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Polo Times November/December 2009
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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 Tom House tom@polotimes.co.uk Subscriptions Georgie May georgie@polotimes.co.uk Accounts Debbie Mason accounts@polotimes.co.uk Contributors Hernan Alvarez, Carlos Beer, Troy Buntine, Alejandro Comero, Antje Derks, Arthur Douglas-Nugent, Mark Emerson, Tony Emerson, John Horswell, Lorna Jowett, Sophie Kyriazi, Leah Ludlow, Jamie Peel, Clare Sheikh, Herbert Spencer, Caroline Stern Front cover Luke Tomlinson in La Alegria’s first Argentine Open match, against Ellerstina, by Sergio Llamera 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.
ISSN 1461-4685
34 & 82 England ladies overcome Argentina News 4 8 12
All the latest news Four-page news special: FIP in crisis Obituaries: Tony Gilks and Martin Trotter
Comment 15 16 18 20 23
John Horswell’s players’ forum Interview: Juan Carlos Harriott Your views: letters to the editor Umpire’s corner Herbert Spencer’s global view
Reports 24 30 34 36 38 41 42
8 &10 FIP in turmoil
Hurlingham Open and Palermo preview Tortugas Open Ladies’ test match: Argentina vs England Arena test match: South Africa vs England Melbourne Cup Action from Lahore, Pakistan Druids Lodge / At home and abroad
Features 46
Four-page Christmas presents special
The knowledge 50 53 54 57 58 62 64 66 67
Duty vet with Mark Emerson Your game with Jamie Peel Pony power: John Horswell’s Phoebe Feeding with Lorna Jowett: ex-racehorses Travel: the Tomlinsons at La Quinta My travels with David Woodd Property: a-hunting we will go What’s on in December and January Highlights of 2009 and club contacts
16 Juan Carlos Harriott
Out and about 68
Social snaps from Buckinghamshire to BA
76 82
Classifieds A week in the life of: Rosie Ross
36 England at Oaklands www.polotimes.co.uk November/December 2009 3
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News
from the Editor THIS MONTH congratulations go to England’s women’s and men’s teams, who fended off strong opposition on turf far from home – or rather, in the men’s case, on the sandy surface of South Africa’s finest arena. Turn to pages 34 and 36 to read more about our skilled, well-drilled, talented players. In this issue we also visit two other Englishmen abroad, Luke and Mark Tomlinson, who embrace Argentine life more each year. Luke’s top form in the 40-goal suggests that success in polo’s global capital stems directly from spending more and more time there. Less positively on the international scene, polo’s global federation, FIP, has hit big trouble with the withdrawal of the “big three” polo nations (the UK, US and Argentina). As PT went to press the trio indicated they would rejoin if FIP president Patrick Guerrand-Hermès stepped down ahead of the FIP General Assembly in Buenos Aires (23-27 November). Herbert Spencer makes sense of a complex story on page eight. At home the arena season is, I hear, surprisingly busy. Perhaps some players are skipping their holidays and discovering the joys of the wintry game instead. Whatever the reason, a busy winter is excellent news for UK clubs, players and fans. This month we welcome new columnist Jamie Peel, who many of you will have watched in action for Loro Piana when they won the 2008 Cowdray Park Gold Cup. Jamie’s vast experience both on the field and behind the scenes with horses and teams at all levels make him perfectly qualified to help you improve every aspect of your game, from riding to relationships. His first column, “Your game”, can be found on page 53. At the same time we say goodbye for now to our wise columnist Andrew Seavill. His enlightened words on natural horsemanship have been part of PT’s fabric since March 2007, and have brought greater understanding to the polo world of how the horse thinks and thrives. Andrew wants to take a break, and I’m sure readers will join me in thanking him for his brilliant work. I’ll leave you with a quote from his first article in March 2007. “At Pony Club, I once attended a polo clinic held by Sinclair Hill. I’ll always remember him saying that when he got to nine goals, he took riding lessons so he could improve his game and reach his aim of 10!” Lastly, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year. If you’re after inspiration for gifts for polo-loving loved ones, turn to page 46 for an array of brilliant ideas.
Triple Crown campaign approaches climax ALL EYES WERE ON Ellerstina at the opening weekend of the Argentine Open, with insiders predicting another win for the 40-goal side, writes Georgie May. After landing the first two legs of the Triple Crown – the Hurlingham and the Tortugas Opens – Ellerstina appear to be firm favourites at Palermo (right). They faced qualifiers Alegria in the first match of the tournament on 14 November, beating them 20-15, and were then to play Indios Chapaleufú next. Also on spectacular form is Alegria, fielding England captain Luke Tomlinson and Canadian Fred Mannix alongside Argentines Pite Merlos and Francisco Bensadon. The side, which qualified for the Argentine and Hurlingham Opens in October, claimed an eight-goal victory over higher-rated Pilará during the Hurlingham Open – an almost unprecedented feat, as qualifying teams are not expected to beat the “core” higher-handicapped sides. The side’s performance against Ellerstina, losing by just five goals, was also a landmark result. “We were aiming to try to beat Ellerstina,” Tomlinson told Polo Times. “But personally I knew that if we could get closer to them than La Dolfina did in the semis of Hurlingham [which they did] then we would have had a great game. We were killed by
their horses in the fifth chukka and part of the sixth. In these two chukkas we also lacked a bit of concentration at crucial moments. But overall it was a great result and I think we played really well.” As Polo Times goes to press, Alegria were due to face Pilará, and as this lands on your doorstep they will be preparing for their third Open match, against Indios Chapaleufú II. “The next two weekends are crucial and we are against two very strong sides, so we have to put everything into those games,” added Luke. La Dolfina, the 40-goal side fielding Adolfo Cambiaso, failed to reach the final of Tortugas and Hurlingham but started the Open on a high, beating qualifiers El Paraiso 21-8. Cambiaso scored 17 goals, two short of the scoring record he set when playing the same team during the Hurlingham Open. La Aguada, runners-up at Hurlingham, also look strong contenders. They beat Chapa Uno in their first match, with the England coach Javier Novillo Astrada, who has been receiving treatment for a brain tumour, back on fighting form.
THE NEW RULES, prompted by Javier Tanoira’s “Reflecting on Polo in Argentina” (news, October issue), have by all accounts breathed life into play and made the first two legs of the Triple Crown the most enjoyable in recent years. The rules are as follows: • A player riding towards goal in defence cannot turn the ball if he is being challenged by an opponent within a horse's length. He should instead make a backhander • A player in possession at a walk must hit away or pass the ball after one tap (similar to the HPA and USPA "one-tap" rules) • The offside backhand can be hooked
• A player taking a penalty has to make his hit on the first approach Argentine-based English player Sandy Harper, who helped proofread Tanoira’s essay, says the new rules expose one particular weak spot: “It is interesting for someone of my vintage to see how relatively bad some of the best young players hit their backhanders,” he tells PT. “They are brilliant at carrying the ball on the end of their stick, in the air, under their pony and on both sides – but have clearly never practised a good, old-fashioned angled backhand.”
◗ See also: Players’ forum, page 15; Letters, page
18; Umpire’s corner, page 20; Hurlingham Open report, page 24; Tortugas report, page 30; Travel – At home with the Tomlinsons, page 58
◗ See Polo Times cartoonist Kate Scurfield’s entertaining take on this news on page 19
Packer plans new UK-polo HQ Yolanda Carslaw
4 November/December 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk
JAMIE PACKER HAS PUT the wheels in motion to set up a new base in England as a tenant at one of the farms on the Cowdray Estate. The Australian patron has lodged a planning application to lay two polo fields at a former dairy farm opposite Ambersham polo grounds near Midhurst in West Sussex. Robert Windle, the Cowdray Estate’s resident agent, confirmed
the application had been submitted last month. It seeks permission to start work on the grounds in spring 2010, so they would become operational in 2011. In October newspapers speculated that 42-year-old Packer could be spending £20m on his new set-up, but Polo Times suspects this is exaggerated – even by his father Kerry Packer’s high
standards. Robert Windle dismissed the figure. There has been talk of Jamie Packer expressing an interest in Cowdray House, which owners, the Pearson family, intend to vacate next year. The Cowdray Estate office said it was speculation at this stage, but local insiders have indicated to Polo Times that the rumour is not without substance.
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Coronel Suárez celebrates 80th birthday
Photograph by Alejandro Garros
ONE OF ARGENTINA’s most famous polo clubs marks its 80th anniversary this year, writes Hernan Alvarez. The club, in Buenos Aires province, holds the current record of most Argentine Open wins, at 26 – a feat that will be hard to match. Polo practice began in the late 1920s in the Coronel Suárez area, initially at Maria Alberdi Garros’s La Maria ranch. In June 1927, El Ñandu and Melipeñi teams played the first match. Then in May 1929 the first polo field was unveiled at Coronel Suárez Polo Club. The victorious Coronel Suárez side of 1981, winners of the 88th Argentine Open Success came soon to the club, as (l-r: Celestino Garros, Alfredo Harriott, Alberto Heguy and Benjamin Araya) the blue and red jerseys won the who built the game in Coronel Suárez famous Coronel Suárez team. The 40Republica Argentina Cup in Buenos remain in town. One of the best goal quartet lined up Alberto P Heguy, Aires in 1930. A Coronel Suárez team players in history, Juan Carlos Harriott Horacio A Heguy, Juan Carlos Harriott first landed the Argentine Open crown (junior), still lives in Suárez, as do (junior) and Alfredo Harriott – a side four years later. The titles in Palermo Alfredo Harriott’s sons. Juan and regarded by many experts the best kept coming in the 1950s, 60s, 70s Sebastian Harriott are seven-goalers team in the history of the sport. and 80s. The last was in 1983, when who enjoy the peaceful way of life of At present, the club has seven polo Benjamin Araya was part of the team. the small city. Ramiro and Ramon fields, five tennis courts, a squash Araya, who is the club’s current Garros also play at the club. court, a swimming pool and an 18president, spoke to Polo Times about According to Araya, Suárez is a hole golf course. the history of the place where many good young club and its brilliant The 40-goal quartet of The club has more players can be found. “There are than 700 early seasons. “I Harriott and Heguy some 10-year-old, 15-year-old and members, 80 of think it was a brothers is regarded 20-year-old boys who play very well. whom play polo. combination of very as the best team in Who knows, perhaps in four or five “There are polo good players the history of the sport activities every years there will be another gathered together competitive Suárez team,” he weekend, in the same commented. Maybe Argentine Open including one or two tournaments per period,” declared Benjamin. “Nowadays Championship number 27 will come month,” said Araya. “The most this is not happening, but it is a cyclical one day for the blue and red jerseys. important are the Manuel Belgrano matter, I think. Maybe in the future we Cup in April and the Juan Carlos will see the same conditions again.” ◗ Read Juan Carlos Harriott’s memories Harriott Cup in February.” The Harriott family, together with of his champion Coronel Suárez team Many descendents from families the Heguy family, formed the most first hand in our interview on page 16.
News in brief ◗ ENGLAND LADIES’ CAPTAIN Nina Clarkin has launched her own restaurant in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Soushi, which means “creation” in Japanese, officially opens on Tuesday 1 December. Working in collaboration with friends Rosie Knock and Christina Smail, the team has recruited a top chef from Denmark to create a Japanese feel and concoct the nation’s favourite dishes. Find Soushi for yourself at The Old Post Office, 12 Castle Street, Cirencester. ◗ FOLLOWING THE DEATH of 21 polo ponies at the US Open in April, the USPA is to begin random drug testing at the start of the Florida polo season. A pilot programme of random blood and urine testing is due to start in January and will target hundreds of horses from all levels of the game, though it is not yet known which substances will be tested for and how ponies will be selected. ◗ BRITISH EUROSPORT will show highlights from the Argentine Open on finals day – Saturday 5 December. Viewers can tune in at 8.50pm to catch the action. The 100-min broadcast will air again on 9 December at 5.15pm. ◗ CAROLINE SMAIL, keen polo follower and niece of John P Smail, is using her personal experience and riding aptitude to help injured servicemen. The 29year-old lost her leg six years ago after an infection from a dog bite spread to an area that had been affected by cancer when she was a child. However, she continues to ride and, having met wounded soldiers at rehabilitation centre Headley Court in her research for a book, Caroline is now helping four amputee soldiers learn to ride for a Help for Heroes event next year.
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News News in brief ◗ THE HPA IS TO present Felicity Matthews, outgoing welfare officer at Guards, with an award in recognition of her achievements. Felicity, who has held the post since 1999, will receive a special scroll from HPA chief executive David Woodd at RCBPC on 9 December. Felicity spent more than 20 years at the Windsor club and, as well as her recent position as welfare officer, has worked as secretary to the CEO, a groom, head girl and assistant polo manager. One of her greatest achievements was instigating the production of the Polo Pony Welfare booklet in 2002. Produced in English and Spanish, in conjunction with the HPA, the booklet is distributed to every UK player with a handicap, with a note suggesting it is also passed to grooms. ◗ POLO DEL SOL, the promising Britishowned holiday set-up in southern Spain, is to close down, with the economic climate the culprit. Owner Mike Robinson, who laid three pristine fields and installed a pool, accommodation, stabling and a giant indoor arena, will put the property on the market shortly, after appointing agents. The Andalucia farm offered an Argentine-style experience (tuition in the morning, chukkas later) and had worked hard to build good relationships with SUPA and the Pony Club. It also backed a new HPA low-goal award. To contact Mike, email mikedigi2005@yahoo.com ◗ THIRTY POLO PONIES will be up for sale next April at an innovative auction in Berkshire staged by Mucho Polo Ponies and Kidson Trigg Auctioneers. All will be “ready to play”. “The ponies will be prepared for sale by Antonio Saavedra,” said Mucho Polo Ponies managing director Jenny McShane. “He has years of experience, so buyers can be sure of purchasing a pony that plays well. There will be a surprise auction format on the day, too.” More information is available at www.muchopoloponies.co.uk. ◗ RETRAINING OF racehorses is holding a residential course for polo players next month (4-5 January 2010) at Rugby Polo Club in Warwickshire. Participants will bring their ex-racehorses and to help retrain and prepare them for the coming season. The course will also include a visit from a vet, farrier and nutritionist. Contact RoR’s Di Arbuthnot on 01488 648998 or email darbuthnot@ror.org.uk. ◗ WHAT PT BELIEVES to be the first gay polo fixture is to be held next April at Grand Champions Polo Club in Florida. The Gay Polo League hopes to get players from worldwide involved in its inaugural event. PT isn’t sure whether straight players will take part too, but for more, see www.gaypololeague.com.
Happy birthday to us! YOUR FAVOURITE POLO magazine has the birth of my two children, and it’s also come of age, now entering its 18th year terrific how the game itself seems to as the must-read publication for have grown more and more into the information on all things polo. wider public sphere.” Polo Times has reporters following Starting as a black-and-white every main tournament newsletter called the Polo Advertiser in 1993, worldwide, as well as all Margie Brett’s venture the game’s innovations. evolved into Polo Times The magazine moves in 1996 and has grown into its 18th year in fullsteadily. It now leads the glossy colour, boosted way as polo’s most by a daily updated vibrant, trusted, regular website and weekly authority on the game. email newsletter. It The magazine engages in debate with moved to a full colour readers through its monthly in January regular columns, 2000, when dedicated popular letters page, full-time art director and internet forums on James Wildman came Facebook, Twitter and PT turned full colour in 2000 on board. This issue Polo Contacts represents Wildman’s 100th issue and Worldwide – keeping polo enthusiasts up he looks back on his 10 years at the to date with all they need to know. magazine with fondness. We look forward to the next 18 “Plenty of polo magazines have come years, and we hope you do too. If you and gone during my tenure here, so it’s know a polo follower who isn’t yet a been satisfying to see Polo Times grow subscriber, why not buy them a so successfully. It’s not the only thing that subscription for Christmas? To set one has grown over the last decade: PT has up, email georgie@polotimes.co.uk or been the backdrop to my marriage and call 01993 886885.
THE FATHER OF Indian player Shivraj Singh, who suffered serious head injuries in a polo accident four years ago, has set up a foundation to prevent and treat head injuries. The European launch of Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur’s Indian Head Injury Foundation took place in November in London, with guests including the Duchess of York and Bob Geldof. Shivraj’s accident took place at Jaipur in February 2005, and the popular player is still making a slow but significant recovery through an intensive neuro-rehabilitation programme led by the Brain Trauma Foundation in New York. The new charity will work with the BTF to raise awareness across India, especially in rural communities, and provide services, education and programmes for life-saving systems. The Maharaja says:“The BTF played such an important role in Shivraj’s recovery. Dr Jamshid Ghajar, neurosurgeon and president of the BTF, was brought in to consult on my son’s treatment in India. Following BTF guidelines for treatment, Shivraj emerged from the coma and has made enormous progress, which continues at our home here in Jodhpur.” Visit www.indianheadinjuryfoundation.org
Pedal power proves a hit at the palace CAMBRIDGE BEAT OXFORD in the final of the “Town meets Country” bike polo tournament at “Bike Blenheim” at Blenheim Palace in October. Five three-a-side teams came from Oxford, London, Cambridge and Oakenham, Kent. Oakenham are a grass team, whereas the others usually play on tarmac. The matches, on grass, lasted 20 minutes. Cambridge also won the varsity match against Oxford. Up to 100 people had a go, including visitors from various polo clubs – one of whom enjoyed it so much that she has begun practising with the Oxford club. ◗ Have you played bike as well as pony polo? Tell us how they compare – email letters@polotimes.co.uk
Latest from the HPA HPA chief executive David Woodd rounds up the news from UK polo’s headquarters Elections and re-elections Stephen Hutchinson has been elected and Francis Philimore and John Wright have been re-elected as HPA stewards for three years, until December 2012. Arthur Denaro will be standing down as a steward at the end of 2009 and Simon Tomlinson has agreed to take on chairmanship of the HPA Development Committee.
Withdrawal from FIP The HPA, along with the AAP and USPA, has withdrawn from FIP.
6 November/December 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk
Mid-season arena handicap meeting next month The mid-season arena handicap and rules meeting will be held at RCBPC on Tuesday 5 January.
Overseas matches England teams will be playing overseas as follows this winter: England vs Thailand – 17 January Young England vs Young New Zealand – 2 February Young England vs Young New Zealand – 13 February
England vs New Zealand – 13 February The Copa de Las Naciones (Buenos Aires) – late April
HPA office Christmas closing dates Milly Hodges is now out of the office until 1 May on maternity leave. The office will be closed for Christmas and New Year from Tuesday 22 December to Monday 4 January. ◗ To contact the HPA, tel: 01367 242828
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Ed, George and Fred Shelton, who have launched a web-based polo business
Brothers unite for play and work ARE THESE BROTHERS among polo’s youngest entrepreneurs? Ed, George and Fred Shelton, aged 23 to 17, have this autumn set up a custom-made polo gear business – almost by accident. After ordering various items from Argentina for themselves, they found that so many friends asked them to source similar gear that they began importing in bulk. The enterprise has evolved into EGF Polo (after their initials), and now the boys offer custom-designed belts, a superb
array of alpargatas – including striped and spotted – and accessories such as wallets. Ed, who graduated in industrial design this summer, helped set up the polo club at Loughborough University, and George, who is studying business at Regents College in London, plays in SUPA tournaments. Fred is involved in schools polo at St Edwards, Oxford. Between them the brothers have played at Kirtlington, Inglesham, Longdole and RCBPC. ◗ For more, visit www.egf-polo.co.uk
New academy to open POLO TIMES travels to Buenos Aires this month for a first look at polo’s newest coaching initiative, the International Polo Academy. Due for its full launch in 2010, the academy is UK-registered and based in Open Door near Buenos Aires during the British winter before then moving to Europe for the summer months. The academy aims to implement a new approach to teaching that breaks with tradition – by applying a format more akin to that of academies in tennis and golf. It will place as much emphasis on educating
students in the commercial realities of the polo industry as it does on providing tuition in horsemanship, hitting and strategy. The organisers, who have a background across several sports, are in talks with a number of national polo associations as they plan to offer scholarships for bright young players. The academy’s quest is to “nurture the future stars of the game” and it will be naming some of the world’s leading players as its ambassadors in the new year, as well as unveiling its coaching line-up.
NOTTINGHAM-BASED sports and remedial therapist Gillian Higgins (above) has pioneered a revolutionary method of demonstrating the equine anatomy, bringing the inside of the horse to the outside – by painting muscles and bones on the coat of the horse itself. Higgins uses water-based hypoallergenic paints to demonstrate how the horse moves, helping the audience at her lectures learn how to improve their horses’ performances and reduce the risk of injury. Using two of her own grey ponies, Henry and Freddie Fox, Higgins takes her unusual lecture up and down the country, presenting to universities, colleges, Pony Clubs, vets, eventers and polo players, as well as sculptors. For details visit www.horsesinsideout.com
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News special How the ‘big three’ departed from FIP
FIP in crisis: the inside story Herbert Spencer investigates what led to the UK, Argentine and American polo associations’ dramatic withdrawal from FIP last month
FIP at a glance (Before withdrawal of HPA, USPA and AAP) Full members 54 national associations Voting rights based on number of registered players in each country Total votes 16,726 Largest members USA – 3,138; Argentina – 3,130; England – 3,007; Australia – 722; Chile – 706 Smallest members Turkey – 3; Korea – 5; San Marino – 6 Geographical zones A – North and Central America, Caribbean; B – South America; C – Europe; D – Africa, Asia and Oceania he Federation of International Polo (FIP) is in major turmoil after the resignation of its three largest members, representing well over half the world’s players, following a dispute with federation president Patrick Guerrand-Hermès of France. The Asociación Argentina de Polo (AAP), governing body in the leading polo nation, resigned its membership of FIP on 26 October, followed on 27 October by the US Polo Association (USPA) and the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA). “It is with the deepest regret that we have resigned from FIP,” said a spokesman for the three associations. “We believe strongly in the concept of a global body to represent the sport of polo in international forums, but we have been disappointed by the unwillingness of the current president to take on board or even discuss the concerns of ourselves and others.” Guerrand-Hermès immediately hit back with emails to individuals around the world, accusing the “big three” of telling “grotesque lies” about him, attempting a “coup” to remove him from office and trying to take over the federation. Disquiet over how FIP was being administered came to a head in late July when the leaders of the three associations met for the first time in England: HPA chairman Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, USPA chairman Tom Biddle, and Luis Lalor, new AAP president. They agreed to act in concert and made their views known at a special Executive Committee meeting here. In August the “big three” sent a written list of “concerns” to the president asking that he enter into a dialogue over several issues, in consultation
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with all the associations. These included the president’s insistence that FIP sign up to the out-ofcompetition testing requirements of the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA), regulations that had already been challenged by other sports. The three associations also objected to GuerrandHermès involving the FIP in high-goal professional polo by initiating a special match in Deauville, France, this summer in which eight 10-goal players were paid a reputed $1.2m. Guerrand-Hermès had argued that the match, transmitted live on TV, had served to promote the sport. According to a later statement from the three, Guerrand-Hermès refused to respond to their concerns. On 22 October they “reluctantly” convened a special electronic (email) meeting of the FIP’s Council of Administration that, by eight out of 12 votes, gave the president the choice of resigning or facing a vote of no confidence “in that he has persistently acted on his own without due prior consultation with, and without the written approval of the Executive Committee and the Council of Administration, and has refused to answer the concerns of the federation’s three major stakeholders expressed in writing. By his actions the president has endangered the unity of the federation and its proper administration.” Guerrand-Hermès responded by declaring the council meeting and vote invalid. He denied that he had ever acted without due consultation or exceeded his powers. He called the Council’s attempted action precipitous and “insulting”. “I am blamed for having, perhaps too strongly or without sufficient tact, pursued with too much
fervour the missions and objectives of FIP,” he said in a statement. In November the president announced his intention to go ahead with the scheduled annual meeting of FIP’s General Assembly in Buenos Aires on 23 November – without the “big three”. Subsequently Marcos Uranga, founder of FIP, and Glen Holden, honorary president and GuerrandHermès’s immediate predecessor, attempted to make peace. Holden urged the president to resign before the General Assembly and to invite the HPA, USPA and AAP to return to the fold and send delegates to the meeting. Hardly a week before the meeting, GuerrandHermès replied to Uranga and Holden offering to tender his resignation at the General Assembly, effective next March or immediately if necessary to preserve unity. Sources said that James Ashton of Australia, long-serving treasurer of FIP and a critic of the federation’s current administration, appeared the most likely candidate to replace Guerrand-Hermès if he resigns. As Polo Times went to press, a spokesman for the HPA, USPA and AAP said they were prepared to rescind their resignations from the federation and attend the General Assembly if Guerrand-Hermès submits his formal resignation before the session. The spokesman added that all three “confirm that their continuing commitment is to a strong, transparent and active federation of national bodies that helps and supports the smaller and newer member countries and promotes the sport of polo throughout the world.” F
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Opposite page: Tom Morley, wearing white, follows a Brazilian shot upfield during the FIP 14-goal World Cup in Chantilly, France, in 2004. Brazil went on to win the tournament that year
The federation’s milestones, from 1982 to 2009
Below: Chile’s Remano Vercellino (in blue) locks sticks with Brazil’s Renato Junqueira in the final of the 14-goal World Cup in 2008 in Mexico. Chile won 11-9. Below right: England supporters at Chantilly
◗ 1982 Marcos Uranga,
president of the AAP, brings 11 countries together to found FIP and is elected its first president. HPA declines to join because of Falklands conflict with Argentina ◗ 1987 FIP stages first Polo
World Cup (PWC) in Buenos Aires; Argentina wins. World championship played at 10to 14-goal level on pooled ponies to encourage maximum number of countries entering ◗ 1989 Second PWC in Berlin,
USA wins ◗ 1990 HPA joins FIP. ◗ 1992 Third PWC in Santiago,
What happened when in the 2009 dispute? ◗ 2007 8th Polo World Cup (PWC) zone playoffs. For first time ever, Argentina doesn’t enter a team, citing unacceptable scheduling by FIP.
