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Polo Times July 2010

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WWW.EQUIBUILD.COM

“Complete equine construction worldwide” Polo arenas indoor and outdoor, canter tracks, stabling – traditional and American barn, full design-and-build package

Indoor arena, Polo del Sol, Jerez

100m x 50 metre floodlit arena

Hugh Daly, MD of Equibuild, has been constructing equestrian facilities for some 20 years and has been involved with many prestigious projects.

Working throughout Europe, recent polo projects have included the resurfacing of the Emsworth Polo Club arena at Barton Lodge Farm with “Softrack Wax Polo” and resurfacing the canter track. Currently Jean-François Deceaux’s La Bamba team are training on the facilities and are extremely impressed; Hugh Daly also built “La Arena” at La Baille in France for Monsieur Decaux some 10 years ago.

Equibuild is also behind the new canter track at Anningsley Park for Christopher Hanbury’s El Remanso team and the canter track and arena at Todham stables for Jerome Wirth’s Enigma team. Both installations are considered first class by the owners and players.

Gallop/canter track in Deauville

Other achievements include a full-size outdoor floodlit polo arena at the Sowiniec Polo Club, Poznan, Poland, and the 100x50m covered polo arena at Polo del Sol, near Jerez, Spain, one of the largest covered arenas in Europe.

Further projects are shortly to be underway as far afield as Sri Lanka and Oman. Construction is also underway of the Mellon Stud Complex, near Oxford, for some £2.5 million.

Hugh Daly, as director of Softrack Surfaces UK Ltd, is well placed to provide the perfect balance of ingredients to make the waxed polo surface required for the demands of polo. Owners and riders alike all comment on its unique ride and recommend us whenever possible.

Hugh now splits his time between construction of worldclass equestrian facilities and promoting the Softrack throughout the world for all equestrian disciplines.

Visit www.equibuild.com & www.softracksurfaces.com

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Contents

POLO TIMES

Publisher Margie Brett margie@polotimes.co.uk Editor Yolanda Carslaw yolanda@polotimes.co.uk Deputy Editor James Mullan jamesmullan@polotimes.co.uk Art Editor James Wildman james@polotimes.co.uk Advertising Tom House tom@polotimes.co.uk Subscriptions Georgie May georgie@polotimes.co.uk Marketing and PR PJ Seccombe pj@polotimes.co.uk

28 Queen’s Cup News 6

All the latest news

Comment Accounts Debbie Mason accounts@polotimes.co.uk Contributors Andrew Dent, Arthur Douglas-Nugent, Lucy Eaves, Ed Foster, Liz Higgins, Lorna Jowett, Clare Milford Haven, Jamie Peel, Brian Perry, Tony Ramirez, Herbert Spencer, Sarah Styler, Carlie Trotter, Rebecca Walters Front cover Michael Pearson, the fourth Viscount Cowdray, by Vanessa Taylor 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 2010 and Database Right 2010 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 ISSN 1461-4685 mark of Polo Times Limited.

14 18 22 24 26

Interview: Carlos Gracida Letters: a bumper month of reader reactions Backchat with Clare Milford Haven Herbert Spencer’s Global view Arthur Douglas-Nugent’s Umpire’s corner

Reports 28 34 38 40 46 48 50 52

Queen’s Cup, Guards Cowdray test match: England vs South Africa British Ladies’ Championship, Cowdray Polo In The Park, London Duke of Sutherland/Indian Empire Shield Gerald Balding Cup, Cirencester Junior Schools Championships, Longdole At home and abroad

40 Polo in the Park

Features 56 62

Interview with the fourth Viscount Cowdray Award-winner Lord Patrick Beresford

The knowledge 66 69 70 73 74 79 80 82 84

Playing around: Tidworth Your game with Jamie Peel: pony sales Pony power: Alice Gipps and Ketty Feeding with Lorna Jowett: travelling Travel: polo in Kenya As mad as polo with Andrew Dent: rafting Property: Midhurst and district Gear: 12 of the best new pieces of kit What’s on in July and club contacts

62 Lord Patrick Beresford

Out and about 86 88 90

Gold Cup draw at Cowdray Polo In The Park in London Ivan the Terrible Challenge at Guards

98

A week in the life of: Piers Plunket

66 Tidworth www.polotimes.co.uk July 2010 3

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News

from the Editor This summer is one of celebrations. Guards marked the Golden Jubilee of the Queen’s Cup in style last month. First, the final was a cracker; second, Adolfo Cambiaso won a record seventh title; third, The Queen, looking wonderful in electric blue on finals day, and Prince Philip took obvious pleasure in the anniversary of the club they have been so involved with over the years.

The Thursday before the final, Prince Philip, the club’s president, was guest of honour at a Golden Jubilee dinner at the clubhouse.

Among what amounted to a “who’s who” of guests from the high-goal scene of the past 50 years were Ros Packer, Anthony Embiricos, Mark Vestey and Harold Bamberg.

The 50th-anniversary programme, masterminded by the club’s tireless PR chief Diana Butler and Guards archivist Graham Dennis, was packed with fascinating pictures and stories from over the decades. We’ve decanted a few facts to give a flavour of the tournament’s history on page 32.

Another historic celebration was looming as PT went to press. More than 500 revellers were due to gather at Cowdray Park’s Lawns for a ball to celebrate the club’s centenary. In 1909, Sir Weetman Dickinson Pearson, an acclaimed engineer and industrialist, bought the Cowdray Estate for £500,000. His son Harold, a Liberal MP, had learnt polo at Oxford, and in 1910 the family laid one ground in front of Cowdray House and another at a bend in the river. Cowdray Park Polo Club was born – and the rest is history.

Photographs by Tony Ramirez and James Mullan

I hope readers will forgive me that we haven’t attempted to tell the club’s complete story: in the 2010 Cowdray yearbook Liz Higgins has done so (a great read) and, as I write, Clare Milford Haven and a band of enthusiasts are assembling stories and photos for a hardback book to commemorate the centenary.

Instead, we bring you the story of today’s Lord Cowdray, Michael Pearson, the fourth Viscount. I had the privilege of visiting this engaging, intelligent, progressive thinker last month at home, where he spoke openly about his family, the estate and the polo club.

Turn to our six-page feature on page 56 – illustrated with lovely photos by Vanessa Taylor. And have a brilliant July!

Yolanda Carslaw

6 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Argentina’s Nacho Figueras is set to lead out his country against hosts England at The O2 Arena in February

New home in dome POLO TIMES can exclusively reveal that London’s O2 Arena, formerly the Millennium Dome, is to be the venue for a record-breaking arena polo match next winter. England will play Argentina in a threea-side 24-goal clash on the evening of 24 February 2011, a Thursday. Organisers hope to attract 12,500 spectators, which would make it the world’s largest ever audience for an indoor game.

The contest has the approval of the HPA and is being organised, as a joint venture by Gaucho Restaurants, Sand Polo and AEG, along with the HPA’s David Woodd and his team. On the same day a charity game will feature four celebrities and Scotland will put out a side to face South Africa in an 18-goal match.

The event will be the second major attempt to throw polo back into the sporting mainstream amongst Londoners, following the success of Polo

In The Park at Fulham’s Hurlingham Park. Though the Gaucho International has nothing to do with Polo In The Park, much like Daniel Fox-Davies’s creation the emphasis is to be as much on producing a good day out as it will be on the polo itself. A retail village, food and drink stalls, live music and corporate hospitality will aim to create a laid-back festival atmosphere for polo-goers, many of whom may never have seen the game before.

The post-match ceremonies after the main international will see the presentation of The Churchill Cup, not pictured. A “players’” after-party will then follow the winners’ presentations in one of the huge nightclubs within the arena complex, capable of holding 2,500 revellers. ◗ Find out how London’s latest polo showpiece

played out in our Polo In The Park report on page 40

ADOLFO CAMBIASO made royal history last month, accepting the Queen’s Cup from Her Majesty for the seventh time – more than any other player in its 50-year history. John Lucas, the late Eduardo Moore and Mark Vestey have each won the tournament six times.

The 10-goaler first reached the final in 1993 with Ellerston White, losing to Black Bears. Then in 1998 he won with Ellerston White, alongside Gonzalo Pieres Snr and young Brit James Beim, thumping Labegorce 13-3.

In 1999 the same team won, this time beating Jerudong Park. In 2000, the 10-goaler teamed-up with Geebung and defeated Les Lions 13-8. His past four wins have been with Dubai, playing and winning for patrons Ali, Tariq and – most recently – Rashid Albwardy. This year, in his first Queen’s Cup final since a narrow 12-11 victory over Broncos in 2006, Cambiaso gained his seventh victory. Turn to page 28 for the full report.

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St Moritz 2011 in doubt FOR THE FIRST TIME since 1985, there looks set to event was widely acknowledged at this year’s be no polo on the frozen alpine lake of the Swiss tournament as the club’s top priority, and so it seems Engadine for the St Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow that until this can be guaranteed their decision has this winter. Organisers have been forced to pull the been made for them. plug on the glamorous high-goal showpiece for the St Moritz has been the benchmark for numerous time being, after the new decision-making committee snow polo events, and is still the only event that charged with organising the infrastructure for largeambitiously plays the traditional four-man game on scale sporting activities on the lake failed to get the the stunning yet unpredictable surface. The 27th planning for the 2011 event off the ground. year of what has been steadily becoming an The fate of the St Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow increasingly prominent and competitive tournament in its current format is closely linked to the local had been scheduled for 27-30 January 2011, with authorities, the White Turf at least one 10-goal player Racing Association “It’s really sad, but there expected to take part for the (which hosts racing appears to have been an fourth consecutive year. events on the lake) and “I’m going to shoot myself!” undercurrent of trouble” said Oliver Ellis, who won the the climatic conditions. To – former winner coordinate all these factors, at the start of this year a group named See-Infra was founded, comprising representatives of all the parties involved, but the collaboration apparently failed.

As it stands, without reliable information from the study carried out into the strength of the ice sheet, St Moritz Polo AG (the club that organises and hosts the tournament) believes it would be “irresponsible” to hold further tournaments on the lake. Aside from the obvious safety aspect, the sustainable staging of the

Oliver Ellis

tournament in its third year in 1987 and who has now been umpiring at the event for nearly 10 winters.

“There has been an undercurrent of trouble between the organisers of the White Turf horse racing and those behind the polo for a while, and it looks to me as though it has finally come to a head. They can’t agree on who should pay for what in terms of the underlying infrastructure that is required to operate both horse sports. It’s really sad though, as no St Moritz would be a huge loss.”

News in brief ◗ THE HPA HAS set in motion an audit of its

commercial role. It is being carried out by consutancy firm the Grand Plan Consultancy, which has held one workshop with stewards and committee chairmen, and another with a representative spectrum of industry insiders.

The aim is to find out where the HPA might make better use of its status as the sport’s governing body. Under particular consideration is whether to launch a commercial arm, which would be charged with getting involved in the growing number of new special events, such as Polo In The Park, Beach Polo on Sandbanks and the Gaucho International (see opposite). ◗ THE SECOND TEST match of summer was

due to take place at Beaufort Polo Club on 19 June, just after Polo Times went to press. The Americas vs England, preceded by a Young England vs England Ladies, looked set to be one to watch. England featured the usual quartet of James Beim, Mark Tomlinson, Luke Tomlinson and Malcolm Borwick, against an all South American team of Jose Donoso (Chile), Ignacio Toccalino and brothers Marcos and Lucas Di Paola (all Argentines). ◗ THE VEUVE CLICQUOT Gold Cup is

underway, with 20 teams in the fray, up from 17 last year. There was a last-minute surge of entries as only 13 or 14 were expected to take part initially. The final is on 18 July at Cowdray Park. See page 86 for snaps from the Gold Cup draw, and for team listings, the schedule and results as they happen, visit the tournaments section at www.polotimes.co.uk WANT TO LOOK AT a back issue of Polo Times? Or has someone pinched your current issue? If you’re a subscriber, wherever you are in the world, you can read our online editions, including more than a year of archives, by logging on at www.polotimes.co.uk. If you’ve lost your password, email georgie@polotimes.co.uk

www.polotimes.co.uk July 2010 7

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News AIMING HIGH

AUDI: already one of British polo’s biggest supporters, the car giant is in discussions to become the new title sponsor for the 2010 Pony Club polo championships in August.

Burningfold pony sale to run again in 2011

ARMCHAIR SPECTATORS: more than 3,000 polo fans tuned into the first live broadcast of a British high-goal game on the internet, when PoloLine.com aired the Queen’s Cup final last month.

CHRIS MACKENZIE: the 17-yearold South African has gone to four goals after his brilliant Queen’s Cup performance. So has Dubai’s Francisco Vismara. Read more on page 28.

ADVENTURE TRAVELLERS AND PT READERS: travel firm Steppes, which sponsors the Gerald Balding Cup at Cirencester, is offering Polo Times readers £250 off its holidays. Read more about Gerald Balding himself, in the words of his son Ian, on page 48.

THE LOVING LENTS: Sallie Anne and Duane, of Sussex Polo Club, renewed their vows on a Greek island in early June: their first holiday during the polo season for eight years. Polo-playing son Terence was best man.

SWINGING LOW

JULIAN APPLEBY: the leading pro umpire sustained two broken ribs, a fractured rib and a cracked shoulderblade after a t-bone collision at Chester Racecourse’s Coutts game. As PT went to press he was back in the saddle with his whistle. Julian said: “Thankfully the football World Cup has kept me going!”

PHIL MEADOWS: the Cool Hooves chief instructor has been laid up with three broken ribs after an early season fall. “With ribs you think they’re mended – but you only have to sneeze to take a step back,” said Phil’s wife, Suzie.

Fellow instructors Rosie Ross, Allie Wick and Philip Elliott have been holding the fort until Phil’s return.

Burningfold Polo Club in Surrey provided a great venue, but some fine-tuning will take place ahead of next year’s sale

THE ORGANISERS OF this summer’s most successful pony sale have revealed they intend to make it a regular fixture. Burningfold Polo Club in Surrey was the venue on Thursday 27 May for a youngstock and playing pony sale organised by club owner Richard Muddle, breeder and retired patron Peter Hewett and pony producer and HPA welfare chief David Morley. The trio recruited Brightwells’ Andrew Elliott as auctioneer, one of the most experienced in the equestrian world.

“It was successful in that the venue worked well and people felt they’d got good value,” Muddle told Polo Times. “We’ll do a sale next year at a similar time, although we’ll finetune the time, day, trying of horses and reserves.

“If next year’s operates on a more commercial basis we’ll consider

holding a second sale at the end of the season. We feel there’s a need for one – but we don’t want to run before we can walk.”

The 150 or so bidders, buyers and onlookers at the May sale ranged from professionals to Pony

“It was a success in that the venue worked and people felt they got good value” – Richard Muddle Club families, including Hurtwood’s Matt Pannell and Jay Jones, England veteran Alan Kent, Sussex Polo’s Sallie-Anne Lent, the Batchelor family and the Blake Thomas brothers.

Some 19 buyers bought 29 of the 50-odd lots, and the total takings were £58,200.

TOM BEIM: Sometimes it’s the small things that matter. Ligament injuries to his right thumb in a fall in May left the Cirencester-based threegoaler with a cast, and put him out of playing action for more than a month.

He’s been able to concentrate on his ponies meanwhile though – he was back on board within a fortnight.

THE SULTAN OF BRUNEI: the polo-playing monarch is divorcing his third wife after five years of marriage.

The 63-year-old, who has 11 children, remains married to his first wife.

8 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

There were around 50 lots, about 30 of which sold. The total takings were £58,200

A fenced corral provided an effective auction ring in the large courtyard in front of Burningfold’s main stable block, with plenty of viewing space and the auctioneer at a corner. Buyers could try some ponies the same morning, and an asado and drinks were laid on.

Hewett entered four three-yearolds, six four-year-olds and six fiveto nine-year-olds by his proven stallion Khan. As his aim was to disperse excess stock, none had reserves and buyers were able to pick up incredible bargains.

The first 17 lots sold for between a few hundred pounds (for a fouryear-old gelding) and £4,600 (for Lucero, an eight-year-old gelding who had played up to 12-goal – and acted as “leader” for one or two horses that needed persuasion to enter the ring).

There followed 30 further lots, entered by the Muddle family, Jamie Le Hardy, Giles Newark, Compton Blood Stock, Martyn Meade, Down View Farm, Peter Wright, The Paddocks and Burton Mill. Top lot, at £12,000, was Burningfold Babe, a six-year-old ex-racehorse of Richard Muddle’s. More than a dozen lots failed to meet their reserves.

Muddle added: “Some people were disappointed with their sales but, equally, on the other hand many were thrilled with their purchases.”

Elliott declared: “I take my hat off to Peter, David and Richard: I was impressed by the venue, the quality of horses and the hospitality.”

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Ponies, camels and Kidds take to the sands AS MANY AS 9,000 spectators a day could get a glimpse of the third British Beach Polo Championships tournament this month (Friday 9 and Saturday 10 July), when eight threea-side teams descend on Dorset’s world-famous Sandbanks beach.

There are 2,000 ticketed guests and corporate VIPs expected each day, with the potential on a fine day for a further 7,000 beachgoers, who will be able to witness the action from a large public viewing area.

Sophie Heaton-Ellis, the tournament’s director of polo, has devised a two-day competition for six sponsored 12-goal sides, and 15-goal teams from England and South America will conclude each day’s play with an international match.

The six sides in the main British Beach Polo Championships can expect to play a game a day, and are to be captained by Jamie Le Hardy, David Allen, Henry Brett, Oscar Mancini, Eden Ormerod and Adolfo Casabal. For the international games, playing for the Gaucho Beach Polo Trophy, England will be captained by Jack Kidd and South America by Matias Ballesteros. Also representing the host nation will be Jamie Morrison and Charlie Wooldridge.

Spectators will also watch beach

Jack Kidd and Jamie Morrison, pictured in 2009 with Jodie Kidd, will play for England against South America

volleyball and a camel polo exhibition game, and ticket holders will have the opportunity to have a go at polo for themselves in the main playing area, in a series of 20-minute instructional sessions operated by Druids Lodge. The club, which is less than an hour from Sandbanks beach, is bringing its own ponies to the event.

General admission tickets for a day at the championships start at £35, though this does not include access to the after-party. For £70, polo-goers will have access to both the polo (from midday until 7pm) and the party and entertainment that follows (from 7pm until 1am). ◗ Find out more at www.sandpolo.com

Generosity in July for UK military POLO IS RALLYING behind the services this summer, with various events raising money for Help for Heroes and other service charities. Kirtlington Polo Club is holding the Rupert Thorneloe Memorial Cup on Saturday 3 July, helping raise money for The Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal. The day was launched following the death a year ago of Commanding Officer Lieutenant Rupert Thorneloe, a former Pony Club polo player who was on tour with The Welsh Guards regiment.

The day will begin with a champagne reception, lunch and auction. The Welsh Guards will play Kirtlington Park at 3.15pm followed by the Meyrick Cup match at 4.30pm.

Tickets, which include lunch, cost £75 or for a picnic tickets, £25. Ring 07769 697842 for more details.

St Albans Polo Club is holding its Polo for Heroes day on Saturday 24

July, raising money for Help for Heroes.

The event will include two afternoon polo matches followed by a dinner, an auction and a raffle. The first match will be Military vs Civilians and the second The Steve Collins Warriors vs The Kenney Jones Gang. Entrance costs £10 per car or £100 for a dinner ticket.

For more call Claire on 01702 588255.

The Black Bears polo team is entering a team in the Horses for Heroes sponsored ride on 10 July at Ascot Racecourse. Participating in the ride is estate and stable manager Doug McGregor, stud manager Jo Stoveld, horse breaker David Baxter and Alex Dick, the estate manager at Culden Faw Ltd. Polo secretary Louisa Tarling will also be taking part individually. To sponsor them, email Louisa at office@blackbears.org.uk.

More details about the ride can be found at www.horses4heroes.co.uk. www.polotimes.co.uk July 2010 9

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News News in brief ◗ VAUX PARK is among clubs doing their bit for

charity: it raised £5,000 for Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance this spring. Auction lots at a champagne tea party included a balloon ride, a break at Cottesmore Lodges in Sussex, salmon fishing and Hiho Silver jewellery. Air ambulances are a vital emergency service in polo, so Vaux Park and sponsors Clydesdale Bank were proud to hand over the cheque. ◗ ARTIST AMANDA Deadman has submitted

three polo paintings to the Society of Equestrian Artists’ exhibition – The Horse in Art, 3-8 August. Amanda, who featured in “Captured on Canvas” in the April edition of Polo Times, is hoping her paintings will make it through the submission stages and into the Mall Galleries in London for the exhibition.

◗ FORMER UNIVERSITY and school players

will have more chances to play affordable polo as SAPA (the Schools Alumni and Polo Association) goes up a gear in its second year of summer polo.

Charles Betz and Mike Hobday, who are behind the association, have a website revamp in the works and are making plans for trips to Sweden and Chantilly. Five teams played at this month’s Akuma Nationals at –7 and –8-goal levels – up one team from last year’s inaugural SAPA summer event.

The association is looking to increase its memberships: there’s no age limit so if you played at school or university last year or 40 years ago, grab a polo mallet and sign up.

Visit www.sapapolo.com to find out more.

10 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Latest from the HPA HPA chief executive David Woodd rounds up the news from UK polo’s headquarters The handicap committee’s mid-season changes became effective towards the end of last month, and all are listed on the HPA and Polo Times websites.

Young England (11): Eden Ormerod 3; Lanto Sheridan 3; Jack Richardson 3; Edmund Parsons 2 England Ladies (10): Nina Clarkin 4; Tamara Vestey 2; Emma Wood 2; Rosie Ross 2

Bursary form applications deadline

Grants applications deadline

The Overseas Work Experience Bursary forms have been emailed to all clubs. Applicants must be aged 17, 18 or 19 on 1 October 2010. All applications need to be with the HPA by Friday 23 July.

Any applications by clubs for grants should be made to Jim Haigh, chairman of the Finance and Grants Committee by Saturday 31 July. For further information please see page 406 of the HPA Blue Book.

