ISSUE 195

Hundred + 95th Edition

The BATTLE of the BEST

The Rajnigandha Achievers claimed victory in the Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup, bringing the Jodhpur polo season to a close.

International polo matches to watch out

The new year will bring a slew of new tournaments, matches, and dynamic player insights. Every year brings a new challenge to improve and bridge the gap between sports and people.

Landmarks Of Brilliance

La Polo takes a bird’s eye view of some historical marvels and contemporary projects that show the evolved Indian design thinking.

Importance of Horseshoes

What sound comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘horse’? It’s the taps! Do you wonder why are they so loud? It is because of the iron construction that is affixed to the horses’ feet--the horseshoes.

LA Polo extends heartfelt greetings and best wishes to HH Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur on the celebration of his 75th birthday and the years of his esteemed legacy

INTERNATIONAL POLO MATCHES TO WATCH OUT

The new year will bring a slew of new tournaments, matches, and dynamic player insights. Every year brings a new challenge to improve and bridge the gap between sports and people.

The new year will bring a slew of new tournaments, matches, and dynamic player insights. Every year brings a new challenge to improve and bridge the gap between sports and people.

Polo press coverage has increased dramatically in recent years, propelling the

sport to new heights. The players are the epitome of this change; their contribution to elevating the sport cannot be overstated.

SNOW POLO WORLD CUP 2023

Azerbaijani team won the Snow Polo World Cup for 2022, an engaging match between the rangers held in

the midst of angelic background as if showcasing a godly war in the sky. The 38th edition of the Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz, 2023 will be held on the frozen lake of St Mortiz from January 27 to 29, 2023, which is something that should not be missed.

NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL POLO SERIES

The Newport International series will return for its 32nd season on August 5, 2023. The tournament has its own endearing polo history in America, with the inaugural tournament taking place in August 1886 at the Westchester Polo Club in Newport, where the International polo cup was held. Moving forward in time, the season’s matches continue to hold a special place in the hearts of polo fans and are should not be missed by polo aficionados.

The 32nd edition of the tournament has hosted teams from all over the globe, across

35 nations, including Ireland, Germany, Spain, England, Argentina, France, Egypt, India, Australia, Costa Rica, Ghana, Canada, Chile, Jamaica, Nigeria, Portugal, New Zealand, Barbados,

2023 GAUNTLET OF POLO CV WHITNEY CUP (18-22 GOAL)

One of America’s premier cups, this will return with a variety of tournaments. Starting off the prequel, the CV Whitney Cup, an 18 to22 goal handicap match, from February 12 to February 26, 2023, followed by the USPA Gold Cup, an 8-22 goal match from March 1 to March 26, 2023, led by the US Open polo championship, from March 29 to April 23, 2023, 22 Goal Handicap. The USPA Junior Open Final is being held on February 19, 2023, and will feature a 12 to 14-goal handicap match, with a closing date yet to be determined. The US Open Women’s Polo Championship will be held from March 9 to 19, 2023, and will be an 18- 24 goal handicap match. A team that wins three tournaments in a row will be remembered as having won the 2023 GAUNTLET title, also known as the most challenging title to win in the sport of polo.

Scotland, South Africa, Hungary, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Kenya, Brazil, China, Italy, Mexico, Sweden, Singapore, Monaco, Morocco, Peru, Poland, Switzerland, and Colombia.

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JOE BARRY MEMORIAL CUP, 2023

The Joe Barry Memorial was founded in 2005 in honor of Joe Barry, who passed away in 2002, according to the USPA official page. His significant victories included six US Open Polo Championship titles, three USPA Gold Cup titles, and the 1971 Coronation Cup in England. He was inducted into the Polo Hall of Fame in 1999. There has been no looking back since this cup is held each year, with players from all over the world. A 16-goal tournament, it will run from January 4 to 22, 2023, as part

of the Palm Beach Polo Season, which runs from January 1 to April 23, 2023.

POLO RIDER CUP

2023,

The 2023 edition of the Polo Rider cup, a 10-12 goals handicaps, with a total of 5

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chukkers, will be held at the Gassin - Saint-Tropez in France from 14 to 25 June, with a total of 12 teams, participating, each represented by a club.

