The Polo Magazine Winter 2015/16

Winter 2015/16

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 1

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ON THE GRAPEVINE HPA NEWS MY FAVOURITE THINGS Manolo Fernandez Llorente POLO STEREOTYPES The Hermit Horse-Breaker and The Off-Games Sportsman 80 OBITUARIES 83 NIGEL A’BRASSARD

The historian takes a look at the history of Old Boys’ School Tournaments 96 POLO VOYEUR 111 TEN TOP DIARY DATES 112 DOG OF THE MONTH

14 INTERVIEWS

14 50

ADOLFO CAMBIASO The man who needs no introduction . . .

JOHN COLLINS Mr Talacrest talks about polo, parties and the Talacrest Young Player of the Year Award

POLO REPORTS

22 29

The estancia that’s redefining polo luxury

POLO LUXE The Polo Magazine’s Winter fashion shoot

76 87 92 94

PERSONAL STATEMENT OF ADORNMENT Advice on insurance for your heirlooms and favourites

THE LUXURY CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE All you’ll ever need to give the perfect gift this Christmas

54 56 61 64

THE EVOLUTION OF THE SPORTSWATCH A passage of perseverance, precision and pluck

WINTER WARMERS Deliciously healthy recipes from foodwriter Natasha Corrett

FEATURES

LA GOLONDRINA

37 42 67 70

WHAT TO WEAR Fashion for both Northern and Southern hemisphere

BRITISH BRILLIANCE A look back at The Royal Salute Coronation Cup

TRAVEL

LIFESTYLE & INTEREST

HEALTH & BEAUTY Top tips for flawless beauty this winter

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A RIDE ON THE WILD SIDE GoWild’s African horse safari

RORY MACKAY An English artist in America THE GOLDEN AGE A look back at a history of polo on the West Coast of America

CALIFORNIA DREAMING The highlights of America’s West Coast ONE FINE AFTERNOON Behind the scenes at La Tarde Polo Club

4 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

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N AV I G AT I N G T H E W O R L D O F F I N E W I N E F O R COLLEC TOR S AND CONNOISSEUR S Justerini & Brooks. Portfolio, expertise and personal service.

Justerinis.com/ThePoloMag

Polo The

Magazine

Publisher Nicholas Hine Editor-in-Chief Richenda Hine Head of Sales Ben Bovill

MidSummer 2015

Lifestyle Editor Josie Goodbody Editorial Researcher Matilda Woodd Editorial Assistant Rosabella Hine Overseas Reporter Katie Vickery Junior Editor Wiggy Bamforth Research & Subscriptions Lucy Wilson Principal Design James Morgan Additional Design Tony Ruddy Accounts Angie Clark Contributors Nigel à Brassard

Annual subscriptions 4 issues (including postage):

One year Two years Pony Club £25 £40 United Kingdom £30 £50 Europe and Ireland £50 £90 The Rest of The World £60 £110

Email: subscriptions@thepolomagazine.com Or online at: www.thepolomagazine.com

Natasha Corrett Oliver Preston Luru Wei David Woodd Feature Photography Tony Ramirez/www.imagesofpolo.com iPad

The Polo Magazine distribution: Netjets – all jets to 11 European airports British Airways 1st Class Lounges in London, Heathrow and Gatwick Virgin Atlantic Upper Class flights to America

MidSummer

2015

American Airlines Business Class Lounge Heathrow La Martina 54 stores across 33 countries Official Media partner for the 2016 Snow Polo St. Moritz Clubhouse, Guards Polo Club Major UK polo clubs Hodgson Events Quintessentially special events PJs Bar and Grill, Fulham Road Gaucho Restaurants – 14 UK locations

Whether you’re pitch side, pool side or plane side, have The Polo Magazine at your finger tips. Download the official App from iTunes and Android now.

M Restaurants Polo Stores: Roxtons, SATS, Polistas, Tally Ho etc Coworth Park Hotel No. 11 Cadogan Gardens Hotel London Ellenborough Park Hotel, Gloucestershire The Spread Eagle Hotel, Midhurst The Lone Star, Barbados Selected prize presentations, MVP prizes and social events Subscription and mailing list to high, medium and low goal patrons and players © Published and designed by The Polo Magazine Ltd. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, nor copied in any way, either digitally or mechanically without the prior written consent of The Polo Magazine Ltd. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at time of going to press, neither The Polo Magazine Ltd nor the Editor can accept any responsibility or loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any material in this publication, neither can they have any responsibility for the accuracy of the content of the editorial, neither the content of any advertisement published. The opinions of authors are their own and The Polo Magazine Ltd and the Editor are not bound to agree with opinions expressed herein.

The Editor nor The Polo Magazine Ltd will not be held liable for any manuscripts, photographs or other materials lost or damaged while in their possession, though every care will be taken.

Publication of accepted articles is not always guaranteed and the Editor or The Polo Magazine Ltd reserves the right to amend any such articles as necessary.

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ON THE

GRAPEVINE NEWS FROM AROUND THE POLO WORLD

THE WINTER SEASON Highlights for the coming months HOME Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club: Paul Castle High Goal Challenge (13-15 goal) 27 – 29 November 2015 Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club: HPA Christmas National Club Championships (13-15 goal) 30 November – 13 December 2015 Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club: The Arena Gold Cup (13-15 goal) 12 – 27 February AWAY Snow Polo Aspen: Piaget World Snow Polo Championships 17 – 19 December 2015 Kitzbuehel: 14th Valartis Bank Snow Polo World Cup 14 – 17 January 2016 Megève: 21st BMW Polo Masters Megève 21 – 24 January 2016 St Moritz: Snow Polo World Cup 29 – 31 January 2016 Argentine Season Palermo: 122nd Argentine Open 20 November – 12 December American Season International Polo Club, Palm Beach – The USPA Gold Cup (26): 13 – 27 March International Polo Club, Palm Beach – The 112th U.S. Open Polo Championship (26): 3 – 24 April

ELLERSTON REDUCTION SALE MAKES A$1.78 MILLION The Ellerston Sale, which took place on Saturday 10 October, saw all 137 lots sold to make a grand total of A$1.78 million for the Australian stud, owned by billionaire James Packer. The highest lot of the auction was Baby, Lot 110, bought by Max Charlton for A$82,000.

Baby will now be travelling to England to play high goal.

8 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

LA DOLFINA FOR A TRIPLE TRIPLE? The incredible 40 goal team have now won both The Tortugas Open and The Hurlingham Open, meaning they are on the road to achieving a history-making triple consecutive Triple Crown win. All eyes now turn to The Argentine Open, played at Palermo, the Final of which on 12 December will decide the winner of this year’s series.

LA CLARITA’S SOTOGRANDE SUMMER The British team, La Clarita, had an impressive run of wins in the low goal cups out in Spain. Winning both the Bronze and Silver accolades, and only just missing out on the Gold title with a 9-7 loss against Valdeparras-Lynx, the side, headed by Guards patrons Claire and Chris Mathias, had an exceptional summer. It now awaits to be seen what the 2016 season will hold for them.

BMW SOUTH AFRICA TEST MATCH The BMW International Polo Series, which started at Durban Shongweni on Sunday 13th September with the first Test Match and finished with the second on Sunday 20th at Waterfall Polo Club, saw home side South Africa beat their Kiwi opposition 11-6. This is the twenty-sixth year that the luxury car brand has sponsored polo in South Africa. The event is a highlight of the social calendar every year, and sees polo enthusiasts, socialites and businessmen congregate at the two Clubs.

INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED FOR POLO HALL OF FAME The Chairman of the nominating committee for the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame based in Florida, USA, Dr. Horace Laffaye, is pleased to announce the individuals to be inducted in February 2016.

The polo personalities inducted are: Hector Galindo, a 9 goal player whose accolades included the 30 goal World Cup, the Silver Cup four times, the 26 goal Hall of Fame Cup, and the C. V. Whitney, William “Billy” Post (pictured), an 8 goal player from the early decades of last century, Richard Riemenschneider, a previous Iglehart Award winner and an early champion of polo in Virginia, who served the USPA as a Governor, Treasurer, Executive V.P., President and eventually as its Chairman, and Russ Sheldon, this year’s Iglehart Award winner. Alongside these players, two ponies, Toy Moon and Califa, have been honoured, becoming ‘Horses to Remember’.

FROM BOATS TO BRRRR

MINI MILLER Dani and Dave Miller welcomed new arrival, Maddison Ivy on Thursday 13 August at 7lb13. Congratulations!

If you are already thinking that perhaps snow polo isn’t for you this winter and you are looking for a slightly different challenge, this might be for you. Bobby Melville founded IGO Adventures, following the success of his team effort to row across The Atlantic Ocean last year. Melville said, “It was a truly life changing experience that made me push my boundaries and understand what I am really capable of. I wanted to offer such an experience to those without the time to spend three months messing about in boats.” For the last year, the team at IGO have been planning N60° – The Norwegian Challenge, which is a four-day Quadrathlon in Norway from 12 – 20 March in which both amateurs and professionals can participate.

The website handily reminds potential entrants that you ‘can either compete or complete’.

To find out more about Bobby’s new adventures visit igoadventures.com

HYDE HEADS TO DUBAI The line-ups have been announced for the 2016 Gold Cup from the three major polo teams in the Dubai. Up-andcoming Brit Jack Hyde will be playing alongside 6 goaler Matias Benoit and 9 goaler Lucas Monteverde. The remaining player on their team has yet to be announced. The Bin Drai and Al Habtoor family have also entered a team each, with some impressive line-ups. The first of the Middle East Triple Crown will be The McLaren Cup, which will begin on the 22 January and conclude on the 5 February. The Julius Baer Gold Cup will then follow from February 19 – 11 March with the final contest in the form of The Dubai Cup from 8 – 15 April.

LAND ROVER AMBASSADOR Seven goal professional player, Max Charlton, has been signed as Land Rover UK’s first polo ambassador. This year has seen a successful first season for Land Rover as Official Vehicle Partner of Guards Polo Club.

GET WELL SOON! HPA CHAIRMAN UNDER THE WEATHER The outgoing Chairman of the HPA, Brigadier John Wright, has recently been ill and is currently in Germany receiving chemotherapy treatment.

Our thoughts go out to him and his family and friends, and we at The Polo Magazine wish him a full and fast recovery.

Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, President of the FIP, recently had a nasty fall, which resulted in a broken leg. Everyone at The Polo Magazine is wishing you a speedy recovery Nicholas!

HUTCHINSON OUT OF ACTION Stephen Hutchinson, the current Vice-Chairman of the HPA, unfortunately broke his ankle after the final day’s polo at Cirencester, later needing it re-broken and reset.

WEDDING BELLS FOR WILL Will and Poppy Emerson were married on Saturday 26 September at St. Peter’s Church, Hascombe with a reception afterwards at Poppy’s parents house, which ended with a glorious firework display.

ARGENTINE ADORATION Argentine 8 goaler, Guillermo Terrera, has recently got engaged to his girlfriend Jime Scatena.

NATIONAL PARK NUPTIALS Lion Capital co-founder and Zacara patron, Lyndon Lea has wed model Sophie Dickens at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania on Saturday 1 August surrounded by family and friends.

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 9

HISTORIC MATCH IN MALTA Guards Polo Club will be participating in a four-chukka polo match on Saturday 28 November as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2015) in Malta. Malta Polo Club is the second oldest polo club in the world (established in 1868) and has special interest for members of Guards Polo Club as it is where Guards’ President, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh learned to play polo. This unique polo match is the last International match to be played on Malta Polo Club’s historic, packed earth ground, the same ground on which polo was played back in 1868. Due to the increasing popularity of polo on Malta, the Club is set to transform its historic ground into a grass field of play in time for the 2016 season.

DOUBLE DORSEY Former General Manager of the Singapore Polo Club and Hong Kong Polo Team member Torrey Dorsey and his wife Jessie, Operations Manager at the Riding for the Disabled, Hong Kong, have announced the birth of their twins, Felix Joachim and Yannick Oliver arrived on Sunday 13 September at 1:08pm and 1:24pm respectively. They join Torrey and his eldest son to make a full complement of Dorseys for a polo team!

TEAMS ANNOUNCED FOR ST. MORITZ SNOW POLO WORLD CUP 2016 The Snow Polo World Cup, St. Moritz has announced the teams that are to play for The Cartier Trophy in the worldfamous tournament, which runs from Friday 29 – Sunday 31 January 2016. Heading up the English contingent, Chris Hyde joins Nacho Gonzalez and patron Spencer McCarthy in the foundations of a very solid-looking side. The three other teams of the tournament are set to be put together by Rommy Gianni, Cedric Schweri and regular on the English circuit, Richard Fagan.

LOVELOCKS IN THE AIR Congratulations must go to Charlie Hanbury who has proposed to his girlfriend Yoanna Otto. The couple recently got engaged at Oktoberfest.

Charlie, who manages the breeding programme at his Lovelocks Polo Stud, is a 4 goal player.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF ADVENTURE Three goal Cowdray player, Jamie Peel, has got engaged to his girlfriend Coco Clevely.

Jamie, who came second in the Mongol Derby last year, now faces a new kind of adventure as married life awaits.

THE MOMENT: Adolfo Cambiaso takes time out to pose for a selfie with young fans during the Copa de Oro at Santa Maria Polo Club, Sotogrande

10 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 11

HPA

News

David Woodd, Chief Executive of the HPA, gives us an update on what’s been happening behind the scenes and tells us where our boys will be in action

A

nother season has come and gone and we now look forward to the winter and next year.

At the November Council Meeting, the current Vice-Chairman, Stephen Hutchinson, is due to be elected as the new Chairman. Having broken his ankle after the final day’s polo at Cirencester, Stephen has recently had to have it re-broken and is thus not as mobile as he would wish, and will therefore be unable to go to the FIP meetings in Argentina. Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, one of the HPA’s previous Chairmen and current President of the FIP is also recovering from a broken femur after a pony ended up on top of him during his last game of the season at Ham. Sadly, the outgoing Chairman, John Wright, will be unable to be present as he has had to start a programme of chemotherapy in Germany at short notice. At the same meeting, John Tinsley will stand down as a Steward and Chairman of the International Committee, which he has chaired since 2001. During that time he has travelled thousands of miles to wherever the England team has played, hardly missing a game, whether within the United Kingdom or overseas. His travels have taken him to France, Holland, Spain, Nigeria, Mexico, America, China, and numerous times to Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, all at his own expense.

Sadly, the Metropolitan Polo Club in Tianjin, China decided not to run The 24 Goal Super Nations tournament this year and therefore that opportunity has been lost to

12 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

our players. It was understood that they would not be running the snow polo tournament in January 2016 but there are now rumours that this might now take place. However, as England failed to qualify last year, it is unlikely that we will be invited.

A 14-16 goal team has been invited to play in a test match at Plettenburg Bay in South Africa in December, and it is hoped that we will be able to field a team. Teams have also been invited to play in Manipur on the small ponies and to Pakistan and as the opposition on New Zealand’s International Day in February.

Argentina has once again invited England to field a team in the 24 to 26 goal Copa de las Naciones at Palermo at the end of April and it is hoped that the third team will be the USA. With the withdrawal of Audi from the sponsorship of the England team it is not so easy to field England teams either here or overseas, but it is hoped that in due course the HPA’s licencing programme for Hurlingham Polo 1875 merchandise, both here and overseas, will provide another income stream. A lot has been achieved in a very short time and it is planned that overseas matches will be used to promote the new brand.

Once again, Buster Mackenzie will be holding two one-week courses for our upand-coming young players, in December and February Inevitably there were various issues, which have since been discussed at length, at the end of the season. Handicaps, as always, caused a flurry of emails and telephone calls.

However, not everyone agreed with every recommendation. The aim of handicapping is, of course, to level out the players, but this can be difficult as horses and team organisation, whether it be good or bad, can make a big difference. Various options are being considered for the future. The different handicaps for those playing ladies-only polo seem to have been well received. Of course there were teething troubles, but it appears to have certainly helped to make it easier to put together competitive teams and to have given a boost to ladies polo worldwide.

There have been lengthy meetings to discuss the rules and the USPA has now agreed to play all polo in the US above 20 goals according to a set of rules which align to those of the AAP and ourselves. There is still much work to be done on the actual language but in essence the only intended and declared difference currently is that the HPA will continue with an undefended Penalty 2 (the 30) whilst Argentina and the US will defend it. One set of rules does now appear to be more likely.

On the umpiring front, it is a great credit that Peter Wright and Julian Appleby are both in Argentina to umpire the Triple Crown tournaments and this will help to bring the rules together and achieve greater consistency.

The arena season is about to start and once again there will be the HPA club tournaments at the four different levels before and after Christmas. The USPA have been invited to send a team to play for the Bryan Morrison trophy in early March, but that has yet to be confirmed.

CAMBIASO THE MAN, THE MYSTERY, THE LEGEND

www.imagesofpolo.com, www.camillasykes.com & www.tobinators.com

14 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Katie Vickery

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 15

I have achieved everything that I’ve ever wanted to achieve and nowadays I enjoy it even more than before.

16 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

W

hat can be said about the mighty Adolfo Cambiaso that has not already been hashed over by his thousands of admirers who have watched on as this untameable force of polo has galloped circles around his opposition for the last two decades? Cambiaso is, quite simply, polo. The name is synonymous with high goal across the globe, and Cambiaso is revered world-wide as number one, often referred to not only as the best player in the world, a title he has earned over and over again, but the best player ever seen – up there and beyond with all the great names in polo history. This giant of polo seems to be showing no signs of slowing down as he strides confidently in to his forties.

And yet as I walk over to the small circle of players, grooms and trainers to meet this colossus of sport, it is his second reputation, that of the aloof, almost reclusive star, that is the first thing one notices. Cambiaso is famed for his quiet humbleness that belies, but can never hope to obscure his raw talent.

And it is this man that I find myself sitting opposite; a polite and softly spoken Argentinian, who appears to show no signs of the stresses of the high goal polo rollercoaster. Recent months have seen him and his Dubai team have a disappointing season here in the UK which had the rumour mill in full swing about Cambiaso’s age and fitness. But of course his critics have been confounded as he has fought back, swapping the intense Sotogrande season (where he won a clean sweep with Dubai) for the pressures of the Triple Crown in Argentina where he looks on cracking form, so far notching up wins in the Tortugas and Hurlingham for his La Dolfina side.

In t-shirt, jeans, cap, sunnies and sandals he is every bit the understated persona that he is renowned to be and yet it is with firmness that he remains where he is, unwilling to leave the stables where he is called on every five minutes by teammates and grooms wanting to know the plan of action for the day.

The interview begins, spontaneous and informal; more of a chat around the mate, with instructions and directions thrown about left, right and centre in Argentine Spanish, than the intimate, one-on-one discussion I had envisaged, but then, this is how the man is more comfortable. He is clearly at his ease in amongst his horses, perhaps preferring their quiet company to the glitz and glamour of the polo life he can be seen studiously to avoid.

Cambiaso was not born, like many others, in to this world of high goal luxury and is not merely “one more” of a ready-made and fully fledged polo dynasty. That is not to say that his love of horses or interest in the sport came from nowhere. Born in 1975 in Cañuelas, Argentina, to four goal father Adolfo and mother, Martina de Estrada, Cambiaso has been quoted insinuating that his future was always to be polo, “In Argentina, you do what your father does, if your father plays football, you play football. If your father plays polo, you play polo.’ The 350 acre estate – La Martina – created and named after his Mother and the home of the now

world-recognised polo brand, was certainly the place to learn.

And this he did avidly, alongside his half-brothers Salvador and Marcial, also polo players, and his sister Camilla.