England games

Dates for the diary

Last month saw several international encounters. The sides were as follows: Ham Polo Club, 12 June England U25s (12): Eden Ormerod 3; Lanto Sheridan 3; Max Charlton 4; John Kent 2 New Zealand U25s (12): Mikey Henderson 4; Kit Brooks 4; Charlie Wood 2; James Wood 2 Beaufort Polo Club, 19 June England (28): Malcolm Borwick 6; Luke Tomlinson 7; Mark Tomlinson 7; James Beim 7 The Americas: José Donoso 7; Marcos Di Paola 8; Ignacio Toccalino 7; Lucas Di Paola 6

9 July 18 July 18 July

Mid-season handicap changes

– Junior HPA Matches commence – Gold Cup finals, Cowdray Park Polo Club – John Cowdray Trophy (Young England U25s vs New Zealand U25s), Cowdray Park Polo Club 21 July – Handicap meeting for high-goal players, HPA HQ 25 July – Cartier International (England vs New Zealand), Guards Polo Club 8 August – Audi Pony Club and Junior HPA Championships, Cowdray Park Polo Club

Retriever sniffs out prize A DOG LANDED his owner 10,000 Airmiles at the Cowdray test match in May by sniffing out a silver wine-stopper. New England sponsor The Mileage Company launched a treading-in contest at the fixture on 22 May, hiding the stopper in a divot at half-time.

When commentator Terry Hanlon announced the competition, spectator Dio Davies realised her flatcoat retriever, Boris, could be useful. Susan Barber from the Mileage Company explains: “Dio told me Boris is always sniffing things out. She showed him her silver ring and said: ‘Find!’ He shot off, and when he found the stopper he stood there wagging his tail. Dio lifted the divot and there it was!”

A delighted Dio accepted the “cheque” for 10,000 Airmiles – enough for two free flights to New York – from Andrew Swaffield, MD of The Mileage Company. More miles were due to be up for grabs at the Beaufort test on 19 June, and on Cartier Day (25 July).

To read more on the Cowdray Test, turn to page 34.

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A group class at Ascot Park, where lessons are available for all levels of player

All new PT subscribers to get £50 off at Ascot Park POLO TIMES HAS launched an clients the rules of the game; how to exciting offer for new subscribers. hit a ball; how to ride a polo pony, We have joined forces with Ascot and concludes with some stick and Park Polo Club to offer all new balling. Those wanting to play subscribers to the magazine £50 off chukkas after their lesson can book a lesson at the club. Ascot Park, on in as many as they wish to play at the Surrey/Berkshire an additional cost. border, is the UK’s For those new ‘The discount premier polo school, subscribers who can be used for teaching over 2,500 already play polo, £50 “Discover Polo” off an hour-long people each year.

Everyone who or a one-hour private lesson – full takes a new price £105 – may be subscription to Polo private lesson’ more beneficial.

Times from 1 July To claim your 2010 onwards will receive a voucher voucher simply subscribe to Polo - which can be used by a friend or Times from 1 July onwards and we family member, so is not restricted will send you your Ascot Park to the subscriber themselves. The voucher to use as you wish. £50 off can be claimed against the Subscribers will then need to contact “Discover Polo” two-hour lesson or a the club directly to book their lesson. one-hour private lesson for those For more details on this exclusive who already play. The Discover Polo offer please contact Georgie – package – full price £95 – teaches georgie@polotimes.co.uk.

POLO BRAND LA MARTINA presented Guards with this amazing horse, with a striking coat of Argentine flags, to mark Argentina’s Bicentennial on 31 May (l-r: Charlie Stisted, Becky Simpson and Mario Mussa). Two Queen’s Cup matches and Argentine food, wine, destinations and art exhibitors provided a focus for the day. www.polotimes.co.uk July 2010 11

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Comment Interview

Carlos Gracida Cowdray Park’s favourite player

Photograph by Tom Reynolds

The Mexican maestro and king of Cowdray’s Gold Cup – back in UK high-goal in his 50thbirthday year – reveals to Yolanda Carslaw his favourite team-mates and horses, his plans for the future and what it was like spending 15 years on 10 goals Where do you spend your year?

I'm in England from May to August, then from September to November I'm in Mexico, where I'm involved in a polo and real estate development 15 minutes from Mexico City.

The club, Ameyalco, is for polo, general equestrian and show jumping.

Polo people aren't that wealthy in Mexico but the show jumpers are, and a lot want to try polo. The season is from October to May and there are 100 players and rising. I grew up 45 minutes from Mexico City, but traffic means it now takes two hours. I have plenty of relatives there: both my parents came from large families.

From December to April I'm in Florida, where I have 30 horses on a rented farm in Wellington. I have a 10-acre place there, which I bought very cheaply 20 years ago, but I rent it to show jumpers as it's too small for polo. I live at a house within Palm Beach Polo and Country Club, which I've had for five years: it's a couple of miles from International Polo Club Palm Beach.

From time to time I go to Argentina, where I have a breeding partnership with

14 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Adolfo Cambiaso, something that interests me very much and has become a good business.

Which is your favourite club in the world?

Cowdray. Some of my best memories are the years with Tramontana: the hours riding in the rain, the concentration, playing alongside Roberto [Gonzales, Carlos's first cousin]. It was such a pleasure to put effort into the team with the Gold Cup to aim for.

One of my best moments was when I first won the Gold Cup: you don't realise how difficult it is until you do it – and it never crossed my mind I'd win it so many times.

Luck and timing are part of it but I had great horses, I was at my peak and I was getting better and better organised. Part of my success in England was down to the fact that I only had eight horses: in Florida I had 40 to 50, which is a distraction.

I feel comfortable and happy in England; the US is so much more commercial. If I had to change something I would have had a farm in Argentina instead of in Palm Beach:

my two sons Carlos (19) and Mariano (17) have grown up in the US, but it's the worst place to bring on young players as it's expensive and some of the rules, such as substitution, limit opportunities.

Who have been your best team-mates?

I've played with many great players – not least Adolfo Cambiaso, who went from seven to 10 when we played together – but one of my best times was with Roberto in Tramontana. As cousins we got the best out of each other. He was two years younger; I was the captain and I let him go out once a week! My brother, Memo, was a major factor and probably my biggest influence.

He's a defensive player and I'm offensive, so we did well together, winning the Gold Cup with Falcons and then with Labegorce, as well as seven US Opens. In the US Memo

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Clockwise from far left: today; with his cousin Roberto Gonzales in 1989 after winning the Gold Cup at Cowdray with Tramontana for the fourth year running; in action at Brooksfield in 2003, beside Pablo Macdonough

was winning, and I was winning everything for a while.

People often said I did well in England when the Argentines weren't there in the 1980s, but during that time I was winning at Palermo too, and I continued winning in the UK in the 1990s. In the UK I went to 10 in 1984 until about 1998, then back up in 2005; in the US it was longer.

Not being Argentine you definitely feel different, but I knew other players respected

“Some of my best memories are at Cowdray: riding in the rain, the concentration, playing alongside Roberto. It was a pleasure to put effort in with the Gold Cup to aim for. When I first won, I never thought I'd win it so many times”

was captain and in the UK I was.

I had great fun and success with Gonzalo Pieres [for La Espadaña and Ellerstina, winning the Argentine Open five times]; we were a good combination and he became a good friend. He's about four years older than me and someone I look up to: he's a genius in every sense, not only in polo. I also enjoyed playing with Javier Novillo Astrada.

This season Sumaya is special, and Milo Fernandez-Araujo is one of the best teammates I've had. He's always positive and makes you feel he believes in you. There's nothing worse than playing with someone who doesn't believe in you 100 per cent.

Which have been your favourite horses?

People usually say my favourite was Chesney,

but actually it was Noni-Noni, from around the same time.

She'd make me play so well, and she'd play in my style.

Chesney was a great horse but you had to use him the way he was, and adapt to his style.

Another is one of my current horses, Legend, that Cambiaso plays at Palermo. I have a system of buying unraced Thoroughbreds in Florida with Vicki Armour, taking them to Mexico while they grow up then back to the US for training.

Another is Chusma, who I brought over from the US in the 1990s. She was played by Gonzalo Pieres and Cambiaso and won best playing pony in the Gold Cup in the 1990s. She became a famous broodmare in Argentina for Gonzalo Pieres and has produced more than $2m worth of embryos.

At your peak did you realise you were the world's best player?

Not really: all I thought about was winning. Because I'm Mexican no one would acknowledge it, but looking back I was at the top. I'm not saying I was absolutely the best, but the best is who

Carlos’s wins Carlos has won 10 Gold Cups, nine US Opens and five Argentine Opens, and is the only player to have won every Open in one year – a feat he repeated three times, in 1987, 1988 and 1994.

Cowdray Park Gold Cup wins 1982 – Southfields (with David Yeoman, J Walker and Charles Beresford) beat Les Diables Bleus 1983 – Falcons (with Alex Ebeid, Memo Gracida and Andrew Hine) beat Centaurs 1986 – Tramontana (with Anthony Embiricos, Martin Brown and Jesus Baez) beat Cowdray Park 1987 – Tramontana (with Anthony Embiricos, David Jamison and Roberto Gonzales/Mike Azzarro) beat Windsor Park 1988 – Tramontana (with Anthony Embiricos, David Jamison and V Aguilar) beat Hildon House 1989 – Tramontana (with Anthony Embiricos, David Jamison and V Aguilar) beat Cowdray Park 1991 – Tramontana (with Anthony Embiricos, Adolfo Cambiaso and Adam Buchanan) beat Ellerston White 1994 – Ellerston Black (with Jamie Packer, Roberto Gonzales and Oliver Taylor) beat Pegasus 1995 – Ellerston White (with Kerry Packer, Gonzalo Pieres and Oliver Hipwood) beat Black Bears 1997 – Labegorce (with Hubert Perrodo, Javier Novillo Astrada and Jamie Le Hardy) beat Isla Carroll Carlos won the Argentine Open from 1987 to 1990 with La Espadaña and in 1994 with Ellerstina. His nine US Open wins, some with his brother Memo, were between 1982 and 2003.

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Comment Interview Carlos – in his trademark colourfully strapped hat – riding Noni-Noni in 1993, playing for Ellerston Black. Below: with his older son Carlitos, 19

“My father was a great teacher.

He said that when players get nervous they start rushing, so you have to train yourself not to rush”

X me. The biggest compliment of my life came

Photographs by Yolanda Carslaw and Kay Carslaw

when Juan Carlos Harriott told me I was the most versatile player he'd ever seen – and coming from him that meant a lot.

In those days I was shy with the press, and wasn't as well known as I am nowadays, even though I'm far from being the world's best today! Professionals now have help with publicity and business, and looking back it was a mistake not to have help.

And though I was making good money, I could have made more – but then everything was about having a good team and organisation more than about how much you made. I used to come with my own grooms, but with David Morley and Chris Bethell [David Jamison's managers] what they had was already really good, and those two were very much key to our success – and the fact we were one of the first teams with a private field.

What testing times have you had in polo?

The pressure does get to you, and some players have a moment where they say, “I've been doing polo for 17 or 18 years, but what else have I done? Is it worth it?” I think Cambiaso went through that a few years ago and you could see he wasn't having fun.

It happened to me one year, when I won three Opens as well as the Triple Crown.

After the final at Palermo I thought, “I didn't enjoy that”. You never imagine it could happen to you. I thought, “This is bad; I'm winning and not enjoying it,” and I quit

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Palermo. From the top there's only one way!

Today, doing the embryos and getting involved in different businesses is satisfying, as well as playing.

What were your parents like?

My mother's still going strong at 90. She knows a lot about polo but actually she taught us all about life, manners and so on.

My father, Guillermo, was a great teacher to me and Memo and to Antonio Herrera: his students could make a 37-goal team. He was one of four eight- and nine-goal brothers, who together made the final at Palermo and won the US open. There was no situation in polo my father didn't know about – and he'd never give you a compliment.

He'd talk about how to handle pressure using mental tricks. He'd say that when people are nervous their arms get shorter. So taking a penalty, you have to avoid letting your brain fool you, and just go for it.

Also, he'd say that when players get nervous they start rushing, so you have to train yourself not to rush.

What do you think of today's polo as a spectator sport?

Polo's rules are not made for spectators but for players, and lately the game has not been so fun or exciting, with too many stops and fouls. Cambiaso has been a great asset for polo, but somehow he changed the game

– and whatever rules you make he will win because he's so good. But the latest interpretations of the rules on turning the ball have made a difference. I’d go further, and make the dribbling and walking rules harsher as this is what slows the game down.

I was consulted on the rules for Polo in the Park last year, and a lot of the ideas implemented by Daniel Fox-Davies came from me. I thought it worked well, being fun, accessible and non-stop. [Editor’s note: see pages 20 and 40 for more on PITP.] What future polo plans do you have?

I want to organise tours to polo countries, where I take four patrons to play and go sightseeing. I'm hoping to run one this October to India. I'd also like to create a tuition system, from how to hold the mallet to teaching 10-goal players how to hit penalty shots. Within the system we'd use film and technology. I'd like to see the same system used across the world and across levels. F ◗ Have you followed Carlos Gracida over the

years, in England, Argentina or America? Tell us your favourite moments from his career by writing to letters@polotimes.co.uk

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Comment Your views

Letter of the month Aspiring artists blossom at Guards

Letters letters@polotimes.co.uk or The Editor, Polo Times, East End Farm, North Leigh, Oxon OX29 6PX

Will the HPA copy the coalition?

I was shocked to read in Herbert Spencer’s article that the HPA has been supporting higher handicapped professional British players with discretionary payments in recent years.

In line with the attitude of our new coalition government to disclose the remuneration of the fat cats in the civil service what chance the HPA making a full disclosure of the amounts and recipients of the slush fund?

Name and address supplied HPA chief executive David Woodd responds: The details of the grants were not only given willingly to Herbert Spencer by me but they have also been covered at the November Council meetings and are included in the minutes which are circulated to all clubs.

The money has come to date from the Audi sponsorship but the Stewards have agreed that it would be acceptable to use money from Cartier International Day if necessary.

It is HPA policy that money from subscriptions, affiliation fees, umpiring and passports is used to run the office. Any fines are paid to the Polo Charity and the money from Cartier is used for development and overseas teams with any surplus being donated to the Polo Charity. The above is stated annually at the Council Meeting along with the budget for the income and expenditure which ties in with the above.

The HPA does not have a slush fund and with the exception of the

18 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

On the last two Bank Holiday Mondays, I have run cartoon workshops in the clubhouse at Guards Polo Club during the afternoons. These were aimed to give parents a little free time and to encourage the artistic talents of members’ children.

The workshops have proved to be a great success and it was difficult to pick a couple of winners from each age group. Amongst the older children, Sofia Cicchine aged nine and a budding chap called Oliver were the prize-winners. Oliver drew a fab Labrador dog using perspective and an open mouth with teeth and Sofia proved a talented young artist, completing more than four drawings.

In the middle age group, Isabella Seabridge, aged seven (whose drawing is pictured) and a boy named Victor were both very focused and produced fabulous drawings. I originally gave them an example of two horses playing football in World Cup strip, and they followed this lead to create their own imaginative pieces.

Victor drew a wonderful dragon playing football and Isabella illustrated a lovely pony with a pink noseband. The player on the ground in the picture may well have had something to do with an incident in a Queen’s Cup game that day, and the entertainment provided by all the teams on the grounds at Guards earlier that day proved very inspiring for all the aspiring Picassos and Emins of the future.

Kate Scurfield Ewhurst, Surrey

Editor’s note: We hope that Isabella’s work, as well as Kate’s brilliant cartoons on this very Letters page, will inspire artists of all ages!

The writer of the letter of the month wins a bottle of La Chamiza Argentine red wine

HPA office staff, all Stewards and Committee members carry out their jobs in their own time and at their own expense which, when you take into account flights and accommodation when supporting the England team overseas or attending FIP meetings, or coming to London for meetings from Yorkshire and beyond, can be considerable.

Would that the country had been run in the same way that the HPA is run!

Editor’s note: PT last wrote about the HPA bursaries in a late 2008 issue, when they were first introduced. See the Nov/Dec 2008 issue, page 6, for more.

Anthem was an insult

Good luck to all our England teams this month!

The International Test Match between England and South Africa at Cowdray Park was a marvellous game, with great horsemanship, tension and

PTJuly 2010 p18-21 letters YC MB PJ

drama. It’s only a pity it had to be settled with a penalty.

However, I write to express my astonishment, embarrassment and indignation at the playing of the incorrect South African National Anthem at the onset of proceedings.

Having introduced the South African team with an appropriate bow to Nelson Mandela, the organisers proceeded to insult South Africa and its national team by playing the apartheid era national anthem rather than the current anthem!

Up to 1961 the South African national anthem was God Save the Queen. Thereafter and throughout the apartheid years it was Die Stem (the anthem played at Cowdray).

The current anthem, the beautiful and moving Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, (God Bless Africa), was introduced in 1994.

This anthem has five parts, each representing the major groups in SA – Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho, English and Afrikaans. The anthem incorporates parts of the old Die Stem, which, sung in isolation, is a gross insult to Nelson Mandela and all who fought for freedom in South Africa.

In the circumstances an apology from Cowdray to the South African team, its officials and South African spectators is probably in order.

Roy Gordon Harrow Bomb- and beret-proof

I thought readers might like to see a “relaxed” pony photo. This is one of my mares, Ensa (below), with my grooms Martin Baldaccini and

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Carlos Venela. As you can see, Ensa likes nothing better than a good rub-down after chukkas – she learned this from my dog! Note the casual Argentine beret on her foot.

I bought Ensa from Javier Pizzaro the season before last; she is nine years old and came over from Argentina in 2007. She’s quick and agile, and a regular in my first string: I usually play her in the second chukka. You know you have a decent horse when your pro is always saying: “I should play her to help you out”! Ensa remains a firm fixture in Team Crystal Polo.

Martin Randall Chairman, St Albans Polo Club Calling all amateurs!

There are no professional players in Scotland, yet we can put out an eight-goal amateur team, or three four-goal amateur teams.

So, if you love playing oldfashioned four-man polo (as opposed to two-man polo with a couple of pros), maybe you would be interested in teaming up with us for some all-amateur action, as follows: 1. Being part of an English amateur team to play our eight-goal side?

Possibly on 21/22 August, for a “Calcutta Cup”!

2. Coming up for our 17/18 July tournament (0 to 4; –3 to 0), and maybe staying north for a Perth tournament the weekend after. And maybe a midweek match too.

3. ditto 21/22 August and surrounding weekends.

4. Inviting us to any all-amateur X

Esna relaxes with grooms Martin Baldaccini and Carlos Venela

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Comment Your views go, I think it was one of the best.

There is definitely a place for this kind of event within polo and, with support from players, sponsors and fans, I hope Polo in the Park goes from strength to strength.

Catriona Christie Windsor

Letters

Scale back the backhands

I play low-goal polo and enjoy it.

I am not terribly aggressive and generally play with friends or others in club chukkas. I have noticed this year with the new rules that a lot more backhands are being played and that more people and ponies are getting hit by the ball.

The HPA needs to remember that polo is played by all levels and not only high-goal teams. In my view, the association should consider all levels of the game before making rule changes so fundamental that they cause unnecessary danger in low-goal for the sake of aiming to speed up the high-goal game.

Surely it would not be beyond the wisdom of the rule-makers to allow a high/low goal differentiation?

letters@polotimes.co.uk or The Editor, Polo Times, East End Farm, North Leigh, Oxon OX29 6PX

X plus-goal tournaments in England

or Ireland.

5. All amateur tournaments next year, in Scotland or elsewhere.

If interested in any or all of the above, please get in touch! We will aim to entertain you regally in house parties! If there is just you (rather than a whole team), no matter: we will slot you in with other like-minded souls! Players required. Answer the call – contact me at will@wills-art.com.

Will Ramsay Border Reivers Polo Club Umpiring – tap dance

We’re having an argument here in Zimbabwe about tapping the ball.

As far as I read it, if you slow down to a walk you have one tap, after which you must get rid of the ball.

Some are arguing that you cannot tap the ball at all, or not unless you are accelerating with it.

Also, the same crew say you cannot take the ball in a large circle, tapping it as you go around.

We would be grateful for Arthur Douglas-Nugent’s opinion.

Our problem here is that we have about 30 players in two clubs, so everyone has to have his say, whereas if you have 300 players, you can tell them what to do!

Many thanks.

Gary Hensman Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe Arthur Douglas-Nugent responds: A player with the ball is allowed one tap while at walking pace; he must then leave it, hit it away or run (at faster than walking pace) with it. Should he leave it, a teammate following behind at walking pace cannot tap but must run with 20 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

We love this picture, sent to PT HQ by Sandhurst Polo Club’s manager Barbara Zingg and taken by Peter Meade Photography. The handsome athlete collecting a stray polo ball is Mambo, belonging to 0-goal player Heloise Lorentzen

it or hit it away. You can tap the ball round in a circle providing you do not do so at walking pace.

This is an artificial rule designed solely to speed up the game. We have found this year that being tougher on the “turn across” rule has been much more effective and has done much to encourage the players to play the backhand shot.

Why I loved Polo in the Park 2010

To my mind, last year’s Polo In The Park was a good gig – the polo was entertaining and the set-up good, but it was clear that much was to be learnt. As with every large event staged for the first time, creases need to be ironed and cogs oiled.

This year the event came back strong, and the faithless who snorted at the notion of bringing polo to the big smoke are now eating large slices of humble pie.

With kind weather and incredible new grandstand seating, the view of the game played to

Daniel Fox-Davies’s new rules was fantastic. The even smaller ground this year created an intimate enclosed space and eliminated the need for binoculars.

Not changing ends after each goal helped the champagneguzzling blondes keep track, as did not riding back to centre after each score, which is normally enough to lose the attention of the city slickers. The two-goal rule from outside the “D” is clever.

All in all, every change helped make this version of polo more spectator-friendly to the untrained eye. Other additions were the waving of an oversized flag emblazoned “goal” and the loud music that accompanied it emphatically.

The result was a fun day at polo for everyone to enjoy.

