PQ Spring 2018

SARAH STAFFORD The magazine for Players, Patrons and Polo Enthusiasts • ISSUE 1 2018

Young and old unite for Friends’ Polo

MYTHBUSTERS

BESPOKE FUTURE HEIRLOOMS

10 costly mistakes... ...and how to avoid them!

BY COMMISSION ONLY www.sarahstafford.co.uk

High goal: U.S . Open and Dubai Gold Cup Sarah Stafford Advert.indd 1

26/05/2017 09:09

INTERNATIONAL

POLO QUARTERLY The magazine for Players, Patrons and Polo Enthusiasts • SPRING 2018 £5

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Spring 2018 • PQ

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EDITORIAL The magazine for Players, Patrons and Polo Enthusiasts

Hats off to a smoother summer and some polo ‘good news’ stories It has finally stopped raining so (most) clubs are now

A tournament is due to take place in Argentina with a cap

open for business as I write. A late spring and a cold

on horse numbers as a direct result - that’s something PQ

winter have done horses and humans no favours - extra

spoke about in our previous issue and we look forward to

rations (read money) were needed to keep horses in good

catching up with Javier this summer.

shape over the winter, and fields have taken a battering

A return to fast, (more) affordable polo will surely

with mud and late grass growth. Still, summer beckons,

swell the ranks. Speaking of ranks, the HPA have rolled

the visa situation has eased and the new hat rule came

out their new direct membership platform.

into effect on the 1st January with (as yet) no pitch-side showdowns over sartorial silliness.

Hopefully this will enable better communication all round, and some community spirit!

Other new rules for the UK this season include no more throw-ins when the ball goes over the boards, and less blocking. Let’s hope this puts some of the speed back in the game. It is called the galloping game, after all.

Speaking of galloping, Javier Tanoira’s All Pro Polo League is going from strength to strength and is making

POLO QUARTERLY

INTERNATIONAL

waves, with 10 goalers seeing the benefits and possibilities.

Aurora Eastwood

Editor-in-chief: Aurora Eastwood (aurora@pqinternational.com) Executive editor: Chris Rosamond (chris@pqinternational.com) Advertising sales: Lucy Binns (lucybinns@bigapemedia.com ) Editorial enquiries +44 (0)1962 888569 Advertising enquiries +44 (0)1460 30151 Creative direction: www.paulharpin.com Designer: James Wildman (www.wildmandesign.co.uk) Polo Quarterly International is published by: Blue Pony Media, South Wonston Farm, SO21 3HL, UK Follow PQ at: www.facebook.com/pqinternational Thank you: for supporting PQ magazine!

Spring 2018 • PQ

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POLO QUARTERLY INTERNATIONAL

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KITTED OUT Check out our latest product picks

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TRAVEL Santorini sunsets

PQ PQ GALLERY POLO PICTURES Four of our favourite images – just as big as we can make them!

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PQ STUFF PQ KITBAG Stuff for ponies and riders 18 PQ STYLE Clothes maketh the statement 20 PQ PRIZES A Royal Salute for Horsemanship 20

PQ FEATURES 10 THINGS YOU’RE DOING WRONG...

And how to do it right 24

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SEA PRINCESS Life on the ocean wave

10 YEARS OF POLO IN THE PARK Promoter Rory Heron on the secrets of success 30 MULTI-TASKING Polo ponies really earning their oats!

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PQ TRAVEL

CALENDAR What, where and when?

SECRET SANTORINI Hilltop luxury for VIP tourists 48 SEA PRINCESS Charter your way to holiday happiness 50

PQ CARS JEEP WRANGLER Buckle up cowboys. (And cowgirls!)

54 SSANGYONG REXTON Korea kicks ass for a lot less cash 56

30

POLO IN THE PARK 10 years in the making

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE Because you don’t want rickets. Don’t ask…

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ON THE PITCH

WRANGLER An American icon

U.S. OPEN Cambiaso and Pieres thwarted!

62 U.A.E. ACTION Dubai’s Silver and Gold Cups 66 CLIQUOT, COUTURE & CHUKKAS Veuve Clicquot Masters Capetown 70 ARENA GOLD CUP Action from the Royal Berkshire 72 LADIES ARENA NATIONALS Action from Westcroft Arena 74 FRIENDS’ CUP Keeping it in the family 76

PQ TAILGATE AND THE LAST WORD GOES TO...

Greg Glue of Polo Splice fame 82

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ON THE PITCH Sit back and enjoy the action!

66 DUBAI HIGHLIGHTS Results and pics

Cover image: Anita Vollen

GALLERY

Celebrating 10 years of Polo in the Park Combining the ‘up close and personal’ action of arena polo with the speed and drama of open play, the 10th PITP takes place in June.

Photography: Sportgate International

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PQ • Spring 2018

Spring 2018 • PQ

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GALLERY

Parum que num, secum adist exerchita nobitatene de nis Parum que num, secum adist exerchita nobitatene de nis Parum que num, secum adist exerchita nobitatene de nis Parum que num, secum adist exerchita nobitatene de nis Parum que num, secum adist exerchita nobitatene de nis

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PQ • Spring 2018

ENGLAND VS U.S.A. TEST MATCH Hastily rearranged at short notice due to weather conditions, the arena equivalent of the Westchester Cup took place at Westcroft instead of Hickstead.

Photography: Images of Polo

Spring 2018 • PQ

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GALLERY

One man went to mow...

Setting the scene for the Cartier International Trophy in Dubai, a little red tractor applies the finishing touches to the green baize-like playing surface.

Photography: Images of Polo

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PQ • Spring 2018

Spring 2018 • PQ

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GALLERY

Parum que num, secum adist exerchita nobitatene de nis Parum que num, secum adist exerchita nobitatene de nis Parum que num, secum adist exerchita nobitatene de nis Parum que num, secum adist exerchita nobitatene de nis Parum que num, secum adist exerchita nobitatene de nis

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PQ • Spring 2018

10 goaler masterstroke Facundo Sola showing how to hit an open forehand with style while playing in the All Pro Polo League at Helvetia Polo Club, Sao Paulo.

Photography: Images of Polo

Spring 2018 • PQ

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P Q K I T BAG Husk have updated their thermoregulating boots this season. Keep your ponies’ tendons cool with the 3D Shield Air (as used by 10 goalers!) £65 per pair. www.thehusk.co.uk

Developed using the highest tech computer mapping, this breastplate from Fairfax will not hinder shoulder action. Let your horse move! £260 www.fairfaxsaddles.com

All the latest gear is here...

We polo players love denim - so get yourself a pair of Harry Hall’s latest offering with four way stretch and grippy bum for those, er, sticky moments? .£69 or £44.85 for Harry Hall One Club members. www.harryhall.co.uk

You may have heard all the research that points to our gut microbiome influencing our personality - E Calm works on the gut to calm the brain. www.ecalm.co.uk

Keeping you and the ponies fit...

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PQ • Spring 2018

British craftsmanship and high tech design? Yes please.

Especially when the brushes are as gorgeous as this. £400 www.renwickandsons.co.uk

Unisex country boots from Harry Hall - waterproof, breathable and affordable: £139 or £99 if you join the One Club www.harryhall.co.uk

Want to take a more natural approach to feeding? Pure Feeds are cereal free, alfalfa free but still provide the grunt you need for polo. From £14.85/bag www.purefeeds.co.uk

Aluminium stirrups reduce weight and these Pesaro stirrups also offer a wide footplate for better stability while hitting. £49.99 www.premierequine.co.uk

Trackener uses wearable tech to track every movement your horse makes: distance, temperature and heart rate. Go advanced for the polo season from £199 www.trackener.com

...and fetchingly turned out!