So where did this seemingly superhuman talent come from?

Don’t get me wrong, the four goal status reached by his father, is nothing to be sniffed at, but it cannot be purely genes that have created the player whose skill is often referred to as being “akin to magic”. Cambiaso’s childhood consisted of days spent on horseback, riding, stick and balling and hours of practice, dedication and determination to become what he is today. His rise through the ranks of polo was quick, dramatic and unforeseen.

A natural horseman, by 12 he was playing abroad off one goal, at 15 he was wowing the English audiences with his unparalleled skills and by 16 he had become the youngest ever 10 goaler after winning the Argentine Triple Crown with Ellerstina. Today there is not a major title which he has not added to his list of achievements and having conquered the international monopoly board of polo, he now continues building up multiple wins, unbeaten seasons and consecutive victories.

It is no longer what trophies – or even how many – but how many in a row.

Cambiaso’s early life was different from that of his three children: Mia, the eldest, Adolfito, more commonly known as Poroto, and Myla, who have grown up with the world’s eye watching their every polo move, but a love of horses and polo has most certainly been passed down to the next generation, “The two eldest love polo, the littlest is just riding at the moment. Mia is the keenest, and he [Poroto] also loves playing. They are taking their own steps and the good thing is that they love it for now, but you never know, tomorrow will tell and we will see whether they are polo players or not. I hope so.” Certainly judging by their performances on the field the two eldest Cambiasos would appear to be ardent “polistas”, mimicking their father’s style and carrying the ball around as if they have been born with mallets in their hands. Cambiaso is matter of fact in his philosophy about his children’s futures and despite his relaxed attitude to whether they become polo players or not, he has been heard to say with humour, “He [Poroto] has my name so it is a big pressure for him.

I feel sorry for the poor guy if it doesn’t work, but he will have to take it. That is part of life.”

As for his wife and the mother of his three children, Maria Vázquez, it is to her that he credits his quiet family life. Despite her being probably more famous in Argentina than him, as a model turned television presenter, Cambiaso claims “We’ve always sorted it out well between us. She’s very balanced in this sense and she knows how to manage herself in this part of life and I have a very private life.” Maria Cambiaso spoke to The Polo Magazine in 2011, explaining their relationship and why they often stay away from the hustle and bustle of polo’s dynamic social scene, “We both like to be home, with friends and family around us. We have to socialise and be seen but that’s part of our working lives, at home we just like to relax and be together.

Sometimes thoughts of giving up polo run through your head when you are suffering from physical problems

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 17

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I can be happy anywhere, I’m very open and easy-going, whereas Adolfo is only really comfortable in places where he knows. And he dislikes the limelight. The only place where Adolfo likes to be the centre of attention is when he’s on the field. And there he just can’t help but not be!”

It would appear that being the best in the world in your chosen sporting field, being married to one of the most beautiful women in Argentina and having an enviably adorable family is not all that Cambiaso has achieved with his life. On top of all of this, it would seem the man also has a serious head for business, and is the founder and partner of two hugely successful brands: La Dolfina and Crestview Genetics. One should not be surprised that this is a talent of his. Cambiaso treats polo as a business, creating and forming new teams clinically with one goal in mind – success – and this is clearly a trait he has taken with him into the business world. Around 10 years ago he turned his mind to business starting up the brand La Dolfina, “La Martina was started well by my mother but it had problems so I decided to start my own brand which was La Dolfina. Soon after, I started a partnership with Ernesto Gutierrez. He was the one who pushed me and helped me a lot to make the brand grow.” La Dolfina is now an incredibly successful clothing company of which Cambiaso is the, let’s be honest, not unpleasing, face.

Ernesto Gutierrez is also a partner in Cambiaso’s newer and more controversial business venture – cloning. Alongside Gutierrez and Texan businessman Alan Meeker, Cambiaso’s dream of cloning has become a reality in the form of Crestview Genetics and he is now playing his new clones in matches and tournaments, “It’s amazing, it’s different, weird, but it’s incredible what science can do, no? To be playing horses that are dead like Cura is something slightly bizarre, but at the same time lovely.”

This business does not end with personal and sentimental gains, such as playing favourite horses again or creating pony lines filled with “Aiken Curas”, the rewards are also highly lucrative, with players and patrons flocking to their doors, in search of clones.

To us mere mortals, desperately seeking to achieve at least one of these incredible life trophies which Cambiaso has added casually to his mantelpiece of experience, it might occur to us to wonder how he keeps going? There are certainly not many people, in any sphere of life who can claim so casually, “I have achieved everything I’ve ever wanted to achieve and I have nothing left that I haven’t done or achieved with respect to the sport.” They say that it is lonely up there at ‘the top’ but I ask myself more importantly whether it is hard for a man who has built his life on competition and glory to reach a point where there is nothing left to achieve? How does one continue to climb when there are no more peaks? Can one such as Cambiaso be content to simply maintain his precarious spot at the summit – and is fighting off those pesky Pieres pups nipping at his heels enough for him? The superstar seems almost nonchalant about his role as leader of the pack, reassuring me that life at the top of the heap is pretty sweet, “I don’t feel any pressure, especially not at this time in my life. At a younger age you are always looking to improve, but at this stage in my life I have made my career, I have achieved everything that I’ve ever wanted to achieve and nowadays I enjoy it even more than before.” His contentment is perhaps a testament to his success.

Cambiaso’s new dreams have moved on from such paltry

goals as a mere Triple Crown or a 10 goal handicap, all scooped up when the now older and wiser star was in his tender teens.

New dreams consist of Frankensteinesque feats such as playing a whole match with clones of one horse or herculean, record breaking trilogies in terms of the elusive “Triple Triple” – three consecutive Argentine Triple Crowns that would put him in the history books (as if anyone needs anymore excuses to wax lyrical about him), surpassing the Coronel Suárez team whom La Dolfina equalled last year with a second Triple Crown win on the sacred fields of Palermo.

As he embarks on his forties, many are speculating that retirement cannot be a million miles away. The question is, ‘Will he quit at the top of his game or gradually slow down as the inevitable happens and age finally takes its toll?’ So, tackling the polo rumour-mill’s question head on, I ask point-blank about retirement and he smiles wryly, “Sometimes thoughts of giving up polo run through your head when you are suffering from physical problems, but for now I will continue. Every time you win, the physical aspect is left to one side because the fact of winning helps you. A day when you are losing and hurting physically continuously is maybe the time when you think about giving up.

But polo is still fun for me, I love playing it, I like the teams and I enjoy the countries that I travel to.”

With new challenges and records to be taken on, and in most cases smashed, Cambiaso does not appear to be suffering from the fear of going downhill that seemingly plagued champion jockey AP McCoy, whose retirement earlier this year at the top of his game having dominated the top spot in jump racing for over 20 years, sparked comparisons with his polo counterpart.

AP’s view on age was quite simple with his words “time is the enemy of every sportsperson. It always catches up with you and it’s having the bottle to go before then” summing up his stance perfectly. Cambiaso appears unique in his timelessness to the casual observer. So far he has not aged or gone downhill despite his injuries, still playing with a vigour that makes him impossible to compete against even for some of the world’s top players. He has not become entrapped in nostalgia for “polo of the old days” but remains an innovator both on the field and off. So I guess the question is: ‘just how long can this last?’

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 19

For now, Cambiaso remains driven, if a little tired; training regularly in an effort to fight off the injuries that he has picked up throughout his long career of being buffeted about by the world’s other top players. He is candid about his injuries, “For the last 2 years I have had problems in my adductors and my sciatic and I still have problems” and asking him about his training program prompts a laugh from him and from the other side of the circle where his trainer stands listening in as Cambiaso admits with a smile, “I try to train well, my prof puts up with a lot. He puts up with all of my grumpiness and mood swings.”

As the interview winds down, he speaks briefly of his home in Argentina where he is set to return for the start of the Argentine season. It is here that he will take on the challenge of the Triple Crown once again. There is little time between seasons to rest the weary bones but there is no denying that the fire is still there and the determination to win, for now, reigns supreme. Will 50 be the new 40 for Cambiaso?

polo is still fun for me, I love playing it

20 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

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ABU DHABI | DUBAI | MOROCCO | USA GREAT BRITAIN | CHINA | SINGAPORE NIHIWATU | MEXICO | INDIA To apply for an invitation to attend a British Polo Day please call +44 207 352 0340, alternatively email info@britishpoloday.com for more information.

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Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 21

22 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

BRITISH BRILLIANCE THE ROYAL SALUTE CORONATION CUP Rosabella Hine

www.imagesofpolo.com Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 23

O

n Saturday 25th July, Guards Polo Club celebrated a day of firsts with Max Charlton making his Coronation Cup debut and Royal Salute christening their sponsorship of the International with an über chic pitch-side Secret Garden Party.

The Coronation Cup is deemed one of the most prestigious matches in the British polo calendar. With HRH The Prince of Wales gracing the Royal Box at Guards Polo Club and with England boasting victories in both previous International Test Matches already contested, there really was everything to play for. As England lined-up to face the mighty South America, the weather gods appeared to be smiling down upon the prestigious sweeping expanse of The Queen’s Ground, in what must have been an omen of good fortunes to come. From the outset, the England team were the ones to watch and watch we did.

The English team appeared to be cohesive, dominant and in possession of a flawless game plan. Despite worries concerning the pony power of Beim and Charlton, both of whose formidable strings of ponies were thousands of miles away, already in situ in Spain ahead of the oncoming Sotogrande season, thanks to incredibly generous loans of phenomenal horsepower, the duo left South America trailing in their jet stream and Max Charlton, seemingly unfazed by his Coronation Cup debut, drew first blood for England. Despite the best efforts of both Andrade and Klabin to level the scores for South America, the combination of overwhelming British horsepower alongside experience and a flurry of fouls by the visiting team, was ultimately responsible for the defeat of the polo powerhouse that is South America.

The Tomlinson brothers proved a formidable duo, with Luke demonstrating his penchant for penalty taking and Mark drawing upon his previous nine Coronation Cup appearances to keep a cool head, whilst newly appointed Captain James Beim lived up to his reputation for showstopping shots. By the fifth chukka it appeared that the South American team had abandoned their seemingly relentless search for goals. Out of this was born free-flowing polo, which provided the England side with the opportunity to display their dazzling ability, team cohesion and ultimately secure victory in the 42nd Coronation Cup with a score of 10-6.

Post-match, amid a sea of selfie sticks and thundering applause, HRH The Prince of Wales presented the glittering, golden Coronation Cup to England Captain James Beim. England had succeeded in quelling the prowess of the South American polo giants.

24 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Vital Stats at a Glance: What: Royal Salute Coronation Cup When: Saturday 25 July Where: Guards Polo Club Who: England James Beim (7) Mark Tomlinson (6) Max Charlton (7) Luke Tomlinson (7)

27 South America José Klabin (4) Manolo Fenández Llorente (6) Rodrigo Andrade (9) Jaime Garcia Huidobro (8)

27 Winners: England Worthy! Garrard Most Valuable Player Award = Max Charlton Well done! Gaucho Best Playing Pony = Harald Link’s Silver Lining, played by Rodrigo Andrade

The private bank for polo Proud supporters of leading polo teams and events worldwide.

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Photo: Abhishek Acharya

Practitioners of the craft of private banking

EFG is the marketing name for EFG International and its subsidiaries. EFG International’s global private banking network includes offices in Zurich, Geneva, London, Channel Islands, Luxembourg, Monaco, Madrid, Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Taipei, Miami, Nassau, Grand Cayman, Bogotå and Montevideo. www.efginternational.com

FAVOURITE Tony Ramirez/www.imagesofpolo.com Tilda Woodd

Manuel Fernandez Llorente

Manuel ‘Manolo’ Fernandez Llorente holds a 6 goal handicap and is a familiar figure on both the Argentine and English polo circuits. It was at the age of just four that Manolo made the decision to follow in his father Ernesto’s footsteps and become a polo player. Due to the nature of the game, Manolo has to spend a lot of time away from home. He also travels to Dubai every year, meaning he is often away from his wife Teresa and three children, Paz, Antonia and Hilario.

So, while his home in Argentina is his favourite place to be, here The Polo Magazine discovers a few more of his ‘favourite things’.

26 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Favourite restaurant:

Favourite piece of polo gear:

1

La Vaca Atada in Lobos

My new Casablanca helmet!

(4)

Favourite place to go on holiday: San Martin de Los Andes, Neuquén (1)

Favourite item to travel with:

Favourite drink:

My computer

Beer! (2)

Favourite polo ground in the world:

Favourite music album:

Palermo 1 (5)

Any of the Rolling Stones’ (3)

Favourite piece of advice: “Always keep trying!”

Favourite tournament to play in: La Cámara de Diputados, Argentina

2

Favourite polo teammates:

3

Favourite polo buddy: Satnam Dhillon (6)

Difficult to choose just one, but Cacu Araya, Manu Plaza or Agustin Canale

Favourite party ever attended:

Favourite aspect of polo:

Zahra Hanbury’s 40th birthday was a good one

The horses

Favourite pony in your string: In the UK, Agustin and in Argentina, Solupe 4

6

5

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 27

LUXURY

GIFT

GUIDE

THE POLO MAGAZINE RECOMMENDS THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 29

FOR HIM

Louis Cartier 24 hour bag, £2,660 www.cartier.co.uk

Cle de Cartier Watch in White Gold and Leather, £14,700 www.cartier.co.uk

Nurse Jamie EGF Platinum 7 Face + Neck Daily Moisturizer, £262 www.nursejamie.com

Acqua di Parma Colonia Club, £85 for 100ml www.acquadiparma.com

Piaget Altiplano Skeleton 38mm automatic bracelet watch in White Gold, £42,000 www.piaget.com

Edition cane polo mallet, £112.00 www.tallyhofarm.co.uk

30 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Travel Bar Set, £135 www.furfeatherandfin.com

Luggage label, £45 www.spccollection.com

Oliver Men’s 3/4 Guards Coat, £812.30 www.lamartina.com

Ferrari Vetiver Essence, £79/100ml www.harrods.com

HKT/Gel Eze Knee Guards with carbon print covered high impact cushions, £175.50 www.worldwidetack.com

Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Universal Time in Pink Gold, £18,300 www.jaeger-lecoultre.com

Les Eclaires Folklore Gangsta coat, £2,120 www.leseclairesshop.com 202 or The Library

Piaget Altiplano Cufflinks, £3,250 www.piaget.com

White Pheasant mug £12.50 +P&P www.oliverpreston.com

Bedingfield suede loafers, £145 www.fairfaxandfavor.com

Cotton Handkerchiefs, £19.99 www.furfeatherandfin.com La Martina Damian stretch cotton herringbone print trousers, £153.10 www.lamartina.com

Casablanca mallet bag, £190 www.rjpolo.com

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 31

FOR HER Cle de Cartier Watch in Pink Gold and Diamonds, from £25,200 www.cartier.co.uk

Leather iPad case, £80 www.spccollection.com Zaeem Jamal Red Suede Crossover Clutch, £595 www.zaeemjamal.com

Carol Joy London Pure Collagen Spray, £100/50ml www.caroljoylondon.com

Mint & Rose capri espadrille, £84 www.mintandrose.com

Sapphire and topaz earrings set in gold vermeil, £295 www.jcmlondon.com Sydney Evan horseshoe studs, £562.32 www.sydneyevan.com

Sheepskin Gloves, £45.99 www.furfeatherandfin.com

Leather heart keyrings, £25 each www.spccollection.com

Spanish suede riding boots in red, £210 www.thespanishbootcompany.co.uk

32 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Cartier International Wallet - Indigo Goatskin and Palladium Finishes, £335 www.cartier.co.uk

Geometric print silk scarf by Lucy Jay for St Pancras Chambers Collection, £85 www.spccollection.com

Piaget Possession Mini Ring Turning Pendant, £4,500 www.piaget.com

Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Moon, £32,500 www.jaeger-lecoultre.com

Gaelle Khouri hand cuff, £2759 Talisman Gallery at Harvey Nichols

Rotten Roach 'Upgrade Please' white linen sleeve tee, £75 www.rottenroach.com

ONA elbow pads, £135 www.uberpolo.com

Piaget Altiplano 34mm diamond-set pink gold on gold bracelet watch, £28,100 www.piaget.com

Elizabeth women’s stretch twill jacket, £846.50 www.lamartina.com

Isabele Garreton genuine rabbit fur cuffs, £49 www.isabelgarreton.com Blackberry Playbook Leather Clutch, £350 www.ettinger.co.uk

Catherine & Jean eyemask, £20 www.catherineandjean.com

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 33

FOR KIDS

Golden Rubber Duck (sold as pair), £12.50 www.spccollection.com

Children’s Charles Owen Helmet, from £135 www.rjpolo.com

Portobello Toad in London, £10.99 www.portobellotoad.com

Madeleine Thompson for Blue Almonds pram coat, £220 www.bluealmonds.co.uk

Technical hand mallet, £50 www.lamartina.com

Travel backgammon, £195 www.spccollection.com

Luxury rocking horse, £300 www.gallopguru.co.uk.

BB Bakery afternoon tea voucher, from £35 www.bbbakery.co.uk

Traditional stationery set, £12.50 www.spccollection.com

Children's Polo Style Riding Boot £95.00 www.thespanishbootcompany.co.uk

34 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Explorer Survival Kit, £30 www.furfeatherandfin.com

FOR HOME Handcrafted Walnut & Calfskin Poker Case, £320 www.barnbury.com

Acqua di Parma Murano Candle Benzoino, £100 www.acquadiparma.com

Harris tweed polo players framed picture, £80 www.gallopguru.co.uk

Catherine & Jean cushions, £45 each www.catherineandjean.com

Bronze metal horse and jockeys lamp, £79 with hand-made blue ponies linen drum shade, £37 www.gallopguru.co.uk

“Sotogrande Polo Ponies”, £88 (hardback) / £14.50 (paperback) www.camillasykes.com

“The Imperfect Shot”, £20 www.oliverpreston.com Aged Brass Indoor / Outdoor Flame, £345 www.barnbury.com

Navy lambswool hot water bottle, from £46 www.gallopguru.co.uk

Uig Lodge Hamper, £125 incl. delivery www.uiglodge.co.uk

Stainless Steel Armillary Sphere by David Harber, Prices start from £5,760 www.davidharber.com Prices and information correct at time of going to press

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 35

29-30-31 JANUARY 2016

on the frozen lake of St.Moritz

#snowpolo

snowpolo-stmoritz.com

snowpolostmoritz

THE EVOLUTION OF THE

SPORTSWATCH THE EVOLUTION OF THE POCKET WATCH INTO AN INTEGRAL PART OF SPORTING LIFESTYLE HAS BEEN A PASSAGE OF PERSEVERANCE, PRECISION AND PLUCK Josie Goodbody

O

pen the pages of any sports publication and you will see dozens of luxury timepieces glittering on the wrists of prominent athletes past and present; Audemars Piguet, Breitling, Corum, Hublot, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Longines and, of course, Rolex. Historically, the partnership of timepieces and sporting greatness was born both out of the necessity for precision in top-level competition, and as a reflection of the sportsman’s relentless quest to achieve success over his opponents.

This was not always the case, however. A little over a century ago no one, who could afford one, would have been caught wearing a wristwatch. In those days, they carried pocket watches; it was women who wore watches as we know them today, called wristlets and considered an item of jewellery. The story goes that in 1806 when Eugène de Beauharnais, son of Empress Joséphine, married Princess Augusta of Leuchtenberg, she was presented with two bracelets, by her royal mother-in-law, one containing a watch, the other a calendar.