The action was genuinely competitive. Commentator Glen Gilmore told me all the players were taking it seriously and really wanted to win. As polo weekends

Gary Withey London Newsletter keeps me up to date

Maybe I shouldn’t say thank you every single time for the PT weekly email newsletter, but it is such good stuff. I didn’t realise how well La Bamba was doing in the UK, for example.

Thanks a lot: you are supplying a good service to the polo communities far-flung out there, such as me in Buenos Aires!

Christopher Carpenter Argentico Real Estate, Buenos Aires Thank you Polo Times

I want to say a quick thank you to Polo Times for supporting the SUPA Uni Nationals.

Having now played my last SUPA tournament last month, and having luckily enjoyed five national championships and two runners-up spots, I am now looking forward to getting involved with SAPA and playing some club polo once I graduate this July.

Rebecca Griffiths University of Warwick

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Comment Backchat With amateur player Clare Milford Haven, from the saddle and the sidelines

When knee-pads were few and knees-ups frequent helmet variety, either devoid of a chin strap or with it folded up over the brim rendering it completely useless should one land on one’s head.

Now we sport a curious selection of body armour including faceguards, goggles, helmets lined with protective gel, mouth-guards in team colours, elbow pads and, in extreme cases, back protectors. What must our polo

Photograph by Michael Chevis, Midhurst

A

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the current economic climate- many of them cobbled together in the last few weeks. But let’s not forget that the majority of the patrons are very savvy and successful businessmen. Putting together a team at the last minute is a considerably cheaper option, with strong bargaining advantages.

Many will say they don’t stand a chance but I think the challenge is

‘

s I wade through reams of research for the Cowdray Centenary Book, I am receiving more and more wonderful stories about polo in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. One of the most striking differences between polo then and now seems to be that the players really knew how to enjoy themselves. Not only did they play hard, they partied hard too. Impromptu barbecues and parties would happen at the drop of a hat and these were attended with as much enthusiasm and gusto as the games themselves.

Amongst the big characters of the day whose names keep cropping up were Eric Moller, Rao Rajah Hanut Singh and of course John Cowdray. It seems that not a weekend went past when there wasn’t a fancy dress swimming pool party at Cowdray House or a lavish black tie dinner at the Moller pad, Thorncombe Park.

Perhaps I am a social pariah, but in the past month or so since the season started there hasn’t been one barbecue or dinner to speak of. Why have we all become so boring? I know that the professional nature of the sport these days dictates that most pros must be tucked up in bed before midnight with nothing stronger than a maté or two as a digestif, but there must be a happy medium here. I love the fact that Gonzalo Pieres had a glass of whisky and a few fags in the clubhouse at Ambersham and still played 10 goals the next day. These days we play our games, have a quick chat over a Lucozade, and disappear off home for another kitchen supper in front of Britain’s Got Talent.

Another thing that has changed dramatically in the past 50 years is the polo gear. Back in the 1950s and 60s, knee pads were apparently considered “rather sissy” and helmets were invariably of the solar-topee/pith

I love the fact that Gonzalo Pieres had a whisky and a few fags in the clubhouse then played 10 goals the next day

More fun than watching Britain’s Got Talent: a summer asado in times past

forebears be thinking? That we are a bunch of wimps with no backbone?

In fairness, I believe that the games are played much faster and are therefore more dangerous so any aid to self protection is a wise move but there’s something undeniably dashing about the devil-may-care attitude of the past against the armour-plated caution of the present.

WILL THE SHREWD BE SUCCESSFUL? I have just returned from the Gold Cup draw and it is really incredible that there are 20 teams taking part under

inspiring and I don’t believe that winning has necessarily anything to do with how much you spend. Wouldn’t it be a welcome leveller if one of them reaches the final. F ◗ Do you have a tale to tell about past

days at Cowdray? Tell us by writing to letters@polotimes.co.uk Read Clare’s Backchat columns in our online archive. Subscribers can access current and back issues with their personal login. Contact georgie@polotimes.co.uk if you need to track down your password.

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

Player power – 25 per cent of the game? disproportionate weight generally given to pony power over player talent.

When the Federation of International Polo (FIP) first inaugurated its 14-goal World Championships for the World Cup in 1987, it took the pragmatic view that it would be prohibitively expensive for national teams from all over the world

W

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teams swapping pony strings between one game and the next to equalise pony power. Perhaps a pooled pony system should be adopted for all internationals.

IS GENEROSITY IN SHORT SUPPLY? What got me to thinking about the handicapping system this month were some concerns over FIP’s pony

‘

Last year the AAP ran a pony pool of sorts for its highgoal international series, the Copa de las Naciones, with teams swapping strings between one game and the next

Do today’s handicappers put disproportionate weight on pony power compared to a player’s talents?

‘

hen the Americans first devised polo’s handicapping system well over a century ago, how much weight, if any, did they give to the ponies a player was riding in relation to the player’s athletic ability and skills?

It was Henry L Herbert, first president of the Polo Association of America (1890, later US Polo Association), who invented the handicapping system in 1888.

Handicapping in the US became official two years later, with England and Argentina adopting the American system in 1911.

No one knows just what the early governors of the game had in mind in establishing criteria for comparing the performance of players in assigning handicaps. I suspect, however, that the handicappers of 100 years ago paid more attention to players’ relative skills than to the quality of their ponies.

Not so today, of course, when everyone says the success of a player is based as much as 75 per cent or more on the ponies he plays. This leads us to the logical assumption that the individual talents of a player as a sportsman and athlete account for as little as a quarter of his worth to the teams on which he plays. That seems strangely dismissive of the skills that the player may have spent years developing; for some professional players, many years of hard slog.

The way today’s handicappers see it, natural and acquired athleticism and skills count for less than a player’s pony power, whether the player is riding his own horses or those of a patron who, at the top end of the sport, can afford to spend a small fortune building up a top string.

There are some exceptions to the

to bring their own ponies. So the FIP established a pony pool system.

The World Cup host country provides a pool of medium-goal ponies of roughly comparable quality from which teams draw their mounts by lots. This has the effect of creating a level playing field on which individual player talent and teamwork are the deciding factors.

Last year the Argentine Polo Association ran a pony pool of sorts for its high-goal international series, the Copa de las Naciones, with the four

pool for its next World Cup. Argentina has been named as the host country for the final stages of the championships, likely to be held in 2012.

Currently the Argentines are talking about a budget of up to US$550,000 (£380,000) for mounts for 10 teams, including the “rental” of some 300 ponies. In past World Cups, however, host countries such as Mexico, France, Australia and the USA have managed to obtain, largely if not entirely, the free loan of ponies from generous members of their respective polo communities.

Argentina has a greater supply of suitable mounts for medium-goal polo than any other country in the world. It would appear, however, that the generosity of Argentine players is in rather shorter supply if they insist on being paid for providing ponies for the visitors. F Read past Global Views in our online archive. Subscribers can access current and back issues with their personal login. Contact georgie@polotimes.co.uk if you’ve lost your password.

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Comment Umpire’s corner With Arthur Douglas-Nugent, deputy chief umpire for the HPA

How to play advantage – and feel good about it should be banned even though “the whips that jockeys now use have been modified to the point that they could hardly squash a fly”. It is the public perception that counts.

We have gone some way down this route by banning whipping when the ball is dead other than in exceptional circumstances; for example, if a horse kicks in the line-out. In play, a player will be penalised if he hits his pony more than twice or with such force that the crack can be heard around the ground.

T

A HIT AND A SQUEEZE In racing the use of the whip is a hot topic and Charlie Brooks, a columnist in the Daily Telegraph, controversially argues that whips

26 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

particular the interchange between the parallel and trailing umpire. Think of a doubles match in tennis or a 45-degree angle across the ground and you will be about right. The increased use of the backhand in contrast to the slow turn has given the umpires, or more accurately their ponies, a tougher challenge as it is essential to keep up with the play.

Teams understandably are reluctant to release their first-string ponies for umpiring but to send out donkeys does no

‘

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he season is hotting up and the gloom-merchants are back in their boxes. It is generally agreed that the quality of polo has improved; more open and faster, not least due to the new interpretation of the turning rule.

One area we still need to sort out is the advantage rule. Some senior umpires will not play the advantage, but are they correct? On occasions it must be right to allow play to continue after a player has been fouled, say by a crossing player who continues on his way, whereas a player who blocks the right of way should be blown, as even if play were to continue, a mêlée almost always ensues.

However, it is important the correct procedure is followed. The rules say: “To signal that he has seen the foul but is playing the advantage, the umpire should say 'Play on'; and raise his hand.”

At a recent game this was brought home when an umpire failed to carry out this procedure in the closing stages of a match in which the teams were separated by half a goal. He inexplicably awarded a penalty in favour of a team that had patently fouled in front of their opponents' goal.

On subsequent enquiry the umpire explained that the defending team had fouled previously but that he had let play continue to see what happened and so the penalty was awarded for the previous foul.

But then we have the quote from the referee in the final of the Champions League: “When the ball broke to Eto'o who played Milito in and Inter Milan scored, it was a wonderful feeling to have played advantage.” You have to make the choice and you may be damned if you do and damned if you don't but if you do, raise your hand – and remember, never play the advantage on a dangerous foul.

If you play advantage, raise your hand – and remember, never play the advantage on a dangerous foul I feel that a whip in polo is a sort of balance in the left hand to the stick in the right and would not support a ban. A ban on the use of spurs is another issue, and maybe we should start with players of –2 and below, although here it is riding skills rather than playing ability that count most.

UPPING THE UMPIRE PONIES We have been concentrating on the positioning of umpires this year and in

one any favours and increasingly we are finding in 15-goal that two ponies are required to do the job. F ◗ See also Letters, page 18. Email Arthur at whistleblower@polotimes.co.uk Read past editions of Umpire’s Corner in our online archive. Subscribers have access to back issues when they login.

Contact georgie@polotimes.co.uk if you need your password.

Play goes on until the whistle blows…

This month’s puzzle Play is continuing when a player dismounts and starts to walk his pony off towards the nearest sideline. As an umpire what should you do?

Last month’s solution You blow for a foul near to the back line but are overruled by the referee; from where should the throw-in be taken? The answer is at least 10 yards from the back line and at least 20 yards from the boards towards them (Rule 21b (ii)).

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As Guards celebrates 50 years of its showpiece tournament, Herbert Spencer documents in detail the fittingly thrilling final, in which the favourites had a true battle on their hands

28 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

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Cambiaso in control, with MVP Chris Mackenzie (far left) and the Merlos brothers (right) closing in

ven the most reckless of gamblers would not have bet against Dubai overcoming Les Lions II in the final of the Harcourt Developments Queen’s Cup. Dubai were clear favourites and in the end they triumphed, but only after one of the most nail-biting finals in memory. The score was tied no fewer than nine times, the underdogs took the lead in the sixth chukka and Dubai won 12-10 minutes before the final hooter.

Anyone calculating the odds would have noted that, whilst both teams came through the 14-team tournament undefeated, Dubai had a clear lead in goal difference. More crucially, they had 10-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso, today’s greatest player, and Pablo MacDonough (nine here, 10 at home), a newcomer to the team, who is ranked fourth in the world.

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Over the past six months Cambiaso had won the four top competitions across the Atlantic: the 26goal CV Whitney, Piaget Gold Cup and US Open in Florida and the Argentine Open at home. He had already taken the Queen’s Cup six times, three

high-goal for 17 years and have won only a single 22-goal tournament, the Warwickshire. So few pundits expected that their opponents could do much against Dubai’s powerful CambiasoMacDonough combination.

I’ve covered Queen’s Cup finals for 40 years and can’t recall when one has kept me more on the edge of my seat playing with Ali Albwardy’s Dubai, and was hungry to become the first player to win the prestigious trophy seven times.

Max Gottschalk’s Les Lions II had the ninegoal Merlos brothers Agustin and Sebastian at the centre, a worthy duo playing well together.

However, the Gottschalks have been in English

How wrong we all were. I have been covering Queen’s Cup finals for 40 years and can’t remember when one has kept me more on the edge of my seat from start to finish. This was due in part to the teenage South African three-goaler Chris MacKenzie, 17, who fearlessly challenged the greatest out there on X

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Report Harcourt Developments Queen’s Cup

Francisco Vismara, Rashid Albwardy, Pablo MacDonough and Adolfo Cambiaso, who became the first to win the cup seven times

30 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

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Guards gossip

X the Queen’s Ground to the delight of a sell-out

crowd of more than 8,000.

It came as no surprise when Cambiaso, with his little-known two-goal team-mate Francisco Vismara blocking, opened the scoring with a field goal in the first two minutes. Les Lions II came back immediately when Agustin Merlos found the posts straight from the throw-in. Merlos then got through to equalise thanks to Mackenzie, who blithely took out MacDonough to clear the way. From then on throughout the match Mackenzie repeatedly thrilled the crowd with his hard riding, blocking, hooking and stealing the ball from Cambiaso and MacDonough. He was nothing short of brilliant.

MacDonough retook the lead for Dubai with a long-range under-the-neck shot, but Agustin Merlos equalised again from the throw-in, taking a backhand pass from Mackenzie. Cambiaso converted a 30-yarder to end the first chukka with Dubai ahead 3-2.

Both teams tightened their defences in the second and all the scoring was on penalties, with three conversions leaving the score 5-3 to Dubai.

Les Lions II held Dubai scoreless in the third.

Agustin Merlos converted a spot penalty, then brother Sebastian worked his way through the pack to equalise. Another spot conversion by Agustin put Les Lions II ahead 6-5 at half-time.

◗ YOUNG BRITISH PROS Edmund Parsons and Max Routledge were among those to reach the semi-finals, Ed with La Bamba de Areco (beaten by Dubai) and Max with Lechuza (beaten by Les Lions II). Other home players in the fray included Malcolm Borwick and James Beim (Enigma, which reached the quarter-finals), Nacho Gonzalez (Emlor: the team’s first foray into 22-goal), Max Charlton and George Meyrick (The Telegraph: heroically formed at the last minute by Charlton), Jonny Good (Les Lions), William Beresford (Loro Piana), Ollie Cudmore (Zacara), George and Charlie Hanbury (El Remanso) and England captain Luke Tomlinson (Talandracas).

◗ SIX OF THE 14 teams fielded brothers. Four Is he praying or cursing? Agustin Merlos sighs. Below: Agustin (right) reaches as Chris Mackenzie blocks

Dubai came back in the first chukka with a sharply angled field goal from a good 80 yards out

by MacDonough to tie the match up again.

Cambiaso found the posts to give Dubai the lead before Agustin Merlos scored from a scrum to equalise. Cambiaso hit a safety 60 to end the chukka 8-7 to Dubai.

In the fifth period Mackenzie took a pass from Sebastian Merlos to equalise before Dubai retook X

reached the quarter-finals or beyond: Piaget (Bautista and Marcos Heguy), El Remanso (George and Charlie Hanbury), La Bamba de Areco (Gonzalito and Facundo Pieres) and Les Lions II (Sebastian and Agustin Merlos).

Les Lions I (Eduardo and Nachi Heguy) and Zacara (Eduardo and Javier Novillo Astrada) didn’t make the quarters.

◗ AT 17, CHRIS Mackenzie (below) is one of the youngest pros to play high-goal in England. The South African won great admiration for his performance in the final.

“He’s a real machine,” said one of his ninegoal teammates. “I think he’ll go far,” said the HPA’s David Woodd. Two days later, the HPA raised his handicap from three to four.

“I’ve played for the national team at home, but not in an open,” said Chris. “My father [Buster, best handicap 7] captained the first

team, and I hope to be on it in the future.”

Chris rode South African Thoroughbreds in the final. “My father gets them from racing studs at home and retrains them as polo ponies,” he said. “Beebop and Nellie went particularly well for me.”

◗ AFTER THE SEMI-FINALS Guards and Polosaleroom.com staged a stallion parade and embryo auction. Seven embryos went up for sale, plus the stallion Mr Coffee, once owned by the late Gabriel Donoso. The 10 stallions on parade (fees from £500 to £1,000) were All Gold and Osh Kosh (owned

by Alan Kent), Cassanova (Mark Tomlinson), Clark and Mister Coffee (Great Trippetts Farm), Dance Night (JP Clarkin), Dijon (Charlie Hanbury), Mister Superb (Claire Tomlinson), Open Maestro (Gonzalo Pieres/Fernando Riera/Emma Tomlinson), Valentino (Emma Tomlinson) and Zorro (Stephanie Gore).

◗ To see the results and teams in full, go to the tournaments section at www.polotimes.co.uk

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Report Harcourt Developments Queen’s Cup

50 years of action ◗ 1960 – Centaurs became the first Queen’s Cup winners, fielding Jorge Marin Moreno, John Lucas (Claire Tomlinson’s brother), Guillermo Gracida (Memo and Carlos’s father) and patron Evelyn de Rothschild. In a game played over five chukkas, they thrashed Cowdray Park 8-21/2.

◗ 1963 – The tournament was raised to 22 goals. ◗ 1964 and 1966 – Prince Philip reached the final.

Though he won the Gold Cup at Cowdray, he never lifted his home club’s Queen’s Cup.

◗ 1968 – Woolmers Park beat Chequers Manor 5-21/2: the lowest final score in the cup’s history.

◗ 1970s – Howard Hipwood played in five finals in the decade, winning four, with San Flamingo and Cowdray Park.

◗ 1978 – 13 teams entered: the most at the time. ◗ 1979 – Claire Tomlinson became the first woman to win the Queen’s Cup, a year after the HPA changed its rules – under pressure from Claire herself – to allow women to play high-goal.

◗ 1980 – Alfred Dunhill started its 20-year sponsorship of the tournament.

◗ 1982 to 1988 – Argentines were absent, due to the Falklands War.

Clockwise from above: action on the Queen’s Ground on finals day; Adolfo Cambiaso and Ali Albwardy celebrate Dubai’s fourth win in seven years; Pablo MacDonough takes a tumble

◗ 1984 – Lord (Sam) Vestey lost a hasty three stone to take his brother’s place in Foxcote and win, months after Mark Vestey (Nina Clarkin’s father) suffered a fall out hunting that left him paralysed.

◗ 1986 – Prince Charles became the first royal to win with Les Diables Bleus, alongside Julian Hipwood, Robert Graham and Guy Wildenstein.

◗ 1991 – Ellerston won their first of five titles. ◗ 1998 – Adolfo Cambiaso won his first of seven Queen’s Cups: in 1998 and 1999 with Ellerston alongside Gonzalo Pieres and James Beim; in 2000 with Geebung and in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2010 with the green shirts of Dubai.

◗ 2008 – An all-time high of 22 teams entered.

X the lead with a 30-yard penalty conversion. Then, Queen’s Cup, 18 May-13 June; Guards Polo Club, Surrey Result: Dubai beat Les Lions II 12-10 Principal sponsor: Harcourt Developments Handicap level: 17-22 goal Number of team entries: 14 Chukka scores (Dubai): 1-3; 6-3; 7-6; 8-8; 11-9; 11-11; 12-11 Most valuable player: South African Chris Mackenzie

Photographs by Andrew Tobin

Best playing pony: Certain, 13-year-old Australian gelding played by Adolfo Cambiaso, owned by Lucas Monteverde ROR award for best retrained racehorse: Menina, seven-year old Brazilian mare played and owned by Agustin Merlos Dubai (22): ): Rashid Albwardy 1; Francisco Vismara 2; Pablo MacDonough 9; Adolfo Cambiaso 10 Les Lions II (22): Chris Mackenzie 3; Agustin Merlos 9; Sebastian Merlos 9; Max Gottschalk 1

32 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

just at the bell, Agustin Merlos converted a 30 to end the chukka with the game tied 9-9.

“All eight players are performing above their handicaps,” declared Australian player Glen Gilmore, one of the commentators. It looked that way to me too, and that included Dubai’s Rashid Albwardy, who had turned 18 just five days earlier.

MacDonough and his pony went down as the sixth and final period started, but no harm was done to either. It was five minutes into the chukka before Sebastian Merlos finally broke away at midfield and raced to goal to put Les Lions II in the lead. After that, however, Cambiaso took charge – as he often does when the chips are down. In the space of only two minutes or so he scored two field goals to equalise and put Dubai ahead, then iced the cake with a 30-yard conversion in the last minute to win the game for the Albwardys.

What a match, a most worthy contest for the

Queen’s own cup in its 50th year. Her Majesty presented the silver trophy to one teenager, Rashid Albwardy, and the Most Valuable Player prize to another, Chris Mackenzie, to applause from the crowd.

This year, the Queen received a present of her own: a specially commissioned, limited edition “Queen’s Cup 1960-2010” ladies’ watch by Swiss luxury watchmakers DeWitt, the new timekeepers at Guards.

Cambiaso had his record-breaking seventh win in England’s second most prestigious tournament. “It feels great,” he said afterwards. “I must be doing something right.”

Rashid Albwardy, celebrating his first win, in the footsteps of brother Tariq and father Ali, said: “At last I’m no longer the black sheep of the family.” He added that he was hoping “to win the Gold Cup and play for many years to come,” whereupon his father interjected: “What about school?” F

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Report St Regis Test Match – England vs South Africa

Solid penalties, disciplined marking and a pinch of luck give England their first home test win since 2008 on a glorious day at Cowdray, says Yolanda Carslaw hen two tough foursomes rode onto the field for the first test match of summer at Cowdray Park in May, observers were expecting a humdinger – and many thought South Africa would prove stiff opposition. Indeed it was a tight affair that went to extra-time and gave every player a challenge – but for spectators hoping for a free-flowing display of classical polo, the midday ladies’ final (see overleaf) was rather a better example.

England comprised back-of-field stalwarts Chris Hyde and Tom Morley at four and three,

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34 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

with captain Mark Tomlinson at two and Richard Le Poer, in his first outing at this level in a home international, at one. They were picked from the dozen-plus squad members not playing the

watch, including guests of new England backers The Mileage Company and established sponsors Audi, who hosted celebrities as well as clients in a marquee opposite the members’ enclosure.

“Our priority was Du Plessis, as he’s their key player – Mark concentrated on marking him” – Andrew Hine Queen’s Cup. All four were under pressure: last year’s test results of three losses – two in the dying minutes and a thrashing from Argentina on Cartier Day – needed avenging.