Spring 2018 • PQ

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PQ STYLE

Primp yourself for a pink gin polo picnic

The Electra Gold Sky and London Blue Topaz Bangle from Emily Mortimer Jewellery. £250 www.emilymortimer.co.uk

A smooth rayon and silk button-front velvet shirt adds effortless polish to your ensemble. £119 www.orvis.co.uk

No polo picnic would be complete without 100 servings of delicious Pinkster gin.

Yesh, hudnres of shervings, thash right... £135 from www.pinkstergin.com

The Moonlight Pines Jacket is an Orvis women’s original in soft, comfy cotton - with a hint of stretch for ease of movement. £149 www.orvis.co.uk

Add some fizz to springtime...

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PQ • Spring 2018

You’re a girl - you are also chilly and want to look good.

So slap this number over your shirt and be nice and warm and look hot. Toscana Biker Gilet in Brown, £295.00 also from www. hicksandbrown.com Beautifully crafted in silver, these Windsor Earrings are inspired by a traditional snaffle bit. £132 www.sylviakerrjewellery.com

Funky tweed fashion for all ages.

Isla Jacket & Heidi Skirt in Igloo Tweed. £335/£115 www.timothyfoxx.co.uk

Be dazzling in the bright hues of a luxurious Orvis cashmere Funky tweed fashion for all

turtleneck jumper. £119

ages. Isla Jacket/Heidi Skirt

www.orvis.co.uk

in Igloo Tweed. £335/£115 www.timothyfoxx.co.uk

With a beautiful brogue detail and Goodyear welted leather sole, these Cordonera boots are the business. £355 www. thespanishbootcompany.co.uk

Who doesn’t need a nickel wine cooler

Pack-an

in the shape of a polo hat? £65

Pack th

www.ladida-andover.com

water-r

waistco

adventu

Navy a

...with PQ’s fashion selections Spring 2018 • PQ

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www.o

PQ PRIZES

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PQ • Spring 2018

PQ Horsemanship

The

Prize 2018 We’ll be toasting more inspirational horsemanship this year – thanks to Royal Salute and Husk

Spring 2018 • PQ

Photography: www.imagesofpolo.com

T

he inaugural PQ Horsemanship prizes at Cirencester were very well received last year, and we’re delighted to be expanding the prize in 2018, kindly supported

by Royal Salute and Husk who will be providing impressive goodies for this year’s winners.

Former Cirencester manager Tim Keyte was hugely supportive in 2017, recognising with us that horsemanship is a key element to polo and that it needs to be rewarded – for the benefit of the game, as well as the ponies.

The first PQ Horsemanship prize at Cirencester was judged by Robert Graham, chief umpire, and went to Juan Martin Nero who is a 10 goal player with a wonderfully fluid riding style. The subsequent prize went to Nina Clarkin, also a superb rider who looks quiet on the horse but gets the most out of them.

This year we’re delighted to announce that Cowdray Polo Club has joined others in recognising the value of the PQ Horsemanship prize, and our first winner will be chosen from players contesting the 15 goal Cicero Cup at Cowdray on 28th May. Other clubs will also be participating through the 2018 season, so look out for further updates in PQ magazine and on our social media channels.

Oh, and the goodies? Our 2018 PQ Horsemanship prizewinners will each receive a fabulous bottle of Royal Salute 21 year old blended Scotch whiskey to help toast their triumph, and an item from the Husk thermoregulating horsewear range designed with comfort and welfare in mind. PQ

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PQ MYTH-BUSTERS

10 things you could be getting wrong…

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PQ • Spring 2018

‌and what to do to get them right!

Spring 2018 • PQ

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PQ MYTH-BUSTERS

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Turned out ponies sharing a Paddock Power tub

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Feeding starchy feeds...

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Not feeding enough fibre

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PQ predicts that within 10 years horse feed as we know it will have largely disappeared. There is more and more understanding that starch is the cause of many problems in horses - from behavioural issues to gut health.

Excessive starch not only contributes to ulcers but also upsets the delicate microbiome in the horse’s gut and this can lead to personality changes. More and more research is linking gut bacteria to personality and behaviour. Bodies (both human and equine) are a fine balance and by not listening to nature we can cause unintentional harm at worst. Fibre/oil based diets are better for the horse. Try Dengie or, if you have a horse sensitive to alfalfa, look at Pure Feeds.

Fibre is key to a horse’s diet. ‘Do not restrict forage intake to less than 15g per kilogram bodyweight per day dry matter,’ says Spillers Horse Feeds. ‘In practice this equates to approximately 18g of hay or 20-24g of haylage per kilogram of bodyweight per day in horses and ponies without access to grazing,’ Why? Because the digestive system has evolved on the basis of the horse grazing almost 20 hours per da and fibre in the stomach acts as a shield for the acids.

‘Allow access to forage or short chopped fibre before exercise to help maintain a fibre mat in the stomach,’ they say, as this helps prevent the stomach acid ‘splashing’ around and causing ulceration,’ says Spillers.

Let them eat cake! Sorry, hay.

PQ • Spring 2018

Tight girths, tight breastplates

Ah, the perennial problem - put the saddle on the shoulders because you need to get in position to hit the ball, but because the saddle isn’t designed to go there you tighten the girth as tight as it will go and anchor the whole lot in place with a snug breastplate. Sound familiar? The trouble is you are causing one problem by overgirthing (reducing speed), and another by having a too-tight breastplate (reducing the range of motion in the horse’s front legs).

A study by John Bowers, BVSc, MACVSc, and Ron F. Slocombe, BVSc, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACVP, Chair of Veterinary Pathology at the University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, found that most grooms in the Australian racing industry tighten the girths to a point that could have a detrimental effect on their charges’ performance. This study found that a tight girth (more than 10kg of pressure) cost nearly 20% of a horse’s performance on a long run.

A more recent study into breastplates found that they reduce the range of motion of the horse’s front limbs, reducing performance and leading to a cascade of problems in other parts of the body. Think about the combined detrimental effects on your pony of those two factors.

Solution: Place the saddle where it is designed to go, use well designed girths, and don’t overtighten.

Fix the breastplate higher up the saddle so it does not hamper the horse’s shoulder. Try the Fairfax anatomical breastplate.

Innovative combined cavesson with grackle

Jumping with no breastplate (top) allows greater freedom of movement

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Bandages overheat tendons

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Anatomical bridles bring benefits

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Ditch the ‘one size fits all’ approach to fitness

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Think outside the loose box

The science on this is unequivocal and the research has been around for a decade or more, yet the polo world has been slow to respond. Fleece bandages heat tendon fibres up to the point of cell death. This repeated damage (gradual degradation) can then cause a breakdown of the fibres to occur - and suddenly you have a pony that needs the season off at best. A veterinary study found that horses’ legs were on average 2 degrees Centigrade cooler with boots than bandages.

It’s time to believe in the science because, you know, it’s true! There are many air cooled boots on the market now – try Husk and Premier Equine.

Do you remember at school that there were some people who seemed to be naturally fit, and others who always struggled? Horses are the same, yet polo ponies in particular tend to be treated the same way regardless of how they may differ. There are many apps and gizmos that can be used to really evaluate your individual horses and tailor exercise programmes specifically for them.

Just doing something because everyone else does it or because your grandparents did it that way isn’t necessarily the way forward. Try heart rate monitors such as Polar, or the Trackener wearable device.

