lions/Great Oaks (23) Camilo ‘Jeta’ Castagnola (7) Dillon Bacon (2) Barto Castagnola (8) Santiago Laborde (6)
Chukka Scores: (0-1) 3-1, 3-2, 4-3, 6-4, 8-5, 8-8, 9-8 to Les Lion/Great Oaks
Tournament Top Scorer: Nico Pieres, with 43 goals
BPP Best Polo Argentine Breed: Open Mediterránea, ridden by Facundo Pieres
Park Place (22) Will Harper (3) Andrey Borodin (0) Gonzalito Pieres (9) Facundo Pieres (10)
Jason Dixon & Tim Bown, with Third Man Peter Wright
5
goals Final Top Scorer: Camilo ‘Jeta’ Castagnola & Facundo Pieres, with five goals (three penalties) each
Les Lions/Great Oaks, winners of The Cartier Queen’s Cup
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Polo Times, September 2020
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Reports
Deauville Coupe d’Argent
The Final was closely fought
Maison Décalé O Strikes Silver
Photography by ©RB_Presse
Deauville Coupe d’Argent
Maison Décalé, winners of The Silver Cup
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n Sunday 16 August, the Coupe d’Argent (Silver Cup) came to an end at Deauville Polo Club. This year saw four teams compete in the 16 goal tournament, with Maison Décalé vs Marqués de Riscal in the Final. Going into the Final, Maison Décalé were the underdogs, with Marqués de Riscal appearing to be a strong line-up with two top Argentine players, Alejandro Muzzio and Santiago Cernadas, playing alongside the father-son duo of Luis and Alejandro Aznar. However, Maison Décalé were undeterred and they came out fighting, and with the scores tied at 9-9 in the last chukka the match was pushed into overtime. In the end, Maison Décalé secured the winning goal to take the title with a score of 10-9, a great achievement for the local team which comprised of three Frenchmen. The Best Playing Pony was British, an 11-year-old mare bred, played by Alejandro Muzzio. Maison Décalé’s Pierre-Henri Ngoumou commented, “Basically, we are four friends which makes it easier to get along on the field. I played with Édouard (Pan) at the beginning of the season, I had already won the Gold Cup with Ramiro (Zavaleta) here a few years ago. This team got organized very quickly, we were still in La Baule last week. After losing the first game against Barrière, we got back on track after a comeback against Talandracas, who had dominated us for a good half of the match. It was a structuring www.polotimes.co.uk
Deauville Coupe d’Argent victory for the team. We then started to believe in it and we’re winning today and it’s always a joy to win here in Deauville.” The Coupe d’Or and Coupe d’Argent form part of the French Grand Slam, which culminates with the Chantilly French Open – so far, just one team has achieved wins in all three in one season, Cibao La Pampa in 2017. This year, The Coupe d’Or celebrates its 70th anniversary at Deauville Polo Club, with four teams competing in the 16 goal and eight teams in the 8 goal Coupe de Bronze. The Coupe d’Or began on Tuesday 18 August and the Final was scheduled Sunday 30 August – a full report will be included in the next issue of Polo Times.
Reports
The Coupe d’Argent Final Teams
FINA
9 16
AU Maison Décalé (16) Thomas Rolland (2) Pierre-Henri Ngoumou (6) Edouard Pan (4) Ramiro Zavaleta (4)
Marqués de Riscal (16) Alejandro Aznar (0) Luis Aznar (1) Santiago Cernadas (7) Alejandro Muzzio (8)
Chukka Scores: 1-3, 4-4, 5-6, 7-7, 9-9, 10-9 to Maison Décalé
G
L
AUG
MVP Thomas Rolland
BPP Where: Deauville Polo Club, France British, played by Alejandro Muzzio
The MVP You‘ve invested in great horses - don‘t be let down by your saddles To try the MVP: Call +44(0)7487-548242
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Reports
2020 German Polo Championship Final
The comepition between Carfactory and Riller & Schnauck was fierce
Carfactory Come First 2020 German Polo Championship
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he German Polo Championship has historically been played at the Berlin Maifeld Stadium, one of the most impressive playing fields in Europe with a capacity for over 50,000 spectators. Between 2000 and 2010 there was a hiatus with polo not being played at the stadium, but after a 10 year break polo returned and each year the Gädeke family manage the Engel & Völkers Berlin Maifeld Cup. This year
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however, the German Polo Championship was played at Polo-und Reitanlage in Phöben, just 45 minutes outside of Berlin. Following several days of competitive action, Carfactory and Riller & Schnauck faced each other in the Final on Sunday 16 August. Both teams had met earlier in the tournament in the qualifying stages, with Carfactory breaking Riller & Schnauck’s unbeaten record, and on Final’s Day
Carfactory once again proved to be the superior team and secured the title with a 10-6 win. After the high socring Final, both Riller & Schnauck’s Horacio Fernandez Llorente and Carfactory’s Santi Marambio were both the top goal scorers of the tournament. The rest of the scoreboard saw Allianz Kundler in third place, Plusquadrat in fourth, Engel & Völkers in fifth and Getränke Lehmann took sixth place.
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Reports
Photography by Gudalupe Aizaga
2020 German Polo Championship Final
Six teams competed in the 2020 German Polo Championship
2020 German Polo Championship Final
FINA
7 16
AU
L
AUG
G
Carfactory (11) Santiago Marambio (6) Kutlay Yaprak (0) Lukas Sdrenka (2) Moritz Gädeke 3 Where: Polo-und-Reitanlage, Germany
BPP
Best Playing Pony of the Tournament: One Maraca, played by Caesar Crasemann
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Riller & Schnauck (12) Horacio Fernandez Llorente (6) Max Bosch (3) Maximilian Singhoff (0) Christopher Kirsch (3)
Alex Roldan & Thomas Winter
Chukka Scores: 5-2, 6-4, 7-4, 10-6 to Carfactory
BPP
Best Playing Pony of the Final: Elovero Santo, played by Santiago Marambio
MVP Lukas Sdrenka
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49th MANSION International Polo Tournament
Reports
Aguilas fought hard for their place in the 4-6 Goal Silver Cup Final
Precious Metals Galore Bronze & Silver Cups in Sotogrande
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Photography by Santa María Polo Club
n Friday 31 July, Isolas won the Isolas 1892 4-6 goal Bronze Cup with a 9-6 win against Santa Quiteria at Santa María Polo Club in Sotogrande. Isolas took home the first trophy of the 49th edition of the MANSION International Polo Tournament, following a close Final which saw both teams evenly matched until the fifth chukka when Isolas took victory. On Sunday 1 August, MansionLaLigaSports defeated Los Schatzies 13-6 in the 12-14 goal Hyundai Bronze Cup Final. Over the weekend of 15 – 16 August, the Silver Cup Finals for the 49th MANSION International Polo Tournament at Santa
Mansion-La Liga Sports, winners of the 12-14 goal Isolas 1892 Silver Cup
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49th MANSION International Polo Tournament 12-14 Goal Isolas 1892 Silver Cup Final Teams: Mansion-La Liga Sports (14): Pedro Beca (1), Patricio Neves (4), Nicolás Ruiz Guiñazu (4) & Pelayo Berazadi (5) Sainte Mesme (14): Birger Strom (0), Robert Strom (4), Clemente Zavaleta (7) & Salvador Jauretche (4) 4-6 Goal Isolas 1892 Silver Cup Final Teams: Aguilas (6): Ricardo Blanco (-1), Mauro Bianconi (1), Ezequiel Zubiaurre (4) & Jorge Pepa (2) Fray Guen Indi (6): Pablo Mora-Figueroa (0), Cesar Miño (1), Segundo Fernández Llorente (5) & Kaveh Atrak (0)
Aguilas, winners of the 4-6 goal Isolas 1892 Silver Cup
Isolas 1892 Bronze Cup Final Teams: Isolas (6): Alicia Gariador (0), Daniel Gariador (2), Estanislao Grahn (3) & Lawrence Isola (1) Santa Quiteria (6): Gerardo Entrecanales (0), Gonzalo Entrecanales (2), José Entrecanales (2) & Jaime Serra (2) Mansion-LaLigaSports, winners of the 12-14 goal Hyundai Bronze Cup
Isolas, winners of the Isolas 1892 4-6 goal Bronze Cup
María Polo Club were played at both 4-6 and 12-14 goal handicap levels. On Friday 14 August, Mansion-La Liga Sports secured the 12-14 goal Isolas 1892 Silver Cup, after defeating Sainte Mesme 10-6 in an intense Final. MansionLa Liga Sports’s Pedro Beca was named Most Valuable Player and Birger Strom was presented with the Best Playing Patron award. La Soñadora, played by Pelayo Berazadi, won the HOLA! Best Playing Pony award.
On Saturday 15 August, Aguilas defeated Fray Guen Indi 9-8 in the 4-6 goal Isolas 1892 Silver Cup. Aguilas dominated the Final from the outset and by the end of the fourth chukka held a four goal advantage; however, Fray Guen Indi refused to give up and in the fifth chukka managed to tie the scores. Finally, Aguilas took the title scoring a golden goal in extra time. Segundo Fernández Llorente was named the Most Valuable Player and his mare Petunia, was also named the Best Playing Pony in the Final.
Hyundai Bronze Cup Final Teams: Los Schatzies (14): Jella Herzer (0), Gerardo Mazzini (5), Tomas Fernandez Llorente (7) & Nicolas Alvarez (2) Mansion-LaLigaSports (14): Pedro Beca (1), Patricio Neves (4), Nicolas Ruiz Guiñazu (4) & Pelayo Berzadi (5)
At the time of going to press the Playtech Gold Cup, 4-6 goal Final was on Saturday 29 August and the 12-14 goal Final scheduled for Sunday 30 August respectively.
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Victor Ludorum Update
Victor Ludorum Update 34
Polo Times, September 2020
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Victor Ludorum Update
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18 Goal Victor Ludorum Cowdray Park Polo Club – The Duke of Sutherland Final – Saturday 22 August Number of teams: Five Winners: Murus Sanctus Points: 90
Murus Santus defeated Emlor Red 10-9 in the Final
Photography by Mark Beaumont
Emlor Red’s Max Charlton reaching for the hook
Cirencester Park Polo Club – The Apsley Cup Final – Sunday 2 August Number of teams: Winners: Points:
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At the time of going to print, The Apsley Cup Final at Cirencester Park Polo Club had been postponed to a later date, yet to be confirmed.
The Final of the Duke of Sutherland on Saturday 22 August was a close-run match on Lawns 1 in the windy conditions. The first chukka saw a super opening goal by Facundo Sola in the first minute to get Murus Sanctus on the board. Good defensive work in front of the Emlor goal saw Guillermo ‘Sapo’ Caset take the ball all the way to score a second goal. Weaving his way through the Murus Sanctus defence, Juan Ambroggio tickled the ball through the post, and a 30 yard penalty awarded against Murus Sanctus allowed Max Charlton to roll it over the line and level the score at the end of the first chukka, 2-2. The second chukka was tight and speckled with fouls on both sides and the score ended with five goals to Murus Sanctus and four to Emlor Red. The following chukka saw Emlor Red take the lead with two field goals by Juan Ambroggio and one by Max Charlton with Sapo Caset adding another to the Murus Sanctus tally. Richard Tyrone did a wonderful run up the field leaving everyone else behind for goal number eight for his team. Sapo Caset levelled the end of the chukka with a score of eight all, with everything to play for in the fifth. A meleé in front of the Murus Sanctus goal allowed an eagled eyed Facundo Sola to nip the ball over the line during the commotion. Sapo Caset took a knock in from the back line, which was stolen by Spencer McCarthy who, never one to miss an opportunity, decisively turned on a sixpence and whacked it through the goal, making it 9-9 going into the Final minutes. Fabulous teamwork by Facundo and Sapo began with Sapo taking a hit in from the back line, toying with the opposition’s Polo Times, September 2020
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Victor Ludorum Update
defence they weaved the ball up the pitch into the space that Corrine had made by taking Spencer out of the way. Sapo then raced into position around the Emlor players to score the winning goal riding Trucha, who he had played in the second and who was awarded Best Playing Pony, with a textbook cut shot, taking the win for Murus Sanctus with a final score of 9-10. Stephen Biddlecombe of Equine Management presented a saddle to the Most Valuable Player, Sapo Caset, who also won the Best Playing Pony prize for his mare Trucha. The Duke of Sutherland Final Teams: Emlor Red (18): Spencer McCarthy (1), Max Charlton (6), Juan Ambroggio (6) & Richard Tyrone (5) Murus Sanctus (18): Corrine Ricard (0), Lucas Nottin (1), Guillermo ‘Sapo’ Caset (9) & Facundo Sola (8) 15 Goal Victor Ludorum Cowdray Park Polo Club – The Harrison Cup Final – Saturday 8 August Number of teams: 11 Winners: Emlor Red Points: 100
This year’s tournament attracted 11 teams with both tension and the ambient temperatures culminating in the Final of Garcha Hotels against Emlor Red under a blistering sun on Saturday afternoon. Spencer McCarthy
Emlor Red, winners of The Harrison Cup Final
won the coveted trophy in 2008 and was determined to claim the trophy once again, therefore it was little surprise that as well as their half goal handicap advantage, Emlor Red galloped out of the starting blocks with Max Charlton scoring one goal and Will Harper two goals, in reply to just one goal from Garcha Hotels. The second chukka saw Emlor Red continue their goal scoring spree and they used field and penalty opportunities to widen their lead to 6½-2 by the end of the second chukka. Tommy Beresford opened the third chukka with a fantastic goal for Garcha Hotels, running the length of the ground. Emlor Red’s Max Carlton soon replied with a goal of his own. By the end of the fourth chukka Garcha Hotels had managed to claw back some of the deficit and the scoreboard read 8½-5 going into the fifth and final chukka, but Emlor Red were determined not to acquiesce and both Charlton and Tyrone scored to secure a 10½-5 win for Emlor Red. Best Playing Pony for the Brooke Joynson was awarded to Tomas Beresford’s horse, Kenya.
Photography by Mark Beaumont
The Harrison Cup Final Teams: Emlor Red (15): Spencer McCarthy (1), Max Charlton (6), Richard Tyrone (5) & Will Harper (3) Garcha Hotels (16): Louis Hine (2), Satinder Garcha (2), Michel Del Carril (6) & Tommy Beresford (6) 36
Polo Times, September 2020
12 Goal Victor Ludorum Guards Polo Club – The Duke of Wellington Final – Saturday 8 August Number of teams: 16 Winners: Kildare Points: 100 Kildare claimed victory in the Duke of Wellington Trophy at Guards Polo Club in early August. Andrew Dechet’s team dominated this 12 goal Final, beating Ana Escobedo’s Ojo Caliente 8-3 in a fast-paced game played at Coworth Park. Kildare had beaten last year’s victors, White Crane, in the semis and led from the first whistle in this concluding game. Incredibly, they were 6-2 up at the end of the third chukka. Ojo Caliente, who have already won the Phoenician Cup this season, could not find an answer to this Kildare attack. As Andrew’s team have won the sub final for the previous two years, he was delighted to go one step further in 2020 and head home with the main prize. His team-mates also received awards as Charles Cooney was named British Polo Gin Most Valuable Player, while Manuel Plaza accepted the Polo Times Best Playing Pony prize for Roger. 16 teams had entered this year’s tournament, which is played as part of the HPA’s Victor Ludorum 12 goal series. So, the earlier Subsidiary Final was equally competitive, played on The Princes’ Ground. Honours here went to Shoreline, although they had to battle every step of the way for this win. They beat Max Sponer’s Amos team, who received a half goal advantage on handicap 7-6½ but only after four tough chukkas. Shoreline were in the lead, 2-1½, after the first but Amos fought back and were www.polotimes.co.uk
Victor Ludorum Update
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Action from the Kildare vs Ojo Caliente Final
3½-2 ahead at half-time and maintained that advantage after the third (5½-4). It was only Shoreline’s three goals in the final chukka that secured them their victory. The Duke of Wellington Final Teams: Kildare (12): Andrew Dechet (1), Charles Cooney (2), Fabio Lavinia (3) & Manuel Plaza (6) Ojo Caliente (12): Ana Escobedo (0), Terence Lent (2), Jonny Good (4) & John Paul Clarkin (6) Photography by ©www. imagesofpolo.com
The Duke of Wellington Subsidiary Final Teams: Shoreline (12): Marcus Cork (2), Adebayo Karim (0), Ed Banner-Eve (4) & Santiago De Estrada (6) Amos (11): Max Sponer (-1), Josh Cork (3), Edward Morris-Lowe (3) & Matt Perry (6) To read more about Roger, please turn to our Pony Power pages www.polotimes.co.uk
Kildare, winners of The Duke of Wellington Final
Polo Times, September 2020
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Victor Ludorum Update
Photograph by John Hankin
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Action from The Cheltenham Cup Final
12 Goal Victor Ludorum Cirencester Park Polo Club – The Cheltenham Cup Final – Sunday 23 August Number of teams: Four Winners: Silvertown Properties Points: Yet to be ratified by HPA Cirencester Park Polo Club held both the Final and Subsidiary Final of The Cheltenham Cup, on Sunday 23 August. Both games were played on Peddington, with a cool breeze and the rain held off throughout. Silvertown Properties and Maize Dulce went head to head against each other in the Final. The game started off with two goals from Charlie Walton for Silvertown Properties, just before the end of the first chukka. The second chukka picked up
and set the pace for the rest of the game. Pedro Harrison for Maize Dulce scored an amazing four goals throughout the chukka. Determined to raise the score, a few 60-yard penalty shots for Silvertown Properties were taken by Charlie Walton, who successfully evened the end score of the second chukka, making it 4-4. As the pressure from both teams heightened, chukka three saw several fouls and a yellow card for Silvertown Properties. Maize Dulce used this to their advantage, with Pedro Harrison scoring another goal for Maize Dulce, but an unstoppable Charlie Walton once again raised the score, ending on 6 goals to 5. The last chukka was nail-biting, both teams were keen to win, and Pedro Harrison scored his sixth goal for Maize Dulce. Two
more incredible goals from Charlie Walton and Max Hutchinson allowed Silvertown Properties to beat Maize Dulce, and win The Cheltenham Cup Final 2020, with a finishing score of 8-6. Silvertown Properties’ Charlie Walton was the Most Valuable Player and Zeus, played by Pedro Harrison was the Best Playing Pony. The Subsidiary Final was played between Indubitable and Noon Giraffe. This game had a slightly more relaxed feel, however both teams were very keen to win. Tom Beim and Dave Allen scored several goals for Indubitable in the first few chukkas. As the game progressed, Noon Giraffe quickly proved how well they work as a team, and with numerous goals from Tommy Severn they won the Ivy Lodge Cup, the Subsidiary Final for The Cheltenham Cup. The end score was 6 goals to 5. Best Playing Pony was awarded to Star, played by Tom Beim.
