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Polo Times April 2009

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Contents

POLO TIMES

Publisher Margie Brett margie@polotimes.co.uk Editor Yolanda Carslaw yolanda@polotimes.co.uk Deputy Editor James Mullan jamesmullan@polotimes.co.uk Art Editor James Wildman james@polotimes.co.uk Advertising Karen Saunders karen@polotimes.co.uk Subscriptions Becky Ford becky@polotimes.co.uk Accounts Debbie Mason accounts@polotimes.co.uk

Contributors Abi Butcher, Gaurav Chand, Antje Derks, Arthur Douglas-Nugent, Mark Emerson, Mike Hobday, John Horswell, Lorna Jowett, Roy Law, Brett O’Callaghan, Tony Ramirez, Andrew Seavill, Herbert Spencer, Bob Thompson, Lindsay Warner, Alex Webbe, Selby Williamson Front cover The Westchester Cup,

by Gregory Ratner Designed and typeset by Wildman Design www.wildmandesign.co.uk Printed by Stones – Banbury, Oxfordshire Mailers Jordan & Co – Witney, Oxfordshire Subscription per annum UK £55 Europe & Ireland £65 Rest of the World £75 email: admin@polotimes.co.uk or subscribe online at www.polotimes.co.uk

Polo Times East End Farm, North Leigh Oxfordshire OX29 6PX Tel: 01993 886 885 Fax: 01993 882 660 email: admin@polotimes.co.uk www.polotimes.co.uk

© Polo Times Limited 2009 and Database Right 2009 Polo Times Limited holds the copyright & database right to the information it publishes in Polo Times and on the Polo Times website. No content may be reproduced or distributed without the consent of the Editor. ‘Polo Times’ is the trade mark of Polo Times Limited.

22 & 82 England’s Westchester triumph News 4 8

All the latest news HPA news

Comment 10 11 12 14 16 19 20

Paul Sweeney in 2005 Herbert Spencer’s global view Polo as I see it: Peter Rizzo on US youth Letter from Nigeria Arthur Douglas-Nugent’s umpire’s corner John Horswell’s players’ forum Your views: letters to the editor

44 Cash-saving tips

Reports 22 26 28 32 36 38 40 42

Westchester Cup: Florida New Zealand Open Arena Gold Cup, RCBPC Arena International, Hickstead Camacho Cup: Mexico vs USA in Florida Delhi: the last in our Indian series National University Arena Championships Around the world and around the clubs

Feature 44

20 ways to save money this season

56 Travel – the original polo pony

The knowledge 48 51 52 55 56 60 64 66 68

Duty vet with Mark Emerson: teeth Horsemanship with Andrew Seavill Pony power: from New Zealand Feeding with Lorna Jowett: ad-lib hay Travel: what’s become of the Manipur pony?

Property special: four pages of polo pads Gear: eight of the best whips Club profile: Ranksboro and Rutland Handicap changes and What’s on in April

70 82

Out and about Last word: a week in the life of James Beim

60 Property special

ISSN 1461-4685 www.polotimes.co.uk April 2009 3

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News

from the Editor Congratulations to all the England boys who have played so well in internationals lately, winning at Palm Beach and Hickstead. It’s brilliant to hear about their confidence, skill and team-work, and it sounds like everyone has enjoyed seeing rivalries between the Brits and the Yanks revived. Well done, too, to those who support them in all sorts of ways – from lending ponies, coaching and cheering them on to offering monetary backing or sponsorship.

While top-level action catches the headlines, records are being broken at grassroots level – namely at the University Arena Championships in Somerset, where an almighty 188 chukkas were played over four days, with 290 students in the saddle. More intriguing and impressive still are the financial statistics produced by Mike Hobday, who reported from the fixture for us.

Between them the students spent £55,000 on pony hire at the 2009 Arena Championships, and he estimates that the 1,500 stick-wielding undergraduates across the UK shell out £350,000 on coaching and pony hire annually (in winter 95 per cent of them hire ponies; in summer some use their own). Clubs that aren’t in on the act may be missing a trick, it seems.

More importantly, though, as John Horswell says on page 19, kids are the future, and if they love the game early on, many will return to it later. In this issue, we also hear how young players in Nigeria and the US are benefiting from well organised support: South African player Selby Williamson, who teaches UK Pony Clubbers at his farm, writes about a recent trip to West Africa, while American reporter Lindsay Warner asks the USPA’s Peter Rizzo, who grew up surrounded by polo-playing relatives, about America’s intercollegiate/interscholastic scheme.

Lastly, a word of advice for anyone who doubts they can afford to continue the game. Decamp to the provinces – or Scotland. In Suffolk – near several very affordable clubs, you can land a family house with stables for just £247,000, while near Dundee & Perth Polo Club, a sociable club “with no flash cars or bling”, according to its polo manager, Thom Bell, you can pick up a four-bedroom property, with eight acres and four stables, for £395,000 (see our Property Special, page 60). For more on keeping general bills down, turn to page 44 – and if you have money-saving tips of your own, tell us by writing to letters@polotimes.co.uk.

Yolanda Carslaw

4 April 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk

The stylish new £2m clubhouse at Guards will be officially opened at the end of April by HM the Queen

Guards prepares to unveil new clubhouse GUARDS POLO CLUB is putting the finishing touches to its new clubhouse at Smith’s Lawn after 15 months of building and decorating.

The £2m project began in January 2008 after Charles Stisted, the club’s chief executive, personally took to the wheel of a bulldozer to start the demolition of the existing clubhouse, which dated from the 1970s. Work continued through last summer, with a temporary – and rather luxurious – tent set up for members and their guests. The Queen will open the clubhouse officially on 26 April, the day of the first league matches in the Spring Tournament.

The stylish new building has been designed in a similar style to the Royal Box. It has a white, glass

A custom-made table football game features players in Guards colours and red-roofed exterior, supported by sturdy exposed oak beams, and with a clean, modern colonial feel. At the main entrance, now squarely at the back of the building rather than at its side, sits the familiar statue of Prince Philip on a polo pony.

Facing the field is an airy bar and restaurant with high ceilings and floor-to-roof windows overlooking the Duke’s Ground as well as the Queen’s Ground. Parents can keep an eye on children, as there’s also a view of the playground.

Leather sofas are arranged near the bar, which is a large, square “island”. Plush lavatories, as well as men’s and ladies’ changing rooms and showers, are now accessed from indoors.

On one wall are newly handpainted winners’ boards for the club’s main trophies. Sign-writer Phil Taylor has been painstakingly gilding the names of some of polo’s most illustrious teams in gold leaf onto varnished wood. The craftsman, from Leamington Spa, who has been staying next

to the Duke’s Ground in a caravan since December, said the job was the biggest and most time-consuming he’d ever taken on.

Shields carrying the team colours and names of current title-holders sit above each board, and a trophy cabinet will also have pride of place.

Other items of interest include a custom-made table football game featuring players in the Guards colours of maroon and navy; an attractive, largescale polo painting that has been moved from the Royal Box and once hung in the Westbury Hotel in New York; and, hanging above the bar, a giant silvery aeroplane propeller. Tables, chairs and carpets continue the Guards colour scheme.

Staff are enjoying spacious new offices, and the Royal Box has also been redecorated.

It’s all change, too, at the polo shop yards from the clubhouse, where polo gear and clothing giant La Martina is setting up its UK headquarters and shop at Guards. The store will be open at Easter, then from 26 April from Tuesdays to Sundays.

On the shelves will be a mini-collection made solely for Guards, plus saddlery, polo equipment, clothing, shoes and perfumes. The building was previously occupied by polo and countryside gear retailer Roxtons, whose polo HQ is at Cirencester.

Craftsman Phil Taylor prepares a board for gilding

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Ex-racers in line for cash prizes OWNERS AND PRODUCERS of polo ponies that started their career on the racetrack have a chance this summer to win substantial cash prizes from Retraining of Racehorses (RoR). The charity is offering a first prize of £5,000 to the ex-racehorse judged to be the most successful on the polo circuit. Two runners-up prizes of £2,500 will also be given.

The prizes are open to any polo pony that has raced in the UK and Ireland and is registered with RoR – and to low- and medium-goal or Junior HPA ponies as well as highgoalers. They will be judged by a committee, in conjunction with clubs and the HPA, on their present and past polo performance, with their racing record also taken into account.

If the owner didn’t produce the horse, 20 per cent of the prize money will go to the person who did, to reward those who have retrained ex-racers.

The aim of the exercise is to get as many ex-racehorses registered to RoR’s records as possible – which

should in turn help polo, because it could open the way for further funds.

While RoR has 800 show horses and 500 eventers registered, just 65 polo ponies have been signed up.

To have their horses considered, owners need to register them with the RoR website – a process that is simple, quick and free – and to submit

The prizes are open to all polo ponies that have raced in the UK or Ireland a performance record, with details of past tournaments and achievements and future plans, to Di Arbuthnot, director of operations at RoR. “It’s a decent pot, worth signing up for – and it’ll grow if it’s supported by polo,” says Di. “The sooner you register and submit your horse’s polo performance record the better, so the committee can look at these horses.”

RoR will also be giving £500 to the club that signs up the greatest number of ex-racehorses – relative to its membership, and in summer 2010 plans are afoot to stage a match at Watership Down featuring eight exracehorses on the field at once.

“The point from the charity’s point of view is to recognise the horses, owners and producers out there and encourage owners to register their horses,” adds Di. “RoR is hugely supportive of polo as an alternative career, but polo needs to support us by registering horses to show the RoR trustees that it is worth increasing the prize fund in future years.”

RoR is funded partially by racehorse owners, who pay a 50p donation with every race entry, and by private donations – major legacies have come from the late Paul Mellon and from Sheikh Mohammed.

The prizes will be presented at the pre-Cartier HPA dinner on 23 July. ◗ To register, visit www.ror.org.uk or call 01488 648998.

News in brief ◗ HURTWOOD PARK POLO CLUB is expecting up to 10 pro-am and all-pro teams to compete in its 18-goal Polo Masters tournament next month (1-17 May). A $100,000 (£71,260) “winnertake-all” cash prize, up from last year’s £50,000 enticement, is up for grabs.

“We’re leaving the closing date flexible, until mid-April, to see how teams shape up,” says Eddie Kennedy, Hurtwood’s high-goal manager. Entry fees are £4,000 for patron-owned teams and £3,500 for all-pro sides.

Patrons signing up include the Al Habtoors, Spencer McCarthy and Roger Carlsson. Professionals putting in teams include Henry Brett and James Harper.

The 2008 Polo Masters attracted 7,500 spectators. The final went into overtime before Jerome Wirth’s Enigma walked away with the cash.

General public entry is free, and there’s a “premier parking” package available for prime fieldside viewing. ◗ TONY PIDGLEY, whose Cadenza team was a regular on the high-goal circuit until recently, has put his property company, Cadenza, into liquidation.

Newspapers report that the firm ran into trouble after the collapse of Heritable Bank, a subsidiary of the Icelandic bank Landsbanki, which was due to fund two developments.

Photograph by Michael Chevis

◗ AS POLO TIMES ARRIVES with you this month an 18-goal England team are poised to face Australia. On 29 March Jamie Le Hardy (capt), Ollie Cudmore, James Harper and Sam Gairdner will take to the field at Windsor Polo Club, NSW. The host side were to be picked from a wider squad of seven: Ruki Baillieu, Rob and Jack Archibald, Glen Gilmore, Jock Mackay, Ed Goold and Kelvin Johnson.

Di Arbuthnot (left) with a previous Retraining of Racehorses award winner, Arcadia Honey. His owner, Toby Smith, won a saddle

Nominees revealed for Audi Polo Awards 2009 THE FOURTH AUDI Polo Awards will be held at The Hilton, Park Lane, on Monday 18 May. This year’s charity beneficiary will be the Heaton-Ellis Trust. The awards recognise all the winners of the 2008 Julius Baer Victor Ludorum tournaments and celebrate success stories from across the polo world as teams reunite in the UK for their 2009 campaigns.

As readers who receive the weekly email subscribers’ newsletter will already know, the nominees were

announced in March in the categories for best high-goal team, high-goal patron, high-goal professional, medium-handicapped player, lowhandicapped player and British professional. The nominees in the ladies’ and arena polo sections will follow in early April.

Contesting this year’s best British professional title is a similar list to 2008, showing just two changes – Tom Morley and Henry Fisher miss out, as Malcolm Borwick and Mark

Tomlinson come in. The five nominees are James Beim, Malcolm Borwick, Nacho Gonzalez, Luke Tomlinson and Mark Tomlinson.

Charlie Hanbury, Eden Ormerod, Jack Richardson, Jamie Peel and Max Routledge are the nominees for best performer of 2008 in the lowhandicapped category.

For a full list, see the news section at www.polotimes.co.uk. To place your vote and book your ticket, visit www.audipoloawards.com.

◗ EQUINE CHARITY “The Brooke” hopes to raise £25,000 to fund a mobile vet clinic in Pakistan at a fundraising day at the Beaufort on 4 July. Up to 400 guests, paying £850 for a table of 12, will enjoy a reception and hospitality at a medium-goal match.

The Brooke’s veterinary teams, field clinics and animal health workers treat working horses, mules and donkeys in the developing world and educate the communities that rely on them. ◗ TEAMS THAT ENTER an innovative new low-goal league this summer could win a polo holiday in Spain. The Polo Del Sol-Southern Counties League has been set up by Sussex Polo Club to provide low-cost polo for players from Sussex, West Wycombe, Little Bentley and Brightling clubs.

For details, contact Sussex Polo’s Sallie Anne Lent on 01342 714920, and you can read the full story in the news section at www.polotimes.co.uk.

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News News in brief ◗ POLO TIMES is now available electronically to subscribers via a login link on the magazine’s website, www.polotimes.co.uk. With your new username and a unique password, you will be able to access the magazine, in full technicolour, anywhere in the world.

If you’re a paid-up subscriber but have not yet received a username and password, email becky@polotimes. co.uk or call +44 1993 886885. ◗ THE ROYAL SYDNEY Easter Show in Australia next month (9-22 April) celebrates the 70th anniversary of arena polo in its big ring, with threea-side matches scheduled for nine evenings, organised by the New South Wales Polo Association.

Arena polo has been played at the city’s royal show since 1939, attracting some of the world’s largest audiences for the sport, alongside dog shows and livestock, rodeo and show jumping competitions. ◗ MEMBERS OF MALAYSIA’S royal family will host representatives of the Federation of International Polo (FIP) for eight days of polo and sightseeing at the FIP 67th Ambassadors Cup (12-19 April), raising money for FIP. The Royal Malaysian Polo Association has scheduled matches at three of its clubs: Royal Pahang in Pekan, Royal Selangor in Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya Equestrian Park outside the country’s new federal centre. The visit comes hot on the heels of FIP’s 66th Ambassadors Cup in Australia last month. ◗ CREATIVE THINKING has been under way at Ascot Park to make polo yet more affordable and attract new faces. The club has introduced a reduced annual membership that can be paid monthly, at £135 + VAT per month, as well as midweek chukkas at a 50 per cent discount and “Champagne Challenges” with lower pro fees. Victoria Grace also reports that special offer Christmas “Discover Polo” vouchers, at £49.95 for a twohour session, have attracted a number of newcomers into the sport.

6 April 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk

Hipwood named as mediator HOWARD HIPWOOD (pictured right) has been appointed the HPA’s umpiring assessor, a new role created to give teams and umpires an impartial party to whom to turn when problems arise.

The England veteran and former ninegoaler, who was selected by the stewards, will assess disputes in 18-, 20- and 22-goal polo this summer.

“Howard has played and umpired all over the world and is respected by the players and umpires,” says David Woodd, chief executive of the HPA. “He’ll be completely independent of the professional umpiring group, and will not umpire or referee, although he’s still allowed to play.”

Hipwood will watch as many games as he can, focusing on the 22goal. If a team or player is unhappy with the umpiring, they refer to him, passing him the DVD – all 22-goal is filmed, and some of the 18-goal.

Equally, umpires can approach him if they feel a team or player is being persistently troublesome.

“If he’s seen the game, he’ll have a view, and he’ll watch the DVD and analyse it as best he can,” says Woodd. “He can also speak to players,

and to the chief umpire, Robert Graham, if necessary.”

Hipwood, who plays professionally in the UK and abroad and manages Karan Thapar’s Aravali team, says he is looking forward to the role.

“I think it’s a good idea, and if having a mediator helps things to run more efficiently and smoothly it’ll be a success,” he says.

“Clearly there is always the odd decision that’s debatable but this is more about when somebody thinks there has been consistently bad umpiring and they need somebody to speak up on their behalf.”

At this experimental stage only

increase this year with the formation of a “second” professional umpiring group.

At present there is one group of around 10 professional umpires, whose members cover all 22- and

‘He’s played and umpired all over the world and is respected and admired’ high-goal players and umpires can approach Hipwood with a problem.

However, if it’s deemed successful, the system may be extended to other levels.

OPPORTUNITIES TO EARN money as professional umpires are set to

Umpires look set for more work this summer, but will also be more accountable

18-goal games, plus finals and semi-finals of 15-goal Victor Ludorum tournaments.

This year, the plan is to use professional umpires for all 15-goal Victor Ludorum games, plus finals and semis of the 12- and 8-goal.

Members of the second group can expect to earn up to £200 per match (members of the existing high-goal professional umpire group earn up to £400 per match).

HPA chief executive David Woodd says: “We’re looking for players who have been three or four goals. We need around 30, spread across Sussex, Gloucestershire and Berkshire.” ◗ The HPA is holding a briefing on 27 April about the second pro umpiring group. To sign up, call the HPA on 01367 242828.

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County Polo aims to go countrywide COUNTY POLO, a regular feature for novice players at both the Beaufort and FHM clubs, is planning to go up a gear this season.

Claire Tomlinson and Francis Matthews, from the respective Gloucestershire and Sussex clubs, have been working together to produce a set of guidelines that describe the concept, and they are keen for more clubs to become involved.

Most clubs offer instruction and some offer instructional chukkas. The idea of County Polo – a separate entity to Country House Polo – is to create a safe environment for players under instruction (maximum handicap minusone) to enjoy the thrill of inter-club competition in a controlled environment, where they are not necessarily the worst player and constantly being told to “leave it!”.

It is played on a reduced-sized field, three-on-three, with an experienced umpire who communicates with the players throughout to help prevent infringements and help players learn the structure of the game.

The emphasis is on fun, safety and learning, and the environment, with no pressure from better players, is set up to improve skills at a slower pace. The three-on-three format enables everyone to get more of the action and makes team play easier to understand.

Incoming club members with a limited budget can compete on one

horse, playing two chukkas and sharing a place with another player.

There are no professional fees, but increased involvement for everyone.

One club that is already keen to get involved is Ascot Park, which has been running academy polo for many seasons and has strong links with

Claire Tomlinson and Francis Matthews

FHM. The clubs are in talks to arrange some inter-club dates for this summer.

Francis Matthews has also discussed expanding County Polo with David Woodd, chief executive of the HPA, who is eager for the idea to be adopted by more clubs across the country.

Claire Tomlinson has offered the Beaufort Polo Club as the venue for an end-of-season County Polo championship. ◗ For more information on County Polo, or if you’d like your club to get involved, please contact Francis on 07778 436468 or Claire on 01666 880510.

Spicer scoops £1,000 prize YOUNG PLAYER ROBIN SPICER has won a prestigious prize in a national design competition for his wheeled polo tack rack, which featured in the news section of the March issue of Polo Times.

The 17-year-old from Northamptonshire took his design in early March to Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Conference Centre, opposite the Houses of Parliament, for the Young Engineer of Britain competition, where judges put it under scrutiny, along with designs from 40 other competitors.

“We were judged five times in all,” said Robin, a 0-goal player who is in the first year of his A-Levels at Bloxham School. “I had to field quite a bombardment of questions, and by the end the judges understood the concept of polo and the equipment that goes on the horses.”

Five main prizes were given at the awards ceremony at the end of the weekend, and Robin won the Best Development and Marketability award, which earned him £1,000 as well as a glass trophy.

“My heart nearly exploded when they read my name out!” said Robin, who has sold several racks to professional players.

The ceremony was followed by a party at the nightclub Ministry of Sound, and the next day the designs went on view to the public.

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News

Latest from the HPA HPA chief executive David Woodd rounds up the news from UK polo’s headquarters Membership cards and DVD Following the launch of membership cards last season, all members with an HPA handicap will be sent one, along with a rules and umpire DVD for 2009. The cards allow club managers to verify a player’s handicaps and memberships easily and efficiently. Players of one goal and above will once

again receive a pocket rules book on the basis that, as an accomplished player, they will hopefully help to umpire.

The above will only be distributed to players once the HPA has been both notified of their membership and given their correct postal addresses by clubs.

Therefore, if a player does not receive his or her card,

Regional chief umpires for 2009

Blue Books The Blue Books are set to be dispatched to clubs in the second week of April. Please ensure that you pick up your copy and read the rules and regulations.

There have been some significant changes, which are also covered in Umpire’s Corner in Polo Times.

Arena International success

The regional chief umpires for this season are as follows: South East (15) Ascot Park Arthur Douglas-Nugent Brightling Tel: 01730 815150 Burningfold Cowdray

Coworth Epsom Fifield FHM

Guards Ham Hurtwood Knepp Castle

RCBPC RMA Sandhurst Sussex

South West (13) Tim Keyte Tel: 07768 886605

Asthall Farm Beaufort Cirencester Druids Lodge

Edgeworth Inglesham Ladyswood Longdole

New Forest Taunton Tidworth Vaux Park

West Somerset

Central (10) Julian Appleby Tel: 07710 521184

Binfield Heath Cheshire Chester Racecourse

Kirtlington Lacey Green Offchurch Bury

RLS Rugby Stapleford

West Wycombe

East (11) Tim Bown Tel: 07971 061909

Apsley End Cambridge Dedham Vale

Haggis Farm Hertfordshire Little Bentley

Ranksborough Rutland Silver Leys

St Albans Suffolk

North & Scotland (6) TBC

Beverley Dundee & Perth

Edinburgh Toulston

Vale of York White Rose

Ireland (10) Brian Mullins Tel+ 353 879 674225

All Ireland Brannockstown Bunclody

Curraghmore Donaghadee Limerick

Moyne Northern Ireland Waterford

Congratulations to the England team of Nacho Gonzalez, Ryan Pemble and Howard Smith, who beat America 15-9 in the International Arena Test Match on Saturday 28 February at AEPC Hickstead. Thanks must go to England’s coach, Chris Hyde, and to the Americans for providing such sporting opposition.

Entries for Junior HPA and Pony Club Entries close this week (Wednesday 1 April). Please contact Amanda Eaton in the HPA Office for further information and to request an entry form. If you wish to play in a Pony Club team, please contact your Pony Club branch manager.

Dates for the diary Courses 6 April (10am) – First Aid day course, Little Coxwell 15-17 Apr (10am) – Coaching course, Down Farm 21 Apr – Coaching seminar, Down Farm

Meetings Wicklow

If you need advice or wish to organise a “Rules Test” (formerly the CP Test), please contact your local representative. All players are expected to take and pass the Rules Test before they can be raised in handicap or moved off ‘S’.

8 April 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk

it will probably be because the HPA has not received the correct contact details.

7 Apr (2.30pm) – Welfare AGM, RCBPC 24 Apr (5pm) – Club Chief Umpires’ meeting, HPA Office 11 May (2.30pm) – Council meeting, Cavalry & Guards Club, London 12 May (10.30am) – Umpiring meeting (high-goal and professional Umpires), RCBPC 12 May (2pm) – Club Chief Umpires’ meeting, RCBPC

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The hilltop racecourse at Bath. The polo ground and stands will be set up in the bottom right-hand corner of this picture

Ladies to face Longdole at Bath POLO IS COMING to the Somerset city of Bath next month, with a “battle of the sexes” taking place at the racecourse.

The event will feature the formidable and highly successful Diamonds International team of Nina and Tamara Vestey, Emma Tomlinson and Lucy Taylor, against Longdole Polo Club’s Charlie and George Hanbury and Rob and Ollie Cudmore.