A crowd of 3,000 gathered in the sunshine to

As regular coach Milo Fernandez-Araujo had other commitments on the day, England manager Andrew Hine coached the side, with help from England veteran Alan Kent – who knows the South Africans well as his Cowdray patch is home

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to most of them. England played pre-test practices at Barton Lodge and Coworth Park.

The “visitors” – all of whom play professionally in the UK – were Derreck Bratley (Alan Kent’s manager), young star Nachi du Plessis, Gareth Evans and Tom de Bruin. Bratley said: “The other three boys have played together a fair bit, but we didn’t have time for practices with all four of us [as we’re all so busy].”

Hine said: “Our priority was Du Plessis, as he’s their key player: Mark concentrated on marking him. For Richard, in his first game, his aim was to play a four-man role, and he did a lot off the ball as well as receiving passes.” Neither side began as underdogs, according to Hine: “We thought it was an even-stevens situation – we knew our opponents, and knew they were well mounted.”

The game started scrappily, beset by nerves and penalties, with tight marking and quick runs.

Photographs by Tony Ramirez & Neil Egerton/www.imagesofpolo.com

Tom de Bruin (in green) escapes from England’s Tom Morley (left) and Mark Tomlinson. Inset (l-r): Richard Le Poer, Mark Tomlinson, Tom Morley and Chris Hyde with Audi’s Jon Zammett

By mid-way through the second chukka it was 3-3, then after two perfect penalties from Tom Morley and a field goal the home team secured a three-goal lead. The South Africans made headway in the fourth: the quick-thinking Gareth Evans stole two lovely field goals in succession to make it 7-6 to England at half-time.

There was extra enthusiasm for treading-in thanks to The Mileage Company, which had hidden a champagne stopper in a divot: the finder won 10,000 Air Miles (see news, page 8).

After half-time Hyde – who was later named MVP – put in the field goal of the match, an angled shot from 80 yards out, but South Africa stayed in touch, a nearside goal from Bratley making up for a missed penalty from du Plessis.

Morley scored a scorcher in the fifth to make it 10-8 before making his only botched 60, from a less penalty-friendly pony than his others: Hyde took the next, putting in a 40 at a walk.

Two down going into the sixth, South Africa redoubled their efforts. Bratley said X www.polotimes.co.uk July 2010 35

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Report St Regis Test Match – England vs South Africa X afterwards: “We felt the match was in our

grasp.” These efforts paid off – though only after de Bruin mis-hit a full swing in front of an open goal and du Plessis’s stick-head went flying during an attack. An exciting last couple of minutes, with two goals by du Plessis, left the score at 11-11.

The extra chukka began just outside England’s half, and within a minute a cross by South Africa gave Morley the chance to convert. To the groans of supporters, his cleanly struck 60 was stopped – but Hyde, swift and resourceful as the ball was cleared, rode the line confidently and was fouled by a defender. Morley made light work of the ensuing 40 and England could finally celebrate.

Morley, whose penalty-taking must have been the envy of many a spectator, not to mention England’s opponents, said he felt under “quite a lot” of pressure as he is aiming for a place in the “main” England team. The six-goaler’s New Zealand Thoroughbred Tina, a nine-year-old trained by Ross Ainsley in her first UK season, won best playing pony.

“Tom hit penalties well, and he and Chris did a great job in defence, turning it into attack,” said

Six-goaler Morley’s penalty-taking must have been the envy of many a spectator – not to mention England’s opponents Hine. “Mark and Richard rolled up their sleeves, marking and making space to allow England to control the game and win it from the back.”

Richard commented: “I felt comfortable at this level, even though it was a scrappy match that didn’t have much rhythm. The South Africans tried to base their game around Nachi du Plessis, which slowed it down.” F

St Regis Test Match, 22 May, Cowdray Park, West Sussex Result: England beat South Africa 12-11 Principal sponsors: Audi; The Mileage Company; St Regis Hotels

Photographs by centaurphotographic.com

Handicap level: 23 goals Chukka scores (England): 1-3; 6-3; 7-6; 8-8; 11-9; 11-11; 12-11 Most valuable player: Chris Hyde Best playing pony: Tina, owned and played by Tom Morley England (23): Richard Le Poer 4; Mark Tomlinson 7; Tom Morley 6; Chris Hyde 6 South Africa (23): Derreck Bratley 5; Tom de Bruin 5; Nachi du Plessis 7; Gareth Evans 6

36 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Chris Hyde, who was named most valuable player, with Gareth Evans lying in wait behind

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Report British Ladies’ Championships

L-r: Saskia Meadows, Nina Clarkin, Alice Gipps, Clare Milford Haven, Peter Wood (general manager of Grayshott Spa), club chairman Robin Butler, Lila Pearson, Lucy Taylor, Sarah Wiseman and Rosie Ross. The Audi side, in red, had to make hasty changes after two of their original players broke bones just before the tournament

‘The best ladies’ game yet’ Players at Cowdray’s biggest all-female fixture agreed that a phenomenal ground and strong teams made the final a highlight, says Yolanda Carslaw ina Clarkin, the world’s best female player, led a disciplined Audi team to victory in one of the speediest, most open games seen in the UK women’s game to take the British Ladies’ Championships at Cowdray. The two-goal foursome beat a well-balanced four-goal Cowdray Vikings side on Lawns II. Four teams, handicapped from zero to four goals, entered the week-long tournament. A

N

midday at Trippetts in a Queen’s Cup match. The hundreds who did watch, however, were rewarded with a brilliant, skilful game, which many observers preferred to the stickier main event between England and South Africa.

Cowdray Vikings started strongly, racking up the goals to snap at the heels of Audi (rec 11/2), in particular with a beautiful shot from Sarah Wiseman from 50 yards out and a stunner from Rosie Ross. However, Clarkin – always in the right

Photograph by Yolanda Carslaw

“Alice scored great goals and was incredibly accurate, but when you play as a team everyone stands out” – Nina Clarkin preliminary round decided the finalists, Audi beating Raggy Dolls – fielding four zero-goalers – and Vikings narrowly beating two-goal Quattuor, with one-goalers Charlotte Sweeney and Aurora Eastwood as lynchpins.

Audi had a last-minute change of line-up pre-tournament when team members Louisa Wentworth-Stanley broke her foot and Lulu Hutley broke her collarbone. Clare Milford Haven, who put the Audi side together, said: “It was sad I couldn’t have my daughter [Louisa] and my best friend playing, but I felt we made good replacements.”

A decent crowd arrived in glorious sunshine for the midday final, held before the St Regis Test Match though local turnout was slightly depleted because Loro Piana were playing La Bamba at

38 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

position, never in a hurry – kept control of her team, the pace and the play, sending passes to Alice Gipps and Clare Milford Haven at the front door with cool assurance. Gipps in particular, who won most valuable player, was outstanding.

By half-time Audi were up 61/2-4, and extended their lead further in the second half.

In an exciting last chukka, Vikings made heroic efforts, but a sensational goal from Lucy Taylor with two minutes to go was not enough, and Audi won 91/2-7.

“I loved the game: we were two strong teams, the ground was impeccable and we had a lot of fun,” Clarkin told Polo Times. “The whole team played well, and when you play as a team everyone stands out. Alice scored great goals and was incredibly accurate.”

Milford Haven agreed: “It was one of the best ladies’ games I’ve ever played. The standard was good, it was open, on a fantastic field, and there weren’t endless mêlées. All our opponents play well and are really nice girls.”

Clarkin also praised the youngest player on the field, Saskia Meadows. “Saskia took instruction well: she was told to stay close to her man and listen to the calls and she carried the ball very well too.” Milford Haven added: “She’s jolly handy.”

Taylor agreed the game was fast-paced and fun. “The final was probably the best game of women’s polo I’ve played in England. If one of us had paid more attention to Nina I think we would have been in with a chance.” F ◗ Did you watch this ladies’ match? Do you agree

with the girls’ assessment? Tell us what you thought by writing to letters@polotimes.co.uk British Ladies’ Championships; 20-22 May; Cowdray Park, West Sussex Teams: Audi (2): Clare Milford Haven 0; Alice Gipps 0; Nina Clarkin 4; Saskia Meadows –2 Cowdray Vikings (4): Lila Pearson 0; Sarah Wiseman 1; Rosie Ross 2; Lucy Taylor 1 Quattuor (2): Laura Ormerod 0; Aurora Eastwood 1; Charlotte Sweeney 1; Claire Brougham 0 Raggy Dolls (0): Sam Buckles 0; Heloise Lorentzen 0; Katrina Thomas 0; Stephanie Haverhals 0

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Report Mint Polo In The Park, Hurlingham

Jack Kidd celebrates New York’s victory in typically exuberant fashion after last month’s dramatic final

Fulham’s fiesta finds True competitive spirit, expert new management and a fine performance by England’s former captain made the second running of polo’s radical new London event an eye-catching success. By James Mullan and Leah Ludlow ight teams, three days, nine games, almost 32,000 spectators, dozens of trade stands, numerous bars, equestrian displays, a massage bus, cheerleaders, face painting and a classical boy band. Love it or hate it, Polo In The Park at the historic Hurlingham venue in west London can’t be ignored. And, in terms of its scale, if not its importance, the inner-city event now rates amongst the three biggest showcases for the game in Europe, though many will argue that the banner of “polo” is becoming an increasingly broad one.

Photographs by Andrew Tobin and Polo In The Park

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40 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Jack Kidd, Henry Brett and Jamie Morrison once again scooped the main honours, this year securing the trophy for Team New York with a goal in the final 20 seconds of the final to beat Team Paris 11-10.

Kidd scored the winner but it was a revitalised Henry Brett who was the standout performer of the entire weekend, earning himself an International trial and a potential recall to the England side. He brought a selection of mounts, including some from Andrew Hine, and even when his string was depleted after an injury left

one pony lame before the final, Brett dominated in midfield and displayed the sort of form and determination that once saw him rated at eight goals. Yet it was also a measured and mature performance at times, fittingly illustrated by a conspicuous patch of grey in his beard. Aside from the odd wayward shot, Brett’s only real recognisable slip-up was made off the field, when after victory in the semi-final he told interviewer Karl Ude-Martinez live on the big screen that he was “pleased to reach the final and have the opportunity to defend the team’s title”.

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Comment

New man at the crease

Rory Heron The managing director brought in full-time to develop polo’s equivalent of a Twenty20 format of the game explains how he aims to use his experience at IMG to make Polo In The Park viable entertainment long-term, both in the UK and overseas

‘

That was the irony – it wasn’t the New York team’s title to defend. The threesome that was this year representing the big apple was the same that beat New York alongside Nina Clarkin as Team London in 2009’s four-a-side final.

Supposedly, the en masse transfer of players was to make room for England international Mark Tomlinson on the London side. Organisers had hoped that the combination of he and Nina Clarkin would be an exciting prospect for the title, but the team shocked everyone by crashing out on day one to Team Geneva.

Still, if the scorelines in 2009 had looked scripted at times, at least London’s surprise humiliation at the outset this year established the 2010 event as a genuine competition for cynical spectators. Having been met with considerable vitriol by some members of the polo community in its inaugural year last June, this year’s event was a notable improvement. With the HPA on board and a new management team in charge of the logistics of the event, the X

The key to growing the professional game is looking after sponsors much better than we have been

‘

its feet

PROFESSIONAL SPORTS IN one form or another have been my life since childhood. I spent time as a professional sailor before a 12-year career at international sports marketing firm IMG. I managed golf and tennis pros in Asia, secured the funding (£700 million) to allow for the construction of the new Wembley Stadium and led the commercial rights team for UEFA Euro 2008.

“This is my first foray into polo and it has been one of the most challenging projects I have ever worked on. It is a game with incredible potential that I believe has until now been unexploited in terms of sponsorship and expansion. It brings together the perfect mix of social activity and exhilarating sport, though the stigmas attached mean this is something many people don’t appreciate.

“That is what Polo In The Park is all about. Our early estimates suggest that, of the 32,000 people at this year’s event, more than 70 per cent had never seen polo before. So, we aimed to create a fun show for Londoners that would give them a taste of what the game can offer and would also be an enjoyable day out. We hope this will benefit the game as a whole, by encouraging people that enjoyed the show to see polo at clubs elsewhere.

“In terms of how I set about improving on the inaugural tournament last year, first I brought two members with me from my team at IMG. We set about getting the HPA on board and we went through what mistakes were made and how the fixture could genuinely work for the good of polo. David Woodd’s wise advice was invaluable and I think we’ve achieved a fantastic spectacle this year, with superb and fiercely competitive polo.

Our view this year has been that there is no point focusing an event around a sport unless that sport is played fully competitively.

“We looked at how the site layout could be improved, and sought to create easy, flowing passages that allowed visitors to explore the whole venue and which made better use of space. We improved the position of the trade stands and food village and made sure there were public bars directly overlooking the matches, which it seemed to me was important.

“Feedback has backed this up and, while there are more lessons to learn, it has been a pleasure to be part of. The players have impressed me and, in particular, the professionals from countries like Australia and South Africa have been superb at dealing with sponsors. English players have often had the criticism levelled that they now get paid competitive professional fees but that they rarely behave very professionally. The key to growing the professional game is in looking after the sponsors a lot better than they have been in the past.

“With one-off events like Polo In The Park, gate receipts never cover all your costs and it is hard to make money. So, my next task is to investigate where else we can get the format off the ground in venues overseas in the next 12 months. Watch this space.

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Report Mint Polo In The Park, Hurlingham X “panto” element that has so-dominated our

letters page in recent months was largely eliminated and the whole project appeared to have stepped up a gear to something considerably more formidable and professional.

“They really seemed to have learned from last year’s teething problems,” said zero-goaler

definitely made it a more accessible format. I didn’t hear negative comments from anyone I spoke to, though it’s a shame that they only ended up having one girl player in the whole tournament. It would have been a better exhibition and more representative to have had more ladies involved.”

“The small field, large grandstands and the razzmatazz all made for an accessible format” – Charlotte Christodoulou Charlotte Christodoulou, who lives in Fulham. “I took the kids on the Friday and Sunday and it really worked as a family day out. Glen Gilmore’s commentary was fantastic and the changes made to some of the rules, the size of the field, the razzmatazz and the large grandstand areas

Polo In The Park founder, Daniel Fox-Davies

HPA chief executive David Woodd explained: “As well as recommending a decent handicap standard to ensure the tournament was of a high quality, we also felt it was important this year to have just three players on each side. This meant none of the sides could afford to carry anyone if they wanted to be competitive. So only a couple of players under a three-goal handicap took part and I’m afraid none of the lady players except Nina got a look-in. The lack of female players was a shame, but was a symptom of the pleasing news that each side this year aimed to create their best side possible to try and win.”

There was still plenty of showmanship that suggested there were still instructions not to forget it was primarily designed as a spectacle for the uninitiated, but the majority of players genuinely seemed totally determined to win their fixtures. And why not? Since none of them have a Queen’s Cup team, Polo In The Park will have been the biggest audience they will play in front of this summer, with the exception of any players who feature on Cartier Day. “It is bigger, better and way more competitive than last year,” said New York’s Jamie Morrison in the aftermath. His superb arena ability as a goalscorer from seemingly any angle was his decisive X

Comment

The Polo Times view: what went right?

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MANY POLO PEOPLE have been critical of Polo in the Park and its aims, writes James Mullan.

But why?

Perhaps because the event so unapologetically shakes the traditional form of the game to the core. Polo people think you need to earn the right to make the big decisions that tamper with the game as it is.

And it’s true, people feel that Polo In The Park trades off the cache that polo has created for itself over generations up and down the country. Many believe the

42 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

new format prostitutes the game, as it’s designed largely to please the public.

However, ultimately I believe the wider game will be the winner. The comparison with Twenty20 cricket has been one over-used. Yet it does seem apt. Polo In The Park introduces the basic principles of the game to a broader audience, without stealing spectators away from its traditional form.

It may pinch some sponsors, which clubs won’t like, but it also raises polo’s all-round profile, and that will surely end up benefiting everyone.

Of course, the quick, thrill-aminute nature of the games means

they will be less memorable or emotive than a brilliant six or eightchukka high-goal encounter, in the same way that an epic five-day Test Match in cricket will always live longer in the memory than even the biggest-hitting Twenty20 clash.

But in terms of showing off the pace, bravery, horsepower and skill involved in polo, and shelving the stigmas that still surround the game for the uninitiated, I think it certainly serves its purpose.

And, for what it’s worth, I thought it was pretty good fun. The atmosphere was good and I enjoyed myself.

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...and what could still be improved?

• While it was fun that the big-hitting Andrea Vianini, who is Jodie Kidd’s new flame, played against his buddy Jack Kidd in the final, Vianini was the worst offender in terms of producing the kind of “panto” showmanship that turned polo people off the concept last year. After a minor fall on the Friday, Vianini was attended to – with his top off – by paramedics before

getting straight back on his horse and firing home a penalty.

• At times the event still puts too much emphasis on the audience, particularly when players were relentlessly cajoled by the otherwise excellent commentators into playing shots one suspects they wouldn’t otherwise have chosen.

• It was something of a nonsense that 2009’s all-British Team London “defended” the title this time around as Team New York. Surely it was an opportunity to inject continuity into proceedings, which would help those

coming to the game for the first or second time to pick a side to support.

Indeed, it was a shame none of the players in the final were of the nationality of the city they represented.

• Off the field, the main public polo bar was not sufficiently staffed (it could take up to two chukkas to get a drink) and the generous number of loos were all concentrated in one place, so the conveniences weren’t quite as convenient as they might have been.

This also might have contributed to the disappointing fact that the stands often looked rather empty.

‘

• There was little emphasis on the horses during the games, and some ponies spent as long as 12 hours a day in the pony lines or by the lorries, where there was only partial shade.

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Report Mint Polo In The Park, Hurlingham

Henry Brett (in blue) takes a nearside shot as the pink shirts of Paris close in on him in the exciting final Left: losing captain Andrea Vianini gives an interview as he rides out for Sunday’s main showdown

contribution to the teamwork of the three friends, with the burley Jack Kidd clearing the way throughout the tournament for a fresh and in-form Henry Brett to express himself.

The audiences loved it. Ground-side bars, and loud music, flags, and big-screen prompts whenever a goal was scored created an atmosphere more akin to a festival or a carnival than a simple sporting fixture.

“The games were really aggressive and eventful,” said Team Paris’s losing captain Andrea

44 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Vianini after the final. “This type of fast action is between arena polo and the outdoor game, and every match was like a final, because the losing team was knocked out.

“The field was good and the horses coped better than I had expected. All mine finished in sound condition and the surface will improve with each year, meaning I think the event could be well suited to allow play at an even higher-goal standard. On that basis, there’s potential for a whole new era of polo. It’s the future.”

We shall see. F ◗ Did you go to Polo In The Park? Write and tell

us what you thought: letters@polotimes.co.uk ◗ See the weekend’s social photos on page 86

Mint Polo In The Park; 4-6 June 2010; Hurlingham Park, London Result: New York beat Paris, 11-10 Principal sponsor: Mint Financial Brokerage Handicap level: 14-goal (three-man teams) Number of team entries: Eight Chukka scores (New York): 4-2; 6-4; 9-9; 11-10 Final teams New York (14): Jack Kidd 4; Henry Brett 6; Jamie Morrison 4 Paris (14): Lucas White 2; Tito Ruiz Guinazu 6; Andrea Vianini 6 Losing semi-finalists: Geneva (13): Sacha Pictet 3; Martin Luginbuhl 2; Piki Diaz Alberdi 8 Sydney (13): Jack Archibald 3; Kelvin Johnson 4; Glen Gilmore 6 Other sides: London (14): David Ashby 3; Nina Clarkin 4; Mark Tomlinson 7 Buenos Aires (14): Nico Talamoni 4; Lucas Talamoni 6; Oscar Mancini 4 Durban (13): James Rome 2; Derreck Bratley 5; Gareth Evans 6 Moscow (14): Jack Richardson 3; Gaston Devrient 5; Tom Morley 6

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Report Duke of Sutherland Cup

Clinton cracks it on debut Spencer McCarthy’s brother kicks off his 18-goal campaign with victory over the defending Victor Ludorum champs at Cowdray, says Liz Higgins owdray Park welcomed seven teams for the start of this season’s Duke of Sutherland Cup in late May. They produced three weeks of fierce competition, as each patron and his side fought to lift the large piece of silverware in mid-June and find space for it in their trophy cabinet.

There was plenty of expectation ahead of the final, after two high scoring semi-finals where Black Bears and Emlor booked their place in the final with victories over Adrian Kirby’s Silver Spring side and Paul Oberschneider’s La Golondrina respectively.

Black Bears won last year’s Julius Baer Victor Ludorum 18-goal, and were honoured for their achievement just days before the start of the Duke of Sutherland at the Audi Polo Awards in London. They made a good start to their defence of the title in 2010, winning the first 18-goal

Photographs by Tony Ramirez & Neil Egerton/www.imagesofpolo.com

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tournament of the new season, the Indian Empire Shield (see below right).

However, their luck ran out against Clinton McCarthy’s Emlor, who were playing their first tournament of the season at 18-goal level.

Despite leading 6-4 after three of the five chukkas, with fine goals from John Paul Clarkin,

“We had great team spirit and made sure everyone kept cool in the second half” – Clinton McCarthy Simon Keyte and Matt Perry, Black Bears produced a lacklustre second half to let Emlor back into the contest.

They gave far too many penalties to Emlor’s Joachim Pittaluga, who made them pay, and

Emlor eventually ran out comfortable winners in a dramatic turnaround, 9-7.

“I played 12-goal last season,” explained a beaming Clinton McCarthy. “So I’m delighted with my first crack at 18 goal. We had a great team spirit and I just made sure everyone kept cool through the second half so we got the result we wanted.”

The Duke of Sutherland Cup was this year presented to the winners Emlor by the late John Cowdray’s daughter, the Hon Mrs Lucy Fraser.