Photograph by CPPC
The Cheltenham Cup Final Teams: Silvertown Properties (12): Olivia Clowes (0), Charlie Walton (2), Max Hutchinson (3) & Luke Tomlinson (7) Maize Dulce (12): Millie Barfoot (0), Derreck Bratley (4), John Martin (3) & Pedro Harrison (5)
Silvertown Properties, Cheltenham Cup Final winners
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Polo Times, September 2020
The Cheltenham Cup Subsidiary Final Teams: Noon Giraffe (12): Chris Fagan (0), Martin ffrench-Blake (3), Tommy Severn (3) & Marcus Araya (6) Indubitable (12): Tom Beim (4), Dave Allen (4), Nina Clarkin (3) & Christian Badenhop (1) www.polotimes.co.uk
Victor Ludorum Update
8 Goal Victor Ludorum Cowdray Park Polo Club – The Holden White Final – Sunday 9 August Number of teams: 15 Winners: Farrington Points: 90
Photography by Clive Bennett/www.polopictures.co.uk
15 teams started the competition with Duane and Terence Lent’s Innovent team making it to the Final against Louisa Watts Farrington Polo Team who were awarded a half goal advantage on handicap. After a knock in from the back line for Farrington, Josh Cork deflected a ride-off from Nick Clague to open the scoring with a cheeky tap between the goals. A 60-
Farrington secured an 8½-4 win against Innovent
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Action from The Holden White Final
yard penalty awarded against Evan Power allowed the ever present Clague to level the score, however Power added to the tally for Farrington to end the opening chukka 2½-1. The second chukka saw Ed Banner-Eve weave his way through the throng in front of the goal to pop in another for Farrington and this was followed by a 30-yard penalty awarded to Innovent. Jack Berner took the shot and an executed slow graceful swing to secure the goal for them to end the chukka
at a close 3½-2 to Farrington The third chukka saw a lofty goal by Banner-Eve which soared over the heads of the other players to land deftly between the goal to add the Farrington score. Strong defence by Innovent was unable to halt Cork who snuck the ball out from under the nose of Berner to set up Power to add another to the Farrington score. Yet again Banner-Eve unleashed a powerful strike of the ball from a 60-yard penalty. A foul by Banner-Eve allowed Berner to up the Innovent score from a 40-yard penalty. The chukka ended 7½-3. In the fourth chukka, a missed hit by Farrington opened an opportunity for eagle eyed Clague to turn on a sixpence and take the ball all the way to score a classic goal. Cork ended the scoring with the final goal for Farrington who secured a 8½-4 win. The Holden White Final Teams: Farrington (7): Louisa Watt (-1), Evan Power (1), Josh Cork (3) & Ed Banner-Eve (4) Innovent (8): Duane Lent (0), Terence Lent (2), Jack Berner (3) & Nick Clague (3) Polo Times, September 2020
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8 Goal Victor Ludorum Beaufort Polo Club – The Wichenford Bowl Final – Saturday 22 August Number of teams: Six Winners: C.A.N.I. Points: 80 Photography by JRidley Art & Photography
C.A.N.I. winners of The Wichenford Bowl Final
Photograph by Gordon Lindsay
Following some strong league matches, The Wichenford Bowl Subsidiary Final was played on Saturday 22 August at Beaufort Polo Club between Tafia Mafia and Strategic Help for Heroes. The score flitted back and forth throughout the match, and with the clock ticking down, Tafia Mafia received a penalty, which Dave Allen sent flying high in the sky, right onto the Chairman of the HPA’s car. Fortunately, it only left a minor dent but unfortunately, it also went wide and Strategic Help for Heroes were crowned the winners. The No1 Field was the stage for The Wichenford Bowl Final, Smiths Polo were the first to add to the scoreboard with Grant Collet hammering through a penalty which nearly hit Club timekeepers, Ali and Phil, on the heads! Marcus Speed then chased the ball through the posts to make it 2½-0 and a goal by C.A.N.I. made it 2½-1 at the end of the first chukka. C.A.N.I. found another goal to inch closer on the scoreboard, but a cracking neck shot by Nico Antinori extended the lead for Smiths, 3½-2. In the third, C.A.N.I. had a chance to regain ground with a penalty, but it was stopped by Nico, however, it was deemed to be a foul by the Umpires and Seb Chialvo was allowed to neatly send the ball over the line unopposed, 3-3½. Nico had a chance to redeem himself with a 30 yard penalty, which he sent soaring
Strategic Help for Heroes, winners of The Subsidiary Final
Chicarra, the Polo Times Best Playing Pony
through the air to make it 4½-3. The fourth chukka was where the real drama began, when Grant Collet sent a powerful hit up to Marcus, who elegantly brought the ball through the uprights to make it 5½-3.
With about three minutes left on the clock, C.A.N.I. needed to find three more goals to win. A spot penalty slotted in by Matias Amaya brought them closer, and with a minute to go Matias sent through another
Action from the C.A.N.I. vs Smiths Polo Final
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Polo Times, September 2020
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to make it 5-5½. However, with barely 20 seconds left on the clock, it looked like Smiths would be the victors. From the hit out, Seb urged his horse Cariñosa forward, chasing the ball down towards the goal. Lisa Smith was on his tail, but with five seconds on the clock it seemed like he had left it too late. He took the swing and sent the ball towards the goal mouth, where it rolled over the line with just two seconds left on the clock. C.A.N.I. claimed the win in spectacular style over Smiths Polo. The Polo Times Best Playing Pony went to Matias Amaya’s spirited chestnut mare, Chicarra and players were treated to prizes kindly sponsored by NAF Equine, featuring their PROFEET range. The Wichenford Bowl Final Teams: C.A.N.I. (8): Louise Jebson (0), Celio Garcera (1), Seb Chialvo (2) & Matias Amaya (5) Smiths Polo (7): Lisa Smith (-1), Marcus Speed (1), Nico Antinori (4) & Grant Collet (3) To read more about Chicarra, please turn to our Pony Power pages Action from the Final between Jet Set & Ojo Caliente/Mount Loftus
6 Goal Victor Ludorum Ham Polo Club – The Roehampton Cup Final – Sunday 23 August Number of teams: Six Winners: Ojo Caliente/ Mount Loftus Points: 80
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Photography by Hugo Davis
Benjie Davis reports on The Roehampton Cup Final: “Now in its 118th year the Roehampton Cup Final took place on Sunday 23 August. Two weeks of league matches resulted in Jet Set and Ojo Caliente/Mount Loftus (OC/ML) achieving places in the Final. OC/ML had displayed some impressive horsepower in the league stages and this appeared to give them the edge in the opening chukkas. Santi Araya worked hard for Jet Set in defence but the impressive combination of Jonny Good and Terence Lent was a difficult challenge to contend with. A significant lead was opened up by OC/ML and though Katherine Smithwick’s Jet Set team closed it towards the end it was Ojo Caliente/ Mount Loftus who repeated their Roehampton Win of 2018 to claim the trophy again. Georgina Brittain and Ana The impressive Roehampton Cup
Ojo Caliente/Mount Loftus, winners of The Roehampton Cup Final
Escobedo marched to the presentation table together to lift the cup and looked delighted with their second win of this historic tournament. In the next match for the plate, Quadriga put in a valiant effort representing Ham Polo Club but were overcome by AMP Capital who took home The Rerrison Trophy.
The Roehampton Cup Final Teams: Ojo Caliente/Mount Loftus (6): Georgina Brittain (0), Ana Escobedo (0), Terence Lent (2) & Jonny Good (4) Jet Set/Carisbrook (6): Katherine Smithwick (0), Mariano Darritchon (2), Santiago Araya (4) & Jayne Rumsey (0) The Subsidiary Final for The Rerrison Trophy: AMP Capital (5): Andrew Maclean-Perryment (-1), Kristina Karailieva (0), & Josh Clover (2) & Rossendo Torreguitar (4) Quadriga (6): Martin Hay (0), Hugo Davis (1), Jason Warren (2) & Gus Prentice (3) Polo Times, September 2020
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4 Goal Victor Ludorum Cheshire Polo Club – The National 4 Goal Final – Sunday 23 August Number of teams: Four Winners: A.W. Jenkinson Points: Yet to be ratified by HPA Sunday 23 August saw The National 4 Goal Victor Ludorum Championship for The County Cup played at Cheshire Polo Club. An overcast day with some intermittent rain failed to quell the spirit of two teams who fought hard throughout to win the coveted Junior County Cup. A.W. Jenkinson quickly showed their superiority with a quickly taken penalty followed up immediately by Trident
equalling with another penalty to level the scores by half-time. Cristian Chaves and then Will Padden scored further penalties and Harrison Patrick put A.W. Jenkinson in the lead. Padden again equalled the score for Trident but Chaves sealed the victory for A.W. Jenkinson with a great lofted penalty shot by scoring late on to win by 4 goals to 3. The Junior County Cup and prizes were presented to the winning team by Chris Broughton and to Jonny Coddington the Most Valuable Player and to Best Playing Pony Stormdos, owned and ridden by Jonny Coddington. The Pilgrim’s Cup Subsidiary Final was won by G. Basile Properties who beat White Hall by 4½ goals to 1. The Most Valuable
Player was Lenny Cunningham and Connor Kay’s Sky won Best Playing Pony. The Junior County Cup Final Teams: A.W. Jenkinson (4): Katie Jenkinson (0), Harrison Patrick (-1), Henry Smith (2) & Cristian Chaves (3) Trident (4): Don Gibbs (-1), Martin Brookes (0), Will Padden (2) & Jonny Coddington (3) The Subsidiary Final for The Pilgrim’s Cup: White Hall (4): Connor Kay (1), Richard Clark (1), Lucy Coddington (1) & Lenny Cunningham (1) G. Basile Properties (3): Guido Basile (-1), Lord Milo Manton (0), Jamie Thomas (1) & Ben Malasomma (3)
Photography by Michael Tyrells
Jonny Coddington’s Best Playing Pony, Stormdos
The Junior County Cup finalists
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Photography by Aspen Valley Polo Club
Aspen Valley Polo Club
Casablanca in action in the United States Arena Polo Championship Final
McClure River Ranch, winners of the Mount Sopris Cup
Aspen Valley Polo Club have been enjoying many Finals over the past few weeks, with an impressive number of top players in the team line-ups. Seminole Casino defeated La Elina by a score of 6-4 and White Claw by 6-3 to triumph in the Basalt Handicap Final, with Lauren Sherry receiving the Most Valuable Player prize and Nic Roldan the Most Valuable Pro Player prize, while the Best Playing Pony was Irenita Creyenete owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm and played by Pablo MacDonough. In The Aspen Cup Final, The Island House took the title with a round-robin score of 2 against Tonkawa’s -3 and La Indiana’s 1, Pablo MacDonough was named Most Valuable Player and Karma, owned by Santa Rita Polo farm and played by Juan Martin Nero, was the Best Playing Pony. Casablanca defeated McClure River Ranch 12-10 in the Final of the United States Arena Polo Championship after establishing an early lead in the first chukka. Nic Roldan took home both the Most Valuable Player prize as well as the Best playing Pony title for his grey mare, Molly.
Seminole Casino, winners of The Basalt Handicap
On Sunday 15 August McClure River Ranch defeated Los Amigos by a score of 8-5 to win the Mount Sopris Cup. The Final began on a sombre note, with a moment of silence to honour the memory of Preston Foster, son of Paul and Alejandra Foster, who died in a tragic accident the week before. Both Polo Times and the Aspen Valley Polo Club offer heartfelt condolences to the Foster family. It was a fast and furious game on Field One from the off, with close scoring throughout, so at half-time McClure River Ranch were slightly up at 4-2. In the second half, the pace did not give up, but Los Amigos began to falter and ultimately it was the might of Alejandro Novillo Astrada who scored the winning goal to clinch victory for McClure River Ranch 8-5. Nic Roldan was named Most Valuable Player, and Aspen bred by Pablo Spinacci and owned and played by Marc Ganzi, was named as the Best Playing Pony. In a seemingly never-ending list of high goal powerhouses, the Just for the Fun of It Subsidiary Final, Casablanca took on Tonkawa. Despite goals by Tonkawa’s Horacio Heguy and Pablo McDonough in the sixth it was a case of too little too late and Casablanca secured a close 6-5 victory.
Beaufort Polo Club On Sunday 26 July, the Bat Cup Finals day featured two fast and furious matches to conclude the 10 goal tournament. In the Final, Shibumi opened the scoring and despite the best efforts of Specsavers, they took a 5-3 win to claim the title. In the Final, Tafia Mafia aimed to make up for their earlier loss against Tomlinson Equine. Tomlinson Equine took an early 2-0 lead, but Tafia Mafia overtook them in the second half; both teams equalised at 5-5 but in the end, Tafia Mafia secured the winning goal. On Saturday 1 August, Smiths Polo faced Los Chinos in The Richard Underwood Cup Final on the No1 Ground; a penalty for Los Chinos allowed Tom Beim to take an early 1-0 lead but Seb Chialvo scored an impressive number of goals for Smiths Polo, who ultimately took the win with 7 goals to 3. The Subsidiary Final saw Shibumi defeat Beaufort 5½-2. On Sunday 16 August, Sirius and Shibumi faced each other on Beaufort Polo Club’s No2 Ground for The Novices Cup Final, which saw Shibumi win 6-2 after some competitive displays of polo. Kencot Cavaliers secured a 9-5½ win in the Subsidiary Final against Otterhouse.
Rutland Polo Club After being authorised by the HPA to move to Level 5, the Club held their first club match on Sunday 16 August playing for The Escalina Trophy. Due to local fixture clashes, the Club have moved their Collie Cup and Preston Lodge Bowl to 5 – 6 September (previously scheduled for 12 – 13 September). Entry to both are available on the Rutland Polo Club website. Or call on: 07470 198645.
