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Boadicea’s Challenge Ladies’ Tournament Little Bentley Park, Essex – 27-28 June
Essex girls do battle Four ladies’ teams converged on Little Bentley Park Polo Club, 15 minutes east of Colchester in rural Essex, for the club’s first women’s tournament, the Boadicea Challenge. Enthusiast Fred Robinson and his partner Marjorie Gillespie set up the Little Bentley – a former turf, oilseed rape and wheat farm – mid-way through the 2007 season but a bout of strangles somewhat stifled 2008 for them, as no horses could visit or leave. This year the club, which has around 25 members, is making up for it by running a tournament every other weekend – and has become known for its friendly pub nights and regular asados as well. With polo manager Gustavo Combes overseeing play, the two-day ladies’ tournament went off without a hitch in glorious sunshine – and the Argentine warned the girls before each match that he would come down heavily on anyone using bad language or rough play… While some players brought their own ponies, many of the club’s 25 or so rental ponies – all of which live out, as do liveries – had a busy weekend, with regulars bagging their favourites. Hotly tipped for the title were Abbots Hall, with Little Bentley regulars Carlie Trotter and Katy Jordan, Emily Cannon, who has recently moved from Fifield, and young Argentine player Diana Cuesta Acosta. The team benefited from three ponies borrowed from club member Nigel Miller, as well as highly competitive direction on the field from Cannon. On the Saturday, Abbots Hall beat Little Bentley Park Angels – whose lynchpin Pippa Watmough picked up most valuable player of the weekend, while Las Marias – with an on-form Izzi Fibow – beat Little Bentley Park Sopranos. In Sunday’s final Abbots Hall beat Las Marias, producing speedy, flowing action and an exciting finish.
Charlene Goudekuil with her miniature dachshund Rolo
Action from Sunday’s final between Abbots Hall and Las Marias
Marjorie Gillespie brings in supplies
The club’s owner, Fred Robinson
Celebrations for the winning team, Abbots Hall (l-r: Katy Jordan, Diana Cuesta Acosta, Emily Cannon and Carlie Trotter) After a day getting ponies match-ready, Antonio Sansava prepares supper
Maj Tristan Halse and Emily Cannon Photographs by Yolanda Carslaw
Claire Wright, who played for two teams, gets the family involved. Left: goal judge Nigel Miller
Umpires Gustavo Combes – also Little Bentley Park’s manager and coach – and Diego Baygar www.polotimes.co.uk August 2009 73