Unless you follow dressage or showjumping, you may not have noticed all the anatomical bridles out there.

We now know the problems caused by tight browbands, narrow headpieces and pressure from the buckles on the top joint of the jaw - and modern bridle design takes this into account.

Bridle discomfort causes a cascade of tension down the horse’s neck, into its back and over the quarters.

The knock-on effects are not to be underestimated. At best, a reduction in performance. At worst, lameness.

Stubben, Fairfax, Micklem and PS of Sweden all make ergonomic bridles now.

Horses are designed to be constantly moving, gently, and constantly grazing. By keeping them in boxes not only do we not allow the horse to exhibit natural behaviours, but we can cause problems both physically and mentally. Stabled horses have poorer gut health, suffer more from stiffness and muscle tension and often exhibit stereotypical behaviour such as box walking, weaving, crib biting and so on. Professor Jan Ladewig of Copenhagen University says domestication has not removed the basic social, physiological and psychological needs of the horse, and some management and living conditions fail to meet those needs.

The tide has turned in the rest of the horse world Spring 2018 • PQ

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PQ MYTH-BUSTERS If you must do it, David advises not doing it for long.

‘Maybe a few minutes work would be the maximum but if that is at constant high intensity that could be enough to negatively affect performance.’

Leading racehorse trainer Andrew Balding agrees: ‘We give the sprinters a bit of a blow about three days before a race but this is not a hard and fast rule and it is not routine. Some other trainers don’t do it at all. We won’t do that with the stayers though as we want them settled for their races.’

Bear in mind that the average polo pony covers approximately one mile during a chukka, which would put them in the category of a middle distance horse, not a sprinter.

What are the physiological effects of tiring the horse? According to a veterinary study in the USA the accumulations of lactate and resultant fall in cell pH have been demonstrated as factors affecting both energy production and excitation contraction in the muscle.

– top racehorse trainers, Olympic dressage riders, showjumpers and eventers now make sure their horses go out at least every day. One Olympian and top eventer turns all the horses out all night, and just brings them in during the day. No matter how valuable they may be. If you think they will get fat, just restrict how much grass they have access to. Worried they will get kicked? Use individual paddocks.

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Do you know what your bits are doing?

PQ went along to a bitting symposium run by Neue Schule, and it yielded some interesting information. It has long been accepted that a Dr Bristol mouthpiece (frequently used in gag bits) is more severe than a French link (ditto). However X-rays of the bits in horses mouths when rein tension is taken up (this is key) shows that in fact the reverse is true. The French link plate digs into the tongue when the reins are pulled, whereas the Dr Bristol plate lies flat. In addition, people often think that a jointed bit pokes the horse in the roof of the mouth due to the nutcracker action. Again, with the help of X-rays, what actually happens is that the tongue is squished down by a jointed bit. The roof of the mouth is entirely unaffected. If your horse does not like tongue pressure, do not use a jointed bit! Bomber and Neue Schule are leaders in this area. The Bomber Happy Tongue is much loved in the polo world.

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Giving your horse ‘air’ reduces performance

It is common practice in polo to ‘give the horses air’ the day before a game. This usually involves some galloping at speed and often some sharp stops and turns.

‘No human sprint or power athlete would do this,’ says Dr David Marlin, a scientist with a PHD and leader in the field of equine exercise physiology.

‘All it will do is lower muscle glycogen and possibly lead to muscle soreness. In human sport the general principle is to taper - less and less work duration, same intensity in the 7-10 days before competition. There is no physiological reason this practice would improve a horse and good evidence it will have a negative effect.’

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PQ • Spring 2018

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Withholding water

It is still common practice in some yards to withhold water from the ponies (in some cases up to 24 hours) before they play, and to then severely limit how much they can drink once they’ve finished. Hydration is vital - look at all elite sportsmen and women. Everyone from tennis players to runners to golfers... they are all drinking water before, during and after competition.

So why deprive your horse? Dehydration is dangerous, will accelerate fatigue and can cause far more serious problems. At best, you will reduce performance. At worst, the horse can collapse. There is no medical reason to limit how much water horses drink after strenuous exercise - they will self-regulate.

PQ

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Spring 2018 • PQ

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P Q I N T E RV I E W

Chestertons

Polo in the Park keeps on growing...

Chestertons Polo in the Park returns to Hurlingham in June and is a much-loved fixture at the start of the London season. PQ asked event supremo Rory Heron to explain the winning formula PQ How did you become involved with CPITP? RH I wish I could claim to have come up with the idea myself!

An old school friend devised the idea for Polo in the Park and approached me for event and sponsorship advice as I was working for the sports management agency IMG. I couldn’t help so much in year one, as I was busy running the UEFA Euro 2008 football championships, but I absolutely loved the idea of a summer season, lifestyle event with competitive polo at its heart in central London.

It was not a hard decision to come in and build the event from 2010 onwards.

I had enjoyed being a guest at polo tournaments around

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PQ • Spring 2018

the country before, but felt that a huge amount could be done to improve the spectator experience. It seemed to me that polo was one of the very few aspirational sports entertainment opportunities that had not been properly designed and marketed.

A lot of professional players came up to me in those early years and suggested how the format of polo could be improved, which was exciting to hear.

PQ Did you have a polo background?

RH I grew up on the south coast and became a professional sailor as an early career, so summers were spent a long way away from ponies of any description. While most sports crossed my desk at IMG, polo wasn’t one of them! Nine years in I am still learning, but enjoying the sport more and more.

we’ve focused heavily on family-friendly content.

PQ What are you most looking forward to this year?

RH I’m so excited about our international match this year between England and Ireland. Two teams full of characters who we can really introduce to our audience. One of polo’s issues is that the players are pretty much always hidden under a helmet, so I’m always really keen to get the players into the crowd so that people can meet these really good, young role models. HPA and events like Chestertons Polo in the Park need to work harder to bring these players to life and show what a great bunch they are. We have tweaked the layout and offering at the event this year, and there are a few extra surprises that we are not marketing but that we will spring on the crowd. Fever-Tree and Champagne Lanson have put a huge amount of effort into their ‘garden’ designs and we have a few new London restaurants to provide some really exceptional food.

Players all enjoy the format - especially winning!

PQ What has changed since you took the helm?

RH It has been satisfying to see Chestertons Polo in the Park grow and improve each year. In our office, all we try to do is focus on the overall ‘show’ – I think that our format of polo is about as good and competitive as we can get it.

One of the biggest changes is that when we first launched the grandstands were empty. Everyone was just in the bar or catching up with friends. Now people genuinely enjoy watching the polo and our grandstands are completely filled during the games. That is a real victory to me!

Meanwhile, our investment in a lovely champagne garden, cocktail gardens, outdoor nightclub, delicious food offerings, a kids’ club and shopping outlets means that a variety of people can enjoy a whole day at the event. We are also seeing London families filling up our Finals Day, so

PQ How has City Polo evolved since you started?

RH Our aim is to create exciting games that players really enjoy, whilst keeping it as simple and spectacular to watch

Field and arena polo attributes are on display

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P Q I N T E RV I E W

as possible. Since the early days we have shrunk the field by a third, as previously you couldn’t see what was going on from one end to the other. No wonder people would turn their back on the polo and get stuck into the champagne instead! You need to keep the audience engaged, because as soon as they lose interest in play and start chatting to friends, they are most likely lost to the rest of the game.