These were made by the French Crown Jeweller, Nitot which became the house Chaumet that we know today. Then in 1810 Abraham-Louis Breguet, founder of the Swiss luxury watchmaker of the same name, created a wristwatch for Caroline Murat, sister of Napoleon I and Queen

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso

The original sketches for the first Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverson watches

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 37

An original Wilsdorf & Davis nameplate In 1930, César de Trey, a businessman who was well known in Swiss watchmaking circles and a close friend of Jacques-David LeCoultre, of Jaeger-LeCoultre, travelled to India where he was naturally invited to watch polo matches, more often than not amongst the British Indian Army. After the game, whilst speaking with a British Army polo player, he noticed that the officer’s watch had a cracked glass face. On his return to Switzerland he was tasked with creating a model robust enough to be able to stand up to the game without being damaged. As a result, the impressive Art Deco style ‘Reverso’ was born, with a swivel dial designed to shelter shocks during polo matches. In 2007, the Reverso Squadra was unveiled to represent the values of a sport that is increasingly popular across the continents. It is ideal for the traveller with two time zones available. However, for those more interested in the beauty of the mechanism itself, Squadra Chronograph series feature a see-through back, Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex which displays the intricacies of the movement. On the watch of Naples. However, there are variations on this tale which go face itself, the date is shown at 12, a second time zone for the back to Elizabeth I’s reign when the ‘Virgin Queen’ was presented frequent travellers is at the 6 position, and the piece is flanked with an ‘armlet’ by her lover, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, in by two chronograph dials at 3 and 9. With so many features An early Rolex 1571. In the years following, however, many of the formidable and with varying materials and designs, these watches are Oyster, the first waterproof watch watchmakers of Switzerland disapproved, believing that due to a far cry from their more simple ancestors. Furthermore, the their size, wristlets could never be made to achieve any level of accuracy, brand has recently unveiled an exquisite piece to adorn the wrists of nor withstand the daily life of men. Very few companies produced them in women, as a response to the boom in popularity of lady players, the quantity, with the vast majority of those extant being small ladies’ items, Reverso Squadra Lady. This timepiece reflects a multi-faceted ultramade with a delicate fixed wire or chain-link bracelets. feminine universe – two faces, a quick and clever strap change system This all began to change in the late nineteenth century. On the to take one from the polo pitch to the poolside to a film premiére and, battlefields of the great conflicts of the time, military personnel discovered of course, with a sparkle of diamonds. that pocket watches were difficult to operate whilst in combat. Soldiers As well as manufacturing watches with polo in mind, Jaeger-Le began fitting their pocket watches into leather straps so they could Coultre first started sponsoring polo tournaments in 2013 in South be worn on the wrist and so free up their hands. In the 1880s, GirardAmerica as a means of targeting affluent watch enthusiasts in the Perregaux equipped the German Navy with similar pieces which they wore emerging markets of the Latin American continent. Argentina, the on their wrists.

Mecca of polo, saw the brand’s first mainline sponsorship at Palermo In 1906, the invention of expandable flexible straps and lugs soldered with the Argentine Open in Buenos Aires, which runs annually from onto small, open-faced pocket watch cases allowed leather straps to mid-November to early December and at which you will see, without be attached more easily. This aided their adaptation for military use doubt, the best players and ponies the sport has to offer. Six months and so marked a turning point in the development of wristwatches for later, the brand announced that it was to take over from Veuve Cliquot men. However, these did not reach the mainstream market until some and sponsor an English equivalent tournament; The Gold Cup at two decades later, during the First World War. Wristwatches were no Cowdray. Jaeger-LeCoultre already had a long history with the famous longer considered a novelty but were now a wartime necessity, enabling grounds, having been the Official Time Keeper since 2006, with the combatants to synchronise manoeuvres, and companies were scrambling iconic Reverso as the recognisable face of the scoreboard on Lawns 2, to keep up with the demand. where the Gold Cup Final of the Gold Cup is traditionally played. The The Rolex Watch Company Ltd., founded as Wilsdorf & Davis Ltd move consolidated the brand, worn by so many on the field in both past in 1905, was one of the pioneering and plucky companies constantly and present, as luxury timepiece of choice. experimenting with accuracy and reliability. In 1926, Rolex introduced the Piaget is another luxury watch brand hugely involved in the world first waterproof watch, The Oyster, and it could be argued that this was of polo. Their sponsorship, based predominantly in the USA, raises the first “sports watch” as it was worn by Mercedes Gleitze during her huge awareness for those they offer their considerable support to. The successful attempt to swim the English Channel. Rolex was also one of brand’s sponsored events number many, from The Hamptons to the first sport sponsors, having backed the swim to get exposure for the Palm Beach to Santa Barbara and on to the West Coast. new Oyster watch. This was to be a new and vital way to be recognised in In the late Seventies, Yves Piaget (the then-owner of the Swiss order to gain publicity and prestige in the world of luxury goods. In 1967, watchmaker) wanted to create a modern style watch for the new jetThe Sea-Dweller was certified as reaching depths of up to 1,220 metres, set and their pursuits, such as his favourite sport, polo. In 1979, Piaget making it the perfect timepiece for professional divers.

Polo was launched at the Palm Beach Polo Club where celebrities, 38 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

including the most famous Bond Girl, Ursula Andress, were frequent guests. In the past 36 years, Piaget evolved from its iconic gold bracelet style wristwatch, a favourite in the stands but not really appropriate due to its delicate style on the field, into the Polo Forty-Five. The Forty-Five chronograph is a sports watch and more. It features a 45mm diameter case, indicative of the 45 minute duration of a polo match, and adopts a resolutely sporty attitude with an exterior that is a first for Piaget – titanium, paired with an injected rubber and steel strap. It is equipped with the self-winding 880P calibre movement complete with flyback, dual time-zone and large date features, displaying its functions on a black, red and silver-coloured dial.

At the beginning of October this year, Piaget announced its continued partnership with the royal family of Argentine polo, the Pieres cousins, as its brand ambassadors. The family are widely regarded as the sport’s best players, with three of the four players at 10 goal handicap. “Polo is inherently a glamorous sport. I always try to bring timing, style and perfection to my game, just as Piaget brings to the craft of watchmaking,” explains Facundo, who has held a 10 goal handicap for

Ursula Andress wearing a Piaget ladies’ watch at Palm Beach in 1983

The Jaeger-LeCoultre official timekeeping clock at Cowdray Park Polo Club

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 39

The Ellerstina team, who have strong links with Piaget

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Squadra Lady Duetto

over a decade. His brother Gonzalito adds, “Traditional values are at the very heart of our family, much like the Piaget brand, they have been passed from my father through to my own children.” Their cousin, Polito says he is “living the dream,” after all, what other sports take their teams on a jet-set lifestyle from the South of France to the lawns of England and the USA to the pitches of Argentina? Piaget is proud to continue this ambassadorship with the family, who are set to make history when they play together for the first time as a family this year, with their famed Ellerstina Piaget team, in the 122nd Argentine Triple Crown. This historic and important competition, comprised of the three top tournaments in the world, the Tortugas, Hurlingham and the Argentine Opens, is held from September through to December each year.

From swimming the icy English Channel, to swinging a polo stick on the world’s most beautiful green fields, the sports watch has evolved a very long way from being hidden away in gentlemen’s pockets or on very different types of battlefields. As this generation of polo’s finest ride out onto the pitches of the world, we can know that no matter what the next century holds for the sport, time is most definitely on their side.

PJ’s Bar & Grill, Chelsea’s perennial favourite, was opened in 1990 by restaurateur Brian Stein as a tribute to his love of great food and the sport of polo.

PJ’s plays proud host to the legendary ‘PJ’s Polo Party’ held annually to celebrate the start of the UK polo season.

International dining seven days a week. Casually sophisticated.

PJ’S BAR

40 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

& GRILL | 52 FULHAM ROAD CHELSEA LONDON SW3 | 020 7581 0025 | WWW.PJSBARANDGRILL.CO.UK

HAVE YOU GOT THE TAXMAN ON YOUR BACK? T

he tax world is constantly changing and the goalposts are regularly being moved. HMRC now has wider powers than ever before and is using them more effectively to collect more and more cash!

Not only does the Taxman have access to more information than at any point in history – he can now investigate past, present and even future liabilities to leave no stone unturned in his pursuit of undeclared tax revenues.

Maybe you chose to use a tax avoidance scheme to help lower your tax bill? Maybe you took tax advice that, with hindsight, now sounds too good to be true? Or maybe you have outstanding tax issues that you need to disclose, but you’re just not sure where you stand? Whatever the case – now is the time to check where you stand.

Have they galloped off into the distance and left you to face the danger alone?

Whilst some tax avoidance schemes are still high risk, the most dangerous practices took place years ago and a lot of cases that HMRC is winning in court involve arrangements that were established well over five years ago. The world (not just the tax world) is a different place, but proper, commercial tax planning is still available.

What was previously a feeding frenzy of front-end sales, flaky promises and, perhaps, high-risk advice is now a landscape of litigation.

Many scheme providers who ‘sold the dream’ are no longer around and their customers face the nightmare of fighting HMRC alone.

Criminal and financial danger What’s the worst that can happen? HMRC just wants the money. It can all be easily sorted out if they come after me. Right?

Wrong!

HMRC wants to make sure you think twice about avoiding or evading tax in the future. Any cheque you’re asked to write to settle matters will be for far more than just the tax! Late payment interest will be charged and heavy financial penalties could also be sought. Many taxpayers face financial ruin.

But, you’re not just in financial danger – if HMRC thinks you’ve broken the law deliberately, it could carry out a criminal investigation with a view to prosecution. High-risk schemes or under-declaring your tax liability involve high-risk stakes!

What does this mean for me?

In short, if you are worried about the way in which your tax affairs have been structured or know that you have underpaid tax – you need to check where you stand. HMRC is winning more and more cases in Court and now even has powers to demand the monies in some disputes long before any decision is made.

If a letter arrives from HMRC, do you trust the same people who got you into this mess to get you out of it? They might have been good at, say, recommending a scheme to you or preparing your accounts, but do they have the specialist skills and knowledge needed to protect you from the Taxman and actually solve the problem?

What should I do?

Would you rather just sit there worrying and waiting for a HMRC letter to arrive? Or would you rather be proactive and avoid danger? Do you want to manage things on your terms or the Taxman’s? Do you want to possibly jeopardise your financial position and reputation or retain your credibility?

If you are worried, you need expert advice! A specialist will help you to plan the best way forward and protect your position. ntrusted At ntrusted, we know how HMRC thinks; how HMRC works; and, most importantly, what HMRC is trying to achieve. This means we give the best possible advice to high net worth individuals and successful businesses to solve their tax issues quickly. Our expert team secures the best possible settlement terms and then works with our clients to structure their tax affairs efficiently. This can include us ensuring that any existing or new trusts are properly established and operated.

Individuals and business owners that are either worried about past tax arrangements or who have outstanding tax issues they wish to safely disclose to HMRC should contact us immediately. We will tell you how best to resolve matters and then manage the whole situation to remove stress and help you get on with your life.

For further information about ntrusted and the services we offer, please visit www.ntrusted.co.uk or call us on 0800 652 6156. | The| Polo | 41 2015/16 The Magazine Polo Magazine WinterWinter 2015/16

POLO LUXE SUN OR SNOW, MAKE SURE YOU SHINE THIS WINTER IN THIS SEASON’S MUST HAVES Luru Wei 42 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Dress by Victoria Beckham Earrings by Anabela Chan Polo balls by La Martina Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 43

Dress by Ethologie by Jasper Garvida Shoes by Sophie Webster Clutch by Jimmy Choo 44 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Dress by Ralph Lauren Earrings by Anabela Chan

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 45

Dress by Basharatyan V Shoes by Sophie Webster Earrings (just seen) by Anabela Chan Polo sticks by La Martina

46 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Dress by Roksanda Clutch bag (on table) by Jimmy Choo Ring and bangle by Linnie McLarty Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 47

Photographer: Luru Wei & @Luru_Wei Make Up & Hair: Dani Richardson at LHA Represents using Kevyn Aucoin Cosmetics @Make Up byDaniR Model: Barbara Nogueira @Barb.Nogueira at M and P Models & @MandPModels Location: M Restaurants www.mrestaurants.co.uk Tel: 020 3327 7770 Special thanks to La Martina, Cartier & M Restaurants

Dress by David Longshaw Earrings by Imogen Belfield Ring and bangle by Cartier Saddle by La Martina 48 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Polo Luxur y Def ined Play polo and relax in the seclusion of your own privately rented estancia and grounds

Your own estancia in Argentina, 35 minutes from Mar Del Plata airport Facilities Two laser-levelled full size Tifton grounds, one practice ground, polo tuition, finest novice to advanced ponies to suit each individual, set in 3000 acres and close to beaches.

Accommodation Two double bedroom Casita’s for up to 12 guests, swimming pool, pool house with kitchen and dining room, tennis court, chapel, fully staffed, laundry service, WiFi. Two qualified HPA club instructors on site Full board and polo: £250 per player per day | Full board: £165 per non-player per day In association with Sussex Polo Club, West Sussex, RH10 4LE. For more information please contact Sallie Anne Lent: Office: +44 (0)1342 714920 | Mobile: +44 (0)7747 020808 | www.lagolondrinapolo.com | sallie@lagolondrinapolo.com

JOHN COLLINS MR TALACREST HIMSELF TALKS POLO, PARTIES AND SERIOUS HORSEPOWER Wiggy Bamforth

M

eeting John Collins for the first time is pretty daunting, partly due to his reputation as one of the game-changing patrons of the last few decades, but also to do with the snarling six foot replica of Arnie Schwarzenegger in The Terminator positioned just behind his desk. “It’s great isn’t it?” he says, taking a seat in the middle of an Aladdin’s cave of exciting treasures collected over the course of a long and fascinating career. John Collins, despite being rather awe-inspiring, is of course utterly charming and is soon pulling out the clippings from his international journalism career that his mother carefully kept in scrapbooks for him, while regaling me with stories from his time in a band (none of which are repeatable), with one eye on his gorgeous Alsatian, who travels everywhere in his beloved cars with him.

50 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

John Collins is indeed a fascinating man. Starting his working career after leaving school at 15, he became a journalist (or in John’s own words, more accurately, the tea boy) but was soon promoted and worked for several high-profile titles, travelling the globe and becoming one of the world’s top photo-journalists, corresponding on everything from celebrity deaths to civil wars before moving into the world of classic cars with money borrowed from friends. One of John’s early transactions was famously buying £3m worth of cars with only the 10% deposit and then reselling them all before the completion deadline.

Today, Talacrest is rumoured to have sold nearing £1,000,000,000 worth of cars, the next batch of which were resplendent in the outbuildings into which we were allowed a rare glimpse. Up close, one can understand Collins’ dedication to this singular iconic brand – he has been quoted as explaining simply, “No other car looks or sounds as good as a Ferrari.” Lined up like racehorses, these cars are somehow bigger in the flesh, gleaming and beautifully fierce.

Once the novelty of drooling over Collins’ gorgeous collection of cars wears off, however, we finally get on to the subject we’re here to talk about: polo. The Talacrest Young Player of the Year Award, this year presented at The Polo Awards, is a bursary dedicated to helping young players. £15,000 goes to the lucky winner of the award, or should we say the hardworking winner of this honour, as it is clear that it is the dedication and talent of young British players that Collins is most keen to support. “It’s really tough for young English players now with all the foreign players coming over. It’s a shame that a lot of the patrons nowadays don’t do what I used to do – when I started I had Johnny Good, Chris Hyde, Seb Dawnay, Caspar West, Pete Webb, Andrew Schaefer, Shane Borland, Gavin Turner and Tarquin Southwell all in my employ and I took care of them; they worked for me, I mounted them, I paid all their bills and they lived in my accommodation.” The list of names who were so influential in Collins’ polo career comprises the same list of players who took up residence at Glebe Farm and became part of the Talacrest family in the late nineties and early noughties. They were the ones responsible for the Talacrest Boxers’ domination of the polo scene of the time, under Collins’ firm ‘work hard, play hard’ ideology.

Collins took up polo in 1995. In the early years it was Ascot Park and The Royal County of Berkshire at which he was most seen, a place which sparked his most prolific partnership. “I used to umpire a lot for Bryan Morrison at The Berkshire, even though I’d only been into polo for a few months. I got my C grade within about four months. That winter I played against a bloke called Chris Hyde in the arena and he gave me a total walloping. I thought, You little . . . .” he laughs. “We were probably 12-1 down because of him. We came back ahead, but I thought Christ, I’m never playing against that guy again. I went straight to John Horswell and said, ‘John, I’m going to take Chris off you – I hope you don’t mind.’” Collins put Chris on a £30,000 salary, which

was serious money back then, and paid for all his horses. He also bought John Horswell’s best arena horse, Blackie. “That annoyed him because he used to rent that out to everybody – Chris could play amazingly off that horse.” Digression into horse talk is a frequent feature of the interview.

John proudly shows off his photos of the horses he bred and played. “I built Glebe Farm in ‘95 and I had, for what was then a low goal team, 104 horses and my own breeding programme. I wouldn’t sell my horses, they’re part of the team – if you’ve got great horses and great players you can beat a lot of people.”

The theory worked. By the end of the ‘98 season, the team had dominated the 8 and 12 goal divisions, played 57 games and only lost four; 12 tournaments, 12 Finals, winning nine, and breaking the record at Guards Polo Club, a record Charlie Stisted reckoned would never be broken. “The umpires gave us a very hard time then because we were winning so much. After all, some of the umpires were players from opposing teams”.

A high goal stint in The Queen’s Cup in 2002 with Symbolic, saw John join forces with Henry Brett, Glen Gilmore and Jamie Huidobro, only to be knocked out in the Semi Finals. Collins remains adamant, “We were robbed. After the game, Memo Gracida came up and said, ‘You guys were going to win it.’ We were killing Labergoce 8-3 at half-time, and then Henry started to lose it because he was getting so frustrated at the umpiring. Labergoce went on to lose to the Tomlinsons in the Final.”

Collins is candid about his short-lived high goal career, “I decided I wasn’t doing high goal anymore because of the umpiring. In the Quarter Finals for the Richard Watt Cup, we won despite Henry Brett being sent off for no good reason. In the Eighteen Goal we won the Duke of Wellington and the Duke of Cornwall Trophies. I thought, I’m not paying all that money to be cheated. But we’d still go and have all the fun of polo.”

Collins’ parties and the family atmosphere of the Talacrest operation were legendary. Interestingly, he thinks of this as an important part of the success of his team. “I believed in this process of having a family, something I saw a little bit with the Heguys and the Merlos’. I remember Agustin “Tincho” Merlos playing for me in one tournament. All the family came – the brothers and the mothers and the aunts, the uncles and I thought that’s really cool. So it was similar with the English guys and their families who played for Talacrest. There would be eight of them sleeping in the houses sometimes – total pigsties. I used to phone and warn them I was on my way, and they’d all be running around cleaning up despite the hangovers!” Collins laughs again at the memories and hands over a wad of family-style snaps – photos of huge suppers, with players and families all celebrating together, talking, laughing, drinking red wine and messing around with the week’s haul of trophies.