THE YLVISAKER CUP, 2023

The Ylvisaker Cup is played annually as a tribute to William T. “Bill” Ylvisaker, a true pioneer who was responsible for developing the Wellington, Florida, area into the high-goal winter polo capital of the world. From January 20 to February 13, 2023, the cup will feature a series of endearing matches in a 12-16 goal tournament.

THE DUBAI POLO GOLD CUP, 2023

The Dubai Polo World Cup 2023 will include a series of

games, beginning with the Silver Cup, a 20-goal handicap match that will take place from January 21 to February 4, 2023.

The Gold Cup 2023, another 20-goal handicap tournament, will be held from February 11 to March 4, 2023.

In addition, the Dubai Challenge Cup 2023, a lowgoal, 8-10 handicap polo match, held from March 11 to 18, 2023, will be hosted.

The series will conclude with the Polo Masters Cup 2023, which will be held from April 3-8, 2023, and will be a 6-8 goal handicap tournament.

With the slew of games for the coming year, the new year is about to get more exciting, kudos to the polo matches, that are just around the nook.

MAYFAIR CLAIMS THE TITLE OF THE CHRISTMAS CUP

In the inaugural tournament of Mumbai Polo Season 2022-2023, hosted by Amateur Riders Club, Mayfair Polo defeated MD Polo to claim the title of the Christmas Cup. The players who made up the MAYFAIR POLO team were Anay Shah, Jayvirsinh Gohil, Mitesh Mehta, and Daniel Otamendi. The players of Team MD POLO were Simran Shergil, Rahul Dwarkadas, Ziyad Madon, and Dinyar Madon.

TOMMY

BIDDLE

WINS SNOW POLO CHAMPIONSHIP

One of the best polo players in the USA, Tommy Biddle, has been attempting to win a championship in Aspen on the snow for more than five years. He ultimately succeeded on Wednesday in a tight bracket at the Aspen World Snow Polo Championship. Grant Ganzi and Hilario Figueras served as captains for the squad sporting the sponsor Blade and Bow Bourbon’s emblem. On Wednesday, Biddle and Co. overcame a three-goal deficit to win the championship with three one-goal victories over CK Shack (7-6), Richard Mille (5-4), and St. Regis (9-8).

aspendailynews.com

Source: Christmas polo cup in MumbaiBing images

JODHPUR ORGANIZERS EXCITING POLO HITS, WITH RAJNIGANDHA ACHIEVERS CLAIMING VICTORY

The thrilling polo contests are returning to the grounds of Jodhpur once more. A celebration of the royal sport and its ethos recently took place in the city with the polo fraternity, the glitterati, and former royals. Polo enthusiasts had the chance to see a polo match at the Maharaja Gaj Singh Sports Foundation Polo Ground thanks to the sponsorship of the Jodhpur Polo and Equestrian Institute, Jodhpur. Eleonora Dimitrova, the ambassador of Bulgaria, and Katrin Kivi, the ambassador of Estonia, were sighted among the guests besides the former Jodhpur royal Gajsingh. Katrin tossed the ball from the demonstration match after Dimitrova had thrown the final match ball to start the game. Gajsingh presented cups and prizes to the members of the victorious team after the game.

The Maharaja Of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup, which was held from 25th to 30th December, was won by Ragnigandha Achievers, against the Sujan Indian Tigers, bringing the Jodhpur polo tournament to a close with a score of 6 against 5 goal points.

FG/DIN POLO WINS THE COCA-COLA LAHORE OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP 2022 TROPHY

Defeating Diamond Paints by a score of 6-3, FG/Din won the Cocal-Cola Lahore Open Polo Championship trophy 2022. The FG/Din Polo team turned the tables in the third and fourth chukkers to win the championship by a score of 6-3 after the Diamond Paints/Sheikho Steel team had led for the first two chukkers.