The fixture, on 23 May, has been organised by a sports and hospitality company set up by the former

England rugby player Victor Ubogu, in conjunction with Longdole Polo Club.

The ground, which will be marked out inside the hilltop racetrack, will be

Former England rugby player Victor Ubogu is staging the event close to full size, and organisers plan to follow HPA rules as closely as possible. Bath-based Victor, whose

wife, Anj, plays at the Gloucestershire club, has been to Cartier Day and the Gold Cup. “I have wanted to bring one of the worlds’s oldest sports to our world heritage city for a long time,” he said.

The event will be a family day out, with attractions such as juggling, crafts and sports workshops as well as a four-chukka match at 3pm.

For more information contact Karen Sahoy at VU Ltd on 0871 871 5300 or email karen.sahoy@ vultd.co.uk

Clapham to host a toast to polo

Action at a previous Toast festival

A THIRD POLO EVENT is set to take place this summer in central London, on Clapham Common from 26-28 June.

The fixture, which has a rather different flavour to those planned for Hurlingham Park (5-6 June) and Horseguards Parade (17-18 June), is part of the southern hemisphere festival Toast, which showcases wine, food, music, comedy and other sports from South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

Each day will kick off with a polo match, in association with Ascot Park Polo Club, with each Toast nation taking on a UK line-up on respective days.

Players include the South African Rod Gutridge, Alex Parrot from New Zealand, James Wayland from Australia and England’s Tarquin Southwell. Peter Grace will be commentating.

There will be opportunities for festival-goers to jump in the saddle and

grab a mallet, or stand on crates testing their skills in traditional Ascot Park style.

The Toast festival has staged polo before, in Syon Park, West London, but in recent years the whole thing took place indoors.

Louise Murie, show director for 2009, said: “We’re really excited that Toast is back where it belongs – outside! Visitors will get a true taste for the sounds, smells and tastes of life down under. They can grab a Tim Tam, enjoy the flavours of a braai or learn to play polo in the open air.”

Toast features South Africa on the Friday, New Zealand on the Saturday and Australia on the Sunday. Tickets start at £15, and Gold Tent guests have access to prime seats to watch the polo and other entertainment.

For tickets call 0871 230 7143 or visit www.toastfestivals.co.uk

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Comment Paul Sweeney in 2005

‘Polo has that

exhilarating buzz’

Many wonderful tributes to the late Paul Sweeney have already appeared, but here are the words of the man himself – in an interview conducted in summer 2005 by Roy Law What changes in the last 10 years do you like or regret?

It’s great that pony welfare has improved and is now regulated. I don’t like the increasingly litigious atmosphere (except for payment of bills!) or the reductions in insurance cover.

RL: Why polo?

PS: Most of my teenage years were spent on motorbikes, both racing and crosscountry, so any alternative sport was always going to have to be exhilarating. Polo has that buzz.

How did you start to play?

My wife Lesley was “into” horses – dressage, show jumping and so on – before we married and she bought me a lesson at a polo club in Berkshire. I was petrified as the horse ran away with me and headed for the gateway. Some time later, in 1992, my best friend and I enrolled at John Horswell’s Polo Academy at Epsom; we were that bad it took us six months to play instructional chukkas!

What are the pros and cons of owning a polo club?

The advantages are getting to play the polo you want to and to maintain a high standard of play. But it’s difficult to find the right staff – polo manager, coaches and grooms. It’s not a way to make a living, rather it’s part of a lifestyle that enables other people to enjoy themselves.

Photograph by Roy Law

Where are the best polo grounds?

In England private grounds such as Les Lions and club grounds such as Cowdray Park, which have had plenty of money and know-how bestowed on them. Apart from anything else, a hardy, vigorous grass ought to be used. In warmer climates the more wiry nature of the grass tends to “tee the ball”, making a better game. Here, the ball tends to “sit into” the grass; I still think these other grasses could be developed for use in the UK. Which players do you admire and respect?

John Horswell is unique, with his unrivalled knowledge and memory – and good company. Howard Hipwood is my least favourite opponent – he’s formidable on the field and a wonderful horseman. I am lucky enough to have learnt from great players at Ash Farm.

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Do you think patron polo could ever be replaced by commercial sponsorship?

Patron polo is a necessary part of the game, but there is room for both.

Increased commercial sponsorship is a good idea as it elevates polo’s public image. For the sponsor, it provides exceptional opportunities for corporate hospitality and the association with such a fast game suits some products.

Paul Sweeney, who set up Ash Farm Polo Club, and his wife Lesley

Does polo have to be expensive?

No, yet it’s not as cheap as some people think. It is the responsibility of those bringing new people into polo to explain the costs. The cheapest way is to groom for yourself; however, unless you aren’t working, it’s difficult to keep your horses fit enough.

How can polo encourage more spectators?

By trying to get back to the pre-videogames family-outing type of atmosphere. Polo is almost as elitist as racing, yet it is an attainable elitism. Spectators are guaranteed a buzz from the skill and speed of polo. There seems to be some sort of prejudice against polo on TV, but I think it would make good television.

What is the big issue that polo has to face?

Inconsistent umpiring and testosteronefuelled egos!

Is the ratio of home to overseas professionals about right?

Yes, at any rate in Europe it’s now an open market; that means that home-grown professionals have to work harder!

What is the value of corporate events?

For a company, they get real teambuilding – polo is such a great leveller. For polo, a corporate event brings more people into the sport and a greater appreciation of the horse – the job he does, how he enjoys it and how he should be respected and admired.

Would you like to see any rules changed?

Yes, to place more emphasis on dangerous plays and less on minor infringements.

What is your favourite polo maxim?

Take the man first and he will take you to the ball.

What are your happiest polo memories?

On a summer’s evening, after work, playing one-on-one stick and ball with my daughter Charlotte in the paddock behind our home. F ◗ Roy Law is a professional announcer and commentator who keeps crowds entertained and informed at polo matches, race meetings and cross-country events across the UK. Roy interviewed Paul Sweeney at Ash Farm, where he used to commentate, in summer 2005. For more on Roy Law, visit his website at www.soft-spokenwords.com

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Global view Comment With Herbert Spencer, who has been following polo around the world for 40 years

Pros and coins: putting selection under scrutiny This means, for example, that Italy are able to field a team of more than 30 goals with Argentines who have obtained Italian passports.

Even the International Olympic Committee (IOC) seems unsure as to exactly what criteria to apply when determining national eligibility, though it has been cracking down on athletes who switch nationality – who were once referred to by IOC President Jacques Rogge as “mercenaries”.

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Now to that second tricky issue in international polo competition: the expectation that any professional player should be proud to play for his country without demanding a fee.

Polo pros earn their living from fees paid by the patrons of pro-am teams.

When a player is asked to join a national team, often in the middle of a high-goal tournament, like any competitor he risks injury to himself and to his ponies. If he is injured playing in an international, he

Two US players removed themselves from the US team for the Camacho Cup because they were playing for patrons in 26-goal pro-am tournaments across the state

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he inclusion of Eduardo Novillo Astrada in the England team that won the Westchester Cup in February and the late changes to the USA team for the Camacho Cup last month highlighted two important issues that complicate the staging of international competitions. I’ve touched on both issues in previous columns, but perhaps it’s now time for the powers that be in polo to make some changes.

The first issue is one of nationality.

What should determine who is eligible to play for a national team? The second is whether a professional player should be expected to play for his or her country for nothing.

Before the England selectors chose Eduardo to spearhead their Westchester team, he had always been thought of as a native of Argentina, living there as a member of one of the country’s most prominent high-goal clans. He just happens to have been born in England 35 years ago and happens to possess a UK rather than an Argentine passport, which makes him eligible to play for England under current rules. The selectors brought Eduardo, rather than one of England’s homebred pros, onto the team because of his higher handicap and his availability (with his own ponies) in Florida.

Interestingly, the high-scorer on the USA Westchester team, Nicolas Roldan, was born in Argentina, but was brought to the States as an infant, became a naturalised citizen of the US and so was eligible to play for the USA. Then, when it came time to choose the USA and Mexico teams for the Camacho Cup, the Gracidas with dual nationality opted to play for the latter, even though Memo had played for the US in the Copa de las Americas.

Some countries in the European Union readily grant foreign players dual nationality by virtue of their ancestry.

The delighted England team (l-r: James Beim; Mark Tomlinson; Eduardo Novillo Astrada; Luke Tomlinson) lifts the Westchester Cup

Perhaps the Federation of International Polo (FIP) and national associations should establish some sort of residency rule, so that national teams are more truly representative of the sport in each country.

could be out of a job and his patron would be unhappy as well.

Scheduling can also cause problems.

Last month the eight-goal American pros Nicolas Roldan and Jeff Hall removed themselves from the USA team in the Camacho Cup in Florida, just 10 days before the event, because both were playing for patrons in the 26-goal pro-am tournaments all the way across the state.

As far as I am aware, none of the associations pay fees to pros selected for their national teams. The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) does not pay fees to England players, but it does reimburse their expenses and compensates them for supplying ponies, either their own or rented for the event.

Given that it is the players who provide the “entertainment” which draws spectators to sponsored international events, it seems only fair that members of national teams should receive at least some financial incentive, however modest. F

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PTApril 2009 p12-13 As I see it YC JM MB

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Comment Polo as I see it

The executive director of the United States Polo Association grew up among a horde of polo-playing brothers and cousins. Lindsay Warner asks him how America is encouraging young people into the sport eter Rizzo is the product of a poloplaying family. With 11 Rizzos playing polo while he was growing up, he had a built-in mentoring system that enabled him to move through the ranks as a youngster and to continue playing professionally as an adult.

But not all polo-crazy youngsters in the US are quite so lucky, demonstrated by the notable lack of American players in high-goal polo. Rizzo tracks this deficit back to its roots, and has been focusing his attention as executive director of the USPA on what the association can do to train and enrich its youngest members.

At the forefront of USPA-headed initiatives is the Intercollegiate/Interscholastic (I/I) programme, which combines proper polo schooling with competitions between high schools and universities around the country.

The I/I was formerly headed by the Polo Training Foundation, but the USPA became more formally involved several years ago, when the PTF announced an intention to focus exclusively on training its young players, relinquishing its managerial duties to the USPA. Since the division of duties, the I/I has been buoyed with a new influx of teams, with more than 100 high schools and universities registered for the 2009 season.

“The I/I programme is quite literally the future of American polo,” Rizzo says. “Although the USPA has always been involved in some aspect, they have really stepped up their investment in the past two or three years. For example, we appointed I/I programme director Kim Syne, who organises all of the regional and national events, culminating in this year's I/I national final at the University of Virginia.”

I/I-affiliated schools and universities generally provide both horses and training programmes, enabling non-horse owners to participate.

Photographs by Lindsay Warner

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However, most importantly, young players of all levels are required to learn the fundamental skills of grooming and horsemanship, fuelling what Rizzo hopes is “a lifelong love of polo”.

“These I/I programmes give everyone the opportunity to learn polo, regardless of experience or income,” says Rizzo. “We love to target the kids because we hope to get them hooked on the game for life.”

However, the easy part is teaching kids to love the game and to love the horses; it’s more

America doesn’t want to be known just for its sponsors – we need players who are dedicated to improving difficult to engage young people in the organisation and the annual meetings. Kris Bowman has taken the reins on this USPAguided initiative with the Youth Leadership Programme, due to launch this month. Bowman's job is to generate interest in the other half of polo – the operations, management and organisation, attempting to engage young players in all aspects of the sport.

It’s an important task because, as Rizzo notes, once you graduate from the I/I programme, there's “no getting around the fact that polo is expensive”. So, he is constantly searching for ways to defray the high cost of the sport while maintaining young players' interest.

Regional training centres are a key way to help players of all ages, with the Brushy Creek Club in Fort Worth, Texas, emerging as an admirable model. Robin Sanchez heads up the operations there, where they provide facilities, horses, training and general knowledge to

players in search of additional resources. Five other centres are in the pipeline and Rizzo and the USPA’s eventual aim is to have 13 centres open – one for every regional circuit in US polo.

Still, Rizzo extends his national call to action to all members of the polo community, urging experienced players, parents and friends to reach out to the younger generation.

“We keep trying to tell people to donate to scholastic programmes, or to start their own programmes. There’s a wealth of information on how to do that,” he says. “That’s the mentoring process; that’s where somebody says ‘I’m going to make a difference.’ And I think even if only 50 kids were taken under somebody’s wings, you’re going to produce several new high-goal players. But you’ve just got to give – you’ve got to give them horses, give them mallets, pay their dues, in order for that model to happen.”

Rizzo’s charge to the US polo community extends across all ages. While he challenges older players to step up both as mentors and as players, he also expects the younger players to rise to the highest standards.

“What I think we’ve seen in this country over the past 10 years is a lot of people coming into the sport without a desire to become very good polo players,” he said. “These players like the lifestyle and they love polo and that’s not taking anything away - they want to be on the field - but too many of them just want to be sponsors. In a way that is good for polo; it’s healthy, you get good horses.

“But in the long run, I don’t think America wants to be known just for its sponsors. We need players who love to play, who have a passion for the game and are dedicated to improving and playing well. You can sponsor all you want, but learn how to become a polo player first. Then you won’t have to hire as many people to play on your team, and maybe you can also help to give our own young players a chance.” F

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Peter Rizzo, who has issued a national call to action to the polo community to reach out to the young

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PTApril 2009 p14-15 Letter from YC MB

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Comment Letter from South Africa’s former polo captain, Selby Williamson, on an action-packed visit to West Africa

Letter from

Nigeria Five-goaler Selby Williamson travelled to a leafy island suburb of Nigeria’s former capital, where 40 teams from across the land had gathered for a week-long festival t the beginning of February I travelled to Nigeria to play in the Lagos International Polo Tournament – a weeklong festival involving more than 40 teams across four sections, from zero to 17 goals.

The tournament took place at Lagos Polo Club on Ikoyi Island, on the south coast of the country. The island, a suburb of the massive city of Lagos, Nigeria’s capital until 1991, is a mainly residential area with palatial houses, expansive gardens and five-star hotels.

Another South African player, Clive Millman, came too, and an Argentine, Roman Rampello. Other than that, home players dominated.

The presence of Gavin Chaplin, also from South Africa, as professional umpire, made a huge difference in keeping play safe for everyone. The Lagos club’s polo captain, Francis Ogboro, was instrumental in bringing him in.

There’s a good relationship between the South African and Nigerian polo communities – Gavin and I had played or taught there before, and a group of young Nigerian players have been to my polo farm, Jurassic Park, in Kwa-Zulu Natal – on a similar sort of visit that British Pony Clubbers make each spring.

The two top Nigerian players are the Buba brothers, Bello and Hamisu, who are both five goals. Along with Roman Rampello, they won the high-goal Majekodunmi Cup for Mohammed Babangida’s Kaduna team, beating Hajara Farm in a field of three entries.

Bello Buba, who teaches at Kaduna, was named most valuable player – and

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also won the Lagos Open Cup A section, which eight teams entered.

I stayed with the Edun family, who gave me superb hospitality just two minutes from the polo field, next to the golf course. Other players stayed in the

Brothers Rotimi (left) and Bode Makanjuola, with Selby Williamson

Sofitel hotel on the island. Conditions were hot and humid, and an incredible 42 matches were played over eight days – on one field!

I was playing for Prince Albert Esiri’s Ashbert/GoodFellows – the patron was playing again at Lagos after a couple of years’ absence – and we were runners-up in the Lagos Open Cup. The Nigerian season runs almost all year round, going from state to state – and the game is certainly alive and well.

Clubs include Katsina in the far north, near the border with Niger; Kano and Sokoto, also in the north; Kaduna and Zaria in the mid-north; Jos, north-west of the central capital, Abuja; and Ibadan and Lagos in the south-east.

The game was played in Nigeria as early as 1904, but it was only “properly” introduced when British army officers

started playing in the north of the country in 1918. By 1922, Katsina had become the first major polo centre.

Now there are also a few private clubs with good facilities – in particular Fifth Chukker, owned by Adamu Atta, holds numerous high-profile tournaments.

High-goal players from around the world, such as Agustin Merlos, have appeared there, and the club holds a big 20-goal charity tournament at the end of May. All over Nigeria there’s a strong spectator following: locals and grooms really know the game, support good play and worship top players. Plenty of VIPs and invited guests attend games. Horses are mainly from Argentina or bred locally, with a few coming from South Africa.

Local businesses get involved: at the Lagos tournament, organisers had rounded up a good batch of sponsors, from a newspaper group to a bank and an insurance company.

The next generation is doing well, mainly due to the efforts of Oho Sports Limited, a development company for polo, run by Mallam Dasuki and Baba Kyari.

Together they have sent groups of youngsters to England and South Africa to learn, and recently seven Nigerian children spent a week of their Christmas holidays at a clinic at the nearby Ghanaian capital, Accra, with Gavin Chaplin instructing. Being taught by some of the best in the business is giving Nigerian youngsters great opportunities and exposure to good polo. F ◗ Selby Williamson runs the Jurassic Park

polo farm and school in South Africa. For more information tel: +27 39 747 4434 or visit www.jurassicparkpolo.co.za

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PTApril 2009 p16-17 Umpire YC JM

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Comment Umpire’s corner

What I’ve learned from the recent US internationals again to keep everyone alert. The main focus has been on the taking of penalties – to bring us closer into line with Argentina, to prevent injury on the 30-yard hit and to eliminate the tapped 60-yarder as a means of upgrading the penalty.

The new rule now states: “The striker must have the intent to carry out

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HIT WITH INTENT As mentioned last month, we have been messing around with the rules

16 April 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk

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STRIKING FROM 60 When a penalty four is awarded, it will be carried out as before, with the ball placed on the 60-yard line opposite the centre of the goal and the team taking the penalty standing where they wish, while those facing it assemble behind their own 30yard line. Once the ball has been hit legitimately, play will continue as before.

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ules, rules, rules – are there too many of them? Well, as far as the umpires are concerned, probably not: the rules exist to give them sufficient guidance so they can give definitive and consistent judgments in any situation. However, variations and anomalies exist between the rules in different parts of the world so one of our aims at the moment is to work towards a convergence of the rules worldwide.

Recently, some progress has been made. For example, the Westchester Cup match in Florida was played under USPA rules with two Mexican umpires and, by all accounts, was an excellent and wellumpired contest (made easier because it was played between two balanced teams).

Perhaps the second running of an international arena match at Hickstead gave a more persuasive argument for rule convergence. The US team was squarely beaten and, although no excuses were made, it was clear that the visitors were disadvantaged by playing under our arena rules and the interpretations thereof.

However, it was encouraging to learn that they liked some of them: namely, our rule leading to continuous play after a goal is scored and the award of a penalty for hitting the ball out of play. Certainly, both rules help to speed up play, which is vital if arena polo is to make its mark as a spectator sport.

An umpire could in this context be a bit more lenient, so that interruption of play due to fouls is kept to a minimum.

As in rugby, open fast running play is what the public want to see – not prolonged delays due to whistleblowing, pony-changing and arena maintenance. But then, of course, you have to think of the ponies.

No excuses were made, but it was clear the visitors were disadvantaged by playing under our arena rules penalties three, four and six [40-yarders, 60-yarders and 60-yard safety] in only one hit.” He thus may not make a preliminary hit for himself or a team-mate and he must strike the ball on the first approach without circling.

The important word is “intent” and it will be up to the umpires to make a judgment on this point. Should the striker “top” the ball inadvertently, then he or a team-mate may play it, but not with a full shot. If, however, the striker taps the ball for himself or another to have the second shot, then a hit from the spot where the penalty was taken will be awarded to the other side.

Note that this rule doesn’t apply to penalty twos (30-yarders) – more on this later.

FOUL FOR THOUGHT Last month’s conundrum A player goes through the goal and knocks down a post so that it falls across the goal. A following-up player hits the ball, which strikes the fallen post but does not go through. What should the umpires do?

If a player knocks down a goalpost which falls so that a shot which otherwise would have gone through the goal is blocked, then the umpires should award a goal (Rule 20a).

This month’s puzzle A player is playing the ball on his offside. Under what circumstance can an opponent ride over the ball to frustrate him?

For the penalty six (60-yard safety) the slight variation is that, should the ball be hit over the back line by a defender wider than 40 yards from the centre of the goal, it will be brought back to the spot, which will be marked on the ground.

TACKLING TWOS A penalty three (from 40 yards) will be taken with the one hit and, as in the past, the team facing will be able to defend it.

However, the 30-yard penalty two is a bit more complicated. The umpire must ask the captain of the team fouled if he wishes to take the penalty from the spot or on the 30-yard line.

If he elects to take it from the spot, then the striker may hit the ball once or tap as many times as he wishes. The team facing must be at least 30 yards from the ball and behind their own back line. They may defend as best they can but, as they may not enter through the goal, they are unlikely to be successful.

If the captain elects to take the hit from the 30-yard line, the ball may be struck once only into an undefended goal.

Should the striker mis-hit, so that the ball stops in the playing area, the team facing the penalty will be awarded a hit from the spot where the ball came to rest. F

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PTApril 2009 p18-19 Horswell YC MB

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Players’ forum Comment With John Horswell, the outspoken sultan of swing

Lifting the gloom: UK polo is saddling up for the season part in the recent SUPA tournaments [see page 40]. I do not care that the quality may not have been all that flash but to have over 90 teams in the university tournament alone is a terrific achievement.

This, allied with the number of school children of all ages now taking up polo, bodes well for the future of our sport. This is particularly important, given the lesser numbers of successful City types and

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ENGLAND’S WIN BODES WELL These are most definitely in order for the English team on their victory in the Westchester Cup – you can only play the team that is put out against you. As the new chairman of the Hurlingham Polo Association [Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers] quite rightly points out in his recent letter to clubs, the challenge of Argentina this summer will provide a much sterner test.

However, on the back of the triumph in the US, I would fully expect us to give them a good game. Confidence breeds confidence and hopefully we will carry this forward in the same way all PT’s English subscribers will surely be hoping that the English rugby team do following their encouraging thrashing of France in the Six Nations last month. I for one cannot wait for the Cartier and to see how it turns out.

MAY SUPA CONTINUE TO THRIVE I was amazed to hear about the quantity of schools and universities that have taken

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FROM THE ARENA It has not been a bad season actually, given the early struggle for numbers and some awful weather. The entries in the national tournaments and the Westbury Gold Cup were adequate and we had a competitive international Test Match against the United States, despite the fact that the timing was difficult for them. They came not

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re things looking up? So far all the prophets of doom are apparently mistaken. At the latest count there will be at least 18 teams for the UK high-goal and activity at other levels also seems to be picking up. I still think that the 15-goal level may be down on last year but, apart from that, it all seems reasonably normal.

Certainly around the Berkshire area there seem to be more ponies than boxes available and people are fittening their strings for the season. The Brittany team appears to have filled the RCBPC singlehanded! So, let us keep our fingers crossed. But I’m optimistic and, with the weather we have been having, I have decided to start playing outdoors as soon after April Fools’ Day as I can. It will be interesting to revisit this conversation at this time next year, as that will probably be the real test of how things are going.

There seem to be more ponies than boxes and the Brittany team alone seems to have filled RCBPC

knowing what to expect but I think they left impressed by the facilities and the ponies they were given.

As the USA is the only other country with levels of active arena polo which can rival our own, I think we should expect to see them more often and hopefully at other levels. It would be nice to see teams visiting in a private capacity now they know what we can produce. Their universities polo is also very strong and the idea put forward at the recent Arena International Committee meeting of playing them at that level is a very good one.

Now is the time to ride sets, and spend plenty of hours in the saddle

bankers that we should expect to see for the foreseeable future.

Exposure and enthusiasm are the keys to the future. If we can get them to play at this stage and instil in them a love for the sport that lasts, so they will hopefully return to playing once they have made their way in the world, and the sport will have a consistent flow of “new” blood.

My congratulations to all involved and long may we continue to see this level of activity maintained and developed.