Photography by JRidley Art & Photography
Polo Club Saint-Tropez Smiths Polo, winners of The Richard Underwood Cup
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The Bat Cup Final was played on Sunday 26 July
On Sunday 1 August, Battistoni narrowly defeated Amanara Polo Team 7½-7 in the Open de Gassin Final at Polo Club SaintTropez. Additionally, in the 15 goal, Polo de la Magdeleine secured a 9½-6 win against F Polo. Polo Times, September 2020
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Club de Polo Cowdray Park Polo Club Ampurdan
This year, Lord and Lady Cowdray, with the full support of the Club committee, decided that the money reserved to buy tournament prizes should be donated to the Midhurst Food Bank, Jonathan Russell of Cowdray Estate commented, “The town of Midhurst and Cowdray polo are inextricably linked and we felt strongly that if we could do anything to help, we should. We are delighted to have been able to get back to playing the sport we love, but at the same time can’t ignore the fact that many on our doorstep are facing real struggles.” Since the lockdown began Midhurst Food Bank has seen a 30 percent increase in demand for service and the Club hopes that the donation will give the Food Bank some real support. Over 22 – 23 August, the Club held The Heyshott Cup and 1921 Cup Finals. Six teams entered the 1921 Cup, with the Final between Cuatro Estrellas and Gallager; the match was fast paced and went into extra time, which saw Harry Muddle secure the golden goal to take a 5-4 win for Cuatro Estrellas. In The Heyshott Cup Final Innovent defeated Ice Craft 7-6, despite the windy conditions.
Photograph by Claudia Quintana
Moor Farm Polo Club Photos from The IV Sant Jordi
Cecily Higham (Loggerhead Polo) with the impressive 120-year-old trophy
Photograph by Jo Wall
Kirtlington Park Polo Club
Photograph by Stephen Wall
The Club had a busy July; over 3 – 4 July, the second phase of the Catalan League was played at the Club, over 18 – 19 July the IV Flower Cup was played with AldoUnión (Álvaro Calzada, Amadeo Ferrajoli, Guillermo Permanyer & Leonel Robaldi) securing the title, while over 25 – 26 July The IV Sant Jordi Cup was won by Eqqua P.T. (Pedro Espona, Pierre Fourmestraux, Federico Español and Darío Campos).
Bone Matters’ Anne Whaley hooks Loggerhead’s Cecily Higham
Five teams, divided into two groups, competed for the 4th of July Cup at Moor Farm Polo Club on 22 – 23 August. The tournament was sponsored by Rickenbacker’s CEO John Hall and his wife, Sarah, both of whom captained their own team. Group one was hotly contested between The Escapees, who had travelled from Wales, Ric Chicks, and the eventual winners, Bone Matters. Group two saw battle between Ric Rockits and victors Loggerhead Polo, setting up the Final between Bone Matters and Loggerhead the following day. In the Final, Loggerhead, seeing how well Bone Matters moved around the field, concentrated on effectively shutting them down with brilliant marking, particularly from captain and Most Valuable Player Katie McDonald on her Best Playing Pony Vibora. In the last two chukkas, Loggerhead showed their tenacity and took the game out of the hands of Bone Matters, giving a final score of 5-2½.
Photograph by Oxford Polo
Rickenbacker 4th of July Cup Final Teams: Loggerhead Polo (-3): Katie McDonald (0), Steve Wall (-1), Cecily Higham (-1) & Jason Stoneham (-1) Bone Matters (-4): Tracy Hunt-Noakes (-2), Anne Whaley (0), Jenny Henderson (0) & Elaine Sanderson (-2)
Quel Domage, winners of The Budgett Everett Trophy
Congratulations to Quel Domage, winners of The Budgett Everett Trophy at Kirtlington Park Polo Club over the weekend 8 –9 August, with David Ashby’s mare Vasca Lucia awarded Best Playing Pony prize and Grant Collett named Most Valuable Player. 46
Polo Times, September 2020
Sowiniec Polo Club
On Saturday 1 August, The Sowiniec Polo Cup came to an end at Sowiniec Polo Club, in Poland. This year marked the 10th anniversary of the tournament and home team Sowiniec claimed the title following an 8-5 win against Los Nocheros. Berlin Polo School came third, Rixförde/Stone Investment fourth, Ivy Polo Team fifth and Berlinosos Polo Team sixth. Los Nocheros’ Camila Rossi was the Most Valuable Player and Sowiniec’s Mega Preciosa was the Best Playing Pony. www.polotimes.co.uk
Your Club News from Home and Abroad
Club Focus
Photography by White Waltham Polo Club
White Waltham Polo Club Cedar Polo, winners of The Canada Bear Trophy
Help for Heroes Challenge Cup finalists
Over the weekend of 25 – 26 July, after a competitive match against Telemark, Nicola Davison’s Madeva polo team of Georgina Brittain, Bilal Shaykh and James Spring won The Aiglon Alumini Trophy. At White Waltham Polo Club, the members are happy to be playing fun polo matches behind closed doors with all their friends, with socially distanced presentations. On Saturday 22 August, the Final between Telemark and Help for Heroes played for the Help for Heroes Challenge Cup which is played every year at White Waltham Polo Club, (usually the same weekend as Trooping
the Colour). All the prizes where bought by White Waltham Polo Club from the Help the Heroes shop, including the H4H team shirts. The score was even all the way through until the last 60 seconds, when two goals were scored in succession by Telemark. On Sunday 23 August, Maple Leafs and Cedar Polo faced each other in The Canada Bear Trophy Final, which is usually played on Canada Day (1 July). It was a really close match with invincible marking from both teams bringing the final score of 5½ to 6, the trophy was presented to the captain of Cedar Polo Team, Bilal Shaykh.
Telemark, winners of The Aiglon Alumini Trophy
The Help for Heroes Challenge Cup Final Teams: Telemark: Tele Kyriacou, Georgina Brittain, Bilal Shaykh & Tariq Dag Khan Help for Heroes: Sarah Grant, Alex Hayman-Joyce, Dan Von Barloewen & Dominic Cunningham The Canada Bear Trophy Final Teams: Maple Leafs: Sarah Grant, Howard Flood, Dominic Cunningham & Tariq Dag Khan Cedar Polo: Tele Kyriacou, Alex HaymanJoyce, Bilal Shaykh & James Nicholson
Tafia Mafia, winners of The Chairman’s Cup
On Saturday 8 August Tafia Mafia secured a 4-3 win against Los Chinos to take home The Chairman’s Cup. The following day, Coxwell and Cotswold Airport went head-to-head in The Doug Brown Cup Final at Aston Down; Cotswold Airport dominated the first half but Coxwell made a comeback after half-time and went into the lead with four minutes left of play. However, Cotswold Airport’s Max Hutchinson scored a final goal to secure a 5½-5 win for Cotswold Airport. Cotswold Airport’s Suzannah Harvey, unfortunately suffered a nasty dislocation to her elbow at the same time as this winning goal, which required some hospital attention, so she is sadly missing from the pictures of the win. In the Subsidiary Final, Noon Giraffe defeated CPPC Polo Team 7-4 to take home The Edmund Gruber Cup. www.polotimes.co.uk
Cotswold Airport, winners of The Doug Brown Cup Hecla, winners of the Trophée du Coquetier d’Or
On Sunday 26 July, Hecla took home the Trophée du Coquetier d’Or with a 7-5 win against La Victoire. The first three chukkas saw both teams very evenly matched, with just one goal between them going into the fourth chukka; but Hecla managed to pull away to take the title. The Best Playing Pony was eight-year-old Machitos Montserrat (Machitos Opera / Open Cabernet), played by Martin Aguerre. Smith Polo, winners of The Gouldsmith Bowl
On Sunday 16 August, Smiths Polo defeated Lodge Security 6-5 in The Gouldsmith Bowl Final to take home the impressive trophy.
Trophée du Coquetier d’Or Final Teams: Hecla: Fredericka Dodge Tellier, Stanislas Clavel, Jérôme Anier & Sylvestre Fanelli La Victoire: Tommy Rinderknecht, Eléna Venot, Pearl Venot & Martin Aguerre Polo Times, September 2020
47
Photograph by Justine Jacquemot
Photography by CPPC
Cirencester Park Polo Club Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly
Club Focus
Your Club News from Home and Abroad
Rugby Polo Club
La Casa Loco, winners of The Why Not Cup
Over the first weekend of August, Rugby Polo Club held two tournament Finals; in The Town’s Trophy, Onley Equine Vets took first place with Danny Woodward the Most Valuable Player and Cheeky, an eight-yearold ROR owned by Jeremy Pidgeon, the Best Playing Pony. In the La Casa Loco Cup, NFI Polo Team took first place with James va Oppen the Most Valuable Player and Pepper, a five-year-old ROR owned by Philip Baker, the Best Playing Pony. On Sunday 9 August, La Casa Loco secured The Why Not Cup at Rugby Polo Club, with NFI in second place and Rugby Polo Club in third place.
Photograph by Jaqueline Miller
Photography by Rugby Polo Club
Myopia Polo Club
Onley Equine Vets, winners of The Town’s Trophy Del Rancho/Black Oak, winners of The Chairman’s Cup
NFI Polo Team, winners of the La Casa Loco Cup
Photograph by Westcroft Park Polo Club
Guards Polo Club Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com
Westcroft Park Polo Club
On Monday 3 August, Del Rancho/Black Oak (Nachi Viana, Manuel Mazzocchi, Johann Colloredo-Mansfeld & David Strouss) defeated Folly Fields 12-11 in The Chairman’s Cup Final at Myopia Polo Club, Massachusetts. Nachi Viana, who scored eight goals, was the Most Valuable Player, commenting “The goals I contributed were made possible by an effort from the whole team, I was just lucky enough to score them”. Meanwhile, Viana’s 15-year-old Uruguayan mare Pichicata was named Best Playing Pony.
Porto Ronco, winners of The Crawford Cup
The Surrey Hills Summer Cup finalists
Congratulations to Team Speculation, winners of The Surrey Hills Summer Cup, following a 5-4½ win against Team Property Makers.
On Saturday 22 August, Porto Ronco defeated Cuervos Negros 7-5 in The Crawford Cup Final, while Tashan beat Tchogan 7-5 in the Subsidiary Final. This year, Guards Polo Club has teamed up with Smart Works Reading to create an online auction to raise much needed funds for the charity, which helps to get vulnerable women back into work. Raffle prize bundles are £10 plus lots of auction lots, as part of their annual Guards Ladies Polo Charity tournament.
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Youth
All Aspects of Youth Polo
Photography by The Hurlingham Polo Association
Junior Colts & Mini Colts Cups
Team Blue, winners of the Junior Colts Cup
Team Red, winners of the Mini Colts
At the beginning of July and again in August, the HPA organised Training Days for junior players for three different age groups. These days were very well attended and as soon as it was possible for the young players to start being able to play competitive polo again it was decided to put on a group of matches for selective teams from each age group. The Coaches/Selectors endeavour to pick equal balanced teams for these matches and this will always mean that not all the best players are selected at any one time. All the young players have to understand that there are more players than places and they must be prepared to take their turn in not being selected. The Mini Colts and the Junior Colts Cups were played over two days at the Holyport Polo Club on Tuesday 18 August and at Cirencester Park Polo Club on Thursday 20 August. In the Mini Colts, for players of 8 to 10-years-old, two teams played a three chukka match spread out over the day around the matches for the Junior Colts for players of 11 to 13-year-olds. The Mini Colts benefitted hugely from the training days and this really showed on both days of play. The winners of the Mini Colts Cup were Team Red. Four teams were selected to play for the Junior Colts on the Tuesday with the winners of each match going on to play a Finals on the Thursday. Four more players joined the two losing teams to play an American Tournament after the Finals. It was great to see how much the younger players had improved with their training sessions and it is hoped to be able to organise many more of these. The winners of the Junior Colts Cup were Team Blue who beat Team White. In the American Tournament for the Junior Colts Team, Green won, with Team Red second and Team Yellow third. At the time of going to press The Colts Cup for players of 14 to 17-years-old was being played on Wednesday 26 August and Friday 28 August between four selected teams.
Winners of the Subsidiary Junior Colts Cup, Team Green
Action from the Junior Colts Cup with Team White and Team Blue
The Mini Colts Teams: Team Red: Jonty Hodges, Valentine McPherson, Elizabeth Clarkin & Henry Whittington Team Blue: Zachary Ogilvy Thompson, Alfie Vollans, Florentine Pejkovic, Finn Murphy & Enocki Calvert Ansari The Junior Colts Teams: Team Blue: Ulysses Hu, Mack McCaffrey, Ava Greenland, & Matias Maldonado Team White: Archie Heseltine, Nico Hiller, Charlie Hipwood & Leo Stuart Team Green: Marcos Pejkovic, Aramaya Sheikh, Leander Sauter & Raushin Singh Team Red: Julian Ogilvy Thompson, Charlie Hodges, Marina Evans & Santo Thomas Team Yellow: Bonnie Barnes, Eskandar Foulcadi, Bruno Bradshaw & Theo Fagan
Pony Club Polo Update With the ongoing pandemic affecting all areas of life, Polo Times spoke to Charles Whittington, Pony Club Polo Chairman, who updated us on the latest update for Pony Club Polo: “The Pony Club, including Pony Club Polo (PCP), has faced a very challenging summer holiday with COVID restrictions. The Pony Club is affiliated to the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) and until recently the protocols were different to the HPA. The PCP committee produced a Summer 2020 pack which explained to Branches and Centres how they could proceed, and how they could organise 50
Polo Times, September 2020
under HPA rules. PCP can now operate under HPA rules so Branches and Centres can work with their local clubs and polo schools to provide training and competition. Unfortunately, this has all happened a little late for the summer holiday. The PCP committee is in the process of compiling an Autumn 2020 pack which will be available by the time you read this. It will be available on the Pony Club website
(www.pcuk.org/sports/polo) and from all Branches and Centres. The Pony Club headquarters has many staff on furlough at the moment, but if you have difficulty getting a copy, email polo@pcuk.org. The pack will contain information about Arena Clubs and Schools, freelance registered instructors, and information about the PCP Committee, as well as grants available for training and competitions. We are making a special effort this winter with PCP arena polo and hope to finish the season with an Arena Championships at Easter 2021. Meanwhile, stay safe and enjoy the remainder of the summer season.” For Youth polo dates, please turn to our What’s On pages
All Aspects of Youth Polo
Youth
Photography by JRidley Art & Photography
Beaufort Junior Games
Despite their young years the action was ferocious
Over a blisteringly hot few days, 8 – 9 August, Beaufort Polo Club hosted their first Junior Games Weekend. Junior players had been bereft of their usual calendar of tournaments due to Covid-19 so this was the perfect opportunity for them to get out onto the field for some fun polo and showcase some young, up-and-coming talent. For some children it was their first time playing a proper tournament and they all did incredibly well, with great displays of teamwork, sportsmanship, and horsemanship, suggesting a promising future for Youth Polo. Division 2 started in the morning, with Suffolk versus Oxford. Charlie Hodges truly shined in this first chukka, scoring two fantastic goals for his team to finish 2-0. Kirtlington were the first to score in their chukka against Cotswolds, with Alice Playne helping to secure a 2 goal lead. Holly Bullock worked hard to score for Cotswolds but they narrowly lost 2-1. Suffolk won their second chukka, 1-0 with a great team goal, despite Zachary Olgilvie Thompson putting on the pressure for team Cotswolds. Charlie Hodges and Kaspar Budd displayed excellent team play for Oxford, however Kirtlington managed to sneak past a goal, thanks to Eskandar Fouladi’s skilled open play. Eskandar continued to provide good back up and defence to his teammates in their chukka against Suffolk to give Alice Playne the opportunity to level the score 1-1. Archie Roche provided good defence for Oxford in their chukka, with Holly Bullock displaying some great open play for Cotswolds. Ultimately neither team were prepared to concede defeat and finished 0-0. The afternoon session saw Division 1 and 3 take to Roadside Ground, as the temperatures continued to soar. Agatha Roche kicked off proceedings for Division 3 with a goal for Heythrop in their game against Cirencester. Freddie Williams displayed some skilled and careful play, securing Heythrop a 3-0 victory, putting them in a strong position for the second day. Team Beaufort started off with a ½ handicap advantage in their game against Cowdray, but they didn’t need it. Robbie Slatter, fresh from playing in the Novices Cup 2 Goal that morning, raced around the field at speed, leaving Team Cowdray trying to play catch up. Despite the score finishing 2½-0, it was a very close contest between the two teams. On the second day, the morning was blissfully cool for the Division 2 Teams to take to the field once again. Edward Barlow proved himself a great team player for Suffolk, with Archie Vernon Miller taking his performance up a gear for their match against Oxford, helping them take the win 1-0. Eskandar scored for Kirtlington in their game against Cotswolds, followed by Alice Playne taking the ball to goal for James Nuttall to finish, concluding their chukka 2-0. Archie Vernon Miller scored for Suffolk
Beaufort, winners of Division 1
Kirtlington, winner of Division 2
against Cotswolds but the chukka ended on a draw 1-1. Charlie Hodges scored an amazing goal with Alice Playne chasing him in their chukka against Kirtlington, although they managed to also score leaving the score 1-1. Suffolk were the first to score against Kirtlington in their final chukka of the weekend, only to have James Nuttall and Alice Playne steal the lead and win 2-1. There was plenty of back and forth with the Oxford v Cotswolds team, but neither team could puncture the other’s defences and they finished 0-0. Kirtlington were crowned the winners, with Suffolk a close second, followed by Oxford and Cotswolds. Best Team Player went to Holly Bullock, Most Improved Player went to Eskandar Fouladi and Best Turned Out to Edward Barlow. The cool morning was replaced with unrelenting heat, leaving a blurry haze across the Roadside Ground for the afternoon’s games. The Beaufort versus Cowdray match stuttered early on, when Charlie Hipwood raced towards the goal at speed only to tumble off his horse before the goal posts. After a brief pause, where he was
Is your youth polo not featured? Email editorial@polotimes.co.uk with all your youth polo news!