“It was fun! But it’s different now. Jack Hyde was talking to me a few weeks ago. He said, ‘Dad’s told me some of the stories. It’s just not like that anymore, I wish there were people like you.’ I also find it strange

(left to right) Guillermo Cuitino, John and Pete Webb with The Archie David Cup; John, Pete Webb and Jamie Le Hardy with The Archie David Cup, The Holden White and The Gerald Balding Cups; Errol Glyon, Jaime Huidobro and John after winning The Holden White Cup; John with The Holden White Cup; John Manconi, Victoria Grace, John and Mairead Collins with The Archie David Cup; The winning team: Errol Gloyn, Chris Hyde, Pete Webb and John with The Gerald Balding Cup Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 51

going to polo now – I’ve been in the clubhouses a few times, and it’s changed. Every time we won a tournament, we’d have a big party at Luigi’s, known as ‘El Gladiatori’, put some money behind the bar and have fun. It wouldn’t only be my team. I remember when Tony Pidgely lost The Archie David; he fired everybody that day, and all his players came to the party and said, ‘We’ve all been sacked John!” and promptly settled themselves at the bar. The Heguys and the Gracidas would turn up back then – even for an eight goal tournament! And John Horswell would be there on his guitar.” Collins seems lost in recollection for a moment. “There just doesn’t seem to be enough fun in polo today,” he finishes. “I don’t think it would happen today, could you imagine ten goalers turning up at Luigi’s after The Archie David?”

Collins also attributes the family atmosphere of his team with building such a successful operation together, and providing support for his young players from the beginning. “I built Glebe Farm from scratch.

We bred our own horses, bought the whole Grace programme. We had two and three year olds coming through – some of those ponies turned out to be corkers. Young players like Chris Hyde and Johnny Good needed that support, and because I mounted my players on great horses, their handicaps went up.” It was a sound business venture in more ways than one. Collins recalls a tournament when Cody Forsyth approached him to rent a 2 goal player for a patron. “In those days they paid a 2 goaler £250 for a 15 goal game. I said, ‘Look, I’m sorry, but I can’t afford to let my player play for that, it’s £750 a game. He’s coming on horses that are high goal standard, you’re getting a bargain.’ Renting players out makes perfect business sense, even when it may have seemed detrimental,” says John. “We once played against Sebby [Dawnay] in the Semi Final of The Archie David and we won. It never bothered me because I knew he wouldn’t underplay just because he was playing against me.

They’d all had the talk; ‘You’re a professional, you’re playing for that team, who are paying me for you, so if you beat us you beat us.’ It’s simple and it worked. I don’t understand patrons today who waste the kind of money they spend dropping in and out of teams, spreading themselves too thinly one week, hemorrhaging money the next. Whereas if they adopted the Talacrest principle, your team is your family, it works.”

“Polo now is weird. I’ve been up at the clubs and they’re just dead by comparison. They’ve got to bring fun back to polo. I think people are too scared of patrons in polo now, and they shouldn’t be. Polo should dictate a little bit more to patrons. If it was said you have to have an English player on your team, or, you can sponsor an English player and they can go and play somewhere else, but you’ve got to pay for his whole season, that would be an innovation. If I was a patron today I’d be quite happy to do that, because I’m helping a younger player who may be of benefit to me in the future. He’ll never forget – and if I ever want him to play for me, you can bet your bottom dollar that he will.”

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Chris Evans, Greta Morrison and John Collins

HM The Queen presenting The Westbury Cup

When asked if he’d ever consider returning to the field, Collins looks for a moment as if he’s still tempted, before replying, “I’d love to. If I could have Chris Hyde and Jack Hyde in my team, that would be so much fun for me, but you know I broke my back and after what happened to Bryan, Carlos Gracida and Gabriel Donoso, I figured I’ve had a lot of fun, it’s been a very good run.

I’ve got to the Final of The Holden White Cup five times, The Archie David Cup twice, The Gerald Balding Cup twice, and I’d won all of them”.

Collins has a prized picture of his team with all five of the major eight goal trophies in ‘98. Although they lost out on that year’s Holden White Cup, their win in ‘97 meant that for a few months, the Talacrest team were the undisputed eight goal victors. Bizarrely, an odd stroke of luck means that he doesn’t regret not being able to make a clean sweep of the ‘98 season as much as one might think. He laughs, “At the start of the season we were at the pub and the boys asked what would happen if they won all the eight goals in one season. I said, ‘Oh it’s got to be worth, what, £10,000 a trophy?’ And they said, ‘How about £10,000 plus a £10,000 horse, would that work?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, £100,000, yeah, OK.’ We won everything that season, and got to the Final of The Holden White, and we were against Sebby, who we’d beaten in The Archie David and The Hipwood Trophy, so it was a formality that we were going to beat them in The Holden White. I snapped my cruciate and came off and the boys choked and we lost. Everyone asked me why I wasn’t upset, ‘Because I’ve just saved a hundred grand and ten horses!’ I also had a picture of the grand slam of trophies just like Venus Williams did in tennis. And after that we won The Cheshire 8 Goal which was tough for a team from the south”.

In a somewhat elliptical manner, we come back to earth from the recollection of past glories and John turns back to the subject of the Talacrest Young Player of the Year Award. “I didn’t want to sponsor a tournament, that had no interest for me. What I wanted was for the club

not to benefit as such, but for the player themselves to get the benefit. I came up with the idea of awarding £15,000 a year, for a young player of around 21. They’ve got to behave off the field as well, but it’s not restricted, so one player can win it more than once which gives the young players a little bit of an incentive – that’s why I have spread it over 10 years.” There is, however, one clause to the generous award, “They have to be British. It’s got to be a young British player, because it’s the British players who need it.”

Ironically, the Award came about after Collins had spotted some young talent as a spectator. “It all started because I’d been to a match and seen this kid play, and I thought, F*** he’s good, who’s he?” The kid was, of course, Jack Hyde, son of Chris, with whom John had played all those years ago, and the catalyst for John to write out a cheque for £150,000 to Guards, to cover the whole ten years.

“This year was a bit poignant for me,” admits Collins, when asked about presenting Jack with this year’s accolade. “Jack was born and raised with us. There’s a picture of Bryan Morrison when we won a 10 goal at The Berkshire in ‘97, the year Jack was born, and Chris is holding Jack in one arm and the trophy in the other.”

However, Collins still feels more needs to be done to support the great British players of the future. “I just was hearing things, and I thought why don’t today’s patrons do something these days for the young players? Jack did a season for a high goal team, but the minute it was over he was out of his lodgings. Back in the day, my guys were stable all year round, so even if the summer season was over and they weren’t playing for me until the next summer, they still had their lodgings, they were still paid and had something to live on.” The loss of the family atmosphere in polo has obviously been a real turning point for Collins. Mainly, he says, polo needs to be made fun again.

“Polo today is lacking that and that’s a shame,” he finishes. “Like Chris telling Jack all the stories, back then it was different, it was madness, but it was fun.”

(left to right) Marge, one of John’s favourite horses with Braveheart, who was foaled at John’s home; John backing up Pete Webb at Guards; John with Wakina after an arena match; The winning ‘98 season: Andrew Schaeffer, John Collins, Shane Borland, Chris Hyde, Errol Gloyn and Pete Webb with their trophy haul; Chris Hyde, John, Prince Charles and Carlos Gracida discussing tactics for The Westbury Cup Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 53

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L A G O LO NDRI N A THE HOME - F RO M- H O ME E S T A N CI A R E DE FI N I N G POL O L UX U R Y

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mere thirty-five minutes from Mar Del Plata airport, in the south east region of Buenos Aires province, the luxurious grounds of the La Golondrina estancia welcomes travelling polo aficionados with open arms.

Near the Atlantic Ocean and beach resorts, even in the heat of Argentine summer the white and red buildings stay cool and the nearby beach is a welcome retreat, should one wish for a change from the still warmth of the farm. The serentity of the estancia is one of the reasons that owners Marlene and Paul Oberschneider acquired the property years ago, “I have always enjoyed being there because it’s just so peaceful,” Paul recalls.

“With all the horses, dogs and thousands of birds migrating there in the summer, it’s really quite special. There is even a chapel near the river, which I enjoy going in to sit. We sometimes hold services there with the local priest on Sundays.”

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Now a prime holiday destination for those wanting to combine some serious polo with a relaxing vacation, La Golondrina is first and foremost a family home, as Paul explains.

“The estancia, along with my family’s house in Tortugas, was our base for many years.

We lived in Argentina, and then afterwards I was spending at least five or six months a year here playing medium and high goal polo, so La Golondrina is primarily our home, which is why it has been decorated and furnished in such a relaxed, though luxurious, way.”

As well as an original working farm, the park and polo facilities were designed for the family’s own use and enjoyment. After the Oberschneiders bought the property, they added the beautiful stables, paddocks and three polo grounds, and started up a breeding programme, which continues to this day.

The estancia is one of many traditional properties in the area, but it is the only one that offers a very particular type of holiday

– remote yet accessible, quiet yet full of activities, and above all providing intense polo under expert tuition all in the comfort of private grounds. Professional player Pedro Harrison, who Paul jokes has probably spent as much time at the estancia as he has, sings its praises, “The estancia is a home from home. An exceptional place which combines a real working estancia, extensive polo facilities, five star accommodation and the luxury of being beachside in five minutes. The facilities are remarkable with, most importantly, a top level breeding programme which provides the estancia with exceptional horses,” something that not many settings within Argentina can combine with only a 45 minute flight from Buenos Aires.”

Top class polo is key to La Golondrina’s approach, as Pedro explains, “All players have the opportunity to improve every aspect of their game. Depending on your level and experience, games and practices are specifically targeted to the individual. Private one-to-one coaching is on offer around the clock and all levels of horses are provided.”

However, the estancia boasts far more than this for the committed polo player. After the Open season finishes in Pilar and Buenos Aires, scores of top-class professionals decamp from their bases and return to their family homes in the area. As a result, La Golondrina hosts tournaments up to 18 goal, drawing on the numerous surrounding players for a challenging level of both coaching and matches, from which the estancia’s guests benefit enormously. Paul agrees, “I think what makes La Golondrina special for polo is the amount of good players that are there in the summer. In our region there are many families that have polo and players and we end up playing and inviting players over all the time.

The level of games our guests play is good, but also super relaxed.”

La Golondrina’s guests are thought of as just that, guests, not customers. Normally staying in air-conditioned casitas near the main polo ground, meals are taken in the main house all together as one big family. The atmosphere is that of a real working estancia, which of course, it is. However in addition to the top class polo available, facilities also incorporate a tennis court, swimming pool, quad bikes, a private chef, horse rides along the beach and shopping excursions to Mar Del Plata, giving the non-polo fanatics the chance to relax, escape or just enjoy the amazing wildlife of the Estancia. Paul says, “Because it’s a home, we are staffed all year long for consistency – our staff have been there from the beginning, catering to our whims and our guests. We are there most often at Christmas and Easter, so we tend to bring guests and my son’s friends to brush up on their polo and have fun.”

One person who has formed close bonds with the estancia is Sallie-Anne Lent of

Sussex Polo, who has been organising trips to Argentina for many years now. “We are always so keen to return to Mar Del Plata, as there is so much more to do there après polo – the beach resorts make it the perfect holiday for all the family. Knowing Paul and Marlene’s impeccable taste combined with his medium and high goal experience I can trust that La Golondrina will reflect those elements of style and quality of polo that our holiday guests will appreciate. There are many places to choose from in Argentina, but if you are looking for a peaceful and private exclusive family estancia with top class ponies and instructors, La Golondrina would be hard to beat.

A few week’s winter preparation in paradise makes a vast improvement to the guest’s summer enjoyment and also to their silverware collection!”

David Ashby, of The Oxford Polo School, is another fan of the destination, “I was initially attracted to the estancia when chatting to Paul and Pedro, who is a fellow Kirtlington pro.

They described the home away from home environment at La Golondrina which I’ve so often found can be lost in the hustle and bustle of the busy polo world of Pilar. Being invited into someone’s home makes a real difference to the experience, and escapes the commercial feel of some polo destinations.” More recently, David has formed an alliance between La Golondrina and The Oxford Polo School.

“We aim to offer not only a polo holiday, but the chance to see an area of Argentina that hasn’t been explored by many from the western polo world. The beach is moments away and the possibility of riding horses along the sand and in the sea is always hugely appealing to me.”

For those dreaming of sipping a gin and tonic after a long day’s chukkas before heading off to explore something a bit more exciting,

Paul knows the surrounding area will have you covered, “I guess another aspect of our farm is how close it is to the resort towns of Miramar and Mar Del Plata, which are beach resorts with plenty of shopping and restaurants.

After a few days, it’s always nice to go down to the port for local fish and spend the night enjoying the city.” But then again, who would ever want to leave this beautiful place? As the evenings draw in on the sun-drenched estancia, Paul reflects, “It’s all very personal, individual – the guests really are guests, they can do what they want, staying in a family home, from a quiet holiday to even renewing vows or get married in the private chapel.”

“Visiting the farm is a bit like days of yore when whole families used to arrive for a few weeks or more,” adds Marlene. “A sort of community arises with all its fun and intrigues. Polo? That’s just a small part of it.” Ultimately, La Golondrina really is polo’s home away from home.

La Golondrina www.lagolondrinapolo.com Full board and polo: £250 per day Full board: £165 per day Contact: sallie@lagolondrinapolo.com Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 55

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A R I DE ON THE

WILD SIDE GET UP CLOSE O N AN AF RIC A H O RSE SAFA R I Rosabella Hine

Rosabella Hine, Siobhan English & Courtesy of GoWild Africa

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f you thought polo was exhilarating then you’ll have to think again. GoWild Africa offers an intimate horseback safari experience deep in the Kenyan bush. With mock charges from elephants and opportunities to gallop amongst herds of zebra, this truly is a wild taste of Africa.

Founders Clinton Lucy and Elizabeth Loker, through their passion for polo and the beauty of Kenya, have created GoWild Africa offering horse safaris in Lolldaiga Hills Reserve, a privately owned 49,000 hectare expanse of wilderness, with whom Clinton and Elizabeth have a fantastic relationship, which allows guests an undisturbed and unique safari experience.

Every GoWild Africa adventure is tailored to each group, our particular GoWild Africa safari was split between four nights in a bush camp and two nights in a wood clad, antiquated ‘Old Manager’s Farmhouse’. The words ‘bush camp’ evoke images of cold baked beans and sleeping on the hard, sun scorched earth.

However, with each safari camp location handpicked by Clinton and Elizabeth themselves and nothing considered too much trouble – from hot water showers to roast lamb feasts with all the trimmings – the bush camp offers an oasis of civilisation amongst the Kenyan wilderness.

From the moment you set foot into Lolldaiga your eyes are bombarded with panoramic views and wildlife scenes straight out of a David Attenborough documentary. With reticulated giraffes inquisitively noting your progress through the bush and seemingly unperturbed by the arrival of a troop of horses, being on horseback allows a truly unique viewpoint upon some of Africa’s most well-known wildlife.

Yet it isn’t just horse riding that GoWild Africa safaris have on offer. With each safari uniquely tailored, you can walk through the bush with Julius, a Lolldaiga Hills guide with a seemingly never-ending encyclopaedic knowledge of the local flora and fauna, or perhaps you would prefer a 4x4 game drive followed by a cold sundowner overlooking the reserve’s jawdropping vistas. Whatever the mix, you can be sure the GoWild Africa team will pull out all the stops to make it happen.

Not only is GoWild Africa a unique set-up, but Lolldaiga Hills is a rarity in itself. The management of the reserve work tirelessly with the proximate community to ensure the longevity of the resources, both inside and outside of the reserve. Their passion is truly inspiring, with a broad focus encompassing all aspects of community life, not just the wildlife they aim to protect. From secondary school scholarships to community cattle schemes and firewood collection, Lolldaiga Hills has embraced the surrounding community and, in return, rather than resent the wildlife protected within the sanctuary of the reserve, the community has become engaged in its long term prosperity.

Your Kenyan journey doesn’t have to end with the safari.

You can enjoy the opportunity to kick back and relax at the GoWild Africa HQ, Olepangi Farm. This beautiful retreat overlooks the vast wilderness of Olenaishu, another privately owned reserve where, whilst sipping tea on the breakfast terrace, you may just be lucky enough to spot zebras grazing along the hilltops or elephants trampling through the bush.

Olepangi Farm was designed to harness the contours of the land, and the curvature of the buildings only heighten the relaxed atmosphere at this home from home. With day trips to Ol Pejeta Conservancy or the azure pools and waterfalls of Ngare Ndare Forest – complete with forest highwalk – plus guided walks around the community, there really is no excuse not to visit this hidden gem of Kenya.

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Safaris starting from £1500 To find out more about GoWild Africa horse safaris and Olepangi Farm, please visit: www.gowildafrica.com or email: welcome@gowildafrica.com

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TRAVEL

CALIFORNIA DREAMING JOSIE GOODBODY REMINISCES ON THE HIGHLIGHTS OF HER RECENT TRAVELS DOWN AMERICA’S WEST COAST Josie Goodbody

Hunter Knight

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hink of California, and especially Los Angeles, and images instantly spring to mind. On the year-round sun-drenched coast, with the backdrop of the beautiful Pacific against incredible mountains, the ‘City of Angels’ holds a special place in the hearts of all those who visit it.

Although at any time of the year a Californian visit is wonderful, as is an excursion to Los Angeles in particular, avoid the awards season to ensure your choice of hotels and restaurants, as well as a slightly quieter atmosphere. Late summer is perfect for those who love the heat – this summer and autumn has seen a heatwave and drought that was still waiting to disperse midOctober. Though the city is large and sprawling, it is well worth hiring a car for a trip out to the Santa Barbara Polo Club from Beverly Hills, approximately an hour and a half’s stunning drive, which will enable you to take in the beautiful scenery. For those who prefer something more metropolitan, LA has everything, so much so that a mere fortnight jaunt could never fit it all in – which can only be an excuse for a return trip soon. . .

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Hollywood Walk of Fame Do the ultimate ‘Walk of Fame’ along Hollywood Boulevard, following the path of the famous brass and marble five-pointed stars, which make up fifteen blocks. Since 1960, more than 2500 ‘stars’ have been honoured, comprising actors, musicians, directors, producers, musical and theatrical groups and fictional characters, including Mickey Mouse.

Many of these icons are now long gone, but their names remain and for those whose encyclopaedic knowledge of the history of American entertainment may be presently lacking, maps can be purchased for you to brush up on your history.

Hollywood Blvd and Vine St. Sunset Strip The Sunset Strip is the stretch of Sunset Boulevard that passes through West Hollywood. It is probably the best-known part of the twenty-two mile boulevard which runs from the hills to the ocean. It is full of fun boutiques, restaurants and nightclubs that are on the cutting edge of the entertainment industry. It is also known for its trademark array of huge, colourful billboards. The Hills above the Strip are home to many Hollywood celebrities.

Start off at 9040 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood

Santa Monica & Venice Beach Head towards the Pacific Ocean for a day of lying on the beach, surfing and eating ice creams, or simply walking around looking at the people and scenes which are so very different from those in Beverly Hills and Hollywood. Santa Monica Pier was built in 1908 for passenger and cargo ships and even today recaptures all the nostalgic glory of its roots. In Venice, rent a bike and cruise along the 8 mile path that runs along the beach, starting at Marina del Rey and travelling northwards.

Villa Getty and Malibu Villa Getty is the most beautiful Roman-style villa perched up on the hills overlooking the Pacific between Santa Monica and Malibu. You have to reserve tickets online, though they’re free, and then you can spend as long as you like wandering around the building, taking in the Ancient Grecian and Roman artefacts collected by the billionaire Jean Paul Getty.

There is an amphitheatre where there are frequent performances of Grecian plays and the gardens are exquisite with stunning water features and fountains. After, drive further along the coast to Malibu Pier which elongates from the famous Californian beach and on which there are two divine restaurants. If you walk to the end of the pier on a Saturday you will often see fishermen and their children with their rods over the end, pulling any number of small fish up on to the wooden slats. Malibu Farm is the first Hamptons-style restaurant you come upon, serving delicious food, though for something more rustic, head to the cafe at the end of the jetty.