◗ May 2008 8th PWC final takes place in Mexico, a year late. Teams, especially England and Canada, complain of a lack of professionalism in FIP’s organisation.
◗ June 2008 Herbert Spencer in
Polo Times’ Global View warns of possible defections by one or
more of biggest associations unless FIP seriously restructures.
◗ February 2009 HPA chairman and CEO meet with FIP president, ask for more efficient administration of FIP through proper consultation with national associations. No changes ensue.
◗ July 2009 HPA, USPA and AAP chairmen meet for first time, agree on what FIP’s mission should be and to act in concert. They voice views at Executive Committee meeting in England.
◗ August 2009 The “big three” send lengthy written “concerns” to FIP’s president, emphasising need for consultation. The president refuses to respond.
◗ September 2009 Polo Times’s Global View warns of “worst case scenario” of the big three withdrawing from FIP unless changes made. Intermediaries within FIP suggest to president that he step down; he refuses.
◗ October 2009 FIP Council of Administration meets in a special
session, gives the president the choice of stepping down or facing a vote of no confidence. The president declares the meeting and vote invalid. The AAP, USPA and HPA resign from the federation.
◗ November 2009 The president announces his intention to go ahead with General Assembly on 23 November without the HPA, USPA and AAP. Senior officials ask him to resign; he indicates he might do so.
A view from author and coach Hugh Dawnay…
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The rift with FIP is surely a very negative and backward step. The irony is that one purpose of FIP was to stop, or at least minimise, the disagreements between the three biggest polo associations. No one can deny that the many FIP tournaments, at 14 and 8-goal level, organised to cover most parts of the polo world, have provided a wonderful service which has connected people who otherwise would never have met. Any faults and mistakes made should not be held against FIP, which has to rely on so many other people and at the same time maintain good relations with them. I believe we should imbibe and act on the immortal words of Britain's greatest leader, Winston Churchill, who himself played polo, applying teamwork as the most important dimension. He played for the 4th Hussars when, in 1899, they won the Inter Regimental in India. Winston was the number one, obeying the rules of the day – which included offside. He had a fall and broke his collarbone, but gallantly continued playing a very effective part, by relentlessly marking the opposing number four. His famous polo quote was: “Loyal polo teamwork renders a true combination, so vastly superior to the individuals of which it is composed”. The necessity of the recent changes to polo’s rules in Argentina are the result of high-goal players putting individual play ahead of team play, while avoiding the influence of coaching. Modern players, who never saw Coronel Suárez play in the Open, appear not to understand the importance and glory of the speed of the ball. Instead they give more priority to the speed of the pony. The difference between the two could be compared to a Ferrari with a tractor. I saw Coronel Suárez score many goals after a run down most of the field using three or four shots only, all from different playmakers – a truly magnificent spectacle. The only negative was that they won too many matches so easily that an exciting finish seldom occurred. Hence Winston's wisdom must surely now be applied both on the field of play and inside the offices of the associations.
Chile; Argentina wins. Glen Holden of USA succeeds Uranga as FIP president ◗ 1995 Fourth PWC in St
Moritz; Brazil wins ◗ 1998 Fifth PWC in Santa
Barbara, California; Argentina wins. International Olympic Committee (IOC) grants “outright recognition” to polo with FIP as sole representative body ◗ 2001 The sixth PWC takes
place in Melbourne, Australia; Brazil wins ◗ 2004 Seventh PWC in
Chantilly, France; Brazil wins. ◗ 2005 Patrick Guerrand-
Hermès of France succeeds Holden as FIP president ◗ 2008 Eighth PWC in Mexico
City; Chile wins. GuerrandHermès elected to second (four-year) term as president ◗ 2009 HPA, USPA and AAP
resign membership of FIP in dispute with the president ◗ 2009 India’s bid to host the
9th PWC at Jaipur’s Rajasthan Polo Club in 2012 comes into question amid all the squabbling
www.polotimes.co.uk November/December 2009 9
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News special Interview with FIP’s president
‘PGH’ defends his presidency
Photograph by Herbert Spencer
The departure from FIP of the “big three” associations has been seen as a rejection of its president, Patrick Guerrand-Hermès, and his policies. Here “PGH” responds to their concerns in an interview with Pascal Renauldon
Patrick Guerrand-Hermès (standing) at a FIP executive council meeting in London this summer, flanked by (l-r) Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, Tom Biddle and Luis Lalor
What have been your main aims over the years as president of FIP? Since I was elected in 2004 I have tried to develop polo globally and to bring it out of media obscurity. I have promoted polo at the highest level by presenting a 40-goal match to the European public and signing up Eurosport to cover the game. I have forged a partnership between FEI and FIP, which I believe can only add value to the sport by putting it on a path of standardisation and recognition as a “sport just like all the others”. So how do you explain the attitude of the three largest associations? For me, it is mostly a growth crisis. Up until now the three associations appeared happy to let FIP carry on as before, but the staging of the 40-goal match (a replay of the 2008 Argentine Open final) in Deauville this summer seems to have worried, or at least woken up, the newly elected presidents of the three associations. Large-scale changes are often the accumulation of smaller events. In this case Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, who was elected chairman of the HPA six months ago, was not happy at having FIP as an “umbrella” authority above the HPA and the other associations. Tom Biddle (USPA) seems to have been concerned about a lack of information and by the efforts spent
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“Protectionism is a form of self-defence, but usually contrary to everyone’s interests” by FIP to comply with IOC policy, namely compliance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Luis Lalor, three months into his tenure as chairman of AAP, was worried about the possibility of losing sponsors if FIP went on to organise more tournaments such as that played in Deauville this summer. When we all met for the first time at a FIP executive council meeting in London this summer, there were tremendous expectations. But the opening statement from the “big three” spokesman, Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, appeared to question most decisions voted on at the previous FIP General Assembly and the effect was very depressing. Ambassadors and council members present, as well as myself, tried to play down the impact of the challenge to FIP’s mission and policy made by the chairman of the HPA on behalf of the “big three”. Was the cause of this mutiny the fact that FIP organised this “return match” between La Dolfina and Ellerstina in August in Deauville? The event appeared to be behind the AAP’s
disgruntlement. The association feared that AAP sponsors (such as Rolex) might reduce their support at Palermo; this fear has already proved to be unfounded. Thanks to meetings with FIP, Rolex is actually increasing its support for the Argentine Open and various other AAP tournaments. I believe exposure of the game at the highest level as well as professional tournaments between countries can only contribute to the development of polo and give it more credibility. Argentina has everything to gain from this kind of development. Argentina’s players will remain the most hired at “pro-am” level, but “pro-am” polo does not interest the media and, therefore, sponsors. This is why members voted at the last General Assembly to develop, in coordination with national federations, a serious international calendar, which would include fully professional tournaments as well as pro-am titles for young players, ladies and nations cups of various levels. Isn’t it in the Argentines’ interests to see such matches being exported and giving the sport extra media exposure? It should be, yes, but I noticed a protectionist reaction from some of the three major federations’ officers, who appeared to be against this type of development of the sport at a global level. It is a form of self-
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defence, but usually contrary to everyone’s best interests. In terms of equestrian sports, Argentina, like Germany, has a strong economic network, which involves exporting not only players but horses and an entire industry. The match organised by Philippe de Nicolay in Deauville was a historic moment that should have been celebrated. Furthermore, broadcasting this match on Eurosport has resulted in the channel broadcasting, for the very first time, the final of the Argentine Open to 2.5m people across 104 countries: the AAP should appreciate this huge exposure. Perhaps staging the Deauville match was the right thing to do – we just did it too soon. You met the president of the FEI, Princess Haya, and agreed official recognition between the two federations with a view to incorporating polo into the next World Equestrian Games. Why have you been criticised for this alliance? Once again it’s a protective reflex - the agreement is well balanced and does not jeopardise the independence or interests of either of the two federations (FIP and the FEI). It allows each federation to remain in control of their own disciplines while bringing together each federation’s strengths. This partnership at international level is also important for national associations as equestrian clubs are the most important source of future polo players. Which actions are you most proud of after five years in office? During my time 14 new countries have joined FIP, the number of registered players has almost doubled. Thirty Ambassadors Cups have continued the family objectives and camaraderie of FIP and provided 75 per cent of its finances; the “pro-am” Chantilly World Championship and European
“Broadcasting the ‘re-match’ on Eurosport resulted in the channel broadcasting, for the first time, the final of the Argenine Open to 2.5m people across 104 countries” Championship were serious successes; I hope that Michael Schultz-Tholen [honorary general secretary] and I have laid the groundwork for polo to return to the Olympics – even if it restarts as a demonstration game in 2020 in Brazil and is a dream for 2024. What do you think will happen next with FIP? The decision of the authorities of the three big associations goes against the wishes of so many players who recognise that the Olympic ideal is the ultimate aim for any sport, including polo. I am certain that everyone in the family will return to dialogue with Marcos Uranga, Silvio Coutihño general secretary, and others who agree with our by-laws. The big three will return; they cannot deny their players this challenge to play somewhere far from home, and those three nations certainly have many wonderful days of polo against each other ahead. Do you think signing up to the WADA code is necessary for the credibility of polo? Isn’t this something alien to polo? Not really, it was enforced by former president Glen Holden, both for humans and horses, and it has worked very well in FIP tournaments. It is expensive, but no sponsor will be interested in sports that are not declared clean for both horses and humans. Finally, I have tried to give greater exposure for polo in front of international sporting institutions. Recently in Copenhagen, there were major companies, press and TV channels following the seminars organised by WADA checking that their federations were compliant and respectful of this basic Olympic credo, giving a level playing field for all and even, let’s hope, for the FIP president! F ◗ What do you think about Patrick Guerrand-Hermès’ track record as president of FIP? Tell us by writing to letters@polotimes.co.uk
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News Obituaries
Colonel Tony Gilks
1925 – 2009
Georgie May pays tribute to a supporter of young players, whose legacies include Rutland Polo Club and the Pony Club’s Jorrocks division s the chairman of Rutland Polo Club for 30 years and an ambassador for Pony Club polo, Colonel Tony Gilks was a strong believer in getting young people involved in the game – right up to his death in September, at 84. “Tony was a successful point-to-pointer as a young man, and his first taste of polo was with the Royal Lancers in Malaya in 1953,” recalled Edwin de Lisle, speaking at a memorial service for Tony in Oakham, Rutland, in mid-October. He played again when stationed in Germany, but it wasn’t until nearly 20 years later that Mike Seckington, Charlie Humphrey and Tony set up Rutland Polo Club, providing local hunting people – from the Belvoir, Cottesmore and Quorn Hunts – with something to do during the summer. “The club has gone from strength to strength,” said Edwin, “with Tony a key influence every step of the way, while also an active player himself.” In 1980 Tony was also appointed to the Pony Club polo committee and was the driving force behind the establishment of the Jorrocks under-11 division, ensuring competitive polo was more
A
widely available for young players. He also went on to become the Pony Club’s most successful branch manager at the Cowdray Championships, with dozens of victorious Cottesmore sides aiding the Pony Club’s decision this year to rename the top manager’s prize the Tony Gilks Branch Manager’s Award. “Tony was a wonderful person,” remembers Liza Crisp, wife of former Pony Club Polo chairman Buff. “He was terrific with the children.” He became one of the first “Life Members” of the HPA in May 2005, in recognition of his wide influence in educating young players in good play and sportsmanship. “This great influence was passed down to his grandchildren, Tom, Henry and Isabelle,” says Edwin. “They all play competitive polo at Rutland and watching them gave Tony enormous pleasure. He steered the club brilliantly, chairing committee meetings with aplomb, diplomacy, direction and leadership, which always ended in a decision. Charming, with a ready wit, he commanded respect from young and old alike”.
Outside of polo, in 1989 Tony was rewarded with the British Horse Society’s Award of Merit for Services for his contributions as a regional chairman for the society for 20 years. Tony died in his sleep on 10 September. A memorial service was held on 16 October, when Edwin de Lisle gave a eulogy to more than 350 mourners. F
Martin Frederick Trotter
1935 – 2009
Herbert Spencer remembers a pioneer of professional umpiring, whose work put England at the forefront of the game’s efforts to modernise aving taken up polo at Cirencester Park Polo Club when he was a student at the Royal Agricultural College, Martin went on to rise to a four-goal handicap. He won numerous low- and medium-goal titles, including the Gerald Balding and Cheltenham cups at Cirencester and the Royal Windsor at Guards. He also won the inaugural staging of the Archie David alongside his elder brother Colin, also a keen polo player. An arm injury forced Martin to retire as a player in 1976, after which he devoted himself to umpiring, officiating at International Day and at many high-goal tournaments. In 1990 he was appointed HPA Senior Umpire and chairman of the Umpires’ Sub-Committee. Over the next 10 years Martin worked on bringing polo’s rules, and their interpretations, up to international standards. He set up training for professional umpires and encouraged players to sign up. In 1994 he formed the first high-goal professional umpires’ group. Under his direction pro umpires began meeting
H
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regularly to review and assess their performances, including viewing videos. Martin and his umpires also began meeting with representatives of high-goal teams to exchange views. By the time he retired as chief umpire at the end of the 2000 season, Martin had laid the groundwork for today’s professional umpiring programme that has made HPA umpires respected and in demand overseas as well as at home. Away from polo, Martin was a farmer, starting first as a tenant on his father’s Mells Park estate in Somerset, then buying Winterwell Farm at Northleach in Gloucestershire, where he established an acclaimed herd of polled Herefords.
He was an enthusiastic participant in country pursuits, hunting with the VWH and Cotswold and later the Heythrop, where he was field master at the time when the renowned Ronnie Wallace was huntsman. He was district commissioner for the Cotswold branch of the Pony Club in the mid1970s and also served as a county councillor. Martin suffered from a hereditary muscular disease, from which his brother Colin predeceased him. He became increasingly physically disabled after 2000, but he remained sharp of mind. He died on 18 September 2009. Martin had a son and daughter with his first wife, Rosemary Valentine “Val” Nash, and a son and daughter from his second marriage to Georgina Blunt, who he married in 1981. He leaves five grandchildren. After more than half a century in the sport he loved, Martin Trotter left behind a great and lasting legacy, having made polo safer and fairer through his work on the rules and on professional umpiring. F
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Players’ forum Comment With John Horswell, the outspoken sultan of swing
Why the game needs to keep a step ahead of its players
U
DISPOSSESSING WITH INTENT Every year, changes are made to the rules and umpires’ directives for interpretation, all with the explicit aim of trying to open the game up. They are not always successful, but the changes in force for this year’s Triple Crown have been more dramatic and have been greeted with favourable reviews. All reports say that games have been much more open as a consequence, to the point where now the talk is all about ponies being over-tired and many are discussing plans potentially to cut down the length of chukkas to compensate. However, I doubt this will happen, given that, even with more open games than usual, there are still more
whistles, stoppages and tactical interludes than in the past, and players now have so many more spares as well. The point I wish to make is that, as in rugby, new rules need to be constantly trialled and evolved in order to try and match the evolution of tactics and skills by players and coaches. There is great emphasis in rugby on players using the rules, as much as their skills, to beat their opponents. However, newspaper reports of “titanic tactical struggles” in reality means a boring game full of kicking, line-outs and scrums. At the time of writing, England’s rugby side had narrowly beaten Argentina in their second autumn international, and had managed just one try in their last five games against non-GB opposition. It doesn’t make for happy viewing for fans, but it’s what happens when a team
Polo sits somewhere closer to these American sports, such that the number of times a team loses possession can mean the difference between winning and losing the match. Hence, polo administrators need to dig in for the long haul and start being more proactive with their rule changes. They may have found a good short-term fix in Argentina’s Triple Crown for now, but today’s players are always only one step behind. They are so skillful now and the surfaces they play on are so precise that it won’t be long before the very best will naturally push the boundaries and attempt different things that maintain control of the ball. As a consequence, national associations need to work together and trial new ideas internationally, as they do at the IRB, ICC and FIFA. Not all of them will work and
‘The best will soon push the boundaries and try
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ntil I read Javier Tanoira’s dissertation on the ills of polo for the second time in Spanish, I was sticking to my guns. Polo is an evolution, and the game has changed and mutated as skill levels have risen, so my own view was that the tactics of the game today are the inevitable result of that progression. My only major grievance has been that it has meant consistently watching players at the lower levels of the game attempt to imitate their betters. Tapping and turning has even started creeping into the tactics of arena polo at the higher level, making it a much less attractive spectacle. Tanoira covers many areas and makes many good points but I think perhaps the key thought he highlights – and which particularly struck home on my second reading – is just how much modern players worry about the loss of possession. This one concern underlies the whole tactical progression that has brought us to where we are today. It constantly occupies players’ thoughts, either in the conscious or subconscious, and those that have successfully kept possession in recent times have won themselves penalties or been able to take the ball all the way to goal.
different things to maintain control of the ball gets scared of playing, so worried are they that they will turn over possession in a dangerous area. This brings us back neatly to Tanoira’s key point – that not losing possession is a polo player’s key concern.
fewer still will be popular to start off with, but some always make it and help improve things in the short term, until such time as the talent and the resources of the players and teams find another way around it.
AN AMERICAN ANALOGY In American sports such as football, ice hockey and basketball, probably the most important statistic is the number of “turnovers”. The team that forces the most from its opposition generally wins. Or, perhaps more pertinently, the team that concedes the most turnovers generally loses. It seems to be especially important in high-scoring sports – pundits talk about teams “giving away possession” in football here, but the precise statistics are rarely such an obsession, as the offending team does not always pay for its mistakes.
TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE? Of course, I may be wasting my breath – discussing all this in the month that the three main polo-playing nations have withdrawn from the sport’s international governing body, the FIP, may mean there is little hope. The representatives and their continued differences of opinion on rules, amongst other matters, makes it probable, sadly, that there will be a continuation of the slide to stagnation. F ◗ To read the Tanoira Memorandum in full (in Spanish or English) and to join in the debate, visit www.polopeople.com
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Comment Interview
Juan Carlos Harriott
Photographs by Sergio Llamera, Alejandro Comero and courtesy of Horace Laffaye’s The Polo Encyclopaedia
As Coronel Suárez Polo Club marks 80 years, its most famous member – and for some, the best player of all time – tells Alejandro Comero what was behind his 20 Open wins, why his money this year is on Ellerstina and why he slightly envies today’s professionals Did you realise as a child that you were different and that you had a special gift? No, not at all. I was always very enthusiastic, and it was nice that things went well for me, but I never thought I was the best, and that’s why I think I continued to improve my own game throughout my career. I was always very ambitious. What was it that made that unforgettable Coronel Suárez team you formed with your brother and the Heguys so successful? It came down to our commitment and our collective drive as a team. We all pushed together always. We were all Indians, and no one was chief. We were also very critical of ourselves and took great pride in our performances throughout that period. We played together for more than 10 years and never once did we relax and think we were unbeatable.
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What was your best moment with that team? It’s difficult to choose one but it was a great honour for the team to be able to play together as Argentina in the Cup of the Americas in 1979 and 1980. The victory in 1980 was the last competitive high-goal game Horacio [Heguy] and I ever played, so it has fond memories. For the four of us Coronel Suárez teammates to be able to unite as Argentina felt like a gift in recognition of the great level we reached together and maintained so consistently throughout the 1970s. What does the Coronel Suárez club itself mean to you? This year marks the club’s 80th anniversary, and so it’s obviously an integral feature of the town. For me personally it’s also very special – it’s where we started, where we grew up and where I took my first steps in polo. I don’t have any horses any
more but I still live in the town, these days devoting myself to harvesting rather than polo, but Coronel Suárez will always hold a special place in my heart. As a member of a 40-goal side yourself, how excited are you that we now have two 40-goal teams going head-to-head in the Triple Crown? It’s very good news. Ellerstina have just got better and better and will be a real force to be reckoned with. If what I’ve seen of them recently is anything to go by, that’s where I’d put my money for the Open at Palermo this year. Journalists have made comparisons between you and Adolfo Cambiaso, referring to both of you at one time or another as “the Maradona of polo”. How do you rate Cambiaso? Cambiaso is a great player, but the balance of La Dolfina’s team is wrong in my view. I think
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‘We were all Indians, and no one was chief. We were critical of ourselves and never once did we think we were unbeatable’ – Juan Carlos Harriott
Clockwise from left: Juan Carlos Harriott during the “golden days” of Coronel Suárez; today, at home; in 2005, at Coronel Suárez Polo Club
they’ve actually looked weaker in many respects since they went to 40 goals, and Cambiaso is still the player they depend on for their results. Many would argue they are too dependant on him, even though the other three are very good players in their own right. They will need to sort this out and work together better if they are going to beat Ellerstina. But so far, as a 40-goal side, they have yet to win a single title in the Argentine Triple Crown.
Horace Laffaye’s Polo Encyclopaedia describes Juan Carlos Harriott as “the best Argentine player ever” and an “aristocrat of polo, because of his impeccable behaviour on and off the field and his classic style”. He was a member of the Coronel Suárez Polo Club and formed a side with his brother Alfredo and with Alberto and Horacio Heguy that was rated at 40 goals for five consecutive years in the 1970s and is widely considered the best in the history of the game. Harriott retired from high-goal polo in 1980.