Polo Times, September 2020
51
Youth
All Aspects of Youth Polo
checked out thoroughly by the medics, he remounted and continued to play in earnest for the Cowdray team. The first chukka concluded in a draw, as both teams tried to regain the momentum they had lost. Robbie Slatter helped pull Beaufort well ahead, ending the second chukka 2½-0. Cowdray fought back fiercely, determined to make their mark in the final chukka. However, Lucas Stern followed up with another goal and safely secured their victory, 3½-0. In Division 3, Jonty Hodges was the first out of the gate for Heythrop, scoring 1-0. Freddie Williams then made it one all in the second chukka. Sebastian Cunningham Day took a tumble. In the third and final chukka of the weekend, Arthur Wade, who had only been learning to play since the end of June, scored a fantastic goal, making it 1-2 by the final bell. Best Team Player went to Freddie Williams, with Most Improved going to Arthur Wade and Best Turned Out to Felix McKenzie. The Club commented, “A huge well done to everyone who played over the weekend and thank you to those of you who helped make the weekend possible. Prizes were kindly donated by the Tomlinson family and Beaufort Polo Club, a big thank you also goes to Hayley Hyde Andrews for running scoreboard all weekend, Mhairi Gould,
Heythrop, winners of Division 3
Polo School Manager for organising the event and umpiring, and Gary Aitchison, Marcus Speed and Lucy McLaughlin for umpiring.” Beaufort Junior Games Weekend Winners: Division 1 – Beaufort: Lucas Stern, Bruno Bradshaw, Felix McKenzie & Robbie Slatter Division 2 – Kirtlington: Rupert Cunningham Day, James Nuttall, Eskandar Fouladi & Alice Playne Division 3 – Heythrop: Teddy Bamford, Freddie Williams, Agatha Roche & Jonty Hodges
SUPA Bulletin #4 Following a meeting of the Board of Trustees of SUPA, the charity announced the further postponement of its National activities due to the uncertainties surrounding the Coronavirus Covid 19 and concerns for our Member Institutions. This is an update from previous March, June and July Press Releases. SUPA is adhering to the Guidelines set by the HM Government [for its operations in England Wales and Ireland], while observing the recent July 20, Bulletin 11 guidance, and July 31 Rules from the HPA, the polo governing body, and KBIS our independent insurers. The Trustees are mindful of our Institutional Members interests and have ongoing communication. In the interest of health and safety, social distancing, and
open access to the sport for our SUPA member-players, we are pleased to confirm that your KBIS insurance cover for Limited Liability [see below] remain in force pending your membership renewal. SUPA bespoke Personal Accident Policy is, however, not available for non-SUPA polo activities but KBIS has offered to provide individual coverage for other polo events if desired. As from August 1, 2020, SUPA Membership renewal will be reduced by 20% and when we resume operations, hopefully in the Autumn, your Official Entry Fee SUPA Events will also be reduced by 20%. We are therefore directing SUPA member-players to renew your SUPA membership and to adhere to the
Government/HPA guidance if electing to commence club/riding school lessons or training of any form. As a public non-profit charity, the preservation of our sport and safety of members are paramount. Members 18 and under years of age will need to include parent/school consent, as normal, as a personal responsibility and player’s choice. SUPA/SAPA are associated members of the Hurlingham Polo Association and a supporter of the Association of Polo Schools and Pony Hirers which support the polo industry generally. This bulletin applies to SAPA as well. The Trustees will be reviewing its future fixtures and events as well as consulting in advance of further information from www.gov.uk, www.hpa-polo.co.uk which will be released as the situation evolves on its website, www.supa.org.uk. and for insurance questions, contact www.KBIS.co.uk
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Polo Times, September 2020
For Youth polo dates, please turn to our What’s On pages
All Aspects of Youth Polo
Youth
University of Manchester Polo Club Focus
Photograph by Mark Simon
Although SUPA polo tournaments are currently on pause due to Covid-19, university polo clubs are still able to train, ready and waiting for competitive university polo to resume once more. In this series of university focuses, we speak to different university polo clubs across the UK, which have opened the sport up to newcomers. Here we speak to five players from University of Manchester (UoM) Polo Club – the Club’s past wins have included The Christie Cup in 2017, winning Beginner Combined ((Manchester/Liverpool/Birmingham combined) at the 2018 SUPA Nationals and winners of the Novice Summer Nationals in 2019
Devang Maheshwari I was always fascinated by the sport of kings, polo, however, I wasn’t able to give it a go since I didn’t have an opportunity do so near my home town back in India. After riding horses for almost six years, I really wanted to try polo because the sport seemed to be extremely interesting and engaging. Finally, the University of Manchester Polo Club gave me an opportunity and the day I started training with the UoM Polo Club I felt completely at home. My two year experience of playing polo has been absolutely fantastic at the UoM Polo Club all thanks to Glynn Henderson and his equally lovely horses. I started as a nervous beginner, but with time my skills started to improve and within no time I was able to play smoothly. Within a year I went from being a beginner to competing at inter university polo tournaments as a novice. Being with like-minded people around me I made some really good friends through the sport and when I play with them, I really have a ball. To all those people out there who are passionate about horses I would strongly recommend you all to start playing polo with the UoM Polo Club, the experience is absolutely sublime. Looking forward to playing and improving my polo with the club for the coming years.
:
George Staley
I found my first year of polo to be incredibly overwhelming as this was the first time I had ever experienced polo. I had never ridden before and did not fully know what polo was about until I turned up to my taster lesson. From there on I was hooked, I think being able to try something at university that I may never have thought about trying before was exciting and really opened my eyes to the sport. Not only have I enjoyed the competitive aspect of it, but I’ve fully engaged myself in the social side of it too. Meeting others who have the same interest has meant I’ve felt part of the community, which helps to enjoy the sport even more when you know you can just play with friends and have fun.
Isabella Ford Before starting university, I didn’t realise that playing polo was an option available to students. Having attended Freshers Fair, I soon realised that it was an option. I’ve been riding horses since a young age so was keen to discover what the sport was all about and jumped at the opportunity to play. I was a combination of nervous and excited for my first lesson as I was stepping into the unknown. However, the team made me feel really welcome and at home straight away. Throughout my first year I managed to go from only hitting the ball once in my first lesson to confidently hitting the ball at a canter. Through the encouragement of teammates and coaching from Glynn Henderson, my confidence has increased massively and so has my ability to play polo. It was so much fun to represent UoM at both University Challenge and SUPA Winter Nationals. It was an amazing experience watching high level university polo as well as getting the opportunity to play in competitive chukkas. Additionally, it was a great way to make loads of new friends at different universities. I’ve had an incredible first year playing polo with the Club and would strongly recommend it to anyone.
Rand Osathanugrah I joined the Polo Club during my postgraduate year at the University of Manchester. There I met a diverse crowd with people from all over the world, coming together to do the thing they love – play polo. To be honest, getting to play polo was one of the highlights of my year. Polo is exciting, thrilling, and invigorating. I am amazed by how accessible, and well-organised polo is for university students. There are lessons and competitions for all levels, and a heart-warming community to cheer you on. The best part of playing polo is meeting all the supportive and kind-hearted people. I still remember all the cheers and yelling from my team and friends playing at the Winter Nationals. It always gives me chills. I will definitely cherish my time playing polo at UoM.
Anna Rzepa I started playing polo all the way back in 2015 but I can remember my year as a beginner very clearly. I have ridden before starting university, but wanted to try something different so polo was the perfect option. I can remember being very nervous on the drive to the grounds as I didn’t really know what to expect. On arrival we were greeted by our coach Glynn Henderson, he explained the rules and then we were straight on the ponies trying our very best to hit the ball. I absolutely loved it! As a beginner I had the chance to compete against people who have only started polo too, so it was a brilliant opportunity to easy myself into competing as well as meeting and socialising with people from other universities. If you would like to see your university Club featured in our Youth pages, please email editorial@polotimes.co.uk Is your youth polo not featured? Email editorial@polotimes.co.uk with all your youth polo news!
Polo Times, September 2020
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International & Home
5 minutes with…
Women’s Polo
2020 Ladies Polo Cup
Holly Butler Ladies handicap: 4 Mixed handicap: 0
How did your polo career start? I started grooming when I was 17-years-old, which led to me occasionally having a stick and ball. I finally got the opportunity to step in for my boss when I was 20-years-old and that was it – I was addicted!
What’s your greatest ambition? To be honest I am already living it! I want to travel to as many destinations to play as possible, I love experiencing new places, meeting new people and riding as many different horses as possible. Which lady players do you admire? Why? So many ladies play so well! Nina, Wisey [Sarah Wiseman] and Hazel [Jackson-Gaona] are my top three, they are all so talented, so strong at controlling the team which is so important! What’s your favourite tournament/Club? My favourite Club is 100% Silver Leys Polo Club.
Photograph courtesy of Emilie Sancho
What’s your greatest achievement to date? There have been so many highlights, but it has to be playing in The King Power Gold Cup with Scone, and also playing The Warwickshire and The Cartier Queen’s Cup with Monterosso Vikings this season!
La Villa Sur La Plage, winners of the 2020 Ladies Polo Cup
On Sunday 16 August, La Villa Sur La Plage defeated Le Drakkar in the Final at Deauville International Polo Club to take home the 2020 Ladies Polo Cup. The Ladies Cup could not be totally and fairly played as due to the thunderstorm, the second day could not be played (fields were unplayable for three days due to rain), so the Final was played between the two winners of the first day. Additionally, due to the sudden Covid quarantine decided in the UK, the English female players could not finish the tournament as they had to travel back in panic, so the teams for the third and fourth place match were completed with men!
Photograph by Alan Lawrence
La Rosada Ladies
La Rosada, winners of the WIP La Rosada Ladies Tournament
La Rosada Ladies Final Teams: Rex Homes (12): Clare Hocking (1), Sam Buckles (3), Lucy Coddington (6) & Maxine Farnworth (2) Supa Nova (11): Lydia Eastwell (0), Fiona Kalies (3), Stephanie Haverals (4) & Sarah Hughes (4)
Photograph courtesy of KPPC
Over the weekend 10 August, the first Women in Polo (WIP) 2020 tournament was played. The La Rosada Ladies was won by Rex Homes at Kirtlington Park Polo Club, with a 6-3½ win against Supa Nova. Rex Homes’ Lucy Coddington scooped up both the Most Valuable Player award as well as the Best Playing Pony Prize, for Dublin.
Best Playing Pony, Dublin
For Women’s polo dates for your diary, turn to our What’s On pages
Polo Times, September 2020
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International Victrix Ludorum & Home Update
Photography by John Rowley
Women’s Polo
Milly Hine, the Most Valuable Player
Victrix Ludorum Update Action from Cirencester & Berkshire
W
ith the 2020 English season extended, at the time of going to print the Victrix Ludorum has just passed the halfway point following the Finals at Cirencester Park Polo Club and The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club. There are still two tournaments to be played at Guards Polo Club and Beaufort Polo Club.
18 Goal Victrix Ludorum
Cirencester Park Polo Club – Cirencester Ladies 18 Goal Final – Saturday 1 August Number of Teams: Eight Winners: MJVH Points: Yet to be ratified by the HPA On Sunday 1 August, MJVH secured their second 2020 Victrix Ludorum title with their 5-3 victory over Hascombe Stud in the Cirencester Ladies 18 Goal Final. PololineTV livestreamed the Final played on Peddington ground, with perfect playing conditions for the two teams. To start with, the Final was evenly paced, but Hascombe Stud managed to take the lead in the first chukka and took a two goal lead. However, MJVH found their stride and made a comeback in the second chukka and overall 56
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MJVH, winners of the Cirencester Ladies 18 Goal Final
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Women’s Polo
Victrix Ludorum Update provided to be the stronger team and secured the win 5-3. Hazel Jackson-Gaona and Steph Haverals were the top goal scorers, with BB played by Steph Haverals was named Best Playing Pony, while Hascombe Stud’s Milly Hine was the Most Valuable Player.
The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club – RCBPC Ladies Victrix Ludorum Polo Festival Final – Saturday 15 August Number of Teams: Six Winners: Monterosso Vikings Points: 90
BB, the Best Playing Pony
goals being scored. The second was similar, both teams seeming equally determined to come away with the trophy. Monterosso Vikings managed to convert a 30 yard penalty leaving the score 1-0 at half-time. During the second half, Milly Hine flew up and down the field on a few breakaway runs but was unable to secure an equalising goal for Cadence. Hazel Jackson-Gaona was able to get through the strong defence of her opposition and score and after another 30 yard penalty, Monterosso Vikings were three goals ahead at the end of the third. With just
a couple of minutes left on the clock Hine made a great steal from 9 goaler Jackson allowing teammate Lia Salvo to score making the final score 3-1. Jackson-Gaona was named the British Polo Gin Most Valuable player and Seven Seven, a 12-year-old argentine mare played by Lia Salvo and owned by Vieri Antinori was the Polo Times Best Playing Pony – to read more about Seven Seven, please turn to our Pony Power pages. RCBPC Ladies Victrix Ludorum Polo Festival Final Teams: Cadence (18): Elodie Avarguez (2), Olivia Jaurechte (2), Milly Hine (6) & Lia Salvo (8) Monterosso Vikings (18): Siri Bazzoni (2), Kayley Smith (2), Emma Boers (5) & Hazel Jackson-Gaona (9)
Photography by RCBPC
On Saturday 15 August Elodie Avarguez’s team, Cadence, took on Siri Bazzoni and her team Monterosso Vikings in the RCBPC Ladies Victrix Ludorum Polo Festival. The first chukka proved the teams as very evenly matched with fast and furious play but no
Photograph by Isabel Branch
Cirencester Ladies 18 Goal Final Teams: MJVH (18): Alicia Woods (2), Emily Johnson (2), Steph Haverhals (4) & Nina Clarkin (10) Hascombe Stud (18): Arabella Oppenheimer (1), Olivia Jauretche (2), Milly Hine (6) & Hazel Jackson-Gaona (9)
Monterosso Vikings, winners of The RCBPC Ladies Victrix Ludorum Polo Festival
Hazel Jackson-Gaona, British Polo Gin Most Valuable Player
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EUROPEAN REPORTS France & Spain Action from Germany, CUP FINAL CARTIER QUEEN’S Historic Title Castagnolas Clinch HOME THE BACON DILLON BRINGS Polo Times Interview
s, Technology in Polo PLUS: Osteochondrosi
& Victor Ludorum
EUROPEAN REPORTS Action from Germany, France & Spain CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP FINAL Castagnolas Clinch Historic Title DILLON BRINGS Polo Times InterviewHOME THE BACON PLUS: Osteochondrosis, PT Covers_September2020.indd
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Technology in Polo
& Victor Ludorum
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EUROPEAN REPO Action from Germany, RTS France & Spain CARTIER QUEE N’S CUP FINAL Castagnolas Clinch Historic Title DILLON BRING S Polo Times InterviewHOME THE BACON
PLUS: Osteochondrosis,
Technology in Polo & Victor
Ludorum Update
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Women’s Polo
International & Home
The action was fierce across both levels
Polo Park Zurich’s Ladies Jan Marie Kiesel reports
I
Photography courtesy of Polo Park Zurich
t was girls only at Polo Park Zurich’s 21st International Ladies Tournament over 8 – 9 August. 26 female players competed at two levels – the Challenge League, a chance for many to play their first competitive polo, and the Medium Goal League where two professional female players, Rebecca Walters UK 6 and Jeanine Hugo-Menendez SA 5 strengthened and directed their higher goal teammates.
It was smiles all round for the 26 players!
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Saturday We were blessed with a sizzling, sundrenched weekend and polo to match. Saturday’s games saw the three teams in the Challenge League sorting themselves out and pushing for points in a Round Robin competition. Shiva Strub, youngest player of this tournament at only 15 years of age, opened up the scoring for her team, Princes de Venoge, who went into Sunday with 2 points, Team Jolies Filles and Team Grand Cru with 1 point each.