Getty Villa, 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272.

Malibu Farm, 23000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 Hollywood Bowl The Bowl is a Greek-style natural outdoor amphitheatre cradled in a small canyon northeast of Hollywood. It is one of Los Angeles’ traditions to watch a performance under the stars on a warm summer night whilst dining on food and wine. It’s also the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Hollywood Bowl orchestras, and often hosts internationally known performers. Reserve a box as far in advance as possible, then pre-order a picnic basket filled with hot and cold dishes, desserts and fine wines from the excellent on-site catering department, which will deliver the goodies to your box once you arrive.

2301 Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068

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Walt Disney Concert Hall In 1987, Lillian Disney donated $50 million on behalf of her husband Walt, who had died two decades earlier and LA gained the beautiful Walt Disney Concert Hall, which opened in 2003. It is a masterpiece of design by worldrenowned architect Frank Gehry. Even if you don’t have any interest in architecture, you will experience amazement when you see the impossibly curvaceous stainless-steel exterior. The 45-minute self-guided audio tour is narrated by the brilliant American actor John Lithgow. It takes you all over the building and includes interviews with Gehry. The 2,265-seat auditorium is normally closed, unless you go to a performance, due to rehearsals.

111 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Rodeo Drive Rodeo Drive is a two mile strip of Beverly Hills that could quite well have come straight out of a film set – it is perhaps the most immaculately clean kept street ever seen. On a hot day, the gold on the store signs seems to burn into you as you walk down the mirror-like glossy white pavements. Make sure you have a snazzy pair of designer shades to keep you from being blinded and help you fit in. Every designer store imaginable is represented. If you are hungry pop into The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Lisa Vanderpump’s Villa Blanca restaurant for a salad and a glass of wine and, of course a bit of star spotting.

Rodeo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90035 Villa Blanca Restaurant, 9601 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Paramount Pictures Paramount is the only major studio still located in Hollywood and its grounds are oozing with Hollywood history. The two-hour tour is both a historical ode to filmmaking and a real-life behind-the-scenes look at working movie and television facilities in day-to-day operation.

The chances of spotting a celebrity are pretty good – what and who you’ll get to see depends on what’s being filmed whilst you’re there.

5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90038 The Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel Part of the gorgeous Dorchester Collection group, The Beverly Hills Hotel, aka The Pink Palace is an absolute must go. Not only will you see the photograph of Will Rogers and his famous Hollywood friends playing polo behind the bar but you will be sitting in one of the most iconic bars in the world. The bar was so named after Charles Wrightsman, the captain of a national polo team. Wrightsman felt it unseemly to keep the national champion team trophy, a silver bowl, in his own home. The hotel’s owner, on hearing his friend’s dilemma, offered to display the bowl in the hotel’s bar, decorated in pink with thick green carpets and boots, the polo lounge was once the LA power lunch spot. The menu is huge and full of scrumptious dishes such as the McCarthy Salad named after the billionaire polo player Neil McCarthy and there is the Polo Burger which is also a must have!

9641 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90210 Hunter Knight is an artist photographer who lives and works in LA.

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 63

TRAVEL

ONE FINE AFTERNOON POLO IS MORE THAN JUST A SPORT AT LA TARDE POLO CLUB, IT’S A LIFESTYLE Courtesy of La Tarde Polo Club

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or over 30 years, La Tarde Polo Club, just an hour from Buenos Aires, has been a family-run business, offering the complete polo experience within the Club’s confines.

The Club is run by Juan Martin Sarli, a professional polo player with a handicap of 4, who is also a qualified vet, and it was his parents who built up the Polo Club over the last few decades. Today, the Club offers visitors full inclusive board, with two hours of stick and ball sessions in the morning and four to six chukkas in the afternoon with the Club’s members. Training holidays also include three homemade meals a day by a local cook, access to the spa and gym, two swimming pools, a wooden horse cage with instruction, tactical schooling and the use of three polo fields and an arena.

La Tarde organises tournaments every weekend with other polo clubs so that players have the chance to take part in competitions, improving their polo immensely. Juan Martin Sarli and Ignacio Boronat, another professional player and trainer at the Club, adjust their training methods

64 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

to suit every guest. Juan Martin Sarli says, “Some guests need to improve in different fields so it is very important for us that every player can work on their weaknesses and enhance their strengths.

La Tarde is streets ahead of similar clubs, having already initiated the use of modern technology that is only just coming into common usage.

Feedback from filming with GoPros and drones with the help La Tarde’s Public Relations Associate, Helena Schoeller, has helped many players improve their game significantly.

Several years ago, Juan Martin Sarli started the La Tarde breeding programme. This programme was established to ensure players have access to the best horses from different well-known Argentinean bloodlines. Clients are able to breed their own polo ponies, which are raised and trained at the Club until they are ready to be played. After this, players can decide to keep them at the Club or transport them wherever they want to have them. This programme is offered to anyone who is a long-term thinker and wants to plan his or her polo career.

All of this makes La Tarde feel like the ideal training ground, an enviroment heightened by the players’ involvement in the operation – La Tarde thinks of itself as still very much a family-style operation.

Chris Byrne, a player from England who should have stayed for six weeks but ended up staying three months at the Club, wrote in the guestbook, “La Tarde Polo Club, you truly made me feel like part of the family and as you can imagine I am sad to leave this amazing place.” Most players who have come to La Tarde return, not just for the invaluable training and beautiful location, but for the memories and friends they have made there. Juan Martin Sarli explains, “We get to know every single guest, we are more than just a Club or a holiday destination, it is important for us that everyone feels at home and part of the La Tarde Team” Since the Polo Club has so many international guests from Malaysia, Germany, England, Australia, Italy, Spain, Kenya and so on, as well as training, guests have the chance to make some great international connections. Verena Marxer, a guest from Liechtenstein, said, “I spent such a wonderful time at La Tarde and as well as improving my game, I discovered such lovely friends from Argentina and all over the world.”

Most guests who have spent time at the Club stay in contact with the family and the friends they have made during their stay, and frequently come back for reunions.

La Tarde Polo Club is not a club like any other – it is a community where people the world over come together to share their passion for this great sport. Polo is their lifestyle – at La Tarde, you not only play polo, you live it.

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A23515D-SPEARS-12R.indd 1

10/07/2014 10:14

WHAT TO WEAR JOSIE GOODBODY SELECTS THIS SEASON’S SARTORIAL STYLE CHOICES, HOME AND ABROAD

ICE QUEEN

Frost-fresh looks for an English winter Colorado silver court shoes by Gina, £765, www.gina.com

Black leather & suede biker jacket with raccoon collar by Holland Cooper, £799, www.hollandcooper.com

Delilah demi-couture dress by Sarelle London, £POA, www.sarelle.co.uk

Nude diamond pajamas

by ASCENO, top £125 & bottoms £110, www.asceno.com Taupe and blue suede soft leather clutch bag, by St Pancras Chambers Collection, £95, www.spccollection.com

Soie Dior Saphir bracelet by Dior, £POA, Dior Boutiques

Pretty Ballerina leather pants by Les Eclaires, £715, 202 or The Library

Kandy multi drop earrings with white topaz and sapphire, £775, www.dinnyhall.com

Navy cashmere fur trimmed scarf by Poppy London, £175, www.poppylondon.co.uk

Faye gold bow red suede loafers

by Pretty Ballerina, £169, www.prettyballerina.co.uk Odette black Chantilly lace and silk dress by Sarelle London, £1990, www.sarelle.co.uk Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 67

Pompom ankle sandals

by CJ Laing, £131, www.cjlaingshop.com

CRUISE CONTROL

Summer style for the southern hemisphere Bespoke 24K gold cuff by Lily Gabriella, £11,000, www.lilygabriella.com

Red pencil dress by Nicole Coste, £620, www.nicolecoste.com Aztec red bandeau bikini by ASCENO, £120, www.asceno.com

Ella soft caramel leather pointed toe ballerinas by Pretty Ballerina, £129, www.prettyballerina.co.uk

Claudia scallop lace dress in pure white by Miguelina, £345, www.revolveclothing.com

18K yellow gold on sterling silver disc and leather wrap bracelet by Van Peterson, £695, www.vanpeterson.com

Chiltern tangerine calf hair & nappa leather handbag

by Ella Rabener, £629, www.ellarabener.com

68 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Ice tile sleep short set by ASCENO, camisole £65 & shorts £80, www.asceno.com

Floating feathers long gown

by Primrose Park, £195, www.primrosepark.co.uk Prices and information correct at time of going to press

Marsella fuchsia wedges

by Mint & Rose, £110, www.mintandrose.com

WINTER WARMERS AS THE NIGHTS DRAW IN, WE TAKE A LOOK AT SOME DELICIOUSLY WARMING RECIPES FROM FOODWRITER AND CHEF NATASHA CORRETT, FOR GUILT-FREE INDULGENCE OVER THE WINTER MONTHS

A

s Christmas approaches, it’s all too easy to head towards the chocolate and carbs, and overindulge in the seasonal treats. However, for those of us continuing to play over the winter months, keeping in peak condition is vitally important to our game. The following clean-eating recipes have been cooked up to provide delicious energy and a bit of seasonal indulgence, without getting in the way of your swing.

Lisa Linder

70 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

ABOUT NATASHA Natasha Corrett is an entrepreneur, best-selling author and vegetarian chef, specialising in alkaline cuisine. Natasha founded Honestly Healthy five years ago, as a way to inspire and educate a clean, raw and alkaline way of living, which helps the body maintain the most natural pH levels. Alongside running a ‘Fridge Fill’ service of delicious and nutritionally balanced meals, she is also the author of three best selling cookbooks, with a fourth coming out in April 2016.

CHRISTMAS PUDDING “What Christmas would this be without a proper Christmas Pudding? This is a blow-your-socks-off version, packed with nutritious fruit, it is gooeysmooth and a real show stopper.”

350g ground almonds 2 free range organic eggs 50g coconut oil or vegan butter 100ml date syrup 200g pears 100g raisins 50g currents 150g apricots 100g dates 1 orange 1 lemon 250ml water 2 Chai tea bags 1 star anise ¼ tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp ginger TEA SYRUP: 1 cup of brewed chai tea ¼ cup of coconut palm sugar ¼ cup of date syrup

Pre-heat the oven to 180°C Dice the apricots and dates and put into a bowl with the other dried fruits. Boil the kettle and pour 250ml of hot water over 2 Chai tea-bags and leave to stew for 30 minutes.

Chop the pear into small 1cm cubed chunks and add to the dried fruit. Pour the stewed tea over the dried fruit with the zest and juice of the orange and just the zest of the lemon. Also into the bowl add the star anise, cinnamon and ginger. Leave to one side until the fruit has absorbed all the tea.

In a separate bowl, mix together the oil (or vegan butter) with the ground almonds. Add the beaten eggs and the date syrup to the mixture and mix until combined.

Remove the star anise from the fruit mixture and then place half of the fruit mix into a blender or food processor. Blend until a chunky consistency and add back into the rest. Mix this fruit into the almond mixture and combine.

In a pudding bowl, butter the inside then line with baking paper in the bottom and all around the sides. Pour the mixture in and then cover with a muslin cloth and secure with either an elastic band or string.

Fill a deep baking tray with boiling water and put the pudding bowl into it – make sure the water comes up to as high as possible on the bowl. Put into the oven and cook for 4.5-5 hours.

Make sure you top up the water in the baking tray so it stays high up on the sides. If the top of the muslin starts to go brown just put some tin foil over the top to stop the top of the pudding burning.

To make the syrup put all ingredients into a pan and leave until the sugar has dissolved and the syrup is the desired consistency.

Serve with Chai syrup, pomegranate coulis and cashew cream for the ultimate decedent Christmas pudding.

HEALTHY MINI PIZZAS “I make this recipe all the time at home and instead of splitting it into four mini pizzas, I often make one big one. You can play around with the toppings and add whatever you might like. Don’t be put off by the soaked ground chia – it works amazingly and you will soon realise that it is nature’s best little cooking secret.”

BASE: 250g ground almonds 1 tbsp ground chia seeds 4 tbsp water Pinch of Himalayan salt SAUCE: 1 tbsp sunflower oil ½ red onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic 200g cherry tomatoes sliced ¼ cup water 3 tbsp water TOPPINGS: Mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, grilled asparagus, fresh peas or a topping of your choice Soak the ground chia seeds in the water and mix together to create a paste.

Weigh out the ground almonds and add a pinch of salt to the mixture. Mix in the chia paste and massage in with your fingertips so it’s completely incorporated and turns into a dough.

Split the dough into 4 balls and push each one down onto a piece of baking paper with your fingers so it becomes a flat circle about 3mm thick. Pop them into the oven for 15 minutes or until they just start to turn golden brown and become hard to touch.

While they are in the oven, make your tomato sauce. In a frying pan put the sunflower oil, red onion and garlic and sauté on a medium heat for 2 minutes. Next add 3 tbsp of water and continue to sauté until the water is absorbed. Add the tomatoes and a further ¼ cup of water and leave to reduce for 15 minutes stirring occasionally. Take off the heat when the tomatoes have broken down and it is a thick sauce.

Take the pizza bases out the oven and spoon the tomato sauce over each base then add your toppings of choice.

Put the mozzarella on first, then the vegetables over the top. Put back into the oven for 3-5 minutes until the cheese has melted.

Serve immediately!

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 71

PORTOBELLO BURGER WITH ALMOND ENCRUSTED COURGETTE FRIES “I love the idea of using Portobello mushrooms as the buns of a burger – they are melt-in-the-mouth delicious as well. I like to sandwich them with fresh greens plus some Broccoli pesto and Cashew cheese and serve them with these special fries. As well as adding a coating of protein, the ground almonds crisp up the fries – perfect!”

BURGER: 4 Portobello mushrooms Pinch of Himalayan pink salt Broccoli pesto 20g rocket 1 large vine tomato, sliced 1 spring onion, sliced 10g flat leaf parsley, leaves picked Cashew cheese 1 tbsp raw sesame seeds 1 tbsp sunflower oil FRIES: 2 courgettes Pinch of Himalayan pink salt 100g ground almonds 2 tbsp sunflower oil

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Preheat the oven to 170°C/gas mark 3.

Slice the courgettes into long, chip-like shapes – the thinner they are, the crunchier they will become.

Combine the salt and almonds in a wide shallow bowl.

Massage the courgette ‘chips’ with the oil, then roll them into the almond mixture. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15–20 minutes until they start to brown.

Carefully cut the stalks off the mushrooms and massage the oil into the caps. Place them on a baking tray, with the gills facing uppermost, and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 10 minutes, then turn them over and bake for a further 5 minutes.

To serve, put a mushroom cap on a plate, add a dollop of broccoli pesto, then some rocket and a slice of tomato along with some spring onion and parsley. Place another mushroom cap on the plate and spread some cashew cheese on it, then sit it on top of the vegetables to form the top half of ‘bun’. Sprinkle with sesame seeds to make it look like a real burger.

Serve the courgette fries sprinkled with apple cider vinegar and salt for an authentic chip flavour.

GOOEY VEGAN CHOCOLATE BROWNIES “If you haven’t baked with coconut flour before you might wonder why there is only a small amount, this is because it is very thick and dense. However, you do need lots of moisture so it doesn’t become tacky when you eat it. These brownies are packed full of protein from the walnuts, almonds, chia seeds and cashew butter, as well as good fats from the coconut flour, coconut oil, almonds and cashews. They even contain the superfood raw cacao which is great for boosting your immune system, especially in the winter months.”

2 tbsp chia seeds 6 tbsp water 100g dates 70g cashew butter 45g coconut oil (melted over a medium heat) 45 ml of rice milk 1 tbsp vanilla extract 80g organic agave syrup, coconut palm sugar, rice syrup or honey 20g ground almonds 50g raw cacao powder 30g coconut flour ½ tsp baking powder ¼ tsp Himalayan salt 55g roughly chopped walnuts Pre-heat the oven to 175°C Soak the dates in a bowl of hot water for 20 minutes and then strain and discard the water.

In a separate bowl soak the chia seeds in the 6 tbsp of water.

In a blender put the melted coconut oil, cashew butter, rice milk, agave, vanilla essence and soaked dates and blend until smooth (a few small lumps of date is fine, and will even add a nice texture to the brownies).

In a bowl weigh out the salt, baking powder, coconut flour and cacao powder.

Pour the mixture out of the blender and combine with the flour, salt and baking powder and cacao and add the soaked chia seeds (which should have soaked up most of the water).

Mix in the chopped nuts (optional).

The mixture is very thick so don’t expect it to be runny. Put into a lined brownie tray about 1 inch thick and put into the oven for 20 minutes.

Take out the oven and leave to cool and enjoy the gooeyness of these heavenly chocolatey treats.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH PATTIES “This recipe is high in vitamins C and A, which are great anti-oxidant food, perfect for the winter.

You could also use butternut squash or sweet potato. It is important you do not overcook them in the oven as they will become too soft and difficult to form.”

1 spaghetti squash (butternut will work too) 2 tbsp sunflower oil 1 tbsp water

¼ tsp za›atar 1 spring onion 30g finely chopped leeks 4g grated ginger 3g fresh coriander 1 tsp ground flax seed 10g gluten free oat flour 1 tsp coriander finely chopped 2 tbsp sunflower oil DRESSING: 3 tbsp tahini 5 tbsp water Juice of 1 lemon Pinch of Himalayan salt Pre-heat oven to 175°C /350°F Cut the spaghetti squash in quarters. Scoop the seeds out and drizzle with 1 tbsp of sunflower oil. Put into a baking tray and bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until soft.

Once the squash has softened, remove it from the oven and let cool so you are able to touch it. Scoop out the insides with a fork – this keeps the ‘spaghetti’ strands intact.

74 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Finely chop your leeks and sauté for 2 minutes in ½ tsp sunflower oil and 1tbsp water.

Slice the spring onion on an angle and add to the squash with the leeks, zatar, grated ginger, chopped coriander, ground flax seed and ground coriander. Mix together with the oat flour (you can make your own oat flour by blending gluten free porridge oats in any good blender) and put into the fridge until completely cooled.

You can make the dressing while the squash mixture is cooling by putting all the ingredients into a small bowl and whisking together with a fork – if it looks like it is curdling just keep mixing it will come together into a smooth creamy dressing. If it is too thin just add more tahini and if too thick add a splash more water.

Heat the rest of the sunflower oil in a pan. Make palm sized patties with the squash mixture and carefully put them into the pan once it is hot. Leave to sear for about 2 minutes on each side until golden. Careful with them as they are delicate, take out of the pan and serve with a green salad and the tahini dressing.

All recipes taken from Honestly Healthy Cleanse by Natasha Corrett (Hodder & Stoughton, £25) © Natasha Corrett.

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UNIQUE ENTICING MESMERIZING PERSONAL STATEMENTS OF ADORNMENT

I

n a time where almost everything we consume is globalized and homogenised, the statement pieces created by skilled artisans remain timeless in their appeal; and perhaps the most historic of all of these artisans is that of the Jeweller. The creation of the most beautiful pieces of jewellery, are perhaps, unrivalled in their appeal to women. In a world dominated by mechanically massed reproduced items, the care, concern and concentration laboured in to one small piece of gemstone jewellery makes them desirable.

Whether a christening gift or a mourning piece, a special gift from family or well wishers, an engagement or eternity ring; demonstrations of simplicity or multiplicity of design; these are physical symbols of an eternal gift and emblem of clarity and commitment.