On this occasion, a big number of players, their families, and polo aficionados were also there. Coca-Cola COO Muhammad Ali Khan and representatives of Century Avengers, Lahore Polo Club President Omar Sadiq, Executive Committee members, and all of the club’s players were also there. Finally, the principal guest presented a beautiful trophy and prizes to the winning team and top performers.

GLORYING IN VICTORY

The ARC New Years’ Cup finals were played between the Madon Polo and the Mayfair Polo team, with the Mayfair polo team winning the tournament in a spectacular feat.

BLADE AND BOW WON THE ST. REGIS WORLD SNOW POLO CHAMPIONSHIP

Polo played on white snow with the added beauty of nature and a lot of severe, brutal, and cold weather—a Swiss variation of stand ard polo, is called Snow Polo. Over two sunny days, Aspen hosts the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship each year. The occa sion not only ushers in Aspen’s hol iday season, but it has also grown to become a major international draw for Aspen and St. Regis Aspen. The final match featured St. Regis, the event’s official sponsor, against the whisky business Blade and Bow. This year, Blade and Bow took home the championship trophy for the tenth time. Along with Grant Ganzi and Hilario Figueras, the winning trio also included Tommy Biddle, one of the all-time greatest American polo players. On the opposing squad with St. Regis were Alejandro Novillo Astrada, another highly regarded player from Argentina, Nacho Figueras, and Melissa Ganzi.

LANDMARKS OF BRILLIANCE

Iconic Indian architectural landmarks are cultural symbols, an amalgamation of the vision and artistic brilliance of the times. La Polo takes a bird’s eye view of some historical marvels and contemporary projects that show the evolved Indian design thinking.

Architecture is a story of the country’s cultural legacies and artistic capabilities. By fusing designs and symbols with local religions and cultures, Indian architecture stands out for excellence in workmanship as well. Indigenous architectural designs use natural materials to create timeless beauty. There are some distinct architectural traditions in India. For

instance, the central courtyard was an essential part of ancient houses. During the Mauryan period, Buddhist architecture spread throughout India. King Ashoka built some great architectural wonders. The Gupta dynasty built a slew of Hindu temples with rock-cut shrines. The Cholas and the Chandelas aided in the construction of ancient temples that still stand testimony to the exquisite

crafts of the time. The Mughals also left their distinct stamp on architecture. Similarly, the Dilwara temples of Mount Abu are known for intricate carvings. The unmistakable allure of Dravidian architecture is embedded with a link between art, history, and architecture. The most wellknown Dravidian designs can be seen in the ornate entrances or the Gopurams.

The Chennakesava Temple in Belur, the Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu, and the Kesava Temple in Somanathapura shed light on the intricate design thinking of the time. According to

James Rosenquist, history is remembered through its art rather than its war machines.

On some recurring symbols, artist and architect Matthew Samuel say: “The peacock is depicted in a specific way in

All Manipur Polo Association

the Chola dynasty, and even more vividly by the Nayakas. And it’s always been in flux.” Medieval India is a notable example of the wise use of locally available resources designed “with” nature and

not “against” it. The AjantaEllora caves are a collection of 30 rock-cut Buddhist monuments. Along with vaulted ceilings, there is a sunroof that illuminates the prayer hall during the day. Architecture has always had a relationship with science and arithmetic. At the Sun Temple in Gujarat’s Modhera district, dated 1026 CE, the link between mathematics and art is unmistakable. The 52 carved pillars represent the total number of weeks in a year. The carvings of 365 elephants are even more magnificent, representing the number of days in a year. With its massive sundials, the Konark Sun Temple in Puri, Odisha, helps to calculate time.

ECO-SENSITIVE DESIGNS

Many iconic architectural creations are built with keen eco-sensitivity. For example, the much-debated and wellknown Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is built to withstand any natural calamity. Vernacular architecture, such as the Koti Banal, is resistant to natural disturbances, a

testimony to the great Indian mind and aesthetics. Local housing in Assam, popularly known as Irka, demonstrates that even before the world adopted the concept of sustainability, regions of India had already made it a reality. These houses are made of bamboo. It is said that a grove of bamboo release 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees, so bamboo architecture is an ode to the local environment.