Sunday On Sunday, the spectators started to gather early for the first game of the Challenge League at 11:00. The Place Salon normally in Zug, was set up field side to tidy and style heatdampened hair and ice buckets were filled with complementary drinks. The prize-giving table was weighed down with prizes and sponsor gifts. Team Princes de Venoge came onto the field displaying a well-earned confidence. Belen Podesta and Anja Gutbrod were a great combination. Assisted by Antonia Sturzeis/ Claudia Ide and their goal getter, Shiva Strub, this team came out on top of the Challenge League with Jolies Filles second and Grand Cru third. The Most Valuable Player in this league was awarded to young Shiva. At 12:30, we were ready for the Medium Goal, the two sides escorted onto the field by luxury cars from Aston Martin and introduced to the swelling spectator crowd. The meeting between these two outstanding teams did not disappoint. The teams had had time to get to know each other and they gave an inspiring performance. Again Estée Lauder went into the lead and kept up their half goal advantage until half-time, but the third chukka was the game changer. Jeanine was on very fast ponies and seemed to be everywhere. Morgan van Overbroek 2 BE came out on her favourite pony, the six-year-old Torcacita, and the body
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International & Home
Aston Martin, winners of the Medium Goal
Women’s Polo
Princes De Venoge, winners of the Low Goal
language was determination. Beata Dudler 1CH on her special third chukka pony, Lucy, looked equally determined. A hard fight ahead! Annita Van der Hoeven 1NL caught the spirit and the four powered into this chukka catching Estée Lauder daydreaming for a split second. Rebecca called to her side and got Indira Krattiger BR sprinting down the field to help in defence with heavy ride-offs. Larissa
Esser 1NL gave her team some cracking backhands but Team Aston Martin had caught a whiff of success and moved into the lead. At this point, Estée Lauder were running out of time. In the end, it was Aston Martin’s day and they took the prize for first place at this 21st International Ladies Tournament. In this league, it was Beata Dudler who was awarded the prize for the Most Valuable Player.
It would be hard to beat a prize-giving like this at Polo Park Zurich’s 21st International Ladies Tournament. There were smiles all round as each player was presented with wine, cosmetics, gift vouchers and polo equipment. DJ Zoe heated up the music and as I left the field I could see all 26 female players enjoying a drink together with family and friends. Fabulous atmosphere. Polo Park Zurich has done it again.
ͻ ůŝŐŚƚĞƌ ͻ ƐƚƌŽŶŐĞƌ ͻ ƉŽǁĞƌĨƵů ͻ ĐŽŶƐŝƐƚĞŶƚ
ĂŶĞ ŵĂůůĞƚƐ ĂůƐŽ ŵĂĚĞ ƚŽ ŽƌĚĞƌ 'ƌĞĂƚ ƐŚŝƉƉŝŶŐ ƌĂƚĞƐ ĚŽŽƌ ƚŽ ĚŽŽƌ
ǁǁǁ͘ǁŽŽĚŵĂůůĞƚƐ͘ĐŽŵ Polo Times, September 2020
For Women’s polo dates for your diary, turn to our What’s On pages RRG 0DOOHWV TXDUWHU SDJH SRUWUDLW FRORXU LQGG
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Pony Power
Roger
Photograph by ©www.imagesofpolo.com
Height: 15.4hh Age: Seven-years-old Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Owned and played by: Manel Plaza De Ayala Tournament: The Duke of Wellington Final at Guards Polo Club Where is he from/breeding? I bred him at my farm in Argentina. How long have you had him? I have had him since he was born, he is the son of a mare I played for years in Argentina. What are his strengths? He is very handy and smooth. How has he gone this season? Due to Coronavirus this is the first tournament that we played, so he has started the season well. Has he won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? No, I brought him last year and I played him in The Prince of Wales and then I didn’t play him anymore, so this is his first one.
What are your plans for him in the future? Hopefully I can play him for the next few years here in England.
Describe him in a few words? Handy, powerful and he has a very good mouth.
Does he have any special quirks? No, he doesn’t.
Seven Seven
Height: 15.2hh Age: 12-years-old Colour: Chestnut Sex: Mare Owned and played by: Owned by Vieri Antinori and played by Lia Salvo Tournament: The Ladies Victrix Ludorum Polo Festival Final at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club Where is she from/breeding? She is from Argentina. How long have you had her? Six years. What are her strengths? Seven Seven is a very easy mare with a good mouth and she is fast too. Photograph courtesy of RCBPC
How has she gone this season? She has gone very well this season. Has she won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? No. What are your plans for her in the future? To keep playing her, but when she retires then Vieri Antinori plans to breed from her.
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Does she have any special quirks? She is an extremely calm mare.
Describe her in three words? My best mare.
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Pony Power
Knowledge
Chicarra Height: 15.1hh Age: 12-years-old Colour: Chestnut Sex: Mare Owned and played by: Matias Amaya Tournament: The Wichenford Bowl Final at Beaufort Polo Club
Photograph by Gordon Lindsay
Where is she from/breeding? She is from Juan Berdina, Estancia La Fe, Monte, Argentina How long have you had her? I have owned her for six years What are her strengths? She is loyal, tough, fast and never loses her handle, I can always count on her. How has she gone this season? She is going great this season. Has she won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? She has won Best Playing
Pony many times as she is everything you need in a polo pony! What are your plans for her in the future? We will keep her and breed from her in the future and she will retire on the farm.
Does she have any special quirks? She comes in very fresh from the winter and likes to hook you with her tail! Describe her in three words? One to keep!
PADDOCK POWER POWERING PERFORMANCE
We are a polo management company and look after over 100 polo ponies. Since it’s arrival in the market place three years ago we have been using Paddock Power for both our ponies in the polo school and the ponies that play medium goal.
We had no cases of rain scald or abscesses and it has completely eliminated us having to hard feed through the winter saving us both time and money. Even after a testing winter, the ponies came in looking and feeling great. Their muscle tone and top line were in great shape and this gave us a massive head start in getting them fit for the summer.
© www.imagesofpolo.com
Through the winter the condition of our horses’ feet, coat and general health and wellbeing has vastly improved as they have access to the PP buckets which they can dip into when they fancy. We have been using it for 4 years now.
PADDOCK POWER REBALANCE
Our in feed electrolyte, vitamin, mineral and protein balancer! All the goodness of the “ORIGINAL” but in a powdered version. Measured dosage means you can regulate daily intake and increase it at times of higher level competition. Also allows controlled dosages to comply with FEI and BHA regulations. Provides a perfect balancer for most feeds.
During the playing season we use Paddock Power Rebalance as a combined feed supplement, balancer and electrolyte, to amazing effect. So many of the niggles through the season that we usually suffer, were non-existent and again this has saved us time and money. I am a huge fan and would urge people to try it…….you won’t be disappointed and your ponies will love you for it!
Suzie Meadows - Cool Hooves Polo Ltd For more information and a full breakdown of Vitamins, Minerals and ingredients visit www.paddockpower.co.uk Call 020 3409 0214 Email info@paddockpower.co.uk Paddock Power is manufactured by Tithebarn, the same stable as Rockies!!
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Polo Times, September 2020
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Nutrition Focus
Lorna Edgar – specialist equine nutritionist
Yard Focus Tommy Severn Four horses’ quirks & individual needs As yard visits only really started in June, I have not had too much of an opportunity to do a Yard Focus, but as I began my travels again, I was back at Longdole Polo Club, near Cirencester, this time looking at 3 goal player, Tommy Severn’s horses, with his grooms Sammy Kerslake and Julia Hyslop – total Yard Focus material!
Tommy has 10 horses in work, but here we have focused on four of Tommy’s favourites that all have their own quirks and individual needs! Longdole Polo Club allow all their horses ad lib forage and they encourage as much turn out as possible. With no exception to the rules, Sammy and Julia very much keep
to this ideal management for Tommy’s busy string of horses. On polo days they all travel with haylage nets, both to and from polo, and on arrival at a ground they will all have a good pick of grass as they are fussy about eating chaff, so the grass is a compromise to satisfy their need to eat an extra bit of fibre. As you can imagine I absolutely love this type of management! The horses are all fed electrolytes every day in the hot weather we are experiencing as I write this article in early August. On days when they are playing or working hard, they’re given either in a wet feed or in their water buckets. During my last visit we discussed the benefits of pre-loading with electrolytes before they play polo, so administering them when they arrive at the grounds – allowing the ideal two-hour window before they play to enhance performance. So, let me introduce you to the chosen four…
Lovelocks Mourhino
Diet • Two round bowl Stubbs scoops of Baileys No.17 Conditioning Mix per day • Three measuring mugs of Baileys Stud Balancer per day • Two measuring mugs of Baileys Outshine per day • Half a scoop of Fibre-Beet per feed
Photography courtesy of Lorna Edgar
A 15.2hh 10-year-old who has been with Tommy for two years. She is a very sweet mare and really easy to have around the yard, she maintains condition easily and is very easy to feed for energy. When she first came into work, like all Tommy’s horses, she was fed Baileys No.6 All-Round Endurance Mix to provide the calories of a conditioning feed whilst keeping a lid on any excitable/fizzy energy that may bubble over at any point! She continued on AllRound Endurance Mix during lockdown, and once a few chukkas were played she moved onto Conditioning Mix – thus increasing the starch intake of the diet without adding straight oats.
A 15.2hh 10-year-old who has been with Tommy for two years
Cliquot
A 15.2hh, 14-year-old from Ellerston. She came to Tommy this season from Charlie Hanbury, quickly settling into the string – and already reaching the top four! Although an easy and straight forward mare at home, she can become quite hot and ‘stressy’ at polo. She has maintained her condition well so far, but if polo becomes very busy for a long period of time, we may have to increase her calorie intake a little more. She has been playing well on the Conditioning Mix, but the backup plan if she becomes too hot at polo would be to focus on a lower starch diet, as with Toast. Diet • Two heaped Stubbs scoops of No.17 Conditioning Mix per day • Three measuring mugs of Stud Balancer per day • Two measuring mugs of Outshine per day • Half a scoop of Fibre-Beet per feed 62
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Nutrition Focus
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Lovelocks Rufio
A 15.2hh nine-year-old who arrived from Argentina last year, and soon picked up her condition. Sammy described her as “the angel” of the string as she is very easy to have around and is now Tommy’s ‘go to pony’ as she is so reliable. Rufio holds her weight well, and she is one we keep an eye on to avoid her putting on too much condition. If there is a quieter week of polo, we might reduce her Conditioning Mix a little, just to keep the calorie intake in check. But, when she is playing a lot, she can go off her feed so introducing some Baileys Foal Assist Plus (to increase the B vitamins in her diet which can stimulate appetite) has helped. She can be fussy with it in her feed so syringing it as you would Bute has been ideal; increasing her appetite for her hard feed and forage. Diet • Two scoops of No.17 Conditioning Mix per day • Three measuring mugs of Stud Balancer per day • Two measuring mugs of Outshine per day • Half a scoop of Fibre Beet per feed A 15.2hh nine-year-old who arrived from Argentina last year
Mini Toast
A 15hh, 12-year-old originally from Andre Vianini and she has very much been one of Tommy’s favourites for the last five years. Toast could be described as a ‘busy bee’, often running off her adrenalin and very much knows her job! Extra energy is not often required and she maintains her condition well. She can become picky with her forage, which Sammy and Julia keep an eye on, and if she does stop eating they introduce extra Fibre-Beet into her diet in a third or fourth feed. As with Rufio, we could always consider Foal Assist Plus to boost those B vitamins and stimulate appetite. The Conditioning Mix has been suiting her but we reduce it if she has too much energy and introduce Baileys Ease & Excel, thus reducing the starch in her diet and focusing on stamina based energy through digestible fibres and oils; but so far she is fine on the Conditioning Mix. Diet • Two Stubbs scoops of No.17 Conditioning Mix per day • Three measuring mugs of Stud Balancer per day • Two measuring mugs of Outshine per day • Half a scoop of Fibre-Beet per feed A 15hh, 12-year-old originally from Andre Vianini
Notes You will notice all four horses, and most of Tommy’s playing string, are all being fed Outshine, the high oil supplement, to help increase the stamina-based energy in the diet. We began to add this once they had been playing for a month or so, and as they were playing a lot of polo, we wanted to ensure they were receiving adequate energy for peak performance, and ideally not having to increase the rations too much per feed or add oats. As their energy levels seemed to be fine, we introduced Outshine to boost the glycogen sparing effects (see the Oil Q&A article!) and boost stamina – so far this ration is working for them all.
Sammy, Julia and I have really tried to focus on not over-feeding in any meal, so when possible the feeds are split over three meals per day if necessary, thereby promoting maximum digestion and utilisation of nutrients to enhance performance. As I mentioned previously, all the horses came into work on AllRound Endurance Mix and this really suited them during the bizarre time of Lockdown, when we weren’t sure if polo was going to get going. They switched to Conditioning Mix as their polo progressed, which so far is suiting the majority of this lovely string of horses, particularly the Fab Four!
Contact Lorna Edgar of Baileys Horse Feeds on lorna@baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk www.polotimes.co.uk
Polo Times, September 2020
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Medical Insight: Polodoc
Dr.med. Andreas KrĂźger is a Swiss board orthopaedic and trauma surgeon in Zurich, who specialises in knee and shoulder surgery. Andi is a second generation of tournament doctors for equine sports, known as Polodoc since 2013 and affiliated with Polo Park Zurich
Better Safe Than Sorry How high tech can push safety
Emergency Call Pit Falls
Device such as the Apple Watch can help improve player safety
Height and speed are a perfect combination for fun when everything runs well. However, with an unintended change of direction comes a bad end of the story - and it’s not a fun part. New wearable high-tech sensors can very precisely measure a lot of variables regarding body function but also how fast and in which direction we move. If a certain critical change of these thresholds happens then immediate detection is possible and can be detected and displayed by technical devices. Due to the modern and widespread telecommunication 64
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network, these technical devices can forward this critical information when the in-built algorithms calculate a possible dangerous situation and no adequate answer of the possibly injured person was accomplished. Many of these devices are available on the market already but the group of users is still small. With the increasing interest of consumers in wearables, the big tech players like Apple and Samsung have started to add and improve sensors for health programs in their devices.
Emergency calls are one of the first moves to make in case of accidents in order to access adequate help in a reasonable time to control the situation and minimise the risk of additional harm due to delay of medical aid. Many accidents in equine sports are minor but geographical factors can prolong the interval until rescue. These intervals can be long, with many of the sports centres or stables located far away from the city centres. Secondly, it can be challenging to find the exact location of the injured person in these remote areas. The quality of information in the distress call reaching first help providers is mostly poor due to lack of orientation or exact knowledge of the current position. The transfer of basic information such as personal identification details or relevant preconditions can be demanding and hard to carry out after injury or during painful moments.
Necessary Sensor
The Apple Watch offers advanced activity and communication features as well as revolutionary health features, including a new accelerometer and gyro sensor capable of detecting severe falls of the Apple Watch wearer and an electric heart rate sensor that works with the new EKG App to record an electrocardiogram (EKG), which has www.polotimes.co.uk
Medical Insight: Polodoc been awarded a De Novo classification by the FDA. With the cellular options, these thresholds can be directly transferred to the help provider.
Expert Opinion Prof Dr.med. Aris Exadactylos Head of Emergency Department Inselspital University Bern Switzerland
Fall Detection
Apple Watch Series 5 can detect that you have fallen. When an incident like this occurs, a hard fall alert is delivered, and you can easily initiate a call to emergency services or dismiss the alert. If you’re unresponsive after 60 seconds, the emergency call will be placed automatically. Your emergency contacts will then be notified and sent your location. If the Apple Watch detects that you are moving, it waits for you to respond to the alert and won’t automatically call emergency services. If your watch detects that you have been immobile for about a minute, it will make the call automatically. After the call ends, your watch sends a message to your emergency contacts with your location letting them know that your watch detected a hard fall and dialled emergency services. Your watch gets your emergency contacts from your medical ID. Falls are automatically recorded in the Health app, unless you reply that you didn’t fall when your Apple Watch asks. Fall history can be monitored in the Health app on the iPhone, in the Health Data.
Equine sport injuries mostly require special resources and are time demanding due to the allocated point of initial care. In critical cases any time delay should be avoided because in shock treatment the time factor is directly linked to the outcome. After precise identification of the patient at his location, any provided information of the individual (preconditions, allergies, blood group, vaccination) can be helpful to improve secondary preparations for definitive care. Direct personal communication between health care provider or first responder and the patient can be beneficial. Automated fall detection for non-responding persons can immensely aid the rescue process. If a device can also provide geo data and a built-in emergency pass in combination with stand-alone cellular based communication, advances can be immense.