Why do you think there are more highly rated teams now than there were in your era? We might have been the only 40-goal side, but the standard wasn’t that different then. Mar del Plata polo team reached 37 and Santa Ana got up to 38 or 39 goals. But you’re right – it’s more competitive now and the gaps between the top teams have closed, largely because there are so many more players and an ever-increasing quantity of excellent horses being steadily produced for polo. Winning at Palermo is still the most difficult challenge for any team. Are you sorry you didn’t play polo in the professional era? Yes, in a way. I retired just at the time the game went professional, but I’m not saying I now wished I had continued playing in the high-goal for longer, only that it would have been nice if professionalism had come in 30 years earlier! It’s good for modern players, as the top ones are afforded numerous
opportunities to play abroad, with the help of sponsorship and wealthy European patrons. I never had nearly so many opportunities as the top players now do. I did play in Sotogrande and also travelled to the Middle East a couple of times right at the end of my career to play some relaxed polo and teach some of the Sultan of Brunei’s family, but it’s different when you’re not 20 and I found the long journeys quite exhausting to be honest. But travelling is better now and everyone is much more used to it – the game has become far more global. What do you think about veterinary developments in polo since you stopped playing, such as embryo transfer? It has certainly changed the game a lot, but that’s not something to be scared of. I think it’s good. There are more excellent horses from proven bloodlines available now as a result and that can only make for an improved level of polo. How important is the quality of the pony in polo do you think? A bit like in Formula 1, is success more down to the driver or the car? If you give a bad player a great horse, he won’t go anywhere. If you give a top player a weak horse, he won’t be able to perform to the levels he would like and you would expect. So, in my view, balancing the player with the horse is the key and so neither is more important in its own right. Are you optimistic about the future of polo in Argentina? Oh yes – good players can start playing straight out of school now and the rivalries at the top of the game are inspiring children and young players and have captured their imagination. Polo is still as popular as ever and I think we can look forward to enjoying top polo in Argentina for many years to come. F ◗ Did you see Juan Carlos Harriott play for Coronel Suárez at Palermo? Describe what it was like to watch him, and tell us how he compares to today’s stars. Write to letters@polotimes.co.uk
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Comment Your views
Letter of the month It’s time the HPA showed us its balls
Letters letters@polotimes.co.uk The Emperor's New Clothes come to mind How refreshing it is, at last, to have the truth about Argentine high-goal polo from a member of an eminent Argentine polo family. Javier Tanoira's excellent exposé Reflecting on Polo in Argentina has come not a minute too soon. For far too long spectators watching the best players in the world have been subjected to games which were just plain boring – as Polo Times has not been afraid to say on more than one occasion. It is also interesting to note that some of the rule changes suggested by Tanoira are not far off the changes to the rules made for Polo in the Park, played at the Hurlingham Club in London in June of this year, which when this event took place were criticised by some aficionados as being “not proper polo”! One is reminded of the story of "The Emperor's New Clothes"!
Margie Brett Publisher, Polo Times – Oxfordshire Give the arena in Ireland more support I'm a minus-two-goal player; I’ve been playing polo for nearly four years, and I love playing in the arena. I used to play a lot at the fabulous facility at Polo Wicklow [about an hour and a half south of Dublin] but have since moved to Country Antrim in Northern Ireland. Sadly, however, there aren’t any public polo-specific competition arenas in the whole of the north of Ireland. I’m able to play grass polo in the summer, though Ireland’s climate only usually allows for a limited amount of play – last summer it was only a total of six weeks’ worth and one ad-hoc tournament! Hence, it seems a blow that we should have to pay a season’s membership for so little polo, and so I suggested to our club secretary that we should look at investing in an arena for polo in the winter. Unfortunately, I was led to understand in no uncertain terms that arena polo isn’t considered “legal tender” as far as Ireland’s polo
I THOUGHT THE JAVIER TANOIRA document was a fascinating read and extremely well researched. This single document will undoubtedly change the game. Rules have to change each year and, as they change more in individual jurisdictions, so the urgency for a global central rules committee becomes more pressing. Can the HPA be more open in this respect? I repeatedly hear and read of high-goal players and Argentines speaking as though the polo experience is theirs alone and that only they should be allowed to umpire or administer the game, because only they truly understand. They speak as if the game belongs to them and not to us all. However, what strikes a journeyman two-goal player like me is that the same problems are gripping the low-goal game just as seriously.
Problem patterns across all levels Tanoira characterises the modern game as dominated by: playing the inside game (tapping to the right of the opponent in front); possession; follow the leader; blocking; off-the-ball zeroskill plays by the weak members of the team; and, finally, the decline in the “overtaking” play, even for Cambiaso himself, as a result of much of the above. All these patterns are just as familiar in the two-goal leagues ‘The ideal polo played to only a crowd of grooms on stick-and-ball fields style lies in the throughout the world.
The advantages of today’s game
future and not 25 years in the past’
Like Tanoira, I too have recently watched the videos of the Argentine Open in the 1980s to compare old and modern styles. The old was characterised by some dreadful umpire calls that you hardly ever see today, even at low-goal level, but also by quick, exciting games which at times were like watching ping-pong. However, to play that kind of polo requires practice and matches on the best grounds, with the best ponies and without players below one goal. This clearly excludes the majority of players and, since no one wants to shrink the game, we need to move on.
Pilot projects – the way forward The ideal polo game style lies in front of us and not 25 years in the past. The rules must change and probably continue to change annually as the game develops. Tanoira has some brilliant ideas and I cannot disagree with any one of his 16 recommendations. But who is going to take the lead and implement them? The HPA must push on and not cede leadership to the factional associations in North and South America, or allow the establishment of the required global central rules committee to slow up its own work. Argentina’s ongoing boycott of the world cup shows what a long way off any global agreement is likely to be (unless it is run by Argentines!). The HPA should run formal pilot projects every year, such as Edgeworth Polo Club’s no turning rule (which I think was a failure, but well done for trying). There is a lot of work to do for our governing body and its leaders must use imagination and courage.
Charlie Llewellen Palmer Gloucestershire
The writer of the letter of the month wins a bottle of La Chamiza Argentine red wine authorities are concerned. Their attitude is that it isn’t worth bothering. Indeed, this appears to be true across Ireland, so that those few places that do have arenas have been forced to invest in them entirely at their own risk. We don't have the climate in Ireland to play outdoors even for the full summer, which prevents us from organising tournaments further than two weeks in advance. With so little polo, how are we supposed to improve? Not to mention the fact that, for most of us, it makes keeping horses unrealistically expensive. Arena polo is clearly the way forward, but
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the authorities don’t seem to recognise this, which is very disappointing. If the HPA want more and more polo people to accept arena polo as a worthy form of the game, then it would definitely help to include arena handicaps on players’ HPA cards. This would help demonstrate that authorities believe it is a fully-fledged part of the game. With this apparent lack of obvious support thus far, I would like to congratulate those that have embraced the under-used resource of arena polo in Ireland – in particular, Siobhan Herbst at Polo Wicklow and
Dennis Connelly at Durrow. But why can’t the HPA and Irish polo’s representatives help encourage new players by offering them polo all year round? I’d like to know.
Name withheld Donaghadee Polo Club, Northern Ireland Vivre le polo! I wish to thank Polo Times for the two reports in the October issue from Saint-Tropez Polo Club, the highprofile Gold Cup in September and the two 12-goal tournaments that began at the club in late August. It is fitting that they should receive coverage, as Saint-Tropez is
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New rules in Argentina have sent Triple Crown players into a spin fast becoming a polo venue to rival the traditional bases in Deauville and Chantilly. It is France’s only professional polo club south of Lyon and its founder Corinne Schuler deserves great praise for the club’s remarkable development over the past few years. It is fast becoming one of Europe’s foremost polo establishments. Of course, polo still has a long way to go to match the sport's popularity in Britain but it is moving in the right direction. Another opportunity for introducing polo to the South of France would be to use the grand but grossly under-utilised Hippodrome in Cagnes-sur-Mer
when it is not used for horse racing. Cagnes-sur-Mer has an attractive catchment area, due to its vicinity to Cannes, Nice and Monaco – and it enjoys the same dependable good weather as Saint-Tropez.
Polo Times followed the action in SaintTropez in the pages of our October issue
Dr. Karl H Pagac Villeneuve-Loubet, France
Dr. Karl H Pagac Villeneuve-Loubet, France Prime-time polo on TV needn’t be a problem Thank you for the fascinating profile of Karen Kranenburg in last month’s Polo Times. Whilst I was delighted to learn of all her remarkable accomplishments in promoting polo around the globe and I agree with her ambitions to bring polo to a broader TV audience, I beg to differ on her point that polo is not very "TV-friendly". Television is now so advanced that it can easily cope with a fast game played on a large field, making use of mobile cameras, close-ups and hawkeye techniques. The more immediate problem with convincing mainstream television networks to dedicate prime-time slots to report on polo matches is that polo is still considered "elitist" and does not draw sufficiently large crowds. The approach to this problem appears to be high-profile sponsorship, which Ms Kranenburg seems uniquely qualified to attract. Good luck to all concerned.
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Comment Umpire’s corner With Arthur Douglas-Nugent, deputy chief umpire for the HPA
When it’s tricky balancing payment and performance (they are always taken as a team and thus judged together) incorrectly apply the rules during a game. This can usually be agreed on in consultation with the teams, the referee and knowledgeable spectators, meaning it can be swiftly dealt with, normally by a reduction in match fees for the offending officials. Offences such as an
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NO WIN, NO FEE Returning to rather more mundane matters on the ground here in the UK, the winter is a good time to reflect on the stewards’ decision for last season that meant all 15goal Victor Ludorum matches or higher would be umpired by professional umpires appointed by and paid by the HPA, as would the semis and finals of the 12 and 8-goal tournaments. The money to pay for this was to come from the team patrons, who would be billed by the HPA. On the whole, the scheme has worked well and the majority of patrons have welcomed the improved quality of umpiring it has brought about. However, it hasn’t come without problems. Namely, patrons who felt aggrieved at a poor umpiring performance could withhold payment by way of complaint. There appear to be two forms of bad umpiring. In the first case, the umpires
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It’s also true that whatever the outcome of an official criticism, the reputation of that umpire becomes slightly more tarnished with each complaint. As they build up, even if never sanctioned, he may find his employment dries up. Those who keep a clean sheet and are well regarded are the ones who pick up the plum games
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aving devoted my column in the last issue to discussing Javier Tanoira’s critical paper Reflecting on Polo in Argentina, many readers have been in touch with the Polo Times office to request a copy. The publication has sent shockwaves throughout the polo world, setting tongues wagging from Pilar to Perth, and has been a topic high on the agenda as the Argentine Triple Crown progresses and as the “big three” national polo associations from Argentina, the UK and the US met for urgent talks in Buenos Aires last month. Tanoira's recommendations have influenced a couple of significant rule changes for this year’s Argentine high-goal, and have formed the basis of new guidelines for umpires on how to interpret the rules already in existence. It will have been discussed again at the FIP’s annual General Assembly, so let us hope things will progress in our mutual interest and the worldwide game will move quickly towards the sunlit uplands.
Once, the ball curved behind the line then back out again. The goal judge signalled, then dropped his flag umpire arriving late, turning out in scruffy dress or adopting a casual attitude to his job would also fall into this category. The second case concerns complaints about poor control of dominant players or about the reading of the game itself, and is harder to identify and judge, particularly when there is no video evidence. It must be accepted that the two umpires on the field (with at least one following down the line) should be able to make a sounder judgement on most matters than the referee or those watching from the side. Thus any discussion on a particular play is generally likely to run into the sand. However, a complaint from a team or patron is always taken seriously and every effort will be made to bring the matter to an equitable conclusion by questioning the umpires, referee and other informed parties.
FOUL FOR THOUGHT Last month’s conundrum The ball is in the air when the second bell goes but it crosses the line for a goal before the umpire has blown his whistle. Should the goal be allowed? This is an easy one: the rule states that the ball is dead on the first sound of the second bell. Hence, the goal should be disallowed and the next chukka started (if there is to be one) with a throw-in at the point on the ground below where the ball was when the bell sounded. This month’s puzzle A player's helmet falls off during play. What should the umpires do?
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and who can make a reasonable income from umpiring – which is what we aim for. BEACH BALL ANTICS There were an interesting couple of incidents involving referees and refereeing decisions in football’s English Premier League this autumn. In the first, a manager levelled criticism at a referee he felt wasn’t fit enough to keep up with play. In the second, a striker scored a goal that should have been disallowed when it deflected off a beach ball thrown from the crowd. Both incidents created a stir for the FA but also pose questions to other sports’ officiators. In polo, just as in football, it is essential that the umpire is able to keep up with play. Thus a team that offers an unfit pony to an umpire is shooting itself in the foot, as it cannot expect that umpire to make a fair and informed judgement when making critical decisions. Equally essential, as highlighted by the incident with the beach ball, is the necessity that the referee knows his rules inside out. There was a game last summer when the ball curved behind the goal line and then out again and back into play. The goal judge began to signal a goal and then dropped his flag. The umpires couldn’t judge if the ball had really crossed the line. What should they have done? F Answers, please, to letters@polotimes.co.uk
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Global view Comment With Herbert Spencer, who has been following polo around the world for 40 years
Human nature and feeble bylaws have led to this calamity However sanguine the FIP electorate might be in choosing a president, one who promises to work for the good of the federation and of the sport, one still has human nature to contend with. The chosen one might be the most honourable of men with the best of intentions to do good. But power is a great seducer of men. Once he has the power, the president may well be tempted at some stage to let his
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an unwritten understanding that the president must be a man of considerable wealth with time on his hands, enabling him to travel the world at his own expense to show the flag. Cynics might argue that this allows a candidate to buy his way into the top job, whatever his other qualifications. Surely a more equitable approach to the presidency would be for the federation to pay the travel expenses of
Of all the other sports bodies I’ve studied, including the international organisations, such as the FEI and the IOC, none give their presidents so much unbridled power
English historian Lord Acton, who once declared: “Power tends to corrupt”
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hatever happens at this year’s General Assembly of the Federation of International Polo (FIP), whoever may be president, transitional or otherwise, national delegates would do well to heed the admonition of the 19th century English historian Lord Acton: “Power tends to corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Cut through all the concerns, claims, counterclaims, accusations, denials and the like in the dispute that led to the three largest polo associations resigning from FIP and you find one fundamental issue lurking at the heart of the matter: the power of the president. For all of its 27 years of existence, FIP has operated under statutes and by-laws that, in practical terms, places virtually unlimited and uncontrollable power in the hands of the federation’s president. Of all the other sports bodies I’ve studied, including the better-run national polo associations and international organisations, such as the FEI and IOC, none give their presidents so much unbridled power. While FIP’s by-laws are meant to provide a system of checks and balances to the president’s powers, these simply do not work in practice. The Council of Administration is a balanced body of 12 democratically elected members, but the president can block a quorum by refusing to attend meetings. The smaller Executive Committee, with powers to act for the council, is not elected but appointed by the president, who can block decisions by his own men by refusing to meet or consult. On top of all that, there is nothing in FIP’s by-laws that allows for the removal of a president once he is elected by the General Assembly. This brings us back to Lord Acton’s admonition about the corrupting nature of power.
personal views or ambitions take precedence over a more reasoned and balanced approach. There is a further complicating factor in how FIP has viewed the presidency. Until now there has been
the president so that candidates might be chosen purely on the basis of their standings in the international polo community and their qualities of leadership without regard to how deep their pockets are. Meanwhile, FIP needs urgently to address the issue of its by-laws and the unusual powers they currently grant to the president. Executive power should be vested in a strong, new “Executive Board” chosen by the national polo associations, with the president unequivocally subject to the will of the board. The president could continue to provide leadership and represent the FIP formally at federation events and in its dealings with other organisations, but without the power to act on his own. The FIP General Assembly will be wrapping up as this magazine lands on your doormats, so it remains to be seen whether those delegates meeting in Buenos Aires have actually bitten the bullet and made the changes so desperately needed to create a more functional FIP – one that can outlast the current crisis. F
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Gonzalito Pieres in full flight for Ellerstina during the final of the Hurlingham Open
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There was plenty to celebrate at Hurlingham last month as Ellerstina’s Triple Crown quest marched on and qualifiers Alegria recorded sensational results. Carlos Beer reports he 2009 Hurlingham Open made history last month. Not only did the tournament host the Argentine Triple Crown’s first ever 80-goal game, but it will possibly be remembered as Ellerstina’s second step on route to a famous Triple Crown result – if they can win at Palermo, that is. There is no reason to think they won’t win, as the side is playing as well as ever, still undefeated going into the Argentine Open. However, at the Hurlingham Open Ellerstina had to avoid a potential banana skin, being forced to win with a substitute against a revitalised La Aguada team in the final. They did so, scooping the title 14-12, to the delight of Gonzalo Pieres, nine-time winner of the Argentine Open and the father of Ellerstina’s numbers one and three, Facundo and Gonzalito. “It’s fantastic,” he said in the pony lines after their victory in the final. “Polo can’t be played better than this.” Gonzalito, who founded the Ellerstina club alongside the unforgettable Kerry Packer in the early 1990s, knows full well the magnitude of their win. It meant the team was still on for the Triple Crown, a feat unmatched since La Aguada’s victory in 2003, and something the team’s biggest rival in recent years, La Dolfina, has so far been unable to manage. Both Hurlingham Open finalists, Ellerstina and La Aguada, reached the deciding game unbeaten in their respective groups. X
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Opposite: La Aguada’s Miguel Novillo Astrada and (in black) Matias MacDonough, who stepped in to his old team Ellerstina after Juan Martin Nero was suspended for getting two yellow cards in a game against La Dolfina. Above: victorious Ellerstina (l-r: Matias MacDonough, his brother Pablo and brothers Gonzalito and Facundo Pieres)
X Ellerstina had been dominant, leaving some of
their opponents on the receiving end of some heavy defeats, while La Aguada were typically workmanlike, rarely shining as brightly as Ellerstina but producing solid, productive displays that got the job done. La Aguada were also the defending champions, so came into the final full of confidence and joie de vivre at having Javier back in their side after his serious illness earlier in the year. La Aguada knew they would have a good chance when Ellerstina’s line-up for the final was disrupted – Juan Martin Nero was suspended for picking up two yellow cards in the team’s previous game against La Dolfina. Former Ellerstina regular Matias MacDonough stepped into the breach, returning to action after a one-year break from the high-goal. It was a risk for the favourites, but the older MacDonough brother’s comeback was a strong one, and the risk paid off. However, with the final delayed by a day due to rain, La Aguada began the match with a far better strategy in the wet conditions and broke Ellerstina’s rhythm early on by slowing the game down. The game hung in the X
Why the black shirts will be hard to beat in the Open Polo journalist Hernan Alvarez (right) assesses the performance of the top sides BEFORE THE Argentine Open Championship began, Ellerstina was the big favourite to land the Open’s silver River Plate Polo Association trophy. The team’s performances so far in the Triple Crown have merited their new and improved 40goal status for 2009, and the black shirts are definitely the ones to beat. The team appears to have come into this year’s Triple Crown prepared to win the whole lot, with enough confidence, enough camaraderie and, crucially, enough good horses to write themselves into the history books. Other teams meanwhile have used the early Triple Crown tournaments – Tortugas and Hurlingham – as preparation and a dress rehearsal for Palermo. One such side this year is the legendary La Dolfina. However, despite failing to
impress in the first part of the season, Cambiaso and his teammates should never be underestimated and I expect them to be up there again this year. You don’t get to 40 goals and win four Argentine Open titles in a decade for nothing! As far as the other sides are concerned, I’m afraid there are none that you would get serious odds on for victory in the Open. Pilará and La Aguada have performed well, but I don’t realistically expect either to be in with a chance of lifting the trophy. Pilará tend to lose their nerve against the more experienced squads and La Aguada’s Novillo Astrada brothers are just happy to be able to compete with Javier since he overcame serious illness earlier this year with a brain tumour.
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Report Hurlingham Open
Alegria – the feisty side that refuses to stick to the script Tony Emerson tracks the progress of the sensation of 2009 WHEN QUALIFYING TEAMS were introduced into the Hurlingham and Argentine Open tournaments, their object was to pad out the fixtures so that the paying public could watch all six major teams play each weekend. This has since encouraged a number of lowerranked players to enter, and become cannon fodder for the larger teams that qualify automatically. Foreigners like to participate in the world’s top tournaments, while Argentines hope that by playing their ponies in the Open, they will be able to get them noticed by the stars or, at the very least, add value to them when they come to sell. This year the Canadian Fred Mannix recruited Luke Tomlinson, Pite Merlos and Pancho Bensadón to form 31-goal side La Alegría, a side which looked as though they would only have a forlorn hope of success. However, to the dismay of the big boys, they had not read the script. In the Hurlingham they met Pilará, finalists of the first Triple Crown tournament at Tortugas and winners of their first league match. Rather than play a defensive game, La Alegría went flat out and poached a
four-goal lead in the first chukka. When retaliation was expected, Mannix and Tomlinson played two goals above their handicap and combined with the expert direction of Merlos to extend their lead to eight goals by the end of the match. Using the same tactics, they then produced another compelling performance against Bautista Heguy’s Chapa Uno and threatened another famous victory that would have ripped up the record books. However, Pite wasn’t quite as effective as he was against Pilará – indeed, had he been and had Tomlinson’s penalties all gone in, they would have been realistic candidates for the final. Sadly, they fell short by two goals. In the first round of Palermo they were drawn against the Triple Crown favourites, 40goal team Ellerstina. Taking the game to their lofty opponents with more fast, open polo, they went into half-time with the scores drawn at 9-9. They went on to lose, but put 15 goals past the reigning Open champions. That was two more than the 40-goal La Dolfina side managed against them in the Hurlingham.
Photographs by Sergio Llamera
Mannix and Tomlinson played two goals above their handicaps and led by eight at the end
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X balance all the way through, and La Aguada even
took the lead for a time in the seventh chukka. The few spectators who braved the horrid conditions thought Ellerstina’s Triple Crown chance had gone. Not this year. Ellerstina look a more courageous group in 2009 and, sure enough, they proved that they have grown into a side that knows how to win matches by romping back to reclaim the lead. This they did at Hurlingham when it mattered. It was cruel on La Aguada, but the loudest round of applause of the day was reserved for Javier Novillo Astrada, who deservedly received the game’s most valuable player award. Having been invalided throughout the English season because of a brain tumour, he began the tournament as little more than a passenger, but developed in strength with every game and every passing week to produce a performance of old in the final. He was absolutely outstanding and everyone involved and watching knew just how much it meant to him and his brothers. He has since been named as the EFG player of the month by Pololine’s World Polo Tour. There was euphoria elsewhere in the tournament, too. Qualifiers Alegria, featuring England’s Luke Tomlinson, produced probably the biggest upset of the Triple Crown in living memory, triumphing over stalwarts Pilará by an almighty eight goals in cloudy conditions some
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Clockwise from far left: the four brothers of runners-up La Aguada (l-r: Eduardo, Miguel, MVP Javier and Ignacio); Ellerstina’s Pablo MacDonough; Matias MacDonough and Miguel Novillo Astrada clash in the final; best playing pony Open 82, played and owned by Gonzalito Pieres (pictured centre)
Chapa II jumps to the Jockey
The loudest applause was reserved for Javier Novillo Astrada, who had developed with every passing week to produce a performance of old in the final. He was absolutely outstanding two-and-a-half weeks before the delayed final. The side went on to lose 14-13 to Chapa Uno, narrowly missing out on the chance of a another huge upset. Tomlinson and Juan Ignacio Merlos are combining well and they will be a side worth watching in the Open as well. All in all the Hurlingham Open set the scene for an Open finale that promises to be more compelling than ever. Can Alegria produce more shocks, can Ellerstina win a historic Triple Crown, or will La Dolfina finally wake up to compete in this year’s season as we have been accustomed to expecting? Just as they were poor in last year’s Open final, La Dolfina currently looks a shadow of the team it was in better times just two seasons ago. They look slow, with no precision, and with Cambiaso playing at 10 goals, rather than the equivalent of the 12 goals we are used to seeing from him. It’s now or never for the world number one. F
Hurlingham Open; 14 October – 6 November; Hurlingham Club, Buenos Aires Result: Ellerstina beat La Aguada 14-12 Principal sponsor: YPF Handicap level: Open (31-40 goals) Number of team entries: Eight Chukka scores (Ellerstina): 2-1; 4-3; 7-4; 7-5; 8-7; 9-8; 13-11; 14-12 Most valuable player: La Aguada’s Javier Novillo Astrada Best playing pony: Open 82, played and owned by Gonzalito Pieres Final teams: Ellerstina (40): Facundo Pieres 10; Gonzalo Pieres 10; Pablo MacDonough 10; Matías MacDonough 8 La Aguada (37): Javier Novillo Astrada 9; Eduardo Novillo Astrada 9; Miguel Novillo Astrada 10; Ignacio Novillo Astrada 9
BUENOS AIRES’S Jockey Club Open welcomed 10 teams this year in probably the toughest and most competitive line-up the tournament has ever enjoyed, writes Hernan Alvarez. Two 34-goal teams – both fielding Heguys, both with the same line-ups as for the Triple Crown – contested the delayed final on Friday 9 October. This was almost three weeks after it was originally scheduled, with the Tortugas Open final following just a day later. Indios Chapaleufú II won the battle, beating Chapa Uno 14-12 on the Alfredo Lalor number one ground at San Isidro. The winners, comprising three Heguys – Alberto, Ignacio and Eduardo – and new boy David “Pelon” Stirling, led throughout and looked anxious for victory after their long wait to play the tournament decider. The finalists had been kept waiting for so long because of heavy rain at the end of September and then because the schedule for the Tortugas Open took precedence. Eduardo Heguy scored a magnificent 10 goals on Chapa II’s way to the title, smashing strike after strike past a side led by his cousin, Bautista. The team were strong from the first chukka to the last and were an excellent example of how good the whole Jockey Club tournament has become, demonstrating just how much quality and commitment is required from the team that wants to win it. If 2009 was anything to go by, it will be even better again next season.