The Duke himself was a friend from student days at Oxford of John Cowdray, the fourth Viscount, and presented his pal with a magnificent cup for Cowdray Park Polo Club on his retirement from polo in 1952, at a time when John Cowdray was overseeing the post-war revival of the game at the club. The Cup has remained an early-season favourite ever since. F

L-r: Nacho Gonzalez, Joaquin Pittaluga, Hissam Ali Hyder and Clinton McCarthy

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The Duke of Sutherland Cup; 22 May-11 June 2010; Cowdray Park Polo Club Result: Emlor beat Black Bears, 9-7 Handicap level: 15-18 goal Number of team entries: seven Chukka scores (Emlor): 1-0; 4-3; 4-6; 7-6; 9-7 Finalists: Emlor (16): Clinton McCarthy 0; Hissam Ali Hyder 4; Joaquin Pittaluga 6; Nacho Gonzalez 6 Black Bears (18): Guy Schwarzenbach 2; Simon Keyte 7; John Paul Clarkin 8; Matthew Perry 1

An Emlor stick goes in the air as Simon Keyte (in black) makes a play

Empire of the son uy Schwarzenbach successfully defended the Indian Empire Shield in May as his Black Bears side won the title for the second year running, writes Tony Ramirez. He follows in the footsteps of his father Urs, who won it in 2004.

The Bears’ opponents in the 2010 final were the only side they had lost to in earlier rounds, Paul Oberschneider’s La Golondrina, who felled them 9-8 in their second match.

Expectations were high that it would be another close encounter – and so it proved.

Black Bears led early on, thanks to goals from Kiwis Simon Keyte and John Paul Clarkin, but solid defence and some superb scores from Tomas Garcia del Rio and Diego Cavanagh clawed La Golondrina back level by the end of the third chukka.

The Bears re-established their lead in the fourth and were looking comfortable favourites for the title early on the fifth, until

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Garcia del Rio and Juan Ambroggio found the posts again to return La Golondrina’s deficit to a single goal.

However, time was against them and the black shirts held out for the nervous last few moments to secure victory, 11-10.

Most valuable player was the Bears’ topscorer Clarkin: eight goals for the eightgoaler. A fantastic effort. With this win and a runner-up spot in the Sutherland (opposite), could the Bears be on course for another Julius Baer Victor Ludorum win? F

Black Bears lift the shield (l-r): John Paul Clarkin, Guy Schwarzenbach, Simon Keyte and English youngster Matt Perry

Indian Empire Shield; 4-21 May 2010; Coworth Park Polo Club Result: Black Bears defeated La Golondrina, 11-10 Handicap level: 15-18 goal Number of team entries: four Chukka scores (Black Bears): 3-1; 6-2; 6-6; 9-7; 11-10 Finalists: Black Bears (18): Guy Schwarzenbach 2; Simon Keyte 7; John Paul Clarkin 8; Matthew Perry 1 La Golondrina (18): Paul Oberschneider 0; Diego Cavanagh 6; Juan Ambroggio 6; Tomas Garcia del Rio 6

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Report Steppes Gerald Balding Cup

Raging bulls contest power of the Gods Edward Foster and Lucy Eaves watch Minatours and Neptune re-enact an ancient Greek battle on the turf at Cirencester Park’s Ivy Lodge he Gerald Balding Cup enjoyed a special year in 2010. First, the late Gerald Balding (see below), the last British player to have achieved a 10-goal handicap, received a posthumous lifetime achievement honour at the Audi Polo Awards this spring. Second, it’s the cup’s 50th birthday. Sponsored by luxury adventure travel firm Steppes Travel, this title was part of the Julius Baer Victor Ludorum series, and entries were up six on last year to 16.

After nearly three weeks of preliminaries and knockouts, the finalists were Paolo Garavelli’s Minatours and Creighton Boyd and Patrick Heffron’s Neptune. The game began slowly but warmed up after Boyd and Tommy Morgan of Neptune scored two quick goals. The second chukka saw Minatours fighting back with two goals from Dean Lines and one from Mark Baldwin, giving them a 3-2 lead at half-time.

Photographs by Cristopher Fear and courtesy of Audi

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Whilst the players convened in gazebos for private discussion and sustenance, spectators flooded onto the Ivy Lodge ground to tread in.

Steppes entertained a marquee overflowing with newly converted polo enthusiasts, providing an army of useful feet at half-time.

Just inside the third Neptune equalised, but Minatours crept ahead with Lines scoring his third goal to make it 5-4. In the final chukka Neptune equalised with minutes to go. Minatours then regained the lead with a text-book penalty

by Henderson. In the dying seconds Neptune had a chance to equalise with a penalty, but Sorzana’s shot was intercepted and Minatours won 6-5.

Garavelli described the win as “the competitive highlight of my polo career”. Neptune joint-patron Boyd, in the team’s first big eight-goal final, said: “We're thrilled to have got this far, but it was tough to lose by such a narrow margin.”

Minatours received the magnificent trophy from

GERALD BALDING (pictured), who was born in 1903 the oldest of four brothers and two sisters, grew up near Melton Mowbray, Leics, and attended Haileybury School, writes Yolanda Carslaw.

His father Bert, “a bit of a drinker”, according to family lore, was a “nagsman and horse coper” who also played polo, but the impetus behind Gerald’s game was his uncle Billy, a nine-goaler who invented the Balding girth and gag. Between the wars Gerald moved to the US to play professionally, followed by his brothers Ivor and Barney. All three married Americans.

Gerald’s son Ian says: “They played at Meadow Brook on Long Island, where the world’s top polo took place before Argentina got going. My father’s great team was Greentree, with Peter Bostick, a famous amateur rider from an athletic, wealthy family, Tommy Hitchcock Jnr and Jock Whitney. He ran their ponies and organised the team, and they won everything.

“He played for the US as well as England, because they decided Greentree should play Argentina, but he played against America in the Westchester. He also spent two winters in India, and certainly played with the Maharaja of Jaipur.”

Gerald married Eleanor Hoagland, from New Jersey, in 1935 and Toby and Ian were born soon before he rose to 10 goals in

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Ian Balding, racehorse trainer, younger son of Gerald Balding and father of TV and sports presenter Clare. Steppes Travel gave prizes of engraved hip flasks and umbrellas, and bottles of Chase liqueur to officials. F Gerald Balding Cup; 11-30 May 2010; Cirencester Park Polo Club, Gloucestershire Result: Minatours beat Neptune 6-5 Principal sponsor: Steppes Travel Handicap level: 4-8 goal Number of team entries: 16 Chukka scores (Minatours): 0-2; 3-2; 5-4; 6-5 RoR best playing pony sponsored by Lycetts: Avaris, a 10-year-old owned by Mark Baldwin Finalists: Minatours (8): Paolo Garavelli 0; Mark Baldwin 1; Dean Lines 3; Michael Henderson 4 Neptune (8): Creighton Boyd 0; Patrick Heffron 0; Tommy Morgan 2; Bautista Sorzana 6

1939. The family came to the UK after the war, in which he served with the Lifeguards, and Gerald trained racehorses, at first in Westonbirt, Glos, then in Wiltshire. “Toby and I were his chief labourers from an early age, and Jock Whitney became his main owner – one of those lovely Americans who adored racing in England,” says Ian. Ian and Toby played polo as boys, once on a family team with Gerald and their aunt, Judy, who looked after Gerald’s ponies post-war. Ian once won a “most promising player” prize at Cirencester, but went into racing – extremely successfully – instead of polo. “I gave up much too young, and I’ve always regretted it,” says Ian. “If polo then was as it is now, I might have gone down the professional route.”

Gerald continued to play at Cirencester despite breaking his right arm in the war. “He was a six and still played magnificently. His patrons were Alastair Gibb and Col Billy Whitbread, and he was still captaining England in 1956, having first done so in 1936,” recalls Ian. “But our mum would always say: ‘You should have seen him before the war!’ ” Sadly, Gerald died in 1957 of cancer, still in his prime. Ian adds: “It’s lovely to think he was the last 10-goaler, and it’s nice he should be inducted into the hall of fame.”

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Clockwise from above: Dean Lines in action; the winners, Minatours (l-r: Michael Henderson, Paolo Garavelli, Mark Baldwin and Dean Lines); Aravis, the RoR/Lycetts best playing pony with owner Mark Baldwin and groom Ariel Rodriguez; action in the final

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Report SUPA Junior Schools

Child’s play grows up With the team size upped from three to four, junior schools polo has stepped up a gear, says Sarah Styler – but ‘fluffies’ still rule the roost he SUPA National Junior Schools tournament, sponsored by SATS, took place at Longdole Polo Club on the 23 May, the hottest day of the year so far.

For the first time the teams were made up of four players, rather than three, in an effort to encourage the children to play more “adult” polo.

The 14 teams came from schools all over the country, with the four teams in the combined section representing 11 different schools.

Division One was again hotly contested with the top teams from Papplewick, Cheam, Beaudesert and Cothill. The teams have competed against each other for several seasons and the play just gets better and better.

The exciting final saw the Beaudesert Gladiators narrowly victorious over Beaudesert Warriors. The first of the individual prizes was decided on this chukka, with Ollie Severn awarded a pair of knee-pads, donated by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, for his dazzling play.

Third place Papplewick’s Charlie Pidgley’s pony Samba emphatically won the Polo Times rug for the Best Playing Pony/Rider Combination. There ensued a mad dash by Mr Pidgley to chase the departing lorry so Samba could return and claim her prize.

Division Two saw the younger children, mostly on fluffies with the odd polo pony thrown in. The two umpires, Dan Banks and Lavinia Black, worked hard in the intense heat, encouraging and instructing as they went, this eclectic mix of ponies was beautifully managed and the Cothill Tigers came first out of the three teams.

The prize for the best fluffy pony was awarded to 27-year-old Fairfax, ridden by 10year-old Harry O’Kane. The little grey has taught many children in the Heythrop Pony Club how to play polo.

The children playing in the combined section were unlikely ever to have played with each other before, but this did not seem to impede their game. A two-chukka final looked to be the best way to give the teams the chance to assess each other and be able to play more tactically.

The battle for first and second was fierce and evenly matched with the players from Pates,

Photographs by Ed Phillips

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Division One winners Beaudesert Gladiators’ Hector Chamberlain on the ball, with Ollie Severn behind.

Left: the full team (l-r) of Issie St Aubyn, Mimi Sweet, Ollie Severn and Hector Chamberlain

SUPA National Junior Schools Tournament, 23 May at Longdole Principal sponsor: SATS 13 teams in three divisions Division One final: Beaudesert Gladiators beat Beaudesert Warriors Gladiators: Hector Chamberlain, Issy St Aubyn, Mimi Sweet, Ollie Severn Warriors: Max Dear, David Gibbons, Edward de Barros, Patrick de Barros MVP: Ollie Severn

Dean Close, Papplewick and Beaudesert narrowly beaten in a run-down by the team representing Bredon, Winchcombe and a school new to SUPA, The Elms in Worcestershire.

The winners were presented with a silver salver from the NFU Mutual. At prize-giving all the children were awarded a rosette and goody bag by SATS owner Tony Emerson, with two further individual prizes going to Robbie Dee from Winchcombe School for Most Improved Player and to 10-year-old Oscar Luart, playing for Cothill, as Best Novice. F

BPP: Charlie Pidgley's Samba (Papplewick) Division Two winners: Cothill Tigers – Ned Pitman, Dominic Lodge, Oscar Luart, Milo Sweet Best novice: Oscar Luart Best fluffy: Harry O'Kane's Fairfax (Cothill) Combined Division final: Winchcombe/Bredon/The Elms beat Pates/Beaudesert/Dean Close W/B/E: Robbie Dee, Amelia Edmondson, Harry Weston, William Rose P/B/DC: Ella Hitchman, Charlie Hitchman, Charlotte Walker, Jamie Salter Most improved player: Robbie Dee (Winchcombe)

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Reports At home and abroad Australia

Polo sweeps into Broome Andrew Benke and Janek Gazecki report from an exciting end-to-end contest in Broome, Western Australia, where a crowd of 3,000 watched the country’s first ever beach polo competition he iconic Cable Beach, one of Australia’s most remote but scenic destinations on the country’s north-west coast, hosted the inaugural Australian beach polo match for the Paspaley Cup this May. More than 3,000 spectators took to the sand at Broome to see the action, as well as to enjoy several days of cocktail functions, fishing expeditions in the Indian Ocean and to catch a glimpse of the glamorous VIP guests.

The two sides rode out for the event to the theme tune from Chariots of Fire, and the dramatic introduction was justified by the thrilling game that followed.

Pinctada, dominated by Glen Gilmore, led for the majority of the contest, but a late rally from Paspaley brought them a surprise victory. Trailing 7-6 with just minutes left, two goals from Matthew Welsh – the second in the last few seconds before the final horn – took them into an impenetrable 8-7 lead. There was no time for Pinctada to equalise, and so Paspaley took the spoils.

Then, as quickly as they arrived, the sides and VIPs were off again, leaving by plane to return Cable Beach and the town of Broome back to a sleepy Australian outpost.

However, the fixture is expected to take place again next year and organisers are already considering expanding the format to make it a larger tournament, to which they will invite international players.

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Winners, Paspaley (l-r: MVP Matt Welsh, Peter Prendiville and Tex and Jasper Webster

Paspaley Beach Polo; 23 May Cable Beach, Broome Result: Paspaley beat Pinctada, 8-7 Principal sponsor: Paspaley Pearls Teams: Paspaley (9): Matthew Welsh 4; Tex Webster 4; Peter Prendiville 1 Pinctada (9): Glen Gilmore 7; Nick Bowen 1; Ralph Lyster 1

Beaufort

France

Dad denies cousins the chance to lift grandfather’s cup

Mixing business and pleasure

TWO BEAUFORT-BASED sides contested the final of the Arthur Lucas Cup early last month, the first 15-goal Victor Ludorum tournament of this summer’s season. Emma Tomlinson’s Beaufort Embryo Transfer side and her father’s Beaufort team went head to head, having beaten Laird and Los Locos respectively in the semi-finals.

Six-goal England international Tom Morley shone for Simon Tomlinson’s well-balanced Beaufort quartet, who won to deny Emma and cousin Will Lucas the opportunity to win the cup named after their grandfather (Claire Tomlinson’s father). It was a number of repeated transgressions that cost Beaufort Embryo Transfer any hope at all: they gave away far too many penalties, which were gratefully accepted by Simon’s side and slotted home by the reliable Beaufort number four, Jacinto Crotto.

The final 10-5 scoreline in Beaufort’s favour made the game look easier than it actually was, but the

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Beaufort’s six-goaler, Tom Morley

biggest result of the day was the money raised for The Willow Foundation – a charity set up by former Arsenal and Scotland football goalkeeper, Bob Wilson, which provides special days for seriously ill 16- to 40-year-olds.

INSEAD BUSINESS SCHOOL in France, renowned for its one-year MBA program across Europe and Asia, held the first Insead Polo Cup this May, in celebration of the school’s 50th anniversary.

Players from France, the UK, The Netherlands and Germany joined up to form two unnamed sides to contest the inaugural cup, sponsored by luxury jewellers, Jaeger-LeCoultre. Plenty of spectators turned out to see Claudia All players were alumni Zeisberger’s side (in pink) take victory of the Business School faculty. Horses were leased to the players, provided by organiser Mariano Lopez of La Matrica Polo Club, who also umpired the match at Morsang, a privately owned ground in Fontainebleau. The sides received decent support from past and present Insead students, but it was Claudia Zeisberger’s quartet also comprising Godert Tegelberg, Jean-Christophe Sampson and Hinson Ng that ran out to a quick lead and romped to victory, 10-4.

The losing side of Cornelius Grupp, Marc-Elie Bernard, Philippe de Verdalle and Fabien Grobon graciously accepted defeat and vowed alongside the organisers to be part of a bigger and better event in 2011, when they hope to bring in more teams and a larger audience.

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Photographs by Leah McQueen and Yane Sotiroski

Clockwise from left: Australian captain Glen Gilmore, who changed his diary upside-down to take part, gave insightful comments from the saddle via a microphone strapped to his trademark red helmet; Matt Welsh takes the ball on ahead of Nick Bowen; Sascha Holland, Clare Paspaley and Natalie DeCorte

Ham

Innovative international series launched for amateurs HAM’S PETE MCCORMACK has been working on a project to create something akin to football’s Champions League for polo for almost two years, and the first game of the inaugural “International Club Series” took place last month, on Tuesday 1 June. Ham Polo Club welcomed a visiting side from Moscow Polo Club and ground out a tricky and potentially valuable victory, 71/2-7.

The idea of the series is to play in a league format with other clubs from

overseas throughout the season. This year’s four-team format means each club will host three games, one against each opposing club, with points allocated for home and away wins as well as draws.

This year’s clubs for the inaugural running of the series are VR Polo Club in Thailand, Real Club de Polo de Barcelona, London Polo Club (Ham) and Moscow Polo Club. The ongoing tournament will culminate in a final to be played in Bangkok in November.

Four more international cities are expected to be involved in 2011, with most of the details already finalised. The series is set to a maximum handicap of eight goals, with each team limited to one professional player, whose handicap must be no more than five. Of the three other players, who must be members of their respective club, at least two must be a national of the country their club represents. The whole concept has been sponsored by King Power.

London and Moscow prepare for battle

Poland

Singapore

Austrian penalties make the Polish pay

Free-scoring Nacho clinches the cup

WARSAW POLO CLUB, founded in 2007, played host to the Middle Europe Cup of Nations in late May, when Germany, Hungary, Austria and Poland entered sides to compete in the threeday tournament. Hungary’s journey to take part was particularly treacherous, due to severe flooding in southern Poland which threatened to delay the arrival of the country’s kisberi horses (these were well documented in the June 2010 issue of Polo Times ).

SINGAPORE POLO CLUB was host to this year’s Audemars Piguet International Polo Gold Cup on Sunday 6 June. Played at 12-goal level, the game brought together a number of the country’s best local players and some international high-goal talent jetted in from New Zealand and Argentina. Argentina’s highgoaler was none other than polo playing model Nacho Figueras, who scored five goals on his side’s route to a 9-8 Teams victory. His participation, along with corporate hospitality and free entry for Audemars Piguet Singapore (12): Nacho Figueras 6; Sattar Khan 4; Jeff Singapore’s growing crowd of poloHardee 1; Ameer Jumabhoy 1 loving spectators, ensured a good Audemars Piguet International (12): turnout and a palpable buzz of Craig Wilson 6; Mark Lillyman 4; Ali Namazie 1; Ang Roon Kai 1 excitement around the ground.

Polistas’s Johnny Lynn, a face well known to players and aficionados in the UK, was present at all games to provide play-by-play commentary and third-man expertise for the audience. And he was on hand for Sunday’s tight-fought final, when Austria beat hosts Poland in better weather, 7-5, largely because of their superior ability to convert their penalties.

Sponsors BMW presented Captain Drasche Wartinberg of Austria with the winners’ trophy.

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Reports At home and abroad Cirencester

Manic month at Gloucestershire hot spot X

he season is well and truly in full swing at Cirencester Park and, since the university games reported in the last issue of Polo Times, there has been a busy month’s worth of competition at all levels – from clinics for the under 14s to more RAC university fixtures and a 12-goal charity game featuring Prince William.

The prince was part of the winning quartet when his own Umbogo team beat a Cirencester Park side to lift the 2010 Dorchester Trophy on Sunday 6 June. The game was played in aid of two charities, Centrepoint – an organisation for helping the homeless – and Mountain Rescue,

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and hence the emphasis was more on open, passing polo rather than ruthlessly trying to win the match at all costs. The positive approach by all players produced a quick game, with just a handful of fouls called by the umpires throughout.

As it was, Prince William’s side took the spoils, scoring the decisive goal moments before the final bell to give them victory, 4-31/2.

Also in early June, Cirencester Park hosted the inaugural clinic of the Cirencester Polo Academy, sponsored by Dean Close School in Cheltenham.

Places were limited to 14 youngsters, and the slots were filled early with nine to 14-year-olds, each of

Exeter University’s Open side, winners against the RAC (l-r: Ed Gall, Leon Allen, Amelia Pemberton and Lucy Watson) are all smiles at the presentation, where Kieran Markham from OJ Polo (centre) dished out the prizes

whom attended on their own ponies. Jason Dixon began the course with a thorough demonstration of how to tack up a horse for polo, with parents allowed to sit in and learn something as well. The clinic moved on to discuss and demonstrate swings, tactics and rules, splitting into two groups led by Jason and Mike Hobday.

Video analysis of their morning’s activities followed over a “working lunch” in the clubhouse before the children all played instructional chukkas in the afternoon under a beautiful cloudless Gloucestershire sky. They then each went home hot, but happy, and with plenty to think about thanks to a personal assessment from Jason Dixon to take with them. Further clinics are due to follow throughout the summer.

The end of May meanwhile was dominated by a massive fixture for Cirencester’s local higher education institution, the Royal Agricultural College.

The university’s infamous May Ball took place on the evening of Friday 28 May, with the annual polo showdowns between hosts RAC and Exeter University during the afternoon beforehand. As in previous years and as expected, the matches – organised by captains Edward Foster and Pandora Wooldridge, both students in their second year at their respective unis – drew hundreds of spectators from both universities.

Harrow old boy Ed Gall led Exeter to a thrilling win in the Open contest, captaining his side well to clinch the tightest contest of the last few years between the sides, 4-3.

Cheshire Polo Club

Five-goaler lady killer makes the difference to bring home the Boodles bacon ALTHOUGH SHOWERS were forecast and the sky overcast, the weather held together and the culmination to the much-hyped Boodles Wirral Ladies’ Cup went ahead at Cheshire Polo Club on Sunday 6 June with the grounds looking in perhaps their best ever condition.

Five sides produced three days of exhilarating competition, with six-goal teams Henbury Joint patrons Simon Taylor and Sally Dawson Consolidated Property and Stobart receive the Boodles Wirral Ladies’ Cup Polo qualifying to fight it out in the final. A nip-and-tuck contest followed in the first two chukkas, with the two teams locked at 3-3 going into the second half. However, Jamie Le Hardy came to the forefront in the third chukka to build Henbury a priceless lead, one that their superior horsepower towards the end meant they were unlikely to relinquish. So it proved and, despite the best efforts of Stobart Polo’s tireless patron David Irlam, Henbury deservedly clinched the 2010 title, 6-4.