Apple Watch Series 5 connects to emergency services, even if you are not near your phone
Apple Watch Series 5 is capable of generating an ECG
read your heart’s electrical signals. Simply touch the Digital Crown to generate an ECG waveform in just 30 seconds. The ECG app can indicate whether your heart rhythm shows signs of atrial fibrillation — a serious form of irregular heart rhythm — or sinus rhythm, which means your heart is beating in a normal pattern.
Relevant information recording
Additonal Health Add-Ons
With the possibilty to create an emergency Medical ID card, first responders can access your critical medical information from the Lock screen. Chances are your data goes with you nearly everywhere you go.
ECG On Your Wrist. Anytime, Anywhere Photography courtesy of Polodoc
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Apps can help you to maintian a healthy lifestyle
International Emergency Calling
You can complete a call to emergency services when traveling abroad. Just press and hold the side button on Apple Watch Series 5 with cellular and you’ll be connected with the help you need. It even works if you are nowhere near your iPhone.
© Apple Watch Series 5 can detect a fall
Knowledge
With the ECG app, Apple Watch Series 5 is capable of generating an ECG similar to a single-lead electrocardiogram. It’s a momentous achievement for a wearable device that can provide critical data for doctors or the first responder. Electrodes built into the Digital Crown and the backcrystal work together with the ECG app to
Apps can play an important role in reminding you to keep up with your healthy routines. Whether you want to better manage a condition like diabetes, improve your water intake (highly important in hot areas), reduce stress, or make healthier food choices, apps are designed to help you prioritize your goal. With the App Store on the watch, these health apps can be found easily and directly downloaded. For more information on Polodoc contact Andreas Krüger at drmedkrueger@gmail.com or www.polodoc.ch Polo Times, September 2020
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Vet Insight
By Camilla Nock MA(cantab) VetMB MRCVS. Certificate in Equine Sports Medicine
Osteochondrosis & OCD Genetics
A disease of genetics or management?
OCD can occur in any joint, but is most commonly diagnosed in fetlocks, stifles and hocks. The facet joints of the vertebrae of the neck are also commonly affected sites, and more rarely knees, elbows and shoulders. Lameness may be seen in foals with large lesions, usually in association with visible distension of the joint, but more commonly lameness first occurs when the horse enters training. OCD is however often found on routine screening radiographs of older horses, for instance during a pre-purchase examination, with no evidence of lameness. Whilst lameness usually occurs on just one leg the opposite joint is also affected in more than 50 percent of horses with stifle or hock OCD.
Photography courtesy of Camilla Nock
Osteochondrosis (OC) is a failure in the process of bone formation from a cartilage framework. OCD stands for Osteochondritis Dissecans and specifically refers to those cases that develop fragments. Most commonly diagnosed by X-rays that show areas of flattening or fragmentation of the joint surface, lesions are thought to result from damage to the small blood vessels supplying this developing bone in the foetus or foal. Defects may be present in new born foals, or may develop in the first few months of life. It is also possible for lesions to repair and resolve without intervention, however by the time the horse is 12 months old further progression or repair is unlikely to occur.
Prevalence of osteochondrosis varies, particularly between different breeds. The most commonly affected breed appears to be warmbloods with as many as 67.5 percent of Dutch Warmbloods yearlings affected in one survey. This is significantly higher than the propotion of Thoroughbreds affected, whilst diagnosis of OC in ponies is rare. This supports the role of genetics in the development of lesions, and has driven selection programs like those implemented by the Royal Dutch Warmblood Studbook (KWPN). Candidate sires with evidence of osteochondrosis in the hocks (since 1984) and stifles (since 1992) were rejected for breeding, however this strict program did not lead to significant reductions in the incidence of osteochondrosis in the population so a grading scale has since been adopted, including screening of the first crop of offspring, alongside DNA testing. So why was this selection process unsuccessful? Firstly the sires were screeened as mature horses, and so those individuals that had lesions as foals that subsequently resolved will not have been detected, but may have carried genes associated with development of osteochondrosis. Secondly, recent genetic studies into osteochondrosis have shown a complex
A severe case of stifle OCD with mutliple fragments
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A hock OCD with a large fragment
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Vet Insight picture of heritability, with a large number of different genes identified as conveying an increased risk. These genes are involved in a number of different processes including collagen formation, hormone regulation, blood vessel formation, and inflammation. Different genes are associated with osteochondrosis of different locations, in different breeds, and between lesions that show fragmentation (OCD) rather than just flattening (OC). Thirdly, genetic predisposition interacts with complex environmental factors, particularly biomechinaical loading, and nutrition, that all act to determine if a lesion develops.
Biomechanical Loading
Biomechanical loading may be influenced by the exercise regime of foals, roughness of terrain, and conformation. There is significant evidence to show the conditioning effects on cartilage of exercise in the foal, with consequences for injury resistance and susceptibility to degenerative joint disease later in life. An optimum balance exists between sufficient loading to drive cartilage organisation, and excessive exercise leading to overloading. Evidence so far suggests rough and slippery grazing areas carry an increased risk, as does mixed housing (stable overnight, and turnout during the day) when compared to permanent turnout during the first year.
Knowledge
Nutrition
The link between nutrition and osteochondrosis is intricately associated with genetics. For example a high growth rate during certain high risk windows of susceptibility is associated with an increased risk of osteochondrosis, regardless of whether this increased growth rate is driven by nutrition or genetics. Additionally, high levels of insulin have been linked to development of osteochondrisis, and are associated with a diet of easily digestible carbohydrates, but this response varies between horses fed the same diet. This link between carbohydrates may also lead to a seasonal affect on osteochondrosis. Foals in Kentucky were shown to have different rates of hock vs stifle osteochondrosis depending on what time of year they were born, and how peaks of energy in the Kentucky bluegrass in spring and autumn conincided with different stages of bone development. Trace elements have also been implicated in the development of osteochondrosis. Copper deficiency, or excessive zinc, may influence either the development of lesions or the repair process, while excess phosphorous may lead to osteoporosis and weakening of subchondral bone. In summary there is a complex interaction of different factors that combine to cause development of osteochondrosis lesions. A
A typical fetlock osteochondrosis biomechanical consult is required of sufficient magnitude, direction and repetition, and acting on tissues influenced by genetics, nutrition and hormonal imbalances, at a crucial moment in development. Baker, McVeigh & Abbott Ltd. Address: 6 York Rd, Malton YO17 6AX Phone: 01653 919001
5* CountryBolt-hole Looking for a countryside retreat? Why not consider the below 5 star properties that are available for both short to medium term rental: • Swallow Barn – Sleeps x12 in open countryside location in rural Pembrokeshire. Horses welcome in adjoining 5 acres. • The Dinas – Sleeps x12, in sleepy Lower Town, Pembrokeshire. Located 40 yards from the water’s edge. • Apple Tree Cottage – Sleeps x4 in rural Winchcombe, Gloucestershire. • Honey Cottage – Sleeps x4 in rural Winchcombe, Gloucestershire. Dog and horse friendly – all properties border either the Coastal Paths of Pembrokeshire or areas of outstanding natural beauty in Gloucestershire.
For all enquiries, please call 07792 422209 or email: 3vineyardstreet@gmail.com www.polotimes.co.uk
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Chukka Wellness
India Parker-Smith founded Chukka Wellness – a company dedicated to helping polo players become fitter and stronger athletes. For several years, India worked as a Personal Trainer at one of Chelsea’s premier private members’ clubs and began to train some of the world’s leading sportsmen and women. India trains both international and UK polo professionals focusing not only on functional movements and body maintenance, but also advising clients on fuelling their bodies correctly for mental alertness and physical endurance. In this series Chukka Wellness founder, India will be suggesting specific exercises required to complement each type of shot in polo to give players a more effective, controlled and powerful swing. India recommends adding in exercises that aim to stabilise the shoulder and hip joints, strengthen the surrounding muscles and improve core control
The Nearside Forehand
The Chukka Wellness polo-fitness series
Chukka Wellness works with polo players all over the world and has noticed a reoccurring issue that many players do not prioritise their own health and fitness during the busy polo seasons. Many suffer in silence with injuries caused from bad falls, years of not stretching after playing and repetitive strain problems. Polo is a very physically demanding sport and requires a high level of athletic prowess in order for players to perform at their best!
This type of shot requires • Torso and Back Flexibility • Shoulder Mobility • Upper Back Strength • Strong Inner Thigh • Strong Glutes Recommended Exercises (three sets, 15-20 reps per exercise)
Torso & Back Stretch (Improve upper body movement) 1. Widen your stance and lower your upper body to the ground with your arms completely relaxed 2. Slowly walk both hands over to one foot and rotate your torso round to the side 3. Pause and then walk the hands over to the other foot and rotate the body in the other direction
• Upper Back Strength • Strong Inner Thigh • Strong Glutes
Torso & back stretch
Extended Arm Rotations (Improves shoulder mobility) 1. Stand with feet hip width apart with a slight bend in the knees 2. Fully extend both arms keeping your shoulders back and down 3. Rotate your shoulders backwards and forwards in a semi-circle motion
Extended arm rotations
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Photography by Chukka Wellness
Recommended Exercises (three sets, 15-20 reps per exercise)
Chukka Wellness
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Banded Rows (Strengthens the upper back) 1. Bring one foot forward into a split stance and place the band under your front foot 2. Lower your torso forward keeping the core engaged 3. Holding the band in each hand, retract your shoulders and puff the chest forward 4. Flex your elbows upwards keeping them close to your torso 5. At the top of the movement you should be squeezing your scapulars together and contracting the upper back muscles 6. Slowly lower the arms down whilst keeping the shoulders back and chest forward!
Banded rows
Sumo Squat Walks (Strengthens the Inner Thighs) 1. Start in a wide stance and slowly squat down pushing your hips back 2. Keep your core engaged and chest up 3. Squatting low throughout the whole movement, walk sideways a couple of steps and then back the other way
Banded Glute Bridge (Strengthens the glutes) 1. Lie on your back and plant both feet hip width apart with the band placed around both knees 2. Keep your knees in line with your ankles throughout the whole exercise 3. Engage your core and slowly raise your hips up being careful to avoid over-extending through the lower back 4. Squeeze your glutes at the top of the movement and slowly lower your hips back down to the ground
sumo squat walks
Banded glute bridge
Chukka Wellness is a company dedicated to helping polo players become fitter and stronger athletes. Their services include: • 1-2-1 and team training in the Berkshire area • Online Training • Polo-Fitness Holidays and Clinics www.polotimes.co.uk
They have also recently launched a Virtual Equine Membership Hub where players can gain access to a range of polo-specific workouts, mobility routines, nutritional guidance and much more! ‘Train like a pro’ and check out the Virtual Equine Hub at: www.chukkawellness.co.uk india@chukkawellness.co.uk
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Playing Tips
Playing tips with Rege Ludwig Swing Time vs Riding Time Five phase hitting process
Renowned polo coach, Rege Ludwig gives his expert advice on how to get more out of your game
My style of teaching the hitting process is to break it down into five phases: 1. Approach Phase, 2. Swing Preparation Phase, 3. Downswing Phase, 4. Contact Phase, 5. Follow Through Phase. The first two phases are riding issues taking place before the swing of the mallet down to the ball is initiated. I compare those two phases to a golf player standing over the golf ball or a baseball player standing at home plate in preparation of swinging at the ball. That preparation process is so essential, with a significant aspect of it being, it takes so much longer to execute than does the actual swing of the hitting instrument to hit the ball. To facilitate the first phase, Approach Phase, I have created a six step Hitting Checklist that is intended to have you prepared to initiate the downswing upon arriving at the ball. I am assuming you are preparing to hit an offside fore shot. The same six steps apply to all twelve shots; however, they must be adjusted to fit the shot intended.
Hitting Checklist (offside fore shot)
Step 1. Forty yards from the ball pick a spot approximately one yard to the left of the
ball. Ride your horse to have its nose arrive at that spot upon reaching the ball. Under those conditions, the ball will be an almost ideal distance from your horse for hitting the ball straightforward or straight back on the offside. Step 2. (the most critical step) Thirty yards from the ball establish and maintain a forward, and secure riding position, i.e., half seat. From that secure half seat riding position, you can establish and maintain a stable hitting platform. Step 3. Twenty yards from the ball, without rotating your hips or torso, lean your upper body to the right side of your horse. The purpose of which is to begin positioning your upper body out and over the ball, and to establish solid contact onto the left side of the pommel of the saddle with the inner side of your upper left leg well up into the groin; which, is an incredibly important facet of a stable hitting platform. Step 4. Fifteen yards from the ball rotate your torso so as to place your head and the center of your chest (sternum) directly above the toes of your right foot. It is under your toes where the ball should be when hitting a straightforward offside shot.
Step 5. Ten yards from the ball establish your upper body elevation above the ball by bending your torso down and over the ball to where if your arm and the mallet were hanging straight down, the mallet head would be almost touching the ground. Step 6. Approximately five yards from the ball from the forward, leaning, rotated and bending down position initiate the Swing Preparation phase by moving the mallet back and up to the top of the downswing position. While reading one of my resource books, Observation Upon the Nature of the Gallop, and the Timing of a Polo Stroke and Form in Striking, written by seven goal player, Dr. John D. Richards in 1939, I became intrigued by what he had written. In that book Dr. Richards states â€œâ€Ś. possible for the polo striker to swing the mallet head from the upper primary vertical position to the lower vertical position and complete the half arc swing in 5/22 of a secondâ€?. That statement establishes for me the fact that, from initiation of the downswing to contact with the ball, can take place within a quarter of a second.
Photography courtesy of Rege Ludwig
Initiation of downswing
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contact with ball
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Playing Tips My reasoning for mentioning that is to stress the fact that the total hitting process is much more of a riding issue than a swing of the mallet issue. From my understanding of the polo ball hitting process, at least 80% of the hitting process has been accomplished prior to initiation of the downswing. To verify that, I ask you to consider that: The first phase
of the hitting process, The Approach Phase, is the time spent riding and positioning your horse to the ball, and yourself in the saddle, in preparation of hitting the shot intended, usually five to ten seconds to complete. The second phase, Swing Preparation, is the process of moving the mallet to the top of the downswing position from the
Beginning of swing preparation
Beginning of downswing
If the amount of time spent on each phase is considered as an indicator of priorities, then because the Approach Phase uses the greatest amount of time, by far, it must be considered to be the most critical of the five phases. Additionally, the Approach www.polotimes.co.uk
to
to
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static position of being approximately twelve inches in front of your right shoulder just before arriving at the ball, usually one to two seconds to complete. If the actual swing is considered to begin with the downswing and end with the follow through; usually completed in less than half a second.
beginning of downswing
end of follow through
Phase is also critical because it is the first phase. That is significant from the perspective that if mistakes are made early within the hitting process, they are manifested in an increasingly negative manner as they proceed through the hitting process.
If you need a reason for working on improving your polo riding skills, a good reason could easily be – improve the greater portion of the hitting process, i.e., RIDING.
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Yoga for Polo
Natalie Willcock BA Hons is a celebrated teacher with over twenty years teaching experience. In this final article of a series of six the focus is on the spine for a healthy physical practice. Prepare the body for a healthy life through strength, flexibility and balance. Incorporating backward bending postures for strength and stability as well as back opening postures to create space and increase flexibility of the spine. Some of the poses have been revisited in this series. Always practice safely with intelligence and alignment in the body
Yoga Poses for the Spine Back exercises to strengthen muscles and prevent injury
contact with each other (as shown) and turn your gaze in the opposite direction. Stay in this pose for approximately three seconds. Take a deep inhalation to return back to the starting position. Repeat on the left side. Alternate each side for a maximum of five complete rounds. The spiral twist of the spine helps to remove stiffness in the spine. The positioning of the feet (in relation to the pelvis) is extremely important and beneficial as to where the stretch is in the spine. If you want a stretch in the lower area of the spine keep the feet roughly 60 cm from the buttocks. If you bring the feet closer to the buttocks this raises the stretch up the spine towards the cardiac plexus (a network of nerves situated at base of heart).
The backward bending postures are stimulating as they expand the chest and encourage inhalation; they bring a sense of rejuvenation into the body and a fresh energy surge. They are also dynamic postures which require strength and energy to perform. On a physical level, the backward bending postures stretch the abdominal muscles, and tone and strengthen the muscles controlling the spine. The spinal nerves, which emerge from between the adjoining vertebra, are decompressed. This has beneficial repercussions throughout the body since these nerves give energy to all the other nerves, organs and muscles in the body Supta Pawanmuktasana (Leg Lock Pose) This pose strengthens the lower back muscles, loosens the spinal vertebrae and massages the abdomen. Lie supine (on your back) with both legs straight and arms by your side. Take a deep inhalation as you bend the right knee in towards your chest, holding onto the shin just below the knee with fingers interlaced. Keep the left leg straight and grounded into the floor. Exhale to raise your head and shoulders off the ground bring the right knee in towards the nose without straining. Stay there for a few seconds then inhale to slowly lower your body back to the start position. Rest the body fully into the floor and repeat twice more on the right leg before repeating on the left side three times.
the back becomes concave. Exhale while lowering the head and stretching the spine upward to round your spine. Avoid bending at the elbows keep arms straight. Helps improve the flexibility of the neck shoulders and spine. Child’s Pose (Balasana) From kneeling, sit the weight back onto your heels. Keep your big toe mounds together. Place the forehead on the floor or place a towel underneath the forehead. The arms can be in front of you with the elbows resting on the floor or resting behind towards the feet. This is a restful pose for the whole body. Eases lower back tension, whilst gently stretching the hips, thighs and ankles. Take child’s pose whenever you need it.
