ISSUE 201

KING CHARLES III’s Coronation

King Charles III’s Coronation

The ardent Polo patron and the present revered King of the United Kingdom had his coronation on May 6, 2023.

In numerous parts of the world, polo has been a practice passed down from father to son. The sport has provided a way for families to come together, to bond over a shared passion, and to create a legacy that can be preserved for decades or even centuries.

Equine Movies

Equines have inspired various art forms, including movies. La Polo curates a list of equine movies for readers.

Sons carrying on the Polo Torch Sustainable Clothing

The emerging trend of fast fashion has added to the environment burden. La Polo team curates a list for sustainable fashion.

KING CHARLES CORONATION

CHARLES III’s

CORONATION

he United Kingdom geared up for the coronation of King Charles III and his wife, Queen Consort Camilla. Ever since the date for the coronation was announced, people across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland had been preparing to welcome their incoming monarch to the throne. Hundreds of thousands of people were expected to congregate in central London to witness the event. Given that Britain remained the last Western European country that continued to keep up with the tradition of enthroning a monarch through an elaborate coronation, hundreds of millions of people worldwide tuned in to watch the ceremony live. As Britain turned a new leaf with the arrival of King Charles III, we have brought our readers a quick primer on the coronation and other ensuing events.

A hint of modernity

The ornate ceremony, as anticipated, incorporated centuries-old traditions that were customised to cater to modern sensibilities. King Charles III is an advocate for heralding modernity. This was

reflected in the coronation ceremony.

Unlike his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles had a comparatively minimalist touch to the otherwise opulent ceremony. Charles III’s main coronation event was expected

to be much shorter compared to his mother’s. There were no more than 2,800 guests in attendance—nearly a third of his mother’s attendance. As the titular head of the Church of England, the monarch is traditionally required to discharge his responsibility as

the “defender of the faith.” But owing to modern Britain’s religious variety, King Charles III took an oath to be “the defender of faiths,” in sharp contrast to the former.

This inclination to inculcate modernity was largely observed as being an effort to pander to critics who claimed that the antiquated institution of monarchy no longer served any substantial purpose to the British public and should therefore be abolished. Many anti-monarchist groups took out nationwide protests on coronation day. In a comment to the Associate Press, the leader of an anti-monarchist group Republic had mentioned that they had planned to have more than 1,000 protesters clad in yellow chanting, “Not my king” as the royal procession passed by. Regardless, a large swathe of the British population celebrated the occasion with quintessential British resplendence.

The coronation day

King Charles III’s coronation took place on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Westminster Abbey. The Anglican church has been the cornerstone of British royal ceremonial traditions for several centuries. Since around the mid-eleventh century AD, it had witnessed the coronations of thirty-nine English and British monarchs.

Attired in stately regalia, the King and Queen Consort both

set off from their London residence, Buckingham Palace for an eight-kilometre ceremonial procession to Westminster Abbey. Other members of the monarch’s family also arrived as part of the procession. Once the King and Queen Consort reached Westminster Abbey, various ceremonial formalities ensued, including a speech by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The prime coronation comprised five parts: Recognition, Oath

taking, Anointment, Investiture and Crowning and, Enthronement and Homage. This was then followed by the Coronation of Queen Consort Camilla. As soon as the new King was crowned, gun salutes rang out across the United Kingdom.

At the end of the ceremony, the newly crowned King and Queen retraced their route back to Buckingham Palace. This return procession after

the ceremony was also shorter than the route that Queen Elizabeth III and her husband, Prince Philip, took around London after her coronation. Back at the Palace, they received an official royal salute from the British military.

After this, the King and Queen, flanked by family members, made their way to the Palace balcony to greet the spectators gathered to witness this once-ina-lifetime ceremony.

The coronation ceremony guest list

As was the tradition, coronation invites were sent out to dignitaries around the world. Some prominent royals in attendance included Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and his wife, Crown Princess Kiko, and Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murthy, were also in attendance. While

American President Joe Biden was a no-show, his wife, the America’s First Lady Jill Biden, attended the ceremony on her country’s behalf. As for India, both President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already conveyed their inability to make it to the ceremony owing to prior appointments, and it was believed the country was instead represented by Vice President Jagdeep Dankhar.