SADDLE UP AND RIDE! As always at this time of year, the number one tip for you all from the sultan is get in the saddle as soon as possible and as much as possible. Do not wait until stick-and-ball time and do not do too much schooling, particularly if you employ someone with more knowledge than you to do that. Go out on sets and spend at least an hour and a half in the saddle each time. Above all, when riding and leading several ponies you learn to sit still and rely more on your legs than your hands! Have fun. F

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PTApril 2009 p20-21 letters MB YC

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Comment Your views

Letter of the month The future looks SUPA

Letters letters@polotimes.co.uk Running for the Heaton-Ellis Trust On 15 March my fiancé Mike and I dragged ourselves around 13 arduous miles as we took part in the Fleet Half Marathon. Whilst we are not averse to a gentle jog, 13 miles on a hot day, coupled with a decided lack of training on our part, meant the experience turned out to be a testing one! We felt encouraged the whole way round though, as we were running to raise funds for the Heaton-Ellis Trust. The Trust, set up by David and Sophie Heaton-Ellis and many of their friends and family, seeks to fund essential research into finding a cure for motor neurone disease (MND), which David sadly has.

David and Sophie have been great friends and I owe them a huge debt of gratitude for introducing me to polo, a sport I now totally love. They have made this fantastic game both accessible and fun, not just for me, but for a great number of others, including many of my colleagues at Vodafone in Newbury.

In mid-February, students converged on the superb Hand Equestrian Centre in Somerset for the La Martina National Arena Championships [see page 40]. Imperial College Polo were competing in only our second tournament but could no longer count ourselves the new kids on the block thanks to the number of even newer teams and players at what was the world’s largest arena polo tournament.

The opportunities for competitive student polo are getting better, but nothing could compare to the amount and quality of competition or the spirit of February’s tournament. Our training in the arena through the wind, rain and even snow of winter was supplemented by a January “training camp” in Argentina. Then came the tournament itself.

We were pleased not to be on too early on the Thursday (although we would pay for this good fortune later) and even the prospect of chukkas on Friday 13th didn’t seem too bad. The organisation of the tournament was impressive and led to the almost unprecedented situation of chukkas actually being ahead of time. Managing such a logistical challenge is no mean feat and thanks are due to the few tireless volunteers who made it all happen.

Of course, more than 500 students gathering together is a perfect excuse for a party and Bristol University Polo Club didn’t let us down, with obstacle courses, bouncy castles, inflatable sumo wrestling and more, making for a fantastic night. Unfortunately, someone had to be first up the next morning and a 9am chukka after such a party was not the most welcome - but everyone managed in good humour.

With the dedication shown by the sport’s youngsters from all walks of life, polo looks to have a secure future and we all eagerly look forward to the next championship.

Jon Matthews Imperial College Polo, London

The writer of the letter of the month wins a bottle of La Chamiza Argentine red wine Through them I’ve been lucky enough to play in Argentina, watch the greats perform at Palermo and meet some wonderful people. I went back to Argentina before Christmas and took the opportunity to travel around this fantastic country as well as play polo. It was such a great holiday, and the only thing missing

Wood you believe it?

We had a wooden horse stolen from a barn near Malmesbury, Wiltshire, between mid-February and early March and would appreciate it if anybody who is offered Woody could let us know.

We’d been hoping to take the horse out of storage ourselves and sell it as a low maintenance and well bred school horse, but somebody evidently got there first.

The animal looks like a standard wooden one, but there’s a story behind it, as it sprang from rather illustrious stock. When I was doing my A-Levels in Cambridge, more than 15 years ago, I used the wooden horse on which Prince Charles used to practise his polo when he was at Cambridge in the 1960s. Later on I decided to build my own wooden horse and my father and I used the original Trumpington horse as a template.

Unfortunately I never used my own version (Woody) because I went straight on to using the hairy, high maintenance, but adorable moving versions – in fact, nobody has used Woody.

If you come across Woody (pictured) do let me know (email keithclampton@googlemail.com or telephone 01285 770946) – it’s a well built animal, has never been backed, likes to live quietly indoors and was wearing no tack when last seen.

Keith Clampton Cirencester, Glos

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was not seeing David and Sophie there too. Unfortunately David’s health prevented him from travelling.

Mike and I will shortly be leaving the UK to live and work in New Zealand. Over Christmas we were in the midst of grappling with whether to leave the relative comfort of our lives here and up sticks to the other

side of the world. It was hearing David’s speech at the end of the successful event at Watership Down to raise funds for the Trust that helped make our minds up. He told everyone to grab life, live it and make sure you enjoy the party.

Before leaving I wanted to show, in some small way, my appreciation

PTApril 2009 p20-21 letters MB YC

for all they have done and show my continued support for them. So two hours of running a few aching joints are well worth it if we can raise funds to stop this cruel disease.

Kate Wright Kintbury, Berkshire Caged commentator John Horswell’s graphic account (Polo Times, September 2008) of his “confinement”, while commentating the 2008 Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup, gave me instant claustrophobia.

You see, I had always dreamt of helping polo become more popular by commentating on TV. OK, I realised the necessity of following a monitor but always visualised that would be from a standard viewpoint

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Herts Polo Club has long been committed to this cause and offers subsidised tuition to the pupils of local state and public schools in our arena during the winter and on one of our five fields in the summer.

The club’s involvement with schools began in 2007 when we wrote to several in our vicinity offering a complimentary “Introduction to Polo” lesson for six of their pupils over the age of 14. Queenswood and St Edmund’s were the first to respond and many others followed suit.

The pupils’ response to the lesson was so positive that the club set up subsidised polo courses for groups of pupils. We were delighted when schools such as Queenswood, Haileybury and St Edmund’s booked

Commentating for TV remains a distant dream for one ambitious PT reader

within sight of the “big picture” – so essential for polo played as it is on the largest field of any game.

The nearest I actually got to seeing my name on the credits was when Frank Cvitanovich (at one time married to Janet Street Porter) filmed a game I was commentating at Windsor. That was for his film Polo Player about the Marquess of Waterford – the film was released in the USA with an American commentator dubbed in.

Later, Frank and I met to discuss a release for the UK (to be re-dubbed with me, as a “typical Brit”); sadly, Mohawk Productions went into liquidation and the rest is not history.

So much for my dream.

Roy Law Middlesex How we formed links with schools I read “When term-time means teamtime” (PT, March 2009) with pleasure.

Polo is thriving but it is vital to its continued growth that clubs work to encourage youngsters into the game.

subsequent courses later that year and in 2008.

The club has also been the training centre for the Royal Veterinary College Polo Club since 2004, offering subsidised membership, lessons, chukkas and pony hire. We run lessons for their beginners and more experienced players each term as well as more intensive training weekends.

Herts Polo Club attends Freshers’ Fairs at universities and gives assemblies at schools – and it works! When given the opportunity to try polo the response is overwhelmingly positive. Pupils from Queenswood began their fourth course last week and two new schools, Roundwood Park School and Princess Helena College, started lessons this year.

None of this would be possible without the support given by the schools and parents, for which we are grateful. If you would like further information please call us on 01707 256023.

Caroline Maddocks Marketing Director, Herts Polo Club

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Report Westchester Cup The England entourage: Back row, l-r: Andrew Hine, Eduardo Novillo Astrada, Harald Link, John Tinsley, Melissa Ganzi, Marc Ganzi, Luke Tomlinson, David Woodd, Javier Novillo Astrada. Front row, l-r: Andrew Tucker, Julian Hipwood, James Beim, Mark Tomlinson and Juan Bollini

Cool hand Luke leads England to euphoria A killer backhand in the last seconds secured England a dramatic victory over a determined American foursome in Florida, says Alex Webbe eventy years had passed since the 123-year-old Westchester Cup had been played on American soil, when a 39-goal United States team quickly dispatched a 30-goal British line-up in 1939 before the interruption of World War II. The Westchester wasn’t played again until 1992.

On that occasion John Gobin scored the winning goal in extra-time, 8-7, to maintain an American unbeaten streak dating back to 1921. However, five years later the English would extract their vengeance, with a 12-9 victory over a team that included 10-goalers Memo Gracida and Mike Azzaro.

Azzaro blamed that defeat on their tired horses, who had nothing left, having won the Queen’s Cup and lost in the finals of the Gold Cup that summer. So, it was of some concern that three of the English players travelling out to Florida for this year’s

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Westchester arrived with no horses. Would they have the horsepower to compete?

Melissa Ganzi’s magnanimous offer of 30 of her top ponies in the middle of their season certainly got the ball rolling, but a determined English organisation, led by Julian Hipwood,

If there was concern over England’s mounts, it quickly disappeared at the outset was going to leave no stone unturned in an effort to defend the cup they had won 12 years earlier.

“In the week before the game, the boys rode approximately 150 horses,” said England’s chef d’équipe, Andrew Tucker. The selection was cut down to a string of 50 horses for the game but, even with broadly equivalent mounts, England’s biggest obstacle was going to be America’s

number one, nine-goaler Mike Azzaro – a hardriding, stick-savvy player of the highest order.

That was, until just 48 hours before the two sides were due to meet, when Azzaro suffered a broken collarbone in a dramatic collision with another horse and player while competing in the 20-goal Iglehart Cup. Azzaro’s loss brought eight-goaler Jeff Hall onto the team and forced US coach Owen Rinehart and team captain Adam Snow to rethink the Americans’ strategy and team formation for the game.

“I didn’t think we had a chance before Mike got injured,” said Javier Novillo Astrada, England’s nine-goal Argentine coach. “If he played, we were just hoping we could keep it close.”

As it was, without the benefit of a practice as a complete side, the US didn’t start well and, right from the outset, the English proved to be the aggressors. If there was any concern over their mounts, it quickly disappeared as they X

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Luke Tomlinson, in white, and Jeff Blake make use of their elbows. Adam Snow is coming up behind

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Report Westchester Cup X appeared to beat the Americans to nearly every

play. The 29-goal English team had begun with a goal on the scoreboard already, received on handicap, but quickly added to it with a penalty conversion by Luke Tomlinson.

Nick Roldan pulled one back for the US but, with coach Javier’s London-born brother Eduardo Novillo Astrada expertly anchoring the team from the number three position, showing all his experience and ability, the Brits scored

again before the end of the chukka, through James Beim, to lead 3-1 at the first break.

Six of the first 10 goals were scored from penalty shots, with umpires Carlos Gracida and Roberto Gonzalez clamping down on a tight game with the whistle. The early momentum carried England to a 6-4 half-time lead as a shocked US team left the field trailing by two goals. Things needed changing. Early on, the Americans had lined up with Hall taking the field in the back

position, Jeff Blake at number one, Snow at number two and Nicolás Roldan at number three.

“We weren’t getting any push up front,” said US coach Owen Rinehart. “So we changed things around a bit. We moved Jeff Hall into the number two position and put Nick Roldan at back.”

The new formation seemed to agree with the Americans. Jeff Blake scored the first goal of the fourth chukka on a pass from Hall before Hall followed up with a goal of his own to tie the

Clockwise from above: Adam Snow and James Beim; best playing pony Beijing; Team USA (l-r: Jeff Blake, Adam Snow, Nicolás Roldan and Jeff Hall); England’s Eduardo Novillo Astrada (red hat) goes for the nearside backhand

Westchester winners

Photographs by Gregory Ratner / Ratner Sports Photography

1886 – Hurlingham beat Westchester at Newport, Rhode Island 1902 – Britain beat America at Hurlingham, London 1909 – America beat Britain at Hurlingham 1911 – America beat Britain at Meadow Brook, Long Island 1913 – America beat Britain at Meadow Brook 1914 – Britain beat America at Meadow Brook 1921 – America beat Britain at Meadow Brook 1924 – America beat Britain at Meadow Brook 1927 – America beat Britain at Meadow Brook 1930 – America beat Britain at Meadow Brook 1936 – America beat Britain at Hurlingham 1939 – America beat Britain at Meadow Brook 1992 – America beat Britain at Guards, Windsor Great Park 1997 – Britain beat America at Guards 2009 – Britain beat America at IPCPB, Florida

From more, visit the official website, www.westchestercup.org

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score at 6-6. Mark Tomlinson and Nick Roldan put in one each, and the chukka ended 7-7.

America’s ponies were looking strong and England’s number four Luke Tomlinson conceded that his side was struggling immediately after the

Tied at 9-9 going into the final chukka, neither the US nor England could afford to relinquish the frenetic pace half-time break. “We were slightly ill-disciplined,” he said. “We needed to be more patient and play more as a team.”

However, if the British team and their supporters had been disappointed by the fourth chukka, they could relish the fifth. The game came to life in fast, open style and the kind of exciting end-to-end action you would expect from an international match of this calibre.

Blake scored to give the United States its first lead of the game, but England drew level

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again 8-8. Then, after Roldan re-established the American lead, the hosts conceded a foul in their own goal mouth and gave England a penalty two, just feet from the goal, which Luke Tomlinson duly dispatched.

Tied at 9-9 going into the final chukka, neither side could afford to relinquish the frenetic pace and the game continued to go from end to end as all eight players engaged in fierce ride-offs and ambitious plays, attacking purposefully and defending hard.

Then, with less than three minutes left to play, England made a decisive breakthrough.

After a shot at goal by Beim was blocked, Luke Tomlinson was on hand to swoop up the rebound and redirect the ball through the posts with a killer backhand. Despite the Americans’ best efforts, the final bell sounded with the English victorious, 10-9.

Luke Tomlinson, the scorer of that winning goal, was deservedly named as the most valuable player, as much for his deft and committed defence as for the five goals he scored from back. Mark Tomlinson scored three

times and James Beim once. Nick Roldan led the American scoring, with five, while Jeff Blake and Jeff Hall scored two goals apiece.

Roldan’s nine-year-old mare, Beijing, took the best playing pony prize. F Westchester Cup, 21 February 2009; International Polo Club Palm Beach, Florida Result: England beat the USA, 10-9 Principal sponsors: Museum of Polo; HPA; Thai Polo Club; Audi Handicap level: 30-goal Number of team entries: two Chukka scores (England): 3-1; 5-3; 6-4; 7-7; 9-9; 10-9 Most valuable player: Luke Tomlinson Best playing pony: Beijing, played and owned

by Nicolás Roldan Teams: England (29): James Beim 7; Mark Tomlinson 6; Eduardo Novillo Astrada 9; Luke Tomlinson 7 USA (30): Jeff Blake 6; Adam Snow 8; Nicolás Roldan 8; Jeff Hall 8

Jeff Blake and Luke Tomlinson race along in front of the stands at International Polo Club Palm Beach, Florida

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Report New Zealand Open

A dish best served hot Brett O’Callaghan reports on a particularly sweet victory for George Milford Haven’s Stella Artois side, in which the British patron laid to rest the ghosts of defeat in an earlier round and reclaimed the title 20 years after he first won it tella Artois were soundly beaten in their first game of the tournament, put to the sword 9-6 by a ruthless Rodd & Gunn team.

Their adversaries wasted no time in capitalising on some early-tournament misery and misfortune for George Milford Haven’s side: Craig Wilson lost a pony, Nina Clarkin received a nasty blow from the ball and her husband, JP, was left with a black eye and required nine stitches to repair his top lip. However, as the early rounds played out, both sides went on to make the semi-finals (on a win and a loss) and so, if they could each advance against their

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Champagne 11-9. Rodd & Gunn easily beat Team Blundell, 9-4, so the revenge match was on.

The rain made its exit overnight and, much to Auckland Polo Club’s relief, the hot summer sun reappeared to illuminate finals day on the Sunday.

The club laid on plenty of entertainment for the large crowd, including an exhibition chukka featuring four local jockeys, a horsepower contest (in which a Porsche Cayenne GTS beat a polo pony in a race), a demonstration parade from the local hunt and its hounds, and the Mumm ladies’ dash for three bottles of Champagne.

Colin Giltrap from Porsche had the honour of rolling in the ball in to start the final and it was

Craig Wilson lost a pony, Nina received a nasty blow and JP was left with a black eye and nine stitches in his lip next opponents, Stella Artois would have the chance to avenge their defeat against Rodd & Gunn in the final.

George Milford Haven would first have to beat his wife, Clare, who was patron of the Mumm Champagne team: a sure-fire lose-lose situation if ever there was one! Ross Ainsley’s Rodd & Gunn meanwhile faced Andrew Parrott’s Team Blundell, the only undefeated team in the tournament thus far. And, as well as each other, all four sides would have to battle the weather, too: the rain swept in, forcing cancellation of the other sections planned for the Saturday, but organisers decided to push ahead with the semi-finals as scheduled, amid rain showers and some brighter periods.

George Milford Haven, just as he did in last year’s Prince of Wales quarter-final, snuck victory over his wife, as Stella Artois beat Mumm

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Stella Artois, anxious to put the memories of their first encounter with Rodd & Gunn behind them, that established a commanding lead in the first half. After a cagey first chukka, in which the two sides drew 1-1, Milford Haven’s men were ahead 7-4 the end of the third period. They were displaying excellent teamwork, controlling the ball well, backing each other up, making space for their talisman JP Clarkin and scoring goals from all areas of the side as all four players got on the scoresheet.

Sam Hopkinson, the scorer of all four of Rodd & Gunn’s goals so far, had kept them in it but, with JP dominating and Nina Clarkin on one occasion taking the ball the length of the field to score for Stella Artois, the signs for Ross Ainsley and his crew – which also included British six-goaler Tom Morley – were certainly looking ominous.

The game tightened up more in the second half as Rodd & Gunn changed tactics, and looked to get back into the game by winning a series of clever penalties. However, with JP Clarkin as the Stella Artois penalty-taker, they too scored with almost any sniff they got, even firing home a penalty 5b in the sixth chukka from halfway to re-establish a three-goal difference, at 11-8. Time was running out for Rodd & Gunn and, sure enough, despite two late Hopkinson goals to bring them within one, Stella Artois emerged victorious in the late-afternoon heat, 11-10.

It meant George Milford Haven took receipt of the New Zealand Open Cup, just as he did exactly 20 years ago, in 1989, when he won the tournament along with Ruben Sola, Cody Forsyth and Steve Parrott. After victory in the cold in St Moritz and in the heat in Auckland, it’s been a good 2009 for Milford Haven so far. F Porsche New Zealand Open; 10-15 February 2009; Auckland Polo Club; New Zealand Result: Stella Artois beat Rodd & Gunn, 11-10 Principal sponsor: Porsche Handicap level: 18 goal Number of teams: six Chukka scores (Stella Artois) 1-1; 4-2; 7-4; 8-6; 10-8; 11-10 Most valuable player: Sam Hopkinson Best playing pony: The Grey, played and owned by John Paul Clarkin Final teams Stella Artois (18): George Milford Haven 1; Craig Wilson 6; John Paul Clarkin 8; Nina Clarkin 3 Rodd & Gunn (18): Ross George 1; Tom Morley 6; Sam Hopkinson 6; Ross Ainsley 5

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1 The girls are only after one thing in the Mumm Champagne ladies’ dash 2 Winners, Stella Artois (l-r: John Paul Clarkin; Craig Wilson; George Milford Haven; Nina Clarkin) with a representative from tournament sponsors, Porsche 3 Nina Clarkin attacks, as Ross Ainsley gives chase 4 John Paul Clarkin, caught just at the moment that his stick gives way 5 Most valuable player Sam Hopkinson accepts his bottle of bubbly after the final, as George Milford Haven pops a cork in the background

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Photographs by Brett O’Callaghan

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Report Arena Gold Cup

Victory for Voelker Tschogan’s superior horsepower and the clinical play of Jamie Le Hardy in the final proved too much for their opponents, Tashan, says Herbert Spencer

Sebastian Dawnay, Heiko Voelker and Howard Smith lift the Westbury Arena Gold Cup

eiko Voelker’s pro-am Tchogan team won the Westbury Arena Gold Cup at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club (RCBPC) in late February, defeating an all-pro Tashan side 17-13 in a fast-flowing final under bright sun with the temperature, finally, just into double figures.

It was UK-based German patron Voelker’s second Gold Cup win in three years and he was ecstatic. “We won the trophy in 2007 when I was playing with Seb Dawney and Nacho Gonzalez,” he said. “This year I had Jamie Le Hardy instead of Nacho and he played brilliantly. I think we were definitely the

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stronger team in the final. It was certainly our best match of the tournament.”

This was Voelker’s seventh season of winter polo and last year Tchogan won the National Arena Championship at RCBPC. During the summer he plays on grass at Ham Polo Club.

In the final Tchogan faced a team of three professional players – Danny Muriel, Oscar Mancini and Howard Smith. The trio were fielded

by Ascot Park Polo Club’s Vivek Rawal, who did not play himself. However, Voelker’s team dominated the arena from the start.

Dawnay opened the scoring for Tchogan, followed by patron Voelker. Smith and Muriel found the goal for Tashan, to tie the score for

what would prove to be the only time in the entire contest. Then Le Hardy scored two in a row to put Tchogan ahead 4-2 at the end of the first chukka.

Tchogan built up a substantial lead in the second period with a goal by Voelker, two by Dawnay and three by Le Hardy. Smith and Mancini scored one each for Tashan, but the chukka ended with a 10-4 advantage to Tchogan.

Tashan staged a comeback in the third chukka, outscoring their opponents almost two to one.

Smith scored three points and Oscar Mancini two for Tashan, while Le Hardy chalked up two and Dawnay one for Tchogan, leaving the latter 13-9 up at the end of the period.

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Sebastian Dawnay (in blue) comes under pressure from Howard Smith

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Clockwise from top: Oscar Mancini leans out of the saddle to challenge Jamie Le Hardy; the winners, runners-up and sponsors (l-r): Johnny Lynn from Polistas, Jamie Le Hardy, Sebastian Dawnay, Heiko Voelker, Mr and Mrs Azad Cola from the Westbury Hotel Mayfair, Jamie Morrison, Danny Muriel, Vivek Rawal, Oscar Mancini and Howard Smith; Heiko Voelker celebrates

Photographs by Gillian Hughes and courtesy of RCBPC

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Tchogan consolidated their lead in the fourth and final chukka with two goals each from Le Hardy and Dawnay. All three of Tashan’s pros scored but, as the bell sounded to end the final, it signalled a 17-13 victory for Tchogan.

The Westbury Gold Cup was presented to Voelker and his team by Azad Cola, the dynamic young owner of the Westbury Hotel in Mayfair, which has historic connections with polo that it is presently reviving.

Le Hardy, who was the final’s top-scorer, firing home nine of Tchogan’s 17 goals, was named most valuable player. But he credited Tshogan’s victory to “the whole team playing really well together, with each of us concentrating on marking our man. Heiko (Tchogan’s one-goal

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amateur patron) did a really good job on Danny Muriel, a three-goal professional. Our horses went really well and I think this gave us a bit of an edge, so pony power played a part.

“Overall it was a particularly open, fast game of polo,” Le Hardy concluded.

“We’d had four very tough games in a row and our ponies were a bit tired,” said Tashan’s Howard Smith. “But, having said that, they were the better team on the day and deserved to win. They played a very structured game, the patron performed well, and Sebe and Jamie were awesome together.”

In the Silver Cup subsidiary final prior to the Gold Cup match, Simon Holley’s Ochos Rios beat Roger Carlsson’s Billingbear Park, 19-12. F

Westbury Arena Gold Cup; 10-21 February 2009; Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club Result: Tchogan beat Tashan, 17-13 Principal sponsor: Westbury Hotel Mayfair Handicap level: 12-15 goal Number of team entries: seven Chukka scores (Tchogan): 4-2; 10-4; 13-10; 17-13 Most valuable player: Jamie Le Hardy Final teams: Tchogan (15): Heiko Voelker 1; Jamie Le Hardy 7; Sebastian Dawnay 7 Tashan (15): Danny Muriel 3; Oscar Mancini 6; Howard Smith 6

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Report Arena test match for the Bryan Morrison Trophy

The England team of Howard Smith, Nacho Gonzalez and Ryan Pemble (in white) plus the US visitors Billy Sheldon, Shane Rice and Charlie Muldoon, with umpires Roddy Matthews and Tim Bown, plus sponsors, HPA Chairman Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers and Greta Morrison, who presented the Bryan Morrison trophy to the winning side

American high They may have fallen to England in the last chukka, but the US trio that played at Hickstead in February had a cracking match, appeared on TV, praised our arena rules and vowed to be back, says Tony Ramirez istory was made at the All England Polo Club, Hickstead, in February when for the first time in the UK a high-goal arena test match took place against the US. After last year’s success with the first International Arena Test Match, when England defeated South Africa, the HPA decided to make it an annual event, this time inviting an American team to take part.