Final teams: Indios Chapaleufú II (34): Alberto Heguy Jr 8; Ignacio Heguy 9; David Stirling Jr 8; Eduardo Heguy 9 Chapa Uno (34): Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade 8; Hilario Ulloa 8; Bautista Heguy 9; Francisco de Narvaez Jr 9
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Report Tortugas Open
Pilará’s Sebastian Merlos (in white) in attack, with Ellerstina’s Facundo Pieres in close touch. The black shirts won 14-11 in the final of the first Triple Crown tournament
An opener reinvigorated New rules have breathed life back into the 40-goal, says Carlos Beer, who watched Ellerstina beat Pilará and La Aguada mark a victory of their own he final of the first tournament of the 2009 Triple Crown in Argentina was, in truth, pretty straightforward. There was little by way of dramatic comebacks, devastating misses or never-before-seen displays of skill or tactical adroitness. Ellerstina beat Pilará, by three goals, and that was that. At such an early stage of the season, the game is still in a period of transition. The horses are not yet fully in their best playing condition and the teams are still getting used to playing together again. Therefore the most interesting spectacle of Tortugas is often in seeing how new teams are gelling and how each player is readjusting to playing with a whole team of high-goal professionals, rather than taking part in handicapped pro-am competitions of the kind seen in Europe. Having said this, this year there was another factor to contend with – a set of very interesting
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new high-goal rule changes. Taken together, the changes can be seen to have had the effect of speeding the game up, as players find it more difficult to keep hold of the ball, which also pleasingly has the positive effect of making the
Agustin Merlos’s petulant reaction as he left the field – hitting the side boards with his mallet – earned him further punishment games more enjoyable to watch for spectators. Most notably, under the new laws a hook on an offside backhand is allowed, and a player riding towards his own goal in defence is not allowed to turn on the ball if there is an opponent challenging him within a horse’s length – he must employ a backhand to get the ball out
of trouble instead. All in all, despite the simple nature of Ellerstina’s victory, these new initiatives helped make this year’s Tortugas Open one of the most enjoyable in recent memory. The tournament itself still had its fair share of talking points. Pilará’s 10-goal forward Agustín Merlos was yellow-carded during his team’s victory in their semi-final against La Dolfina, but his petulant reaction as he left the field – hitting the side boards with his mallet – earned him further punishment. The Argentine Polo Association suspended Merlos for a month, meaning he was forced to sit out the Tortugas final as well as the entire Hurlingham Open. This made Ellerstina’s job in the final an even simpler task. Once they had negotiated a tricky opening fixture against La Aguada, the side’s obvious quality and the strength of their reserves of ponies made them the clear favourites for the Triple Crown’s first title of the season. The team quickly rediscovered the X
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Ellerstina’s Gonzalito Pieres (in black) prepares to take the ball on the near side as Pilará’s Marcos Heguy (in white) rides him off
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Report Tortugas Open Clockwise from left: winners Ellerstina (l-r: Juan Martin Nero, Pablo MacDonough, Gonzalito Pieres and Facundo Pieres); Gonzalito Pieres takes a backhand – possibly under one of the new rules that forces defenders to back the ball in certain situations; Francisco Dorignac and Pablo MacDonough with the cup; best playing pony Fina Manta, ridden by Juan Martin Nero
Quality qualifiers end in victory for Tomlinson’s side THE STANDARD OF THE teams battling for the final two slots in the world’s two most important high-goal open polo tournaments – Hurlingham and Palermo – continues to improve each year. This year’s qualifying rounds sent 31-goal Alegria and 30-goal El Paraiso through to join the six higher-rated automatic entries that competed at Tortugas. The final day of the qualifiers was a visibly nervy afternoon for all those involved. England captain Luke Tomlinson scored the extrachukka winner for Alegria against La Baronesa after his side had controversially equalised in normal time with a goal from Juan Ignacio “Pite” Merlos that crossed the line as the final horn sounded. His team-mates also include Canadian Fred Mannix. “The match against La Baronesa was the least enjoyable of my life!” said Tomlinson afterwards. “But it was worth it in the end – I’ll get to play the Open at Palermo again and that is every polo player’s dream.” El Paraiso also claimed their place with a thrilling finish, as Alejandro Novillo Astrada – in his “own” team for the first time, rather than as La Aguada reserve – scored an excellent late goal to clinch a tense, low-scoring encounter against the higher-rated Trenque Lauquen side, 7-6. The passion and intensity brought to the Triple Crown by the winners of the qualifying games must be good for these tournaments and such a competitive round of qualifiers is an encouraging sign for Argentine polo. Photographs by Sergio Llamera
Qualifiers Alegria (31): Fredrick Mannix 6; Francisco Bensadon 8; Juan Ignacio Merlos 9; Luke Tomlinson 8 El Paraiso (30): Guillermo Caset Jr 8; Ignacio Toccalino 7; Mariano Gonzalez 8; Alejandro Novillo Astrada 7
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X precision and control that gave the foursome
such a successful season in 2008, sweeping aside Chapa Uno 16-12 on their way to the championship showdown against Pilará. Their title ambitions were never in danger and the team looked to be threatening to exceed the standards they set as the benchmark in last year’s Argentine Open. To do this so early will have concerned the other sides with genuine ambitions for the opens at Hurlingham and Palermo. It would have delighted Kerry Packer, had he lived to see Ellerstina reach such a level, and is a tribute to his investment, organisation and vision, along with that of Gonzalo Pieres. The signs for La Dolfina, on the other hand, were not so positive. The team looked nothing like the powerhouse of the modern game that spectators have become accustomed to watching: Cambiaso & co lost to Pilará and Indios Chapaleufú II as they failed to make an impression on the tournament. Following their Argentine Open final defeat last year, this meant La Dolfina had lost three consecutive Triple Crown games for the first time in the side’s history. However, there was positive news for pologoers who will have missed seeing Javier Novillo Astrada in action in the UK this year. Having missed the summer season through illness, he
was back playing high-goal polo again at the Tortugas Open. Despite still undergoing the final stages of treatment for a brain tumour, he joined his brothers on the field, and there was a moving and heart-warming reintroduction for Javier into the La Aguada side. They lost both their games by just a single goal but, in polo, the winner is not always the team or player that scores the most goals. Following so much support from around the world on his route to recovery, the fact that Javier was able to return to playing at such a level was a victory for the whole polo community. F Tortugas Open; 22 September to 10 October; Tortugas Country Club, Argentina Result: Ellerstina beat Pilará, 14-11 Handicap level: Open Number of team entries: six Most valuable player: Santiago Chavanne Best playing pony: Fina Manta, played by Juan Martin Nero Final teams Ellerstina (40): Facundo Pieres 10; Gonzalo Pieres 10; Pablo Macdonough 10; Juan Martín Nero 10 Pilará (37/34): Agustin Merlos 10/Lucas James 7; Santiago Chavanne 8; Sebastian Merlos 9; Marcos Heguy 10
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Report Ladies’ International Test Match: Argentina vs England
Photographs by Guillermo Ricaldoni
Sophie Kyriazi reports on victory for England’s fighting females on hired horses in horrendous conditions in Argentina’s polo heartland
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omewhat surprisingly, when Argentina’s ladies met several familiar female faces from England early last month, the contest made history as the first ever official ladies’ international match played between the two poloplaying powerhouses. England emerged victorious, thanks largely to the superb performance of Nina Clarkin, the only member of the visiting side playing her own ponies. The venue was Centauros Polo Club in Pilar, and the game finally took place on Monday 9 November, having been postponed from the previous Friday due to bad weather. Conditions were little better on the rescheduled date; however, the two sides illuminated the gloom for the decent number of supporters than had braved the tempest with an even and hard-fought contest. The England side was put together by Cheshire Polo Club’s Lucy Taylor, a member of the all-
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Above and left: Nina Clarkin in action. The England ladies’ captain’s three goals in the first chukka ensured the visitors established a hard-to-catch lead
‘I’d expected one of our opponents’ strengths would be playing their own horses’ – Rosie Ross conquering, all-English Combe Farm Wines/Diamonds International side of 2007 and 2008. She brought together a familiar line-up, originally drafting in two-goalers Emma Tomlinson and Rosie Ross to play alongside her and Nina. However, Tomlinson failed to recover from a broken collarbone and knee ligament surgery in time and Nina’s sister Tamara Vestey was recruited to the side as her able replacement. Argentina was represented by Annabelle Winterhalder, Mumy Bellande, Lia Salvo and Paula Martinez, and the quartet looked a well-drilled and dangerous outfit. However, the visitors made a flying start, pulling ahead quickly in the first chukka with a series of three spectacular goals from captain Nina Clarkin. From then on Argentina was playing catch-up. Rosie Ross did a fantastic job of keeping the back door closed, while Nina and Tamara in the middle and Lucy up front put together a relentless stream of attacks that maintained a comfortable lead for the English throughout most of the game. Argentina’s main goal-scorer Lia Salvo launched a number of successful counter-attacks at the England goal, but the English defence remained consistently solid, and the pressure on the Argentine team was obvious. Nevertheless, Argentina’s penalty-taker Paula Martinez was metronomic from her set-plays, capitalising on any England mistakes with ruthless efficiency and so
keeping pressure on the visitors, who knew there was very little margin for error, despite their lead. However, it seemed to be a golden day for the English girls, who squandered nothing. Nina in particular played out of her skin and the team didn’t miss a single shot at goal – from open play or from a penalty – until well into the fourth chukka, a remarkable achievement. Their strikes sailed between the posts one after the other and the girls played fast, direct, team polo, which ultimately proved too much for the Argentine side. Nevertheless, the hosts staged something of a comeback in the final two chukkas, closing the scores up from 9-4 to 10-7 as they finally began to outscore England, but it was too little, too late. “Lia Salvo seemed to be everywhere in attack,” said England’s number four Rosie Ross, “and Mumy Bellande was very strong defensively. I had expected that one of Argentina’s big strengths would be having and knowing their own horses, but we were all so well mounted on the ponies we had hired that ultimately it was much less noticeable than it perhaps could have been.” “We are used to playing together, and I think that gave us a slight advantage,” said Lucy Taylor.
“We had a great game, and it was great fun, so hopefully this will be the first such contest of many.” Spectators left happy and the players from both sides appeared to enjoy the game, which is probably the most organisers could have hoped for when they awoke to such terrible weather on Monday morning. F ◗ Read about England’s preparations for the contest on page 82 in our interview with Rosie Ross. Ladies International – Argentina vs England; 9 November 2009; Centauros Polo Club, Pilar, Argentina Result: England beat Argentina, 10-7 Principal sponsor: Jaeger-LeCoultre Handicap level: Open Chukka scores (England): 2-1; 4-2; 6-2; 9-4; 10-5; 10-7 Most valuable player: Nina Clarkin Teams: England (8): Lucy Taylor 1; Tamara Vestey 2; Nina Clarkin 3; Rosie Ross 2 Argentina (6): Annabelle Winterhalder 0; Mumy Bellande 2; Lia Salvo 2; Paula Martinez 2
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Report Arena International Test Match: South Africa vs England
Tourists triumph through tenacious teamwork Leah Ludlow reports on a satisfying comeback for the tourists as England make a successful return to the Oaklands arena in South Africa ngland’s arena specialists continued a winning run at Oaklands Polo and Country Club in South Africa this autumn, following up on their series victory in 2008 with Test Match success over their South African hosts on 10 October. Oaklands owner Jamie Bruce hosted English players Seb Dawnay, Ryan Pemble, Tim Bown and Ed Morris-Lowe for two weeks in mid-October, inviting them to play outdoor polo in the 10goal Fuimus Cup with local players and to form a 15-goal team to compete England (l-r): Ryan Pemble, Seb Dawnay and Ed Morris-Lowe against the South Africans in the arena. started to panic once they didn’t have so many Tim Bown acted as England’s coach for the goals going in, and our more cohesive approach three-man arena contest, as his fellow allowed us to go on and win the game.” countrymen overturned a five-goal deficit at half Ryan Pemble echoed this assessment, time to win in dramatic fashion, 14-12. “South emphasising that England’s excellent team Africa were extremely strong early on,” Bown performance was one of the most satisfying told Polo Times. “They are a very physical side aspects of their comeback. and took control of the first half right from the “After half-time we made a conscious first throw-in. decision to keep the ball moving, by playing it “However, we [England] were able to turn it around as a team, and so not allow the physical around, thanks largely to the generosity of our South Africans to get on top of us when the hosts and our greater arena experience. The game got static,” said Pemble. “The three of us South Africans mounted the England team also knew each of our four ponies much better extremely well, which gave us a fighting chance by that stage, having played all of them in the in the second half. Once the boys got to grips first half. This meant we were able to choose with the South African game plan, we were able more effectively which ones to play when and to defend better and exert some pressure. They
Photographs by Sebastian Meredith
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for how long in the final two chukkas. That made a huge difference.” Bown also explained their tactics as they fought their way back in the second half: “Ed was asked to do a job for the side after halftime, marking stronger players than himself to allow Seb and Ryan to power on and score most of the goals,” he said. “This was in contrast to the South Africans, who played much more as individuals, trying to bulldoze their way to goal. This approach didn’t win them the game, but it was no surprise to see the South African captain Brad MacGibbon receive the MVP award for the endeavour of his strong personal performance.” The idea behind an annual arena international or series of arena contests is to bring South
Why it felt like déjà-vu The same South Africa team took part in an arena international against England this summer, in June. Brad MacGibbon and Sipho and Terence Spilsbury lost narrowly to an English side at RCBPC in a match organised to compensate for the postponed London Polo Championships that were originally planned for Horse Guards Parade over the same weekend. Just as in the game that followed at Oaklands, South Africa led early on in this game, only to be overturned and beaten by two in the final period.
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Clockwise from above: Ryan Pemble leads the charge for England; action on grass from the Fuimus Cup; a happy supporter gives her little boy a taste of the game
African players round to the idea of competing in the arena and of playing polo all-year-round. “I wanted to create another field to support our other new outdoor facilities,” said Oaklands owner Jamie Bruce. “But the mountainous terrain around the club has made
‘South Africa are a very physical side, and they took control right from the throw-in’ – Tim Bown finding room for another full-size ground difficult, so it occurred to us that an arena in our valley would give us another playing surface and would also facilitate guaranteed polo all year round.”
The wind whips through the valley, but the conditions suited the travelling Englishmen, who are used to windy arena polo in the British winter. Indeed, since the full launch of both grounds at Oaklands last year, the club has welcomed enquiries from scores of UKbased polo players, families and teams looking for an alternative to a winter trip to Argentina. “We are increasingly popular with travellers who want to play somewhere Englishspeaking,” Bruce explains, “We have beaches and unique wildlife nearby, and now that we have South Africa’s only active arena to support our outdoor ground, we are able to offer polo earlier than other clubs and provide people with an exciting new option for their holidays or polo tours.” Absolut Vodka sponsored a party at the end of the English team’s visit, bringing together
the players and spectators from the Test Match and the Fuimus Cup for a night in celebration of the side’s tour and a fortnight of invigorating grass and arena polo. F
Arena International Test Match; 10 October 2009; Oaklands Polo and Country Club, South Africa Result: England beat South Africa, 14-12 Handicap level: 15-goal Number of team entries: two Most valuable player: Brad MacGibbon Teams South Africa (15): Sipho Spilsbury 5; Terence Spilsbury 5; Brad MacGibbon 5 England (15): Ed Morris-Lowe 2; Ryan Pemble 6; Sebastian Dawnay 7
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Report Stella Artois Melbourne Cup
Once more into the breach, dear Glen Troy Buntine reports on a thrilling Melbourne Cup final, in which Englishman Ed Hitchman enjoyed his first win and Glen Gilmore clocked his second after stepping in for Simon Keyte, who had torn a ligament in his thumb he 14-goal Stella Artois Melbourne Cup was run and won under the sweltering heat of the spring Victorian skies in Australia last month, with players, crowds and event partners all enjoying the drama of a courageous comeback and a tantalizing twist in what turned out to be a fascinating finale to the tournament. The tyranny of such vast distances in the world’s sixth largest country did not deter teams travelling from far and wide across the vast Australian landscape, with patrons keen to lay their hands on one of the home game’s most sought after prizes and its AUS$20,000 (approx £11,200) purse. Garangula and Town and Country travelled south from New South Wales, Victorian side Clearview joined the tournament hosts in
Photographs by Carolyn Yencken www.greatphotos.com.au
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representing “the Garden State”, and Riverview came all the way from Western Australia. Six spirited days of competition and camaraderie were the result, with teams uniting on their days off between matches to enjoy the spoils of another major equestrian attraction,
goal over hometown heroes the Victorian Polo Club. However, it was not as straightforward as might have been expected after the side lost its talisman and captain, seven-goal Kiwi international Simon Keyte, to a thumb ligament tear before their final group game.
Teams travelled from far and wide across the vast Australian landscape, with patrons keen to lay their hands on the AUS$20,000 purse and other prizes the Melbourne Cup Spring Racing Carnival and its associated social functions. The Garangula polo team, who travelled down from the Schwarzenbach family’s NSW base as favourites, did not disappoint, clinching the coveted title in a nail-biting final by a single
It was a twist that could have sent Garangula’s campaign into a tailspin, but who should step into the breach but none other than Australian captain Glen Gilmore (also a sevengoaler). Gilmore was the winner in last season’s Melbourne Cup at his seventh attempt in the
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Facing page: winners Garangula (l-r: Alec White, Ed Hitchman, Glen Gilmore and Jack Archibald). Above: action from finals day at Werribee Park under sunny skies
competition. However, the cup that had previously been his bogey-tournament will surely now be solidly installed as a favourite after he helped his new team to a second consecutive personal victory at Werribee Park. The man in the famous red helmet hit terrific form in the final, helping Garangula claw their way back from a losing position in the first five chukkas to sneak ahead at the death. Clearly revelling in the warm conditions (akin to his home state of Queensland), Gilmore thrives on the pressure of the big stage and gave the 2,000-strong crowd plenty to cheer about. Whether playing with Gilmore or Simon Keyte, Garangula’s patron Alec White brought together a heady mix of talent and experience, combining England’s rapidly improving Ed Hitchman with an up-and-coming Australian star in the shape of Jack Archibald. White
himself also looks much improved, winning the La Martina most valuable player of the tournament award for his performance in the final, where he scored two important goals. The other sides entered also looked strong this year. Garangula’s opponents in the final – the all-amateur side, Victorian Polo Club – made it to the showdown after a series of gritty comebacks and spirited, tight victories. Close games characterised the whole competition: just two of the tournament’s 12 games were decided by more than two goals, and none were decided by more than three. The subsidiary final was just as tight as the final, as Gilmore’s other team, Riverpark (led by Western Australia’s Angus James), snatched victory 12-11 over Melbourne Cup debutants Clearview, a side featuring English six-goaler James Harper. F
The Melbourne Cup; 30 October – 8 November 2009; Victorian Polo Club, Werribee Park, Melbourne, Australia Result: Garangula beat Victorian Polo Club 7-6 Principal sponsor: Stella Artois Handicap level: 14-goal Number of team entries: five Chukka scores (Garangula): 2-2; 2-4; 3-5; 5-6; 6-6; 7-6 Most valuable player: Alec White Best playing pony: Canary, played by Matty Grimes and owned by Garangula Final teams: Garangula (14): Jack Archibald 2; Ed Hitchman 5; Glen Gilmore 7; Alec White 0 Victorian Polo Club (14): Hamish McLachlan 3; Stirling McGregor 3; Matt Grimes 4; Gill McLachlan
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Pakistan Report
Out of a hat, into the action Clare Sheikh reports on the lively inter-family rivalry at Pakistan’s polo hub of Lahore, where Pony Express steamed their way to multiple wins ahore's 2009-2010 polo season has got off to a rousing start since the last issue of Polo Times, with polo in October and November providing numerous talking points and some spectacular inter-family rivalries adding particular spice to the season’s opening encounters. The schedules for the early tournaments of the season in Lahore are drawn at random, with teams matched up in “out-ofthe-hat” challenges. The lottery provided some entertaining match-ups and some unpredictable results. In the season’s opening tournament, sponsored by HSBC, the final brought together two sides each containing a member of the Mawaz Khan family in their line-ups. Guard Rice’s Taimur Mawaz Khan
L
Photographs by Baba Dody
Early-season winners at Lahore Polo Club, where the schedules are drawn at random at some times of year
Hamza Mawaz Khan categorically sealed all the bragging rights as his side thumped Ali Malik’s new team 14-0 (two goals) faced off against his son, Hamza (one goal), playing for Vogue Furnitures. The game – played on Lahore Polo Club’s brand new Tifton ground – proved to be a classic. Guard Rice trailed 51/2-4 to Vogue Furnitures going into the final chukka, with age and experience in the ascendancy. However, Guard Rice’s local two-goal patron Taimur Ali Malik scored to bring them within a single score of victory before Hamza completed the coup de grace with an excellent penalty conversion, signalling the arrival of the new generation and a painful defeat for his father. Taimur Ali Malik and Hamza Mawaz Khan were at the centre of the action once again in the season’s second lucky-dip challenge, the Seasons Canola Cup. This time, however, the victorious team-mates from a week
earlier went head to head, with Hamza Mawaz Khan categorically sealing all the bragging rights as his Pony Express side thumped Ali Malik’s new team 14-0. Spurred on by such an auspicious start, Pony Express produced more emphatic polo to reach the final, where only Millat Tractors stood in the way of back-to-back victories for Mawaz Khan. Millat Tractors fared better than Pony Express’s earlier opponents,
thanks largely to some accurate penalty conversions from Tahir Aslam Awan, but were still comfortably beaten, 7-2. Hamza Mawaz Khan scored four goals on their way to victory, with minus-two-goal novice Bilal Hayat Noon and zero-goaler Saeed Aslam Khan making up the rest of the scoring for his side. Three members of the Sufi family helped ensure that the Seasons Canola subsidiary final was also worth watching, as brothers Haris and Amir Sufi lined up against each other for Freshwater and MCB respectively. Both are former National Open winners and are unaccustomed to playing each other, so spectators knew they were in for an intriguing face-off. Newcomer Sufi Mohammed Farooq, a member of the brothers’ extended family, played alongside Haris on the Freshwater side, which also featured zero-goal patron Ayyaz Sheikh and one-goaler Hashim Kamal Agha. Freshwater were the victors in last season’s 8-goal New Year Cup and they recaptured some of that winning form to convincingly win again here, 6-2. F www.polotimes.co.uk November/December 2009 41
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Reports At home and abroad Druids Lodge
Adaptable Adaptive outplay all-amateur underdogs on striking new surface Leah Ludlow reports from Druids Lodge on Remembrance Sunday, where players paid their respects to the past and embraced the future in the club’s newly refurbished arena Earlier in the day, brothers Eden and Maurice Ormerod clashed in the subsidiary ruids Lodge hosted the 6-7 goal finals of the Polo-art.com Poppy final. It proved to be Eden’s day, as he catapulted Ferne Park to a 14-9 victory with Sunday Trophy after a poignant minute’s silence on 8 October, an excellent all-round performance, scoring and defending ferociously to give his marking the 91st anniversary of the end of World War One. The brother and Westbrook Farm little chance. tournament was also the inaugural senior competition played in “We had good outlets up front in the shape of Clare MacNamara and Orlando the club’s beautifully resurfaced arena. Wethered,” said Maurice. “But although they were often in excellent positions, we Saturday’s games, which decided the finalists for Sunday, set the tone for still had to get the ball past Eden first, and he made that very difficult.” a thrilling climax. Both matches were high scoring, extremely tight affairs, Despite Eden’s heroic work-rate and dizzying with Watersfield Park and Adaptive eventually booking stickwork, his patron Jonathan Rothermere argued their places in the tournament decider by a goal each. Goess-Saurau and Allen that it was his side’s superior teamwork that won At such an early stage of the season, it was an produced a flurry of goals them the game. Rothermere himself defended well encouraging signal of the sort of winter ahead that all four sides were so competitive. Watersfield, an allto romp home victorious and he and Eden were ably assisted in the goalscoring department by young Freddie Stacy, who amateur side, beat Ferne Park 12-11, and Adaptive helped ensure they didn’t let up until the final bell. toppled West Brook Farm 16-15. “Our defence was good,” said Rothermere. “We settled well as a team and “We weren’t expecting to be in the final”, said Watersfield’s Mark kept the pressure on brilliantly.” Burgon ahead of the contest. “We were lucky on Saturday, winning against Orlando Wethered was magnanimous in defeat, and echoed Rothermere’s the odds in the final minute of the game. So I expect it will be an uphill assessment that Ferne Park gelled well. “I knew what they could do as individuals,” struggle today.” he said, “but they produced as a team when it counted.” So it proved. The two-goal advantage Watersfield had on the scoreboard at kick off was nullified before the end of the first chukka, as all Adaptive’s players got on the score sheet to end the opening period ahead, 5-4. Polo-art.com Poppy Sunday Trophy, 7-8 November Watersfield did pull the game level again in the second to make it 7-7 at Result: Adaptive beat Watersfield Park, 17-12 half time, and matched their lofty opponents in a scrappy third chukka, Handicap level: 6-7 goal going into the final period 11-11. Number of team entries: four However, despite frantic defence from Burgon and a minor fall from Chukka scores: (Adaptive) 5-4; 9-7; 11-11; 17-12 Christine Thome demonstrating Watersfield’s determination, Adaptive patron Adaptive (7): Di Jack 1; Marcus Goess-Saurau 2; Leon Allen 4 Marcus Goess-Saurau and professional Leon Allen produced a flurry of Watersfield Park (6): Christine Thome 2; James Stephenson 2; Mark Burgon 2 goals for Adaptive to romp home victorious 17-12. Subsidiary finalists: There was no best playing pony or most valuable player award, but Ferne Park (7): Freddie Stacy 0; Jonathan Rothermere 1; Eden Ormerod 6 Leon Allen’s last-chukka score from halfway out was surely the most Westbrook Farm (7): Orlando Wethered 1; Clare Macnamara 1; Maurice Ormerod 5 memorable moment of an enjoyable match.