As for the family, both the King’s sons were present. Prince William and his wife, Princess Katherine, were in attendance. As a matter of tradition, the Prince of Wales was expected to kneel before his father and pledge his loyalty to the new monarch. His younger brother, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, however, remained on the sidelines of the ceremony owing to the outrage with the family that ensued from the publication of his explosive memoir “Spare,” which made unflattering claims about his now estranged family. His wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, did not attend the ceremony and stayed back with the couple’s children at their California estate. The reason cited for her non-attendance was given as their son Archie’s fourth birthday.

7th May: Postcoronation lunch parties day

The day following the coronation day saw the monarch encourage the citizens of his country to celebrate the occasion by

organising community street parties across the length and breadth of Britain. To celebrate the coronation, the monarch also planned to host a concert on the grounds of Windsor Castle. The esteemed lineup included the Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli and the Welsh bassbaritone Sir Bryn Terfel.

A love affair with polo

King Charles had been a longtime patron of polo, so much so that he passed on his passion for the game to both his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, who themselves blazed a trail in the sport. The Royal Family is known for its patronage of many different

sporting activities, but if there’s one sport in which they’ve actively participated, it would be none other than polo. Interestingly, the royals have been passionate polo players and polo watchers since the time of King George VI. Since then, there has been at least one senior member of the family that has participated in competitive polo. Prince

Philip, King Charles, along with both of King Charles’ sons: the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex, have all tried their hand at the sport. Their prowess at it has been remarkable with them having swept up several trophies over the years. As for his siblings, King Charles’ sister Princess Anne is a prolific equestrian herself, winning one gold medal in 1971 and two silver medals in 1975 at the European Eventing Championships. In 1976, she became the first member of the British royal family to compete in the Olympic Games. Both of King Charles’ brothers on the other hand haven’t been as prolific on the equestrian front, but they ardently cheer on their siblings from the sidelines nonetheless. Charles was known for his unassuming poise and unwavering sense of responsibility, traits that he shared with his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and his father, Prince Philip, who was a talented polo player with a 5-goal handicap. Unlike other hobbyists who merely rode show ponies, Charles was a skilled polo player in his own right.

King Charles’ polo passion saw him raise funds through the sport. Similarly, to increase participation in the sport, the royal family from time to time organized charitable matches to encourage young people to take up the sport. He also often contributed from his own wealth, considering the then Charles’ net worth of $600 million. Other royals were also known to raise money for humanitarian causes through polo. For instance, Prince Harry’s Sentebale Cup raised nearly £792 million in its lifetime, to create awareness around various humanitarian issues faced in Southern Africa. The raised money was then deployed to support work with children and young people in Southern Africa whose lives have been affected by extreme poverty among others.

It is said that King Charles inherited his love of the sport from his father, the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Phillip. Prince Phillip was in turn encouraged to take up the sport by his uncle, Lord Louis Mountbatten. Mountbatten

himself had a close association with the sport, for he had authored one of the sport’s earliest books, An Introduction to Polo, which is an extensive guide on Polo. Charles’ passion for the sport began at a young age, and he was a regular participant at the Household Brigade Polo Club, which was later renamed the Guards Polo

Club, established by Prince Philip in 1955. At the age of 7, Charles was already holding a polo mallet and playing the sport with ease. His father gifted him his first polo pony, which only fueled his love for the game further. The young Charles also had the honour of playing polo matches alongside his father and took valuable input from him after

the former retired from the sport. From his teen years right until his mid-forties, Charles was an avid player of competitive polo. Despite her lack of active participation in the sport, Prince Charles’s mother, Queen Elizabeth played a pivotal role in encouraging him to excel in polo. For most of his games, King Charles’s young family consisting of his wife and two sons often could be cheering him on from the sidelines. In his youth, the sport was considered a classic British High Society sport -- ‘with dashing young riders cheered on by champagne-guzzling debutantes’. The sport also has a personal element for the King given that the then King