The US has a long tradition of arena polo, and the Americans had no problem in sending over a competitive 20-goal side to take on the English.

As one of the country’s main university sports, arena polo is thriving across the pond – even if, due to the availability of year-round grass polo, the US arena scene isn’t as big as the UK’s.

Hickstead was asked to host the four-chukka event for the second year running and will also stage the fixture next year when another national team will take on England for the Bryan Morrison Trophy.

The American team, made up of youth and experience, had a family angle. Captain Billy Sheldon (7) is the uncle of star eight-goal player Shane Rice, who is also an experienced Western-

Photographs by James Wildman and Tony Ramirez

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style rodeo rider. The experience came in the form of Charlie Muldoon (5), who has been involved in polo for long enough to give him the edge in an event of this level.

The English side was made up of strength and talent. Nacho Gonzalez (9), the captain, was definitely a man to look out for on the day. He was joined by Howard Smith (6), an experienced and sturdy arena player. Ryan Pemble (5), who

The US team, made up of youth and experience, had a family angle: Sheldon is Rice’s uncle has played exceptionally well in the National Club Championships and well above his handicap in the weeks before, completed the side.

A large crowd turned out on the day to watch the match, which was being televised by Sky Sports. History was also being made here, as this is the first time arena polo has been televised, which confirms the growth and future scope of the arena version of the sport.

The car-maker Subaru took full advantage, coming in as title sponsor.

Much of the crowd were seasoned arena enthusiasts, but many were also newcomers to the game, many of whom commented on how exciting the match was, and what a brilliant spectator sport it makes.

Ebe Sievwright, who commentated alongside Sebastian Baker, said: “I think arena is the future, because it is much easier for spectators to watch and understand. I don’t think arena will ever overtake the quality level of outdoor polo but it is much more accessible to people.”

The game set off at a fast pace and the scores were close early on. The Americans made some great team plays, and the English side showed more individual flair.

It was in the third chukka that the English took the arena by storm and notched up several goals to take a convincing lead. The Americans remained determined, with some clever plays from Shane Rice and strong defence from Charlie Muldoon. At one point Sheldon fell from his horse, but he promptly remounted.

The English side held strong in the last chukka with goals from all three players. The final score X

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Nacho Gonzalez fends off Charlie Muldoon

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Report Arena test match for the Bryan Morrison Trophy

X was 15-9 to England, leaving the Americans to

return home the gallant losers.

Shane Rice, who was playing in England for the first time, found it especially interesting playing under UK rules. He told Polo Times: “The arena players in this country have adapted better to the arena rules, and understand them better than our players – and the rules in place make the polo better. The umpiring we were given today made the polo better, in my opinion. The US as a whole needs to look at the rules that are in place here, compare them to theirs, and adapt.”

He added: “In the US we play outdoor polo most of the year in one place or another, which I think is why arena is not as big over there as it is in the UK, and why there are not more Americans coming to play in England. But I will definitely be back.”

This is the second year England have taken the Bryan Morrison Trophy and they are looking forward to defending it again next year.

Howard Smith said: “I thought the game was very good. The Americans were very strong, but

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we played a tactical and disciplined game. I was a little worried in the second chukka because they came very close, but we outdid them at the end.

“It’s a shame we don’t have more Americans playing in this country. There is an influx of Argentines at the moment but we always used to have visits from US players, such as Rob Walton and Owen Rinehart.”

Ryan Pemble was named most valuable player for his superb form, and Heidi, played by Howard Smith and owned by John Horswell, took home the Retraining of Racehorses Best Playing Pony award.

In the first match of the day, the 12 Goal Challenge, Ash Farm took on Hard Riders. It was a great way to start the day with a competitive match that was evenly contested throughout.

It was only in the last chukka that Sebastian Dawnay snuck away with the ball to score some quick goals, securing Ash Farm victory. George McCorkell of Hard Riders was awarded with a Polistas jacket for being the Most Valuable Player of the match. F

Clockwise from top left: Ryan Pemble, Nacho Gonzalez and Howard Smith; Charlie Muldoon and Ryan Pemble; Charlie Muldoon, Shane Rice and Billy Sheldon; mid-chukka action

Subaru International Arena Test Match, 28 February 2009, All England Polo Club, Hickstead Result: England beat USA 15-9 Principal sponsor: Subaru Handicap level: 20 Chukka scores: (England) 3-3, 8-5, 12-6 and 15-9 Most valuable player: Ryan Pemble Best playing pony: Heidi, played by Howard Smith and owned by John Horswell Test Match teams England (20): Ryan Pemble (5), Nacho Ganzalez (9), Howard Smith (6) USA (20): Charlie Muldoon (5), Shane Rice (8), Billy Sheldon (7) 12 Goal Challenge teams Ash Farm (12): Charlotte Sweeney (2), Royston Prisk (3), Sebastian Dawnay (7) Hard Riders (12): Alex Jacob (1), George McCorkell (4), Jamie Morrison (7)

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PERSONAL ESCORT

RECTOR

by MR PROSPECTOR – DANCE NUMBER.

This Chilean bred stallion won BPP in the Chilean Open, played by G Donoso. In UK Rector played the Queens Cup, Gold Cup and the Coronation Cup. Full brother to Africana, winner of BPP in the Prince of Wales Cup. First crop playing well.

Sire of many top New Zealand bred polo ponies, notably SPOOK played by Pablo Macdonough for Broncos.

– by MR LONG (TB).

MR COFFEE - by KUNDAKI. This Argentine bred stallion played in the USA with E Panelo and then in the UK for G Donoso, winning BPP in the Warwickshire Cup and playing many seasons in the Queens Cup and Gold Cup. He was a top horse when Gabriel led Chile to victory in the Coronation Cup. His first crop is now being broken in.

CLARK – by NIGHT OPERA (TB AUS) - out of CLARET. SIRE - 'Night Opera' Brown/black Australian TB DAM - 'Claret' - 'Monty' - 'Pinky' 'Claret' - Champion pony at Ellerston 2005. Played in the Argentine Open 2005 with Gonzalito Pieres. Champion Pony at Cowdray Gold Cup 2006. Full sister to 'Burgundy' and 'Champagne'.

Half sister to 'Dinghy' and 'Shiraz'. All playing for Ellerston UK.

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Memo’s late show scuppers American bid for glory In a scintillating contest that went right to the wire, three Gracidas and Pelon Escapite overcame their on-form hosts in Florida, says Alex Webbe exico recorded a dramatic 16-15 win over the United States in the Camacho Cup – a historic contest between the two countries, taking place for the first time in 21 years – in Florida in midMarch. Pundits agreed it was the most exciting match of the season so far and more than 4,000 fans cheered the action at The Villages Polo Club as attack after attack was waged up and down the field.

Playing without the nine-goaler Mike Azzaro, who had a broken collarbone, and without the eight-goalers Jeff Hall, Nick Roldan or Adam Snow, all of whom had commitments in the pro-am 26-goal, the home team relied on the talents of Tommy Biddle (7), Kris Kampsen (6),

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Carlucho Arellano (5) and John Gobin (5) to make the USA proud. Mexico fielded former 10-goal brothers Memo and Carlos Gracida (now eight goals), Memo’s son Julio Gracida (5) and Pelon Escapite (6).

Neither the appearance of Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, nor the high-kicking cheerleaders of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could distract the polo-hungry audience from a game that will be remembered as a classic in international polo history.

The US team, which was coached by Juan Bollini, started with two goals on the scoreboard on

handicap (a number agreed by both teams) and dominated the first half. In the opening minute of play Biddle carried the ball half the length of the field to score, and goals from Arellano and Kampsen were answered by a single penalty conversion from Carlos Gracida. The teams left the field after the opening chukka with the US 5-1 ahead.

The second chukka went the same way, with the US holding a 7-2 lead. “Julio and I were a little nervous in the opening chukkas,” said Escapite. “Our horses were flat and we just weren’t in the game.”

Following a beautiful save in front of the US goal in the third chukka by Biddle, Carlos Gracida converted a second penalty and quickly added another from the field. Biddle replied with his

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Opposite (l-r): Memo and Carlos Gracida, Pelon Escapite, Julio Gracida Left: Carlos Gracida (white hat) and Memo Gracida caught in similar pose Below: the pre-match parade in front of a crowd of 4,000 at The Villages Polo Club in central Florida

Photographs by David Lominska

second goal of the game before Escapite cut the US lead to 8-5 by half-time.

“We changed the line-up for the second half,” said Mexico’s coach, Ruben Gracida, a veteran of two winning Mexican Camacho Cup sides. “We moved Julio forward and told both he and Pelon to push the front end and allow Memo and Carlos to work in the middle.”

The switch worked immediately. Following an American foul, and the ensuing penalty conversion by Carlos Gracida, Escapite and then

play, and the board reading 15-15, Gobin stole the ball from Memo Gracida and headed up the field. It was looking good for the Americans when, at 70 yards out, he mis-hit, letting the ball slip behind him, and into the clutches of Memo Gracida. Memo jumped on it and carried it towards the US goal.

Then Gobin got possession once again. This time he attempted to pass it across the goal mouth to Biddle, but again Memo was lying in wait. The Mexican veteran intercepted the

Eight top-notch players gave it their all in the most exciting polo in the history of The Villages Polo Club Carlos scored again to make it 8-8. The team level-pegged, then in the fifth chukka goals from the on-form Biddle and Arellano gave the home team a 12-10 lead. More field goals followed, plus two more penalty conversions from Carlos, leaving the score 13-13 with one chukka to go.

“I didn’t know if we were ahead or behind,” said a very tired Carlos Gracida after the game.

“I was forced to work very hard today, against a very good US team.”

The scoring continued into an action-packed sixth chukka. Then, with a couple of minutes to

pass, and with 48 seconds on the clock took it to the goal, where he scored to give his side a 16-15 victory.

“If we’d just had a couple of faster horses towards the end,” said Gobin afterwards. “We gave everything we had on the field,” he added, and there wasn’t a person in the crowd who felt differently. Eight top-notch players gave it their all for six chukkas of the most exciting polo in the history of The Villages Polo Club – and it earned them a standing ovation.

Carlos Gracida led the scoring with 10 goals (six on penalty shots). Escapite scored three times, Julio Gracida twice and Memo Gracida put in a single crucial goal. Biddle led the United States scoring with six goals, Arellano scored three times and Kampsen and Gobin put in two apiece. Carlos Gracida was named most valuable player and Arellano’s six-year-old mare Java was best playing pony. F

Camacho Cup; The Villages Polo Club, Florida; 14 March Result: Mexico beat USA 16-15 Handicap level: 24-27 goals Number of team entries: two Chukka scores (Mexico): 1-5; 2-7; 5-8; 10-10; 13-13; 16-15 Most valuable player: Carlos Gracida Best playing pony: Java, played by Carlucho Arellano Teams: Mexico (27): Pelon Escapite 6; Carlos Gracida 8; Memo Gracida 8; Julio Gracida 5 USA (24): John Gobin 6; Carlucho Arellano 5; Kris Kampsen 6; Tommy Biddle 7

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Report Delhi

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Further photographs and details of tournaments are available at www.indianpolo.com

Thrice as nice As the Indian polo circuit turns from Jaipur to Delhi, Gaurav Chand reports on a resounding third victory for Elevation in his final report of the season

Winners, Elevation (kneeling, l-r: Gerardo Mazzini; Sameer Choudhary; Angad Singh; Bhawani Kalvi), with their entourage. Elevation’s Satinder Garcha (white shirt) holds the Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Scindia Gold Cup. Garcha was sidelined before the final in a fall, replaced by Sameer Chaudhary. His father, Col Garcha, is on the far right

olo in India, after its bout of equine influenza, is struggling through the worldwide economic recession and trying to make do with whatever sponsorship it can muster.

Nevertheless, the Delhi spring 2009 polo season was a busy one: helped by unseasonably pleasant February weather, it featured an international Test Match against Italy and numerous fixtures and tournaments between the 8-goal and 14-goal level. Of the three 12-goal tournaments held, the Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Scindia Gold Cup is traditionally the most prestigious. Played for between 25 February and 1 March at the Jaipur Polo Ground in New Delhi, this year it attracted six team entries.

Himalayan Horse, whom regular readers of this column will remember marching to victory in the Indian Open in December (as reported in the January/February issue), advanced to the final once again, this time to face Elevation polo team. Their team was much changed from the side that tasted victory in the Open, but Abhimanyu Pathak led the line once again, helping the side reach the decisive

Photograph courtesy of Gaurav Chand and Indianpolo.com

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38 April 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk

showdown for the trophy by beating Jindal/Sahgal and Cavalry (Black) on route to finals day.

Their opponents, two-time defending champions Elevation, had beaten Horse & Wagon into submission, 14-61/2, in the opening game of the competition but lost patron Satinder Garcha in the final few minutes of their victory over Cavalry (Red). Garcha and his horse took a nasty fall at full speed and, after a long delay, he was replaced by Sameer Chaudhary for the remainder of the game.

Garcha didn’t recover in time for the final, though he was well enough to support the team, so Chaudhary took his place again. The game was going to be difficult to call as, even with Argentine seven-goaler Gerardo Mazzini on board, Elevation’s new team dynamic was a relative unknown. However, if they could recreate their incisive clinical polo from the early stages of the tournament, then even the excellent form of Himalayan Horse’s Pathak and his new teammate Manupal Godara would surely not be enough to stop them.

Spectators packed the stands for the final on a sunny Sunday afternoon and witnessed an

imperious display from Mazzini that gave Himalayan Horse no chance. He was on fire.

Elevation received half-a-goal on handicap and extended their lead early on, a lead which they never relinquished, eventually winning their third consecutive Gold Cup title in four chukkas, 51/2-3. F Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Scindia Gold Cup; 25 February–1 March 2009; Army Polo & Riding Club, New Delhi Result: Elevation beat Himalayan Horse, 51/2-3 Principal sponsors: Toyota and Air France Handicap level: 12-goal Number of team entries: six Chukker scores (Elevation): 31/2-0; 31/2-0; 51/2-1; 51/2-3 Final teams Elevation (10/11): Satinder Garcha 2 / Capt Sameer Chaudhary 1; Angad Singh 0; Bhawani Kalvi 2; Gerardo Mazzini 7 Himalayan Horse (11): Bhupendra Singh 1; Abhimanyu Pathak 2; Manupal Godara 4; Lokendra Singh 4

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FHM POLO CLUB

Page 3

- The Sussex home for County Polo

Celebrating our tenth year www.fhmpolo.co.uk Do you think Polo is just for the rich and famous? Think again…

Come and learn to play in a professional, safe, fun and friendly environment - for less than you thought possible!

You don’t need a fat bank account, you don’t need a fancy car, and you don’t need to have your own string of polo ponies!!

• • • •

FHM Polo Club is conveniently situated 1 hour from London Fully HPA affiliated, winter and summer - the only year round polo school in Sussex Fully qualified HPA Club Instructor A range of ponies to hire for lessons, chukkas and tournaments

Best value available - ANYWHERE! Compare these prices for yourself Membership

• Instructional membership - £200 (+HPA subscription) • Full membership - £350 (+HPA subscription) • No membership required for beginner lessons.

Lessons – Including Pony Hire

• £50 for one hour one to one • £40 for one hour in a group - (maximum 6)

Pony Rental

• Instructional chukka • Club/Tournament chukka

- £25 - £35 (Price includes the use of a stick if you need one)

We have a full tournament schedule, plus regular trips to neighbouring clubs throughout both the winter and summer seasons.

We can also run one or two hour taster sessions for parties and groups e.g. Birthday and Hen/Stag parties.

For more details contact Francis Matthews on Francis@fhmpolo.co.uk or 07778 436468 www.polotimes.co.uk April 2009 39

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Report La Martina National University Arena Championships

Students break records for wall-to-wall polo Mike Hobday reports from the world’s largest arena polo event, where 290 players descended on a show jumping centre for a four-day extravaganza n keeping with the growth of the university game over recent years, the 2009 La Martina University Arena Championships were once again the biggest yet, squeezing a remarkable 188 chukkas into four days of wall-to-wall polo at North Somerset’s Hand Equestrian Centre. The Hand is usually a show jumping venue, and was recently given 2012 Olympic training status, but its staff transferred their skills this February to host the largest arena polo tournament anywhere in the world. The

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Results

Photographs by Michael Chevis

Open Winners: Exeter University Runners-up: Oxford Brookes Baileys Trophy for the section’s MVP: Ahmed Tiwana Intermediate Winners: Oxford University Runners-up: Bristol University Roxtons Trophy for the section’s MVP: James White

40 April 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk

result was arguably the most enjoyable championships yet.

With the inaugural Schools Alumni and Polo Association tournament incorporated into the championships, team entries were up by 20 on 2008. It seemed a logistical impossibility to squeeze any more into the four-day event.

Exeter University were the winners of this year’s showpiece division, the Open, pipping Oxford Brookes to the title, 13-11. However, Oxford Brookes’ Ahmed Tiwana was voted the

Combined Winners: Nottingham/Warwick Runners-up: Edinburgh/St Andrews/Brockenhurst Novice Division 1 Winners: Warwick

Beginners Division 1 Winners: Harper Adams University College Runners-up: Bristol University NFU Mutual Agricultural Cup: Harper Adams University College

Novice Division 2 Winners: UWE B Runners-up: Warwick B

Beginners Division 2 Winners: Southampton B Runners-up: UWE B

Novice Division 3 Winners: Reading C Runners-up: London C

Fair Play Trophy: University of London Union

section’s most valuable player and was the delighted recipient of the Baileys Trophy.

At the Intermediate level, James White of the University of the West of England (UWE) won the Roxtons-sponsored most valuable player award, though his side were not crowned the winners of the section. That accolade went to Oxford University, who beat last season’s winners Bristol University in a 15-yard penalty shoot-out, following a tense, see-sawing match which failed to decide the victors in normal time.

Off the field, the main talking point was the official players’ party hosted by Bristol University Polo Club on the Saturday night, 14 February – Valentine’s Day. After a night of excess in many cases, amid such attractions as an inflatable bungee run and a bucking bronco, the polo began again in earnest at 9am on Sunday. How, I am not quite sure, but thanks must doubtless go to the team captains, the pony suppliers and the odd Alka-Seltzer!

The SUPA committee assembled a great team of support staff once again, all of whom did a tremendous job. Particular mentions must go to Lady Pam Cowley, who timed and kept score for all four days in what was truly a remarkable effort

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Student polo: the numbers game 350,000 – pounds sterling spent (approximately) by university students per annum across the country in pony hire and coaching 55,000 – approximate aggregate cost in pounds sterling of hiring ponies for the 2009 championships 1,500 – minimum estimate of students playing polo in the UK 550 – revellers in attendance at the St Valentine’s players’ party on the Saturday night 290 – number of competing polo players 188 – total chukkas played over the four days of competition Above: action from La Martina National Universities Intermediate section. Left: a student of the University of the West of England enjoys her day. Below: James White, the Intermediate section’s MVP, receives the Roxtons Trophy and La Martina goods from Becky Simpson

95 – percentage of players at this year’s championships on hired ponies 94 – teams participating across all the sections and divisions 66 – percentage of competing polo players that were female 56 – chukkas played on Friday 13th without mishap 48 – total amount of higher education centres (universities/colleges) in the UK at which polo is played 27 – number of higher education centres (universities/colleges) represented at the 2009 championships 0 – arena polo tournaments in the world that are bigger. But if you think you know of one, tell us by writing to letters@polotimes.co.uk

of concentration. Jason Dixon, as in previous years, umpired most of the chukkas on all four days, and was given the occasional rest by Ollie Browne. Rhi Lee-Jones, from Birmingham University, and ex-Reading student John Jennings,

prizes in front of a good number of players who had stayed around to lend their support to their fellow competitors.

Two lucky winners from a prize draw each also received an intensive polo training course for two

After the official players’ party on Valentine’s Day, polo began at 9am on Sunday. How, I’m not quite sure… brought down the average age of the helpers, providing able assistance to Sarah Styler and SUPA new girl, Lucy Northmore.

Becky Simpson, of La Martina, and Piers Plunkett, of insurers Lycetts, dished out the

from Mike Robinson, the director of Polo del Sol, at his club in Jerez, Spain.

Throughout the tournament, as ever, the safety of competitors was the organisers’ paramount concern. Fortunately, the word appears to be

getting through: standards are up and the Roxtons-supported accreditation and certificate campaign appears to be paying dividends. The scheme, which SUPA launched last year and is trialing through universities, exists to ensure that all novice players have been considered safe by a trained instructor. Players must be passed as acceptable and safe to their ponies, to others and to themselves in order to receive their certificate.

The levels of riding, coaching and the quality of the ponies hired were all markedly improved from the year before. Sure enough, given how much polo was played, there were very few falls or tactical dismounts across the whole four-day extravaganza and none of these were serious. F

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Reports Around the world

India

Italy sneak victory over their spirited hosts eam India took on Team Italy at New Delhi’s Army Polo and Riding Club in mid-February for the Johnnie Walker Gold International Polo Cup. A pre-game lunch from the sponsors, complete with cavier and traditional grills, tempted huge numbers of spectators and the stands were packed to capacity come the first throw-in. Italy took the lead early and, in the first few chukkas, they certainly never looked like losing it. However, India slowly fought their way back into it and brought themselves back within just half a goal at the end of the fourth of five chukkas. It looked set to be a thrilling climax, especially when India took the lead for the first time in the contest, courtesy of a brilliant goal by Tarun Sirohi. However, Italy converted a penalty in the dying seconds of the game to win the trophy 81/2-8.

Teams: India (14): Abhimanu Pathak 2; Simran Shergill 3; Angad Kalaan 5; Lt Col Tarun Sirohi 4 Italy (12): Oscar Carona 2; Goffredo Cutinelli Rendina 3; Miguel Amieva Saravia 4; Carlos Maria Bertola 3

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The victorious Italian team lift the Johnnie Walker Gold Cup (l-r: Miguel Amieva Saravia, Goffredo Cutinelli Rendina, Oscar Corona, Carlos Maria Bertola)

Mexico

Family’s familiarity helps Zacara to 10-goal title acara’s Lyndon Lea, Carlos Gracida and Carlos’s two sons, Mariano and Carlitos, beat Team Fresno to become winners of the 10-goal Copa Careyes Cup, a long-running tournament held over the Christmas period at Costa Careyes Polo Club in Mexico. Four teams competed, featuring players from Germany, Mexico, Chile, England and the US. In January Costa Careyes welcomed more than 200 spectators to a 4-goal Chinese New Year tournament. As well as some excellent polo, spectators witnessed the club mark the new ‘Year of the Ox’ with a traditional running of an ox across the grounds. A large after-party followed the tournament, setting the tone for what looks set to be a really fun season.

This month, Costa Careyes hosts its largest tournament of the year, the 10-goal Copa Agua Alta. Organisers are expecting eight teams, with players from all over the world.

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Team Fresno and Zacara (wearing white) line up for the Copa Careyes 10-goal final

Pakistan

Brits denied gold in national championships ahore Polo Club hosted the final of the National Open Championship, for the Quaid-e-azam Gold Cup, on Sunday 8 March. Cirencester Park’s British player James Harper led the line for the Hilton team, alongside his fellow countryman John Fisher, but neither could prevent a narrow victory for Wateen in the final chukka. The two sides fought out an even contest for the first four chukkas, returning to the field for the fifth and final period tied at 5-5. Team Wateen, whose eponymous sponsors are an affiliation of the tournament’s title sponsors Bank Alfalah, stepped up their game and took full control, establishing a two-goal cushion which they held onto until the final whistle, winning 7-5. The match was refereed by Tony Keyte and Asif Tiwana.

Lahore Polo Club is now more than 100 years old and the club’s Aibak ground provided an excellent surface on which the tussle of foreign players – principally between Hilton’s James Harper and Wateen’s Gaston Moore – could show off their skills.