Despite its smaller size, the field is still long enough to give the ponies the chance to really get some pace up, which is obviously one of the thrills of watching polo.

We only have three ponies on each team and we play in an arena style with hoarding around the perimeter. It makes for a more fluid game with fewer breaks in play.

We now have a softer ball for safety reasons, with the field being that much smaller.

We don’t change ends after each goal, and we also have a circle around each goal. It’s to encourage people to take longer shots from distance, once again with the aim of exciting the crowd. If you shoot from outside the circle, you score two goals instead of one.

We also got rid of the throw-in at the beginning of the game. From a non-polo perspective, it just looks a bit messy and is not an exciting way to kick-off a match. Instead we have ‘the charge’ whereby we position the ball on the halfway line and do a countdown on our big screen, ending with the fastest pony on each team charging to get to the ball first. It is a spectacular way to get the crowd engaged from the off.

PQ Event teams are named after cities - not patrons?

RH We wanted recognisable teams that non-polo aficionados can support and follow. With the greatest respect to all of the magnificent patrons, most spectators

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POLO RIGHTS HOLDERS & VENUES NEED TO INVEST AND TAKE MORE RISK IF THEY WANT TO GROW couldn’t care who wins or loses unless they follow polo closely. We have teams representing cities from around the world, so that our audience can develop allegiances. Our London team gets a massive response every time they come onto the pitch. If spectators don’t care who wins or loses, the event loses its raison d’être as a competitive sporting fixture.

PQ Is there a core CPITP audience?

RH The CPITP audience is a real mix. We have the corporate London audience on the Friday, which we sell out each year and we have around 3,500 corporate guests over the weekend.

The general admission audience is divided by day.

Friday is aimed at people based in London, and we do an after 5pm ticket which encourages the after-work crowd.

Now that we host an international match on the Friday we also get a great deal of the polo world coming to watch, which is great. Certainly a change from our early days, when our new format of polo was perhaps less appreciated!

Saturday, our ladies day, is a really fun affair. We have a

full house of 11,000 guests, and it’s a great party! Then (much to my relief) on the Sunday we throttle back and we market heavily to families in London. The idea is to create a fabulous day out, with the morning put aside to family games and children’s entertainment. Our ‘Little Hooves’ Kids’ Club is full all day.

Our overall gender split is interesting as 68 per cent of our crowd is female. I think that it has become a fun, safe place to meet your friends, where you can really dress up and enjoy the start of the summer season.

PQ Have polo’s traditionalists been converted to the concept?

RH I hope so. It is fun, inclusive and is showcasing polo to a new audience who seem to really enjoy it. The players certainly enjoy playing in the event.

However, I have to admit that we don’t really market the event to polo traditionalists. The polo world is so small, that we would not be able to finance the event if we just worried about them. We have to offer a fun, fresh and competitive concept to a wider crowd. It is obvious that polo’s crowds have been dramatically shrinking, as events spend less on marketing and don’t perhaps focus on investing in the off-field experience. Our event needs to sell around 18,000 tickets just to break even. The polo world is just not big enough to make a difference.

My attitude is to welcome everyone in the polo world with open arms and allow them to enjoy our brand of polo, whilst we market to a very specific audience that is attractive to sponsors and that enjoys a festival of competitive polo, food, fashion and delicious cocktails! It is the ‘bright young things’ and corporate VIP clients that finance the UK summer season, not polo traditionalists, sadly.

In the same breath, I am proud that we have rebuilt the famous ‘Hurlingham number 1 polo field’ and I am really proud to have brought Hurlingham Club and Hurlingham Polo Association together again, culminating in our annual international match at Hurlingham Park.

Fans can get behind their favourite city teams

Crowds now pay much more attention to play PQ How receptive are ‘brands’ to your event?

RH Chestertons Polo in the Park has been a huge sponsorship success. It is certainly not easy though! If you draw a circle around Hurlingham Park, we cover an extraordinary local area demographic, but sponsors generally love the idea of polo and they want to engage with our audience. An attraction for our sponsors is that both men and women can attend and enjoy the spectacle, and it is a fabulous way to spend quality time with clients.

We sell out our sponsorship each year, but only because we work so hard to give value and to retain business yearon-year. The days of slapping up some branding and giving a client a table of ten are long gone. We do year-round marketing and networking with sponsors, and we work hard on our digital marketing and on engaging social media.

If I look at my diary for the next two months, we have a great array of events from an ‘Irish evening’ with La Martina, to ‘mummy blogger events’ at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London, to a CEO lunch for sponsors, to a McLaren Knightsbridge networking evening, and a host of parties that are themed around Chestertons Polo in the Park. Last year there were over 50 ‘Polo in the Park’ parties in restaurants, bars and clubs around West London – which I fully endorse, even if I don’t manage to make it to all of them!

PQ What can the wider polo world learn from your experience?

RH If polo and polo events really want to grow and to attract quality sponsors, they have to take more responsibility throughout the year and invest more in delivery of events and marketing. They need to employ dedicated sponsorship sales people (a tough expense to swallow) who can work all year round. Polo has huge aspirational and luxury brand value, with stunning venues.

However, the rights holders and venues need to invest and take more risk if they want to grow.

Spring 2018 • PQ

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Spring 2018 • PQ

81

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Spring 2018 • PQ

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PQ PONIES

Why make do with a one-trick pony?

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PQ • Spring 2018

They cost enough to own and run, so put them to work!

When PQ put out a shout for owners who use their ponies for more than just polo, we were overwhelmed by the response. We’ve picked six multi-skilled ponies who give their owners hours of fun away from the polo pitch – what can yours do?

Pony: Madeja Owner: Clare Macnamara Breed: Chilean Polo Pony Age: 20 (Owned by Clare for 5 years) ‘Madeja was originally imported from Chile

by Giles Ormerod of Druids Lodge,’ says Claire. ‘She came to me by accident, as a novice friend who had purchased her as a beginners pony was finding her a bit too hot to handle.

So to give the friend some confidence back I lent her my very easy Chilean pony and I borrowed Madeja for the weekend. Well we both fell in love with each other’s ponies and so we did a straight swap, the rest as they say is history. Madeja is a totally awesome pony, she plays all season three times a week and often double chukkering. Then she goes hunting and jumping in the autumn through to Christmas alongside playing arena polo two days a week as well. She absolutely loves work, is always game on for anything and is a complete carrot eating monster. She plays on grass and Paddock Power!’

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PQ PONIES

Pony: Mariposa Owner: Edward Keymer Breed: Argentine Polo Pony Age: 21 (owned by Edward for 17 years) Mariposa has had possibly the most varied life of any polo pony - winning BPP in PC polo and 8 goal, drawing a carriage for Edward’s daughter’s wedding (learning to do so in just six weeks), hunting with the Devon and Somerset Staghounds, the Rivecourt Staghounds in France, and draghunting with the Thurlow and Cambridge. ‘My daughter and grandson also love riding her,’ says Edward. ‘Over the years she has become more and more white.’

Pony: Esta Owner: Debbie Harris Breed: Dartmoor Age: 18 Bought for Debbie’s daughter Scarlett, Esta has taken to hunting with aplomb, this being the second season she has hunted.

Scarlett introduced Esta to polo last year through the New Forest Polo School, and she subsequently was awarded the BPP for the arena season at New Forest. ‘She will play Handley Cross this season, as well as the Junior Prince Philip Cup Team AND she also successfully competes in Working Hunter and is a demon cross country machine!’ says Debbie.

