Club Polo Nacional

The Montreal Polo Club, a precursor to Club Polo Nacional, was first organized in 1899 by several members of the Canadian Hunt Club. Iris Clendenning’s book entitled, “The History of the Montreal Polo Club 1900 - 1940”, published in 1987, carefully documents those early years, stating: “In the summer of 1899, they formed a pool for the purchase of ponies and other initial expenses and Mr. Simard imported a carload of polo ponies from the West, a few of them saddle broken, but most entirely wild.”

A field was prepared the following summer and practice commenced in 1901. During that same year, Montreal played the Toronto club and was soundly defeated. In 1907, three new members joined the club, all of whom had learned to play either in England or the West, and the skill level significantly improved. Although the club disbanded in 1910, several members joined the Back River Club, which had been formed in 1905 by another group of Montrealers including Hartland MacDougall, a highly regarded

Andreas Cup winners Will Schneider (Bl.D.PC), Pierre Verville, Elisabeth Halle, Alfredo Viel

Club Polo Nacional

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hockey player in the pre-NHL era and an honoured member of the Canada Sports Hall of Fame. Others in the group included Bartlett McLennan, A.E. and G.L. Ogilvie, George Hooper, and Hamilton Gault.

In 1920, the club changed its name to the Montreal Polo Club, however it disbanded at the beginning of World War II. Polo was revived in the Montreal area in 1980 when avid polo player Fred Choate of South Carolina was transferred to Montreal. After contacting Dr. Gilbert Hallé and reaching out to some local equestrians, the Lake of Two Mountains Polo Club was formed, and renamed the Montreal Polo Club in 1985.

Over the years the club grew, attracting not only local equestrians, but others who were interested in the sport, like Montreal Canadiens’ hockey stars Larry Robinson and Steve Shutt. In 2002, Don Pennycook, a member of the Montreal Polo Club, and Justin Fogarty of Ottawa, established Club Polo Nacional to encourage new, young members. The Montreal Polo Club subsequently disbanded and several of its members joined Club Polo Nacional. Some of those early members are still part of the club today, including Don Pennycook, Elisabeth Hallé, Jocelyne Groulx and Patrick Menegoz.

THE PLAYERS

Club Polo Nacional’s players are primarily from the Montreal and

Ottawa areas. Most years, the club has professional players who come for the season, or to give clinics. These include: Major Hugh Dawney, an acclaimed polo coach from the United Kingdom; Rege Ludwig, an acclaimed U.S. polo coach; Mark Gutierrez of the U.S.A; Justo del Carril, Pablo Falabella, Santos Perkins, Alfredo Viel, JeanJacques Humbert, all from Argentina; Martin Ingham of Australia; Dave Offen of Canada; and Fred Mannix Jr. also of Canada.

Since its inception (with the exception of 2020), the club has held a major fundraising tournament for a notable cause each year. For ten seasons, Polo for Cedars raised money for breast

The club’s season runs June through mid-September and games are played on three polo fields owned by Don and Carol Pennycook, and Gilbert and Elisabeth Hallé.

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1 Trophy presentation at ‘Polo avec Coeur’ 2 Don Pennycook 3 Stabling 4 Action at Polo avec Coeur 5 Fred H. Mannix playing at Club Polo Nacional

Club Polo Nacional

cancer, and more recently, Polo avec Cœur has raised money for heart arrhythmia research and treatment at the Montreal Heart Institute and the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre at Toronto General. Fred Mannix Jr., Canada’s highest rated player, has generously donated his time for several years to play in the tournament and offer a clinic to club members.

Many club members have travelled to play in tournaments in Toronto and the Northeastern circuit of the United States, while some play in Florida during the winter season. The passion for polo has taken members even further abroad to England, France, Ireland, Spain, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Barbados, Argentina, South Africa, Ghana, India, Pakistan and Australia.

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The club’s season runs June through mid-September and games are played on three polo fields owned by Don and Carol Pennycook, and Gilbert and Elisabeth Hallé. Aside from regular games and tournaments, the club offers lessons for beginner players. Social events, asados and barbeques are hosted by club members, providing ample opportunities for them to get together and enjoy each other’s company off the field. In addition to the club’s major charity event, Polo avec Cœur, the club has supported local community fundraising by presenting a polo match for events organized by towns in the area and the University of Montreal Veterinary college.

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1 Don on “Casa Serrada”, Jay Oland on “Fortuna”, Kevin Loiselle on “Tampita”, Carol on “Lucita” 2 Tents at ‘Polo avec Coeur’ 3 Poney Parade 4 Presentation at ‘Polo avec Coeur’ 5 Hawaiian party 6 Trophies at ‘Polo avec Coeur’ 7 Don and godson Andreas Guilbault 8 Asado after the games