Child’s Pose (Balasana)
Supta Udarakarshanasana (Sleeping Abdominal Stretch Pose)
Cat/Cow – Cat Stretch Pose (Marjaiasana) In a four point kneel position hands are shoulder width apart in line with the knees. Inhale to look up depressing the spine so
Sphinx Lie Prone (on your stomach) feet together so that the hips are closed and the lower back supported. Place your forearms on the floor with the palms flat. Elbows should be right under your shoulders or next to the chest. As you inhale roll your shoulders back and down and slowly lift up from your sternum whilst pushing the belly in the floor. Hold the pose with the breath and return slowly to the floor as you exhale.
Photography by Natalie Willcock
Supta Pawanmuktasana (Leg Lock Pose)
Sphinx
Opposite Arm & Leg Stretch Prone Lie prone (on your front) rest your forehead on the floor or a cushion for support. Reach your arms out in front of you with the palms facing inwards. Stretch your legs out behind you hip or shoulder width apart. Take a deep inhalation to engage/hollow out your abdominal muscles. Raise your opposite arm and leg off the floor. Visualise your opposite
Supta Udarakarshanasana (Sleeping Abdominal Stretch Pose) Lie supine, interlace your fingers behind your head allowing your elbows to touch the floor. Bend your knees and place your feet on the floor, keeping the legs together. Take a deep inhalation, and while breathing out slowly lower your legs to the right, trying to bring the knees down to the floor. Keep the feet in Cat/Cow – Cat Stretch Pose (Marjaiasana)
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Yoga for Polo arm and leg lengthening away from your torso but avoid twisting your hips. Keep your hips square. Exhale to lower and rest. Repeat 10 times alternating opposite arm to leg.
Opposite Arm & Leg Stretch Prone
Cobra (Bhujangasana) Lie prone (on your front) with your legs straight behind you, hip width apart and the front of the feet pressing into the floor. Place your hands on the floor below your shoulders and slightly wide to your rib cage. Inhale deeply to arch your spine by raising your head, shoulders and chest off the floor whilst lengthening the abdomen in. Your pubic bone should remain in contact with the floor. Exhale to lower. This pose promotes flexibility in the spine and opens the chest. Hold for as long as is comfortable. Focus on arching your spine with the breath.
Cobra (Bhujangasana) Option to press back into Downward Facing Dog Pose or Child’s pose.
Half Bow Pose (Ardha Dhanurasana) Lie prone (on your front) with the legs and feet together. Bend your right knee and bring your heel as close to the buttock as comfortable. Reach back with your right arm and hold onto the ankle. Lift up whilst pressing the opposite leg down. Inhale deeply into the pose, exhale to return to the start to repeat on the other side.
Half Bow Pose (Ardha Dhanurasana)
Bow Pose (Dhanurasana) Lie prone and bend both knees reaching your arms behind you to grasp hold of your ankles with your hands. Bring your
Bow Pose (Dhanurasana)
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heels as close to your buttocks as is comfortable. Tense the legs and push your feet backwards into your hands whilst raising the head chest and thighs off the floor, whilst arching your back. Inhale deeply into the pose, exhale to return to prone position. Practice three to five rounds. Half Camel Twist – Backbend With a Twist Place a blanket or numnah underneath your knees for comfort. Start from sitting and move your knees and ankles apart about five inches. Stand up on Half Camel Twist your knees keeping your feet flat behind you. Raise your arms to shoulder height. Twist to the right. Keeping your hips square, try to touch your left heel with your right hand (if this isn’t possible reach right hand to right heel) whilst simultaneously, stretching your left arm straight ahead of you at eye level. Lift your gaze to your left hand holding the pose for a few breaths or as long as is comfortable before returning to the starting position. Creates space and improves immunity. This posture is also helpful for people suffering from asthma. Repeat three to five rounds. Camel Pose (Ustrasana) Start as above. Stand up on your knees keeping your feet flat behind you. Reach both hands behind you (starting with the right hand to right heel, left hand to left heel). Camel Pose (Ustrasana) Keeping the hips Repeat Child’s pose pressing forwards and square do not (Balasana) strain. The weight of the body should be equally supported by the arms and legs. The front of the neck is fully stretched. This pose helps loosen up the vertebrae and stimulate the spinal nerves also helps to relieve rounded/drooping shoulders. Perform a maximum of three times. Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
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Start on all fours press strongly through your palms, to move your hips up and back and take more weight into your legs. Bring your body into an inverted V shape with your buttocks forming the apex. Extends the legs and strengthens the ankles. It also eases stiffness in the neck, shoulders and wrists. Staying longer in the pose removes fatigue and restores energy. This pose brings fresh blood to the heart and lungs, increasing the fitness of the whole body. Avoid this pose if you have high blood pressure. This pose can be modified by bending the knees or allowing the heels off the floor if tight hamstrings. Urdhvamukha Janu Sirsasana You will require a towel or yoga strap for this pose. This is an adaptation of a classic pose. Start with both legs straight Urdhvamukha Janu Sirsasana out in front of you. Bend your left knee so the sole of your left foot touches your left thigh. If this is uncomfortable for the bent knee place a cushion underneath the knee for support. Use a towel or yoga strap to place around your upper right heel. Create some traction by pulling on the towel/yoga strap and allow your spine to lift and lengthen upwards. Both arms should be straight and your shoulders down. Keep your right thigh engaged, whilst lengthening your spine and lift your gaze upwards. Hold the pose for 20 to 30 seconds then repeat other side. The immediate purpose of Hatha Yoga is to bring about relaxation on every level of our being. Yoga is a great way of improving and maintaining good health. Attention is placed on the physical movement for strength, flexibility, balance and physical health. Mindful breathing for cleansing and energising the body and calming the nerves to lower stress and tension, as well as mental focus and awareness for concentration, cultivating a calm and steady mind. Get in touch with Natalie for private tuition, group coaching and training both virtually and in person.
For more information on Yoga for Polo, please contact Natalie on 07887646228 or Email: natalie@yoganata.co.uk Website: www.yoganata.co.uk Areas Covered: Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Surrey, Sussex & Capilla Polo Club Argentina
Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
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Foraging
Photography by Rob Gould
Rob Gould is a forager with 20 years experience. In this series he will introduce readers to nature’s bounty that can be found and foraged easily. His passion is helping people to think about and develop a love for the wild food all around them and helping them grow a greater appreciation and understanding of the natural world as a whole
Blackberries may be common and easily taken for granted, but are part of Autumn’s bounty that should not be ignored!
The Humble Blackberry Autumnal foraging for the family
I’ve been extolling the virtues of Autumn since I started writing for Polo Times, and how great a season it is to be harvesting nature’s bounty, what with all the fruits, nuts and mushrooms. But then as I sat down to write this column, it struck me – it’s a wonderful time for harvesting when you’re out in the wild woods and hedgerows, but skimming around the edge of paddocks and polo fields is a different matter entirely... So, this month we’re going to go about things a bit differently. Firstly, I thought we would look at the humble Blackberry: a bit of the folklore surrounding it, plus a few different ways of making use of it once harvested. Secondly, we’ll look at how you can ‘cheat’ at foraging, by setting yourself – and the wildlife that you share your land with – up for more 74
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bountiful harvests in the future. Blackberries, I imagine, are probably amongst many people’s earliest childhood memories of spending time outdoors, of harvesting something from the wild, and therefore their first act of foraging. Although you honestly wouldn’t believe the amount of people I meet who, when asked if they’ve been foraging before, say no, but when pushed a bit say something like “well we do pick blackberries in the autumn, and wild garlic in the spring, plus we make elderflower cordial sometimes, but that’s not really foraging is it?” I guess they’ve become/remained such commonplace experiences that many no longer recognise the activity for what it truly is. As such, there’s already an incredible amount of public knowledge of what to do
with them, from the incredibly simple ‘just eat them straight off the bush’ to compotes, jams puddings and so on. Although there’s far more than that – but let’s get back to basics first. How exactly do you find and pick the best blackberries, and when is the best time to get them? The first part is easy – take kids with you! Or it least pick them like a child. You see, as with many wild plants, the flavour of the fruits can vary hugely from one plant to the next. Therefore, if you’re walking along a long stretch of bramble hedging (incidentally ‘bramble’ is just another common name for the wild, uncultivated blackberry), you want to be sampling them as you go to get an idea of the flavour. Which is basically what kids do anyway... And when they/you find a patch with a good flavour that you like, pick as many ripe ones from there as you can. Then just rinse and repeat. Don’t bother with the ones that taste watery or too sour for your taste – that’s not going to have changed by the time you get to using them. And look out for what’s known as the King Blackberry. It’s the one at the very tip of the fruiting cluster, and is generally the biggest, the sweetest, the first to ripen – and also the most easy one to get to. It’s also the one I like to think of as the harvester’s treat – instant gratification when you’re doing the picking. Also, check for how ripe they are when harvesting. They need to be that deep rich www.polotimes.co.uk
Foraging shade of purple, as they’ll never ripen properly off the plant, but remember, if they’re disintegrating as you pick them, they’ve gone over, and aren’t really of much use long term, so you would just want to stir them through cream or yoghurt that evening as a super tasty, quick and easy dessert. As far as how late into the year you can pick them, it really depends upon the weather. But there’s an old saying, which generally works well as a guide, that you shouldn’t pick blackberries after early October as ‘the Devil gets in them. It’s based on the old idea that the Devil was kicked out of heaven on 11 October, whereupon he landed on a blackberry bush. Supposedly it hurt so much that each and every year he takes his revenge by spoiling all the blackberries found after that date, either by coughing, spitting or weeing on them, depending on who you listen to. Now I’ve never seen him in action myself, but it’s a good rule of thumb, as once the frosts have arrived the blackberry skins get damaged and are far more susceptible to rotting or going ‘mildewy’, making them no good for preserving.
Two quick, super simple recipes that you’ve probably never tried before, but that are absolutely worth it.
Bramble Whisky/Brandy/ Vodka/Gin
Listed in my order of preference, although you could equally also use rum or tequila – those six alcohol types are generally considered the base spirits for most cocktails, and also by me for making my wild infusions, and each adds its own twist to your concoction. Basically, you want to put as much fruit as you can in a large jar (I generally use a two or three litre Kilner type preserving jar), leaving space for your alcohol. Then simply cover your fruit with a reasonable quality bottle of your chosen spirit. You don’t want the really cheap supermarket own brand stuff, but equally don’t use your best 40-year-old single malt, unless you’re feeling really flush. Now label it up with the date and the contents, and leave it for at least 6 months, giving it a shake if and when you remember. After that time, strain the fruit off and save for some amazing boozy desserts. Then taste the remaining liquid, adding sugar if necessary, although I barely ever do.
Setting yourself up for simple future autumnal foraging Now some of you might think of this as cheating, but it’s the perfect time to consider planting up areas to begin increasing your range of ‘wild’ harvestable produce. After all, if I’m honest, the majority of wild edibles I harvest have actually been planted by someone at some point in the past. So maybe just think of yourself as acting as a benefactor to future generations of foragers. Think about all the native, and hardy nonnative, fruits and nuts that you would really like to be able to begin harvesting in a few years’ time, and start getting together a list now. The reason for doing it at this point is that virtually all plants establish better if planted out in their dormant period, which generally begins around mid-November and runs through till
March. By ordering them as bareroot stock now to plant in the Autumn, you’re making getting them established much easier, and setting yourself up for a far more fruitful future – apologies for the awful pun... If I had the space to start growing my own ‘wild hedgerow’, these are some of the things I’d be looking at planting, amongst others: • Sloes/Bullaces/Blackthorn/Damson – all members of the Plum family • Hazel or Cobnuts • Hawthorn • Native Dog Rose or Japanese Wild Rose • Elder • Rowan • Medlar • Crab Apples and Wild Pears
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If you have the patience, leave for another three to six months, then, if you’re like me, you’ll probably polish off the whole bottle with great friends in one sitting... so make plenty!
Bramble Salt
This one is so simple that I’m almost embarrassed to tell you about it. But it’s one of my favourites, and I bet you’ve never tried it, so what the heck! Get a single handful of blackberries – ideally mainly sweet ones, although I like to make sure I’ve also got some with a bit more of a sharp bite to them. Completely mash the blackberries up with roughly the same amount of salt, using basically whatever salt you have to hand. Leave covered overnight at room temperature, then the next day thinly spread the wet mash mixture out on some greaseproof paper on a baking tray/sheet and put in a low oven (around 80 degrees) for about half an hour. Once cooled, store in a jar and use as a finishing salt, sprinkled on salads, cooked gamey meats or lamb, or even on homemade popcorn.
• Wild Gooseberries • Juneberries • Autumn Olive • Guelder Rose
All of them are available fairly easily in the UK, and all would contribute greatly to your edible landscape, whilst also providing extra food for the wild animals you share your outdoor space with. And whilst you’re at it, why not think of planting some bigger edible trees, like Sweet Chestnuts, Walnuts, White Oaks or Black Mulberries? You may not benefit from them yourself, but there’s an inspiring ancient Greek proverb, which paraphrased goes along the lines of this: “The greatest and most forward-thinking people plant trees whose shade they shall never sit in.”
Wild hedgerow planting increases your range of ‘wild’ harvestable produce
Sloe berries
Chestnuts
Rob is a highly experienced forager with over twenty years of acquired knowledge. He can be booked for private foraging walks, wild edible surveys and corporate sessions, and also runs public ticketed walks, talks and workshops.
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Black Walnuts
Rosehips
Rob also works with restaurants and food companies to bring a taste of the wild to their menus and products. Please contact him via cotswoldforager@gmail.com or search for Cotswold Forager across social media:
Cobnuts
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ cotswoldforager/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/ cotswoldforager/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/ ForagerCotswold/
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Gossip
CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations to Cody Jones and Amber Severinsen who welcomed baby Miley on Thursday 13 August, weighing in at 8lbs 4oz.
BABY BADENHOP
Congratulations to Christian and Hannah Badenhop who welcomed baby Ludwig into the world on Thursday 6 August!
Tell us yours at gossip@polotimes.co.uk Anonymity guaranteed if you want it...
BOOMING BERKSHIRE
Once again, RCBPC has been facing anger from local residents after the local council gave the green light for the Club’s plans to increase their capacity from 5,000 to 9,999. Local residents are concerned the increased capacity will lead to an increase in road traffic and noise; one resident complained, ““The noise is already obtrusive and intrusive. It is excessive – they do not have a right to disturb people’s sleep.”
HURLINGHAM POLO 1875 IN MANCHESTER
British sport and lifestyle brand Hurlingham Polo 1875 has signed a deal with DTZ Investors to launch its flagship retail store on King Street in Manchester. Tom Royston, investment manager at DTZ Investors, said: “It is really positive to see Hurlingham Polo sign a lease at King Street in what has been a turbulent time for the retail industry”.
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What’s On – Polo Fixtures Editor’s Note: Due to the ongoing limitations for polo, not all clubs have finalised their 2020 fixtures, we have listed as many as possible here and apologise if your Club has not been included, We suggest members contact their local clubs for the most up to date fixture lists.