However, jewellery is also subject to traditions and superstitions. Coming from the Earth, gemstones have always been portrayed as a collection of ‘forces of nature’, purporting to carry relief from a variety of illnesses.

Encapsulating curative and healing powers to alleviate health problems; physical and psychological. Also referred to as Lucky, Zodiac or Birthday stones, some cultures and religions believe they have spiritual powers and can dispel “evil”.

76 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

The more sceptical amongst us may dismiss such claims, but what is true, is that a gemstone can improve how we feel. They can give confidence, enhance our appearance and draw attention.

Originally, jewellery would have been made to suit the stones available, stones were never cut specifically for a piece of jewellery and it was normal to have many different sizes and shapes of stones in a single piece. Gold was so expensive that stones were set in silver with the stones backed in foil to bring out the sparkle. Faceted gemstones and diamonds made their appearance in European jewellery during the late 13th and early 14th centuries.

For the early gem-facetters the advent of the horizontally turning cutting-wheel in the late 1400s opened up the possibility of designing and repeating elaborately conceived geometric faceting design; controlling and enhancing the light coming from within the stone. Even with these developments, due to the cost of stones and precious metals, it is quite normal to find jewellery today with parts 300 years old. The piece having been taken apart or modified over the years to reflect more modern trends.

Today, heirloom jewellery is quite on trend, embracing the concept of wearing pieces which embody the history of the previous owner, or the family as a whole. Its appeal

being that it is not simply an antique, but carries sentimental value and symbolises memories and stories, a person, a period in time or a special event. A timeless appeal from a less disposable era, less bold, more demure. This bridging of generations is similar in nature to naming a child after a great-great Aunt, remembering a family member and continuing thoughts of them, yet adding another chapter to the family’s story. A gem can symbolise the inexpressible connection between human beings.

Perhaps no other substance on earth has captured the hearts and mind of a man more than gold. Its use in jewellery is also seen a an investment, hard wearing and long lasting, yet transportable and hassle free to care for.

Of course, because jewellery is highly valued and sought after, with a combination of distinctiveness, infrequency and rare physical simplicity, it has become a symbol of success and social status.

Jewellery remains directly affected by fashion, from the settings to the cut and shape of the stones used. With the natural and artificial controls on supply, extraordinary gemstones will continue to demand extraordinary prices.

The meteoric rise in diamond prices has made them a crisis-proof investment which only makes the allure of quality diamonds even greater.

As jewellery prices rise, the threat that collectors face in theft, fraud and physical damage tends to rise too. This is not simply because higher values mean more loss, but that there is also a greater incentive for criminals to steal, swindle or commit fraud.

It is a sobering thought that after drug and arms trafficking, the trafficking of stolen art ranks third on the register of the world’s criminal activities.

Price rises have also left most individuals underinsured, even if valuations were carried out within the last five years. Unfortunately, insurers are taking a harder stance on underinsurance and individuals should be aware of the consequences.

Failure to take account of rising jewellery prices A case involved the changing value of gold jewellery where £8,500 was claimed for a lost gold bracelet appearing on the current insurance schedule still at its original valuation of some years earlier at £4,500. The insurer declined to pay the full £8,500 on the grounds that they had made clear to the customer that it was his responsibility for keeping the valuation of the bracelet up to date and that there might be consequences to under-insuring his possessions. Covering letters sent out with the annual renewals required the customer to “check that the level of cover is sufficient as prices and circumstances can change each year.” Similar warnings also appeared in the forms.

This case particularly reinforces the need for regular professional valuations to keep abreast of changing market values. It is worth noting that in Holland there is a legal requirement that valuations are no more than three years old. In this country, it is not uncommon to find valuations dating back fifteen years or more!

The client’s responsibility for full insurance value The Financial Ombudsman recognises that it may be difficult for people to calculate the value of their possessions, but is clear that “They’re responsible, when asked, for giving the best estimate they reasonably can of the value of their contents.” In the case of a contested claim, while the article stresses the importance of insurers asking the right questions and imparting the correct information when the insurance is put in place, the Financial Ombudsman will not simply find against an insurer because the insurer has not warned the customer that values can change over time. As the article points out “Gold costs more than it used to – and it would be a consumer’s responsibility to make sure their gold and jewellery is fully insured.”

Current and regular valuations are equally important as part of responsible asset management where values are changing in a global market in trading art currently estimated at 43 billion euros. Jewellery remains the most popular “treasure asset” – perhaps unsurprising with the rise in the number of female high net worth individuals and where, according to research from the World Bank, women now account for 80% of purchasing decisions.

Correct insurance Where insurance exists, the stark reality is that overvalued items result in higher premiums and disputed claims and undervalued items in financial loss once the loss adjustor has arrived on the scene. Many insurers offer products specially tailored for collections of fine art, antiques and jewellery. Many of these products represent exceptional value for money, but they will require regular valuations to reflect changes in the markets. Of course, the absence of a detailed valuation in the first place means the owner is at an even more serious disadvantage when negotiating with the loss adjuster.

There are a number of insurers who actively help their clients ensure that their contents are correctly insured. However, a good insurance broker should be advising you on this subject allowing you to make an informed decision.

Insurers are keen to assist their policyholders get their sums insured correct as it makes the claims process so much simpler. They may offer free appraisals on both contents and properties and whilst you may pay a little more for insurers who offer this, in most cases their policy wording & claims service are far superior to a mainstream insurance product.

Lockton Private Clients work with insurers and specialists to assist their clients in making informed decisions about their insurance cover. Our Personal Insurance Review process tackles all potential underinsurance areas whether it be buildings, contents, art,

valuables or cars and we look to provide insurance solutions that provide the certainty of agreed value for special items including motor vehicles and guaranteed reinstatement costs on buildings.

Lockton Private Clients provide a comprehensive approach to the insurance needs of clients owning a complex portfolio of fixed and mobile assets in the UK and worldwide. If you would like a free Personal Insurance Review, please contact us on 0207 933 2828 or email us at privateclientenquiries@uk.lockton.com.

Thank you to Pall Mall Art Advisors for the source material for this article. Pall Mall Art Advisors Pall works with and is endorsed by major insurers, brokers, lawyers, accountants and wealth managers. The company provides professional, independent valuations of all forms of art, antiques, collectibles and jewellery. If you would like to speak to someone about Pall Mall Art Advisors’ services, please contact: Rachel Doerr: 0845 882 2794 rachel.doerr@pallmallartadvisors.com

Lockton Companies LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under Firm Reference Number 523069.

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 77

Polo

Stereotypes

The Hermit Horse-Breaker Wiggy Bamforth The Hermit Horse-Breaker has nine fingers, seventeen tattoos and an ASBO. He is the scourge of Little Poddington village, where he frequently makes off with one of his charges and ties them up outside the pub, The Bishop’s Kneepads. Some say he was raised by wild horses in the Mongolian steppe, some that he learnt his trade from Native American Indians, but others reckon he’s called Daffyd and comes from Cardiff.

The Hermit Horse-Breaker speaks in a curious accent, that could be Spanish, Welsh or an ancient Uruguayan dialect, but is equally unintelligible to all untrained ears. His boss, the Polo Manager of Poddington Park, is at her wit’s end. She lives in fear of a repeat of the day the police called one Tuesday morning – when her charge had managed to travel 100 miles overnight and ended up sleeping in the dustbin of a Brighton gay bar wearing just the top half of a lobster costume. Every time he’s fired (22 occasions to date) the Polo Manager finds herself re-employing him again. She just can’t help it – he’s a genius with horses, she’s starting to think she should be charging more for him than for pony hire.

78 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Polo

Stereotypes

The Off-Games Sportsman The Off-Games Sportsman is spending yet another season confined to crutches after a disastrous string of matches. Having taken a ball to the face in his last game, The Off-Games Sportsman now grins out from under a trucker hat with a large gap where his front teeth should be. This doesn’t really bother The OffGames Sportsman – held together by so many bolts and screws he refuses to take baths less he begin to rust, he finds his many injuries are an excellent talking point in bars, and are especially good for eliciting sympathy dates from doting stick chicks. “Oh you must be so brave!” they cry, gazing in admiration at the stitches he displays proudly down his forearms, “Gosh, Cambiaso must be brutal!”

The Off-Games Sportsman doesn’t mention how many of his knuckle scabs are from mis-grilling cheese toasties in the clubhouse, and not riding off high goal players. Despite this, The Off-Games Sportsman is secretly very proud of his scars, which bring out gasps of admiration from the Pony Club kids he teaches – from the sidelines, obviously, as a fractured pelvis, cracked vertebrae and sprained everythings means he can’t actually mount a pony for the next six weeks.

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 79

OBITUARIES

ROY LAW

WILL TANKARD

THE ‘VOICE OF POLO’ FOR OVER HALF A CENTURY

A ‘TRUE HORSEMAN AND GENTLEMAN’ KILLED IN TRAGIC ACCIDENT

1985-2 0 1 5

The USPA

©www.imagesofpolo.com

1 936- 2015

R

oy Law, aka “Spud” passed away peacefully yet unexpectedly at his home aged 79 on Friday 25 September 2015.

Born into a long line of polo enthusiasts, Roy inherited an ingrained passion for the game from boyhood. The year of 1964 saw his inaugural commentary on Smiths Lawn at Guards Polo Club (known, in those days, as the Household Brigade Polo Club). “During play, it’s almost as if I were the ball, so those who hit me get mentioned most!” Roy would recall later, with a flash of his steely eyes.

From this auspicious start, Roy developed a lifelong commentating career alongside his accounting and IT consultancy ‘day job,’ which he always regarded as far less exciting in comparison. In fact, he would positively delight in deliberately switching off his mobile phone on entering the gates of the day’s venue and would remain blissfully incommunicado until shortly after the match tea – always one of his favourite parts of the day!

A keen writer, poet, quiet philosopher and avid supporter of ladies’ polo, Roy was conscious to always make time for people. Imbuing low-goal matches with the passion and vigour usually consigned to high-goal matches alone, he inspired and enthused players and audiences alike. He always encouraged the crowd to recall the scene from Pretty Woman when treading in and would then promptly lead the way onto the field, in his trademark white jeans and black quilted gilet.

Roy was known and loved for his truly individual, somewhat inimitable style, in his own words, “Think the reassurance of Radio 4, the speed and impact of CNN; more Barry White than 50 Cent, with some interesting resonances.” Roy’s soft-spoken words and witty asides have echoed across polo grounds, the length and breadth of the country, for over 50 years. “He’s been commentating for us since we were first in the saddle” remarked one player, long since retired himself.

As a lasting tribute to Roy’s dedication to the sport, players past and present at FHM Polo Club will be establishing an annual trophy based on the design of his trusty, gaucho-style Yerba Mate Gourd.

Roy is survived by daughter, Francesca, and son, Claude.

Donations in memory of Roy may be made to Power of Polo – the inspirational new polo charity on a mission to positively impact the lives of anyone facing social, economic or health challenges, utilising the sport of polo.

To donate please visit: www.justgiving.com/powerof-polo 80 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

T

he American polo community is mourning the loss of Will Tankard of Aiken, South Carolina. The professional 3 goaler died tragically along with his loyal canine companion, Chewy, and three of his horses in a traffic accident on Thursday 30 July in Ohio, while travelling from Lexington, Kentucky to Darlington, Pennsylvania.

At the age of 17, after playing outdoor club polo in the southeast, Will found himself in Texas. It was here that he developed his arena skills, which helped lead the Fort Worth team to two National Interscholastic Championships in 2002 and 2003. After being awarded a Polo Scholarship to Texas Tech University, in 2006 he led his team to the only National Championship ever achieved by a Texas Tech Sports team.

During this time Will also played many outdoor tournaments in Dallas and Houston, one of which, was the prestigious 12 goal Triple Crown of Polo which his team won in 2006.

Will made his home in Aiken, South Carolina, where besides being mentored by players such as former 10 goaler Adam Snow, he continued to play and win many more tournaments including The 12 goal Copper Cup in 2012, with his step-brother Nick Snow, as well as The Smoak Family 8 Goal. Will continued his success at The Myopia Polo Club in Hamilton, Massachusetts, where his teams won The 2012 USPA 6 Goal Governor’s Cup, The 4 Goal Crossman Cup, and he was a finalist in The 2012 USPA 12 Goal Chairman’s Cup. International accolades also included winning The 2014 Bryan Morrison International Test Match at AEPC when the USA played England. Will was also part of the 2015 team that competed in the Finals of the FIP World Championship in Chile.

In a statement from the USPA, he has been remembered as, “A true horseman and gentleman who set a wonderful example to our youth and was an inspiration to adults as well.” Beyond his accomplishments on the field, Will has been described as, “A genuine, passionate and caring human being who found his way into the heart of our polo family.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family, especially his mom, Cissie Snow, his dad, Bill Tankard, his brother, Jason Melson, and his beloved partner, Samira Waernlund.”

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A team composed of Old Marlburians, winners of many Public Schools’ Cups (l-r) Capt. L.C.D. Jenner, E.B. Sheppard, G.A. Miller & C.D. Miller

PUBLIC SCHOOLS’

P O LO

TOURNAMENTS ✍ Nigel à Brassard

I

n 1901 a Public Schools’ Cup (open to teams made up of players who had been at the same Public School for a minimum of two years) was first played at Ranelagh Club, before moving in the following year to be played at Roehampton. The Roehampton Club provided a new trophy each year, and it was the tradition that the winning team handed the cup to the Headmaster of their old school. In the early years of the contest until 1914, it was the Old Marlburians who won the accolade on eight occasions and so dominated the honour roll of the Cup. Contextual accounts show that the Cup was held in high esteem. In 1904, The Times noted that the Public Schools’ Cup was, “One of the most popular of the season, owing to its associations and the high class polo it produces.” A year later, T. F. Dale predicted in Polo: Past and Present that this, “Series of matches ought to grow in importance as the number of

public school men who play polo increases with each succeeding season.” Dale later wrote in his book, Polo at Home and Abroad, that “A public school training is an immense advantage,” to polo and considered that, “Perhaps of all schools, Eton sends out the most firstclass polo men with the right polo temper.” In 1905, The Times reported on the tournament, “It is often said that civilian polo lacks the rivalry which characterizes Army polo. Such a charge cannot, however, be brought against the Public Schools’ Tournament at Roehampton, which reproduces the keenness and espirit de corps of school contests. Moreover, the play has always been of a high standard.”

The Public Schools’ Cup was played until 1928 when, through lack of enough old boys’ teams to hold the tournament, the Cup was competed for between Old Etonians and Old Harrovians. This annual fixture continues today, as part of Varsity Day at Guards Polo Club.

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 83

Francis and Rivy Grenfell playing for the Old Etonians before the First World War

84 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

The Cup was not the only competition for old boys, however. Apart from the Public Schools’ Tournament at Roehampton, there were also Old Boy Competitions held from before the First World War until the beginning of the Second World War at the polo Club in Cairo, in which Old Boys from Cheltenham, Clifton, Eton, Harrow, Wellington and Winchester regularly entered teams. The Aldershot Command Polo Club and Tidworth Polo Club also held popular Public Schools’ Tournaments between the Wars.

Following England’s successive defeats in 1921, 1924 and 1927 in the Westchester Cup (against the USA), there was a widely held view in Britain that America benefitted by starting their young players at an earlier age. In the following years, there was more initiative to introduce Public School pupils to polo. In 1928, the Roehampton Club began offering free polo lessons for Public School boys during the Easter holidays, with tuition from ten goal players such as Johnny Traill, Pat Roark and Earle Hopping. In 1929, Viscount Astor presented a wooden polo horse to Eton College, and Rex Benson gave some polo sticks and balls.

Benson and Roark visited the school to open the polo pit and give a demonstration. The Polo Monthly commented that this, “Marks the arrival of polo at one of the great Public Schools.”

England must encourage a greater interest in polo in her schools and universities.

Charles Beams wrote to the Polo Monthly to encourage the English public schools to take up polo. Various correspondents wrote to Horse & Hound with suggestions about school polo. J. F. Davidson was concerned that very few Englishmen played polo, “Before they have left the ‘Varsity,’” and proposed the creation of a Public Schools’ Polo Association under the patronage of Hurlingham – a scheme which would enable “talented boys to play regardless of financial considerations.” A correspondent calling himself ‘Schoolmaster’ responded to Mr Davidson’s letter, suggesting that polo should also be played in our preparatory schools. ‘Twenty Years On’ – another correspondent – noted that many top American polo players had started playing bicycle polo when they were six or sevenyears-old. The correspondent continued by pointing out that most players in England did not start playing until they were at Sandhurst 1936 programme for the Public Schools’ or University, and that there was good Tournament at the Gezira Sporting Club reason for The Pony Club to start teaching youngsters the elements of the game. It is encouraging that British polo has improved However, in 1936, England were again considerably and much of this is due to defeated by America in the Westchester Cup. There the active provision of polo in The Pony followed a debate about the declining standards Club, the number of preparatory and public of English polo, as evidenced by several factors. schools that offer polo to their pupils and the The notable lower team handicaps of English generous provision of polo scholarships to teams competing in the top polo tournaments, young players by the HPA. and the success of overseas teams in England, In recent years, Cheltenham College has such as Aurora, Templeton and Texas Rangers organised a Polo Invitation Day which has from America, Jaipur and Kashmir from India and most years included matches between Old Goulburn from Australia were evident examples Cheltonians and Old Etonians, and Cheltenham of falling standards. Furthermore, in 1936, Great College boys against Eton College boys.

Britain were pulverised eleven goals to none in the This year, Cheltenham College achieved a Berlin Olympics Final by the Argentine team. clean sweep when the Cheltenham College Many opinions on the causes of the decline Preparatory School beat Summer Fields, were offered in various articles and letters. In The the senior school beat Stowe and the Old Field, Sheldon Z. Caplan suggested that some Cheltonians beat the Old Etonians.

American teams benefitted from having played Today, many schools could produce high together for a long time. He noted that Guest, handicapped teams of old boys including Iglehart and Phipps had played as a team at Yale Eton, Harrow, Malvern, Marlborough, and before that at the same preparatory school.

Millfield and Radley. As an Old Cheltonian, Caplan commented that the Americans had I am modestly proud that a team of old learned the fundaments of polo at an age when an boys from my school could put together the Englishman, “Dreams and eats cricket, but hardly highest handicapped team of any school, horseflesh.” Caplan continued to recall that many young Americans with a 22 goal team comprising England Captain, James Beim on 7 had learnt polo at schools such as Avon, Old Farms, Andover, Hill, Aiken goals, George Meyrick on 6 goals, Ollie Cudmore on 5 goals and Jamie and St Paul’s, then played together at Yale, Princeton and Harvard and Le Hardy on 4 goals. Now would it not be wonderful if a patron were then played in teams together after graduating. Caplan concludes that willing to sponsor an Old Cheltonian team for next year’s high goal?

Note on the author: Nigel à Brassard is an investment banker and sports historian (see www.sportshistorian.co.uk). He plays stické tennis and real tennis. He played polo at Cirencester Park and captained the Courtenay, Band of Gypsys and Buck’s Club polo teams. He has written extensively on a variety of sports in books, magazines and periodicals. He is an Ambassador of the International Polo Federation and is on the Finance and Grants Committee of the Hurlingham Polo Association.

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 85

Our polo equipment is used by the best players and teams around the world.

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86 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Mess up a high pony for a cheeky party look to take you dusk ‘till dawn

HEALTH & BEAUTY WHETHER YOU’RE STAYING IN FROSTY ENGLAND, OR TRAVELLING TO SUNNY CLIMES THIS WINTER, TIPS FROM TWO LEADING LONDON FACIALISTS WILL KEEP YOU FLAWLESS BOTH IN THE POLO STANDS AND ON THE PITCH, SUN OR SNOW Josie Goodbody

DR. YANNIS ALEXANDRIDES

T

he renowned Harley Street Plastic Surgeon and founder of 111SKIN, a skincare line created in collaboration with two chemical engineers that worked on the Soviet Space Program, talks to The Polo Magazine about his inspiration, unusual collaboration and secret ingredients.