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Ash Farm
Early club catches the pros ASH FARM LAUNCHED the club’s winter season a month earlier than is traditional for arena polo in the UK, beginning competitive action on Sunday 11 October with an “Arena Challenge” match for members and some visiting players. Ash Farm’s Oli Hipwood and Ascot Park’s Tarquin Southwell captained the two teams, who provided some early tension for the start of the winter season at the club with a thrilling 9-9 draw. The season has been busy since then, just as it has at many arena clubs in what appears to be a quieter winter in Argentina than in recent times, and Ash Farm is expecting more competitive action throughout the UK’s colder months. It has professionals such as Jamie Le Hardy (8 goals), Seb Dawnay (7), Oli Hipwood (6), Tim Bown (6), 42 November/December 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk
Roy Prisk (3) and Charlotte Sweeney (2) based there all season, along with Heiko Voelker’s winning Arena Gold Cup team Tchogan, and they have welcomed new sponsorship this year from Ivan the Terrible vodka and Stickhedz clothing. The club held its official start-of-season bash on Friday 27 November, with serial partyorganiser and club instructor Roy Prisk at the helm, and the inaugural Paul Sweeney Memorial Tournament began last month as well. A group of Paul’s friends clubbed together to provide the trophy, remembering the club’s founder who died in January. Contact the club for more information via the polo office on 01932 872521 or 07799 711336, where you can speak to Roy or Charlotte.
Autumn action at Ash Farm, which held its first arena contest a month earlier than usual, on 11 October
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Photographs by Les Wilson – les@leswilson.com
Clockwise from above: Eden Ormerod attacks the ball on his near side for Ferne Park in the subsidiary final, with his brother Maurice in hot pursuit; Adaptive, winners of the Poppy Sunday Trophy on 8 November (l-r: Leon Allen, Marcus Goess-Saurau and Di Jack); and runners-up Watersfield (l-r: Mark Burgon, James Stephenson and Christine Thome). The prizes were provided by tournament sponsors, Polo-art.com
Belmont
London calling
RLS
Action in September at RLS Polo Club’s annual charity event, Polo in the Park, in aid of the NSPCC. The day combined great polo with a fun family feel, under sunny skies
BELMONT POLO CLUB in north London is back. The club, described by English arena-specialist Chris Hyde as “one of the best venues to play arena polo in the world”, has been launched by former England coach John Horswell, alongside Berkshire School of Polo cofounder Ollie Browne. The club sits in NW7, 15 minutes from the City by train and just a few hundred yards from the underground at Mill Hill East. The initial emphasis will be on teaching and instruction as the club builds up a playing membership of a mixture of town and countrybased players and Browne and Horswell will aim to launch a full tournament programme in the new year. The clubhouse has been refurbished, and a new children’s area and restaurant will open shortly.
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Reports At home and abroad India
Seven-chukka sensation The six-goaler has been playing in Argentina in recent years and his experience and striking ability Championship from the packed spectator stands at instills fear into his opponents. He comprehensively Jaipur Polo Ground in New Delhi was a thrilling demonstrated why, producing fantastic goals hit experience, writes Gaurav Chand. Played at 16 high and handsome between the posts, and goals, the climax to this year’s championship was ensuring Jindal/Elevation maintained a one to two well worth the airfare and effort from my home in goal lead through most of the game. His best goal Mumbai, as the two finalists fought it out tooth and was an unsaveable punt from nail for one of Indian polo’s Shamsheer Ali’s the boards mid-way down the biggest prizes. ground. The ball flew miles over The Jindal/Elevation side shot striking ability and the posts, despite the distance. to an early lead in the contest, as experience instills Ali also supplied Satinder four-goalers Miguel Sagaria and fear into opponents Garcha and Simran Shergill with Simran Shergill scored two quick plenty of service in front of goal, in what ultimately goals from penalties in the beautiful autumn proved a performance worthy of the MVP award. sunshine on 15 November. However, their The entire game was played at breakneck speed opponents Equisport/Rissala equalised by the end of with great runs by both teams, especially in the the chukka through a 30-yarder from Vishal Singh closing chukkas. However, by this stage and an excellent goal from open play, as Abhimanu Equisport/Rissala had been forced to make two Pathak finished a good move led by the team’s substitutions after an injury to Adhiraj Singh and a talisman Samir Suhag. fall by their best hope of victory, Samir Suhag, at Suhag was showing his class, but the Jindal/ the end of the fourth. They were substituted by fourElevation side also had a special player of its own, goal brothers, Dhruv and Manupal Godara. India’s highest-handicapped player Shamsheer Ali.
X WATCHING THE FINAL of the 2009 Indian Open Polo
The victorious Jindal side lift the Indian Open trophy
In the dying seconds of the sixth, with the score 10-10, Equisport/Rissala’s Vishal Singh took a 60yarder but it was stopped in the air by Shamsheer Ali. The game went to a seventh chukka, in which Miguel Sagaria ran with the ball and scored the golden goal for Jindal/Elevation. What a match! Teams Jindal/Elevation (16): Satinder Garcha 2; Miguel Sagaria 4; Shamsheer Ali 6; Simran Shergill 4 Equisport/Rissala (15): Abhimanu Pathak 3; Vishal Singh 4; Samir Suhag 5; Adhiraj Singh 3 (plus subs Dhruv and Manupal Godara)
Argentina
Holland
Up country, in the footsteps of Onassis and Uranga
Players parade while fleet-footed females battle for a bottle
THE GORGEOUS little town of Ascochinga has been, without question, my biggest polo find of the year, writes Hernan Alvarez. Polo was first introduced in the area in the 1960s by players from Buenos Aires, who travelled the 750km north west of the city to the Sierras de Cordoba district on their holidays. Players such as Martinez Youen and Marcos Uranga would bring their families, and it quickly also became a popular spot with celebrities such as Jackie Kennedy Onassis and former Argentine president Julio Argentina Roca. The polo was played at ranches that have now been consumed by the four polo clubs in the area, the biggest of which is Ascochinga Polo Club itself, housing the original La Carolina fields from the earliest days of polo in the village. President Roca’s former private ranch is now La Paz Polo Club, while Pompeya Polo Club offers a popular series of medium-goal tournaments in the mild temperatures of the Southern hemisphere’s spring and summer. This year Pompeya’s 12-goal tournament welcomed six teams, who all fought hard until Pompeya-Canal (Alejandro Hayes, Gonzalo Novillo Corvalan, Maximiliano Menecier and Ramiro Zamora) ran out the winners. Four local brothers (Francisco, Tomas, Benjamin and Rodrigo Peluffo), playing as Pompeya-Carreras, won the six-goal. The polo was fantastic, and the atmosphere when
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Fantastic atmosphere: winners at Ascochinga, Cordoba
playing or watching at Ascochinga is completed by the beautiful vistas of alpine-style houses and little “ceros” – mountains covered with attractive green woods. I would heartily recommend paying it a visit next time you are in Argentina.
FOUR TEAMS OF PLAYERS from the Netherlands descended on the Amsterdamse Bos polo field in Holland for the 10th annual 6-goal Amsterdam Polo Trophy on the last weekend in September. Organisers celebrated the anniversary with a polo-themed fashion show to accompany the games, in which players donned casual ensembles designed by the tournament’s main sponsor, Scapa Sports. On the field, the Scapa side didn’t fare so well, finishing in fourth place as tournament organiser Jim Souren’s Nederland FM team beat them to third. In the decider for first and second, Philip de Groot’s MR Domotica side produced a tactically excellent performance to frustrate Velthuyse & Mulder and take the spoils 11-9. The traditional Veuve Clicquot ladies’ race followed, in which the women at the sidelines race on foot across the ground, with the incentive of a bottle of the sponsor’s champagne for the first over the finish line. ◗ Do you have a special event or match you would like featured in these pages? Email jamesmullan@polotimes.co.uk
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Feature Christmas presents special
Santa, I wish you would bring me… It’s that time of year again, when you’re making December’s shopping lists and the familiar pre-Christmas panic sets in. Fear not, for Polo Times’s Leah Ludlow brings glad tidings of great gifts for one and all
Arena balls
Foot mallets
From Tally Ho Farm (www.tallyhofarm.co.uk; 01344 885373) Stock up for winter, whether for mounted or foot practice. The damage: £12.24 each
From Galaxico Polo (www.galaxicopolo.com) Foot mallets for retail at wholesale prices – all the way from Pakistan. The damage: from £11
Whips
Children’s mallets
By Sebastian Ucha from Polo Splice (www.polosplice.co.uk; 01730 814991) Top-class whips from Argentina with leather handle, double leather wrist loop and fibreglass core. All-leather styles with flapper end also available. The damage: £20
From Tally Ho Farm (as above) Give your little ones their first stick (pictured top and bottom) – 22in rather than 52in. Just watch they don’t smash up the Christmas decorations… The damage: £29.99
Paintings and prints (top left) By Amanda Deadman (www. amandadeadmanart.co.uk; 07887 742635) Kirtlington regular Amanda Deadman immortalises canines as well as equines. The damage: Commissions from £200; from £75 for prints (top right) Warhol-style print (www.stickhedz.com; 0845 519 2113) An eye-catching modern print on a box canvas, designed by Stickhedz. Comes in three sizes. The damage: £40, £75, £100 (bottom left) by Katie Tunn (www.katietunn.com; 07903 301103) Among fans of Katie Tunn, an associate member of the Society of Equestrian Artists, is RCBPC, one of whose trophies is a work by her. The damage: From £300 for a pencil drawing (bottom right) By Jacqueline Stanhope (www.jacquelinestanhope-polo-art.com; 0191 384 5343) A superb range of polo prints from one of the world’s most acclaimed equestrian artists. The damage: Prints from £50-£120
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Notecards (above) From SATS (www.satsfaction.com; 01285 841542) Say thank you for presents or parties with polo-themed notecards by Bryn Parry. The damage: £4.50 for eight
Greetings cards From Caroline Smail (07918 731702; www.carolinesmail.co.uk) Caroline Smail – niece of John P from Edgeworth – has designed a range of cards that make great stocking fillers (not pictured). The damage: £1.40 or four for £5
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Leather boots From The Spanish Boot Company (www.thespanishboot company.co.uk; 07787 838167) These riding boots are so stylish we’d wear them out on the town as often as in the saddle. Spanish Riding Boots (left) come in black or brown leather with tread or flat rubber sole. Various other designs are available, including one with attractive “wave” fastening and the leather-soled “Roceiro” (not pictured). Sizes 35 to 46. The damage: Spanish Riding Boots £185; Roceiro £189
Leather luggage From Pampeano (www.pampeano.co.uk; 0871 200 1272) Bags named Ernesto (pictured above right), Oscar and Matias are spot on for polo folk who might want to emulate Trotz, Mancini and MacDonough. Pampeano also makes a covetable leather wine-cooler (not pictured). The damage: bags from £269; £199 for wine-cooler
Team wheelie bag From Akuma Polo (www.akumapolo.com; 01676 533320) A 65-litre capacity bag on wheels, personalised for easy recognition on the baggage carousel. The damage: £79.99
Jewellery and stocking-fillers On the brim, from left: Wallet (www.lamartina.com; 01784 437962) Suede and leather men’s wallet with space for cash, cards, and coins, plus other useful slots. The damage: £35 Keyring (SATS: www.satsfaction.com; 01285 841542) Jacaranda and silver disc keyring with a polo player design and bit design link. Made in Argentina. The damage: £20 Charm (SATS, as above) An attractive charm featuring a polo player on a silver and jacaranda wood disc. The damage: £17.50 Cufflinks (SATS, as above) Made in Argentina, with a crossed stick design. The damage: £27.50 Tie pin (La Martina, as above) Two players cross sticks on this striking silver design. The damage: £35 Polo stick bracelet (SATS, as before) A simple, brass polo stick bracelet made in Argentina. The damage: £8 Silver bracelets (La Martina, as above) Two pretty, understated bracelets: one with flower design, one with fleur de lis symbol. The damage: £45 each
Suede hat (above) For your horse (from far left) Saddlecloths From SATS (www.satsfaction.com; 01285 841542) Thick, woollen saddlecloths in an Aztec design. We like them for home furnishing as well as for polo! The damage: £17.50
Rawhide headcollar and lead rope From SATS (as above) In tough, traditional, durable Argentine rawhide. The damage: headcollar £45; lead rope £23
From Estribos (www.estribos.co.uk; 020 8398 2573) Stylish and practical, this tan suede hat comes from Estribos’s extensive range from all over the world. The damage: £53
Men’s watch From La Martina (www.lamartina.com; 01784 437962) Sporty and versatile, this snazzy watch is available in yellow, mustard, tan, brown, black, green, royal blue, light blue and red. The damage: £355
Credit card multi-tool Webbing and leather overgirth From SATS (as above) Bright, functional and durable. The damage: £23
Webbing headcollar and leadrope From SATS (as above) Black and gold-braided webbing headcollar with padded head and nose, plus matching leadrope. The damage: £12
From Fur Feather and Fin (www.furfeatherandfin.com; 01730 812445) A handy and slim stainless-steel gadget that becomes a can opener, knife edge, screwdriver, ruler, cap opener, four-position wrench, butterfly screw wrench and saw. The damage: £9.99 Presentation boxes from La Martina
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Feature Christmas presents special Fleece-lined winter hoodies (left) From Stickhedz (www.stickhedz.com; 0845 519 2113) A soft, comfortable, close-fitting women’s hoodie with a distressed feel, available in green, pink, brown and navy, and sizes XS-M. Good sleeve length. Eye-catching men's hoodies also available in brown and navy, sizes S-XL. The damage: £50 each
Men’s jumper (right) From La Martina (www.lamartina.com; 01784 437962) A comfortable addition to both winter and summer wardrobes of the style-conscious. The damage: £125
Women’s gilet (far right) From La Martina (www.lamartina.com; 01784 437962) Combining style and practicality, a lightweight cream gilet with handy interior pocket and chill-busting high neck. The damage: £95
Striped socks
Shooting socks
By Joules from Tally Ho Farm (www.tallyhofarm.co.uk; 01344 885373) Fluffy, stripey and bright. One size, choice of seven colours. The damage: £6.99
From Fur Feather & Fin (www.furfeatherandfin.com; 01730 812445) Durable, knee-length wool socks, M-XL, in orange, green, red and purple. The damage: £19.99
Argyle socks From La Martina (www. lamartina.com; 01784 437962) Men’s cotton socks in classic style; choice of two colours. The damage: £17
Woolly insoles Fur Feather & Fin (as above) Fleecy lambswool insoles to give added warmth and comfort to footwear. The damage: £6
Winter protection for wheels
Gift lessons
Give your loved one’s treasured vehicle – whether an Astra, an Audi or an Aston Martin – a serious winter once-over
Ascot Park, where thousands of keen players made their first swings Tel: 01276 858545 £95 for two-hour “Discover Polo” group lesson, including theory, swinging on crates, polo riding and a mini-game.
From Detail (www.detailstudio.co.uk; 07775 770672) Wiltshire-based valet extraordinaire Anthony Gannon’s company, Detail, has a special offer for Polo Times readers on his Winter Protection package in December. The six-hour process involves intense washing, sealing, applying rain and frost repellent to glass and protecting wheels and arches from salt. “The protection lasts a good three months of hard driving,” says Anthony, “and even when your car is dirty it won’t look it.” Anthony can bring his van, a mobile workshop complete with power and water, direct to your car: visits within 40 miles of Marlborough (which encompasses Gloucestershire’s polo hub) are free. The damage: £120 – reduced from £150
Ash Farm, special offer in January and February for Polo Times readers Tel: 01932 872251 £75 for one hour, including an instructional chukka. Brett Polo, run by the England international Tel: 01344 885911 Lessons from £50 to £150, for all levels of player. Bases in Oxon and Berkshire. Cool Hooves, based at RCBPC Tel: 07747 062297 £95 for an hour with an instructor such as Seb Dawnay, Ed Judge or Tristan Pemble. Druids Lodge, the Wiltshire arena specialists Tel: 01722 782597 £100 for two hours of stickwork, polo riding and hitting from a horse.
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Gear for hands (below, left to right, starting at large black glove)
Heated gloves From Fur Feather & Fin (www.furfeatherandfin.com; 01730 812445) Battery-operated insulated ski-type gloves to heat chilly hands on the coldest days. You push the battery into place in the wrist-top pocket, and the heating function can then be turned on or off easily. The damage: £14.50
Wrist-warmers From Fur Feather & Fin (as above) Lambswool and leather elasticated wrist-warmers; brilliant for improving hand circulation and warmth. The damage: £22
Glove mitts From Fur Feather & Fin (as above) Clever combination of warmth and practicality, cosy lined mitts with suede grip and finger and thumb flip-backs. The damage: £9.99
Stübben body brushes All from Derby House (www.derbyhouse.co.uk; 0800 048 0114) Adding a touch of luxury to a grooming kit, these natural bristle brushes by the German tack giant polish the pony’s coat until it shines and are durable and well made. The damage: £15.50
Children’s body brush in pink From Derby House (as above) Bright colours and easy for small hands to hold, these are great for children who want to help out round the yard. The damage: £6.99
Blue massage mitt From Derby House (as above) A dual-purpose device for removing thick winter hair and mud effectively, whilst giving your deserving pony a massage at the same time. The damage: from £2.99
Ona polo gloves (far left)
Macwet gloves (2nd left)
From Uber Polo (www.uberpolo. com; 01428 643534) Breathable and durable, featuring reinforced patches where the stick is placed to ensure comfort and grip. Sizes S-XL. The damage: £25
From Uber Polo (www.uber polo.com; 01428 643534) Lightweight, close-fitting, suedelike fabric for good grip in the wet. Sizes 7-9.5, in black, white, black & white, navy and brown & white. The damage: £28
(left, clockwise from centre)
Snack ball From Tally Ho Farm (www.tallyhofarm. co.uk; 01344 885373) Keeps horses on winter box rest out of mischief by dispensing feed as the horse rolls it around the stable. The damage: £23.98
Wintry alpargatas From SATS (www.satsfaction.com; 01285 841542) Polo folk can never have too many pairs of traditional Argentine canvas and rubber shoes – and these ones are a bargain. In red, green, navy and black. The damage: £9.50
Likit From Derby House (www.derbyhouse. co.uk; 0800 048 0114) Add to a field or corral to supplement the horse’s forage with vitamins and minerals and a “happy hooves” formula. The damage: £12.99
Pony goggles By Foxpro from Akuma (www.akumapolo.com; 01676 533320) The innovation of 2009, equine eye protection to match human goggles. The damage: £179.99
Wood pellet bedding From Five Star Bedding (www.fivestar bedding.co.uk; 07973 848365) An extraordinary “magic” bedding made from pulverised softwood fibres in pellet form, which expands when you add water. Polo Times reader Aislinn Ryan, who has been using it for a month, says: “I have six polo ponies and I work full time. Now my horses stay clean, it doesn’t stick to them or their rugs and I take less than 10 minutes to muck out. There is no wastage, no smell, and the bags are tiny and easy to store.” The damage: £5.52 for 15kg
Giant wheelbarrow From Derby House (as above) HIgh-capacity, deep and durable. The damage: £231.50
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The knowledge Duty vet Mark Emerson MRCVS is a three-goal, fifth-generation polo player and an ambulatory equine vet
Hoof abscesses – the biggest pain of all in winter Hoof abscesses are the most common cause of severe lameness in polo ponies turned out in winter. In many cases horses can hardly bear weight on the affected limb and, at first glance, the degree of lameness may be indistinguishable from a fracture oof abscesses are infections trapped under the sole or hoof wall, made more uncomfortable because the horse has to bear weight continuously on the affected area. They are caused by bacteria invading the hoof, often via the white line (the boundary between the hoof wall and the sole), through fissures in the horn, or occasionally by way of a puncture wound, until they reach the deeper soft tissues of the foot. Once inside the hoof capsule, the bacteria multiply and an inflammatory reaction is triggered. The bacteria are recognised as foreign, causing white blood cells to migrate into the area. Enzymes released by the bacteria and the migrating white blood cells destroy the surrounding tissue, creating the grey/black pus generally associated with hoof abscesses. The infected area is quickly walled off with a thin layer of fibrous tissue to form an abscess. The pressure exerted on the surrounding sensitive tissues from the accumulation of pus is extremely painful – akin to getting a blood blister trapped under a fingernail but with the additional agony of having to bear a quarter of a horse’s bodyweight on it! Although hoof abscesses do occur during the summer playing season, often as a consequence of a misplaced shoeing nail that drives bacteria in or close to the tissues underlying the horn, most abscesses in polo ponies are seen in the winter months. Polo ponies are commonly turned out in muddy conditions and the excessive moisture (and drying out) weakens the white line and the integrity of the horn itself, allowing bacteria to track up into the foot. If hooves are not kept trimmed and balanced while turned
Photographs courtesy of Mark Emerson
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Above: hoof testers are used to aid diagnosis and find the location of an abscess by applying targeted pressure to different areas of the foot
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out, excessive hoof length and other distortions increase the bending force exerted on the toe, leading to a widening and weakening of the white line.