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Pony: Elf Owner: Oli Hipwood Breed: Homebred TB Age: 7 He was a tiny runty foal with bandy legs so was handed to Oli’s girlfriend Claire to break, train and strengthen up before starting polo. ‘We’re starting to work on elementary movements at home now and out competing at novice level dressage,’ says Claire. ‘Oli has played 2 winter arena seasons on him and low goal on grass, finishing off last summer doing his first 10 goal. He’s incredibly light in the mouth and very lateral and the sprint power is coming.’

Pony: Beano Owner: Clodagh Burke Breed: Irish sports pony Age: 13 Clodagh explains how the little 13.2hh Beano landed in her family: ‘Ryan Conroy brought him over from his mum’s riding school in Northern Ireland about three years ago and we bought him for Ava who was seven at the time. They’ve been learning polo together and Beano completely adjusts for his rider in every discipline and has done pony club camp, dressage, cross country, showjumping and polo with Ava.’

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PQ PONIES

Pony: Guinness Owner: Elspeth Talbot-Rice Breed: ISH/TB Age: 9 Elspeth bought Guinness as a project at the end of 2016. She improved every time out in 2017 and loves her jumping, her owner tells us. ‘She’s very willing and very easy - you could put anyone on her, whether to play polo or to ride or to jump (provided that they don’t mind heights!) and she’s very sweet to deal with on the ground. She is 15.1hh but has very long legs. We called her Guinness because she looks like an upside down pint of Guinness, with her 4 white socks.’

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Spring 2018 • PQ

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P Q T R AV E L

Carpe Diem in Santorini This hill-top sanctuary offers privacy and luxury for Greek sun-seekers

Superlative service...

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...and specctacular accomodation

S Come on in, the water’s lovely...

Santorini is renowned for spectacular sunsets

antorini, with its famous black volcanic beaches, is one of the most desirable and glamorous of Greek destinations, and is favoured by politicians and celebrities alike.

It’s one of the beautiful Cyclades islands, and curves around a giant lagoon formed in 1620 BC when a volcano erupted under the island leaving much of it under water. There’s still an active volcano within the Santorini caldera, but it’s a boat trip away from the main island and hasn’t done anything terrifying since the 1950s.

Santorini sunsets are spectacular though, and with 270 degree views from each of its 10 individual villas, the hilltop hotel known as Carpe Diem could be one of the best places to soak them up.

Carpe Diem is away from the touristy hustle and bustle but close to all the renowned sights, perched above the island’s highest village, Pyrgos. It won ‘World’s Best Honeymoon Hideaway’ in the 2017 Boutique Hotel Awards, and with a staff to guest ratio of 1:1 it offers a true VIP experience.

The ultra-private complex features 10 lavish suites, which are the largest on the island, and each with its own individual plunge pool. The hotel’s fine dining restaurant employs the services of renowned local chef Vasilis Zaharakis for the best in the island’s eclectic cuisine, while the Althea boutique spa has been specifically designed for couples seeking seclusion and romantic seclusion.

This outstanding luxury and unparalleled privacy has made Carpe Diem a favoured destination for CEOs, politicians, honeymooners and even royal families. You can find out more at www.carpediemsantorini.com

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P Q T R AV E L

Life (of luxury) on the ocean wave Princess Yacht Kohuba is 30 metres of holiday heaven

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Kohuba is perfectly appointed for entertaining

The owner’s stateroom provides spectacular views

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here’s something uniquely glamorous about holidays afloat, and the summer cruising grounds selected by the owner of the fabulous Princess 30M yacht Kohuba promise idyllic days and exciting nights.

The Amalfi coast, southern Italy, Corsica, Sardinia and the French and Italian Rivieras are all on the itinerary. ‘That’s nice,’ we hear you say, ‘but so what?’

So, dear reader, it could be you, your family and your friends enjoying a watery idyll in one of the most luxurious craft to have been launched in British waters in recent years. Because the two-year old Kohuba is available for private hire through Princess Charter at a cost of €85,000 per week. The vessel will accommodate 10 guests in 5 double cabins (two of which convert to twins), while a crew of 5 promise a five-star luxury experience whether at sea or in any of the port destinations or anchorages en-route during your cruise.

A fourteen-day charter should give you a chance to get into the swing of life onboard, and we predict you’ll rapidly de-stress while Kohuba transports you between such storied locations as Capri, Positano, Amalfi, Aeloian islands, Cefalu Palermo and Marsala.

Shorter itineraries are available too, but with so much sightseeing and culture to soak-up, you’ll have to plan your days carefully to make sure you enjoy the wealth of onboard delights.

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P Q T R AV E L

Enjoy a full itinerary of sightseeing...

Kohuba boasts an array of toys including a 4.5m jetpowered tender, a Yamaha jetski, a trio of submersible Seabobs, a waterslide, wakeboards and skis, as well as the essential snorkeling gear.

When it’s time to relax, Kohuba’s cossetting designer interior is perfectly configured for both formal and social occasions. The main saloon features a balcony that unfolds over the water at the touch of a button, providing the perfect spot to enjoy a sundowner. The top deck – or flybridge – is a vast, inviting area with loungers, sofas, a dining area and a wet bar. A big TV screen rises up from the helm area to create an outdoor cinema, and the crew will even fill up the spa bath if you want to luxuriate under the stars while at anchor.

The spacious master suite is forward on the main deck, and features a huge skylight above the bed, and large penthouse style windows giving fabulous views. Other guests are accommodated in four surprisingly spacious cabins with large picture windows on the lower deck, two of which feature a double bed that splits into twins at the push of a button. All cabins are en-suite as you would expect.

Kohuba’s glossy blue hull and white superstructure are designed to turn heads too, as befits a yacht from Princess’s flagship M range. Her performance at sea is impressive, thanks to a pair of MTU diesels with 2,600bhp each, and a fully stabilised hull promising great sea-keeping. She’s rated for 27 knots, but cruises most efficiently at around 20 knots – plenty fast enough for some serious winding down!

Want to find out more? Search online for Princess Yacht Charter. PQ

...and the excitement of new harbours

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P Q CA R S

All-American

Hero

T

he right to bear arms gets all the headlines, but there’s a little known addendum to the US Constitution’s Second Amendment. It defends the rights of citizens to line dance wearing cowboy boots with spangled denim (or ‘Daisy Dukes’ if you’ve the legs for it), and to drive a Jeep Wrangler.

We Brits lost our home-grown off-road icon when Land Rover axed the Defender 4x4. There’s a replacement on the way based on the latest Discovery platform, but all reports suggest it’s going to be a slick, modern, and high-tech premium offering. We’ll probably be impressed, but it won’t tweak our heartstrings like the old one.

In contrast the Jeep Wrangler remains an authentic American icon that traces its roots all the way back to World War 2 and the original Willys Jeep, and it’s still going strong today.

So strong, that a brand new model goes on sale in the

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UK later this year. Jeep may now be owned by Fiat Chrysler Automotive, but FCA boss Sergio Marchionne would find himself further down the White House Christmas card list than Kim Jong-Un if he dared meddle with the winning Wrangler formula.

So the new model retains all the original’s iconic character, and most of its ‘essential’ features including a body bolted to a traditional separate chassis, the fold-flat windscreen, and removable doors and roof – even on the extended wheelbase four door version with its more family-friendly accommodation. It’s already been greeted with rave reviews in the US where it’s recently gone on sale.

We could have waited to try the new one later this year, which would have been sensible for plenty of reasons. As well as retaining all the current Wrangler’s iconic style and heritage, and its rugged hose-out utility, the car has been reworked from nose to tail to radically improve comfort, efficiency, and userfriendliness.

