Individual pages HR.pdf
19/1/10
13:23:17
10 EVENTS... Polo Invitation Day 2009 FLOREAT
By Zoe Bond (Former CCJS Staff & CCJS Parent)
My family and my own parents eagerly awaited the Cheltenham College 2009 polo day after purchasing our champagne reception tickets. And what a wonderful day it turned out to be. As parents of two Junior School pupils and a teacher at the school, we expected this to be our one and only opportunity to attend this much talked about day as we were relocating to Somerset. It had been difficult to attend before due to the day normally being in term time and therefore Saturday school; this year it was moved to half term and was very well attended by parents and friends of both the Junior and Senior School.
Photography by Alice Gipps and Andy Banks.
I fully recommend the champagne reception tickets; these enabled us to arrive early, set up our picnic table right on the playing field boundary, which was ideal for young children. We then wandered over to the stalls. Having never been to a polo day, I really did not know what to expect but was very pleasantly surprised. The stalls were full of high-quality delights ranging from delicious homemade fudge to jewellery, shoes, portraits, wonderful cashmere pashminas as well as all the traditional polo gear. The canapés were served in another marquee and we found our champagne (or orange juice) was attentively topped up. It was a great opportunity to mix with many parents we already knew from the junior school but also to meet senior school parents. We then received a welcome address by the Headmaster of the College, Mr. John Richardson, and then the rules of Polo were explained by Peter Morris. We were very fortunate it was a beautiful day.
Sadly, due to an outbreak of swine flu, Eton College were unable to attend though were able to send an Old Boys’ team. However, Marlborough College managed to put together a polo team at very short notice. The matches were amazing, much faster than I imagined and having our front seat position we were able to continue our picnic. The matches are split into 4 chukkas. Each chukka is timed to last 7 minutes, then a bell is rung, but the game goes on until the ball goes out of play, or for another 30 seconds when the bell is rung again. Ponies can play two chukkas with a rest of at least one chukka in between. My son’s highlight was at ‘half time’ when all spectators were asked to go onto the field to tread down the divots broken up from the horses. Afternoon tea was served between the two matches, with deliciously tempting cakes and biscuits and a refreshing cup of tea. Both teams played so well, even to the untrained eye, though Cheltenham College were deserving winners in both matches. Lady Bathurst presented the Cup and prizes to the players. From start to finish the day was very much enjoyed by the whole family - so much so that we hope to travel back next year especially for it. It was exciting, relaxing, very well organised and very much a family day.
11487_Floreat Magazine - Single-sided
- Press Sheet 10 - 26-Oct-2011 11:54:09 - Yellow Black Cyan Magenta
There were three types of tickets on offer: Champagne Reception, whereby you arrived a couple of hours before the polo and had the opportunity to browse the various stalls, and obviously have champagne and canapés; or you purchased tickets for matches and tea; or just for matches.
While we were enjoying our picnic the two polo teams assembled and were very happy for children and adults to ask questions and stroke the horses- my daughter’s favourite bit of the day!
19
20