Charles’ now-wife Camilla and he met during one of his earlier polo matches, sometime in the 1970s. Interestingly, he was also known to play the sport while on royal tours of other countries, the then Prince Charles in India was no different. Prince Charles showed off his skills in Jaipur during a tour of India in 1992. He continued to play the sport albeit with lesser intensity than previously, mostly for charity, until 2005. But the family’s polo tradition has lived on. Both his children, William and Harry, appear on the polo fields regularly, attracting an adoring coterie of fans from across the world.

carrying on the Polo Torch SONS

In numerous parts of the world, polo has been a practice passed down from father to son. The sport has provided a way for families to come together, to bond over a shared passion, and to create a legacy that can be preserved for decades or even centuries. La Polo curated a list of some famous father-son players.

In many regions around the world, the sport of polo has been a timehonored tradition that is passed down from one generation to another. This esteemed sport has provided families with a unique opportunity to come together, bond over a shared passion, and create a lasting legacy that can last for decades or even centuries. Throughout history, there have been notable fatherson polo players who have left

an indelible mark on the sport. From legendary dynasties to iconic partnerships, these father-son duos have showcased the special bond that polo can foster within families, and the rich heritage that is preserved through their continued love for the game. In this article, we will explore some of the famous father-son players who have carried on the polo legacy, exemplifying the enduring bond between fathers and sons on and off the polo fields. Here is a list of some famous father and son duos:

Adolfo Cambiaso Sr.,

Adolfo Cambiaso Jr., and Adolfo Cambiaso III

Adolfo Cambiaso Sr. was a legendary polo player from Argentina, known for his exceptional talent on the field. He passed on his love of the sport to his son, Adolfo Cambiaso Jr., who has since become one of the greatest players of all time.

Cambiaso Jr. has won numerous championships and accolades throughout his career, including the coveted Argentine Open a record 18 times. He is known for his incredible skill on the field,

his strategic mind, and his ability to read the game like no other.

As a father, Cambiaso Jr. also passed on his passion for polo to his son, Adolfo Cambiaso III. Being a teenager, Cambiaso III is already making a name for himself in the sport, showing incredible promise as a young player.

The Cambiaso family’s legacy in polo is a testament to the enduring bond between fathers and sons who share a love for the game. It also shows the importance of passing on traditions and values from one generation to the next, creating a legacy that can be carried on for decades or even centuries.

Gonzalo Pieres Sr., Gonzalo Pieres Jr., and his sons

Gonzalo Pieres Sr., an iconic polo player from Argentina, passed on his love for the sport to his son Gonzalo Pieres Jr. Gonzalo Pieres Jr. went on to become one of the most successful and respected players in the sport, building upon his father’s legacy of excellence.

Gonzalo Pieres Jr. has also

followed in his father’s footsteps by passing on his love for polo to his sons. The Pieres family’s passion for polo and their continued commitment to the sport is a testament to the power of family legacies and the unbreakable bond between fathers and sons who share a common passion.

Source : www.edubilla.com

(Gonzalo Pieres Sr.)

Tim Dutta and Timmy Dutta

Tim Dutta, founder of Dutta Corp, an international and domestic horse shipping company, has become one of the most influential people in American polo. He has not only played alongside his son, Timmy Dutta, in several tournaments but has also represented his business on the polo field.

Tim’s love for horses and their well-being is reflected in his bold statements about the

importance of treating them with care and respect. As a player and a team owner, Tim has lifted many trophies, including the Herbie Pennell Cup, Joe Barry Memorial, and Ylvisaker Cup, which Dutta Corp won in a historic triple in 2019 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida.

Timmy Dutta, at only 17 years old, is a top youth high goal polo player who made the switch from show jumping to polo five years ago. In 2019, Timmy was part of the Dutta Corp Team that made history at the International Polo Club by winning the Pennell, Joe Barry, and Ylvisaker Cups, becoming the first team to achieve the trifecta of 20-goal tournament series.