JEEP WRANGLER PRICE: £36,740 - £42,750 ENGINE: 3.6 V6 petrol/2.8CRD 0-60MPH: 8.1secs/12.9secs MAX SPEED: 112mph/107mph

A practical ‘hose out’ interior is a Wrangler feature

Icons come and icons go, but the indomitable Jeep Wrangler has staying power A new Wrangler arrives later this year (below) But it’s no fun waiting for anything, so we bagged a current four door model from the manufacturer in vibrant red and the ‘most-rugged’ Rubicon spec to see if a Jeep really can fill the emotional hole left by the Defender.

You can pick a diesel if you want, but ours had a beefy 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine and auto transmission under the hood, and with it the Wrangler is much more of a hot-rod than the Defender ever was. The ride and handling is a little unsophisticated, but it’s comfy on the road and if you’ve ever bounced around in an old Land Rover you’ll probably be impressed. The new model promises much better refinement too, but whoever really bought an icon for practical reasons?

That said, you can take a Wrangler anywhere your old Defender went, and there’s plenty of room in the back for horse feed and polo gear. And so what if it isn’t the most practical SUV around? It’s definitely one of the coolest your kids will love it, and you’ll feel pretty darn tootin’ too!

Chris Rosamond Spring 2018 • PQ

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P Q CA R S

The year of the (Double))

Dragon?

Ssangyong scores off-road and on with its swanky new Rexton

T

he name Ssangyong translates as ‘Double Dragon’, but that hasn’t stopped the Korean brand daring to make inroads into the adopted home of St George.

The bread and butter models are a pair of family-friendly SUV/crossovers called the Tivoli and the Korando, but we’re much more interested in the new swanky flagship SUV – the Rexton.

Ssangyong has hailed its latest generation Rexton for ‘major advances in style, quality, safety and technology’, and there’s no doubt it’s a big handsome car with an impressive haul of standard kit. The price is eye-catching too, especially if you want to tow. (Try finding anything else you can hitch 3,500 tonnes to for under £30k. Hint - you won’t.)

We tried the range-topping Ultimate model which costs over £38k, but comes with an array of premium safety, infotainment and safety features you’d expect to find in a luxury competitor costing double that. It’s no wonder Ssangyong is targeting the notoriously, er, ‘thrifty’ horsey set, having recently announced sponsorship of the Blenheim International Horse Trials.

In spite of its swishy looks, and unlike most of its more road-focused competitors, the Rexton is built on a

traditional – and very rugged – ladder frame. That means it’s heavy, so doesn’t handle like a sports car on tarmac, but with low ratio selectable 4x4 it goes off-road like a champ.

4x4 Magazine has just awarded the Rexton its top 4x4 Of The Year award, in case you don’t believe us. On road, it feels hefty, secure and comfortable, and is easy to drive in spite of its size.

The Rexton has a 2.2-litre diesel engine which musters plenty of pulling power, and you can choose seven seats too.

(We’d probably take a five-seater and make the most of a cavernous 800-litre boot you could lose a month’s supply of feed in.)

Our Ultimate spec Rexton test car came with a 9.2inch touchscreen, 8-way electric seats in soft Nappa leather, 20-inch alloy wheels, surround-view cameras, and an array of safety kit including autonomous braking, traffic sign recognition, collision warning, plus lane-departure and rear cross-traffic alerts. Not to mention 9 airbags.

We found it super comfortable, with a genuinely luxurious feel. With a five-year warranty and the potential for decent used values, it stacks up very well against the ‘nearly new’ Toyota Land Cruiser or Mitsubishi Shogun you might be contemplating instead.

Chris Rosamond

The Rexton has an air of luxurious quality...

...and the cabin ambience is upmarket too

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SSANGYONG REXTON ULTIMATE PRICE: £37,500 ENGINE: 2.2 diesel 0-60MPH: 11.9secs MAX SPEED: 115mph

The cavernous boot will dwarf your polo kit

All the toys you’d expect from a luxury flagship Spring 2018 • PQ

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P Q CA R S

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE CONVERTIBLE PRICE: £47,650 - £53,085 ENGINE: 2.0 petrol or diesel 0-62MPH: 8.1secs - 10.3secs MAX SPEED: 121mph - 135mph

Rag-top rodeo Fair weather or foul, PQ goes the extra mile

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The Evoque Convertible with its top off

E

ngland is a country with nine months of winter followed by three months of bad weather. As of March (when this article was penned, Ed) the driest week since July last year was at the end of February this year. It only rained twice that week. Since then, we have been rained on, snowed on, and then more recently, the tap has been left on. The big non-binary gender-neutral person in the sky has a bath that has overflowed and the whole country is a squelchy sodden mess. England is, in short, the absolute worst place in the world in which to have a convertible car. The worst.

Even colder countries have more sun than us. Pluto gets more sun than us. And yet, the UK is the second most popular country in Europe for convertible cars. This must be why Land Rover decided to make a drop-top Evoque.

Given the off-road heritage (and capabilities) of the badge, at least the Evoque can get you where you want to go no matter how potholed (that’s us), rutted (also us) and muddy (yes, still us) your roads/farm tracks/drive may be.

If, and it is a BIG IF, the sun comes out, you can make the most of the few nanoseconds of vitamin D, as the roof comes down really rather quickly. Oh dear, it’s chucking it down again - no probs, the roof goes back up equally as fast.

And you can do it on the fly.

It feels all solid and comfortable and expensive. It’s quick too, like a nicely schooled polo pony. It’s got nifty features, like various options for self-parking for all the millennials, and surround-cameras that mean you don’t even need to bother turning your head to look behind you (disclaimer - please DO turn your head) when driving!

You can get two child seats in the back (at this stage of my life this sh*t matters), even an i-size rear facing one.

Although as I discovered, my rear-facing daughter was a bit annoyed at the wind in her face. This was disappointing, as I thought I was raising her to have more grit. There is still time though, as she is only two. To be fair, it was about 4-degrees Centigrade the entire time we had the car, so the plaintive cries of ‘I’m cold, Mummy’ were justified.

I wasn’t cold. I was in the front. It was lovely and warm in the front. I recommend being in the front if the roof is down and it is 4C outside.

It is still raining as I type. I am pale and wan. I can feel my bones crumbling to dust. Buy the Evoque convertible because it will stop you getting rickets.

Aurora Eastwood Spring 2018 • PQ

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ON THE PITCH

U.S. Open is a real thriller Cambiaso/Pieres thwarted by Daily Racing Form

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ix teams were vying for honours in the 26 goal U.S. Open in April, but Valiente entered the contest as hot favourites complete with the services of two of the world’s most prominent players – Adolfo Cambiaso and Facundo Pieres.

Undefeated in the U.S. season, it seemed likely that Valiente would also cruise to victory in the country’s most prestigious tournament, but the Daily Racing Form heroes who met them in the final hadn’t read the memo.

Daily Racing Form stole the win from under Valiente’s nose, thanks to terrific teamwork, unerring focus, and five goals scored by their secret weapon Hilario Ulloa in a match they won by 10 goals to 9.

Valiente started well, thanks to two goals scored by Facundo Pieres – top goal scorer of the tournament – and Bob Jornayvaz’s team were 2-1 ahead after the first chukka.

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DRF fought back in the second, which ended 3-3 with goals

by Nino Obregon and Hilario Ulloa.

The third chukka set the scene for what was to come.