Club
Tournament
Handicap
Start Date End date
Cowdray
Cicero Cup
12-15 goal
26/08/20
05/09/20
Cowdray
Brecknock Cup
4-8 goal
27/08/20
05/09/20
Cirencester
Jack Williams
0-4 goal
28/08/20
06/09/20
Beaufort
Babdown Cup
0-10 goal
01/09/20
12/09/20
Guards
Social Cup
10 goal
01/09/20
13/09/20
Guards
Duke of Cornwall Trophy
12-16 goal
01/09/20
20/09/20
Guards
Major General’s Cup
2 goal
04/09/20
06/09/20
Rutland
Collie Cup
-6 to -4 goal
05/09/20
06/09/20
Rutland
Preston Lodge Bowl
0-2 goal
05/09/20
06/09/20
Cirencester
Cirencester 2 Goal
0-2 goal
05/09/20
27/09/20
Cowdray
Bryan Bethell Cup
12-15 goal
07/09/20
12/09/20
Beaufort
Solitaire Salver
0-4 goal
08/09/20
20/09/20
Guards
Flemish Farm Trophy
Low goal
15/09/20
26/09/20 27/09/20
2020 Victor Ludorum & High Goal Dates
Beaufort
Sidebottom Cup
-2-2 goal
15/09/20
Club
Guards
Autumn Nations Tournament
10-12 goal
15/09/20
27/09/20
Cirencester
Humphrey Guinness
6-10 goal
15/09/20
26/09/20
Cowdray
PSI Trophy
4-8 goal
18/09/20
27/09/20
Tournament
Start Date
End date
18 Goal Cowdray
Challenge Cup
24/08/20
06/09/20
15 Goal
Cirencester
Cirencester 0-40 Goal
0-40 goal
18/09/20
27/09/20
Cirencester
County Cup
01/09/20
13/09/20
Rutland
Ladies Ranksboro Cup
Open
19/09/20
20/09/20
Beaufort
Arthur Lucas
15/09/20
27/09/20
Guards
President’s Trophy
10 goal
22/09/20
04/10/20
Rutland
Wilkinson Sword
Club match 26/09/20
27/09/20
Guards
Chairman’s Trophy
Low goal
29/09/20
04/10/20
12 Goal RCBPC
John Prestwich
25/08/20
06/09/20
Cowdray
Autumn Cup
07/09/20
20/09/20
Gerald Balding
25/08/20
05/09/20
Budgett Everett
27/08/20
06/09/20
USA
8 Goal Cirencester 6 Goal Kirtlington
Beverly
Eastern Circuit Intra-Circuit Cup
8-12 goal
24/08/20
02/09/20
Greenwich
East Coast Open
16-20 goal 30/08/20
13/09/20
Keleen & Carlton Beal Cup
12 goal
01/09/20
01/11/20
Cirencester
Kingscote Cup
08/09/20
20/09/20
Houston
Beaufort
Rojas Lanusse
22/09/20
26/09/20
Mt Brilliant
Kentucky Cup
12-14 goal
04/09/20
04/10/20
Grant Meadow
National Arena Chairman’s Cup
9-12 goal
11/09/20
30/09/20
4 Goal Druids
Druids Rose Bowl
10/09/20
13/09/20
Oak Brook
Central Circuit Intra-Circuit Cup
9-12 goal
11/09/20
20/09/20
Kirtlington
Kirtlington Cup
24/09/20
27/09/20
Oak Brook
Butler International
10-12 goal
21/09/20
27/09/20
Ham
Roehampton Cup
11/08/20
23/08/20
Kirtlington
Budgett Everett
27/08/20
06/09/20
Cirencester
Kingscote
08/09/20
20/09/20
Saint Tropez
Gold Cup
Open
03/09/20
13/09/20
Beaufort
Rojas Lanusse
22/09/20
26/09/20
Chantilly
Trophée Castel
6-8 goal
05/09/20
20/09/20
Chantilly
Trophée du Capitaine des Jeux
0-4 goal
05/09/20
20/09/20
Saint Tropez
Coupe de l’Hippocampe
Open
17/09/20
27/09/20
6 Goal
4 Goal Cheshire
National 4 Goal
18/08/20
23/08/20
Druids
Druids Rose Bowl
10/09/20
13/09/20
Kirtlington
Kirtlington Cup
24/09/20
27/09/20
Victrix Ludorum 18 Goal Guards
Guards Ladies Charity Polo
18/08/2020
29/08/20
Beaufort
Beaufort Ladies Tournament
01/09/2020
13/09/20
Quick Question Answer -
to the question posed on our Letters page
Adolfo Cambiaso Snr holds the most Gold and Queen’s Cup wins out of all the Argentine players, with eight in The Gold Cup and 10 in The Queen’s Cup.
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France
Ladies Santa Barbara, USA
Women’s Pacific Coast Open
18-22 goal
04/09/20
06/09/20
Kingland Farm, USA
Eastern Circuit Women’s Challenge
8-12 goal
04/09/20
06/09/20
Lakeside, USA
Pacific Coast Circuit Arena Women’s Challenge
6-12 goal
05/09/20
06/09/20
Cheshire
WIP Series
12 & 8 goal 05/09/20
06/09/20
Chantilly
Open de France Femenin
12-16 goal 12/09/20
20/09/20
Tedworth Park
WIP Series
12 & 8 goal 19/09/20
20/09/20
Knepp Castle
WIP Series
12 & 8 goal
27/09/20
26/09/20
Polo Times, September 2020
77
Polo directory Club contacts UK and Ireland CLUB
PHONE
CLUB
PHONE
All Ireland Polo Club
00353 01 6896732
dstone@indigo.ie
Home Farm Polo Grounds
07807672120
EMAIL rachaelkearnet@hotmail.co.uk
All England Polo Club Hickstead*
01273 834 315
polo@hickstead.co.uk
Hurtwood Polo Club
01483 272828
polo@hurtwoodparkpolo.co.uk
Apsley End Polo Club*
01462 712444
tobiana.scott@gmail.com
Kirtlington Park Polo Club
01869 350138
info@kirtlingtonparkpolo.co.uk
Ash Farm Polo Club*
07799 812739
ashfarmpolo@hotmail.com
Knepp Castle Polo Club
07920 023639
info@aspectpolo.co.uk
Barfold Polo Club
07778 808853
mborwick@gmail.com
Leadenham Polo Club
07429 299026
office@leadenhampoloclub.com
Bawtry Polo Club
01302 773282
info@bawtrypoloclub.co.uk
Longdole Polo Club*
01452 864544
info@longdolepolo.com
Beaufort Polo Club
01666 880510
enquiries@beaufortpoloclub.co.uk
Moor Farm Polo Club
07494 114190
shop@moorfarmshop.co.uk
Beverley Polo Club*
01964 544877
info@beverleypoloclub.co.uk
Moor Hall Farm Polo Club*
01279 450637
alecbeve@btinternet.com
Binfield Heath
01491 411969
bhpcmanager@gmail.com
New Forest Polo Club
07977 224404
annabelparryjoyner@yahoo.co.uk
Blueys Polo Club*
07930 323263
polomanager@blueyspolo.co.uk
Norfolk Polo Club
01508 480400
office@norfolkpolo.co.uk
Bramham Polo Academy
07811 993316
emmadvh@btinternet.com
Northern Ireland Polo Club
07803 020577
info@northernirelandpoloclub.co.uk
Bunclody Polo Club
00353 87 6605917
info@poloclubbunclody.com
Offchurch Bury Polo Club*
07816 830887
info@offchurchburypoloclub.co.uk
Burningfold Polo Club
01483 200722
derrek@burningfold.com
Pangbourne Polo Club
07708 906810
aprice@polofix.com
Cambridge Polo Club*
07711 217004
cambridgepoloclub@icloud.com
Peover Polo Club
07766 016 833
polomanager@peoverpoloclub.co.uk
Cambridge County Polo Club*
01223 812922
info@cambridgecountypoloclub.co.uk
Polo Wicklow*
00353 404 67164
siobhan@polowicklow.com
Carlton House
07901 561113
harrietservaes@hotmail.com
RAF Cranwell
07739 569491
rafcranwellpoloclub@yahoo.co.uk
Chester Racecourse Polo Club
01244 304602
amorris@chester-races.com
Ranelagh Polo Club*
01344 885697
ranelagh@labravapolo.com
Cheshire Polo Club
01270 611 100
info@cheshirepoloclub.co.uk
RCBPC*
01344 890060
polo@rcbpc.com
Chiltern Polo Club
07973 174542
info@chilternpoloclub.com
RMAS Polo Club
07973 174542
rmas-nc-aci-projinters@mod.uk
Cirencester Park Polo Club
01285 653225
info@cirencesterpolo.co.uk
Rugby Polo Club*
01788 817724
info@rugbypoloclub.com
Cowdray Polo Club
01730 813257
enquiries@cowdraypolo.co.uk
Rutland Polo Club
07772 040668
secretary@rutlandpoloclub.co.uk
Curraghmore Polo Club
00353 51 387102
mkennedy@cssgroup.ie
Silver Leys Polo Club
07730 060200
silverleyspoloclub@gmail.com
Dallas Burston Polo Club*
01926 811 111
enquiries@ixlevents.com
St. Albans Polo Club
07956 017090
info@stalbanspoloclub.co.uk
Dorset Polo Club
01202 623985
office@dorsetpolo.co.uk
Stewarton Polo Club
07974 706045
info@stewartonpolo.co.uk
Druids Lodge Polo Club*
01722 782597
abi@druidspolo.co.uk
Suffolk Polo Club
07990 576974
aes3@cam.ac.uk
Dundee and Perth Polo Club*
07831 365 194
jamesscrawford@aol.com
Sussex Polo Club*
01342 714920
info@sussexpolo.co.uk
Eastwood Polo Club
07875 743475
frankums@googlemail.com
Taunton Vale Polo Club
01823 480460
nhs.wheelers@gmail.com
Edgeworth Polo Club
01285 821695
edgeworthpolo@gmail.com
Tidworth Polo Club*
01980 846705
info@tidworthpolo.com
Edinburgh Polo Club*
01314 496696
djamesjamie@aol.com
Toulston Polo Club
01422 372529
info@toulstonpoloclub.com
Emsworth Polo Grounds*
01344 883112
info@fourquarterspolo.co.uk
Triskelion Polo Club*
07624 272547
polo@triskelionpolo.club
Epsom Polo Club*
07961 232106
epsompoloclub@hotmail.com
Vale of York Polo Club*
07788 426968
info@valeofyorkpoloclub.co.uk
FHM Polo Club*
07778 436468
frances@fhmpolo.co.uk
Vaux Park Park Polo Club*
07703 524613
vppc@btconnect.com
Fifield Polo Club*
01628 620061
fifieldpoloclub@live.co.uk
West Wycombe Park Polo Club*
07787 560729
secretary@westwycombepolo.co.uk
Great Trippetts Polo Club
01428 741916
charles@trippetts.com
Westcroft Park Polo Club*
01276 858545
info@westcroftparkpolo.co.uk
Guards Polo Club*
01784 434212
polo@guardspoloclub.com
White Rose Polo Club*
01430 875767
info@whiterosepolo.co.uk
Ham Polo Club
020 8334 0000
office@hampoloclub.com
White Waltham Polo Club
07748 670587
kim@playpolo.co.uk
Hertfordshire Polo Club*
01707 256023
polo@hertspolo.co.uk
* Also open for arena polo in the UK winter
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EUROPEAN REPORTS France & Spain Action from Germany, CUP FINAL CARTIER QUEEN’S Historic Title Castagnolas Clinch HOME THE BACON DILLON BRINGS Polo Times Interview PLUS: Osteochondrosis,
& Technology in Polo
EUROPEAN REPORTS Action from Germany, France & Spain CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP FINAL Castagnolas Clinch Historic Title DILLON BRINGS Polo Times InterviewHOME THE BACON PLUS: Osteochondrosis, PT Covers_September2020.indd
1
& Victor Ludorum
Update
28/08/2020
Victor Ludorum Update 28/08/2020 15:35
PT Covers_September2020.indd
Technology in Polo
1
15:35
EUROPEAN REPORT S Action from Germany , France & Spain CARTIER QUEEN Castagnolas Clinch ’S CUP FINAL Historic Title DILLON BRINGS Polo Times InterviewHOME THE BACON
PLUS: Osteochondr osis, Technology in PT Covers_September2020.indd
Polo & Victor Ludorum
Update
1
28/08/2020 15:35
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Polo Times, September 2020
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Marketplace In association with Chukkout Polo Ponies
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PO1O RAT
USED BANDAGES Used polo bandages, can be collected from Cheshire/Beaufort/Cirencester Polo Clubs or posted. £30. Tel: 07702 571322
HALF SUEDE POLO SADDLE Full Half Suede Polo Saddle with breast plate, girth, over girth, stirrup leathers & stirrup irons. Can be collected from Cheshire/Beaufort/Cirencester Polo Clubs. £450. Tel: 07702 571322
Registration plate on retention and ready for immediate transfer Offers Invited Tel: 07860 906032 TWO POLO PONIES FOR SALE Both mares aged 15 and over , would suit a beginner and ideal to have lessons on. Both very easy, kind and have no vices. UK. Price: Offers over £5000.00 for the pair. Contact Delyth Batchelor on 07740 774158 UP TO 6 POLO PONIES FOR SALE! 4 to 12 yrs. Ready to be tried at private ground Price: 5k -20k Location: Faringdon, Oxfordshire Please contact: Will - Tel: 07887 712803, Email: hatfordpolo@gmail.com
Transport
Livery SUMMER GRASS LIVERY, box rest and barn rest available now at Trafford House Farm, Oxfordshire. Winter 2020/21 grass livery available starting in September. For further details and pricing contact Robert Thame at robertthame@hotmail.com or 07836 524393
Equipment KNEE PADS Small brown knee pads. Worn once, no scratches. £75. Tel: 07981 163335 2 x PAMPEANO SADDLES Two Pampeano saddles in amazing condition. Can post. £400. Tel: 07741 313931
RENAULT MASTER Viking Horse box. Stunning new build on a Renault master chassis. Spec includes: Aluminium floor, aluminium partition. One piece rubber floor. Storage above Luton. Stallion partition, Camera in horse area and reverse camera. Luxury day living with cupboard, seats and charging points. 2 x external lockers. 2 year build warranty. 52000 miles. New MOT. Please contact Philip for more information. Based just off J9 M40. Contact Philip for more details. Tel: 07748 117535
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SCOREBOARDS AND CLOCKS DESIGNED FOR POLO Outdoor and arena sizes. Fully electronic, displaying the time counting down, both scores and chukka number. Automatic bell/horn. Controlled wirelessly by a remote control you can even wear on your arm. Visit www.SportingDesigns.co.uk or call +44 (0)7860 303217
COOLER RUG 6ft Funnell Cooler Rug, very good condition. £20. Tel: 07786 281327
EQUIPE EXPRESSION 17.5” NARROW FIT 17.5 inch narrow fit Equipe Expression dark brown. Slight crinkle on seat where leather has stretched but tree and saddle sound. Red fleece lined cover included. Tel: 07977 538386
Polo Times, September 2020
79
Final bell
Photograph by The Art of Polo
In association with Aprés Polo
Romilla Arber has numerous titles to her name across all levels of polo in the UK, these include The Coworth Park Challenge (2016 & 2020), The Tyro 12 Goal (2014), Autumn Nations 12 Goal (2014), The Queen Mother at Cirencester Park Polo Club (2013) and The Autumn Cup (2104) at Cowdray Park Polo Club What is your biggest passion and why? My biggest passion has to be raising my family and my husband Simon. They all make my life worth living and make me very happy MOST of the time.
Hardest opponent? My hardest opponent this year has been either Alexie or Jasmine Calvert-Ansari. They want to win so much and are really driven.
What is your all time best polo memory? The polo memory that has brought the most enjoyment to everyone involved (apart from Charles Seavill!) was when I lost it on the pitch at Cowdray and left in my car, beeping my horn while Richard Le Poer was taking a penalty. I got seriously told off by the HPA but it was worth it, given the laughter we still get out of it. My serious best polo memory has to be winning the 15 goal this year at Coworth with Felippe Dabbas, Igna Negri and Jack Hyde. All levels of polo are so competitive now. We had a hard draw and we won.
Which sports do you like outside of polo? I play tennis outside of polo – two or three times a week. Favourite film and why? Once Around with Richard Dreyfuss and Holly Hunter. Favourite song/album? Stay Free by the Clash
Best holiday destination & activity? Residence on the Rocks, Mahe, Seychelles.
Best pony and why? Gusano because he is brilliant but super easy – no moods, no quirks. He always knows what I want and always delivers.
Favourite food/dish? Sri Lankan Chicken Curry
Photograph by The Art of Polo
Photograph by The Art of Polo
Favourite hobby outside of polo? Going to watch Tottenham Hotspur play football. I go to all the home games. Most prized possession? My Mum’s old cookbooks, with all her notes and scribblings in them. Who were/are your favourite teammates? Igna Negri, Benja Urquiza and Max Charlton. They trust me to hit the ball and are very supportive and just want me to have fun. I have to mention Matias Ballesteros as well as he has been with me since the beginning.
Are you passionately superstitious? I am passionately not superstitious
Photograph by The Art of Polo
Describe yourself in three words… Determined, empathetic and opinionated
80
Favourite celebrity? Michelle Obama. Polo Times, September 2020
One thing which would surprise us about you? I wrote a cookbook in 2012 that won a Gourmand World Best Cookbook Award for the UK. www.polotimes.co.uk
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