Teams Wateen (14): Gaston Moore 7; Flavio Lavinio 4; Naveed Sheikh 2; Hussain Iftikhar 1 Hilton (14): James Harper 7; John Fisher 4; Taimue Malik 2; Shahid Hayat 1

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Action from the final, between Hilton (in yellow) and Wateen

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Around the clubs Reports

Ash Farm

Club honours Paul Sweeney with business as usual our teams entered last month’s 7-goal Sweeney Trophy, held over the weekend of 7-8 March to celebrate the life of the club’s founder, the late Paul Sweeney, who died on 31 January. The final, held on Sunday between the all-amateur Leander Polo team and Shambahala, was won seconds into the extra chukka needed to separate the teams, when Oscar Mancini scored the winning goal for Shambahala.

The subsidiary final was just as tight: Charlie Wooldridge’s Twelve Oaks side beat Ash Farm, 17-16. Polo at Ash Farm will continue until early May so, for those players in need of some fitness before the start of the summer, there’s no excuse.

The Sweeney Trophy teams: Shambahala (7): Lucy Watson 0; Julian Drake 1; Oscar Mancini 6 Leander Polo (7): David Banner-Eve 1; Alan Ruzzaman 3; Thilo Sautter 3 12 Oaks (7): Charlie Wooldridge 1; Martin Davidson 0; Howard Smith 6 Ash Farm (6): Jemma Byrne 1; Charlotte Sweeney 2; Royston Prisk 3

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Photograph by Gillian Hughes Photography

Ash Farm’s Royston Prisk hooks Charlie Wooldridge of Twelve Oaks

Druids Lodge

Bringing on young talent in a busy winter side from one weekend when the snow was just too deep, Druids Lodge Polo Club ran a full tournament programme throughout the winter season. Club tournaments took place every weekend, ranging from 5 to 12 goals, along with a university league, junior tournaments and Pony Club rallies. During the week, the club was kept busy providing tuition for numerous school and university groups, and with lessons and instructional chukkas for other private groups of various sizes. Druids-based university teams were successful at a number of levels in the recent La Martina SUPA National University Arena Championships.

With the arena season in its final weeks, preparations at Druids Lodge are well underway for the summer season, where a full programme of coaching and tournaments is already being filled. A polo week catering for players and teams of various abilities has been scheduled for mid-July and the club has also introduced a number of new two-goal tournaments.

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Ridgebacks, narrow winners of the 7-goal Watersfield Trophy (l-r: Chris Thome; Thilo Sautter; Rex Woodhouse). They beat Watersfield, 13-12, in February

RCBPC

Low-goal action backs up Westbury Gold Cup he Westbury Arena Gold Cup was undoubtedly the highlight at the Berkshire this winter but a number of lower-goal tournaments also attracted plenty of interest. The Chairman's Trophy was played the day after the Gold Cup, amidst some heavy hangovers. In the round-robin contest, Fatboyz emerged as the overall winners, beating Marcos de La Pedrosa’s La Pedrosa team and the Reddogs to the title. Oscar Mancini was the top scorer of the day. The Katie Tunn Trophy, which followed the Chairman’s Trophy, was won

by Roundshaw Farm, who scooped a second consecutive title after their victory in 2008. The team, unchanged from last year, beat AFB Polo 14-10, with Pedro De Lamare top scorer for the winning side.

Katie Tunn teams: Roundshaw Farm (7): David Lewis 0; Michael Amoore 3; Pedro De Lamare 4 AFB Polo (7): Tariq Albwardy 2; Clive Reid 1; Tristan Pemble 4

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Chairman’s Trophy winners, Fatboyz (l-r: Oscar Mancini; Lucinda Watson; Roy Moed) with Finland’s Maria Laamanen

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Feature Save and play

Some of us may be feeling the pinch this season, so we asked Antje Derks to approach a raft of polo folk in search of their moneysaving tips for the summer, both at the yard and on the polo field

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The money men reckon this is the worst global economic downturn in decades, and they say things may even get worse. Polo has a reputation – justified only in part, in our opinion – as a pricey sport, but with careful planning it is possible to play and save money without compromising ponies’ – or players’ – wellbeing. Here are 20 top tips:

4 Share your car

1 Move to Scotland

5 Prevent, rather than cure

Thomas Bell, polo manager at Dundee & Perth Polo Club, says that so far Scottish clubs aren’t feeling the pinch, because they keep costs right down. He says they never play above six goals, don’t charge each other tournament entry fees and don’t pay for professionals.

Mike Byers, partner at equine vets Schotter and Byers, says prevention is better than cure, and is therefore a great money-saver. He says it is important to spot potential problems early and treat them, rather than letting a condition become chronic. He advises keeping up to date with worming and vaccinations and, in shared yards, pooling vets visits. He adds “Don’t buy a

students hired ponies to play the arena season this winter.

Emma Ledamun, event manager at Hunt Kendall Catering at Ham Polo Club, suggests people save money by getting together and sharing their cars to go to chukkas and matches.

2 Choose your bedding with care Lucy Dowie, manager of Ham Polo and Liveries, has changed to flax bedding to save money. She says it’s cheaper than alternatives, and because it works on a semi-deep litter basis, less bedding is taken out so there is less waste. She has found the thicker base helps protect ponies’ hocks and in her experience, “The ponies much prefer it!”

Player and breeder Aurora Eastwood, however, suggests bedding ponies on straw instead of shavings. She says a ton of straw is roughly £64 as opposed to a ton of shavings, which comes to £350. “Straw goes a lot further,” she says. “It lasts my 16 stabled horses three weeks, whereas the equivalent ton of shavings would last me only two weeks.”

3 Hire rather than buy Mike Hobday from the Schools and Universities Polo Association (SUPA) says people can beat the downturn by hiring ponies from a reputable, licensed supplier. He says it’s cheaper than keeping your own string, and you won’t be at risk from keeping lame or ill ponies you can’t play. Mike says 95 per cent of his

make it cheaper for players stabling their ponies there. The company he plans to use has agreed to remove the muck for free. He recommends other yards look into doing a similar deal.

Eddie Kennedy, polo manager at Hurtwood Park, suggests buying hay or haylage in large round bales or D100 bales. “If you buy haylage you don’t need a barn for storage as it is already wrapped in plastic,” he adds.

8 Downsize and share Eddie Kennedy, polo manager at Hurtwood Park, recalls that during the last big recession in the early 1990s Bryan Morrison suggested to his members at the Berkshire that if they were worried about their expenses for the season they should try at least to keep doing something. For example, if they couldn’t keep a full string in work they could at a minimum keep one or two horses in to stick and ball.

Eddie adds that patrons could consider sharing strings, or sharing the costs of a team by providing one professional each.

9 Keep ponies corralled Thom Bell says keeping ponies corralled rather than stabled cuts down on groom costs and bedding. Thom has one groom in sole charge of 22 horses. His tip is to make sure the ponies are corralled in large areas and in groups that don’t fight. lame horse in the hope it will come sound quickly. It costs just as much to keep a lame horse as a sound one – the difference is you can’t play and enjoy a lame one.

6 Think small Emma Ledamun also suggests looking at local suppliers rather than big brands for team shirts. “I kit out our staff in embroidered polo shirts from a small local supplier who does it for a fraction of the price of the big companies,” she says.

10 Save on footwear Aurora Eastwood says that shoeing only the ponies’ front feet while getting them fit is a great way to save money – although you’ll need to stay off the roads. “I have 40 horses to get fit X and this makes a massive saving.”

7 Think big Robert Allton, manager of Coworth Park, says he is looking into buying bedding in bulk, which will

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Feature Save and play X

11 Keep ponies in the field

14 Cut fuel costs

17 Improve your riding off the field

Polo player Jack Kidd believes a lot of ponies are stabled unnecessarily. According to Jack, older ponies do better outdoors as they are kept mobile, which helps their joints and subsequently cuts down on vets bills for mobility-related problems. If your ponies live out, Jack says, invest in a good New Zealand rug, with neck protection. A well-drained paddock, with the grass not too long, is ideal for low- and medium-goal ponies.

Player William Healy also recommends keeping low- and medium-goal ponies out. He does have a word of warning: if a pony starts to get fat, bring it in a few nights a week.

Aurora also suggests running your lorry on biodiesel, as well as cutting fuel costs by having all

Tom Benson suggests patrons spend more time riding their ponies and practising their stick and ball skills rather than mindlessly hacking about in chukkas. He thinks concentrating on improving skills off the field will increase their enjoyment of the game.

12 Label your tack

your polo vehicles regularly serviced and by maintaining correct tyre pressure.

Pablo Marin, a groom at Ham Polo Club, recommends all tack is labelled with dog discs so everyone knows whose is whose, and things are less likely to be mislaid. Ironon name-tapes are a must for bandages, rugs and saddle cloths in shared yards. He also says parts such as reins should be repaired by a saddler rather than replaced, and suggests that people who employ Argentine grooms give them a list of tack to buy and bring over with them for those items that are cheaper in Argentina.

18 Get into nappies Young pro Ed Hitchman offered an unusual tip: he says it is cheaper to use nappies as a poultice rather than buying poultice itself.

15 Don’t waste feed Getting your horses’ teeth checked and worming them, adds Aurora Eastwood, means you’re ensuring feed isn’t wasted and they are absorbing all the nutrients properly.

Player Tom Benson also advocates putting together a thorough feeding, worming and veterinary programme at the start of each season for each horse and sticking to it.

“Keeping weight on a horse is essential if it is to perform well and trying to get weight back on a pony is very costly,” he says.

He adds that if all else fails, sell the ponies and buy some sheep – there is, he reckons, still at least a minimal profit to be made as a sheep farmer…

13 Go local

16 Share polo lessons

Eddie Kennedy says it’s worth employing grooms from close to home. “Bringing in Argentine grooms has become very expensive,” he says. “Try looking at home and using European grooms to save that cost.”

Player Tom Benson says assembling a group of friends to share the cost of a lesson means you can have fun whilst learning and saving money.

Most coaches would be open to doing a deal on a series of group lessons, he says.

46 April 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk

19 Work on youngsters overseas Bring on your green ponies outside the UK, says Ed Hitchman. “It’s cheaper to keep horses abroad,” he says, “and there isn’t time to play 60 matches and make a green pony in an English summer.”

20 Sign up to PT for two years…

And a final tip from the author: sign up for a two-year subscription to Polo Times – you’ll get two free issues and enough tips in your 22 installments of the magazine to save you a fortune! F

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The knowledge Duty vet Mark Emerson MRCVS of Thames Valley Equine Clinic is a three-goal, fifth-generation polo player and equine vet

Why rasping now will make you smile all season The bits used in polo, the stop-start nature of the game and the need for polo ponies to eat well make teeth-rasping an essential part of pre-season preparations

orses’ teeth have evolved to be able to grind up grass, a surprisingly abrasive material. The incisors at the front of the mouth, of which there are six at the top and six at the bottom, have flat biting surfaces that can grip grass so it can be torn away to be conveyed to the back of the mouth.

Behind the incisors, most male horses and the occasional mare have more pointed canine teeth, colloquially known as “tushes”, which play no role in eating.

Their predominance in male horses suggests that ancestrally they may have played a role in fighting.

Further behind are the cheek teeth that do the grinding. On each side they lie in rows of six at the top and six at the bottom. The three rear-most cheek teeth in each row are true molars and the remainder are premolars, although in horses they are pretty much indistinguishable from each other.

Immediately in front of the upper cheek teeth, some horses have small vestigial “wolf” teeth, evolutionary remnants of the first upper premolars, which serve no function but may irritate the gum under pressure from the bit and are therefore frequently removed.

With the exception of the large gaps between the incisors and the cheek teeth (which may or may not be interrupted by the canines), all the teeth are tightly wedged together so that food material does not normally get caught between them. The grinding surface of each cheek tooth has ridges of hard enamel interspersed with a softer material called dentine – this creates the perfect irregular surface for grinding up grass.

Despite the hardness of the enamel, the constant grinding and the abrasiveness of fibrous plant material

Photographs courtesy of Mark Emerson

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48 April 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk

Above: sharp tungsten carbide rasps are used to manually remove sharp points on cheek teeth – note the metal safety gag used to open the mouth. Left: motorised dental rasps can make light work of rasping but do not necessarily do a better job than hand rasps

The problem of sharp teeth

result in the teeth wearing down by as much as 2-3mm a year. To allow for this, horses have very long teeth, with the majority of each crown (which in humans is the visible bit of the tooth) embedded within the jaw.

The teeth are gradually pushed out over the lifetime of the horse at approximately the same rate as they wear down. The only teeth that do not continuously erupt are the “tushes” and wolf teeth, if they are present.

As well as the sort of dental disorders that can affect humans, there are unique problems associated with horses’ teeth that can directly affect their performance when ridden. Disorders that prevent horses from effectively grinding their feed will also indirectly hinder their performance by affecting the digestibility of the food that they swallow.

The types of bits used in polo and the constant stopping and starting during the game mean that any discomfort in the mouth is likely to affect the way a polo pony plays. Discomfort usually arises from sharp teeth impinging on the sensitive soft tissues of the mouth,

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Above: the jaw bone of a horse clearly showing that the front edge of the first cheek tooth (to the left) had been rasped down – this is known as bit-seating.

Inset: a large ulcer inside the cheek of a horse, caused by a sharp cheek tooth. Left: an example of an extreme overgrowth. This was severely affecting this horse's ability to eat as well as its acceptance of a bit

such as the cheeks, gums and tongue, where they can even cause quite significant ulceration.

As the teeth grind together during mastication, sharp points commonly develop along the edges of the cheek teeth.

If the top and bottom rows of cheek teeth are not well aligned these sharp edges are exacerbated. Sharp edges are commonly found on the cheek-side of the upper cheek teeth and on the tongue-side of the lower cheek teeth.

A regular finding is a slightly overshot jaw that can result in a forward overlap of the first upper cheek teeth and a backward overlap of the last lower cheek tooth.

The overlapping portions of teeth have no opposing tooth to wear against and therefore develop into sharp “overgrowths”.

The incisor teeth at the front of the mouth do not usually cause significant problems, although there are instances when they may require attention.

How rasping works To prevent sharp edges from impinging on the soft tissues of the mouth, it is advisable

for polo ponies to have their teeth rasped.

It is commonly recommended that competition horses have their teeth rasped twice a year, however the seasonal nature of polo means that proper attention prior to the start of the season is usually sufficient. Good rasping is a skill that should only be carried out by equine vets and qualified equine dental technicians who carry adequate indemnity insurance.

Generally polo ponies require fairly aggressive rasping to ensure all edges where sharp points may develop are well rounded.

Gag bits are commonly used in polo, which result in the corners of the mouth being pulled back quite high and can lead to the inside mucosa of the cheeks becoming trapped between the bit and first cheek teeth. The edges of these first cheek teeth benefit from being rounded off to reduce the chance of the inside of the cheeks becoming ulcerated – this is known as “bit-seating”.

A common misunderstanding amongst some polo players is that “bit-seating” is the only rasping that really needs doing

and that horses ridden in bits other than gags do not require their teeth to be rasped. The reality is that properly fitted bridles will to some extent press the cheeks against the cheek teeth all the way along both sides of the face, necessitating the removal of sharp outside edges further back.

The tongue can also be affected by sharp inside edges all the way to the back of the mouth. Although arguably essential for horses played in gags, “bitseating” can help to prevent damage and discomfort when other bits are used too.

Rasping can only be properly performed with the use of a special type of metal gag that allows complete and safe access to the mouth. Plastic gags that slide up the inside of the mouth cannot afford the same degree of access or safety. Most routine rasping can be carried out very effectively with good hand rasps with sharp tungsten carbide blades, although mechanised rasping is becoming increasingly common.

Modern motorised rasps used by experienced vets or dental technicians can make the job easier but rarely any better. Their use increases the risk of grinding down too much tooth, which can adversely affect both bitting and eating, and can even lead to the exposure of pulp cavities.

Sedation is often required in order for rasping to be done safely, particularly with nervous or fractious horses. In the UK only vets are legally allowed to administer intravenous sedation. Although plenty of horses are amenable to having their teeth rasped without sedation, in many cases it is a false economy to avoid the use of sedation as there is a good chance that an inadequate job will be done. Not using sedation with motorised rasps can risk serious damage to the soft tissues of the mouth. F ◗ Mark Emerson is based at Thames

Valley Equine Clinic, Sheephouse Farm, Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon RG9 4HF. Tel: 01491 414007; email: tvec@btconnect.com www.polotimes.co.uk April 2009 49

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Don’t tighten your belts Tighten your girths It’s that time of year again

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50 April 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk

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Horsemanship The knowledge Horse expert Andrew Seavill shares his trade secrets

Don’t just do something – stand there ast month, I discussed how to prepare your horse to teach him to tie up safely. You may need to spend some time on that preparation before he’s ready to go to this next stage – so only proceed once you’re satisfied he has completed the stages described in the March issue.

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AT THIS POINT WE ARE READY to desensitise the horse's tendency to panic.

Help him become calmer, smarter and braver while teaching him to yield to pressure from the halter behind his head without injuring himself.

For this exercise, use a 22ft lead rope and find a sturdy rail. Bring the horse close and take a turn around the rail with the rope. Set yourself up out of the horse's way. To stimulate the pull-back situation, use a flag or a plastic bag with the end cut open attached to a stick. The noise of the bag alarms the horse and amplifies his instincts to flee.

As soon as he jumps away, let the rope slide out slowly while still shaking the flag. This provides a little resistance for the horse, but allows him to drift backward. If you lock on and try to prevent the drift, the horse will panic and learn nothing.

Understand his opposition reflex and his need to move his feet, otherwise you won’t have the know-how or patience to help him overcome his fears.

USING THE FLAG as a stimulant accelerates the learning process for the horse because it heightens his reaction, but ends up, in his view, not being dangerous. He learns he can live through scary situations and, with repetition, he starts to think, “This really is no big deal!”

So, when you shake the flag, the horse jumps and runs backward until the point where he feels safe. You stop the flag when he stops – not before, or he won't become desensitised. Then reel him back in with a nonchalant look on

If you have a young horse that needs training to tie up safely, or an older one that won’t settle when tied, try Andrew’s stage-by-stage method, which will teach your horse to give to pressure

your face. Do it again and again... until the horse learns not to panic, and to give to pressure.

Watch the way his mind starts to work.

Every time he learns something, or his brain shifts from right (instinctive) to left (rational), he will lick his lips. Give him a few moments to do this. I also make sure I can rub the horse all over with the flag;

once again proving to him that there is nothing to be afraid of.

Remember that this has to become a programme. Do it for a minimum of four days in a row, then a couple of times a week until you can see that the horse has been reprogrammed and his first instinct becomes “Don't just do something... stand there.” F

Ask Andrew...

Which rein controls which legs?

The horse has four legs and you have two reins. Each rein is responsible for two legs’ movement.

The right rein is responsible for the right front leg and the left hind leg. If you use a direct rein (moving your right arm straight out to the side), it moves the right front leg over. If you bend your right elbow in an indirect rein (as in bringing your hand to your midsection or bellybutton), it causes the left hind leg to move. With the left rein, it’s the opposite.

Your hands and legs work together while you focus on what you want your horse’s body to do. Your legs should do what your hands do. If you want your horse’s

hindquarters to move to the left, take the right rein in your right hand, bend your elbow, and bring it to your bellybutton. If your right elbow is bent, so should be your right knee. Bring it to your horse’s side. Wait until the horse moves away from the pressure of the rein and leg.

You’re doing nothing with your left hand, so do nothing with your left leg either.

If you straighten out your left elbow to bring the horse’s front end around, straighten out your right knee as well, taking the pressure off his side. Without your right leg blocking him, your horse can turn to the right more naturally.

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The knowledge Pony power

Paris After visiting six-goal player Eduardo Zorrilla played Paris in the second Test between Coronel Suárez and New Zealand in February, he begged to take her back to Argentina. Her owner, Paul Kay, talks to Brett O’Callaghan

Vital statistics

Photograph by Brett O’Callaghan

Name: Height: Age: Sex: Breed: Sire: Dam:

Paris 15hh 9 years old Mare Home-bred by Paul Kay Sir Gilbert Amber

Where did Paris come from?

I bred her from my stock of polo ponies, so she’s always been mine and it was me who broke her in. I break all mine in as I find it’s the easiest way to get to know a pony and be sure he or she is handled the way I like.

How long have you been playing her?

About six years altogether. I started her in green-pony chukkas as a three-year-old. She has always been tough and even as a youngster she showed me a lot of potential. I knew it was just a matter of time before she played high-goal.

What are her strengths?

Paris is very quick in her change of speed and direction. She loves to bump and ride-off and is just one of those ponies that loves playing polo.

She really doesn’t have any weaknesses I can think of.

Paris won a prize in the test match – what was it?

She won the Champion Pony prize for the best playing pony in February’s second international between New Zealand and Coronel Suarez at Kihikihi Polo Club. Eduardo Zorrilla had selected her from the ponies we lent the team because of her pace, and he played her in three of the six chukkas. He asked me afterwards if he could take her back to Argentina.

Who trains her now?

I do all of the schooling and my Argentine groom, David Metzler, does all the slow work.

Is she an easy mare?

Aside from her bossy attitude, she’s fine in the yards and around the paddock, but on the

field she’s not easy to ride. She follows the play well but a lesser rider than Eduardo would struggle with her speed and give himself plenty of problems.

What bit do you play her in?

I have always played her in a gag with running reins, as she seems happy and responds well.

What regime do you have for getting your ponies fit?

On our family farm we have some big hills, which are ideal for building strength and stamina in the ponies. I start all the ponies in November doing slow work. The young stock get schooled and play until the end of December, then they are put out and don’t come back until the early spring (Sept/Oct) for polo in March and April. The older ponies start playing in January and go until midMarch, when they are put out in good time for the New Zealand winter.

Does Paris have any specific dietary requirements?

No, she gets the same as the others during the season – two meals a day.

Would you ever sell her?

She is not for sale. I like to keep my good ponies and play them until they reach about 12 years old.

Will you breed from her?

Yes, when my horses reach 12 I sell the geldings and retire the mares to the breeding paddock to continue the bloodlines. Paris will play another four seasons before that happens. F

Experts in polo nutrition Tel: +44 (0)1371 850247 www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk 52 April 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk

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Feeding The knowledge Lorna Jowett, specialist equine nutritionist, gives expert advice on all things edible

Why is ‘trickle feeding’ hay such a good idea?

I have heard that ad lib hay is the ideal way to feed stabled horses. How can I do this without getting a “heavy” and “hay bellied” pony? And what if I have one pony that is a classic “good doer”?

Me contaron que dar fardo a discreción es la mejor manera de alimentar a caballos que viven en establos. Cómo puedo evitar que esto resulte en caballos panzones y pesados?

Y qué debería hacer si se tratase de caballos gordos por naturaleza (mantenido)?

Yes, absolutely definitely, ad lib hay or haylage is the ideal way to feed!

It provides slow-release energy, which enhances stamina and performance and works as a reservoir in the hind gut to help reduce dehydration risks, as well as enhancing and promoting gut health and motility.

Sí, absoluta y definitivamente, pasto a discreción es la forma ideal de alimentar a caballos que viven adentro. Provee energía de liberación lenta que aumenta la fuerza vital y el rendimiento, funciona como reserva en el intestino grueso ayudando a reducir el riesgo de deshidratación y promueve intestinos saludables y con mobilidad.

The answer to your question is easy.

A good quality, soft leafy forage without much stalk will not sit in the hind gut for long while being digested and therefore a hay belly will not be seen!

La respuesta a tu pregunta es simple: forraje de hoja suave de buena calidad y sin mucho tallo será procesada rápidamente por el intestino grueso y por lo tanto no generará una panza prominente.

The good doer is trickier, but withholding forage for long periods of time increases risks of ulcers and colic significantly, because the horse is designed to eat (trickle feed) all the time, unlike a human, hence the presence of a hind gut to ferment fibre.

Es mas dificil en el caso de caballos mantenidos, pero restringir el acceso a forraje por tiempos prolongados incrementa significativamente el riesgo de úlceras y cólicos. A diferencia del sistema de los humano, el sistema digestivo del caballo está diseñado para comer continuamente, siendo evidencia de ello la existencia del intestino grueso, encargado de fermentar fibra.