(Timmy Dutta)

Carlos Gracida was a highly respected and accomplished Mexican polo player who left an indelible mark on the sport. He achieved a rare 10-goal handicap in 1985 and went on to win numerous prestigious tournaments throughout his 15-year career. Gracida was not only a skilled athlete, but also a dedicated mentor and teacher, always willing to share his knowledge and

passion for polo with others.

Carlitos Gracida, the eldest son of the late Carlos Gracida, is a rising star in the world of polo. At just 26 years old, he has embraced the expectations and responsibilities that come with his family’s name, taking the reins as the head of the Gracida family and leading his younger siblings into the

Source : www.sidelinesmagazine.com

Carlos Gracida and Carlitos Gracida

(Carlitos Gracida)

Polo is a sport that has a longstanding tradition within the British royal family, and Prince Philip and King Charles are two notable examples of father and son who have carried on this legacy. Prince Philip was a skilled polo player who played for many years and is credited with helping to popularize the sport in the UK. His fearless and aggressive style of play inspired many young people to take up polo, and he was a patron of several polo clubs and associations.

King Charles also became an avid polo player and played for

many years, even competing for the UK team in international tournaments. He was known for his technical skill and precision on the field, which helped raise the profile of polo both in the UK and around the world.

Together, Prince Philip and King Charles helped to cement polo as a beloved pastime within the British royal family. Their passion for the sport has inspired generations of young players, and their legacy continues to be felt within the world of polo today.

Prince Philip and King Charles

IMPHAL RIDING CLUB CROWNED

CHAMPIONS

OF THE 2ND STATE WOMEN’S POLO TOURNAMENT 2023 IN MANIPUR

The2nd State Women’s Polo Tournament 2023 was officially launched on March 16th by the Khangabok MLA, Surajkumar Okram. The event was graced by the presence of Olympian athlete Ksh.Thoiba, Rk. Tutusana, IPS Director MPTC, and Dr S.Joykumar Singh, Ex-Director Vety and A H Services. The tournament featured five teams from Chingkheihunba Polo Clubs, namely, Laman Polo Club, K&MM Riding School, MPSC Polo Team, Imphal Riding Club.

After an intense competition, the Imphal Riding Club emerged as the champions of the 2nd State Level Women’s Polo Tournament 2023, which was organized by the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association (MHRPA) at Mapal Kangjeibung. It was a well-deserved victory for the Imphal Riding Club, who displayed exceptional skills and teamwork throughout the tournament

Source : www.uspolo.org

SCONE EMERGES VICTORIOUS IN USPA GOLD CUP FINAL AGAINST PILOT AT NATIONAL POLO CENTER WELLINGTON

TheUSPA Gold Cup is a highly anticipated 22-goal tournament in the Florida high-goal polo season. The second leg of the Gauntlet of Polo is hosted by the prestigious National Polo Center in Wellington, Florida. The tournament, which made its inaugural debut at the NPC, follows the C.V. Whitney Cup and precedes the U.S. Open Polo Championship.

The final match of the USPA Gold Cup was held on March 26th, at the National Polo Center in Wellington, Florida. Scone emerged victorious in the closely contested match against Facundo Pieres’ Pilot, the defending champions. Poroto, the star player of the Scone team, was instrumental in the team’s 8-6 victory.

SPRING INTERNATIONAL POLO TOURNAMENT 2023, SINGAPORE!

TheSpring International Polo Tournament 2023 took place at the renowned Singapore Polo Club from April 27th to May 14th. The tournament was a thrilling event, showcasing the world’s best polo players and their majestic horses. The Singapore Polo Club is a world-class venue, equipped with state-ofthe-art facilities, including multiple polo fields, stables, and a clubhouse. It has hosted numerous international tournaments and is a well-known hub for polo enthusiasts and professionals.

During the Spring International Polo Tournament 2023, teams from all over the world competed for the championship title, providing spectators with an opportunity to witness exhilarating matches and displays of outstanding sportsmanship. On the finals on May 14th, Team SPC Red was crowned the Champion of the tournament.