Heritage conservator and urban designer Eugene Pandala’s project, The Raviz, a five-star hospitality space, is made of wood, laterite stone, and a concrete foundation. Another of his works, the 35-acre Banasura hill resort, is built with rammed earth. Made in Earth studio, is another architectural firm that works with local designers and craftspeople, for creating contemporary, eco-sensitive buildings.

Chitra Vishwanath, Yatin Pandya, Dharmesh Jadeja,

Trupti Doshi, Nari Gandhi, and Dean D’Cruz are some of the leading changemakers who have incorporated nature into their architectural practices. Revathi Kmanath has used the traditional mud architecture style for some upscale projects.

Charles Correra’s 32-story Kanchenjunga building is another modern architectural marvel of India. Its eminence is enhanced not only by its design but also by the fact that it is climate-sensitive, built in the style of old bungalows that allowed air to flow freely.

With climate action being the reging theme of the times, sustainable buildings will withstand the ravages of time, and also use precious resources in an intelligent way to minimise wastage. The evolved Indian aesthetic can be seen in both ancient landmarks as well as contemporary designs.

Equines Around The World

LONDON HORSE SHOW STAR, MARC PETER SPAHN RUSHED TO HOSPITAL DURING THE SHOW

Belgian dressage rider Marc Peter Spahn had to be immediately rushed to hospital on 20th December, after putting up a spectacular show at London International Horse Show with his Friesian stallion Elias, on 17th December. While the exact cause of the accident hasn’t been released, it is been said that he suffered a serious leg fracture and is set to undergo surgery in the next few days. As a result, he will be ruled out of all the fixtures scheduled for the rest of December and January.

LONDON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW: GREAT BRITAIN’S CHARLOTTE FRY WINS:

The World champion Charlotte Fry won the Dressage World Cup freestyle with a new personal best at the London International Horse Show which concluded on 19 December. Great Britain’s Fry scored a total of 90.995% on the 11-year-old stallion, just 2% away from the world record set by six-time Olympic medallist Charlotte Dujardin in 2014.

Marc Peter Spahn

(Source: instagram.com/mpspahn)

Rider Charlotte Fry (Source: BBC)

TAMIL NADU WELCOMES BACK ITS EQUISTARIAN CHAMPIONS HOME:

The southern state recently swept up a slew of medals at National Equestrian Championship and Junior National Equestrian Championship 2022, which was held in Bhopal recently. The medallists also met Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the Secretariat, to talk about their experiences. A press release from the government said the medallists included P. Sai Chaitanya (Team Silver) in Preliminary Show Jumping - NEC (National Equestrian Championship); G. Surya Ponmudy (Team Gold) in Children -1 Show Jumping – JNEC; and Muhammed Muzzammil (Team Gold) in Children-1 Show Jumping and (Team Silver) in Dressage JNEC. Other medallists from the Chennai Equestrian Center, and East Cost Equestrian among others accompanied them.

A horse being washedBing images

CHANDIGARH’S JAIVEER MAKKAR SHINES AT THE JUNIOR EQUESTRIAN MEET

Chandigarh’s Jaiveer Makkar bagged a team gold in show jumping at the Junior Nation al Equestrian Championship held at Bhopal. He rode his horses Niquita and DeLano and clocked perfect timings of 54.02 and 51.73, en abling his team to win the gold. The show had a total of about 80 participants from all over India. The JNEC is India’s most prominent National Equestrian Championship where the top riders of the country compete with their best horses to get the top positions.

AT A TURKISH EQUESTRIAN FACILITY, HORSES PROVIDE THERAPEUTIC AID TO YOUNG DISABLED CHILDREN:

At Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Equestrian Sports Facilities, horses get to touch the lives of thousands of disabled children, changing them for the better. Equestrian therapy, which is used as a method of treatment, enables the person to instinctively try to balance by activating the muscles of the rider, thanks to the three-dimensional rhythmic movements of the horse. Thus, the muscles in various parts of the body work. The therapy service provided helps in activating the nervous system of the child rider, improving basic coordination. Metropolitan Mayor Mustafa Demir says, ‘Families say that therapy contributes positively to the leg and arm muscle development of their children. We contribute not only to the physical but also to the spiritual development of our individuals receiving therapy.’