A good doer can have smaller quantities, but offer it regularly throughout the day, using small holed haylage nets, putting one inside another, hanging nets from the ceiling. Soaking hay for 40 minutes can also slow down their intake.

Whichever option you pick, don’t feed less than one per cent of the pony’s bodyweight per day (450kg pony = 4.5 kg/9lb), or the digestive tract will be compromised. F

Un caballo mantenido puede comer pequeñas cantidades de fardo en forma regular y durante todo el día.

Esto se puede lograr usando redes con agujeros pequeños, o poniendo una dentro de otra. Mojar el pasto puede servir también para demorar su ingestión. Cualquiera sea la opción que elijas, no dejes de darles al menos 1% de su peso en fardo (caballo de 450kg = 4.5 kg/9lb por día), de lo contrario el sistema digestivo se verá comprometido. F

The horse requires a steady flow of food – which ad lib hay can provide

Tip of the month Credit crunch… let them munch… Feeding ad lib forage can reduce your feed bill without reducing performance or condition!

Dales todo el pasto que puedan comer: pasto a discreción puede reducir el gasto en alimento balanceado sin afectar el rendimiento y su condición general.

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The knowledge Travel

Clockwise from top left: quivers of darts in Assam; a rider prepares to throw a dart; a Manipuri pony tacked up for sagol kangjei; the author; a Manipuri mare and foal

A heritage in peril If it wasn’t for the hardy little Manipuri Pony, the modern game of polo might not exist. But the versatile Indian breed is under threat, warns Bob Thompson

n a remote and turbulent part of northeastern India, time is running out for the forerunner of modern international polo.

The game of sagol kangjei, in Manipur, is under threat because the 11 to 13 hand Manipuri Pony, on which it has always been played, faces the possibility of extinction. It was on the Manipuri or Meitei Pony that Captain Robert Stewart and Lieutenant (later Major General) John Shearer first experienced polo before taking it to Silchar, where they set up a polo club. Later the game was taken to Calcutta and from there, after some rule changes, it spread round the world.

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When I visited Manipur recently, in my research into indigenous horse games, I discovered how frail the future of the game – and its hardy little Manipuri Pony – has become, despite its firm place in local culture and history.

According to Manipuri mythology the Gods played sagol kangjei at the Creation and a stick and ball are still offered in worship every year to the God Marjing. It is recorded that in 33 AD King Ngonda Larien Pakhangba arranged for a sagol kangjei tournament to introduce his wife to his people.

It has long been the national game of Manipur, played, until the latter part of the 20th century, in most villages. Smallholders who kept local

ponies for transport and hauling crops also used them for sagol kangjei, in weekly matches and in tournaments on festival days. But with modernisation, the ponies were no longer needed and the grounds were used for building houses for the increasing population. The only permanent grounds left are two in Imphal, the capital.

Much-patched local saddles are still used, though there is neither the money nor the saddlers to make new ones. The saddles have a deep seat with a large rounded pommel and a high cantle.

The saddle flaps, made of hide, cover most of the pony’s flank to shield it from the ball and

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Malian horsemen. The author, Bob Thompson, chronicles traditional horse games. His travels have taken him to countries such as Cameroon and Iran as well as India

the slightly rolled ends guard the player’s legs.

The bridle has woollen balls tied to it to protect the places thought to be most vulnerable to ball strike, such as the temple and a piece of hide that stretches from the browband to the noseband to ward off the ball if the pony is hit

on the face. A hide whip is used to urge the pony on, because the saddle flap makes it impossible to give leg-aids.

Sagol kangjei is still a game of the people and, although many ponies are owned by one person, sometimes two or three young men pool their

From tug of war to maiden’s scarf – more about the author I find, research and document indigenous horse games and their place in the local culture, writes the author, Bob Thompson. Horse games and the equine cultures surrounding them are dying out because of the increased use of the internal combustion engine, but I hope to be able to record more before they disappear.

Among the games I’ve researched in recent years is faras gugse, in Ethiopia. This originated with the Oromo and was used, amongst other things, for settling land disputes between different pastoralist groups.

Two players start off a couple of lengths apart, one player has a blunted spear and the other a shield. The spearman scores points for hitting the body of the person with the shield as they race along a course that varies 400m to 1000m long. The riders swap roles for the return gallop. In the past, double-headed barbed spears were used.

In the Altai region of Mongolia I studied “Kiss the girl on the horse”, a horse race between a man and woman symbolising the capturing of wives; Kazakh tug of war, a tug of war on horseback with a dead goat; “coin picking”, where the rider has to pick up four flower heads from the ground at a gallop, two with the left hand and two with the right; local horse racing, where children between eight and 13 race bareback up to 30km and hunting with eagles. In Cameroon, Mali and Burkina Faso I observed the different styles of dancing horses, which are part of fantasia, a display of daring and skilful horsemanship. I have also covered buzkashi in Afghanistan, cirit in Turkey, Gilgit polo in Pakistan, gazelle hunting and “the maiden’s scarf” in Iran and tent pegging in north-east India.

resources to keep one. This often means the same pony will be used in two full practice matches.

In one day I have seen the same pony do two or three rounds of show jumping, followed by a tent pegging competition and then play in two practice matches after a long warm-up session.

This is on top of having to come and return several miles from the grazing grounds where they are kept, to the polo pitches in the centre of the city.

Sometimes rather than take them back at the weekend when there are matches on Saturday and Sunday, a few are left to graze overnight on the Palace polo ground, which is also used as a public park. It is only fenced on three sides and at night it is possible to see Manipuri Polo Ponies competing with cattle on rubbish heaps. Every year two or three good ponies are lost to colic through the pony eating plastic bags.

Due to the need for increased housing the Manipuri Ponies are being pushed onto eversmaller areas of rough grazing. There is a stud, but the grazing there is completely eaten out and X the mares, foals, yearlings and stallions all run

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The knowledge Travel

Above: Manipuri ponies. The breed is much in demand – for jumping, tent pegging and as children’s ponies. The result is that many are overworked or in poor condition. A horse lover and anthropologist has set up a stud to breed Manipuri ponies in neighbouring Assam, which is more accessible to outsiders than Manipur Above right: a rider prepares for tent pegging in Assam, the neighbouring state to Manipur Right: a tent pegging competition

Photographs courtesy of Bob Thompson

X together. Most days they are turned out over a

narrow wooden bridge onto common land that is tightly grazed by cattle and sheep. The death rate of foals is about 25 per cent from a mixture of poor diet, worms and injuries.

Many ponies live in a marshy area which floods in the monsoon, forcing the ponies to find higher ground. Often the only grazing is on the sides of the roads and this can result in horrific accidents.

On the marsh there was one mare with a broken leg. She had been caught in a cattle grid and her off hind was broken between the hock and the fetlock.

Because she had been such a good sagol kangjei pony she was nursed and put to the stallion. She had raised a foal and gone back to the stallion again, and in fact was not in too bad a condition, but she had an ungainly walk because the lower half of her leg flapped with every stride.

The ponies were not only for sagol kangjei and farm work; in the past they made excellent war horses and were used for arambai hunba, a dartthrowing martial art. An arambai is a metalheaded dart with flight of peacock feathers.

They were thrown in bunches, or singly with the aid of a throwing stick. In the 17th century

58 April 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk

this was the secret weapon that helped the Manipuris to control much of Northern Myanmar.

Its use was restricted to certain families who were answerable only to the king; the throwers would gallop at the enemy and throw their poisoned darts.

With the aid of a throwing stick the riders could hit a target from further than 100 yards.

The ponies were trained to turn away as soon as

After a game it is common to see a mare being ridden home with her foal trailing behind as rush-hour traffic swerves to avoid them the arambai were thrown. I was told that when the Burmese invaded Manipur their soldiers always kept one eye on the sky, because the first thing they saw in an ambush was a rain of multicoloured darts, then heard the sound of horses galloping away.

Today the Manipuri is wanted for show jumping, tent pegging and as a children’s pony as well as for sagol kangjei. The result is that most of them are overworked and many fall

victim to injury or illness. The shortage of ponies has meant that mares with a foal at foot are used for sagol kangjei – the foal is allowed to follow the mother during warm-up, but is tied up during a match. After a game it is common to see a mare being ridden home with her foal trailing behind as the rush hour traffic swerves to avoid them.

Sagol kangjei might only be a strange type of polo in a small inaccessible Indian state, of which few people have heard and even fewer visited (permits are hard to come by unless you’re on an organised tour), but it is the forerunner of modern international polo and without the Manipuri Pony it will cease to exist.

An anthropologist in Assam, the state to the west of Manipur, has started a small stud where people will be able to see and play sagol kangjei without the long bureaucratic hassle of getting into Manipur. He has 11 Manipuri ponies, and among his staff are a Manipuri polo player and trainer. It is a start, but much more needs to be done if modern international polo is not to lose its heritage. F ◗ To contact Bob Thompson and discuss how to help the Manipuri Pony, or to find out how to visit the stud in Assam, email Bob at horsegames@ btconnect.com

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My travels with Richard Le Poer

Where have you been recently?

I’m currently in Argentina, at La Irenita, the MacDonoughs’ estancia featured in your last issue, where I’ve been since February – I’m working for Jorge until the end of the month.

Before that I was in Klosters and St Moritz in Switzerland for the Cartier Polo World Cup on Snow. I won the tournament on George Milford Haven’s Julius Baer side. It was a brilliant victory and we had some fun evenings too, not to mention the skiing and the Cresta run. I really enjoyed the glamour of the whole event. Before that, I was back here, at La Irenita.

What’s the best ever polo holiday you’ve ever had?

In 2005, I had a contract in Australia with Ellerston for a year straight after I left school, when I was 18. I travelled with their teams to Argentina and Palm Beach whilst I was there and it was just an amazing year. I was playing a lot of 16-18-goal polo and it was so good for my game. The facilities, the horses and the four grounds on the Packers’ farm are amongst the best in the world in my opinion and I improved enormously.

Photograph by Tony Ramirez

What’s been your best non-polo trip?

I went travelling up through Argentina and Brazil at the end of last year with some school friends. We spent time in Rio and on the island of Angra dos Reis. And, well, it’s probably the less said, the better – we just went crazy!

Any bad experiences?

Not really, but when I first went out to Australia in 2003, to groom for Kerry Packer, Glen Gilmore played a pretty typical prank on me. He told me on my first night that anyone who had

supper with Kerry was expected to dress in a jacket and tie. So I did, and of course I was the only one. Kerry’s response, referring to Glen, was that “you should never trust a Queenslander”.

Which is your favourite hotel in the world and why?

It has to be The Crown, in Melbourne. It’s owned by the Packers and it just has absolutely everything, all under one roof: amazing rooms, amazing service, an awesome nightclub and even a casino!

Favourite restaurant?

Simply for the atmosphere, it has to be Tinto y Soda in Pilar.

What’s the first thing in your suitcase on any polo holiday?

It has to be my ipod, so I can satisfy every aspect of my wide taste in music – everything from Led Zeppelin to Britney Spears and Eric Prydz I’m afraid!

Where would like to go that you haven’t been yet?

Barbados. Players like Ed Hitchman and Tom Morley love it and I’ve heard from everyone that it’s a lot of fun.

Where did you go as a child?

My first trips were to Argentina when I was 14 and 15 on an HPA scholarship. These days, I get a bursary from Audi, so it really helps lighten the costs of so much travelling.

What is it that drives you in polo?

My uncle is Charles Beresford, so my main aim is to prove that Irishmen really can play the game!

Interview by James Mullan

Sagol kangjei – how is it played?

Sagol kangjei is a seven-a-side game of two 20-minute halves with a five-minute break in the middle.

Besides the speed, agility and intelligence expected from a polo pony, great stamina is needed as well. There are no goal posts; teams score by hitting the ball over their opponent’s end line. As soon as a goal is scored the huntre hunba, or ball thrower, tosses in another ball, so that play is continuous for the full 20 minutes of each half. Any number of substitutions is allowed, but nowadays the shortage of ponies is a limiting factor.

There is no umpire in sagol kangjei; the huntre hunba settles most disputes that arise, but a local dignitary is invited to sit on the sidelines; appeals are made to him and his decision is final. Also on the sidelines are two conch players, who blow to announce the beginning and end of each half and whenever a goal is scored. In the past the length of a game was decided on a set number of goals, with half time being called when the first team reached half the required number.

Travel news in brief ◗ A NEW POLO CENTRE is set to be built in the stunning and rugged landscape of Salta, northern Argentina. Estancia de Cafayate, which aims to offer polo all year round, will comprise two polo grounds, alfalfa grazing, exercise paddocks and up to 20 stables.

The polo facilities will be part of an upmarket countryside residential development that will also include vineyards, golf and riding. The grounds are currently being designed and construction will begin later this year, for completion in 2010.

A key Argentine player will be teaching guests, and a Peruvian paso specialist, born and raised in Cafayate, will lead rides into the countryside.

Visitors will be able to stay at local hotels in close proximity – or they can buy one of the US$100,000-plus home sites – and in future a hotel and spa will be built on the estancia.

For more, visit www.laestanciadecafayate.com

Riding among the vineyards at Salta

◗ IT’S A BUSY FEW WEEKS IN DUBAI. Following the Cartier International event on 27 March for the Arab Polo Masters Cup, on 3 April the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club will once again host the largest polo event in the UAE’s calendar, the Foresight Lamborghini Polo Cup. Last year the event brought Dubai’s largest ever polo crowd to the club, as 2,500 spectators enjoyed picnics and polo in the sunshine, all in support of Dubai-based charity, Foresight.

Foresight raises funds to accelerate a cure for hereditary eye disease, the most prolific form of disability in the UAE. Organisers hope the excitement of a polo match, including the local rarity of two lady players participating, will spur guests into dipping into their pockets. ◗ IN AN ENCOURAGING SIGN of the growth of polo in the Caribbean, one of Jamaica’s largest daily newspapers, the Jamaica Observer, now carries a two-page weekly polo column. Its author is none other than Karen Kranenburg, the brains behind so much of the polo in the region (including the Barbados and Jamaican Opens). Her regular updates will be bringing the broader Jamaican public all the latest comings and goings from the local polo community across the Caribbean islands. ◗ A 12-GOAL DUBAI TEAM beat a visiting 15-goal side from Nigeria at the recent Al Habtoor v El Amin Polo Cup at the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club on 28 February. Nigeria’s El Amin Polo Team was founded in 1995 and has since become one of the country’s most successful and well-established sides. This earned them their first ever invitation to Dubai, joined by a huge entourage of more than 100 Nigerian delegates. However, they could not snatch victory for all their travelling support and conceded the trophy to their hosts, Al Habtoor, 8-5.

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The knowledge Property special

Purchasing power Now the housing market has realigned, what can polo people get for their money in different areas? To launch our new property pages, Abi Butcher investigates ouse prices are supposed to have slipped and slid. Sure, mortgages are harder to come by and stock is low, but surely now could be a good time to snap up a bargain – as long as you’re reasonably liquid. I took a look at what you can get for your money near five different polo clubs around the UK – concentrating on property I considered would appeal to Polo Times readers.

I asked agents around Cowdray in West Sussex, Toulston in Yorkshire, Dundee & Perth in Scotland, Taunton Vale in Somerset and Suffolk Polo Club, at Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds, what they had on the market at different prices.

The difference between areas was striking – and if you’re not fussy about which club you play at and you’re keen for a good deal, you can certainly pick up a property with decent equestrian facilities. For example, for the same money that you can buy a small cottage near Cowdray Park, you could land a modest house with stables and a couple of acres near Suffolk Polo Club. Travel to Scotland, and properties near Dundee & Perth at Scone Palace are a positive bargain.

H

Cowdray Park, West Sussex £210,000 Half Moon Cottages, Petersfield Road, would make an excellent weekend retreat. The end-ofterrace two-bedroom cottage is just under two

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miles from the Lawns and River grounds of Cowdray Park.

Built in local stone, this period cottage has original Sussex latchwood doors and full period features – admittedly, it’s close to the A272, but you could walk to the River and Lawns grounds in 15 minutes and it’s less than a 10-minute drive to Ambersham. If the former Ellerston grounds at Stedham turn out to be operational again, you could be there in a minute by car. The house has planning consent for an extension at the rear to convert to three bedrooms.

Hamptons International, Haslemere, tel: 01428 642307 or visit www.hamptons.co.uk

£795,000 It’s an hour by horsebox to Cowdray, but East Standon Lodge, just inside Surrey, represents outstanding value for the south-east. It’s also near four other clubs – Hurtwood Park, Knepp Castle, Sussex Polo and Burningfold.

Set in 12 acres of well-fenced paddocks, the three-bedroom detached lodge house is almost secondary to the equestrian facilities – seven loose boxes set neatly around a concrete yard, separate tack and feed rooms, a 60x20m outdoor school and a horsebox barn. The local area has decent hacking, and is slap in the middle of Surrey Union hunt country – the kennels at Ockley are just across the fields.

Churchill Country and Equestrian Estate Agents, tel: 01403 700222 or visit www.churchillcountry.com

£1.9m Courts Farm, less than 15 minutes from Cowdray and set in 23 acres, would make a superb project for a polo family.

In a secluded pastoral setting two miles from the village of Fernhurst, the beautiful 17th century farmhouse has four bedrooms, four reception rooms, a garden room and two bathrooms.

There’s a range of outbuildings, including a traditional stone barn that has planning permission to convert to a dwelling.

The property is also available as two lots: the farmhouse plus 13 acres is offered at £1,150,000, or the barn and outbuildings with 10 acres is £750,000.

Knight Frank Guildford: tel 01483 565171; www.knightfrank.co.uk

Toulston, Yorkshire £239,950 Grimston Park Mews, which is surrounded by acres of glorious parkland, is a 10-minute drive from the friendly and historic club at Toulston.

A three-bedroom Grade II listed mews-style property, it was once the billiards room of Grimston Park, a magnificent country home built in the mid-19th century. Arranged over a single storey, it retains spacious proportions – the sitting room is 22ft long – and plenty of period features, from sash windows to cornicing.

Dacre, Son and Hartley, Wetherby, tel: 01937 586177 or visit www.dacres.co.uk

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Clockwise from top left: the outlook at Meadow Close, near Toulston (£699,950); Courts Farm, which has 23 acres and is 15 minutes from Cowdray (£1.9m); Half Moon Cottages in Midhurst, near Cowdray (£210,000); Lower Hall Farm near Toulston (£950,000); East Standon Lodge in Surrey, near various Sussex and Surrey clubs (£795,000)

£699,950 Meadow Close is a charming, three-bedroom detached house, with a self-contained annex and excellent horse facilities, is set in nearly seven acres at the edge of Towton, 10 minutes’ drive from Toulston.

The interior is full of character, with bare stone on some walls and a nice fireplace, and the bedrooms in particular are very generously proportioned. Outside, there are open views on all sides, a modern brick building housing four stables and a tack room, plus two large timber barns for storage.

Bartle Residential Property tel: 01937 833692 or visit web www.bartles.co.uk

£950,000 Lower Hall Farm in the picturesque village of Brompton-by-Sawdon is further from Toulston than the two properties above – just over an hour’s drive away – but White Rose, Beverley and Vale of York are within reach, too.

The five-bedroom listed farmhouse is set in 34 acres of grazing and parkland, with trout

ponds and a yard of stone and pantile traditional farm buildings. Although there are eight stables at present, the open-fronted byres and traditional barns could be converted without planning permission to house more.

The property is on the market on instructions of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Smiths Gore, York tel: 01904 756303, visit www.smithsgore.co.uk

Suffolk Polo Club, Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds £247,500 This semi-detached modern three-bedroom house at the edge of the village of Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds, represents fantastic value for money for someone who’d like to keep a pony or two at home.

The property has three stables, a tack room, store room, an area to store hay and straw, and three post-and-rail fenced paddocks. Although just 1.3 acres of land is being sold with the property, a further adjoining half-acre is available to rent from a local farmer.

The house sits in a cul-de-sac, at the end of which is a byway leading to further bridleways and off-road hacking.

It lies 10 miles from the Bury St Edmunds ground and 25 miles from Newmarket.

East Anglia Equestrian Properties, visit www.eaequestrian.co.uk

£1,250,000 Mill House Stud in the village of Cowlinge, 10 miles south of Newmarket, has the sort of extensive facilities that could make a brilliant polo set-up. The cheerful pink-painted house, with a slate roof, has seven bedrooms, two bathrooms and two main reception rooms, along with a snug, playroom, utility room, boot room and family-sized farmhouse kitchen with a four-oven Aga. It has two staircases, so could be easily divided into two dwellings, The stud itself, which has been used as a rest and recuperation facility, has 19 stables in two brick blocks, with a further block of five timber boxes, a tack room, feed room, office and hay barn. It has a five-horse covered

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The knowledge Property special

Clockwise from bottom left: the house at Meadow Close (full details on previous page), 10 minutes from Toulston Polo Club in Yorkshire, set in seven acres (£699,950); Meadow Close’s stable block; its orchard; Honeysuckle Cottage, a potential bolthole 20 minutes from Taunton Vale’s grounds at Orchard Portman in Somerset (£297,500)

X horse-walker, and nearly 17 acres of post-

and-rail paddocks.

Smiths Gore, Newmarket, tel: 01638 661122; visit www.smithsgore.co.uk

Taunton Vale, Somerset £297,500 Honeysuckle Cottage is a detached, threebedroom cottage in Burrowbridge, north-west of Taunton, around 20 minutes from the polo grounds at Orchard Portman. The attractive property, surrounded by open countryside, would make a good West Country bolthole (with Exeter airport an hour away), or a great family home, and local polo livery could be easily arranged.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt, Taunton: tel 01823 277121 or visit www.gth.net

£760,000 With some effort and investment, Cleve Farm, a mile from the village of Churchstanton, could be transformed into a superb horse set-up.

The three- to four-bedroom farmhouse, set in 58 acres of rolling pasture among the beautiful Blackdown Hills, is ripe for updating and there’s potential to extend, subject to

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planning permission. There are currently just two stables, but there’s a good collection of traditional and modern outbuildings, which could incorporate indoor stables. Hacking in the area is extensive.

It’s a 25-minute drive along back roads to Taunton Vale’s polo grounds. For a buyer interested in making improvements to both house and outbuildings, this could appeal.

Savills, Exeter: tel 01392 455755 or visit www.savills.co.uk

£850,000 Further west at South Molton, south of Exmoor, West Down Farm is a firmly established equestrian property, and outstanding value considering its size and facilities.

The substantial house, built in Arts and Crafts style, has nine bedrooms, is presently set up as a b&b, and the adjoining farm as a stud. The facilities include 31 loose boxes, a horse walker, six-furlong gallop and 30 acres, comprising 11 post-and-rail fenced paddocks.

There is extensive outriding and fishing rights on the River Yeo. While its scale makes it ideal for polo, you’d need perhaps to enjoy hunting or

endurance riding, too, to make the most of the fantastic location.

It’s an hour’s drive along the A361 and the M5 to Taunton Vale’s grounds, but just 45 minutes to West Somerset Polo Club’s grounds near Dulverton, to the west.

Fox Grant, tel: 0870 774 5600 or visit www.foxgrant.com

Dundee & Perth, Perthshire, Scotland £249,950 While it has no stabling, 3 Madoch Court in St Madoes, east of Perth, is an attractive and substantial property less than 20 minutes’ drive from Dundee & Perth’s base at Scone Palace. The modern, four-bedroom, villa-style house, surrounded by gardens and with views across the village green, has double garages and is in “move-in” condition.

McCash & Hunter 01738 635300; www.mccashhunter.co.uk

£395,000 The Redhouse is a four-bedroom character bungalow at the edge of the popular village of

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Clockwise from top: the view from Chapelhill Farm, a five-bedroom Victorian farmhouse about 15 miles from Dundee & Perth Polo Club, which has excellent equestrian facilities (£1m); Chapelhill farmhouse; the kitchen at Chapelhill; the gallop at West Down Farm, just south of Exmoor (£950,000); the stables at West Down Farm

Scotlandwell, on the fringe of Loch Leven and a 40-minute drive from Scone Palace.