What was the inspiration behind the creation of 111SKIN? “It all started in my practice in Harley Street.

As a plastic surgeon, I deal with patients who wanted to heal quickly after an operation or treatment. I perform a lot of facelifts, and of course one of the main issues with my patients’ recovery is the bruising and swelling to the face. I wanted to find a way both to reduce post-operative time but also help the skin feel better.”

How did your collaboration with space scientists come about?

“I began using professional products from the US, but they were not custom made and were of average performance. Then, about 7 years ago, I met with a group of scientists who used to work for the space programme and they wanted me to try a patented device they had. Though this was not feasible at the time,

88 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

I started talking to them about a product that would help the skin recover after surgery. They were the ideal people to work with, as they knew how the skin reacts when it’s exposed to intense radiation in space and had access to ingredients that no one else had, such as our secret weapon, NAC Y2.”

What was the first product you created?

“Originally we developed the healing serum, which I still use for my patients; It has transformed my practice. I used to give it in small bottles, and clients would come back and ask for more. Eventually I had a lady from Paris who came for a face-lift and she said after 3 or 4 months that she had stopped using my usual products, as the serum was better.”

Tell us more about NAC Y2?

“This ingredient exists in all our products.

It’s been clinically proven to stimulate the production of Glutathione, the most potent antioxidant in the skin, and together with vitamin C in a new formation, it is soluble and penetrates the skin more easily.”

You’re famous for your Black Diamond collection, why do you think it’s so popular?

“Quite simply, this cream provides incredible results, many of my Harrods customers buy

several at a time and we often sell out due to high demand. The 111SKIN Celestial Black Diamond Cream is a restorative and highly concentrated treatment that combines technologically advanced ingredients with groundbreaking medical research to target ageing. It has taken years to perfect, and my team of scientists have been refining the formula. The cream utilizes an innovative delivery system of rare diamond particles – so rare in fact that they can only be found in two places on Earth, Central Africa and Brazil.

Black diamond particles are microspheres that can penetrate the deeper dermal layer of the skin, transporting three essential youth restoring ingredients, the patented NAC Y2 formula, Collagen types I and III and Hyaluronic acid.”

What other products should we look out for?

“Our Bio Cellulose Facial Treatment Mask, there is nothing else like this in the western world. We developed it in Japan which is the leader in skincare right now internationally.

The mask is thicker and made from organic materials that allow the ingredients to stay in higher quantities and penetrate the skin in higher quantities – it’s 30 times richer than the standard paper mask.” www.111skin.com

PONY TAILS CRISTIAN BALAN GIVES US FIVE NEW TWISTS ON A PONYTAIL, JUST IN TIME FOR THOSE CHRISTMAS PARTIES Charlotte Kibbles Christian Balan creative director of Vos Hair & Beauty Chelsea knows very well about the power of the ponytail. From schoolgirls to supermodels, the ponytail is a classic and here to stay. On the polo circuit both on and off the field, it’s a must. Here are Christian’s top tips on five different takes on the ponytail: “Ponytail trends will come and go (remember the 80s cascading side ‘pony’?) but the classic pony is here to stay. Both flattering and practical, it is a universal style that works well on nearly all hair types and on all ages. Each decade has had a defining take on the pony. As someone who is passionate about hair and creativity, it is fascinating to see how these styles have become signature classics sometimes reinventing themselves over time.”

5 DIFFERENT PONYTAILS Elegant And Low “An all-time favourite of mine. The classic Park Avenue Princess – understated, timeless and elegant. Add a little volume at the crown for a Bardot-inspired look.”

Slicked Back “Use a wide bristle brush to smooth the hair. For a sleek wet look, use a little gel with some oil (I love Kerastase Elixir Ultime oil or Fix & Finish Spray from the Vos range) or for a simple dry finish, use a small amount of wax with some hairspray. Wrap a piece of hair from under your pony around the elastic band for a gorgeous polished look. Flawless.”

Super Sky-High-Swingy Ponies “Think sleek, sharp, Maria Cambiaso. Perfect for extra-long hair. Brush the hair up into a super tight pony, wrap a piece of hair around the band and then use straightening irons to seal the ends poker-straight.”

Relaxed Beachy Lo-Po “Relaxed and really low – this style works amazingly with lots of texture or naturally wavy hair. Depending on the length of your hair, tie it as low as possible. Frame your face with some loose hanging pieces of hair for that #iwokeuplikethis look.”

Braids & Twists “Add some pretty braiding for an on-trend look. The summer festival season may be over, but braids are here to stay for A/W15. Part your hair in the centre and work one section at a time. Braid or twist the hair towards the back and secure with pins then fasten with a band.”

The classic Polo Pony Pony “Take inspiration from the Gaucho style – as preppy as a Hamptons country club, yet sleek enough to take you from the boardroom to the bar!”

Model: Caroline Buist Makeup & Hair: Steph Lai Styling: Lauren Naylor

Smooth down into an immaculate low pony for some sleek & chic elegance

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 89

LISA FRANKLIN

J

osie Goodbody interviews the skincare guru and facialist Lisa Franklin, fresh from having a signature facial at her exclusive Knightsbridge clinic.

This month also sees the launch of her first product, ready to set the beauty world alight Your signature facial was the best I’ve ever had! Tell us more about the techniques you use?

My signature facial blends luxurious pampering with technical expertise. I use traditional hands-on techniques, such as cleansing, exfoliation, steaming, manual extraction and hydration. I apply products with a blend of plant extracts and effective active ingredients to give my clients long lasting results, which restore the health and beauty of your skin.

90 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

You’re an incredibly established facialist in every socialite’s little black book. You’re just about to launch your first self-titled product, The Pro-Effect Luminescent Base. Why did you choose to create a primer and why is it a ‘must have’ buy?

It all started when I began my own search for the perfect primer. I soon realised there was a gap in the market to fulfill all my expectations of what such a product could and should do and so this led me to develop my own primer, The Pro-Effect Luminescent Base. Primers really are a must-have buy – it’s the one cosmetic purchase that can give everyone a flawless complexion. They are pore minimising, wrinkle blurring complexion perfectors that create a completely smooth base to form a barrier that brushes away the footprints of time!

I spend a lot of time outdoors watching polo in many different climates, from sun to rain to wind to snow. What benefits does using your primer have in these conditions?

The Pro-Effect Luminescent Base is formulated using second skin technology, which creates a luxurious soft film that prevents skin from dehydrating while allowing it to breathe. It also provides intelligent skin protection for sun exposure by increasing photo resistance and speeding up the regeneration process, meaning it’s a great buy for someone who spends a lot of time outdoors. However, always remember to apply an SPF!

What makes your primer so special?

The Pro-Effect Luminescent Base includes my age-defying formula. This is a combination of rare precious metals, minerals and botanical infusions, which includes diamond particles and rose quartz to illuminate, restore and energise the skin. The effects of this are boosted radiance, banished imperfections and skin left prepared for makeup application.

What do you say to people who don’t want the added effort of another step to the skincare routine?

Taking a few extra seconds to apply a primer will have dramatic and lasting results, so it’s really worth investing the extra time because you really will notice the benefits. Whether you wear a full face of makeup every day or you prefer to keep it simple, a makeup primer is a godsend when trying to combat shine or create a smooth base for foundation. Using primer underneath your makeup will make everything last longer too, both on your skin and in your cosmetics bag!

Finally, what’s your ultimate top beauty tip you can give to our readers?

My number one tip for radiant skin is cleansing to remove makeup every night using cotton pads or clean sponges – and NEVER sleep with your make up on!

Lisa Franklin Hans Place Practice, 43 Hans Pl, London SW1X 0JZ 020 3773 5426 www.lisafranklin.london

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11:39

RORY MACKAY AN ENGLISH ARTIST IN AMERICA Josie Goodbody

R

ory Mackay was born in London and studied Fine Art in Florence, where he fell in love with oil painting. Later, back in his home city, he widened his talents at the famous Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design, adding printmaking, media painting and photography to his already impressive skillset. He has exhibited globally in prestigious venues such as Christie’s, London and Antony Todd’s New York showroom, amongst many others.

Rory began specialising in animal portraits and illustration in 2006 and found his niche in Palm Beach, Florida, where the grandes dames of American industry families hold on more dearly to their manicured poodles and polo ponies than they do their own nest-fleeing offspring. In 2011 Rory was commissioned by Ivana Trump to paint her Yorkshire Terrier, Tiger, the same year that Australian supermodel Kristy Hinze commissioned a painting of her three Schnauzers. Since then, Mackay has carved out a very unique trade for himself that has

92 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

seen him travel across the States, steering his characteristic style of bespoke artwork to the ‘discerning pet eccentric’. In 2013 the artist further expanded his brand of pet-focused couture by debuting an elegant retail line of fine stationery at the National Stationery Show in New York, garnering the attention of both Vanity Fair and Oprah magazines.

While commissioned oil portraits, spectacularly rendered or otherwise, may not be to everyone’s taste, this savvy ‘artrepreneur’ has extended his bespoke ethos into his luxurious line of notecards and leather notebooks. Recently, Mackay was commissioned by one of America’s most celebrated primate conservationist and scientists, Jane Goodall, to create illustrated notecards for her global institute as give-aways to their number one supporters. Mackay even donated a lifetime’s supply of personalised letterpress notecards for Ms Goodall herself, featuring a timeless illustration of two of her favourite chimps from the Gombe National Park research area.

With the USA polo circuit’s Palm Beach season opening in January, Mackay has exhibitions lined up in conjunction with both Swedish

interior designer Lars Bolander and several of the better-known stables, to showcase his talents to his growing list of clientèle. With the backbone of his brand remaining his decade-long pursuit of animal themed portraiture, the incorporation of luxury bespoke and gift items into his quiver of branded products are seeing Rory Mackay pieces become the ultimate must have for doting pet owners. www.rory-mackay.com Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 93

THE GOLDEN AGE

A HISTORY OF POLO ON THE WEST COAST OF AMERICA Josie Goodbody

A

Courtesy of The Museum of Polo

lthough some say that polo was first played in California in 1876, polo veteran Nigel Gallimore, with a depth of knowledge probably better than anyone else’s, says it seems pretty unlikely. After all, it was only in that year that James Gordon Bennett, the publisher of the New York Herald, who had seen the game in England, organized the first polo match in the United States at Dickel’s Riding Academy on 39th Street and Fifth Avenue.

In the spring of 1876, Gordon Bennett hosted a special dinner party at his New York estate. His guests were a dozen men who were members of the sporting set, those most likely to be keen on polo. Of course, once they tried the sport they were addicted and made it a part of their annual retreat to Newport, Rhode Island, that summer. The men who predominantly hailed from Westchester County, NY, formed a club and started to establish playing fields for practices near their summer cottages on Bellevue Avenue. The Westchester Polo Club, based in Newport, became the first formal polo club in the United States and rotated their playing seasons between New York and Rhode Island, before making Newport their permanent home. The game caught the imagination of the buccaneering class of the Gilded Age in America and, during the following years, other clubs were founded up and down the East Coast.

On the other side of the country, 3,000 miles away in California, polo was more of a fad, that is until the English contingent started it properly in the 1880s. In 1888 the Santa Monica Polo Club was founded by an American who had learnt the sport in Long Island, but had moved to the West Coast. English born Senator John P Jones, who made millions in silver mining in California and founded the town of Santa Monica, had both a polo field and a racetrack built. Horace A. Laffaye describes the first game in his tome Polo in the United States, “The first match was held in the summer of 1889, married men taking on the bachelors.

The bachelors rose to the occasion, scoring 8 goals against 6 by the married men. There were no polo mallets to be had, so billiard cues were purchased, the heads were turned from maple woods, and the balls from willow.”

Fortunately polo has come a long way since those days and currently there are thirty polo clubs in California, the best-known of which are Santa Barbara, San Diego, Empire and Eldorado. Although polo is perhaps not as popular as it is back on the East Coast or its US polo mecca, Palm Beach, it is a fantastic place to visit and either watch a game or have a lesson. International polo coach, Ebe Sievwright who has taught in Los Angeles, mused upon differences between the two coasts, “I would say the main advantage of playing polo in California is that you can play all year round. There’s polo in Santa Barbara from April until October, then it starts up again in December in the desert at the Eldorado and Empire Polo Clubs in Palm Springs.” He continues, “Fields are fast and well maintained and there is plenty of talent in terms of riders and horses.”

One great visionary is Alexander Haagen who founded the Empire Polo Club in Palm Springs in 1987, on which the world famous music festival Coachella is held, which helps pay for the running and 94 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

maintenance of the Club, enabling them to buy more land and to plant more trees. It is one of the largest polo clubs in California – with twelve fields in the seventy-eight acre plot.

However, overall, polo in the city of Los Angeles has suffered over the last century from the pace of real estate development across the state. In the 1930s there were 25 clubs, but now Will Rogers Polo Club (WRPC) is the only one that remains. This club, along with the State Park, was originally the private estate of Will Rogers, the famed humourist, newspaper columnist, cowboy, author, movie star and polo player. In fact, he landscaped the polo field in 1926, before he even built his home. Rogers, his wife Betty and their family lived there between 1928 and 1935. During this time Rogers hosted his famous friends such as David Niven, Spencer Tracy, Hal Roach, Walt Disney and Clark Gable for weekends where they played polo on his field in the mornings and then rode over to Uplifter’s (another club not far away, now a street of houses) to watch the high goal games. The Polo Lounge Bar at the Beverly Hills Hotel was where Will Rogers and the Hollywood polo crowd used to go after they had finished watching a game. Behind the bar is a large sepia photo that takes up the length of the wall that shows Will Rogers and others playing the game themselves. After his death in 1935, his widow

Action from the 1930s – E. Tyrell-Martin, Howell Howard and Harry East taking the ball down the pitch at speed

gave the estate as a gift to the State of California on the condition that equestrian activities continue at the park. In 1953, amateur player C.D. LeBlanc started the WRPC, which he then managed for a quarter of a century. The current president of the WRPC is Old Etonian, Andrew Bossom, who moved to California in 1991 and is also a USPA delegate. These days the Club has a steady low goal season, but its main function is exhibition matches such as Tamsin Lonsdale’s Supper Club Polo and Picnic Day in September, or British Polo Day, which this year took place at the end of May, and was attended by LA resident Lord Frederick Windsor and his wife, the actress Sophie Winkleman.

Nigel Gallimore still thinks, however, that the Santa Barbara Club is where the sport is played at its best in California. In 1898, several members of the Santa Barbara Country Club formed a local polo club, playing their first game on 19 May, 1899 at the Agricultural Park. During that year, more members were recruited to join the club, including the town’s mayor Dr. Elmer J. Boeseke Sr. and Clinton B. Hale who became the first president of the Santa Barbara County Polo Association (the original name of Santa Barbara Polo Club). By 1902, the Santa Barbara Polo Club had 40 members. At a game on 23 August, 1904, at the Agricultural Park the large grandstand was filled to overflowing, and by 1910, the first game was played on the Mesa field.

But many teams in the state were reluctant to play in Santa Barbara until good turf was developed. By 1913 efforts were made to establish a turf polo field at the Bartlett estate on Middle Road in Montecito, California, and a new Santa Barbara Polo Club was organised to lease the land. By 1914, the clubhouse and viewing stand were completed and in 1916 the fields were ready to play on. In 1923, the Cox field at San Leandro Ranch, Montecito, was seeded and the property renamed Ennisbrook. In 1925, poloist Elmer J. Boeseke Jr. (a 10 goal player) purchased the Ennisbrook estate and further developed it with stables, later leasing the fields to Santa Barbara Polo Club. Sadly, as has happened in Los Angeles, many of these fields were recently sold to developers.

In 1919, Max Fleischmann, a multi-millionaire and an avid polo player, moved to Santa Barbara and had a practice polo field built at Lambert Road, Carpinteria. In 1923, he began to build another polo field on the adjacent land that he had purchased, determined as he was to add his name to the growing number of polo fields in the area.

After three years of nurturing the turf, the first chukka was played in February 1926, thus inaugurating the new Fleischmann field. After 27 years of a drifting existence, Santa Barbara Polo Club had at last found its permanent home in Carpinteria, nestled between the mountains and the ocean, warmed by the mild climate.

Major Max Fleischmann, founder of Santa Barbara Polo Club’s permanent grounds, playing in the 1920s

The Club is also where a women’s team made its first appearance in a mixed polo game. By 1925, women’s polo was an established game in Santa Barbara, and the Girls’ Championship of Santa Barbara was played on the Fleischmann Field in Carpinteria on 27 March, 1931, a tournament was organized at Will Rogers Polo Club between teams representing the host club, Santa Barbara, and Santa Clara. It is significant that this particular game was included in the USPA Year Book. This is perhaps the first acknowledgment by the USPA that women played polo in the United States.

Santa Barbara Polo Club continues to make history even today. Most recently, the Club played host to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their first royal tour in 2011, while today, the stars of tomorrow can be found practicing on its lush green grounds.

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 95

Annabel McNaught-Davis

Roy Prisk

Many Happy Returns!

What? Royston Prisk’s 40th Birthday Party When? Sunday 2nd August Where? The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club Why? To raise a glass and catch up with old friends Wearing? Asado casual Who? Revellers aplenty including Henry Brett, Will Emerson, Orlando Bloom, Pete Webb, Hugo Lewis, Edwin Morris-Lowe, Tim Bown, Chris Hyde, Jonny Good & Jack Hyde were spotted celebrating in style alongside Royston Owen Tetley Polo’s favourite afterparty organiser invited 150 guests along to The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club for a very special birthday party. Not being the kind of people to turn down the opportunity to toast an old friend, we headed over and caught up with all our favourite polo people before they jetted out to Sotogrande for the season.

After starting out with a delicious asado in the pavillion early in the evening, the night soon got wilder, especially after a few glasses of champagne to celebrate. Live music from Thai singer Micheal Jackson was followed by sets from DJ’s Paul Linney and Ebe Sievwright. We found ourselves throwing shapes to everything from hip hop to tech house to dancehall (and gosh, some of the guests could really dance!) before giving the makeshift limbo a go – we like to think our dignity remained intact. With so many guests taking the opportunity to let their hair down, it was unsurprising that the party continued late into the night. . .

96 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Jamie Morrison

Ash Price

Nina Clarkin

Jonathan Kohler

Desire van Reenen

Cruise Control Joanne Strauss

What? BMW International Polo Series 2015 When? Sunday 13th & Sunday 20th September Where? The Waterfall Polo Estate & The Durban Shongweni Club Why? To watch South Africa victorious in their Test Matches Wearing? Beautiful prints and forties inspired tailoring, topped off with some intricate millinery Who? John Paul & Nina Clarkin, Brendan Stewart, Anton & Heather Mostert, Chia Kongianos, Amith Gosai, Sean Irwin, Yvette Ferreira, Kim Roberts, Gabby Cowling, Gareth Evans, Dirk van Reenen, Selby Williamson & Tom de Bruin, to name a few...

Shane Doyle Photography/ SA Polo The BMW International Polo Series was the perfect excuse to glam up and head out to our favourite South African clubs for the Test Matches. With the action split over two weekends, the week between consisted of some serious training for the players of course, and some equally serious sunbathing for the lucky guests.