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Henbury’s joint patrons, Sally Dawson and Simon Taylor, gratefully accepted the Boodles Wirral Ladies Cup from Ruth Riley of Boodles Manchester. The best playing pony award went to Jamie Le Hardy’s English thoroughbred, Margot.

In the subsidiary final The Boodles Wirral Ladies’ Cup; 3-6 June; Cheshire Polo Club for the Jubilee Cup, two sides sponsored by Finalists: Belgravia Insurance Henbury Consolidated Property (6): Sally Dawson -2; provided a very Simon Taylor 0; Jamie Le Hardy 5; Cristian Chaves 3 entertaining and evenly Stobart Polo (6): Andrew Irlam -2; David Irlam 0; Nico San matched game, with the Roman 4; Martin Fiol 4 lower-handicapped team ultimately coming out on Best playing pony: Margot, owned and played by Jamie Le Hardy top, 61/2-6. The Boodles Subsidiary finalists: Best Dressed Lady, Kate Maidment, presented Belgravia Insurance 2 (4): Dominic Heywood 1; Hazel Jackson 1; Lucy Taylor 1; James Fielding 1 the cup to the winning Belgravia Insurance 1 (6): Charlie Walton –1; Hugo (non-playing) patron, Jackson 0; Jonny Coddington 3; Oliver Taylor 4 David Lever.

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Nigeria

Polo honours democracy in the capital

Prince William (centre) leads a wheeling crowd of players and ponies in the Dorchester Trophy charity match last month

Then Polo Times intern Rebecca Walters captained the Intermediate RAC side, who avenged the university’s earlier defeat with a resounding victory over Pandora Wooldridge’s Exeter side, 8-11/2. Prizes were donated by Kieran Markham, managing director of OJ Polo, sponsors of the event.

As Polo Times went to press, a record 14 sides were contesting the 4-goal Jack Williams Cup, there are 13 playing in the 12-goal Queen Mother Trophy and the club’s own 18-goal tournament was underway, leaving Ciren’s team with plenty to get excited about as the summer continues.

Teams: Dorchester Trophy: Umbogo (12): Matt Cudmore 2; Dave Miller 4; Dave Allen 5; Prince William 1 Cirencester Park (11): Damien Kenning 0; Lochie Hunter 4; Satnam Dhillon 6; Mark Baldwin 1 University 1st IVs: Exeter Open (1): Lucy Watson; Amelia Pemberton 0; Leon Allen 2; Ed Gall 0 RAC Open (1): Edward Foster 0; George Amor 0; Nicholas Johnson 1; Nicholas Boyd 0

PERFECT WEATHER this May greeted the MTN Unity Cup at Guards Polo Cub, Abuja – capital city of the West African nation of Nigeria, writes Ben Garba.

The event, which honours Nigerian Democracy Day, attracted an expectant crowd for all four days of competition, featuring 12 teams vying for four cups. Sulieman Abubakar led Team Trappco to the week’s main prize, the Democracy Cup. The presentation was performed by the Nigerian Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo.

His presence, plus numerous sponsors, an improved ground and better-looking horses than ever demonstrated polo’s increasing profile and popularity among Nigeria’s upwardly mobile generation. However, sadly the horses were forbidden from attending the swinging late-night after-party!

Chester Racecourse

Tense 10K showdown PRE-TOURNAMENT MEDIA exposure (including Polo Times’s very own James Mullan on BBC Radio Merseyside) and glorious weather ensured a massive turnout for the duration of the sixth Coutts International Polo Weekend last month. Four invited teams travelled to the Roodee to compete for £10,000 prize money.

On the first day, Michael Henderson’s team (playing as Alexander Events) suffered a defeat in a dramatic game against Raphael Singh’s Gibro Group, a side including four-goal Englishman Max Charlton. The teams produced an end-to-end encounter but sadly the height of the drama was provided by HPA umpire Julian Appleby, who suffered three broken ribs in the second chukka and had to be taken to hospital and replaced.

Gibro Group’s victory qualified them for Sunday’s final, where they met Nick Hine’s side, Boodles. Boodles had beaten San Miguel, a team put together by Simon Taylor, on Saturday and were most experts’ tip for the 2010 title. With a huge prize fund up for grabs and more than 4,000 eager spectators (including 300 Coutts VIP guests), neither side needed motivating and the game was fittingly exciting. Boodles ran out the eventual winners, 9-8, but only with a decisive late goal just 10 seconds before the end of the fourth chukka.

Above: a large crowd looks on as the action unfolds in the final between Boodles (wearing pink) and Gibro Group. Inset: San Miguel’s Christian Chavez attempts a hook

Finalists Boodles (8): Richard Hine –1; Christian Badenhop 0; Dave Allen 5; Oliver Taylor 4 Gibro Group (8): Hugo Singh –1; Raphael Singh 1; Max Charlton 4; Matias Amaya 4

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Feature Interview with Michael Pearson, the fourth Viscount Cowdray

Meet the other

Lord Cowdray On the 100th anniversary of Cowdray Park Polo Club Michael Pearson, the fourth Viscount, talks frankly to Yolanda Carslaw about his happy childhood, choosing E-types over polo ponies and the family move from Cowdray House tories about polo’s post-war revival at Cowdray Park revolve around the late third Viscount, whose passion for the game was legendary. Much less in the limelight is his heir Michael Pearson, not a player, who for 15 years has presided over the thriving club and estate and lived at Cowdray House with his family.

Something of an enigma to the wider polo world, the fourth Viscount watches many of Cowdray’s big games from the Royal Box with his wife Marina and various family members – to all appearances with great pleasure. He’s tall, bearded and stylish, his commanding yet relaxed demeanour giving barely a hint of the playboy, rebel or hippy he is variously said to have been.

To find out more about the man who owns the world’s most famous countryside polo club I met Michael Pearson at his office at home, where he spoke frankly about his life, over coffee with Manuka honey.

Michael grew up at Cowdray, though his parents – John and his first wife, Lady Anne – separated in 1946 when he was two. Anne set up her own kindergarten boarding school in Wiltshire, largely for young children of Services families who’d been posted abroad.

Michael and his sisters, Teresa and Jane, spent term-time there – Michael later went to Cothill and Gordonstoun – and school holidays at Cowdray (Anne, who died last year aged 95, went on to make her garden, Broadleas, one of Wiltshire's horticultural treasures and it's still open to the public today). John Cowdray married

Photographs by Vanessa Taylor and courtesy of the Pearson family

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Michael Pearson as a boy. Opposite: scores of family albums are filled with pictures and press cuttings

again in 1952 and had more children, Lucy, Charles and Rosanna.

So what was it like growing up at Cowdray House with polo's “godfather” as a dad?

“My father was a busy man, running Pearson Group [as chairman from 1954 to 1977] and two estates, here [16,500 acres] and in Scotland [50,000],” says Michael.

“He loved farming, management and forestry and the fact he had one arm [the third Viscount

lost his left arm at Dunkirk in the Second World War] didn’t stop him doing anything.

“He entertained a lot at weekends and there were endless house parties. As children we were woken in the middle of the night by raucous goings-on, water-fights and so on – and we'd get up in the morning to a complete mess!”

For the polo crowd John Cowdray was the benefactor, the post-war pioneer. But what was he like as a dad?

“We had our own nursery area and didn't have great contact with our father,” says Michael. “He was expectant of us and we were quite fearful of him, but that was his generation, who didn't know how to show their feelings, and I think it had a lot to do with the war. I think when friends and family died it hardened people.”

Michael’s father, grandfather and greatgrandfather all played polo avidly. “My father had high expectations of me,” Michael recalls. “But he hadn't understood that if you want children to do something you encourage rather than force them.

I was made to ride every day and I grew to hate it. At 13 I had a moderately bad fall and it was just the excuse I was looking for! With Charles [Pearson, his second son] my father used encouragement rather than pressure and he played happily for years.”

He adds: “I never had a problem watching: there were so many fun people involved and we got to know the characters.”

In summer the house parties revolved around polo; in winter, shooting – and a tour of the farm would always figure, too. “One of my father's X

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Interview with Michael Pearson, the fourth Viscount Cowdray Feature Clockwise from top left: Michael in the gardens at Cowdray House, with Midhurst in the distance; with his father; by the pool – a 21st birthday present to the third Viscount from his sisters; with his wife Marina at the 2010 Argentine Ambassador’s Cup; with Marina and children (l-r) Catrina, Eliza, Monty, Perry and Emily

X greatest buddies was Peter Dollar, a brilliant and

jovial character. For us children it was always fun to have him here.”

Michael’s cousin Jeryl and her husband Charlie Smith-Ryland would also come. Jeryl was the daughter of Yoskyl, John’s oldest sister [John had two older sisters, two younger ones and a twin], who was named after her father’s best polo pony – which was named after a Himalayan mountain.

“Jeryl had a tragic time, although you'd never have known, as she was so enthusiastic and fun: her first husband was killed in the war, her second was killed playing polo: he felt his pony wobble, got off and leant against it to keep it upright and it collapsed on him. Her third died of cancer, and her son was killed in a school fire.”

Michael’s sisters were keen on horses but – unlike his aunts – they never played polo. Teresa has become an eventing owner – her horse Cool Mountain won America’s equivalent of Badminton this April with leading British rider William Fox-Pitt. Jane was also an owner – but recently her husband, “Nappy”, started eventing and took over the rides. fter school Michael spent two years in the army and a year at Lazards – “long enough to know I didn't want to work in the City,” he says. He set up a film company, Cupid Productions (named after various initials of those involved rather than indicating saucy material). Their first film, Sympathy for the Devil (1968), with French new wave director Jean-Luc Godard in the chair, enjoyed success.

“We were a fledgling company and to work with Godard was a brilliant opportunity,” recalls Michael. “Half of it was shooting the Rolling Stones in the studio; we had no screenplay and Godard would tell the actors their lines the day before. Half-way through filming, when the Sorbonne Riots took place, he upped sticks to Paris and finished the film later. Because it was Godard and the Stones it made money.”

Also a success was Classic American road movie Vanishing Point (1971). Their next were less so: a horror movie, a film about the end of World War Two then a documentary about a Carmargue gypsy festival. Realising he’d

Photographs by Vanessa Taylor, Yolanda Carslaw and courtesy of the Pearson family

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Four things you didn’t know about the present Lord Cowdray • His nickname is Gunner – from army days – which is why his car reg starts with GUN. • He’s not a Buddhist. “I have a great affinity with Buddhism and believe in it as a lifestyle, though not as a religion,” he says.

• He once won £32,000 playing backgammon, beating Lord Lucan in the first round and Jimmy Goldsmith in the final.

• It’s probably his ancestors’ political leanings that led to the estate’s yellow window-frames. “It's not documented but I believe it's because my grandfather and great-grandfather were Liberal MPs, and yellow is the party colour,” he explains.

have to move to California to continue in film, Michael got out.

Though press cuttings relating to Michael’s twenties depict a yacht-bound playboy, his own favourite hobby has been wheel- rather than water- or hoof-based. The former stables at Cowdray House are home to his car collection, which includes a 1961 E-type Jaguar built for racing. Among his other favourite vehicles is a Ferrari 275 GTB 6C. “When I was younger I had friends who were motor racing, including Rollo (Earl of) Denbigh, a prep school friend whose father later sponsored a

whose best race results were overall second and a class win. “Unlike the Ferraris of the period it was not highly developed, so you can improve it, within the regulations, such as making tweaks to the suspension and engine – and this makes it more fun. We're fortunate to have Goodwood on our doorstep – Charles and Janet (Lord and Lady March) are friends – and a mechanic who works there comes here at weekends.”

Michael gave up his licence this year after Italy and Spain were called off, but will continue non-competitive rallies. He also enjoys woodcarving; among his creations is a model of Cowdray House.

Michael has been married twice – and met both wives in Ibiza, an island he first visited in 1971 and where the family continues to holiday.

His marriage in 1977 to Fritzi (née Erhardt, from Germany) lasted six years, then in 1987 he married Marina (née Cordle). The couple has five children, aged 13 to 22 – the eldest of whom, Eliza, last year married Richard Branson’s entertainingly named nephew Ned RockNRoll.

Michael also has a 40-year-old son, Sebastian, from an 18-month relationship with model Barbara Ray; Sebastian and his wife Amanda and their two daughters have a house on the estate.

Michael and Marina’s girls – Eliza, Emily and Catrina – all rode as children. “None showed great keenness when they came to an age when

“We had no screenplay and half-way through filming, Jean-Luc Godard upped sticks for the Sorbonne Riots” Formula 3 team with Rollo driving.” After several non-competitive tours across France, Michael got his race licence in 1996, though he soon realised racing wasn't conducive to family life.

“UK races took up 12 weekends a year, so I decided instead to do re-runs of historic touring events. They take place over five days, occupying one weekend only: I’d do the Tour Auto in France and its equivalents in Italy and Spain.”

The tours include timed sections on closed roads or circuits, and entries must be cars or “sister cars” that participated in the Tour Automobile de France between 1951 and 1973.

“The E-type is a wonderful car,” says Michael,

they might play polo,” says Michael.” However, Emily, who celebrates her 21st this year, is now “mad keen”. “She's doing chukkas with Sticky Glue on the House Ground and playing at Trippetts,” says Michael. “Perry [15], Michael’s elder son, has shown interest and has friends who play.”

Since inheriting the estate in 1995 Michael has put his firm imprint on its direction. Almost all the agriculture has gone organic, and investment in leisure has increased.

Michael explains what was behind these moves. “When it was mooted that the South Downs were likely to become a national park, at X first we thought, ‘Oh no, another layer of

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Feature Interview with Michael Pearson, the fourth Viscount Cowdray The fourth Viscount and Marina, Lady Cowdray, above, in Buck Hall, the centrepiece of Cowdray House

X bureaucracy – and a threat!’ Our main concern

was the loss of local planning powers. But we switched our thinking to look at opportunities, namely that more people would come to the area, and we started a leisure department to entertain these people.

“We converted redundant farm buildings into cottages, improved the golf club in terms of playing ability – altering greens and tees – and built a new clubhouse, and we've completed the first year of our new farm shop and cafe, which is going very well.”

Vehemently anti-GM and pro-organic, Michael says: “This belief that GM will feed the world,

“The forestry has taken 20 years to get back in order after the 1987 gales, but recently we've made a profit,” says Michael. “Forestry and agriculture are only marginally profitable, and residential property – the 330 cottages on the estate – has kept us going. Commercial real estate in Midhurst is struggling: retailers have been hit by out-of-town shopping. We keep rents down to a reasonable level.”

And the polo club? Michael, who ceasedthe subsidies of his father’s day and appointed David Jamison as chairman in 2003 to steer the club to a self-sustaining footing, is pleased with how it runs. “We don’t attend as much as we used to but

Photograph by Vanessa Taylor

“We’re very involved in the polo club’s management.

The team creates enough surplus for capital expenditure” which is pushed by global companies, is dangerous and disruptive. There's evidence – though not proof – that GM harms human health.

“Organic goes back to the days of farming naturally pre- and post-war, producing healthier food. We've gone organic apart from 500 acres for potatoes, which are difficult to grow organically. Organic farming has been hit by the recession and supermarkets, but we make a small profit on dairying.”

Two more projects in Easebourne are taking shape: a model farm between the A272 and the Lawns, on 40 acres that has been growing rotational potatoes, and a meditation room and events hall behind the estate office.

“We want to grow small areas of rotational organic crops, with walkways in between so visitors can see how food is produced,” says Michael. “We have the support of Natural England, the local community and the parish council, and we’re sorting out issues with English Heritage, because it's close to the Ruin.

“We've taken back the lease on a 200-yearold chapel previously run as the Easebourne Club, and Marina has turned it into a not-forprofit community meditation centre for anyone to take time out for a peaceful moment.

Attached is a larger building – Cowdray Hall – which we will rent out for educational events, such as lectures and films.”

The estate’s other enterprises include forestry, residential property and commercial lets.

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we’re very much involved in the management.

We’re fortunate to have a good management team that creates enough surplus each year to provide capital expenditure for the following year.

“There’s always new equipment needed, or improvements to grounds – and as it’s a members’ club it’s not the aim to make a profit.”

He’s delighted by Jamie Packer’s lease of Manor Farm, Selham, where work has started on a new polo base for the Australian patron.

The family’s other major plan is to leave the 17-bedroom Victorian mansion that is Cowdray House and move back to Greenhill Farm in nearby Fernhurst, where they lived until 1995. Michael views the move with anticipation and sadness.

“While we still have the energy we want to move somewhere more manageable,” he says.

“We're beholden to running the house: Marina spends a lot of time managing the 10 staff; at Greenhill we’ll have only three. I believe in sustainability, and it would be expensive and difficult to turn this into a sustainable home. I’ve been here all my life and my family has been here 100 years: I have very good memories, so to lose it will be a wrench. But life moves on.

“We will especially miss the views and the garden: it will be sad to lose it because we’ve done a great deal of work.” Michael’s father closed parts of the garden to make it more manageable, which they have reopened, also creating a wonderful lake from a sunken garden.

Views to all sides are splendid, from the avenue

of wellingtonias, also visible from the Lawns, to the Ruins and Midhurst through a gap in the trees, the South Downs and a glimpse of Ambersham from the first floor.

When the family moved in they replumbed, rewired and redecorated, also renewing a third of the roof. Especially striking is Buck Hall, the vast vaulted cavern at the house's heart named after a hall in the Ruins.

In Michael’s childhood it was bare and functional, with a refectory table at the centre; now it’s homely with peach walls, velvet sofas and family photos, while portraits collected by Michael’s great-grandfather and paintings of family members observe from on high. Flanking a suit of armour are portraits of the first and second Viscounts and “softer” paintings of Michael and Marina. “Daphne [Lakin, Michael’s aunt] visited after we redecorated and said Buck Hall was just like it had been before the war,” recalls Michael.

As well as magnificent ground-floor reception rooms there's an indoor pool, a bowling alley and a billiards room – also containing scores of photo albums – plus the famous outdoor party pool, a 21st birthday present to John Cowdray from his sisters. Michael installed a diving board and a state-of-the-art extra-strong cover – “which the children used as a trampoline!” o who will live there next? “We’re looking for a tenant who will take a 20-year lease on the house and 100 acres – including the House Ground and gardens,” says Michael. “That leaves it open for the next generation, and when Perry is 35 he can decide what he’ll do with it. If it's hard to find the right tenant we will consider selling it. Turning it into a hotel wasn’t appealing because we’d need to be partners with the hotelier and we don’t want to go into the hotel business. It would be lost to the family anyway, which is no different to selling it.”

Michael is renaming Greenhill Farm Cowdray Lodge: Cowdray House was known as Cowdray Lodge for 78 years after a corner of it was built in 1800 – only when extended to its present layout did it become Cowdray House. And if there's any doubt about Michael's sense of tradition, history and family, his youngest son Monty is named after Montague, the family that presided 500 years ago over what is now Cowdray Ruins. F

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Feature Patrick Beresford

He pioneered pony welfare in polo; he won the Gold Cup with Prince Philip and he steered the British equestrian team to Olympic success. Lord Patrick Beresford, the Irish aristocrat who last month accepted a Lifetime Achievement honour at the Audi Polo Awards, talks to Herbert Spencer ew horsemen can have had as varied and successful an equestrian career as Ireland’s Lord Patrick Beresford, 76. He was a winning amateur jockey, managed a medal-winning Olympic team, worked as a bloodstock agent, led riding safaris to exotic places and played high-goal polo.

Most importantly, however, he has been a leading campaigner for the protection and welfare of polo ponies, establishing good principles that have spread far beyond the shores of the British Isles.

This spring the US Polo Association (USPA) inaugurated its first drug-testing programme for horses, so welfare was one of the first subjects Patrick and I discussed when I visited him at his home in Binfield, Berkshire.

“I was delighted to see that the Americans have finally followed our example by incorporating substance control into their rules,” Patrick said.

“Polo players recognise and accept the risks in polo, it’s our choice. But the horse doesn’t have a choice, it must do what we ask of it. That is why we must show the greatest of respect for our ponies and do everything possible to ensure their safety and welfare.”

Until a couple of decades ago, rules of equine welfare in polo lagged far behind those in other horse sports. Then, in 1992, the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) established a Polo Pony Welfare Committee and appointed Patrick as its first chairman. “The top polo vet, Peter Scott Dunn, was my co-chairman,” Patrick recalled, “so we had expert professional advice in immediately establishing new HPA directives that then became part of our rules.

Photographs by James Mullan and courtesy of Patrick Beresford

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Patrick at Palermo, being recognised for judging the best playing pony at the Argentine Open

Amongst other things we listed prohibited and permitted substances and brought in drug testing.”

Realising that polo was too international to confine new regulations to just one country, Patrick contacted the USPA, suggesting it follow England’s example. This led in 1993 to the USPA’s Veterinary Committee, later to become the Equine Welfare Committee that brought in pony testing this year.

Patrick remained as chairman of the HPA committee until 1997 before passing the reins to David Morley, though he still serves on the HPA body as well as the pony welfare committee of Guards Polo Club.

Lord Patrick Tristram de la Poer Beresford was born on 16 June 1934, younger son of the 7th

Marquess of Waterford; the title dates back to the 1700s. Two members of the family gained prominence in the early days of polo in England.

Lord William “Fighting Bill” Beresford of the 9th Lancers played in the first match on British soil and won the Victoria Cross in the Zulu war. John Beresford of the 7th Hussars played the 1900 Westchester Cup against America and that same year won a polo gold medal in the Paris Olympics.

Like his antecedents, Patrick chose a military career and learned his polo in the army. After Sandhurst he served with the Royal Horse Guards (the Blues) for 11 years, including deployment to Cyprus to fight the EOKA. He transferred to No 1 (Guards) Independent Parachute Company, seeing X

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Feature Patrick Beresford

Patrick’s family tree and polo relatives 7th Lord Waterford* Lord Patrick Beresford*

Valentine Beresford

Samantha Ware

Richard Le Poer*

8th Lord Waterford (Tyrone)*

The Earl of Tyrone*

Marcus Beresford*

Charles Beresford*

William Beresford*

James Beresford*

Tommy Beresford*

* Indicates polo player

Photographs by Herbert Spencer and courtesy of Patrick Beresford

X action in Borneo, and completed his military career

in the SAS, retiring in 1974 with the rank of major.