Source : www.singaporepoloclub.org

FLORIDA CIRCUIT 8-GOAL SPER-SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP

Source : www.uspolo.org

On April 23, 2023, the Florida Circuit 8-Goal Super-Series Championship culminated its inaugural season at the National Polo Center in Wellington (NPC). The tournament was created to increase team participation, and it proved to be a successful collaboration among participants and organizers alike.

Curator Polo emerged as the champions of the Florida Circuit 8-Goal Super-Series Championship, following a competitive tournament. Ignacio ‘Nachi’ Viana was awarded the title of MVP for his exceptional performance, which contributed significantly to the team’s victory.

EQUINE MOVIES

Equines have inspired various art forms, including movies. La Polo curates a list of equine movies for readers.

War Horse

The film made in 2011 was directed and produced by Steven Spielberg, from a screenplay written by Lee Hall and Richard Curtis, and based on Michael Morpurgo’s 1982 novel of the same name. The cast includes Jeremy Irvine, Peter Mullan, Emily Watson, Niels Arestrup, David Thewlis, Tom Hiddleston and Benedict Cumberbatch. Set before and during World War I, it chronicles the bond between a man and his horse. The remarkable plot explores the power of friendship during war.

The Black Stallion

The 1979 adventure film is based on the 1941 classic children’s novel of the same name by Walter Farley. It was directed by Carroll Ballard and stars Kelly Reno, Teri Garr, Hoyt Axton, Michael Higgins and Mickey Rooney with the Arabian horse Cass Ole playing the eponymous Black Stallion. It follows the story of Alec Ramsey, a boy who is shipwrecked on a deserted island with a wild Arabian stallion. Despite starting off on a hostile note, the two form a close alliance in order to survive the desperate conditions. Definitely a tear-jerker!

The Horse Whisperer

This is a 1998 Western drama film directed by Robert Redford, based on the 1995 novel The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans. The cast includes Robert Redford, Kristin Scott Thomas and Scarlett Johanssen. The narrative follows a talented trainer with a remarkable gift for understanding horses, who is hired to help an injured teenager and her horse back to health following a tragic accident.

Running Free

This is a 2000 American-French-South African adventure drama film. The film began production in 1998 and was released in the US in June 2000. It was directed by Sergei Bodrov. The ensemble cast includes Chase Moore, Jan Decleir, Arie Verveen and Maria Geelbooi. It follows the saga of Lucky, a chestnut-coloured horse born in captivity in 1914, who realises his dream of running with freedom, with the assistance of a kind-hearted stable boy. By the time credit roll on, you’ll have exhausted a newly opened box of tissues!

Seabiscuit

This 2003 sports film is written and directed by Gary Ross is based on the best-selling 1999 non-fiction book Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand. It consists of an ensemble cast of Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, Elizabeth Banks, Chris Cooper, Gary Stevens and William H. Macy. The film is loosely based on the life and racing career of Seabiscuit, an undersized, often overlooked Thoroughbred racehorse, whose unexpected successes made him a hugely popular national sensation in the United States during the Great Depression.

Spirit, Stallion of the Cimarron

This 2002-made animated western film was directed by Kelly Asbury and Lorna Cook from a screenplay by John Fusco, and based on an idea by Jeffrey Katzenberg, who produced the film alongside Mireille Soria. The film follows Spirit, a Kiger mustang stallion (voiced by Matt Damon as a narrator), who is captured during the American Indian Wars by the United States Cavalry; he is eventually freed by a Lakota man named Little Creek with whom he bonds, as well as a mare named Rain. In contrast to the anthropomorphic style of animal characters in other animated features, Spirit and his fellow horses communicate with each other through nonlinguistic sounds and body language (albeit with many human facial expressions and reactions). This one is sure to melt your heart!