Ulloa showed his worth by scoring twice for his team, giving DRF a two goal lead. Adolfo Cambiaso, who was a 2017 U.S. Open Champion, scored one back but Jared Zenni’s team ended the third chukka a goal up.

Daily Racing did not give ground in the fourth and fifth, and when it looked as if they would start the sixth level on 8 goals each, Mariano Obregon scored another.

In the final stages of the game, Valiente failed to take their chances, and Jared Zenni scored the most significant goal of his career to date.

As the seconds ticked away, Facundo Pieres worked hard to redress the balance, but the clock beat his efforts and Daily Racing Form achieved a famous of victory that will likely be talked about for years.

D A I LY R A C I N G F O R M 1 0 v s 1 3 VA L I E N T E

The International Polo Club in Wellington, Florida, hosts a momentous final

TEAMS: Daily Racing Form: AgustĂ­n Obregon (5), Mariano Obregon (6), Hilario Ulloa (10), Jared Zenni (5) Total: 26 Valiente: Bob Jornayvaz (2), Tommy Beresford (4), Facundo Pieres (10), Adolfo Cambiaso (10) Total: 26 MVP: Jared Zenni.

BPP: Sally, played by Mariano Obregon.

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US OPEN

Eyes on the prize: Everyone focussed as Facu keeps the pressure on

You don’t need to be flexible to play polo - but it helps

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Long arms don’t mean you won’t get hooked...

A neck shot in textbook style

Impassioned play made for an unforgettable final Spring 2018 • PQ

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ON THE PITCH

A hard-fought battle with a close result

Jubilant scenees...

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...and plenty of silverware

Z E DA N 9

vs 8.5 BIN DRAI

McLaren Silver Cup

Zedan clinch the opening trophy of the Dubai Gold Cup Series

Z

edan Polo was triumphant in the 2018 McLaren Silver Cup final, seeing off five other teams to raise the trophy after a hard-fought battle with runners-up Bin Drai.

The match followed hot on the heels of the Hildon Cup trophy, in which Habtoor Polo Team defeated UAE Polo by 11 goals to 8. The top scorers in that game were Bautista Ortiz de Urbina for Habtoor, and Polito Pieres for UAE who knocked in 5 goals apiece.

Zedan’s victory in the McLaren Silver Cup was a closerun affair, and the game could have gone either way. It took a fantastic last gasp effort by 10 goal superstar Pablo Mac Donough to clinch the win, with a penalty scored from 30 yards out.

FINAL SCORE: Zedan 9 Bin Drai 8.5 MVP: Raúl Laplacette BPP: Cruzeiro (Laplacette) Zedan: Amr Zedan (0), Tomas Panelo (3), Martin Gandara (5), Pablo Mac Donough (10) Total: 18 Bin Drai: Rashid Bin Drai (1), Andrés Laplacette (4), Matías Torres Zavaleta (7), Rauli Laplacette (6) Total: 18.

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ON THE PITCH

Amongst the glitz and glamour, patron Rashid Bin Drai made up for previous Gold Cup disappointment

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BIN DRAI

13

vs 9 ABU DHABI

Julius Baer Dubai Gold Cup Team Bin Drai step up for the big game

B

in Drai won the Julius Baer Gold Cup 2018 after defeating Abu Dhabi in the final by 13 goals to 9, in a great day of sport at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club.

After losing the final of the McLaren Cup against Zedan, the team comprising patron Rashid Bin Drai, Andrés Laplacette, Matías Torres Zavaleta and Raúl Laplacette was stronger in the Gold Cup and achieved a just reward. Bin Drai showed their intentions from the first minute, knowing they couldn´t waste another opportunity after losing a couple of finals in previous years, and played their best game of the season. Teamwork and concentration from the first minute until the very end assured their victory.

Andrés Laplacette was named the Most Valuable Player of the final and Cruzeiro (played by Raúl Laplacette in the

1st and 4th chukka) the Best Playing Pony. Cruzeiro was also the BPP of the McLaren Silver Cup 2018.

Desert Palm lifted the Bentley Cup after defeating Habtoor Polo by 7 goals to 5 in the final.

FINAL SCORE: Bin Drai 12 Abu Dhabi 9 MVP: Andrés Laplacette BPP: Cruzeiro (Raúl Laplacette) Bin Drai: Rashid Bin Drai (1), Andrés Laplacette (4), Matías Torres Zavaleta (7), Rauli Laplacette (6) Total: 18 Abu Dhabi: Faris Al Yabhouni (0), Alfredo Cappella (8), Santiago Cernadas (6), Santiago Gómez Romero (3) Total: 18

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THE 2018 VEUVE CLICQUOT MASTERS POLO CAPE TOWN

CLICQUOT, COUTURE

AND CHUKKAS

A

lmost 2,500 of the African continent’s most stylish guests descended on the scenic Val De Vie Estate for the sold out 8th annual Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo Cape Town in March.

The exquisite Val de Vie Estate in the Paarl-Franschhoek Valley was the perfect setting for guests embarking on their #ClicquotintheSun journey in style. As one of only a few Veuve Clicquot polo events around the world, a variety of luxurious experiences and photo moments were the order of the day for VIP guests as they arrived to a paparazzi of photographers and media on the ‘green’ carpet.

The talented local and international players captivated and entertained fans with the curtain-raiser game, where Team Jaeger-LeCoultre dominated with a 6.5 to 1 victory against Eva-last. The main match featured top South African national players Tom de Bruin, Leroux Hendriks and Jabulani Khanyile. With a burst of energy in the last

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minute, Team Vodacom took the main match against Team Veuve Clicquot with a final score of 10 to 9. On the day, Aki van Andel was named the Most Valuable Player and Milo, owned and played by Shaun Brokensha, was recognised as the day’s Best Playing Pony.

The ‘Sport of Kings’ has grown beyond expectation in South Africa, attracting discerning guests from near and far. The VIP guest list included some of the continent’s – and indeed the world’s –best-known personalities, such as Tony award-winning actress Anika Noni Rose, Sincerely Ward, of WAGS of Atlanta-fame, Angolan singer Perola Pearl, local media icon, Carol Bouwer, and a variety of local entertainment stars.

After an action-packed day of polo, the event ended with a surprise moment where guests got to celebrate Veuve Clicquot’s 200 Year Anniversary of Rosé with a 6-tier pink and silver custom-designed cake. DJ Lloyd played out the night at the after-party, as the sun set behind the exquisite Simonsberg Mountains.

ON THE PITCH

The 8th annual Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo Cape Town

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ON THE PITCH

Max Charlton gives no quarter in a battle for the ball

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SAPA MHF DOCKLANDS 18 v s 15 REGAL WARRIORS

Arena Gold Cup 2018 SAPA MHF Docklands clinch victory at the Royal Berkshire

Raph Singh does matchy-matchy

A

Keep your head when all about are losing theirs...

cold front from Siberia couldn’t take the heat out of a hard fought contest for the 2018 Arena Gold Cup at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club back in February.

Regal Warriors entered the fray with a strong run behind them in the tournament, having lost only one game and by a slim margin. The final seemed to be going the same way too, with Regal Warriors taking the lead in the first chukka – 4 goals to 3. It was even-Stevens at half time – 5 goals apiece – but at the end of the third chukka Regal Warriors were back in the lead, 11 goals to 10.