This family bungalow is set in eight acres, with an American-style barn containing four stables.

All paddocks are post-and-rail fenced.

RuralandEquestrian.com: tel: 0845 127 9919

£1m Chapelhill Farm, 12 miles west of Perth, is a handsome five-bedroom country house set in nearly 30 acres, with wonderful views to the Perthshire hills and good equestrian facilities.

The house, which dates from around 1860, has been refurbished to a high standard. There’s stabling for 10 horses, an outdoor sand school, well fenced paddocks and lodging for grooms.

Some of the attractive stone outbuildings have planning permission for conversion into dwellings.

Strutt & Parker Edinburgh: tel: 0131 226 2500; www.struttandparker.com F

How is the equestrian property market faring? ◗ The equestrian market, like the rest of the property market in the UK, has been struggling in recent months.

But it certainly isn’t all bad. ◗ William Grant, director of Wessex-based Fox Grant, said enquiries from buyers have almost tripled since

the start of 2009. “Between September 2007 and December 2008, the market fell 20-25 per cent across the board, but vendors are realising that, and as long as the price is sensible, properties are selling,” he explained. “In January, I was pessimistic about the coming year and thought prices would fall another five or 10 per cent, but the market is picking up – and properties are now good value, even if overall availability is low.” ◗ “Right now there is no shortage of buyers,” says Robert Fanshawe, head of equestrian at Knight Frank.

“But there’s a shortage of properties and a shortage of willing lenders.” ◗ According to Lucy Gaynor at Hamptons International, buyers looking for a weekend cottage or a property

with land in excess of 10 acres are finding the market frustrating. ◗ Sara Phillis, from equestrian specialists Churchill Country and Equestrian, adds: “The number of properties

for sale is not as high as it would usually be at this time of the year, but things are still moving.” ◗ All of the agents contacted by Polo Times spoke of high demand for properties at the top and bottom ends of

the market. And Richard Addington, a director at Savills in Exeter, predicted that the market, though undersupplied at the moment, would see a surge of “decent properties” coming on sale after Easter.

For further information with regard to equestrian property sales contracts, please contact Mark Charter at Blake Lapthorn directly: on 023 8085 7116; via email, at mark.charter@bllaw.co.uk; or write to Mark Charter, Partner, Real Estate, Blake Lapthorn, New Kings Court, Tollgate, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, SO53 3LG

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The knowledge Gear

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Green rubber handle, metal cap and green shaft From SATS (www.satsfaction.com; 01285 841542) Our verdict: A lightweight whip with a excellent rubber grip The damage: £19.50 Casablanca leather whip – black leather with metal spot on cap and blunt tip From Tally Ho Farm (www.tallyhofarm; 01344 885373) Our verdict: A traditional looking whip, fairly long. Feels substantial The damage: £48 Ucha metal cap – black leather handle, metal cap, white shaft with black flecks From Tally Ho Farm, as above Our verdict: A long, lightweight, flexible whip, produces a good whipping sound The damage: £24.95 Dark brown leather with blunt tip From Roxtons (www.roxtons.co.uk; 0845 2606118) Our verdict: A nice looking whip but has limited flexibility The damage: £29

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Black leather handle, metal cap, red shaft with yellow flecks and a black tail From SATS, as above Our verdict: A bright flexible whip makes a nice swish sound The damage: £22.50

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Ucha leather cap – brown leather handle, light blue shaft From Tally Ho Farm, as above Our verdict: A light whip with good “whippy-ness” The damage: £24.95

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Brown leather handle, metal cap, pink shaft with black tail From Roxtons, as above Our verdict: Lovely handle and slightly stiffer than some The damage: £26

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Casablanca leather cap – black leather handle, orange shaft and very long tail From Tally Ho Farm, as above Our verdict: A nice whip with a long tail for that extra reach. Also makes a nice sound!

The damage: £30

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The knowledge Club profile: Rutland and Ranksboro

This month Polo Times travels to Rutland, where two progressive clubs have formed strong links to give their members more fun and better value

n the picturesque setting of England’s smallest county, Rutland, polo is taking off in a big way, with Rutland Polo Club and Ranksboro Polo Club working together to make their patch the place to play in central England. The clubs, which sit just 400 yards apart, have decided to utilise their close proximity to increase their flexibility and the packages they can offer to help both sets of members – going so far as to have one polo manager for the summer between the two of them.

Rutland Polo Club was founded in the early 1970s and from day one has had strong links with the local hunts – the Cottesmore, Quorn and Belvoir. Many members hunt with these packs before readying their ponies for the summer season. The club, which has three exceptional tournament grounds, is a wellestablished low-goal venue. Its main showcase tournament is the 6-goal Assam Cup, played for in July, but throughout the season the club offers at least two tournaments a month, welcoming travelling teams to compete with their own players.

Ranksboro Polo Club, meanwhile, was founded by the North family in 2004 and achieved full HPA affiliation for the first time this year. The club provides liveries, lessons

Photographs by Nico Morgan Photography

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with an HPA instructor, instructional chukkas and a busy schedule of tournaments on its three grounds, with the facility to buy or hire ponies as appropriate.

Ranksboro also has a 100m x 50m arena, which means that polo can be played all year round. The club’s committee actively encourages all types of tuition, from one-onone lessons to group skills workshops and corporate days out.

Both clubs have been upgrading their facilities: Rutland has recently added a new ground and Ranksboro is adding further stabling to increase livery capacity as well as planning an expansion to other existing facilities.

This summer, the two clubs have synchronised their fixture lists to ensure that neither clashes with the other and to guarantee polo in the county almost every weekend of the summer season.

One-goal player Joe North will be polo manager at both clubs to ensure optimum coordination and there are representatives

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from both clubs on each club’s newly-selected committees for the coming season.

The affiliation will extend to social functions, too. Rupert Heggs and Trevor North, the chairmen of Rutland and Ranksboro respectively, will be arranging regular post-match get-togethers and parties for members of both clubs during the course of the summer.

There is an active Pony Club polo scene in the county and such well-known British players as Julian Appleby and Tim Bown began their polo playing lives in the region.

Travelling teams are encouraged to come and stay with local members, many of whom can offer overnight facilities for

Both clubs’ grounds are maintained by Tom Weaver, a specialist in racecourse turf

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visiting horses. Several local pubs offer accommodation, and for those wishing to experience the best Rutland has to offer, Stapleford Park Hotel and Country Club provides the ultimate in luxury.

The hope is that the size and profile of polo in the county will increase even further in the inclusive environment – and nonmembers from the local community will also be encouraged to participate in various events and tournaments.

All in all, the association between the two clubs promises to create a family-friendly environment in which all members can find regular polo that suits them, and learn and improve their game. F

Club details: Rutland Polo Club History: founded in 1971 Location: Langham, Rutland Facilities: three grounds, pony lines, stick-and-ball field, wash down area, clubhouse, gaucho grill and bar Lessons and pony hire: available through Ranksboro Season: mid-May to mid-September Days of play: Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays Fees for playing adult memberships: From £350 to £760 Main club contact: polo manager, Joe North (polojoe@hotmail.com) and secretary, Anna Hunt (rutlandpoloclub@aol.com) Address: Rutland Polo Club, Langham, Rutland, LE15 7JY Contact address: Bargate House, 34 High St, Oakham, LE15 6AL Telephone: 01572 724568 Website: www.rutlandpoloclub.co.uk

Ranksboro Polo Club History: founded in 2004 Location: Langham, Rutland Facilities: three grounds, 100m x 50m arena, stick-and-ball ground, two American barns (containing stabling for up to 60 horses), 45 acres of paddocks, clubhouse Lessons and pony hire: HPA-certified instructors available for individuals or groups Summer season: May to September Winter season: October to March Days of play: Saturdays and Sundays Fees for playing adult memberships: From £250 to £500 Main club contact: polo manager, Joe North (polojoe@hotmail.com) and Mandy North (amandanorth@ btinternet.com and polo@ ranksboropolo.co.uk) Address: Ranksboro Polo Club, Ranksborough Farm, Langham, Rutland, LE15 7EJ Telephone: 01572 720046 Website: www.ranksboropolo.com

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The knowledge Arena handicaps End-of-season UK arena handicap and umpire grade changes The following changes were agreed at the HPA meeting on 13 March. The new handicaps and grades take effect on 1 May

Bown, Tim (AEPC): from 7 to 6

Cooper, James (Druids Lodge, under 18): from 0 to 1

Cutts, Ross (Inglesham): from S to 0

Le Hardy, Jamie (AEPC): from 7 to 8

Davis, Steve (Vaux Park): from 0 to 1

Dauda, Kayode (West Wycombe): from S to 0

Southwell, Tarquin (Ascot Park): from (7) to 6

Dornom, Chris (Vaux Park): from 0 to 1

Dawson, Judith (Rugby): from S to 0

Anderson, Callum (Epsom): 5; B

Dudd, Gregg (Vaux Park, under 18): from 0 to 1

Duissemaliyeva, Elya (Ascot Park): from S to 0

Pemble, Ryan (RCBPC): from 5 to 6

Duff, Thady (Longdole, under 18): from 0 to 1

Evstafieva, Olga (West Wycombe): from S to 0

Ormerod, Maurice (Druids Lodge): 5; from C to B

Fletcher, Sam (Tidworth Arena): 0 to 1

Evstafieva, Elena (West Wycombe): from S to 0

Blake Thomas, Richard (Ascot Park): from 4 to 5; from C to B

Gordon, Jake (Ash Farm): from 0 to 1

Fitzpatrick, Hannah (Rugby, under 18): from S to 0

Harmsworth, Vere (Druids Lodge, under 18): from 0 to 1

Hoare, Michael (Rugby, under 18): from S to 2

Henry, Nick (Ascot Park): from 0 to 1

Holmes, Emma (Vaux Park): from S to 0

Herd, Nina (Maywood): from 0 to 1

Humphreys, John (Ascot Park): from S to 0

Hislop, James (Ascot Park, under 18): from 0 to 1

Igoe, Paul (Ascot Park): from S to 0

Hughes, Sarah (Inglesham): from 0 to 1

Jones, Richard (Vale of York): from S to 0

Latham, Abi (Maywood): from 0 to 1

Karia, Binoy (Ascot Park): from S to 0

Loughridge, Silvia (RCBPC): from 0 to 1

Kwiatkowski, Dan (Maywood): from S to 1

Middlemiss, George (Kinross): from 0 to 1

Lee-Jones, Rhianydd (Rugby): from S to 0

Nastasi-Grace, Maximilian (Ascot Park, under 18): from 0 to 1

Letts, Fred (Longdole): from S to 0

Baker, David (Rugby): from 2 to 3 Eggins, Edmund (Druids Lodge): 2; C

Parry-Jones, Susie (Vaux Park): from 0 to 1

Ellis, Cameron (Tidworth Arena): from 2 to 3

Pittard, James (Vaux Park): from 0 to 1

MacNamara, Clare (Druids Lodge): from 2 to 1

Potter, Jamie (Rugby, under 18): from 0 to 1

Rodger, Paul (Fifield): from 2 to 1

Rothermere, Johnathan (Druids Lodge): from 0 to 1

Sim, Ben (AEPC): from 2 to 3

Scheyd, Charles (Tidworth Arena): from 0 to 1

Vaux, Tim (Vaux Park): from 2 to 3

Shackleton, Brad (AEPC): from 0 to 1

Warren, Christopher (AEPC): from 2 to 1

Sparks, David (AEPC): from 0 to 1

Badenhop, Christian (Inglesham): from 1 to 2

Squire, Alice (Rugby): from 0 to 1

Freeman-Kerr, Robert (Longdole): from 1 to 2

Stephenson, Fi (Tidworth Arena): from 0 to 1

Hyde-Andrews, Hayley (Vaux Park): 1; C

Szalai, Zoltan (AEPC, OSP): from 0 to 1

Jacob, Alexandra (RCBPC, under 18): from 1 to 2

Taylor, Charles (AEPC): from 0 to 1; C

Lorentzen, Heloise (Maywood): from 1 to 2

Tilley, Isobel (Vaux Park, under 18): from 0 to 1

Marot, Guy (Vaux Park): from 1 to 2

Turner, Sophie (Vaux Park, under 18): from 0 to 1

Rawlins, Daniel (AEPC, under 18): from 1 to 2

Van De Steen, Alexander (Vaux Park, under 18): from 0 to 1

Allen, Leon (Druids Lodge): from 3 to 4 Douglas, James (Edinburgh): 3; C Gadea, James (RCBPC): from 3 to 2 Gavina Naon,Tomas (RCBPC, OSP): from (3) to 4 Muriel, Danny (Ascot Park): from 3 to 4 Olof, Edward (Vaux Park): from 3 to 4 Thorne, Christopher (Druids Lodge): 3; C Acosta, Daniel (AEPC, OSP): from 2 to 3

Reilly Jr, Billy (Fifield): from (1) to 1 Scott, Warren (AEPC): from 1 to 2 Scott-Hopkins, James (Longdole): from 1 to 2 Voelker, Heiko (Ash Farm): from 1 to 2 Wilson, Barney (Longdole, under 18): from 1 to 2 Womersley-Smith, Henry (Druids Lodge, under 18): from 1 to 2

Abraham, Anil (Ascot Park): from S to 0 Baker, Chris (Apsley End): from S to 0 Baletkova, Martina (Ascot Park): from S to 0 Barker, Steve (Vaux Park): from S to 0 Barklem, Simon (Fifield): from S to 0 Berner, William (Rugby, under 18): from S to 0

Woodhouse, Rex (Druids Lodge, under 18): from 1 to 2

Bhattessa, Sahil (Ascot Park): from S to 0

Wooldridge, Charlie (Ash Farm): from 1 to 2

Brady, Angela (Ascot Park): from S to 0

Barker, Edward (Tidworth Arena): from 0 to 1

Carter, Alex (Rugby, under 18): from S to 0

Berner, Jack (Rugby, under 18): from 0 to 1

Clarke, John (Apsley End): from S to 0

Brooman-White, Alex (Rugby): from 0 to 1

Copcutt, Nicholas (Longdole): from S to 0

Broughton, Lorna (Vaux Park): from 0 to 1

Crawford, Bruce (Rugby): from S to 0

Buchan, Kirsty (West Wycombe): from 0 to 1

Cudworth, Charley (West Wycombe): from S to 0

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Leufrancois, Jocelyn (West Wycombe): from S to 0 Liles, Katy (Vaux Park): from S to 0 MacRae, Justin (Vaux Park): from S to 0 Mander, Lucia (Rugby): from S to 0 Masojada, Adam (West Wycombe): from S to 0 McKibben, Ciara (Rugby, under 18): from S to 1 Mitchell, Matthew (FHM): from S to 0 Parish, Anton (Rugby): from S to 0 Parry-Jones, Hannah (Vaux Park): from S to 0 Patmore, Robert (Fifield): from S to 0 Phillips, Bradley (Fifield): from S to 0 Pidgeon, Jeremy (Rugby): from S to 1 Porter, Alice (Vaux Park, under 18): from S to 0 Reeve, Willie (West Wycombe): from S to 0 Rimes, Tiffany (Vaux Park): from S to 0 Robinson, Gary (Vale of York): from S to 0 Sics, Joel (Rugby): from S to 0 Spurdens, Liz (Vale of York): from S to 0 Styler, Annecy (Longdole, under 18): from S to 0 Todd, Lucy (Rugby): from S to 0 Tucker, Guy (Apsley End): from S to 0 Turner, Lucy (Vaux Park): from S to 0 Vernon, Nina (Rugby): from S to 0 Vickers, Joe (Vale of York, under 18): from S to 0 Wathes, David (Rugby): from S to 0 Wyer, Alicia (Longdole, under 18): from S to 0 Zemlik, Louise (Vale of York): from S to 0 â—— OSP = Overseas Sponsored Player

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Dates for the diary The knowledge

What’s on in April Principal fixtures at home and abroad UK Birmingham NEC – Arena polo at the British Open Show Jumping Championships: 16-19 April Cirencester – Cirencester 0-40 Goal Tournament (0-40goal): 25 April to 10 May Guards – Queen Mother’s Centenary Cup (12-15 goal): 27 April to 17 May Polo Wicklow – National Arena Championships (12 goal): 25 to 26 April Cowdray – Tyro Cup (8-12 goal): 25 April to 10 May Druids Lodge – Spring Cup (3-4 goal): 25 to 26 April Kirtlington – May Cup (0-4 goal): 29 April to 4 May

Devereaux, Western Australia – Griffin Cup: 11 to 12 April

India Patiala Polo Club, Punjab – B series Patiala Cup (10 goal): 1 to 5 April

Club

contacts (UK and Ireland)

Picture of the month

AEPC – Hickstead 01273 834315 Apsley End – 01462 712444 Ascot Park – 01276 858545 Asthall Farm – 01367 860207 Beaufort – 01666 880510 Beverley – 01964 544455 Binfield Heath – 01491 411969 Brightling – 01465 810017 Cambridge & Newmarket – 07769 976781 Carlton House – 01986 892231 Cheshire – 01270 611100 Cirencester Park – 01285 653225 Cowdray Park – 01730 813257 Coworth Park – 01344 875155 Donaghadee – 02891 882521 Druids Lodge – 01722 782597 Dundee & Perth – 07831 365194 Edgeworth – 07879 825660 Edinburgh – 0131 449 6696 Epsom – 01372 748200 FHM – 07778 436468 Fifield – 01628 620061 Guards – 01784 434212 Haggis Farm – 01223 460353 Ham – 020 8334 0000 Hertfordshire – 01707 256023 Hurtwood Park – 01483 272828 Inglesham – 01367 253939 Kinross – 07831 365194 Kirtlington – 01869 650138 Knepp Castle – 01403 741007 Little Bentley – 01206 250435 Longdole – 01452 864544 Maywood – 01962 885500 New Forest – 02380 811818 Ranksboro – 01572 720046 Royal County of Berkshire – 01344 890060 RLS – 01926 812409 Rugby – 01788 817724 Rutland – 01572 724568 Stewarton – 01560 483411 Suffolk Polo – 07990 576974 Sussex Polo – 01342 714920 Taunton – 01823 480460 Tidworth – 01980 846705 Toulston – 01422 372529 Vale of York – 07788 426968 Vaux Park – 01460 242684 West Somerset – 01884 820432 West Wycombe – 01865 858475 White Rose – 01430 875750 Wicklow – +353 (0) 404 67164

Polo regular Tony Ramirez was the official and sole photographer in late February at a concert given for the Queen and Prince Philip by the band and corps of drums of the Coldstream Guards. Pictured above are the First Battalion Coldstream Guards officers and Warrant officers with the Queen, Prince Philip and the Colonel of the Coldstream Guards, Sir Michael Rose, at St George’s Hall. Photograph by Tony Ramirez – www.imagesofpolo.com

◗ If your club is not included here and you would like it to be, please let us know by writing to admin@polotimes.co.uk

United States International Polo Club Palm Beach – Stanford US Open (26 goal): 25 March to 26 April

Argentina Serie International de Polo – AAP: 19 to 26 April Venado Tuerto Polo Club – Copa Balfour (16-20 goal): 11 to 12 April Palermo/AAP – Copa Republica Argentina final: 5 April

Australia Windsor Polo Club, NSW – Morton Cup (0-12 goal): 3 to 5 April Richmond, NSW – Sydney PCC Tournament (0, 2, 6, & 12 goal): 18 to 19 April Millamolong Polo Club, NSW – 12 Goal Tournament (12 goal): 18 to 19 April Powell, NSW – Kurri Burrie Tournament (12 goal): 10 to 12 April WAPA, Western Australia – Charles Cup: 4 to 5 April

Jamaica Various clubs – Virgin International: 20 April to 3 May

Spain Santa Maria Polo Club, Sotogrande – Memorial Jose Ignacio Domecq Cup: 12 April Santa Maria Polo Club – Copa de Barcelona (10-12 goal): 11 to 19 April

France Saint-Tropez Polo Club –Easter Polo Tournament (8-12 goal): 10 to 19 April Saint-Tropez Polo Club – Hippocampus Cup (8-12 goal): 30 April to 3 May

Other dates for your diary Early April – Polo on TV: Subaru Arena International Test Match at AEPC Hickstead on Horse & Country TV (Sky Channel 280) - Sat 4, Sun 5, Tues 7 and Wed 8 April, various times Friday, 17 April – Deadline for submitting Letters to the Editor for inclusion in the May issue (letters@polotimes.co.uk) Monday, 20 April – Deadline for submitting Classified Ads in the April issue of Polo Times (visit www.polotimes.co.uk) Sunday, 26 April – HM the Queen opens new clubhouse at Guards (by invitation only) For comprehensive tournament listings and results, visit www.polotimes.co.uk

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Out and about Cortina Winter Polo Audi Gold Cup 2009 15-21 February 2009 – Misurina Lake, Italy

Polo and Cortina, 20 years of a successful marriage Organisers first experimented with polo in Cortina d’Ampezzo in 1989. The initiative was the idea of three polo-loving friends from Rome and the owner of the historic Hotel de la Poste, which is still the clubhouse for the event.

Originally, matches were played on Lake Landro, between Cortina and Dobbiaco, with an Alpine military tent serving delicious mulled wine as the public’s sole source of refuge from the cold outside.

Since then, Cortina has come on in leaps and bounds and has gained its place amongst the best in the international winter polo calendar. The tournament celebrated its 20th anniversary this year in style, with a glamorous week of sensational polo and a great social scene on the blanket of snow which covered the frozen surface of the Misurina Lake at an altitude of 1,800m.

Surrounded by the spectacular Sorapis and Cristallo mountains and overlooked by the three peaks of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the friendly village stretching along the lakeside once again hosted the sponsors’ hospitality areas and a polo restaurant and bar. The latter of these was a particularly popular haunt, providing guests with the comforts of warmth and wine, as well as a great view of the ground from the bar’s panoramic balcony.

Matias Torres Zavaleta, the youngest player at Cortina, never looked out of his depth amongst the more experienced players

Photographs by Tony Ramirez

Rommy Gianni proudly lifts the Cortina Gold Cup

The Audi R8 also displayed some enviable horsepower on the field

Winners, Audi (l-r: Matias Torres Zavaleta; Rommi Gianni; Dario Musso; Joaquin Maiquez)

70 April 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk

MVP Eduardo Menendez with Carla Malfatti

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Above: Ginevra D’Orazio (left) arrives to support her father’s team, with Eleonora Pizzul and Alessia Martellini Right: Andrea Paulgross and the best Italian player of the week, Luca D’Orazio

Rommy Gianni, Audi’s number one, warms up in preparation for the final

Commandant Roberto Spada

A plethora of hats and fur coats made their customary annual appearance at Cortina

Manuel Carranza’s spectacular fall was fortunately cushioned by the soft, freshly pisted snow

Eduardo Menendez

Left: The two patrons from the final, Rommy Gianni (Audi) and Luca D’Orazio (Malo) Above: Vet Matteo Ranucci with Ginevra D'Orazio, Alessia Martellini, Eleonora Pizzul, Luca D'Orazio and Giacomo Ciarlantini www.polotimes.co.uk April 2009 71

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Out and about IWPA National Women’s Arena Polo Tournament 2009 – Ascot Park Polo Club

Fired-up fillies fight it out Ascot Park welcomed players and teams in four sections at this year’s IWPA UK National Women’s Arena Polo Tournament, ranging from 4-goal polo to relative novices playing in their first tournament. Finals day was Sunday 1 March and featured Team Tonic against Amazonas in the tournament’s showcase game, the 4-goal final.

The spectators in the grandstand could hardly have hoped for a better game, as the two highest-rated players in the match, Sarah Wiseman and Sophie Heaton-Ellis, fought it out in the early evening sunshine of a beautiful spring day. At the final bell, it was the girls from Amazonas who had edged out Team Tonic by the narrowest of margins, 10-9. They were awarded a team holiday to Polo Del Sol, an exciting new polo establishment in Jerez, Spain. The battle between Sarah and Sophie had been so compelling that organisers decided to award the most valuable player award jointly to them both.