National Velvet

National Velvet is a 1944 American Technicolor sports film directed by Clarence Brown and based on the 1935 novel of the same name by Enid Bagnold. It stars Mickey Rooney, Donald Crisp, Angela Lansbury, Anne Revere, Reginald Owen, and an adolescent Elizabeth Taylor. The plot follows Mi Taylor, a former jockey who mentors a young girl, Velvet Brown, to groom a wild horse to win England’s Grand National steeplechase. In 2003, National Velvet was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

Secretariat

This 2010 biographical sports drama film is produced and written by Mike Rich and Sheldon Turner based largely on William Nack’s 1975 book Secretariat: The Making of a Champion. The film chronicles the life of the Thoroughbred racehorse Secretariat, winner of the Triple Crown in 1973. Diane Lane plays Secretariat’s owner, Penny Chenery, who takes over the Doswell, Virginia, stables of her ailing father Christopher Chenery despite her lack of horse-racing knowledge. With the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (played by John Malkovich), she navigates the maledominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and one of the greatest racehorses of all time.

Dreamer

Dreamer is a 2005 sports drama film written and directed by John Gatins. The film has an ensemble cast that includes Kurt Russell, Kris Kristofferson, Elisabeth Shue and Dakota Fanning. It is inspired by the true story of an injured

Thoroughbred racehorse Mariah’s Storm. The tale chronicle Ben, a horse trainer, who always neglects his daughter Cale. However, when he adopts an injured horse, Sonador, the bridge between Cale and him begins to heal as he begins to spend more time with her. Perfect choice for a father-daughter movie day!

Champions

Champions is a 1984 drama sports film based on the true story of jockey Bob Champion. It is directed by John Irvin, written by Evan Jones, and stars John Hurt, Edward Woodward and Jan Francis. The film is based on the true story of Bob Champion who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1979. After an operation to remove the diseased testicle and chemotherapy, Champion recovered and went on to win the 1981 Grand National on Aldaniti. It will tear your heart up, but mend it back too!

EQUINES FOUND IN POOR HEALTH

In an unfortunate case that has rattled Virginia’s equestrian community, officials have removed 17 horses from a Fauquier County stable after receiving reports that the animals were malnourished. The Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office said it received “several reports of horses and other animals not being sufficiently cared for” at the Bay Ridge Equestrian facility operated by Amanda Margaret Stanton, a horse-riding instructor who had been previously convicted of animal cruelty in 2018. According to reports, these horses are now being cared for in public facilities.

YOUNG EQUESTRIENNE HANNAH SERFASS

PASSES AWAY AFTER HER HORSE FALLS ON HER DURING THE COMPETITION

Fifteen-year-old Hannah Serfass of Florida suffered a fatal head injury during an equestrian competition. In a statement released by the US Equestrian Federation (USEF), Hannah Serfass was riding Quaxx 2, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding, while competing at the Fox Lea Farm Spring Concours in Venice, Florida, when her “horse tripped and suffered a rotational fall.” Serfass fell off the horse, which then landed on top of her. Emergency personnel immediately responded to Serfass. She was transported by ambulance to the Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The horse didn’t suffer any injuries during the accident. Serfass was a very talented, up-and-coming rider known for her “passion for horses, her natural ability, and her work ethic.” Tributes for the teenager poured in from around the equestrian community. The USEF said it will be “reviewing the accident thoroughly” to improve equestrian safety.

A PUSH FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Riders at the upcoming Badminton Horse Trials will benefit from on-site access to mental health support in a “pioneering” step forward. Riders Minds will provide a station with a counsellor, and an out-of-hours number to call, for the duration of the Trials season. Victoria Wright, founder and chair of the mental health charity, said: “This is the first time this has happened in equestrian sport, and it is fantastic the FEI has recognised the importance of facilitating this service and that it is being pioneered by Badminton. “It’s a huge step forward to have the acknowledgement from the International Olympic Committee and the FEI, and for the sport to recognise that there is a need for mental health support within all of the equestrian disciplines.” Anna-Louise Mackinnon, British Equestrian’s chief medical officer, said mental health promotion is high on the agenda of the FEI medical committee.