Identifying a hoof abscess In the early stages of an infection within the hoof, the degree of lameness may be relatively mild and only noticeable at a trot. However, hoof abscesses commonly progress rapidly and, more often than not, will lead to very severe lameness – it is not unusual to encounter an extremely lame horse that had been totally sound the previous day. Diagnosing a foot abscess is relatively straightforward. The hoof is usually noticeably warm and a strong, bounding pulse can be felt in the blood vessels travelling to the foot on the outside side of the sesamoid bones at the back of the fetlock (known as a digital pulse). If the hoof infection has been festering for a few days, there may even
be swelling of the limb immediately above the hoof, around the pastern and fetlock. Picking the foot up and applying pressure to the sole and hoof wall with a pair of hoof testers will elicit a pain response, particularly in the proximity of the abscess. Care must be taken to ensure there are no deep puncture wounds in the sole of the foot, or indeed anywhere else further up the limb, particularly near a joint or tendon sheath. Conditions such as laminitis or non-displaced bone fractures can be confused with hoof abscesses and, if there is any doubt in the diagnosis, a vet should be called, as other causes of severe lameness can have far more serious consequences.
Treating hoof abscesses In most cases, it is sensible to seek veterinary attention when a hoof abscess is suspected. As well as ruling out a more sinister problem, the vet can use a hoof
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Clockwise from far left: A hoof knife is used to pare the sole. A small loop knife is used to search and dig out an abscess. A poultice is applied and secured with adhesive tape to encourage an abscess to burst and drain Specially designed boots can also be used to hold poultices in place
knife to pare the sole and dig a drainage channel for the abscess. Farriers are often more skilled with a hoof knife but are rarely able to help if the lameness relates to a problem beyond the hoof. Paring the sole and white line with a hoof knife may show a black spot in the sole, representing the track the bacteria
could be the entry point of the bacteria but, quite often, abscesses travel up the inside of the hoof wall and burst out of the coronary band or along the sole and out at the heel. Creating a small hole in the sole or white line will enable gravity to help the abscess drain
It is not unusual to find an extremely lame horse that had been sound the previous day made into the hoof. This track can be followed to the abscess with careful use of the hoof knife or with a small loop knife designed for searching out abscesses. Even if the abscess is not reached with a knife, a potential exit route can be made that will hopefully facilitate subsequent drainage. Left to their own devices, abscesses will expand and run along the route of least resistance until they eventually burst out and drain. The route of least resistance
and hopefully lead to a speedier resolution. If an abscess cannot be drained with a knife in the first instance, then using wet poultices such as Animalintex™ (secured with strong adhesive tape or a special boot) will help soften the horn and encourage the offending infection to burst. Indeed, even if a drainage channel is established, poultices are effective at drawing out the remaining infection. Salt or magnesium sulphate (Epsom salts) can be applied to
the poultice to assist drawing and to reduce swelling within the hoof capsule. An old-fashioned wet bran poultice will have a similar affect. Some vets advocate using an iodine solution during the latter stages, helping kill any remaining bacteria and allowing the horn to harden. Once the abscess has finished draining, hoof putty or cotton wool soaked in iodine solution can be used to plug the hole that was dug. If an abscess occurs in a shod horse, the shoe will generally need removing to treat it. Replacing the shoe too soon after the abscess has finished draining is not advisable as inflammation of deeper tissues within the hoof may take longer to resolve and hammering a shoe on is likely to aggravate them. A horse’s tetanus status should always be checked when a horse is found to have a hoof abscess, and a dose of tetanus anti-toxin and a tetanus booster should be given if in doubt. Antibiotics should never be administered to horses with hoof abscesses unless under specific instruction from your vet. Abscesses by definition are walled off infections and consequently are poorly penetrated by antibiotics, and the acidic environment within an abscess will usually render most antibiotics relatively ineffective – they may sometimes temporarily subdue the infection, only for the problem to return again with a vengeance. F ◗ Mark Emerson works as an ambulatory
equine vet based near Ascot in Berkshire and has many polo clients across the south of England. Tel: 07973 800358 www.polotimes.co.uk November/December 2009 51
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Your game The knowledge Vital riding and playing tips from Jamie Peel, three-goal pro and 2008 Gold Cup winner
All you need to know about riding into the unknown hether you are just starting out on your polo adventure or you have been playing for years, riding unfamiliar horses is something you must always be prepared for. This is particularly true, for players at all levels, at this time of year, when polo people are looking for new ponies to add to their strings or are travelling away on polo excursions in far-flung lands.
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If you’re trying to buy If you are testing out horses to buy, it’s vitally important that you have a clear picture of what you want before you look at anything. First, ask The key to being happy on unfamiliar ponies while on holiday is making your own safety a priority and being polite yourself how much you want to spend. Are you after a mare or a gelding? And what age, size, toys out of the pram” (which never goes down appearance and even colour are you particularly Climbing aboard abroad well), but be polite and good-humoured, as this on the lookout for? Many of you will be heading for Argentina or will make the owners and grooms much more When on board, you will elsewhere on polo holidays this winter, likely to change it for you. quickly know if you are full of expectation and excitement Riding youngsters is a major part of a interested. If you know at leaving the King’s Road NEW COLUMN! professional’s development and many of us have the horse is not for you, behind in favour of La Pampa, This month Polo Times welcomes travelled to Australia, New Zealand and Argentina stop and politely get ready to embrace the dream Jamie Peel, who will bring you insider to learn the skill. Everyone will have different off. You do not need of playing polo every day. tips on improving all aspects of your ideas and techniques, so communication is key. to try everything that Inevitably when you are game – from riding and hitting, to fitness Be sure to absorb other people’s knowledge and the seller shows you, riding so many different and team-work. If you want to ask Jamie never be afraid to ask questions. Remember, you as many will be horses, they will not all be a question to answer in a future issue, will always be judged by how you cope with the unsuitable – and fantastic! There are few tips please send it to jamesmullan@ difficult ones! remember that being to remember when playing a polotimes.co.uk, with The wise Andrew Seavill once told me fussy is a good thing. new pony. the subject line “Ask Jamie” that, when riding other people's horses, you Beware of buying a First, your safety must be the should always ride them to the best of your pony that is too much for you. If priority so always ask the groom to ability and improve them when you can. a pony is too fast or too powerful, it warm up each horse before you mount it, will only hinder your progress if you are not up to then carefully check the tack, especially the girth, Keep this in mind whether you are working, renting, trying or buying – one day that riding it. Not to mention the obvious other before getting on board. If you genuinely do not pony could be famous! F problem, which is that it could be dangerous. get on with a pony, try to avoid “throwing your
Jamie asks… Jamie asks two-goal Will BlakeThomas (right) what he has learned from unfamiliar horses “My winter trips so far have taken me to Yalambi, in Melbourne, where I played for John P Smail and to Port Hills Polo Club in New Zealand, where last year I worked for Dean Geddes,” says Will. “In both places I worked with all types of
horses, from first-season, green horses, to older more experienced ponies. I worked them during the week and then played them in tournaments at the weekends. “I quickly learned that each horse is different and the more horses I rode, the more my riding skills improved and the more I learnt to deal with new ways of improving each horse’s weaknesses and expanding on their strengths. “These experiences abroad were undoubtedly a huge benefit for my game;
working and riding with different people has been key to expanding my knowledge of horses. “And, with each new horse you play, you know that little bit more about how to adapt your game to the particular pony you are on. This is an invaluable asset for an up-andcoming polo player.”
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The knowledge Pony power
Phoebe John Horswell’s mare Phoebe has professionals queuing up to play her in the arena this winter. Caroline Stern talks to Chris Hyde (arena hcp 9), Ryan Pemble (6) and Peter Webb (6) about why this palomino powerhouse is so desirable
Vital statistics
Photograph by Tom House
Name: Phoebe Height: 15.1hh Colour: Palomino Age: 9 years old Sex: Mare Origin: New Zealand
When did you first encounter Phoebe? CH: Three years ago. Our Ocho Rios team has a large string of ponies but at the time I had a few lame and so I looked to John for the best alternatives. RP: I also discovered her about three years ago, after she impressed me when I spotted someone else playing her. PW: I first played Phoebe two winters ago, at the end of 2007. I found her very easy right from the word go – she rides very smoothly and the way she turns is magnificent. What matches and tournaments have you successfully played her in? CH: I played Phoebe in three chukkas (for half a chukka each time) during our victory with Asprey in the 2008 Arena Gold Cup final. RP: She has been a brilliant pony for me in various 12 and 15-goal matches at the RCBPC and I played her in our victory at last season’s National Arena Club Championships final against Tally Ho Farm. PW: I also played her in last winter’s National Arena Clubs Champs (in January), as Ryan and I both got drafted in on the Ocho Rios side when Chris broke his finger. What makes Phoebe particularly suited to arena polo? CH: She is totally dependable. She’s one of the easy faithful horses you want available to help ensure you win a match. I normally prefer more
powerful and athletic horses, with bigger girths and at least 15.2 hands high. However, she offers such good control, especially when you want to slow, stop and turn suddenly. But she has a squirt of speed when it’s needed, too. RP: She’s a clever pony, so she allows you to try ambitious plays. The more you ask and the harder you push her, the better she is. She is not the biggest horse but has a huge heart and all the best arena horses are smaller, anyway. She takes you into plays on her own and doesn’t need to be forced. You need horses that are immediately responsive and brave in the arena. In this respect she is outstanding. If she has a fault, it’s that she is almost too quick on the turn. PW: This mare can turn corners at full gallop, that’s what makes her different. Being small, she doesn’t have too much top speed but she is clever and uses very little energy to stop and turn, so she doesn’t tire herself out easily. Are you involved in schooling Phoebe? RP: She doesn’t need schooling, just fitness. When fit, she is a phenomenal mare – among the top three arena horses in the UK I would even go so far as to say (all of which belong to John, by the way!). She is very distinctive. Do the opposition tend to look out for her? PW: They know she will get around their players and, so long as whoever’s on her back knows how to turn her properly, she’ll beat anyone. F
Experts in polo nutrition Tel: +44 (0)1371 850247 www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk 54 November/December 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk
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Feeding The knowledge Lorna Jowett, specialist equine nutritionist, gives expert advice on all things edible
Feeding ex-racehorses for a new career in polo y en español... Tengo pensado ir a los remates de caballos de carrera para comprar uno y reentrenar para polo. Cómo debería alimentarlo antes de empezarlo a trabajar?
Racing from Chester. Correct feeding is vital when a racehorse comes out of training to be prepared for a new career
I am going to the sales to find a horse from the racetrack. How should I let it down before bringing it into work and retraining it for polo? Ex-racers will have been on a low-fibre diet, high in starch and cereal, and will have been used to a pampered life, rugged and with limited or no turnout. So, once home, I would suggest keeping the horse stabled and slowly increasing the time turned out at pasture every day or so. This will steadily increase fibre intake and allow the gut bacteria to adjust, thus reducing the risks of digestive upsets. Maintaining feed will be of great importance to keep calories and essential nutrients in the diet, especially as el caballo de carrera = Thoroughbreds are el remate = particularly predisposed la perdida de peso = to weight loss. engordar = Using a conditioning incrementar = cube rather than a mix is la ingesta = preferable as it helps keep quantity = starch levels down, which in turn helps minimise highlystrung behaviour and has the added advantage of being healthy for horses with a history of gastric ulcers.
Feed as much fibre/forage as possible to promote gut health and provide slowrelease energy for those initial months of their new work programme.
En los primeros meses de tu programa de reentrenamiento dale cuanta fibra/forraje sea possible para promover intestinos saludables y energía de liberación lenta.
As so many racehorses have a history of gastric ulcers, often from having received low-fibre diets, I would strongly recommend using a pre or pro-biotic supplement to assist with repopulating beneficial bacteria in the hind gut. This new diet will more efficiently help horses put on/maintain condition, without large volumes of hard feed being fed. racehorse Remember that sale most racehorses have had a balanced diet weight loss for the majority of to put on weight their lives. So, to stop increase feeding suddenly and intake turn them away for a few cantidad months will result in weaker feet, affect muscle condition, and could even compromise the general overall health and immunity of your new mount. F
Lingo Lesson
Photograph by Trevor Jones, supplied by Retraining of Racehorses
Tip of the month
El caballo de carrera que compres habrá recibido una dieta a base de almidón/cereales de bajo contenido de fibra con limitado o nulo acceso a pasto verde y exparcimiento, habrá sido malcriado con mantas y todos los recursos disponibles. Una vez que esté bajo tu cuidado, te recomendaría que lo cuides adentro y que de a poco le permitas salir y tener acceso a pastura. Esto incrementará paulatinamente la ingesta de fibra permitiendo que las bacterias del intestino se adapten al cambio en la dieta, reduciendo el riesgo de problemas digestivos. Mantener una dieta a base de ración será de gran importancia para asegurar las calorías y los nutrientes esenciales que necesitan especialmente los caballos puros de carrera que son propensos a la pérdida de peso. Sería preferible que le dieras una ración a base de cubos de condicionamiento en lugar de mix, para mantener bajos los niveles de almidón, ayudando a minimizar los casos de mal comportamiento asociados con la comida, y si en su caso úlceras gástricas hubieran sido un problema en el pasado, los niveles de almidón deberían restringirse al máximo. Ya que muchos caballos de carrera presentan problemas de úlceras gástricas, por lo general debido a dietas con bajo contenido de fibra, te recomendaría el uso de pre o probióticos para asistir en la reinserción de bacterias benéficas para los intestinos. Esto le permitirá absorver los nutrientes con mayor eficiencia y lo ayudará a engordar o mantener buen peso sin tener que darle grandes cantidades de alimento balanceado. Acordate que la mayoría de los caballos de carrera habrán tenido una dieta balanceada la mayor parte de sus vidas por lo que cambiarla repentinamente mandandolos al campo en el invierno por unos meses hará que su sistema inmunológico se debilite, afectando a los vasos, la masa muscular y haciendo que su condición general se deteriore. F www.polotimes.co.uk November/December 2009 57
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The knowledge Travel
Home from home for high-goal hombres Hernan Alvarez visits Luke and Mark Tomlinson at their Argentine base, La Quinta, and finds the brothers embracing life in the southern hemisphere
¿Q
uerés tomar un café o maté?” asks Luke Tomlinson politely as I make my entrance at the family’s Argentine estancia, La Quinta. Both he and his brother Mark are bilingual, speaking excellent Spanish as their second language – the result of many winters spent holidaying, training and playing in Argentina. They communicate with ease with everyone, from the grooms and their patrons to a delivery boy and local Argentines. Would I like to drink coffee or maté? Maté please. Luke and Mark Tomlinson were born and raised in England but first came to the South American polo capital as children, following their mother Claire to her farm in Pergamino, Buenos Aires province, and, subsequently, to her newer ranch in the 25 de Mayo area. Their familiarity with the pampas, polo’s heartland near Buenos Aires, undoubtedly inspired them to pursue a career in the game and, in 2005, the brothers joined with Australia’s Jack “Ruki” Baillieu and Chile’s Jaime Garcia Huidobro
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to form Centauros-Beaufort, the Argentine Open’s first ever entirely non-Argentine side. However, their results weren’t great and they suffered at the hands of some vastly experienced, well mounted and well prepared sides in the world’s two most competitive tournaments, at Hurlingham and Palermo. Nevertheless, playing the best polo in the world captured their imagination and the brothers decided it was time to take the next step to ensure they could up their game for the next
Mark offers to speak in Spanish, enthusiastically brewing up more maté time, by buying their own place at which to base their Argentine operations. “In 2005 we were playing the Open, but we didn’t even really have anywhere to practise,” recalls Luke. “Playing with Centauros, we were able to play limited practices with members at the club, but in truth it was like practising with division three team-mates for a match in the Champions League.”
So began the latest chapter of the brothers’ Argentine lives, at La Quinta. They bought half of the estancia late in 2006, with the rest still owned by the Renoso family. “We bought out Alberto Renoso’s ex-partner, who was keen to sell,” explains Luke. “It had been on the market for a while so we were able to negotiate what we felt was a pretty good price.” The club is around 100 acres, with four fullsize polo fields, situated in the heart of Pilar, 38 miles north-west of Buenos Aires. The sign that welcomes you reads “La Quinta Beaufort Polo Club”, relating to the association the brothers bring from their family’s Gloucestershire polo club back in the UK. “The clubs are sort of twinned,” says Luke, though Mark isn’t sure they are that similar. “There’s still no accommodation for patrons at La Quinta yet,” explains Mark. “But we do have a big indoor arena, an exercise track and also a small clubhouse.” Members at the club include Diego Cavanagh, Matias Magrini, Facundo Sola, Gonzalo, Federico and Gaston Von Wernich and, as of this year, Milo Fernandez Araujo. Many members, including Milo, X
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Photographs by George Gemmell and Hernan Alvarez
Luke and Mark (pictured top with Federico von Wernich, and right, with Luke on the right) spend as much as seven months of the year in Argentina. Above: La Quinta regulars Michel del Carril (left) and Gonzalo von Wernich (both hcp seven). Below: the main barn
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The knowledge Travel Travel news in brief ◗ LAST MONTH MARKED the fulfilment of a long-held dream for Australian seven-goal professional Jack “Ruki” Baillieu (pictured below). The former Open qualifier missed out on a place in this year’s Argentine Triple Crown in the qualifiers in October but launched the inaugural tournaments at his own estancia, La Indiana Polo Club, in November. Ruki bought the site on Pilar’s “golden mile” in April 2007. He has named it La Indiana in memory of his favourite mare, who died this year. Over two years he has developed the property and sold 18 of the original 62 hectares to Enigma patron Jerome Wirth. Ruki’s opening 14-goal tournaments at the club are named after his grandfathers, RM Barr Smith and JM Baillieu. Ruki, who first visited Argentina 14 years ago as a 19-year-old, has installed Cowdray Park’s polo manager Chris Bethell as tournament director. The RM Barr Smith Cup was played from 10-21 November and the JM Baillieu Cup was underway at the time of going to press, having begun on 24 November, with the finals scheduled for the morning of the Argentine Open final (5 December). Between them, the tournaments (both 14 goals) have welcomed players from Europe, Australasia, Brazil and the USA. The site, a stone’s throw from Ellerstina and Centauros, is being developed in partnership with the architects and developers behind Caspian Polo, who have set about creating a hotel and housing complex at La Indiana. When fully completed, the plans show that there will be five full-size polo grounds, 20 housing plots and five-star hotel facilities including a health club, spa and concierge service as well as the polo club base itself. Plots are expected to be available for sale in early 2010. For further details visit www.laindianapolo.com and www.pololuxuryvillas.com. ◗ SYLVESTER STALLONE’s former polo coach Nick Jones now owns and operates a family-run polo getaway on New Zealand’s North Island. The former six-goal pro, who was for many years the polo manager at Calgary and Santa Barbara polo clubs, is the driving force behind Hololio, a farm half-an-hour from the airport in Auckland offering polo holidays for players of all abilities from November to April. Polo “fixer” Karen Kranenburg, who visited last month, describes Hololio as “a little piece of paradise in the Clevedon Hills.” “It’s polo exactly as it should be,” Karen says. “There are practical polo clinics for all, including children, and Nick and his wife Josephine have a strong string of horses. If you can ride them, you can play them, and it’s a brilliant place to improve your game.” Visit the farm’s website at www.hololio.co.nz
What’s on offer at La Quinta? ◗ Facilities at La Quinta include four grounds, a stick-and-ball area, stables, an indoor riding school and
an exercise track. The club has several teams based out of its facilities, and so hosts the early rounds of the AAP tournaments these sides are entered in, as is required. As yet, there is no club-run tournament at La Quinta in the ilk of those hosted by Ellerstina, La Aguada and La Dolfina. ◗ There are currently some 30 playing members at La Quinta, 90 per cent of whom are five goals or better. Practices are held for these members four days a week. Approximately 10 members stable their horses at the club full-time, including fellow Brit Nina Clarkin, with a total of more than 150 ponies in situ. ◗ “We don’t yet have anywhere for visitors to stay,” says Mark, “but it’s very much in the pipeline because, in terms of polo, we are now able to accommodate almost anyone’s needs. We can cater for all levels, from beginner to high-goal, for a day or for a month, with or without horses, and we endeavour to provide a real Argentine polo experience. We are centrally located near lots of other English and European players, but La Quinta doesn’t aim to recreate a little England – you come out to Argentina to play with the Argentines. It’s the only way to progress your game.” ◗ Prices start from about $100 (£60) for a lesson with Luke, and a six-chukka practice with horses would cost somewhere in the region of $700 (£420). ◗ La Quinta was used as the England team’s base ahead of the FIP World Championships in Mexico in 2008 and this year’s Four Nations Cup in Buenos Aires in April, the latter of which looks set to be a regular fixture immediately before the start of the UK season. ◗ “We have a good relationship with the HPA,” says Mark, “and I hope that we can make La Quinta a
The Clevedon Hills overlook Hololio’s main ground
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useful base for any England team that has a tournament or Test Match in Argentina. It’s important for us to support the HPA and, in particular, English players and teams who will benefit so much from playing over here.”
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Above: ponies belonging to Gerard Mazzini await the start of afternoon chukkas at La Quinta, where practices are held for members four days a week. Ninety per cent of the club’s 30 playing members are five goals or higher Left: James Buchanan (left) and La Quinta manager Cesar Vela Far left: Mark Tomlinson rides out for a practice
X have all their grooms and horses based at La
Quinta too. My discussion with the Tomlinsons continues predominantly in English, but Mark offers to speak in Spanish and enthusiastically brews up more maté and serves it round. I ask Mark if he ever thinks in Spanish. “Yeah, but I’m not as much of an Argie as Luke,” he says. “Luke even dreams in Spanish!” Luke also has an Argentine girlfriend, so I ask him if he likes the way of life here and whether he always planned to have a place in Argentina. “When I first came to Argentina in 1998, it was very expensive to play polo here,” he says. “But, now I’m more established, it’s easier. To play the top tournaments, like the Open, you need to sacrifice time back home in the UK to make sure you are here early to help prepare the horses. There is lots of organisation involved.” These days, the brothers spend as much as seven months of the year in Argentina, using La Quinta as their base from October to April. They also return regularly to their mother’s 740-acre farm in 25 de Mayo, as its size makes it an ideal place to base the horses during the off-season.