Off the field, players from the eight teams involved on finals day joined together for the trophy presentations before socialising en masse at an asado and after-party that rolled on late into the evening.

La Tribu’s Lisa Forster (in black) and Power Hawk’s Rosie Ross contest the 3-goal final. Rosie was named MVP after Power Hawks won, 10-2

Finalists in the 4-goal Amazonas (4): Catriona Baker 1; Helouise Lorentzen 1; Sophie Heaton-Ellis 2 Team Tonic (4): Lucy Field 0; Catherine Isted 1; Sarah Wiseman 3

S-level MVP Angela Brady and Katie Bateman

Tashan Polo (wearing brown) beat Ladies in Red to win the S-level final

Champions in the 4-goal, Amazonas

Photographs by Ingrid Brady

Power Hawk’s Charlotte Christodoulou

Joint 4-goal MVPs, Sarah Wiseman and Sophie Heaton-Ellis, receiving their award from Polo Del Sol’s Will Randall-Coath

72 April 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk

Team Tonic’s Sarah Wiseman leans out of the saddle

The men were in the minority at Ascot Park early this March, not that they minded much

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Out and about Berkshire School of Polo pre-season drinks 19 February 2009 – Fitzrovia, London

School mixes polo, art and plenty of cocktails Friends of Henry Brett, Oliver Browne and their Berkshire School of Polo swapped the company of sticks for the company of brushes this February as they gathered to try and talk art rather than polo ahead of what looks set to be another busy season for the school this summer.

The venue was one of the newest contemporary art galleries in London’s latest arty hot-spot, Gallery at 94, in Fitzrovia at the heart of the capital’s salubrious West End. This afforded the guests an exclusive private viewing of the latest offerings from cutting-edge German artist Max Wiedemann, who was on hand to give his account of his often unusual work in person.

Guests included super-wealthy businessman Lakshmi Mittal, Cirencester Park’s Nick Britten-Long, author Richard Hains and movie director Tim Burke.

Beginning with cocktails and art, the party soon continued to Mayfair’s Vendome Club, where Guards Polo Club member Alan Fall exchanged Smith’s Lawn for the dance floor and showed fellow revellers exactly what he was made of until the small hours of the morning.

Ebe Sievwright and Oliver Browne enjoy a catch-up

Above: Olivia Cole and Stina Richardson; below: the exhibition

Victoria Herbert and equine photographer Astrid Harrisson

Photographs courtesy Berkshire School of Polo

Henry Brett welcomes his guests

Lara Cowan and Tim Burke

74 April 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk

Ed Ogden gets a dressing down from Rob Crawshaw, as Victoria Booth, Ben Moss and Edwina Browne look on

There’s no accounting for taste

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Club information

We are pleased to introduce for 2009 the

Credit Crunch League 20 teams competing for a prize fund of £5000!. Team handicap “0” Goals, maximum player handicap 2

Entries close 10th May (Limited to 20 teams on first come basis) Email polo@knepp.co.uk or call 01403 741007

www.kneppcastlepoloclub.co.uk

LONGDOLE POLO CLUB • £550 for Membership paid before 1st May • Rob Cudmore England Coach, 2 HPA Instructors International Equitrack Polo Arena Fantastic clubhouse with licensed bar & excellent viewing of the arena Polo Pony Hire, School Ponies Chukkas and Matches - call the office for Info Individual Coaching, Group Lessons, Social & Corporate Events

For information on membership, polo lessons and general enquiries please call: Tel: (office) 01452 864 544 Mobile: 07974 532 841 email: rob@longdolepolo.com Longdole Polo Club, Birdlip, Gloucestershire, GL4 8LH

76 April 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk

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Classifieds FARRIER

PONIES

Farrier Services Specialists in high goal polo ponies Berkshire & Surrey areas (all areas considered) Also: Racing, Riding, Driving and Dressage

Prices from ÂŁ50 Contact Tom Cunningham Mob: 0774 820 7037 Tel: 01932 873707 GIFTS

Get yourself noticed email: karen@polotimes.co.uk And don’t forget we get over 50,000 hits a month on our website - advertise now TRANSPORT

www.polotimes.co.uk April 2009 77

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Classifieds GROUND MAINTENANCE

TRANSPORT

CH GROUNDS MAINTENANCE LTD

The New Lightweight body by

Specialists in the construction, maintenance and drainage of polo grounds.

CONSTRUCTION SAND SPREADING VERTI-DRAINING OVERSEEDING DRAINAGE & SPRAYING

Verti-Draining

CHESHAM OFFICE Tel: (01494) 758208 Fax: (01494) 758886 Email: mike@chgrounds.com www.chgrounds.com

TRISTAR★★★ This revolutionary horsebox is designed to achieve a payload of approximately 3 tons – which means you can legally carry: 5 medium weight 16hh horses – around 600kg each, or 6 polo ponies of an average 460kg each – and this also includes all tack!

This innovative body can be produced in any length from 10’ – 30’, with the same variations in specification as any other vehicle in our range.

www.tristarhorsesboxes.co.uk

Tel: 01570 422250 Fax: 01570 423842 Email: sales@tristarhorseboxes.co.uk

TRANSPORT

Polo Lorries Made to Order Contact Cris Matthews on 07885 734 282 Polo Lorries built by qualified engineer and polo player who understands your requirements.

• Can adapt to your specifications.

• Any repairs to partitions, ramps, floors, welding of cabs, resprays and M.O.T preparation.

• Or keep your container and we can swap your chassis/cab for a newer one.

• Pick up and delivery service.

email: crispmatthews@hotmail.co.uk

78 April 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk

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EQUIPMENT

SERVICES

EQUIPMENT

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Classifieds EQUIPMENT

BEDDING

Bedmax shavings, hay, haylage and straw Delivery by arrangement Tel/fax 01235 816 564 Mobile 0791 776 0645 PONIES ZAFIRA: 15.1hh bay mare, rising 8 years old. Played low goal polo with a 2 goaler. Hunted with fox and stag hounds.

Jumped 3ft coloured fences. Easy in every way. Fit and ready to go. £5,000 ono. Please call Nicky on 01643 831175 VERY GOOD OLDER PONIES: Small selection of very good ex high goal ponies - from age 18, still playing, not plods!!

From £1000. 07970 697593 (Winchester) 14.2HH 7 YEAR OLD ARGENTINE MARE: Forward going, stops, turns and rides off well. Played low goal but has potential for medium. Quick sale due to moving, hence offers around £2,500 mark! Tel 07795 170586 14.3 ARGENTINE BAY MARE: 9 years old, played 2 seasons of pony club polo and up to 10 goal with -1 girl.

Very easy. £4,500. Other ponies also available.

Tel: 07990 823203 15.2 11 YEAR OLD POLO PONY: Gelding, excellent first polo pony, strong, fast but easy. Perfect temperament, easy in every respect. Sad sale as he is a very genuine horse.

Good home priority. £3,750. Call Izzy – 01837 840654 (Devon) TWO PERFECT BOMBPROOF SCHOOLMISTRESS: 15 hands and £3.5k each. Very special ponies, easy and sound.

Suit ladies first pony or pony club. Great confidence boosters. Margarita: All rounder and jumps clear rounds.

Bolita: Black, beautiful and perfect at polo. Ready to try.

Good homes only. Tel: 01342 714920.

15.1 ARGENTINE MARE: 15.1 Argentine mare. 8 years old.

Played from 0 to 8 goal and this last season of arena. Nicely put together. Extremely solid hitting platform. Easy in every way. Fit & ready to try. A proper polo pony in every way! £5995.00 Call David on 0777 5511555 or email: david@assetplc.com TWO SUPERIOR THOROUGHBREDS: Two superior thoroughbred mares for sale: Both played 2-6 goal regularly

by Argentine 2 goal professional not coming to UK this season so must sell quickly - priced accordingly. Milagro – 8yrs £5,500. Serena – 12yrs £3,500. Ready to try.

TEL: 01342 714920 7 YEAR OLD ARGENTINIAN MARE: Played two seasons in UK to 4 goal. Never a day out of action, better for low goal, steady as a rock, great sturdy criollo stock. Gorgeous!

Always in livery. £5,000. Contact Clive King 07958 195058 9 YEAR OLD 16H BAY TB POLO PONY: 9 yr old Argentinian TB mare, has played polo and started polocross training, easy to do, forward going only for sale due to too many horses and not enough time. Good home only please, sad sale. £3,000. Tel: 01392 847872 5 EASY PONIES AGED 4 -5: In work now and can be tried in the arena. All very good temperaments, 15hh - 15.3hh would suit novice/pony club or pro on budget. £3k - £4,750.

Tel:07800 517869

80 April 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk

TWO TB MARES FOR SALE: 6 year old TB mare. Played chukkas and low goal. Easy to play but needs finishing. £4500. 3 year old TB mare. Stick and balling and playing chukkas, easy with good mouth. Excellent potential. £3,500.

Contact: ben_eeley@hotmail.com. 07989712104

TOP CLASS HORSE BREAKER/TRAINER: Australian horseman with southern based yard with fantastic facilities taking polo ponies for starting and their early education.

Excellent reputation and results. 07749 914267 / jason@australianhorsetraining.co.uk

POLO PONY FOR SALE: 15yr 15.1hh mare. Played arena and outdoor polo and season of polocross (winning best No.2 @ Nationals). She is a seasoned pro with all the moves. Really easy in everyway. £2,750. Contact Kerry 01329 236496

QUALITY POLO STOCK: Ponies suitable from High Goal Pro through to beginner. Trained and played by Roddy Matthews. Ready to try end of April. Sensibly priced. Call 07957 587066 or email roddymatthews@hotmail.com.

2 POLO PONIES FOR SALE: Two 5 year old mares.

15.1/15.2hh. Both played farm chukkas last year. Just been brought back into work. Very easy with loads of potential.

Will make super ponies. Both have sound knowledge base.

Contact Kerry 01329 236496 FOR SALE - 4 WELL TEMPERED PONIES THAT STOP: Played by -1 player on grass and arena. Suitable for 0 to 8 goal. Three in work and ready to play. Size range 14.2-15.1, aged between 6-15. Some hunted and done PC. Easy to handle on and off the pitch. Good home a priority.

Tel: 07779 876757 STALLION AT STUD: 15.1hh black Australian Stock Horse.

Diesel has an exceptional temperament, great playing ability and athleticism that he is passing on to his progeny. £300+VAT. Details 07749 914267 / www.australianhorsetraining.co.uk PONIES FOR SALE OR LEASE: 8yo 15.2hh chestnut gelding, fast, brave and easy £8,000. 9yo 15.2hh bay gelding does it all £8,500. 11yo NZ TB mare 15hh, brave, buzzy and fast £6,000. 15.2hh 7yo chestnut mare – playing fast chukkas £3,000. Can be tried at the Beaufort from mid April. 07920 096076; milesunderwood@ beaufortpoloclub.co.uk GOOD PONIES AVAILABLE TO HIRE, LEASE AND BUY: Very nice ponies to suit all standards available from a chukka to a season and anything in between. Some ponies also for sale. For more information call Jemima on 07976 279161 or 01258 820495.

SELECTION OF 8 PONIES OF VARYING ABILITIES TO SUIT EVERYONE FOR LOAN AND SALE: Eight polo ponies for sale or loan too good homes. Aged between five and ten. All very safe and easy to do. All do arena and grass. Six suitable for any level up to 8-goal. Two need to go a bit slower. All ponies do more than just polo.

Would make perfect first ponies or top up a string nicely. All well bred and lovely ponies. Sad to see them go but will make new owners happy. Come and try them!

Contact 07901 561113 15HH 10-Y-O - EX ALEXANDER DE LISLE: Grey Argentine gelding previously played by Mark Tomlinson £8,000. 15hh 13yo grey Argentine mare purchased from J.P. Smail £15,000. Contact Edwin de Lisle - 01536 770 585 / 07711 075 450 or edwindelisle@barnsdaleoffice.co.uk

15.3HH 14-Y-O - EX ALEXANDER DE LISLE: Dark bay Argentine gelding, bred by Pepe Araya. Perfect patron pony/gentleman/ideal pony club £8,000. Contact Edwin de Lisle - 01536 770 585 / 07711 075 450 or edwindelisle@barnsdaleoffice.co.uk 14.3HH 11-Y-O - EX NICHOLAS DE LISLE: Palamino Argentine mare £5,000. Contact Edwin de Lisle 01536 770 585 / 07711 075 450 or edwindelisle@barnsdaleoffice.co.uk 15HH 13-Y-O - EX ALEXANDER DE LISLE: Grey Argentine mare purchased from J.P. Smail. £15,000. Contact Edwin de Lisle - 01536 770 585 / 07711 075 450 or edwindelisle@barnsdaleoffice.co.uk 14.2HH 10-Y-O - EX NICHOLAS DE LISLE: Piebald Argentine mare, therefore cannot play Handley X. Has hunted £6,000. Contact Edwin de Lisle - 01536 770 585 / 07711 075 450 or edwindelisle@barnsdaleoffice.co.uk FANTASTIC HANDLEY CROSS PONY: 14.2hh chestnut gelding 9-y-o. Easy, fun pony competed Cowdray last year.

Brilliant jumper, hunter, even goes round and on the bit. £5,000 ono. 07966 524341 or 01242 604629 (Cheltenham).

TRANSPORT AND MACHINERY DODGE TRUCK AND TRAILS WEST TRAILER: 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 dually, big horn edition, 6.7 Cummins diesel 1300 miles, electric seats and windows, tow/haul computer, exhaust brake, climate control, too many items to mention.

With Gooseneck coupling 2007 trails west trailer, 4 horse, 3 big side lockers, tack room, sleeps 4 in full living accommodation, blown air heating, cd player, full size shower and wc, hob, microwave, big fridge, loads of storage and hanger space. As new. Must be seen. £68,000. No time wasters. Contact Trevor Holden - 01403 791383, 07885 284761 17 HORSE ARTIC: DAF 85 4x2 330 tractor unit with sleeper cab plus 45ft tri-axle air suspension 17 horse trailer. Would split if interested excellent condition. MOT end April. £11,950 ono. 01625 869198/ 07789 687427/ 07880 541916 4 HORSE TRAILER FAUTRAS PROMAX 4: 18 months old, has been used less than 12 times. Today it would cost more than £13,000. These trailers are very good for polo due to their quality and ease of loading and travelling calmly. £9,750 ovno. Contact Giles Greenwood - 07776 186 444.

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BREEDING

Large selection of SUPER 5/6 HORSE 7.5 TON HGV ON AIR SUSPENSION: Purpose built 4 years ago by select on 1995 Leyland DAF 45 turbo 150 diesel chassis in silver. Sleeper tilt cab with stacking cd, cctv to horse area, immobilizer. Light airy horse/tack area with 10 sliding windows and roof vents. Fully adjustable padded partitions, rubber floor, granalistic kickboards, full length rug racks, internal lighting. Power steering and air suspension - easy comfortable ride. Power horse wash. Newly mot'd and taxed. Excellent throughout. £14,750 no vat.

Kevin 07775 784298/01347 838065(York) LEYLAND DAF 45/130 7.5 TONNE NON HGV: K reg, new build 4 years. Telescopic partitioning for 3 horses, full rubber matting on floor and ramp. Clean and tidy full living with hob, grill and sink. Split door to horse area. Large Luton area, leisure system, isolator, tv point, skirt lockers, saddle racks.

Frequently used, reliable, regularly serviced, plated to December 2009. Taxed £8,495 ono.

Tel: Karen 07713 730916 (Oxford) NON HGV POLO LORRY: Iveco L reg (1994). Partioned for up to six plus tack room. Rubber mats. Maintained in absolute top mechanical condition (bills for over £3,500 in the last year alone!) Has been my faithful servant for over 9 years!

Genuinely drives better than a lot of newer ones (I know, I've tried them!) Bodywork needs some attention. Any inspection welcome. £5,995 ono. Must sell as sadly the new inner M25 emission rules have forced me to buy a new one. Call David on 07775 511555 or email: david@assetplc.com HGV LORRY FOR SALE- EX ALEXANDER DE LISLE: 12.5 Tons 1991 Leyland DAF 160 Turbo, 146,000 miles. Jennings body with automatic back ramp, manual side ramp.

Partitioned for six designed for seven. Ex household cavalry.

Plated to 31/05/2009 and taxed to 31/7/09. £10,000 ono.

Contact Edwin de Lisle - 01536 770585 / 07711 075 450 or edwindelisle@barnsdaleoffice.co.uk NON HGV POLO LORRY: Ford Cargo 1985 7.5 tonnes, partitioned for six. Seperate large lockable tackroom. Reliable and regularly serviced by EVS (Stoods). Sold with 1 year’s MOT. £4,500. Please call 07798 821309 (Surrey)

EQUIPMENT SCOREBOARDS AND CLOCKS ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR POLO: Outdoor and arena sizes. Fully electronic, displaying the time counting down, both scores and chukka number.

Automatic bell / horn. Controlled wirelessly by a remote control you can even wear on your arm. Visit www.SportingDesigns.co.uk or call +44 (0)7860 303217

POLO TACK: 5 Argentine 18’’ suede saddles, two new, two nearly new and one used all in good condition. 15 cloths various colours, 4 Argentine girths good price can take all. Tel: 07867 552130.

SITUATIONS GROOM REQUIRED: Groom needed for 2 goal player based in Berkshire playing at clubs along the M4 corridor. To start April.

Pay, accommodation and use of car negotiable. Please call 01488 670484 or email Templetonhouse@googlemail.com GROOM AVAILABLE FOR 2009 SEASON: Very reliable groom available for '09 season, experienced with all aspects of grooming and schooling polo ponies. Speaks English, 1 goal player with references. Worked 2/3 seasons in UK before, can drive lorry. Needs permit, accommodation and car. Please call Julio 07777 611082

sticks, saddles, stick & kit bags, knee pads & other polo gear Call or email Jamie Gordon on:

077100 73910 jamiegordon@villamil.co.uk

www.villamil.co.uk

LIVERY BLUEYS POLO: Blueys farm, close to Guards and RCBPC, offers full or DIY livery, two grounds, exercise track, stabling / dirt paddocks, transport, shoeing, lessons, in structural chukkas. We also offer a unique pony rental deal for those without or only one or two ponies, short term or for the season. Call Stuart on 07930 323263 or Gemma on 07920 776096

Authorised Dealer

SUTTON BARN LIVERY NR FROME: Sutton barn livery stables Nr Frome Somerset, offering full livery to polo ponies, good sized stables & individual turnout paddocks, exercise/stick and ball field. Charlie 07834 551357 CREDIT CRUNCH? TRY LOW BUDGET POLO AT NIL FARM: Credit Crunch? Try low budget polo at Nil Farm, Hook Norton. We aim for good polo at as low cost as possible. DIY or full livery. Good grazing, farm hay, oats and barley. Beautiful private ground. Some use of lorry.

1/2 hr Kirtlington, 3/4 hr RLS, 1 hr Cirencester. For Londoners evening practice chukkas possible. Marylebone - Banbury 1 hr. We meet 1/4 hr to farm. Nice Flat £100 pw. Excellent B & B close. Tel: Hook Norton 01608 737252/ Thomas 07900 055937 MISCELLANEOUS ARGENTINE POLO OPEN FINALS DVD COLLECTION (19842008): A set of 25 DVDs, each DVD containing a recording of each final of the Palermo Open since 1984. Enquiries at argentineopenfinals@yahoo.com or 07956 315006

When you contact advertisers, please mention that you saw them in Polo Times www.polotimes.co.uk April 2009 81

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The last word

A Week

in the life of. .

Photograph by Gregory Ratner / Ratner Sports Photography

I ARRIVED FROM AUSTRALIA late on Thursday and was straight into playing light chukkas on the Friday – Friday the 13th. That evening we attended the ceremony for the new inductees to the US Museum of Polo’s “Hall of Fame” before England’s chef d’équipe Andrew Tucker and myself went back to Marc and Melissa Ganzi’s place, where we were staying. Mark and Luke [Tomlinson] were staying at Gillian Johnston’s.

WE PLAYED EIGHT chukkas together on Saturday morning, in mixed-up sides with the likes of Gonzalo Pieres and Juan Bollini. Over the next days we did a lot of this, trying as many horses as possible. On Saturday afternoon, we watched one of our opponents, Mike Azzaro, in action in the Outback 40-goal Challenge: he scored goal after goal for Michelob Ultra and played really well. But I already knew we were up against a good side.

Nicolás Roldan, in particular, is a player I know personally. I was just anxious to make sure I had the best possible horses to compete on.

WE WERE JOINED by Eduardo and Javier Novillo Astrada on Sunday, when we went to Camilo Bautista’s place, Las Monjitas, to try more horses. We played eight chukkas and it was the first time all four of us had played together as a team. Nacho Novillo Astrada was there and kindly agreed to lend me three or four ponies for Saturday’s match.

82 April 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk

James Beim

James Mullan charts the preparations of the England forward ahead of a historic Westchester win, from his arrival in Palm Beach on 12 February OUR ONLY DAY OFF was Monday. I hadn’t played in the US since the World Cup in Santa Barbara 10 years ago, and it was my first time in Palm Beach, so I went exploring with my mum and sister, who had come out from the UK. It’s a pretty amazing place – there are so many polo set-ups. It was windy but we had hot, sunny weather all week.

WE WERE BACK at Las Monjitas on Tuesday, trying to bring the right horses together for the game. We tried more at Steve Orthwein’s place, an hour away, then headed back for a function at Saks in Palm Beach where the England tailor Tony Lutwyche was launching a clothing range. Luke, Mark and I went for dinner afterwards with Tony and his wife.

WE GOT TOGETHER as a team on Wednesday morning for six chukkas at the Ganzis’, which was convenient for me after so much driving. In the afternoon we watched some 26-goal at IPCPB and I did my best to try and track down a few more horses, beyond all those Julian Hipwood had found. There was another function that evening, with the official presentation of the teams at a cocktail party at the Museum of Polo. Luke did the talking, and he got a few laughs when he introduced Eduardo as “Edward”.

THURSDAY MORNING was our main team practice. We went to Gillian Johnston’s ground, Everglades, and played nine hard chukkas against a 34-goal team of Jeff Blake, Mariano Aguerre, Pancho Bensadon and Mariano Gonzalez. This gave us the chance to organise our set-plays with Eduardo and filter out the last of our ponies by playing them under pressure. However, the key on unfamiliar ponies is not to try to do too much.

Afterwards we watched the semi-final of the 20-goal Iglehart Cup. I left in the fourth chukka to get back to the Ganzis’, as my extremely generous hosts were laying on a party for us at IPCPB that evening. I later found out from Mark and Luke that in the fifth chukka Mike Azzaro was injured. We were gutted for him, and disappointed, as you always want to play against the best possible team. We wanted to beat them with Mike.

I SPENT FRIDAY chilling out, and had a massage, as my body was fairly sore. I played three or four of my ponies lightly in the afternoon to check they’d had the right preparation. At 6pm we had our main team meeting, reiterated our tactics, finalised our horse list and went over our set-plays. It was just the four of us, plus our coach, Javier, and our team manager, Andrew Hine. The HPA held a dinner for our hosts at the club, but we were away early and in bed by 10pm.

SATURDAY WAS MATCH DAY. I had a pasta brunch at 11am and got to the ground at 1.30pm for a 3.15pm throw-in. We stick-andballed on the actual ground, which was useful as it played faster than those we’d practised on earlier in the week. We warmed up together in our tent and got motivated to “go hard” from the word go. I wasn’t nervous and felt we were well prepared. We played well, aside from the fourth chukka when we had a lull in horsepower, and won 10-9. It was a brilliant contest and, hopefully, its success will mean the associations revive the fixture more often than every decade! The turn-out was a little disappointing, with only 3,000 spectators, but hopefully that can improve. I hadn’t had a drink all week, so it was fun to have a few beers that evening with the polo crowd. Five ex-HPA chairmen had made the trip so it was great to let off some steam with them, as we had all put a lot into the week. F

Per Bound Cover Issue 2

20/3/09

12:53

Page 2

Per Bound Cover Issue 2

20/3/09

12:53

Page 1

Polo Times April 2009