COMMITMENT TO GOOD HEALTH OF HORSES

An epoch-defining initiative in the equine world has been introduced to ensure horses have a good life in and out of competition. The FEI-appointed equine ethics and wellbeing commission made recommendations to the 2023 FEI sports forum (24–25 April). According to a report made public by Horse and Hound, last year the magazine’s commission carried out research involving thousands of people inside the industry and the general public. It found that nearly three-quarters of equestrians felt horse welfare in sports needs to be improved. Commission chair Natalie Waran told Horse and Hound that there has since been a huge amount of work. “The commission has worked hard to develop a proposed vision and strategic approach to ensure a ‘good life for horses’ and to sustain equine participation in the sport now and the future,” Dr Waran said. The specific recommendation is to publicly commit to ensuring a good life for horses, as the “fundamental tenet of an FEI equine wellbeing strategy”.

KENTUCKY DERBY: TRAINER SAFFIE JOSEPH JR SUSPENDED

BY CHURCHILL DOWNS AFTER HORSE DEATHS

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr has been suspended after two of his horses died recently under mysterious circumstances. Parents Pride and Chasing Artie collapsed and died at the Churchill Downs track, with the cause of death still unknown. Another of Joseph Jr’s horses, Lord Miles, has been pulled out from an upcoming race, the 149th Kentucky Derby, following his suspension. Four horses have now died in the build-up to America’s most celebrated race. The suspension prohibits Joseph Jr, or any trainer directly or indirectly employed by him, from entering horses in races or applying for stall occupancy at all Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) owned racetracks.” Given the unexplained sudden deaths, we have reasonable concerns about the condition of his horses and decided to suspend him indefinitely until details are analysed and understood,” said Bill Mudd, the CDI president and chief operating officer. “The safety of our equine and human athletes and the integrity of our sport is our highest priority. We feel these measures are our duty and responsibility.” Take Charge Briana and Wild On Ice, trained by Wayne Lukas and Joel Marr respectively, both had to be put down after suffering leg injuries at the track in Louisville earlier this week. CDI says it is working with regulators to now investigate the circumstances behind the deaths.

EQUUS AROUND THE WORLD EQUUS AROUND THE WORLD

Caption: Rishita Samantaray

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR EQUESTRIANS IN ODISHA MOOTED

The Odisha government, led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has announced its interest in setting up a Centre of Excellence for equestrians. The move was discussed when R Vineel Krishna, secretary of the Sports and Youth Services Department, met with Odisha’s horse-riding prodigy Rishita Samantaray and her parents, Col Ashish Samantaray and Rohini Singh Deo, at Kalinga Stadium recently. While congratulating Rishita for winning a silver and a bronze medal at the Delhi Horse Show last month, the Sports Secretary assured support to help the promising horse rider achieve greater laurels. According to Col Samantaray, a highly experienced horse rider and polo player himself, the secretary showed keen interest in equestrians and enquired about the scope of promoting the sport in Odisha. “During the discussion, we sought the support of the Odisha government to set up an Equestrian Centre of Excellence in the state. If implemented, the centre could be another jewel in the crown of Odisha,’’ said Col Samantaray, who also trains horse riders. The centre would not only provide training and coaching facilities to aspiring and active horse riders but also help them win laurels for the state and country in equestrian sports. “The response of the Sports Secretary was positive. He has asked us to come up with a concrete proposal with all requirements, including infrastructure,’’ said Col Samantaray.

SUSTAINABLE CLOTHING

The emerging trend of fast fashion has added to the environment burden. La Polo team curates a list for sustainable fashion.

The world of fashion has been no stranger to the rising trend of sustainability. The industry is one of the largest polluters in the world, coming in just behind the oil industry. Designing, developing and manufacturing a small piece of garment may entail numerous environmental hazards. Each step of creating a garment contributes to different forms of environmental pollution, including air and water. The fashion industry as an aggregate is responsible for producing a tenth of all greenhouse gas emissions. It is also responsible for roughly a fifth of all industrial

water pollution.

The emerging trend of fast fashion has only added to the environmental burden. Fast fashion is defined as “inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by massmarket retailers in response to the latest trends”. It encourages people to keep up with the latest trends, resulting in mass-scale discardation of out-of-trend clothing. According to a clutch of studies, the onset of globalization in the 1990s further encouraged the rapid growth of the fast fashion industry. Global retail sales of clothing in 2019 reached $1.9 trillion, and the number is expected to zoom to $3 trillion by 2030. While these statistics might seem like a grim prognosis, not all is lost. There are some clothing outlets working to tackle the malicious effects of fashion’s environmental degradation. What’s more, they are actually making a difference!