“We’ve been breeding horses out here for four years now,” says Luke. “We started out with a couple of young ones that Mum sent over, and bred them with some that Mark and I had brought on. There were about 10 from that first batch that we still have over here, now four years
‘Our last qualifier was one of the least enjoyable games of my life,’ says Luke. What he doesn’t mention is that he fired home the winner old and breaking into our strings.” It’s encouraging news for Luke, who is already eight goals in Argentina and this year once again qualified for the Open with Alegria, playing alongside Canada’s Fred Mannix Jr, Argentina’s Francisco Bensadon and nine-goaler Juan Ignacio “Pite” Merlos. “We were playing really well throughout the qualifiers for Hurlingham and Palermo,” says Luke. “But our last game, the all-or-nothing clash with La Baronesa was our worst of the season, maybe
one of the least enjoyable of my life. We didn’t play well, and only won it and secured our place in the final two tournaments of the Triple Crown with a golden goal in an extra chukka.” What Luke doesn’t mention is that it was him that fired home the winner. Since then, the team has put in a good showing in the Hurlingham Open, only losing on handicap to La Aguada, thumping higher-rated regular Triple Crown side Pilará, and losing by just a single score to 34-goal side Chapa Uno. Mark, meanwhile, was gearing up for the 24goal Cámara de Diputados Cup when I paid them my visit. He’s playing with Matias MacDonough and James Beim for Yacare and will be hoping still to be involved and fighting for the trophy in the final. Malcolm Borwick was also supposed to be a part of the team, but has been forced to withdraw with a broken collarbone, to be replaced by Ruki Baillieu. “Argentina has become our second home,” the brothers concede. “We’re not just here in the summer any more – La Quinta is a full-time commitment and we hope it will prove to be the catalyst to take our polo to the next level.” F
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The knowledge Travel Travel news in brief ◗ THE DOMINICAN REBUBLIC in the Caribbean is
to host the inaugural Cap Cana Beach Polo World Cup this month, with six three-a-side teams from 10-13 goals expected on the island’s Juanillo Beach on its west coast from 10-13 December. The organisers, Lifestyle Companies, are the same group that launched the successful Miami Beach Polo World Cup in the US (see the June issue of Polo Times), which has now run for five years. They hope to bring the same success to the sand in the Caribbean. “Cap Cana’s breathtaking scenery and exclusivity make it a spectacular and unique location for a world-class polo event,” said Tito Gaudenzi, president of Lifestyle Companies. The tournament will bring in 80 polo ponies and professional players such as the US’s Nicolás Roldan. Sponsors are to include Porsche, Smirnoff and La Martina. For more details visit www.capcanapolo.com. ◗ YOUNG PLAYERS IN ARGENTINA are gearing
up for two of the most important tournaments in their annual calendar, La Candelaria and the Copa Potrillos. As Polo Times hits subscribers’ doormats, the La Candelaria final should just have taken place – weather permitting, on Friday 27 November – and the Copa Potrillos is scheduled for Tuesday 8 December, three days after the final of the Argentine Open. The Potrillos remains Argentina’s most popular under-14s tournament, last year welcoming a record 53 teams. La Candelaria is hot on its heels, with a reported 50 teams entered for the 2009 showdown at the time of going to press. Both tournaments host three age categories – all under the age of 14 – with La Candelaria putting a Gold and Silver Cup up for grabs in each category. La Candelaria’s prizes are played for at the Argentine Polo Association grounds at Pilar, with teams competing in two or three-chukka matches. The Copa Potrillos, meanwhile, will be held at the Heguys’ Los Indios club near Pilar. It is organised by Eduardo Heguy, and has been the starting block for many of the game’s most familiar names. Children of many current high-goal players take part, dreaming of a future as a pro player themselves. Last year’s Copa Potrillos welcomed 212 players, including 14-year-old Wellington College pupil Garvy Beh Yeh Soon, whose team took the main title.
Action from the Potrillos youth tournament at Los Indios in 2008, when 53 teams took part
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My travels with David Woodd
Educated at Eton and Sandhurst, David followed his father into the 14th/20th King’s Hussars, where he took up polo. He played for 24 years, reaching a four-goal handicap. A life member at Guards, he has played all over the world. After resigning his commission in 1999, he took the helm at the HPA as chief executive. He now plays at home, and aside from his official engagements, is also a regular on the sidelines at Pony Club and SUPA tournaments supporting his daughters, Tabitha and Matilda.
some years ago, when I was told that a horse I had played in two chukkas had never actually played polo before in its life. I had thought it didn’t look like a polo pony and was then also informed that it had hunted for four hours that same morning. Needless to say, we lost! But everyone was in fits of laughter.
Is your trip business or pleasure? My trip is entirely for pleasure. However, as is often the case, polo and the HPA are bound to come up in conversation, as they do again and again and again!
in the world? Probably our local pub, The Eagle, in Little Coxwell, Oxforshire. It has good food and is 30 yards from our front door, though these days I usually go because I’ve been dragged by my daughters (presumably to pay the bill). Otherwise, I love any restaurant where the bill doesn’t come my way!
What is your worst polo memory? My worst experience has to be leaving my plane ticket, passport and money in the back of a taxi in Buenos Aires. I got the passport back but didn’t have a ticket home, or money. It was December and I found out that 40 ponies were flying to Miami for the US high-goal season and needed somebody to go with them. Where are you going Woodd enjoyed time in the Alps both as I ended up having sole charge of these ponies for a child and during his army career this winter? the journey, and from there I I am off to spend Christmas managed to get a standby flight back home. at El Remanso, near Lobos in Argentina, for the fifth year in a row. Where is your favourite restaurant
Where have you been in winters past? I have spent many winters in the Alps, especially during my time in the army. I very much enjoy skiing. Which has been your most memorable polo trip? My most memorable trip has to be my first visit to Kenya back in the 1970s. The first pony I was given galloped straight into the nearby woods twice and, on the second occasion, hit a tree head-on and dropped down dead. The pony had been a 21st birthday present to Barclay Cole, which he had become stuck with and was rather glad to get rid of. It was a terrible animal and no one could stop it, but he couldn’t sell it because it had been a gift. Therefore he wasn’t that upset with the unfortunate outcome! What is your funniest memory? I think it has to be after a game in the US
Where, in your opinion, should every polo player visit and why? You have to get to Palermo at least once, but Argentina in general has much to offer. Polowise, there are also some other great grounds in and around Buenos Aires that are definitely worth visiting. What is your earliest holiday memory? I think it has to be going skiing as a family, back in the days when you were only allowed to take £50 sterling overseas. Chance would be a fine thing today! What would you never leave home without? The HPA Blue Book, obviously! ◗ Interview by Antje Derks
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The knowledge Property
Play, hunt and be merry Winter brings with it the exciting prospect of hunting for keen riders across all disciplines, including polo. Leah Ludlow tracks down properties in good hunting as well as polo country, where a Boxing Day meet won’t be far away he hunting season is well underway, so it’s an opportune moment to profile properties that polo-playing families who also enjoy hunting might want to consider. These are all situated at the heart of well regarded hunt countries, as well as within good proximity to a variety of polo clubs. Built in 1742, Speeds Farm in Somerset is a grade II listed property, comprising a four-bedroom house and an extension that incorporates what was the old village bakery and some cow stalls. Located in the village of Lamyatt, near Shepton Mallet, the property is 21 miles from Vaux Park Polo Club and equidistant (33 miles) from both Druids Lodge and Taunton Vale. As well its excellent position for local polo, the house sits right in the heart of the area covered by the South and West Wilts foxhounds, which covers Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset, thought by some to be the oldest pack in the UK. The 5th Lord Arundell of Wardour Castle kept hounds at his Wiltshire seat to hunt foxes between 1690 and 1700. The grounds feature an orchard as well as a stable yard with three loose boxes and additional outbuildings that could be converted for other uses. The house lies in four acres. Priced at £875,000, it presents an affordable chance to relocate to an attractive family home with wonderful potential. The house is available through Chesterton Humberts (01935 812323; www.chestertonhumberts.com. Also in the West Country, Hurstone Farm, close to the Staghound and Foxhound packs of Exmoor
T
Speeds Farm in Somerset (£875,000) is near Vaux Park and at the heart of South and West Wilts country
and north Devon, is on the market at £1.55m through Knight Frank (01392 423111; www.knight frank.co.uk). Though the six-bedroom property lacks stables, it has outbuildings that could be converted and sits on 53 acres. The house, which dates from the 14th century, is on a gentle hill in a gorgeous private position, and is painted cheerful pale pink, with a slate roof. Taunton Vale Polo Club, which has been thriving of late, is 15 miles to the east. Ashworth House, in the popular Gloucestershire village of Tetbury, will also be of interest to hunting polo families, lying just five miles from the Beaufort Polo Club and at the heart of the Duke of Beaufort’s Hunt country. Offered at £1.85m through Savills (01285 627550; www.savills.co.uk), it has four bedrooms and five reception rooms, and is in honey-hued Cotswold stone with a modern interior. Its four-
oven Aga is ideal for drying sodden clothes after a day on the hunting field. Cirencester Park, Edgeworth and Longdole polo clubs are also an easy drive away, with the latter offering winter polo in its arena. In terms of other equestrian pursuits, the property is also well situated for the Badminton and Gatcombe horse trials and the National Hunt racecourse at Cheltenham. The Duke of Beaufort’s hounds head out in the main season on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Followers wear the distinctive blue and buff Beaufort Livery. Ashworth House has extensive equestrian facilities, comprising 11.5 acres divided into post and rail paddocks and a 14-box American barn with Monarch stabling. The yard also has a wash box, rug drying room, hay storage, feed and tack rooms and a 20 x 40m all-weather school. There is a separate two-bedroom cottage with parking for two cars, which could be used as staff lodgings. F
Ashworth House (£1.85m) at Tetbury lies within the country of one of England’s most famous hunts
Three properties in good hunting and polo country
£700,000 – Stone Barn Farm is a three-bedroom barn conversion with 18 acres and three stables, near Rutland Polo Club and the Cottesmore and Quorn hunts. Through Murray (01572 755513; www.murrayestateagents.co.uk).
£850,000 – Six-bedroom Sommerby House Farm has five stables and double-storey barn, close to Rutland Polo Club and the Belvoir and other Shires hunts. Through Moores (01572 757979; www.mooresestateagents.co.uk).
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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£1.35m – Ridings Farm in Gloucestershire has a fivebedroom house on 33 acres, with six stables. It is close to Cirencester Park Polo Club and the Cotswold Vale Farmers’ hunt. Through Savills (01285 627550; www.savills.co.uk).
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Real Estate Investment Group Argentina - REIGA is a boutique real estate brokerage firm that offers a full range of polo real estate and related services tailored to meet each of our individual clients' objectives Tel: (+54 911) 53 20 53 13
lucrecia@reiga.com.ar
www.reiga.com.ar
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The knowledge Dates for the diary
What’s on in December/January Principal fixtures at home and abroad UK Highlights High-goal RCBPC – Invitational High-Goal challenge (12-15 goal): 12 -13 December RCBPC – High Goal Championship (12-15): 26-27 December RCBPC – Invitational High Goal Challenge (12-15): 17 January
Palermo, Buenos Aires – Camara de Diputados Cup (24-31): 16 November - 6 December La Aguada – La Aguada Spring Cup: 1-4 December Pinamar – Masters Polo Series (Open): 15 December – 31 January
Medium-goal RCBPC – Final HPA National Club Championships (8-12): 24 January
Barbados Holders, Barbados – Final of the Trevor Davis (4): 12 December Waterhall, Barbados – Final of the E.Williams tournament (6): 27 December - 3 January
Low-goal Vale of York – ABI Beach Challenge (Open): 24 January Ascot Park – National Women’s tournament (Open): 31 January Fifield – Ladies February Frolic (0-3): 30-31 January Epsom – Under 21 v The Rest (Open): 31 January
Overseas
India Jaipur Polo Ground – Amity Polo Cup (8): 6 December Jaipur Polo Ground – Samaira Polo Cup (6-8): 13 December Jodhpur Polo Club – Rajputana and Central India Cup (12-14): 21 December Jodhpur Polo Club – Maharaja of Jodhpur Cup (12-14): 28 December
Argentina Palermo, Buenos Aires - Argentine Open (28-40): 15 November - 5 December
New Zealand Auckland – South Island International (12-14): 23-24 January
Switzerland Polo at Klosters – 20-24 January St Moritz Polo Club – Cartier Polo World Cup on Snow (21-22): 28-31 January USA Palm Beach Polo Club – Iglehart Cup (20): 3-10 January Palm Beach Polo Club – Joe Barry Memorial Trophy (20): 10-24 January
Other dates Tattersalls, Newmarket – Breeding stock sale (broodmares, fillies/horses in training): 30 November – 3 December Brightwells, Ascot – December sale: 3 December Doncaster Bloodstock Sales, Kempton – National Hunt Breeze-up sale: 4 December Doncaster Bloodstock Sales – December sales (flat breeding stock, flat and NH horses in training): 7-8 December Goffs, Ireland – December National Hunt Sale: 9 December Doncaster Bloodstock Sales – January sales (flat and NH horses in training, NH breeding stock): 26-28 January
For comprehensive tournament listings and results, visit www.polotimes.co.uk
Fixtures
(December - January)
15 Goal
2 Goal
RCBPC Invitational High Goal
13-14 December
Druids Lodge The Pig Trophy
RCBPC High Goal Championship
27-28 December
Ascot Rangitiki Arena Trophy
RCBPC Invitational High Goal
17-18 January
Maywood New Year Tournament
17-18 January
RCBPC HPA National Club
17-25 January
AEPC The Martin Collins Club
6-7 December
Vaux Park January Cup
17-18 January
AEPC Champagne Jaquart
13-14 December
Vaux Park Sponsors Tournament
31-1 February
AEPC The Champagne Jacquart
20-21 December
Druids Lodge Druids Junior
20-21 December 13-14 December
12 Goal RCBPC HPA National Club
17-25 January
10 Goal Druids Lodge Regent Tailoring
6-7 December
Epsom Australia Day Cup
17-18 January
3-4 January
FHM Christmas Tournament
20 December
10-11 January
Vaux Park Novices Challenge
6-7 December
4 Goal
Open
Epsom St Stephen's Day Cup
13-14 December
Fifield Open Tournament*
Druids Lodge The Watersfield Trophy 17-18 January
Maywood Christmas Tournament
6-7 December
Longdole Xmas Tournament
13-14 December
RCBPC Arena Challenge Trophy
Vaux Park Sponsors Tournament
6-7 December
Vale of York The Christmas Plate
21 December 28 December
3-11 January
8 Goal
Ascot Front Room Cup
6-7 December
Vale of York ABI Beach Challenge
Fifield Patme Trophy
6-7 December
Tidworth Classic Polo Cup
20-21 December
AEPC Champagne Jacquart Challenge 3-4 January
Vaux Park County Cup
20-21 December
Vaux Park Ladies Tournament
13-14 December
AEPC The Redmire Stables Club
Ascot The Ice Trophy
24-25 January
Fifield Ladies Christmas Cup
20-21 December
AEPC Champagne Jacquart Challenge 17-18 January
Vaux Park New Years Challenge
3-4 January
Epsom Cape Town Cup
10-11 January
AEPC The La Chamiza Club
Druids Lodge El Rosario Trophy
10-11 January
Fifield 2 Aside Challenge Cup*
10-11 January
Ascot National Woman’s Polo
31-1 February
Fifield Mid Winter Challenge
24-25 January
Epsom Under 21 v The Rest
31-1 February
6 Goal
10-11 January 31-1 February
Druids Lodge Lismore Trophy
13-14 December
Tidworth Langley Hall Cup
10-11 January
Longdole Club Tournament
17-18 January
Ascot Santa's Challenge
13-14 December
Fifield Ladies February Frolic*
31-1 February
Vale of York New Year Cup
11 January
Fifield New Year Trophy
3-4 January
FHM Mid Season Tournament
31 January
Vale of York ABI Beach Challenge
25 January
Epsom The Lord Nelson Trophy
3-4 January
Vaux Park Smarties Cup
3-4 January
Wicklow USA (Newport) v Ireland
2-4 January
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Club
Triumph, thrills and tragedy: landmarks of 2009 January • The year kicked off with success for George Milford Haven, who took victory in snowy St Moritz, then won the New Zealand Open, reclaiming the title he won exactly 20 years ago. • Employers grappled with the new ‘points-based system’ for bringing in foreign grooms, many handing the whole tricky process over to David Morley’s Polo Permits. • Polo Times launched its online magazine, giving subscribers a chance to see the magazine on the web wherever they are in the world. February • England beat the US at Palm Beach, taking home the Westchester Cup after Luke Tomlinson put in the crucial winning goal. • For the first time in history, England took on the USA on UK soil in a high-goal arena test match, with the hosts claiming victory. • The La Martina University Arena Championships became the largest arena tournament in the world. Exeter were the overall winners. March • Thrills and spills characterised the 2009 Barbados Open. Sir Charles Williams caused a scare when he collapsed from his horse, and when brothers Matias and Juan Cruz Benoit met in the final, Matias had a spat with the umpire – though he avoided being sent off. April • Tragedy marred the US Open when Victor Vargas’s Lechuza Caracas team lost 21 ponies due to an incorrectly prepared supplement that was administered before a match. • HM the Queen opened Guards Polo Club’s graceful new clubhouse. A refurbished Royal Box and a La Martina shop were also unveiled. • Lincolnshire’s first polo club, Leadenham, throws open its gates. May • A pro-am team of Brits – The Lechuza disaster sent shockwaves worldwide Nick Britten-Long, Jamie Le Hardy, Henry Brett and Roddy Williams – beat an all-pro side to the $100,000 prize at the Hurtwood Polo Masters. • Polosaleroom.com stages its first pony and embryo auction at Guards, after the semi-finals of the Queen’s Cup. June • Underdogs Apes Hill beat Sumaya to lift the Queen’s Cup. The team brought in Charlie Hanbury and Juan Gris Zavaleta to play with Mark and Luke Tomlinson. • Polo returned to Hurlingham Park in London, the game’s pre-war hub, with Polo in the Park, played under controversial new rules designed to make it
contacts (UK and Ireland)
faster-moving and more audience-friendly. • Polo Times launched its first Polo Writer of the Year competition. • The SUPA championships set an insurance landmark, becoming the first fixture to incorporate compulsory personal accident cover, through Lycetts. HM the Queen unveiled
July Guards’s new clubhouse • The Pieres brothers landed another major title with La Bamba de Areco, winning the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup at Cowdray park. In 12 months the 10-goalers have won the world’s most important Opens – the 2008 Argentine Open, the US Open and the British Open.0 • Cartier International Day was a washout for team England, who were thrashed by Argentina, fielding both Cambiaso and Facundo Pieres. August • Pony Club Polo celebrated its 50th year since the first inter-branch championships at Aldershot. • Gonzalito Pieres put in a sensational performance in the Sotogrande Gold Cup, scoring eight goals for Tattinger/Dos Lunas to steal the final from Las Monjitas, who had been goals ahead. September • Watergate Bay in Cornwall drew its largest crowd yet for Polo on the Beach, which is in its third year. • Facundo Pieres led Royal Barriere to victory in the Deauville Gold Cup. • Popular low-goal club Inglesham announced its closure, with the Williams family putting the Lechlade property up for sale. • Javier Tanoira’s Reflecting on Polo in Argentina caused a stir – and prompted the Argentine Polo Association to introduce new rules aimed at improving the high-goal game. October • The world’s three largest polo associations, the Argentine Polo Association, the Hurlingham Polo Association and the US Polo Association, withdrew from the International Polo Federation (FIP). • 40-goal Ellerstina took home the first of the Triple Crown titles – the Tortugas Open – defeating Pilará. November • The Pieres brothers continued their astonishing season, winning the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Hurlingham Open, with Ellerstina, making them firm favourites to win the Argentine Open. December • Will Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres finish their year on the ultimate high and win the Triple Crown? Find out first with Polo Times – www.polotimes.co.uk Compiled by Georgie May
AEPC, Hickstead – 01273 834315 All Ireland – +353 (1) 6896732 Apsley End – 01462 712444 Ascot Park – 01276 858545 Ash Farm – 01932 872521 Asthall Farm – 01367 860207 Beaufort – 01666 880510 Belmont, Mill Hill – 01344 829955 Beverley – 01964 544455 Binfield Heath – 01491 411969 Borders Reivers – 01890 840777 Brannockstown – +353 45483708 Brightling – 01435 810017 Bunclody – +353 876605917 Burningfold – 01483 200722 Cambridge & Newmarket – 07769 976781 Carlton House – 01986 892231 Cheshire – 01270 611100 Chester Racecourse – 01244 304602 Cirencester Park – 01285 653225 Cowdray Park – 01730 813257 Coworth Park – 01344 875155 Curraghmore – +353 51387102 Dedham Vale – 01473 280900 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 Foxhill – 0115 9651790 Frolic Farm – 01223 812922 Guards – 01784 434212 Haggis Farm – 01223 460353 Ham – 020 8334 0000 Herbertstown – +353 872552331 Hertfordshire – 01707 256023 Hurtwood Park – 01483 272828 Kinross – 07831 365194 Kirtlington – 01869 650138 Knepp Castle – 01403 741007 Lacey Green – 07947 725305 Ladyswood – 01666 840880 Limerick – +353 872373903 Little Bentley – 01206 250435 Longdole – 01452 864544 Maywood – 01962 885500 Moyne – +353 851313224 New Forest – 02380 811818 Offchurch Bury – 07785 223383 Orchard – 01258 471000 Park Lane – 01491 411969 Ranksboro – 01572 720046 RMAS – 01276 412276 Royal County of Berkshire – 01344 890060 RLS – 01926 812409 Rugby – 01788 817724 Rutland – 01572 724568 Silver Leys – 01279 652652 St Albans – 07710 262435 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 Wycombe – 01865 858475 White Rose – 01430 875750 Wicklow – +353 (0) 404 67164 ◗ To contact the HPA, tel: 01367 242828 ◗ To contact SUPA, tel: 01344 625124
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PTNov/Dec 2009 p68-69 Lawyers Cup JM PJ
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Out and about The Lawyers’ Polo Association Zarzuela Polo Cup, 7-10 October 2009 – Madrid
The law fought the law – and the law won Polo-playing lawyers from nine countries across three continents joined together this autumn to take part in the second annual Lawyers Polo Cup, an ambitious low-goal tournament organised by Argentina’s Eduardo Bérèterbide and Canada’s Justin Fogarty, which relocates to an entirely new country each year. Fogarty’s own Davis LLP side – which brought together players from Canada, Austria, France and Spain – took the 2009 title, beating Air France in the final on Saturday 10 October in beautiful sun-kissed autumn conditions at Villafranca del Castillo Polo Club near Madrid. In total, 16 players, from Argentina, Austria, Canada, England, France, Italy, Malaysia, Spain and Switzerland formed four six-goal sides to contest the 2009 trophy, watched by more than 300 guests. Spain was chosen as the venue for this year’s tournament to coincide with the International Bar Association’s annual meeting. It began in Argentina last October and will travel to Vancouver in Canada next year and then to Dubai in 2011. Bérèterbide has already been out to Dubai since this year’s tournament as he seeks to begin the organisation for the polo there in two years’ time.
Argentina’s Eduardo M Bérèterbide (father of the organiser), Italy’s Attila Tanzi and France’s Alain Clery enjoy the international atmosphere
Players and spectators relax over a paella lunch after Friday’s games
Winners of the 2009 Lawyers Polo Cup in Madrid, Davis LLP (l-r: Justin Fogarty, Carlos Lucena, Alain Clery and Cristoph Kerres)
Fair play winner Attila Tanzi was a big hit on the sidelines
Photographs by Manuel Risso and Luis Ruiz
Switzerland’s Oliver Wasmer entertains the ladies at the opening cocktails at Madrid’s La Martina store
Top scorer Carlos Lucena
Action from the final between Air France (in blue) and Davis LLP (wearing white)
68 November/December 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk
Tournament organisers Justin Fogarty and Eduardo Bérèterbide played against each other in the final
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Federico Silva (in black) gives chase to his brother Nicolas in the subsidiary final
Maria Corbalan, Alejandra Toscano and Justin Fogarty
Villafranca’s clubhouse provides the backdrop to the final presentation ceremony
Eduardo Bérèterbide, Miguel Gil de Biedma (Madrid Polo Federartion president) and Santiago Thomas de Carranza
Alejandra Toscano, Maria Corbalan, Christoph Kerres and Alain Clery drink up
Father and son, Eduardo and Eduardo Bérèterbide www.polotimes.co.uk November/December 2009 69
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Out and about West Wycombe Park end-of-season party
Sordid saints, sociable sinners and a host of sinfully strong shots Disaster struck for party organisers at West Wycombe Park Polo Club this autumn, as the original venue for the club’s end-of-season bash pulled out with just a week to go. Moved to the club’s Kitty Lodge polo ground, with the kind permission of the field’s landlord Sir Edward Dashwood, the new venue was kitted out with Moroccan tents and guests arrived to the beautiful backdrop of Sir Edward’s private lake and Dashwood House on a balmy midSeptember evening. Guests embraced the “Saints and sinners” theme with enthusiasm, and similarly themed prizes and penalties set the tone for what went on to be a sinfully enjoyable evening, ably compèred by Richard Seavill and Justin Neal. An energetic Pope and Archangel Georgiana Crofton led members in their mandatory visits to “The Chukkas Bar” for shots and, before long, a number of the braver sinners were seen taking to the lake, with many staying to celebrate until the early hours of the morning.