“My grandfather and father played polo and I took it up early on in the military,” says Patrick. “I suppose it wasn’t bad to reach a five-goal handicap despite being an amateur without my own ponies and missing several crucial seasons whilst serving abroad or through injury.”

In high-goal he played for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Windsor Park team from 1966 to 1971.

“We won the Cowdray Park Gold Cup in 1966,” says Patrick. “The team was Prince Philip, that great Argentine Gonzalo Tanoira, my brother Tyrone and me. We took the cup again in 1969 and reached the finals for a third time in 1970.”

Patrick played for England in 1966 and again on International Day in 1972, losing the Coronation Cup to the USA. He won the Queen's Cup in 1982 with Boehm. Other victories included the Warwickshire Cup, Butler Handicap in the US, Copa d’Oro in Mexico, and South African Open.

He retired as a player in 2000 “after a broken neck from racing and other injuries just made everything too arthritic”. Several members of his family continue to play, including his nephews the Earl of Tyrone and Lord Charles Beresford and greatnephews Richard Le Poer and William Beresford.

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In 1955 Patrick was one of the founding members, with Prince Philip, of the Household Brigade Polo Club, now Guards, in Windsor Great Park. He served on the club’s committee for 45 years, until new rules in 2000 set an age limit of 65.

Did he ever aspire to be chairman of Guards?

“No, rather the reverse. Whilst it was still a military

“We went to countries such as Mongolia, Cuba, Kyrgystan and Ecuador” club, the major general commanding the Guards Division appointed the chairman.

“Two major generals, Simon Cooper and Robert Corbett, tried to persuade me, but it was unpaid and I already had two pretty time-consuming unpaid jobs, as chef d’equipe of the British three-day event team and chairman of the Windsor Park Equestrian Club. If I was ever to pay the gas bill I really couldn’t afford to get involved in another.”

Patrick served the British team from 1985 to 1992. “We had some wonderful riders and brilliant horses,” he says. “In the nine championships I took them to, that is to say, two Olympics, three World

From top left: Patrick in the Guards pony lines; with great-nephew William; in Borneo (front right)

Championships and four European Championships, we won six team gold medals and two team silvers, as well as six individual golds, six silvers and six bronzes. That is more than any other team, British or foreign, has ever achieved in an equivalent period before or since.”

Patrick’s own career as an amateur point-to-point and national hunt jockey started in Ireland when he was 15. “Over the years I rode more than 50 winners,” he says. “The best horse I rode was Mr Super Flash who won with me at Sandown and took the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.” Meanwhile Patrick hunted in Ireland and England, lastly with the Beaufort from 1984 to 2002.

After leaving the army Patrick joined the AngloIrish Bloodstock Agency. While there he syndicated the stallion Sharpen Up for £130,000, and eight years later sold him to the Gainesway Stud in Kentucky for £2.4m, a staggering sum at the time.

Patrick’s later business as an organiser of riding safaris took him to 22 countries, mainly for the luxury travel firm Abercrombie & Kent and Ultimate Travel. “These were for small groups, up to eight riders. I would recce routes a year in advance, then make all the arrangements. We went to countries such as Mongolia, Kyrgystan, Ecuador and Cuba.”

Patrick hasn’t been in the saddle since major open-heart surgery in 2008. Looking back on more than half a century as an equestrian, he considers his pioneering work in pony care his “greatest achievement” in polo.

“Our HPA committees have had phenomenal success in improving the care of polo ponies,” he told me, “not only in this country but also, by example, gradually throughout the world.” F

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The knowledge Playing around – Tidworth Our intrepid improver Carlie Trotter (–2) works her way around the UK’s clubs

Attention lads, a chukkette antering shoulder-to-shoulder Jess Andrews and I see it happening like a car crash in slow-mo. “He’s going to hit the post,” she says, right before new polo addict John Szymanski heroically launches himself after the ball at warp speed and directly into a multi-coloured goalpost, forward-flipping over the line.

While Chilean club pony Pelo calmly takes himself back to the grooms, a dazed and winded John asks: “Did I - did it - we scored, right?”

“That’s the kind of dedication you’re dealing with!” his team-mate James Wood teases.

The passionate red team – who did score to beat us 3-1 - are my opponents in a novice training course ‘chukkette’ at Tidworth Polo Club in Wiltshire.

This historic military club, now two-thirds civilian and boasting the UK’s largest playing membership, sets out to get low-goalers competing whatever their budget or ability (in rather more handsome grounds than one might expect for an amateur hub).

Between giving me tips on my mid-swing posture, assistant polo manager Jess explains: “We’re about relaxed and fun low-goal polo, which is what most people want.” With two tournaments every weekend, minus-twos never have to sit out, though later I make a good

Photographs by Carlie Trotter

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armchair aficionado watching the four-goal against teams from Vaux Park and New Forest.

I’m not complaining about joining a bunch of military men on a weekend clinic, and when we start the day atop chairs their boyish enthusiasm reminds me of that first ever polo buzz. Charlie Warren, a former RAF pilot returning to the game after six years, jokes: “Errm teacher, I’m wobbling, I injured my pony!”

Most Tidworth members are non pony owners because the base of 20 hirelings, along with the navy and King’s Royal Hussars’ ponies, and a

I join a bunch of military men on a weekend clinic, and their boyish enthusiasm reminds me of that first polo buzz last-minute chukka phone line allows players to get the buzz with little commitment.

When we mount up to practise ride-offs I see these guys are hooked; Charlie’s pregnant wife could go into labour any minute yet he’s focused on tactics, lawyer Achim Jäehnke has flown from Prague where he is trying to kick-start polo and John Szymanski quit his PR job to devote himself to polo after watching at Tidworth.

There’s no KitKat-on-the-go refuelling here.

Instead we indulge in coronation chicken salad

and profiteroles at table on the lawn, close enough to hear the curses when resident pro Martin ffrench-Blake (4) comes off the back end as his pony unexpectedly leaps up the bank at one end of the Fisher pitch.

I feel sorry for my ball-chasing mount Laisy when I return (a stone heavier) for stick-andballing, though my nearside forehand is improved because I’m fully loosened up.

After our dramatic chukkette – which like a “matchette” is shorthand for cheaper beginner session – we retire to the TV room for an umpiring class. On the board ever-unpopular umpires are represented by plastic spiders. The club tries to tackle this divide by encouraging umpiring experience as soon as possible and Jess makes the job sound appealing by reminding us: “When you umpire you cannot be questioned, you’re pretty much God.” Polo manager Brigadier John Wright rounds off the course over tea and more cake, making life with a polo passion sound easy: “Give up a couple of dinners in London and that’s a new helmet and kneepads, with or without the girlfriend. F Read past editions of Playing Around in our online archive. Subscribers have access to back issues on the internet using a personal login.

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lies in wait Soundbites from the sidelines Brig John Wright Polo manager “We’re lucky in that we’re a low-goal club where prices aren’t high with wonderful grounds. I learnt to play here and our members increase all the time, they’re not the richest but polo is a life-changing game and you give up a lot of stuff to play. Services polo is never going to be high-goal but I’ve convinced all three services to double subsidies for match chukkas. We organise endless combinations to fit your budget.”

John Szymanski Member “I’d never ridden and was scared of horses before I watched the Rundle Cup here. I was working in technology PR in the recession; I quit, posted an ad on the New Zealand Polo Association website asking for a grooming job so I could learn to ride and had the best eight months of my life with Ross Ainsley (5) then with the Archibalds in Australia. I aim to make 1-goal by 30 and I’m looking for a polo club PR job.”

Pru Mesquita Spectator “I enjoy coming here because it’s a lovely place, the people are nice, and it’s not a big deal if you don’t win. We brought a picnic today to watch my son Jack, who joined Tidworth after Pony Club, though he plays at Druids with school. My family has always played so I’ve grown up on the sidelines at Kirtlington. The polo is probably better elsewhere but it’s great for people who work more and only play odd weekends.”

Tidworth vital statistics Playing members 160 Non-playing members 56 Facilities Two full-size boarded grounds at Tedworth Park plus two at Perham Down two miles away, comfortable clubhouse with bar, grandstand, stick-and-ball area, wooden horse, 80 x 40m arena under construction.

Location Flanked by elm trees and a Palladian mansion in Tedworth Park on the Wiltshire/Hampshire border, off the A303 10 miles north-east of Salisbury, 10 minutes from Gateley train station (1 hour 15 from London Waterloo).

Philosophy To keep polo alive in the Services, and guide novices through the life-changing experience that is discovering polo.

Running the show Former Pony Club polo chairman Brig John Wright is the heart of the club as manager of a busy coaching and tournament schedule. John’s plans for this year include upping Tidworth’s social side. Assistant polo manager Jessica Andrews, who winters in New Zealand, has been known to ride for 22 chukkas a weekend in her roles as eternally patient instructor and 1-goal pro. Players enjoy the expertise of head coach Martin ffrench-Blake (4), while secretary Muriel Osborne provides all the info and fatty treats one could need. Yard manager Jax Taylor ensures the pony lines run like clockwork.

Crowd Weekenders from all walks of life flock to join a large military contingent. Yuppies are starting to return post-recession, with visiting teams also on the increase. The club has upand-coming talent among 40 junior members, while supporting pros include James Lucas (4) and Hiro Suzuki (2).

Seasonal highlight The sidelines will be packed out on 10 July for the annual army versus navy Rundle Cup. Livery On-site livery including grazing, exercise and delivery to ground costs £125 a week.

Full membership £500 for over-25s without ponies, £850 for pony owners. Military membership starts at £100, and course attendees get three months’ free membership.

Contact tidpolo@tiscali.co.uk ; 01980 846705

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Your game The knowledge Vital riding and playing tips from Jamie Peel, three-goal pro and 2008 Gold Cup winner

To market, to market, Argentine-style ver the last decade with the introduction of embryo transfer the breeding of polo ponies has been transformed. Argentina is the world leader and it is there that you can see how embryo transfer has really taken off. All of the top players and patrons are investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in their breeds and this has created a marketplace where people can access the top bloodlines.

In November and December, Argentina is the place to be. All the leading players in the world are there, the Argentine Open is in full swing and as it is usually pouring with rain in England it is the perfect excuse to get away! Also at this time the big organisations are holding their pony sales. If you have never been to one of these then I thoroughly recommend it.

The sale room or field is heaving with people; patrons and players alike are studying the sale book and discussing the stock. It's a hive of activity. When the sale starts you are blown away by the money being spent: embryos that are not even born are fetching enormous sums.

At the sales of the top organisations the total spent always seems to be in excess of a million dollars: it is big business.

The stock for sale is from the top bloodlines in the world, you can buy embryos from some of the most successful mares ever to have

O

Argentine sales are well established and well attended. How can we create a similar marketplace in England?

buying young horses here is not as easy as people might think. You can clock up hundreds of miles driving between yards and going to sales at Ascot and Doncaster trying to find

Should each major club hold a sale a season? Can individuals get together to attract more interest? played in Palermo, and the quality is there for everyone to see in the catalogues, with detailed breeding information.

What the Argentines have created should be an example for us all to follow. They are investing heavily in their organisations and understandably they want to recoup as much as they can. Whether the money they raise from the sales pays for their breeding organisations I don't know but the amount they generate is incredible.

Where is the marketplace here in England?

What are the top breeders in England doing to generate business? From personal experience

suitable polo types but there is no guarantee that you will find what you are looking for.

So far this season there have been two sales – one in Berkshire, which I gather wasn't a great success, and one in Surrey that was quite well attended. As I write we are eagerly awaiting the Polo Saleroom event after the semi-finals of the Queen's Cup, where there will be embryos for sale from some of the top mares currently playing here in high-goal.

How can we begin to create a marketplace?

Can we emulate anything from Argentina?

Should each of the major clubs hold a sale once a season? Can individuals get together to hold a

What I'll be doing this month 1 Organising Salkeld in the Gold Cup 2 Watching the Gold Cup final 3 My first ever foals are being born! sale on a larger scale so as to attract more interest? Can we get Retraining of Racehorses to stage a sale where there is a guaranteed pool of quality polo types?

These are all ideas but what is the reality?

I'd love to hear what you think – especially if you've been to the sales mentioned here. F ◗ Tell Jamie what you think or ask him a

question by writing to letters@polotimes.co.uk Read past Your Game columns in our online archive. Subscribers can access current and back issues with their personal login.

Contact georgie@polotimes.co.uk if you’ve lost your password.

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The knowledge Pony power

Ketty British Ladies Champs’ most valuable player Alice Gipps tells Georgie May about her super-speedy former 40-goaler – a polo-mad mare from Argentina

Vital statistics

Photograph by Alice Gipps

Name: Ketty Height: 15.1hh Age: 13 years old Colour: Liver chestnut Origin: Bred by the La Fuente family, Argentina

What made you buy Ketty?

My best mare slipped a hock ligament last year, so I haven’t played her since, preferring instead to breed from her in the meantime with the late Gabriel Donoso’s stallion Rector. So I knew she wouldn’t be able to play this season and began looking out for a replacement at the end of last summer. I spoke to Eduardo Heguy, who suggested that his brother Nachi might have something I would be interested in. He did. Ketty was a mare he had bought in 2001 from well-known Argentine breeders, the La Fuente family. He played her over there until 2006, when he brought her to the UK. I stick and balled her late last season and, despite not playing a chukka, I took a gamble and bought her on the basis of Eduardo’s usually reliable advice. It must have been a wrench to let her go to a girl, but I’m very grateful!

So the gamble has paid off?

Definitely, she is so responsive and fast. She was a big part of why I won MVP at the British Ladies’ Championships at Cowdray in May. She took me everywhere I needed to be, allowing me simply to concentrate on the game and my role amongst my brilliant team-mates. I saved her for the last chukka but I had her on the sidelines as a spare just in case the game became tough early on.

What are her strengths and weaknesses?

She’s super-handy and extremely quick off the mark, nearly leaving me behind the saddle on several occasions! She has great balance with a leg in each

corner, which is always a confidence-giver, especially in bad weather. I wouldn't say she has weaknesses, other than that she’s not getting younger, turning 14 this year. Generally I’m the one with the weaknesses!

What’s the highest level she’s played to?

She's played 40-goal in Argentina with Nachi Heguy in both the Tortugas and Hurlingham Opens in 2006.

She played high-goal for Les Lions with him for three seasons before I bought her. The season is still young and so far I have only played her in a couple of big tournaments – the British Ladies and then the Coworth Ladies Championships later in June.

What is her temperament?

Fortunately, she is well mannered and easy, as I do all four of my playing ponies myself and so any problems are mine! Ketty loves polo – that is really what gets her going. At the start of this season, I was leading her back from a stick-and-ball practice when chukkas had started on a nearby field – one minute I had a quiet donkey on the end of the rope and the next she transformed into a two-legged tiger wanting to join in. I figured it was time to start playing her.

Would you sell her?

Certainly I shall keep her for the rest of her playing days, and after that I would look very seriously at keeping her to breed from. F

Do you know a pony we should feature in Pony Power? Write to jamesmullan@polotimes.co.uk

Page sponsored by Baileys Horse Feeds - experts in polo nutrition Tel: +44 (0)1371 850247 www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk 70 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

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In Pony Club Heaven Your children are the most sporting

Your ponies are the handiest And your equipment was bought from

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

When on the road, take care of your load y en español...

How should I feed and water my polo pony before, during or after a long journey?

Generally a long journey for a polo pony means at the destination it will be playing polo, then have a journey home again – a long day.

For a journey with or without playing polo at the destination, hard feed can be consumed 45 minutes prior to travel, water never needs to be taken away from your pony and ideally he will travel with a haylage/haynet (dust- and mould-free!) for trickle-feeding during travel. I understand that this is not always practical, but it is extremely good for the health of the digestive tract, particularly on long journeys It’s not only players and dogs who require food and drink at games after a long journey where the horse is using energy to balance.

Research has suggested that horses that travelled 300km have experienced metabolic an unnatural posture. If you are really changes similar to that of cantering dedicated and organised and you arrive 90 1,500m, perhaps something we all need to minutes before the game, why not allow consider when ponies are also playing. them half a scoop of hard feed or some When horses have travelled chaff? This will not hinder their long distances to a performance but enhance it! match they should After playing, and before be offered water loading again, let your on arrival at ponies drink when they the grounds have stopped “blowing” and allowed and allow them to graze una bolsa de pasto = a haynet handbefore the journey viajes prolongados = long journeys grazing to home, as they will la cancha = the (polo) ground stretch back continue to use more estirar el cuello = to stretch the neck and neck energy during transit. estirar la columna = to stretch the back muscles after On arrival home and pasto verde = grass being tied up in unloaded into their sufrir = to suffer stables, allow them to drink and eat hay/haylage straight away and, once settled, they can Tip of the month have their hard feed.

Be prepared! Travel with plenty of water Remember, horses travelling and and buckets on your lorry. Never tie haynets playing a lot who are not having onto the ramp of your lorry or trailer as they act their energy and metabolic changes as a sponge for dirt and exhaust fumes! Allow catered for by feed and water will lots of ventilation for clear airways. have a more suppressed immune Estate preparado/a! Viajá con agua y tené baldes system, leading to an a mano en el camión. Nunca ates las bolsas de underperforming animal that is pasto del lado de afuera de la rampa del camión more susceptible to illness. F ya que actuarán como esponjas absorviendo Read past Feeding columns by mugre y humo del caño de escape!

Lorna in our online archive. All Asegurate que aire fresco circule subscribers have access to back issues, en todo momento. using a personal login. If you’ve lost your

Lingo Lesson

details, contact georgie@polotimes.co.uk.

Cómo debería darle de comer y de tomar a mis caballos antes, durante y después de un viaje largo?

Por lo general, el destino de un viaje largo es una cancha de polo y después de jugar otro viaje de similar duración suele ser necesario, lo que resulta en un día muy largo.

Independientemente de que el viaje sea para jugar al polo, se les puede dar alimento balanceado hasta 45 minutos antes de salir. El agua nunca debería restringirse y lo ideal sería que los caballos viajen con una bolsa de pasto (sin polvo y libre de moho) ya que les permitirá comer constantemente pequeñas cantidades. Entiendo que no siempre es posible pero será beneficioso para la salud del aparato digestivo, en especial en viajes prolongados en los que el caballo usa energía para mantener el equilibrio.

Investigaciones sugieren que caballos que hayan viajado 300km experimentan cambios en su metabolismo similares a los producidos al galopar 1,500m. Tal vez sea algo a tener en cuenta cuando además se espere que los caballos jueguen normalmente.

Cuando viajen largas distancias para jugar, debería ofrecérseles agua al llegar a la cancha y permitirles que coman pasto verde para que puedan estirar la columna y los músculos del cuello ya que estarán entumecidos después de haber viajado en una posición poco natural. Si sos dedicado y organizado y solés llegar una hora y media antes de cada partido, porque no darles medio cucharón de alimento balanceado o chaff/alfalfa? Esto no va a afectar su desempeño sino que lo mejorará!

Después de jugar, dejá que tomen agua una vez que hayan dejado de respirar en forma agitada y permitiles que coman pasto del suelo antes del viaje de regreso a casa, ya que van a necesitar energía durante el viaje. Al llegar a casa, permitiles que tomen agua y que coman pasto seco o haylage enseguida, y una vez que estén tranquilos dáles su ración de alimento balanceado.

Tené en cuenta que caballos que viajen mucho pero que no reciban un tratamiento especial en cuanto a su dieta y acceso a agua en relación a los cambios metabólicos que sufran, podrían ver su sistema inmunológico afectado provocando bajo rendimiento y un mayor riesgo de sufrir lesiones y enfermedades. F

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The knowledge Travel – Kenya

Polo in Kenya is quietly thriving, with four clubs, a quirky and effective halfgoal handicap system, an all-amateur ethos and plenty of keen youngsters.

Brian Perry, chairman of the Kenya Polo Association, talks to Polo Times

Keen players Topper Murray, Kigen Moi and Vishal Somaia

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Polo Times: What makes Kenya polo special?

Brian Perry: We relish our amateur polo status and the strong social aspects of our club polo. That doesn’t mean that we don’t have competitive polo – we certainly do, but our polo is not complicated by the patron factor.

PT: Who have been Kenya’s top players?

BP: Going back to pre-independence, Kenya had 7-goaler Lord Francis Scott in the 1920s and some 6-goalers in the 1950s (Digby Tatham-Water and Don Rooken Smith). Since independence we have had 5-goalers up until quite recently, including the late Simon Kuseyo, and Rowena Gross was at one stage the highest handicapped lady player globally, I believe. Currently our top three players are handicapped at 3.5 goals (Richard Stone-Wigg, Jamie Murray and Casimir Gross).

PT: Who plays polo nowadays in Kenya?

BP: We have a delightful mix of people from a variety of backgrounds, with many colourful and charismatic characters.

The North Kenya club is dominated by farmers, particularly the Murray, Dyer, Craig and Llewellyn families, who are engaged in flowers, vegetables, wheat and livestock.

Nairobi unsurprisingly has a high proportion of businessmen and women, ranging from bankers to accountants to international courier service operators to directors of aviation companies to safari operators. The Manyatta Polo club has, among others, Rift Valley farmers, representatives of agrochemical companies, local residents and weekend commuters from Nairobi.

Let me give you a few cameos. Tristan and Cindy Voorspuy run a horseback safari business in Kenya, and live, together with polo playing children Archie and Imogen, in a house in the Rift Valley built by the first chairman of the KPA, Lord Francis Scott. Mbugua Ngugi (known as Boo) is a businessman (you may have sampled his cashew nuts on British Airways international flights) and a 1-goal player who lives in Nairobi and plays at the

Top: Prince Charles, in Kenya in 1971. He was lent a horse called Christine Keeler, and is alleged to have said: “Well at least I’ve done one thing my father hasn’t: I’ve had my leg over Christine Keeler.” Above: James Tobweka, brother of the five-goaler Simon Kuseyo, who was killed in an air crash, with Nairobi player Hussein Hassan. Left: North Kenya player Charlie Dyer

cluster of handicaps between -2 and +2. The teams for all the tournaments during the first half of our season are assembled by club captains, not by individuals, and much effort goes into trying to balance teams as closely as possible on handicap.