Here’s a curated list of sustainable clothing brands to check out, if you’re looking to be eco-conscious:

REFORMATION

The brand works with a single mission in mind: to bring sustainable fashion to everyone. In fact, it happens to be the first brand in the US that pioneered the concept of a sustainable factory set-up. Reformation was founded by Yael Aflalo in 2009. Today

they produce their own clothing with a sharp focus on inculcating suitability into every element that goes into crafting them. The brand has been 100% carbon-neutral since 2015 and has committed to becoming a climate-positive company by 2025, via carbon offsets and

the use of more regenerative fibers.

ANOTHER TOMORROW

The brand is among the very few to offer upfront information about its raw material sourcing. It pushes for the need to realign our individual needs with that of

the environment. The website succinctly illustrates its mission, saying, “Our collection pushes the boundaries of what responsibly grown and ethically manufactured materials can achieve. Using fashion as a pathway to activism, we seek to model what is possible at this critical juncture in our humanity - amplifying voices for change, educating and engaging our community with the stories behind our clothes.”

MATE THE LABEL

As the website says, “it is founded by women, run by women, and focused on making products for all women.” The brand brings together a blend of natural, organic materials to manufacture clothing. On offer are numerous non-toxic garments, in a wide array of soft tones. The all-purpose clothing brand keeps the factory close to the office in order for all the products to undergo strict quality

control standards laid down by them.

OZMA OF CALIFORNIA

The brand is quite the opposite of fast fashion, or as Glamour puts it: slow fashion. Ozma was founded in 2015 by designer Heidi Baker. Baker drew on her experience from working at Levi’s but inculcated her own little twist: sustainability. The brand was born out of Heidi’s yearning to create a line that supports sustainability in every sense

of the word. Through its clothing options, it encourages potential customers to consider the freedom of living with only the essentials and to cherish them. Interestingly, Ozma has a limited line of clothing on offer in order to make high-quality clothes you’ll wear for years to come. All of its clothing is produced locally in L.A., in small, family-run factories that are vetted to quality control standards.

SLEEPER

The perfect place to look for your next set of pyjamas! Sleeper describes itself as “a brand of ethically crafted, high-quality, multipurpose garments designed to help you feel beautiful — regardless if you are wearing Sleeper on the streets, or in the comfort of your own home”. It was born in 2014 under the aegis of two former fashion editors Kate Zubarieva and Asya Varetsa. The brand offers clothes crafted from biodegradable materials like linen, EcoVero Rayon viscose, and recycled

polyester. To reduce wastage in the process, artisans also produce clothes on a made-toorder basis in the brand’s sewing studios in Kyiv, Ukraine. The brand boasts a long list of celebrity patrons including Eva Chen, Katy

Perry, Brie Larson, Kourtney Kardashian, Aurora James, Kelly

Lynch, Busy Philipps, Chloë Grace Moretz, Zoey

Deutch, Dakota and Elle

Fanning, Veronika

Heilbrunner, and Lena

Dunham, amongst others.

BROTHER VELLIES

Now this is an odd one, but one of those rarities: a sustainable footwear brand! The brand jumbles together the unlikeliest of raw materials to produce elegantlooking pieces of sustainable footwear, that too with an African design aesthetic: vegetable-tanned leathers, hand-carved wood, and floraldyed feathers, among others. Founder Aurora James says, “Sustainability is at the core of the Brother Vellies brand. We are proud to help create and maintain artisanal jobs around the world by partnering with artisans that have been developing their craft over multiple generations. We seek to lessen the impact of our production practices by being careful with production quantities, minimising waste, reusing materials, and continuously seeking to improve our processes. Sustainability to us means building products that are meant to last, treating one another with respect, and thinking about the impact we are leaving on the world.”