Although the weather wasn’t quite as perfect as we’d have liked, the polo, of course, made up for it, with action that kept us on the edge of our seats. BMW are now in their 26th year in partnership with the series, which means that the VIP tent is the place to be for all SA’s biggest and brightest polo enthusiasts, socialites and businessmen. While rubbing shoulders with all these beautiful people guests enjoyed delicious canapés, champagne and sparkling hospitality each weekend, before taking a moment to lust over all BMW’s latest models (we’ll take the lot!) although we don’t think John Paul Clarkin will be swapping Best Playing Pony, Star Queen, for one anytime soon!

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 97

James Beim

Nieves Alvarez

Sotogrande Sun When? Throughout August Where? Santa Maria Polo Club Why? For the 44th Land Rover International Polo Tournament Wearing? As little as possible – it was boiling!

Who? Adolfo & Maria Cambiaso, Juan Martin Nero, James Beim, James Harper, Nina & John Paul Clarkin and the rest of the sun-seeking polo world . . .

Katie Vickery & Mar Gomez What better way to enjoy the full experience of the Santa Maria Polo Club than by watching some of the best players in the world battle it out on Los Pinos 4, while luxuriating in the shade of an Indi embellished parasol, G&T in hand? The Sotogrande season certainly didn’t disappoint with the Premium Sports & Marketing team pulling out all the stops in a bid to show off their Spanish flair for style. This year it was all about hippy-chic, where flowing skirts and colourful beads, glinting in the afternoon sun, enticed you into the market along the central banks. Taking a break from the action meant stepping into a bubble of indie stalls and quirky food trucks and, as the sun dipped lower in the clear blue sky each night, enjoying Santa Maria’s transformation from polo club to night club, scattered with bright lights and adorned by beautiful people. With the days turning seamlessly into nights and the nights going on to the early hours of the morning, the beach was the place to be, where the gentle waves washed away any tiredness from the previous night’s revelling, before the afternoon brought more excitement from both on and off the field.

98 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Juan Luis Gil

Will Harper

Pite Merlos Adolfo Cambiaso

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 99

Shane Fagan

Spring Down Under What? Windsor Polo Club’s Player’s Gala Dinner When? Saturday 5th September Where? The Grafitti Ristorante at The Arthouse Hotel, Sydney Why? To celebrate the start of the Spring season in the Hawkesbury Wearing? Black tie (with a touch of polo!)

Who? Paul Grech, Beck Williams, Bridget Maritz, Emma Jones, Beck Stanley, Rob Stanley, Pete Martin, Janelle Ravine, Sharon Lenton, Ben Jones Tommy Matin, Andew Williams, Jessica Martin & the best and brightest players from all over New South Wales.

Jerome Lafforgue Windsor Polo Club proudly hosted guests and players from seven different Polo Clubs across New South Wales at their inaugural spring season Player’s Gala Dinner. The event took place at the glamorous Arthouse Hotel in Sydney, a beautiful background for a decadent evening of celebration, as the long-awaited Australian season swung into action. The hugely funny Ranald McGregor entertained guests with his stuffed toy and foot mallet and with a live auction to raise money for a new hit-pit facility, Paul Grech ramped up guests’ enthusiasm to raise almost $10,000 for the Club.

Sharon Lenton, Founding Owner of The Thoroughbred Club hosted a table at the Gala Dinner, and gave a well received speech before, unsurprisingly with so many polo-loving guests celebrating the start of the season, the party carried on late into the night.

100 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Nicola Cole

Adam Buchert

Gill Pearson

Josh Philips

Ronnie Wood HH Sheikha Maitha

Rock ‘n’ Horsepower What? This year’s second Rock ‘n’ Horsepower event When? Saturday 5th September Where? Hurtwood Park Polo Club Why? In support of the Prostate Cancer charity Wearing? Field coats, fur and fabulous rock ‘n’ roll fashion!

Who? Ronnie & Sally Woods, Leigh-Anne Moore, Tarquin Southwell, Richard Young, Danny Muriel, Rod Stewart, & Kenney Jones John Periam Photojournalist, 01243 584718 Following the success of the last Rock ‘n’ Horsepower in June, Kenney Jones has pulled out all the stops to get The Faces back on stage together for the first time in 40 years.

What an achievement for Kenney’s favourite charity Supporting Prostate Cancer.

Kenney was diagnosed with the disease in 2014 and now has the all clear as a result of some excellent treatment.

Over 7,000 people attended the concert to see Rod Steward, Ronnie Woods and Kenney play some great numbers from their Faces era. The band have subsequently re-released a boxed vinyl set of their records. Other guest musicians joined several top polo players to make it a day to remember for all involved. There are plans for Hurtwood to be developed into an equestrian centre – let’s hope this succeeds so that future generations will be able to enjoy many more years of fun at this great venue!

Rod Stewart Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 101

Jack Severn

Lady Eliza Manners Grace Chen

Chevy Beh

Oriental Opulence

Lt. Colonel Simon Ledger

What? British Polo Day China When? Sunday 13th September Where? Tang Polo Club Why? To celebrate the best of British with our Chinese friends Wearing? Our most immaculate tailoring – British-made, of course Who? Mr Shilai Liu, HRH SAR Samdech Preah Mohessara Chakrapong Norodom, HRH Norodom Ravichak, Brigadier Simon Levey, Chinese presenters BeiBei & Valen, and of course Brits Ben Vestey, Louisa Wentworth-Stanley & Lady Eliza Manners.

Sam Churchill A British Polo Day invitation is always hard to refuse. This year, Tang Polo Club saw the return of British Polo Day’s iconic brands and exciting exhibition polo on its beautiful grounds. As always, lavish hospitality was provided by great British sponsors such as Land Rover and Harrods, with pop-ups from Hackett providing monogrammed handkerchiefs and Brompton Bicycle Polo offering impromptu rides. For the more fashion-forward, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s latest designs and Grace Chen’s exquisite couture were on display and we certainly took the opportunity to add to our collection!

After a traditional afternoon tea from NUO Hotel Beijing, the resident Harrods’ Green Man plied us with ice creams and traditional garden games – almost enough to tear our eyes away from the Anglo-Asian pitch action! An Argentinian asado and accompanying party continued into the early hours, aided and abetted by quite a lot of Royal Salute whisky – after all, it’s only polite to toast one’s host!

102 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Brod Munro -Wilson

Field Marshall Sir John Chapple

Dean Gregory

EFG Extravaganza Bob and Max Mehm

Brigadier John Wright

Keith Gapp

What? EFG Bicentennial Trophy When? Sunday 2nd August Where? Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Why? What better way to spend a summer afternoon?

Wearing? Trousers in every shade of red Who? Army top brass, Officer Cadets, dashing polo players and HPA big guns including Brigadier John & Christiana Wright, Bob & Max Mehm, Col Dan Rex, Lt. Col Simon Ledger, Field Marshall Sir John & Lady Annabel Chapple, Army Polo Coach Gaston Devrient, Keith & Nicola Gapp, to name but a few Sam Churchill Photography The sun shone down on a wonderful day of polo at Sandhurst, during the EFG Bicentennial Trophy. Graciously hosted by EFG, we took the opportunity to enjoy pitch-side champagne, before being welcomed into the marquee by EFG’s Head of Strategy & Marketing, Keith Gapp and the Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, MajorGeneral Stuart Skeates. After a delicious three-course lunch, Cambridge Select One took on a Hackett Young Army team, a match which saw the Officer Cadets score an easy victory. Spectators vied for shade, and cooled off with chilled glasses of Pimm’s as the sun beat down, whilst they enjoyed musical entertainment from The Band of The Parachute Regiment between matches. After the second contest of the day, a thrilling, high-speed affair, played between Cambridge Select Two vs EFG/British Army Select, our quintessentially English afternoon was rounded off with more champagne and canapés on the steps of the Old College.

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 103

Santiago 'Chino' de Estrada

Charlie Pidgley

Glorious Guards What? Guards Polo Clubs’ End of Season Party When? Saturday 12 September Where? A transformed Clubhouse at Smith’s Lawn Why? Celebrate the 60th season of polo at Guards Polo Club Wearing? No whites in sight!

Who? Jock & Susie Green-Armytage, HH Kumar Padmanabh Singh, the Maharajah of Jaipur, Bob Jornayvaz, Anthony & Louisa Donovan, Mo Sheikh, Vivek & Shenila Rawal, Stefan Sund, Simon Holland, Annita, Cees & Niels van der Hoeven, Grania Horswell, Konstantin Graf von Schweinitz, Anuschka Bahlsen, Chris & Clare Mathias plus many more Guards regulars © Tony Ramirez/www.imagesofpolo.com Diana Butler The events team at Guards Polo Club brought a little bit of Ibiza chic to the Clubhouse on the last Saturday night of the season, creating a stylish yet relaxed vibe that perfectly complemented the Club’s new-look Chairman’s Awards Evening. Low-slung, white sofas were strewn around the room, while the many occasional tables were crammed with bottles of Laurent Perrier, the Club’s official fizz. A live band encouraged dancing and everyone made the most of the evening to catch up with old friends and make plenty of new ones too.

Jock Green-Armytage took centre stage to welcome guests and bestow prizes.

Winners included HH Padmanabh Singh, the Maharajah of Jaipur (Best Handicapped Player), Alan Fall’s Mad Dogs (Most Successful Team), Andrew Dechet (Most Improved Player), Roddy Matthews (Best Pro), Marcus Hancock (Most Useful Umpire) and Tissy Van Reyk (Best Member of Staff).

Some of the up-and-coming names in the British game – Seb Hancock, Tom Brodie, Faisal Al Rifai, and Charlie Pidgley – stayed late as they had plenty to celebrate. Clearly this has much to recommend it as a game tactic as these boys were on fire the following day, taking the last game of the season, the Chairman’s Trophy Final, into extra time in an edgeof-the-seat game. What a brilliant way to finish such an important season and roll on Saturday 9th April, 2016 when it starts all over again. Bring it on!

104 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Simon Holland

Neil Hobday

Alan Morello

Brian Stein

Becky Simpson

Charlotte Sweeney Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 105

Tamsin Lonsdale

Alex Popa

Club Supper What? The Supper Club Polo & Picnic In The Park When? Sunday 20th September Where? Will Rogers State Polo Club Why? Who can resist an afternoon of LA sun?

Wearing? We followed the players’ lead in La Martina Who? Meta Golding, Harry Waters, Adrian de Montfalcon, David Simpson, George Chaux M.D., Guy Brown, Julia Clancey, Louise O’Riordan, Monica Terry, Setorii Pond, Tad Safran, Mae Brunken & Stewart Bosely Sean Paul Franget Photography Tamsin Lonsdale’s Supper Club took over Will Rogers State Park for a day of competitive polo and fun in the sun! On arrival, stylish ladies and gentleman were greeted with handcrafted Cointreau​cocktails and other delicious libations while two sleek Maserati​s took to the field to introduce both teams decked out in eye-catching La Martina attire, including British polo player and coach, Ebe Sievwright. For lunch, guests took their seats around elegant rustic tables to enjoy delicious picnic baskets packed full of tasty treats from catering powerhouse Haute Chefs LA. A heated polo match played out in the background and the Will Rogers Polo team emerged victorious. After which, smooth and sexy tunes by a live DJ and one of our favorite bands, ‘Alanna and These Fine Gentlemen’, kept guests entertained late into the afternoon. Well worth crossing the Atlantic for!

106 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

Ebe Sievwright

Nikki Jenkins

James Lange

Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers

Glam at Ham What? Ham Polo Club’s Dinner & Awards Night When? Friday 25th September Where? The Pavillion, Ham Polo Club Why? To celebrate the end of the 2015 season Wearing? Some seriously stylish black tie Who? Nicholas & Annie Colquhoun-Denvers, Charles Wood, David Rogers, Robert Allton, Kat Westmacott, Fiona Edmonds, Lorenzo Larumbe, Lucy & Tariq Siddiqi, plus Laura Schiebel & Olivia Shea.

So, all the Ham regulars plus a few new faces in the mix.

Robert Piper In the finest of style, as always, Ham Polo Club celebrated the end of the 2015 season with their Club Dinner & Awards Night. The beautiful pavilion, decorated with lights and lanterns, formed the perfect backdrop for the evening’s festivities, against which guests danced the night away. The evening commenced with a champagne reception followed by a delicious three course dinner, catered by Hunt-Kendall, which included a mouth-watering rump of salt-marsh lamb, and a luscious meringue gelato cake. The awards themselves saw Paul de Rivaz and Michael Ventura share the Player of the Year accolade, while Stephen O’Kane was named Chairman’s Most Improved Player, with Olivia Shea the winner of the prize’s female counterpart. Lizzi Teroerde was awarded the Good Fellowship Award, before Michael Ventura topped his evening off with a second prize, this time for Umpire of the Year.

Following the awards a DJ struck up the music and Ham’s glamourous guests danced the night away until the early hours of Saturday morning.

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 107

Chris Hyde

Linah Tok

The Cup of Kings Malcolm Borwick

What? The Royal Salute Coronation Cup 2015 When? Saturday 25th July Where? Guards Polo Club Why? Where else would you be on Coronation Cup weekend?

Wearing? Panamas and pretty dresses Who? John Kent, Chris Hyde, Henry Brett, Victoria Elsbury-Legg, Kate & Lauren Beim, Brig. John Wright, the Vestey clan and pretty much everyone who’s anyone in Anglo-Argentine polo. . .

Courtesy of Piaget, Getty Images, James Cheadle & www.imagesofpolo.com

108 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

The Royal Salute Coronation Cup saw some pretty impressive displays this year, from an 8,000-year-old Neolithic bar, to excitement from the POLOLIVE TV poda as the live action was streamed with pitch-side pundits. Glamorous guests drank champagne, but of course the tipple of choice for the day was Royal Salute itself, accompanied by a delicious lunch in the Guards Members’ Enclosure. Strolling up and down the sidelines in the sun, we spotted representatives of every polo family in England, and quite a few from abroad too! Treading-in time was the perfect excuse to catch-up on everyone’s plans and enjoy the last big hurrah of the English high goal season in fine style, as we watched England win their third International Test Match.

Savanna Peetoom

Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger

The Harrods Green Man

Jade Ong

Singapore Sling

Harry Clifton

Chiara Varese

What? British Polo Day Singapore When? Saturday 31st October Where? Singapore Polo Club Why? To celebrate the best of British craft and heritage in Singapore’s jubilee year Wearing? Only couture would do Who? Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, Iqbal Jumabhoy, Ameerali Jumabhoy, Vinod Kumar, the Duke of Argyll, Jo Finch, Chiara Varese & the great and good of the Singaporean polo scene Keoma Zec, Katie Martin Sperry & Dave Burt @London) The British Polo Day series always put on an incredible spectacle, and a day at the glamorous Singapore Polo Club was no exception. Three exciting matches, two on horseback and one on two wheels entertained spectators, the last courtesy of the Brompton Bicycle Polo Exhibition match. As always, guests were treated to excellent hospitality, with a delicious sit down lunch and an afternoon tea by Shangri-La Hotel Singapore. The 13th Duke of Argyll, Torquhil Campbell, took the opportunity to toast the rival teams with delectable Royal Salute whisky, followed by a chance for a quick ice cream and game of croquet with the Harrods Green Man before watching both Singaporean and British teams depart the pitch with a win apiece in the afternoon’s two matches. Later, with a little help from DJ Randy Groover, guests at the CÉ LA VI bar raised a glass to the day’s sport, while models exhibited new pieces from Gnossem’s exclusive new label, CHI CHI VON TANG. A stylish end to a very British occasion.

Carol Sharpe

Lady Eliza Manners

Max Kirchhoff

Peter Prentice

Zara Wong

Call of the Wild What? British Polo Day Sumba Island When? Saturday 7th November Where? Nihiwatu, Sumba Island Why? To celebrate BPD’s inaugural Indonesian event Wearing? Bare feet – when on Sumba...

Who? James McBride, Peter Prentice, George Kappaz, Gerry Smurfit, Anastasia Ashley, Kathy Kendrick, Philip Lord, Nikita Sachdev, Dave Burt & local dignitaries Keoma Zec On the edge of the Sumbanese wilderness, Nihiwatu beach played host to the inaugural British Polo Day Sumba Island. Guests took part in the opening night’s White Party, which featured a bonfire and fireworks on Nihiwatu’s private beach and a cultural exchange with the Sumbanese warriors, including a thanksgiving ceremony for the spirits of the Island.

The next day, spectators gathered on the shoreline witnessed a historic moment as Bapak Herman scored the first ever polo goal on the island, ahead of the home team, Nihiwatu I, beating both the Hackett British Exiles and the Royal Salute’s Rest of the World team to secure The Pasola Plate.

Bapak Anggy was awarded the Royal Salute ‘Most Valuable Player’, before Sumba’s iconic sandalwood ponies lined up for evening races against the incredible backdrop of the Sumbanese sunset. The traditional Royal Salute toast was led by Peter Prentice, while the talented Rose Farquhar sang a beautiful rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’. An afterparty at The Creek proved a perfect chance for guests to celebrate the day’s successes, before dancing the night away on the Sumba sands.

Dave Burt

TEN TOP DIARY DATES

Snow Polo World Cup 29 – 31 January 2016 St. Moritz, Switzerland

Chris Hyde and Richard, the Earl of Tyrone battle it out at the St Moritz Snow Polo World Cup in January 2015

Marie-Claire Desax

The Argentine Open

The Arena Gold Cup

The Queen’s Cup

November 20 – 12 December 2015 Palermo, Buenos Aires Argentina

12 – 27 February 2016 The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club England

May 17 – 12 June 2016 Guards Polo Club England

Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series

The Bryan Morrison International Trophy

The Gold Cup for The British Open

January 22 – 15 April 2016 Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club UAE

5 March 2016 The All England Polo Club England

June 21 – 17 July 2016 Cowdray Park Polo Club England

New Zealand Polo Open

The US Open

The Coronation Cup

16 – 21 February 2016 Auckland Polo Club New Zealand

3 – 24 April 2016 International Polo Club Palm Beach America

TBC July 2016 Guards Polo Club England

Winter 2015/16 | The Polo Magazine | 111

Dog of the Month

Low res

Alfred Kidd British Bulldog OWNER: JODIE KIDD Age? 18 weeks Why the name? I just looked like an Alfred Any confessions? I’d have to own up to occasionally having a chew on my mummy’s Jimmy Choos Do you have a party trick? I can do a paw already!

What is your best feature? My wrinkles, obviously.

If you were likened to a celebrity, who would it be? Ray Winston, people say we share the same noble forehead.

Which is best, polo ball or tennis ball? Polo ball anyday!

What is the closest you’ve come to being sent to Battersea?

Battersea? What’s that? I’d NEVER be sent there, I’m a Good Boy. Have you made your mark on any famous people’s kit bags? Not yet, but I’m already planning for the future, I’ve got a few in mind...

112 | The Polo Magazine | Winter 2015/16

If you had one wish what would it be? To have a dog bed in every room in the house, beside a fire – bliss.

Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend? I’m only 18 weeks – steady on.

Muddy walk, or your human’s bed? My human’s bed. I’m very much a bed aficionado, as you might have already guessed.

Where would you be found in the winter, next to the Aga or out chasing rabbits? This will be my first winter, but I already know for sure that the AGA will outtrump muddy field action. Us bulldogs do basking not bunnies.

Who’s your favourite person? Mum. Without a question.

If you had to dress up who would you be? The late Queen Elizabeth I. I think I’d suit the ruff.

Who’s car at polo is best stocked for thieving? Henry Brett Any secrets about your owner you wish to divulge? Mum’s the word…

Enjoy Enjoy Royal Royal Salute Salute Responsibly Responsibly