Instagram account JNEC 2021-2022)

Importance of HORSESHOES

What sound comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘horse’?

It’s the taps! Do you wonder why are they so loud? It is because of the iron construction that is affixed to the horses’ feet--the horseshoes.

Horseshoes are like sandals for the horse, made up of leather during the Roman empire, bronze in 1000 AD Europe, iron in the 14th century, or plastic and aluminum now. Horseshoes are the true underdogs when it comes to a horse’s performance, and may go overlooked by the average person. It is, however, becomes

imperative to pick the right material and size for the horseshoe. The strength of a horse comes from its legs, specifically from its hooves. The end of a horse’s leg is covered with thick keratin layers called hooves. It protects the legs from the shock of impact when they run. Equinesport horses have to carry additional weight on their backs

that put pressure on their hooves which necessitates greater care. Without proper hoof care, there is a higher risk of bacterial or fungal infection, overgrowth, and splitting, which may eventually result in fatal diseases.

The ancient Greeks added hand-sized pebbles to horses’ enclosures, Romans invented ‘Hipposandals’ or removable

shoes, and Middle age empires preferred nail-on horseshoes. Three different empires, three different types of horseshoes. Why? This is because one type doesn’t suit all. Every region has its own geographical, climatic, and commercial requirements. Therefore, it is crucial to select the appropriate horseshoes. The different types of horseshoes available are:

NORMAL SHOE:

Simple U-shaped shoe made of steel with an open heel and smooth toe. It is best suited to reduce the pernicious effects of slippery grounds for wellmoving horses, in light to medium work

RIM SHOES:

Identical to normal shoes and generally made up of steel, the only differentiating factor is the fuller that extends all the way around the entire shoe and is much deeper than the one in regular shoes. This aids the horse to perform well in a variety of sports like jumping, eventing, dressage, or endurance riding on poorer surfaces. Also available in aluminium, these are used by high-level riders to reduce the weight on the horse’s feet. Racing plates: Similar to rim shoes in terms of shape but these differ with respect to the material, i.e. these are available only in aluminium which is why they are much lighter. These plates are intended for a few days’ use and are put onto racehorses just before the event.

SLIDING PLATES:

These U-shaped shoes are longer and narrower, extending

all the way to the bulb of the horse’s foot. The narrower inside heel avoids any deviation from natural action. These help the horse to perform super impressive sliding stops. However, these kinds of shoes are not suitable for trail riding or jumping sports due to the poor grip of the plates. One needs to be cautioned while using these, as any carelessness can lead

to the fall of the horse or the rider.

BAR SHOES:

Used more occasionally for remedial shoeing, these shoes are, unlike others, closed. Due to the straight bar shoes’ ability to support hoof walls, these are generally used for horses with hoof problems like quarter cracks, whereas egg bar shoes are used to support weak heels. Another, more uncommon, type of shoe is the Heart Bar shoe, used to apply pressure to the horse’s frog causing a desirable bone movement.

GLUE-ON

HORSES: Although more expensive

than normal horseshoes, these are a great option for little damaged hooves where putting a nail could be tricky. In addition, those looking for temporary hooves protection should use glue-on horseshoes because the lack of nails makes the transitioning process (from protection to barefooting) relatively easy.

TAPE-ON HORSESHOES:

This is more of a temporary solution lasting 24-48 hours. Tape-on horseshoes can be made at home through duct tape. Other options can be hoof tape, vet tape, or athletic

tape. These horseshoes are more useful for show jumpers because they reduce rubbing, and don’t flap around or get ripped off easily. It is always preferable to be knowledgeable about the options available for hoof care. But never forget that the farrier is a horse’s best friend. A wide variety of horse footwear is making their way into the equestrian world. As a result, deciding which choice is best for your horse can be difficult. Consultation with your farrier is a good option.