The game caught fire in the fourth and final chukka. A flurry of work from Regal Warriors took the score to 15-12 early on, but any thoughts of impending victory were dashed by an electrifying performance from SAPA MHF Docklands’ Ed Banner-Eve. He whacked in an impressive 5 goals in the final chukka, and with another goal provided by brother Alec, it was 18-15 to SAPA – their second Arena Gold Cup triumph on the trot.

The Ladies British Arena Open also played out to its climax on Arena Gold Cup day, with Glitterati Polo taking on Tally Ho Farm in a match ending 16-12 to Glitterati.

FINAL SCORE: Arena Gold Cup SAPA MHF Docklands 18 Regal Warriors 15 MVP: Ed Banner-Eve BPP: Zorro (Grant Collett) SAPA MHF Docklands: Alec Banner-Eve (4), Ed Banner-Eve (5), Harold Hodges (6) Total 15 Regal Warriors: Raph Singh (2), Grant Collett (4), Max Charlton (9) Total 15

FINAL SCORE: Ladies British Arena Open Final Glitterati Polo 16 Tally Ho Farm 12 MVP: Kirsty Craig BPP: Wren (Rosie Ross) Gliteratti Polo: Kirsty Craig (2), Rosie Ross (3), Kirsty Otamendi (1) Total 6 Tally Ho Farm: Charlotte Christodoulou (1), Nell Jacob (2), Heloise Wilson-Smith (3) Total 6

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ON THE PITCH

Westcroft Ladies Arena National Championships

Allegria and Nephalim take the honours in the 2 and 6 goal finals Winning team Allegria with Westcroft manager Richard Blake Thomas

I

n the latest iteration of the Ladies Arena National Championships at Westcroft, it was the Heloise Wilson-Smith captained team Allegria who beat an ever industrious Sarah Wiseman and her FCT team. Sarah couldn’t have worked any harder throughout the 2 goal final, but Heloise’s Brazilian dun pony Joaquina proved pivotal in the 3rd and Allegria sealed the victory by three goals, 14-11.

It was not to be a double for Wilson-Smith in the 6 goal final though, as a lack of cohesion with Rosie Ross meant that the Wiseman and Sweeney combo was too much. Fiona Reilly and Georgia Sweeney worked brilliantly with Sarah, but the game went down to the wire, ending with the always nervewracking penalty shootout - two rounds of them to boot.

The game was finally decided by an unerring 25-yarder from Sarah and the 6 goal victory went to Nephilim.

TEAMS: Allegria 1 Tatiana Menshenina (-1), 2 Anna Menshenina (0), 3 Heloise Wilson-Smith (3) Total 2 FCT 1 Rihanna Carlsson (-1), 2 Antonia Carlsson -(1), 3 Sarah Wiseman (4) Total 2 Nephilim 1 Fiona Reilly (1), 2 Georgia Sweeney (1), 3 Sarah Wiseman (4) Total 6 Bare Necessities 1. Claire Graham (0), 2 Heloise Wilson- Smith (3), 3 Rosie Ross (3) Total 6 BPP: Fiesta (Rosie Ross) MVP: Antonia Carlsson

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ON THE PITCH Beltran Laulhe and Leon Schwenke

Lucas Rivas and Artemio Figueras

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Friends’ Polo

mixes it up again Families and friends play together at San Jose Polo Club

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his friendly tournament, now in its fifth year, stands out for being one of the most inclusive in the polo world.

It invites the participation of men and women of all ages and playing abilities, and this year saw six teams in competition.

Handicaps were not considered, as the focus of the event was to have fun among friends and family – there isn’t a winning side either. Players as young as eight (León Donoso and Pedro Chavanne) played alongside their experienced parents.

‘It’s a lot of fun having six family based teams, with women and children,’ says Jose Donoso, founder of Friends’ Polo.

‘Everyone played with a positive attitude and with a good concept of open polo. The fields were in great condition, which meant that everybody was able to hit the ball, learn, and have fun. The opportunity we give fathers and mothers to play with their children is priceless, it is something that completely and uniquely represents Friends’ Polo.’

‘The best part of Friends’ Polo is that it is not about winning or losing, but about sharing the experience of such a sport as special as polo,’ explains Nacho Figueras, who played in a team alongside his wife, son and daughter. ‘I think that everybody who plays polo knows that the best thing about it is being able to share your passion for horses and for the sport with your whole family.’

Sofia Rivas playing for La Maroma

FINAL SCORE:

More of the La Maroma crew

Friends’ Polo Teams: V8: Pedro Chavanne, Lorenzo Chavanne, Francesca Moretti, Santiago Chavanne La Maroma: Valentino Moretti, Lucas Rivas, Sofia Rivas, José Rivas La Oma: Rufo Laulhe, Beltran Laulhe, Benja Balzano, Gastón Laulhe Yatay: Artemio Figueras, Aurora Figueras, Delfina Blaquier, Nacho Figueras Palo Santo: Juan Cruz Guiñazú, Bianca Pagano, León Schwenke, Gastón Guiñazú Friends’ Polo: León Donoso, Salva Pagano, Elina Blaquier, José Donoso

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TA I L G A T E

We grab a slice of Polo Splice boss

Greg Glue Now try saying that quickly…

E

xperts will tell you two things are needed to win at polo. Something to chase the ball with, and something to whack it with once you’ve caught up with it.

Ponies are straightforward enough, but there’s a definite air of mystery around

the polo mallet.

Greg Glue of Polo Splice is a master of the dark art, having been repairing mallets since the 1980s, and making new ones for the best part of 20 years. His clients range from top pros to rank amateurs, and he takes pride in sourcing perfect sticks for all – from sturdy novice mallets to the whippy weapons wielded by the pros.

PQ. How many polo mallets does Polo Splice make?

GG. Around 2,000 a year. All our canes are individually selected, which means I personally inspect around 10,000 canes on an annual trip to Malaysia. I have only a few seconds to look at each one, assessing them for size, weight, flex, and overall quality. The heads are Tiga hardwood, grown in northern Argentina and pre-shaped in a range of sizes and weights, and we import around 5,000 a year.

We need that many for the other side of business, which is repairing between 5 and 6,000 broken sticks every year.

PQ. That’s a lot!

GG. A pro at the very top of the game might use 100 sticks a year, while 6 to 7 goalers will use 25 to 30. Even players at the bottom probably have 10 or so. On top of that we have

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anything up to 250 sticks in the workshop for repair at a time, and we’re literally taking sticks in and posting repairs back to customers every day. Scott and Dan have been with me in the workshop for 20 and 10 years respectively, so we’re pretty good at it.

PQ. Who are your best customers?

GG. In the old days the top pros would come in and look at the canes, and get a feel for them with a balance weight before we made them up. You barely see the current generation of pros between games these days – they all rush back to their Xboxes and send in their ‘pilots’ instead, who need everything done at top speed.

The worst customers are the ones who don’t understand that a new polo stick can last a year, a month or a day. It’s a piece of wood that you get wet, beat the hell out of, and it is always going to break. Luckily they can almost always be repaired.

PQ. What makes a polo stick ‘special’?

GG. There’s a perfect weight and flex for everyone, but a lot is in the player’s head. Or people look at what the Argentinians are doing and suddenly want the same – it’s like fashion, and the ‘perfect stick’ changes year to year.

Then you’ve got the players who are really attached to their sticks, who put so much money into repeated repairs that over time they could have bought five new ones. It’s like Trigger’s broom – they’ve played with the same stick for 20 years, but only 5 inches in the middle is original!

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SARAH STAFFORD The magazine for Players, Patrons and Polo Enthusiasts • ISSUE 1 2018

Young and old unite for Friends’ Polo

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