Martine Leal, Ali Fresiana and Nico Leal glow in the dark
Count Dracula, Jason Ollivier
Justin Neal led the festivities
Robert Heginbottom, Aisleen Geary and Janine Lewis
Photographs by Adam Hodges and Jean-Marc Hodgkin
Club chairman Charles Betz and manager Richard Seavill (top left) join West Wycombe Park’s members to celebrate another season
A horny devil, angels and members of the clergy share notes over a multitude of drinks
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Richard Seavill and Jason Bazzard
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David Savage and Nadia Frankum distribute bubbly
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Black, white and red formed the spectrum of colours that featured in almost every costume
Angel Georgina Crofton and Pope JJ Sparks sink shots to the crowd’s amusement
The dancefloor rocked long after dark
As if the purple wasn’t enough, Justin brought more than one revolting outfit
An angelic Paula Hayter sees the two sides of retired playing member, David Savage
Chris Raeburn Cowell strikes a muscular pose
Sir Edward Dashwood’s private lake provided a beautiful backdrop to a rather more sinister foreground
Kirsty Craig and Jean-Marc Hodgkin
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Out and about Opening weekend at Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 14-15 November
All aboard - next stop, the Open It’s that time of year again, and scores of polo players, spectators and aficionados have been flocking to Buenos Aires by the plane-full for the 116th Argentine Open at Palermo. Regular Polo Times photographer Alice Gipps was one of them, and arrived in time to catch the first weekend’s action on 14-15 November. She joined other travelling polo-goers from right around the globe at the Chandon and Alpi bars under the grandstands at polo’s spritual home in Palermo for the chance to catch up with some old faces and bump into some new ones as Open fever swept Buenos Aires. Among those pictured is England’s Simon Clarke, a recent convert to polo, Patricio Gaynor’s half-Swiss, half-Mexican girlfriend Gabriella Benoit, who plays polo in Argentina as well as designing leather goods, and a selection of Brazilian girls new to the game who have come to Argentina for several months to be taught by Brazilian four-goal pro Rafael Villela.
Fashion designer Chelsea Erickson and five-goaler Santiago Hernando
Polo-playing Dutch couple, Armando and Brenda de Boer
Clare Milford Haven and her sister, Louisa del Brazo
Josefina Pampuro, Gerald Emerson, Cowdray regular Max Moore (son of Sonny Moore and nephew of Eduardo) and Vanessa Listek
Isabela Figuereido, Rafael Villela, Claudia Junqueira, Isardora Viella and Cris Torres
Ham Polo Club members Maria Molland and Milyae Park, Rebecca Finn, Beaufort member Tessa Cook and her boyfriend Simon Clarke
Photographs by Alice Gipps
Patricio Gaynor and Gabriella Benoit
Argentine lady players Lucia Escrina, Camilia Rossi and Kata Bunge
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Eduardo Heguy and his parents, Silvia and the legendary Alberto Pedro Heguy
Estancia Don Manuel owner Emiliano Blanco, with guests from Peru and France, Sandro Trosso and Mathais Blanchon
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We may not be able to send you a high goal team for Christmas.
But our website does cater for more modest ideas
ATS We’ve got everything for polo Look on our website:
www.satsfaction.com Phone us on: 01285 841 542 Fax us on: 01285 841 546 Email us on: sats@lineone .net South American Trade Services, Sandpool House, Sandpool Lane, Tarlton, Cirencester, Glos GL7 6PB
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Out and about Sussex PC Motown Ball, East Grinstead – 26 Sept
Huge hair raises eyebrows and brings in funds for the future Staff at the Felbridge Hotel & Spa in East Grinstead got a shock on the last Saturday in September, as more than 200 party-going guests arrived sporting bigger afros, beehives and false eyelashes than Tina Turner would have considered decent in 1986. And the girls made an effort to dress up, too. The theme for the evening was Motown, reflecting another colourful and successful season at Sussex Polo Club. In particular, the ball’s committee used the event to celebrate the culmination of the Southern Counties League, and so welcomed players and supporters from West Wycombe and Brightling, as well as many of Sussex’s own regulars. The evening also acted as a fundraiser for the new irrigation system and lakes planned for the club in 2010.
Club secretary Chon Donnelly and groundsman Carlos Ramirez
Prize-winners such as “Player of the year” Kwan Lo and “Newcomer of the year” Hector Worsley danced late into the night to the sounds of live band Magic of Motown. Groundsman Carlos Ramirez was awarded the Square Peg “Underbelly award” for all his hard work behind the scenes maintaining the grounds at Sussex.
Sarah Frankum and Nicola Hodges in two hair-raising wigs
Sussex-based Old Surrey & Burstow Pony Club Handley Cross players Terence Lent and Harry Hickmet were winners at Cowdray
Polo manager Sallie Anne Lent
Photographs by Christopher Pollard
Matthew Mitchell is all smiles with Holly Simmons
Player of the year, Kwan Lo, with Duane Lent 74 November/December 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk
Liz Wicks and Natalie Hickmet arrived, representing Old Surrey & Burstow Pony Club
Newcomer Harry Revell has enjoyed a good first season
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Club information
LONGDOLE POLO CLUB 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
INSURANCE
PHOTOGRAPHY
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Classifieds TROPHIES
ART AND GIFTS
ART AND GIFTS
From photorealistic drawings to stylised paintings, commissions of polo people and ponies mixing modern and the traditional.
Katie Tunn www.katietunn.com 07903 301 103
Caroline Smail Designs Artist and photographer Caroline Smail has a range of greetings cards and photo canvases available for sale this Christmas. She also designs and prints photo-books that make perfect presents
07918 731702
www.carolinesmail.co.uk
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Classifieds GROUND MAINTENANCE
STABLING SECURITY
RETIRED POLICE OFFICER OFFERS: PRIVATE CHAUFFEURING IN YOUR OWN CAR You celebrate this festive season I'll take the strain !! Cost efficient alternative to car hire.
RESIDENTIAL / STABLE YARD & PERSONAL PROTECTION Royalty Protection background & Horse owner myself. Totally discreet, flexible & references of the highest order available. 24 hour service. Highest standards of service (Small number of trusted colleagues available if a team approach is required)
My aim is simply to help make your day go well. Telephone Michael on 07971 028325 or e-mail
michaeloldham@orange.net DESTINATIONS
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Classifieds TRANSPORT
EQUIPMENT
The New Lightweight body by
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
WINTERBORNE HORSEBOX C O
Builders of Bespoke Horseboxes since 1976
STABLES AND ARENAS Try before you buy
Valley Fabrications, Winterborne Stickland, Dorset, DT11 0NT
Tel: (01258) 880490 / 881295 (eves) HOTELS
Call for a demo on your own arena We now have a maintenance only service • arena levelling • paddock maintenance
FIND OUT WHEN WE ARE IN YOUR AREA
Type 1 for sand rubber woodchip Turf Float cloph waxed and all synthetic surfaces with or without tyres
Type 2 for Alruba (long thin rubber) only
Grass harrow adjustable settings
New Quad safe
01427 728 700 07775 607 339 www.arenamate.co.uk Also in Ireland
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Classifieds PONIES PRETTY THOROUGHBRED MARE 12 YEARS OLD 15.1HH Always sound, soft mouth, comfotable paces. Played up to 4 goal. Suit experienced rider. Up to date with vaccinations and teeth. Priced for quick sale, £2750. Tel 01342 714920 SKEWBALD HANDSOME GELDING 14.2HH RISING SIX YEARS OLD Played two full seasons of low goal. Suit competent pony clubber or small adult. Easy to do and up to date with everything. Priced for quick sale, £3250. Tel 01342 714920 LITTLE TRUCK. Sound, tough, whizzy 14hh chestnut mare. 11 years old. Plays great arena. Ideally for really good young rider. Totally not novice ride. Lives out at Rugby Polo Club. £4,500. Jane 07855 967568. ARGENTINE THOROUGHBRED 15.1HH 11 year old dapple grey gelding. Superb pony that has played medium goal with Tom Hunt and low goal with lady patron and 3 goal pro. Very easy, fast and level. Excellent in and out the stable and heavy traffic bomb proof. No vices. Completely sound. Good to shoe, box, clip, stick & ball etc. Only for sale as doesn't quite suit lady patron wishing to do lower level of polo. £7500. Tel 01749 860775 or 07788 420340 15HH 9 YEAR OLD ARGENTINE DARK BAY POLO PONY FOR SALE All rounder and lightly jumped. Played outdoor to 6 goal and arena polo. Would suit pony club/young player, up and coming pro or lady. Good to box, shoe, load, lead, stick and ball etc. £5,500ono. Contact Harry Tucker on 07816 257532 TWO PONIES FOR SALE DUE TO OWNER GIVING UP One 15.2hh beautiful dark bay gelding, 9 years old and one 15hh bright bay Argentine mare, 9 years old.
Both played up to 8 goal. Both sound clean ponies. Would suit patron or PC/young rider. Please contact Charlotte Sweeney on 07799 812739/01932 872521. DARK BAY TB MARE15.1HH Quick, clean limbed and vice free. Also 15hh 5 year old TB mare, very handy. 15.3hh 6 year old TB mare, very easy. All experienced indoor and outdoor. Hassle free, great ponies. £5000 each. Tel 07800 517869 REDUCING NUMBERS FOR WINTER 4 year old pretty TB mare, ex-racehorse, stick and balling, playing chukkas, ready to play, £3750. 3 year old TB filly by Groom Dancer, stick and balling and playing chukkas, £3000. Both have exceptional temperaments and a lot of ability, suit Pony Club player looking for first youngster or pro looking for project. Call 07989 712104 WINTER BARGAINS! 15.2hh 16 year old TB ex-high goal mare, sound, tough, great in arena £2,500. 15.2hh 5 year old TB mare, played chukkas grass and arena £2,750. 15.2hh 8 year old TB mare, played 2 goal 2009, hunted and done Pony Club jumping previous to this £3,000. Call 07866 475977 for more info TWO TB MARES 5 year old bay mare, has been playing chukkas and low goal, will play arena, windsucks hence £3000. Other mare just back in work, £1500. Both quiet and easy. Call 07771 852871 15.2HH GREY MARE 14 YEARS OLD Easy hitting platform. Strong in ride-offs, fast, responsive, stops, turns well, loves to do her job, sweet natured, adapts to any ability, currently fit and played all season. Too many horses not enough time forces sale. 07850 664235 £3,750 (Yorkshire)
TRANSPORT AND MACHINERY 10 HORSE BOX, CONVERTED 3 YEARS AGO DAF 240, water on board, lockable storage boxes, galvanised partitions. Tack racks. CCTV. HGV, T Reg, Mint. Tested May 2010. £14,000 ono. Tel 07899 977412 IVECO-FORD 4 STALL HORSEBOX 2003 coach build on 2000 chassis. Living area includes gas hob, fridge, power for tv, plenty of storage space, sleeps four. Extensive tack lockers including stick rack. Regularly serviced, tax and MOT until March/April 2010. Fantastic runner and fabulous ladies box, £19,950. Telephone 01653 628253 or 07795 182272. DRIVER AVAILABLE Professional, freelance artic or rigid driver available, with polo pony experience. Clean LGV class C+E licence for 4 years. No accident claims. References available. Oxford/Henley based. Call Jonathan on 07810 772778 or email pellyfry@aol.com
HORSE TRANSPORT AND FREELANCE CLASS 1 DRIVER FOR HIRE Horse transport & driver available. Also freelance driver/groom. 25+ years experience working with & transporting horses in the UK & Europe. Class 1/O/CPC licence holder & DEFRA approved. 01794 323195 - 07786 475123 (Hants/Wilts based). LIVERY YARD FOR UP TO 6 HORSES TO RENT NEAR ASCOT/WINDSOR FOR 2010 SEASON. All the facilities you could wish for: Barn with internal stable and automatic drinkers, sand corrals, horse walker, ménage 40m x 20m, 400m drained exercise track, stick and ball field, turn out paddock, feed room with drying facility for rugs, tack room with commercial washer and drier. Tel: 07710 328832 or email: monty@spangroup.com 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 DESTINATIONS ACCOMMODATION NEAR PILAR Accommodation at an estancia in Los Cordales, very suitable for player needing lodgings close to Pilar, which is about 15 minutes away. Excellent access to motorways. 70 KM from Buenos Aires. Up to 7 rooms available, including a separate 2 bedroom apartment. Use of pitch, stabling, pony hire and livery negotiable. Gap year students receive special rates. Website: www.lasortijapolo.com. Email: annabelmcnd@gmail.com. Tel: Jennifer on 07711 776985 PROPERTY TWO BEDROOM PROPERTY TO LET NEAR ASCOT AND VIRTUALLY NEXT TO RCBPC Immaculately decorated and beautifully presented throughout, this newly built property is available furnished or unfurnished. Located within a private estate with its own garden. £1500 pcm. Tel 07710 328832. Yard available by separate negotiation. www.findaproperty.com/displayprop.aspx?edid=00&sa lerent=1&pid=4311747.
Please mention Polo Times when you contact an advertiser Tel: 01789 470476 www.heliair.com
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Advertisers in Nov/Dec 2009 Contact details as follows:
Five Star Bedding 07973 848365 www.fivestarbedding.co.uk
Pampeano 07817 449098 www.pampeano.co.uk
All England Polo Club, Hickstead 01273 834315 www.hickstead.co.uk
Florian Leonhard Fine Violins 020 78133307 www.florianleonhard.com
Amanda Deadman 07887 742635 www.amandadeadmanart.co.uk
Polo Permits 01798 869496 www.polopermits.co.uk
Franshoek Polo School 00 27 51 9333938 www.poloschool.co.za
Arena Mate 01427 728700 www.arenamate.co.uk
Ranksboro’ Polo 01572 720046 www.ranksboropolo.co.uk
Galaxico Internationale 00 92 52 3555791 www.galaxicopolo.com
Real Estate Investment Group Argentina (REIGA) 00 54 911 53205313 www.reiga.com.ar
Greenheath 01638 507785 www.greenheath.co.uk
SATS (South American Trade Services) 01285 841542 www.satsfaction.com
Haras Cañada Rica 00 54 11 43224966 www.haraslarica.com
Savills 0207 0163715 www.savills.co.uk
Ashdown Stables and Arenas 01446 772800 www.ashdown-group.com Baileys Horse Feeds 01371 85024 www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk Belmont Polo Club 07770 256010 www.belmontpoloclub.com/home Blake Lapthorn 023 80908090 www.bllaw.co.uk Brett Polo 01344 885911 www.brettpolo.com British Airways 0844 4930787 www.britishairways.com Bunkabin 0845 4567899 www.bunkabin.co.uk Caroline Smail 07968 752424 www.carolinesmail.co.uk CH Grounds Maintenance 01494 758208 www.chgrounds.com Charles Sainsbury-Plaice 01789 778603 www.sainsburyplaice.co.uk Cleftwood 01525 240434 www.cleftgate.co.uk
Heli Air Wellesbourne 01789 470476 www.heliair.com Images of Polo 01273 834159 www.imagesofpolo.com
Polo in Plett poloinplett@gmail.com
Sebastian Ucha 00 54 11 4780 1816, www.sebastianucha.com Shahira Industries 00 92 52 4597606 www.shahiraind.com
Inkerman 0207 2211155 www.inkerman.co.uk
Spanish Boot Company 0845 3138167 www.thespanishbootcompany.co.uk
International Polo Academy www.internationalpoloacademy.com
Stables on Site 01932 873315, www.stablesonsite.co.uk
J Rotherham 01430 861047 www.jrotherham.co.uk
Stickhedz www.stickhedz.com
Jacqueline Stanhope Fine Art 0191 3845343 www.jacquelinestanhope-fineart.com John Blake Publishing 020 7381 0666 www.johnblakepublishing.co.uk
T & S Harker 01325 332649 www.tandsharkerhorseboxes.co.uk Tailor Made Hotels 00 54 1147749520 www.tailormadehotels.com The Chukker Collection 001 847 835 0189 www.thechukkercollection.com
Curling Contractors 01483 894888 www.jcfc.co.uk
Kate’s Art 07887 678421 www.katesart.com
Declan O’Brien cordobapolo@gmail.com Detail 07775 770672 www.detailstudio.co.uk
Kestrel Ltd 01256 880488 www.kestrelcontractors.co.uk
Druids Lodge Polo Club 01722 782597 www.druidspolo.co.uk
La Mariposa 00 54 911 51801759 www.lamariposa.com.ar
EGF 01865 301897 www.egf-polo.co.uk
La Quinta marcotomo@hotmail.com
Equine Logistics Company 01264 810782 www.equine-logistics-company.com
Lets Golf Argentina 00 54 11 52736665 www.letsgolfargentina.com
Estancia Don Manuel 0054 911 4998 9800 www.estanciadonmanuel.com
Longdole polo Club 01452 864544 Lycetts 01672 512512 www.lycetts.co.uk
Waterhall Polo (Apes Hill) 001 246 432 9550 www.apeshillclub.com
Estribos 07876041118 www.estribos.co.uk
Magnolia 00 54 11 48674900/01 www.magnoliahotel.com.ar
West of England Stabling 01837 810 209 www.westofenglandstabling.co.uk
Michael Oldham 07971 028325
Wildman Design 01993 842582 www.wildmandesign.co.uk
Event Stabling 01344 777519 www.eventstabling.co.uk Financial 01242 820738 www.financialprivateclients.ltd.uk/polo
Katie Tunn 07903 301103 www.katietunn.com
Oaklands Polo and Country Club 00 27 586710067 www.oaklands.co.za
The Famous 01242 516 306 www.thefamous1886.com The Leap Overseas Ltd (GAP YEAR POLO) 01672 519922 www.theleap.co.uk The Winterborne Horsebox Co. 01258 880490 TriStar Horseboxes 01570 422250 www.tristarhorseboxes.co.uk UberPolo 01428 643534 www.uberpolo.com
www.polotimes.co.uk November/December 2009 81
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The last word
A Week
one of the fields on higher ground. The horses were a little fresh after not playing for a few days but it was good to get back in the saddle.
in the life of. .
I’VE BEEN IN ARGENTINA since the beginning of October, based at Matias Ballesteros’s place, El Sosiego, in San Antonio de Areco, about an hour and a quarter from Buenos Aires. It’s my first proper winter in Argentina, as I usually head to New Zealand, and I’ve been working hard helping bring on the farm’s young horses and playing practice chukkas. It’s terrific experience for me, as it’s hard to get a decent level of polo (upwards of 6-goal) regularly in the UK. I went to two goals at the beginning of the year but, as a girl, you are competing with lots of male players and you can basically never have a bad game, otherwise you’re written off! Here, I get the chance to play 14-goal practices virtually daily as well as the opportunity to play proper four-man team polo with the girls in the ladies’ games.
England’s newest two-goal international tells James Mullan about winning the Argentina vs UK ladies’ game, braving the storms and grappling with Spanish
TUESDAY 3 NOVEMBER, in the week building up to the Ladies International, was a typical day at El Sosiego. I was up at 7am to check the 11 ponies I was responsible for, all of whom are of the Polo Argentino breed. I spent the morning singling them before we played a practice with visiting players in the afternoon after a short siesta. I don’t have a car, so my evenings are usually pretty quiet, but Englishman Dougie Leber-Smith was staying on Tuesday and we sat up and talked horses until late. Photograph by Charles Sainsbury-Plaice
Rosie Ross
Cañuelas to try horses before joining the other girls in Pilar for the night before the game. But rain put pay to that and I learnt that evening that they would push the match back a day. Then the organisers realised Saturday was the date for the rescheduled Hurlingham Open final, so they set on Monday as the day for our international.
IT WAS TOO WET to practise on Wednesday, so we just singled the horses again and then went to a local bar in town that evening. As an English girl by myself – especially one with very little Spanish – I tend to keep things fairly quiet and focus on my polo.
I BEGAN TO WORRY that I would have lost a bit of sharpness by Monday, having not played for a few days because of the rain. It was too wet even to stick-and-ball on both Thursday and Friday, so there was little I could do but exercise the ponies one by one. Rutland one-goaler Ed Winterton had arrived for a month-long stay, so at least I had someone to talk English with, but I was also starting to worry that I wouldn’t get a chance to try the horses I was hiring before the match.
THE INTERNATIONAL was planned for Friday, so I was supposed to spend Thursday going to
FORTUNATELY, things dried up enough on Saturday to allow us to play a 12-goal practice on
82 November/December 2009 www.polotimes.co.uk
ON SUNDAY MORNING I went to Marianela Castagnola’s place in Cañuelas to try horses owned by Anita Sajid and her partner Mauricio. I had seven to choose from and they were all excellent. Marianela herself would usually have been playing for the Argentines, but she is currently pregnant. We then took the horses over to Estancia Don Manuel for a practice before Alex Jacobs picked me up and took me to join the rest of the team in Pilar. I DIDN’T ACTUALLY see the other girls until the morning on Monday, as they had been playing elsewhere on Sunday. I went to get some new sticks, as my others had been trashed by the wet weather, then we had a lengthy meeting in which we decided our horse lists and orders, according to which chukkas we wanted to start strongly. It was hard for Tamara and me, not knowing our ponies as well as the others, but I’m so used to riding different mounts that I’m pretty adaptable. We planned our set-plays and discussed the tactics for our opposition. Even without Marianela we knew they would still be a tough side, and that they would look to play fast polo, as opposed to our more controlled style of play. My job would be to mark their dangerwoman, Lia Salvo. We went down the road to Centauros at 2pm, where we lent some support to the Young Rest of the World team in their match against Young Argentina before our own game. The weather, which had been warm in the morning, suddenly turned progressively blacker and chillier as our match approached, but the sponsors had turned out in force so we knew the game would go ahead. WE WON and won well, even though things did get slightly nervy in the final two chukkas when all the decisions seemed to go their way. I got blown up twice for turning on the ball in defence, and Nina and I decided to swap who we were marking as her ponies were better suited to keeping up with Lia’s horsepower. You never know what’s going to happen in a six-chukka game, so we just made sure we worked hard all the way to the end. I MISSED THE AFTER-PARTY at Ellerstina unfortunately, as we played the first three chukkas in pouring rain and so I was feeling pretty exhausted and unwell after all the presentations were over. I went home to shower, but collapsed into bed and missed everything! But I’ve seen Sophie Kyriazi’s photos since and it looked pretty wild. It’s probably just as well anyway, as I did have polo the next day – not good on a hangover! I RETURN HOME to the UK in the first week of December but will be back in February in a work capacity with Coolhooves Polo clients – and this time I intend to take Spanish lessons! Coolhooves has brought me on from a 0-goal to a two-goal player and I owe them everything for where I am today. My family is horsey but I’m not from a polo background, so their help in giving me a base and helping me with horses has been invaluable. F
Per Bound Cover Issue 10
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Per Bound Cover Issue 10
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Polo Times November/December 2009