We have found that widening the handicap differential through the use of half goals works well for us. And we have tried very hard to ensure that our handicaps are in line internationally.

Photographs supplied by Brian Perry

The Manyatta Polo Club has Rift Valley farmers, local residents, representatives of agrochemical companies and commuters club in Gilgil. Ashe Ahluwalia runs an automotive business in Nairobi and, along with wife Kiran, son Rishi (who also plays polo at Cheltenham College) and daughter Amber, they are regular competitors at all clubs throughout the season.

PT: Can you explain your half-goal system?

BP: : We introduced this system in January 2000, with the intention of separating the dominant

PT: Simon Kuseyo was a big name in Kenya polo; can you tell me more about him?

BP: It is now 10 years since Simon’s tragic death in the Kenya Airways crash in Abidjan. He was at the time of his death the highest handicapped player in the country (at 5 goals), but beyond that he was an icon; a quiet, modest and charming man, with outstanding riding skills, a unique patience and

understanding of the many young horses he brought into the game. He was a brilliant polo tactician and an inspiration to everybody in Kenya’s polo playing community, epitomising the opportunity for success from hard work and dedication, given his path from a humble Maasai herdsman to an international polo star.

The Manyatta Polo Club and the KPA recognise the importance of this 10th anniversary in sustaining the memory of Simon and what he stood for, and in ensuring the education and wellbeing of his children.

PT: What about the next generation of players?

BP: The most exciting feature of our polo is seeing the emergence of the young. As in many countries, these are generally from polo-playing families (the young Grosses Tarquin, Casimir, Tiva and Aisha; the young McLellans Charlie and Samantha; the young Mois Kimoi and Kigen).

Last year the Mugs Mug was won by the team with the youngest aggregate age (all under 18) of the 14 teams participating, much to the delight of the crowd, and the pride of four sets of parents!

Last year we had a young team representing X

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The knowledge Travel – Kenya

Clockwise from above: association chairman Brian Perry in action; the Gross family (l-r: Aisha, Tiva, Tarquin and Anthony, former association chairman) at the Mugs Mug in 2009; the Moi family at Nairobi Polo Club’s centenary in 2007 (l-r: Kigen, Gideon, Zahra and Kimoi)

Kenya essentials X Kenya in South Africa at the inter-schools

championship, where they did exceptionally well.

PT: What has been your personal association with Kenya polo?

BP: I first wielded a polo mallet almost 40 years ago in Ethiopia, but virtually immediately gave it up, as I was left handed, and couldn’t cope at that tender age with the prospect of a steep learning curve; I stuck to sports where I could use my left hand, and to flat race riding at the Imperial Ethiopian Jockey Club in Addis Ababa.

When I arrived in Kenya in the mid 1980s, I competed regularly in three-day eventing and show jumping. After a bad fall on a cross country course in 1994, my daughters Anna and Lippa

2004 to 2007, and as vice chairman of the KPA for 10 years before taking over as chairman from Anthony Gross two years ago.

I am the second oldest player in Kenya (the oldest is the ever impressive Mike Camm), and I had a hip replacement 10 years ago, but still get irritated when people ask me, “Are you STILL playing polo?”! I have been lucky enough to have been on the winning team of the Kenya Open 6-8 goal three times (the last in 2009), so don’t write me off yet!

PT: What future plans are in the pipeline?

BP: This year we will have a touring ladies' team going to Zambia, where they will host a triangular tournament including a USA team. We have our

I first wielded a mallet 40 years ago in Ethiopia, but gave up as I was left-handed and couldn’t cope with the learning curve persuaded me to take up polo again, which I did, joining the Nairobi Polo Club and persevering with my right arm, walking around the garden with a foot mallet at all times of day and night!

It was worth it; the game and the people in it have brought new pleasures to my life. I served as chairman of the club from 1997 to 2001, and

76 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Kenya Open in September, in which players from various countries will be invited; this year it returns to Nairobi after several years in Gilgil. In October we host a team from Zimbabwe. Nairobi has initiated an ambitious ground improvement scheme, and there are plans for a new set of grounds at the North Kenya Club. F

• Kenya Polo Association, established 1921: currently 146 handicapped players; four affiliated clubs; chairman Brian Perry (Prof BrianPerry@gmail.com) • Nairobi Polo Club, located at Jamhuri Park, Nairobi: chairman Dominic Grammaticus (dominic@governorscamp.com) • Manyatta Polo Club, Gilgil; chairman Tristan Voorspuy (offbeat@africaonline.co.ke) • North Kenya Polo Club, Timau: chairman Gordon Murray (Lolomarik@maraniafarm.com) • Nduruma Polo Club, Arusha, Tanzania; chairman Jeroen Bruins (jbruins@habari.co.tz) • Season: End of May to mid-December • Tournament structures: two consecutive threeday weekends; first weekend club teams, second weekend mix-ins; division into three or four handicap sections • Season highlights: Mugs Mug, 3-goal national tournament in August; Kenya Open, at 6 and 12-goal in September; Duke of Connaught Cup, internal national championship (open); Cavalry Cup, internal national championship.

• At present nowhere is set up specially for visitors to play polo in Kenya, but if you're travelling to the country – or moving there – and want to find out what's going on, get in touch with Brian or one of the clubs.

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PTJuly 2010 p78-79 Dent YC PJ

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As mad as polo The knowledge Seasoned adrenalin junkie Andrew Dent seeks out thrills off the field

You don’t have to go to exotic lands to raft white water. For less than £50 both uninitiated and seasoned paddlers can bounce down gorgeous gorges s the spray hits you full in the face you glimpse out of the corner of one eye a tangle of branches and craggy overhanging rocks. Holding on for dear life with one hand, your paddle with the other. Feet tucked under the side of the inflatable hull, you look out for mid-river boulders and strain to hear the instructions of the raft guide over the roar of the rapids.

Sitting in a rubber dinghy wearing a wetsuit and helmet, getting systematically soaked and bouncing between rocks and other hard places might not be everyone’s ideal way to spend a summer afternoon but it is a fantastic challenge and a sure-fire adrenaline rush.

White-water rapids are graded from one (easy) to six (so dangerous as to be un-navigable on a reliably safe basis).

No previous experience is necessary – everyone has to start somewhere. In the UK most rafts seat up to eight people plus the guide who sits (or stands) at the rear and

A

attempts to steer using his own paddle. He will rehearse all the basic instructions before your ride downriver and woe betide anyone who paddles Back when it should be Forward!

Professional guides are usually young and often charismatic, with a loyal female

Professional guides are usually charismatic and young, with a loyal female following – now to which other sport does this apply? following – now which other sport can we think of where this applies?

For obvious topographical reasons the best UK natural river locations are in Scotland or Wales but plenty of fun can be had on the artificial courses, originally built for canoe paddlers, at Nottingham and Northampton. For the more adventurous, there are excellent

overseas rafting rivers in New Zealand, Chile, Montenegro and Colorado in the US. Rafting is usually well-regulated and safe but if you plan to participate abroad, check your travel insurance as, in common with polo, rafting can be specifically excluded from cover.

For the rugged individualists amongst you, there is a growing offshoot sport, whitewater tubing (called “toobing” in the US), using one-person doughnut-shaped inner-tube type rafts. But the biggest buzz still comes from working as a team, successfully navigating a raft down boulderstrewn rapids, without “flipping”. F ◗ Andrew Dent sponsors the annual Dent Cup

at Kirtlington Park Polo Club ◗ From £49 per person; visit www.ukrafting.co.uk

and www.exhilaration.co.uk Read Andrew Dent’s columns in back issues online. Subscribers have access to the whole Polo Times catalogue: contact georgie@ polotimes.co.uk if you need your password.

www.polotimes.co.uk July 2010 79

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The knowledge Property

Hunting high and low Georgie May seeks out homes for large and small budgets near Cowdray Park s the Gold Cup gets underway at Cowdray Park, there are mixed opinions on how well properties are selling in the area, with some shifting like hot cakes and others sitting unsold. The picturesque town of Midhurst and its surrounding villages are a popular base for polo folk. At present, there’s a range of properties on offer, accommodating those looking to be in the heart of the town or amid wonderful countryside.

Haslemere, Midhurst’s neighbour, has an interesting choice of country houses on the market. Only 15 minutes from Cowdray, this popular commuter town has some lavish country pads. The Lake House, on the market with Clark Gammon Wellers for £4.25m, is a spectacular property in a peaceful and secluded lakeside setting. Ideally suited to entertaining in a grand style, it has a wine cellar, and bar.

Fermesham House is a family home with five bedrooms, a swimming pool and 11 acres, priced at £2.25m (with Savills). Although this property has room for a paddock, those seeking land for an equestrian set-up may be drawn to the 46 acres available on the edge of Haslemere. Clark Gammon Wellers has a sizeable piece of flat land for sale that is ideal for paddocks or, with some work, a polo ground.

Petworth, six miles from Cowdray Park, is another sought-after spot for the polo crowd.

Byworth Dean, on the market for £2.25m with

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turnaround. Midhurst is popular and it will always attract people, especially now the polo season is underway.” Two properties, one in the heart of Midhurst and another in Heyshott – a village nearby – both met their asking prices of £750,000 and £1.45m respectively last month.

Hunting low, there are plenty of small houses in Midhurst. King and Chasemore has plenty on the market, including Crispins, a roomy Laundry Cottage (£355,000), which lies the London side of Cowdray four-bed terrace for £399,000, in the heart of Midhurst.

For a buyer looking to live out of town, Keats Hamptons, looks like a country house not to be is selling quaint Laundry Cottage (£355,000), missed. Steve Williams, from the Hamptons between Midhurst and Haslemere, in Fernhurst.

Guildford Country House office, explained that The perk for polo players is that there is a West Sussex has not been having the best of possibility to purchase a seven acre paddock by months: “It has been quiet, with buyers still very separate negotiation. price-sensitive. The 2007 levels have not yet Most people en route to Cowdray’s Lawns been recovered and buyers are cautious. will have passed The Lodge, on the outskirts of “Having said that, there is interest and we Midhurst in Easebourne. The historic building, have had plenty of viewings at Byworth Dean, formerly Budgenor Lodge – in Victorian times which has only been on the market for a few the town’s workhouse and later a bible college weeks. It’s a case of buyers having to sell their – was converted into 42 houses and apartments current home first, which is the problem.” in 2007. Twelve are still for sale through Savills King and Chasemore on the other hand has (£210,000 to £450,000). The Saddlery – a fourbeen having a busy June, according to bed house – costs £399,000 while the last four Midhurst-based Daniel Porter: “Easter and prebed apartment is £450,000. A two-bedroom election were quiet for us, but things have cottage with private garden costs £370,000. F picked up and we have had a 100 per cent

Three Sussex and Surrey stunners

£4.25m – The Lake House, Haslemere. Ultramodern, with six bedrooms, state-of-the-art audio visual system, games room, bar and wine cellar, plus its own lake. Through Clarke Gammon Wellers (01428 664800; www.clarkegammon.co.uk) and Hamptons (01483 572864; www.hamptons.co.uk)

£2.25m – Byworth Dean, Petworth. Rural setting with southerly views to the Downs. Beautifully refurbished, featuring oak floors, four reception rooms, five bedrooms and four bathrooms. Outside is a pool and gardens of 1.28 acres. Through Hamptons (01483 572864; www.hamptons.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

80 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

£210,000 upwards – The Lodge, Easebourne.

Attractive Grade II listed buildings remodelled into 42 houses and apartments, 12 of which are left.

Two-bed apartment: £210,000; four-bed house: £399,000; four-bed apartment: £450,000. Through Savills (01483 796803; www.savills.co.uk).

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The knowledge Gear

Top to bottom and left to right:

Fox Pro horse goggles From Akuma Polo (www.akumapolo.com) Uniquely designed goggles made in South America, with coloured or transparent plastic frame around the eye socket. Aims to prevent a mallet or ball coming into contact with a horse’s eyes. In brown and black leather or nylon; also comes with clear or tinted lenses (left). The leather lensless style is most popular, as it matches tack.

The damage: from £97

VenTech skid boots From Roxtons (www.roxtons.co.uk; 0845 260 6118) Hind boots from Pro Choice extend low over the pastern for protection and have a hard cup over the heel to prevent burns during sliding stops. Limestone-based neoprene aids ventilation and lets moisture and heat escape. Strong but flexible with a leather patch to protect the fetlock and cannon bone. Hand washable; short and standard sizes.

The damage: £89

Casablanca elbow pads From Tally Ho Farm (www.tallyho farm.co.uk; 01344 885373) D30 lightweight elbow protection designed to be manoeuvrable and absorb shock. Flexible and breathable.

When pressure is applied the technology makes the pad “lock”. Available in small, medium and large. Comfy, but fairly pricey for a non-essential piece of kit.

The damage: £120

Belvoir bed From Belvoir (www.belvoirbedding.co.uk; 01772 877897) Popular Thai ingredient lemon grass is among the ingredients in this ingenious mixture, based around treated wheat and rape straw.

The bedding aims to aid respiratory health, discourage horses from eating their bed and soothe tired muscles. It’s highly absorbent, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial.

The damage: £4.90 per bale

SSG gloves From SATS (www.satsfaction.co.uk; 01285 841542) Printed white lycra featuring eyecatching “skeleton” design on the back of the hand with black Aquasuede Plus “moisture management” technology on the grip and slim Velcro wrist fastening. Good grip when wet or dry.

Lightweight and breathable. Sizes 6-10.

The damage: £20 for a pair

Demin jodhpurs From Uber Polo (www.uberpolo.com; 01428 707765) Ladies’ jodhpurs with “sticky seat” ideal for stick-and-balling. In 95 per cent cotton plus stretchy spandex, they allow for plenty of movement. Leather bottom and thigh pads help with grip. Great if you find jeans too restrictive.

Waist size 24-34.

The damage: £60

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Saddle protector From Pampeano (www.pampeano.co.uk; 0871 200 1272) A durable protective saddle bag to keep that vital piece of kit in good nick. If each horse has its own, helps grooms organise large strings as well as looking smart. Available in red, blue, pink, burgundy and black, in canvas or leather.

The damage: £55

Stickhedz polo t-shirt From Stickhedz (www.stickhedz.com;0845 519 2113) Attractive casual polo top in 100 per cent heavy cotton.

Hand-finished gift-wrapped and presented in recycled gift boxes. In navy, fuchsia (pictured) and white for women and in white, navy and black for men. Hard wearing and comfy: great for hard-working polo girls and guys. From S-XXL. The damage: from £42

Tuffa boots From Tuffa International Footwear (www.tuffaboots.com; 01953 880914) “Exceptionelle” polo boots made with triple layered leather, Velcro strap, popper and YKK brass zip. Rolled leather edges surround the zip for protection, and there’s a lining and protective inner tongue. A solid rubber Tuffa sole makes them non-slip and durable.

The damage: £269.99

Marcos Heguy Piaget watch From Piaget (www.piaget.com) Attention Marcos Heguy fans: the 10-goaler has teamed up with Piaget to produce a limited-edition watch. It has a titanium case, black and blue dial, luminescent hour markers, a sapphire crystal case-back, 35 jewels, a dual time-zone mechanism, 50hr power reserve and is water resistant to 100m. Special touches include Heguy’s own signature engraved on the back and “handicap 10” on the dial. With a rubber strap and steel inserts, it’s blends style with sportiness.

The damage: £13,900

Polo belt From the Spanish Boot Company (www.the spanishbootcompany.co.uk; 0845 313 8167) Tan leather belt for men or women, made in Spain with attractive cut-out and stitching detail. In lengths 30-44 inches, with an interchangeable buckle.

The damage: £49

Protective glasses From Gladiator (www.gladiator-sports.com; 07038 789434) Sports glasses with interchangeable lenses specially designed for filtering UV rays and reducing reflective glare. Lightweight and a good fit under a polo helmet.

The damage: £17

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The knowledge Dates for the diary

What’s on in July Principal fixtures at home and abroad UK highlights Test Matches Guards – Cartier International Day (England vs New Zealand): 25 July High-goal Cowdray – Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup (20-22): 22 June – 18 July Cirencester Park – Warwickshire Cup (17-20): 20 July – 8 August Medium-goal RCBPC – The Eduardo Moore Tournament (12-15): 22 June – 4 July Beaufort – The Duke of Beaufort’s Cup (15-18): 29 June – 11 July Coworth Park– Coworth Park Challenge (12-15): 7-24 July Cowdray Park – Harrison Cup (12-15): 19 July – 1 August Intermediate-goal Cirencester Park – Queen Mother Trophy (8-12): 15 June – 4 July Guards – Phoenician Cup (6-12): 26 June – 11 July Kirtlington – Kirtlington Summer Cup (8-12): 20-24 July RCBPC – Polo Festival (7-10): 26 July – 8 August Ham – Dubai Trophy (8-12) 27 July – 8 August Special events Kirtlington – The Rupert Thorneloe Memorial Cup (Open): 3 July Sandbanks – British Beach Polo Championships (Open): 9-10 July Tidworth – Rundle Cup, RN vs Army (Open): 10 July Gaynes Park Estate, Epping – Duke of Essex Polo Trophy: 17 July High 22 Goal Cowdray Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup

RLS – International Day (Open): 11 July St Albans – Polo for Heroes (Open): 24 July Tidworth – Duke of York Cup, RN vs RAF (Open): 24 July Tidworth – Sassoon Cup, Army vs RAF (Open): 31 July Ladies’ polo Ascot Park – National Women’s Tournament (-8-2): 31 July – 1 August Youth polo Guards and Cirencester Park – Pidgley Foundation International Festival (Open): 6-11 July Guards – Test Match, SUPA England vs Young Eastern Europe (Open): 7 July Guards – Test Match, SUPA Britain vs Young Italy (Open): 7 July Cirencester – Test Match, SUPA Britain vs Young Italy (Open): 10 July Cirencester – Test Match, SUPA England vs Young Eastern Europe (Open): 10 July Cirencester – English Universities vs British Universities (Open): 10 July Cowdray Park – John Cowdray Trophy (Young England vs New Zealand): 18 July

Hurtwood World Class Polo Cup Open 17 July Knepp 0-40 Tournament Open 10 July - 17 July

Medium 15 Goal

Low 6 Goal

Guards Cartier International Open

25 July

High 20 Goal Cirencester Warwickshire Cup

July 10 - 8 Aug

High 18 Goal Beaufort The Duke of Beaufort

29 Jun - 11 July

Open

RCBPC The Eduardo Moore Coworth Coworth Park Challenge Cowdray Harrison Cup Open

22 Jun - 4 July 7 July - 24 July 19 July - 1 Aug

Medium 12 Goal Cirencester The Queen Mother Trophy Beaufort The Prince of Wales’ Cup Kirtlington Kirtlington Summer Cup Ham Dubai Trophy

15 Jun - 4 July 3 July - 17 July 20 July - 24 July 27 July - 8 Aug

Intermediate 10 Goal Beaufort The Non Playing Members RCBPC Polo Festival

84 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk-

31 July - 8 Aug 26 July - 8 Aug

Polo on TV Highlights on Horse & Country TV (Sky 280) 5 July, 3pm: 2009 Sotogrande Gold Cup 6 July, 7pm and 11pm: Sotogrande Gold Cup 13 July, 11pm: 2009 Tortugas Open semi-finals 19 July, 3pm: 2009 Tortugas Open final 20 July, 7pm and 11pm: 2009 Tortugas Open final 26 July, 2pm: 2009 Polo in the Park 27 July, 11pm: 2009 Polo in the Park

Correction In the June issue of PT we neglected to credit Gloucestershire-based photographer Christopher Fear for the pictures we used on pages 41 and 42 (below). Christopher took shots of all the contests between the Royal Agricultural College and Oxford University in May and June this year.

Singapore Singapore Polo Club – Ismail Cup (0-2): 17-18 July USA Haiwaii – Hawaiian Islands Circuit Masters (8-10): 18 July Santa Barbara – Robert Skene Trophy (16-20): 20-30 July Bridgehampton – Mercedes Benz Challenge (16-20): 24 July – 24 August

Cheshire National 8 Goal Kirtlington The Meyrick Cup Frolic Club Tournament RCBPC The Julian & Howard Hipwood Kirtlington Secretarys Cup RLS The Ladies Day Gold Cup Cowdray Holden White Challenge Rugby The Warwickshire 8 Goal Binfield Heath Summer Festival RCBPC Polo Festival

Test Matches

Tattersalls – July sale (horse/fillies in training, broodmares etc): 6-9 July Brightwells, Ascot – July sale (point-to-pointers and flat and national hunt horses in and out of training): 13 July

Overseas

Low 8 Goal 22 June - 18 July

Other dates for the diary

RLS The San Antonio Tournament Kirtlington Barlow Trophy Rutland The Assam Cup Hurtwood Digital & Direct 6 Goal Chester Chester Plate Druids Lodge Druids Polo Week Lacey Green The Scottish Tournament RLS The Arthingworth Cup Vaux Park Chairmans Cup

29 June - 4 July 29 June - 11 July 3 July - 4 July 3 July - 17 July 13 July - 18 July 16 July - 18 July 16 July - 31 July 17 July - 18 July 24 July - 24 July 31 July - 8 Aug 2 July - 4 July 6 July - 11 July 6 July - 11 July 14 July - 24 july 16 July - 16 July 17 July - 24 July 31 July - 1 Aug 30 July - 1 Aug 31 July - 1 Aug

Low 4 Goal Hurtwood Jay's Trophy

1 July - 4 July

Ascot Asian Art Beverley Milagro Trophy Cambridge Countryside Alliance Druids Lodge Druids Rose Bowl* Frolic Club Tournament Lacey Green The Bucks Trophy Vaux Park Sponsors Tournament Beaufort The Henderson Rosebowl Wicklow Ballyhenry International Cheshire Cheshire Champion Cup RLS The Australian Cup Edgeworth The 4 Goal Cup Haggis Farm Granchester Cup Lynt Cash Tournament £1,000 prize Silver Leys John Matthies Memorial Taunton Vale Aden Visit Cup Beaufort The Beaufort Junior Cup Beverley BPC Summer Cup Frolic Fendown Dustup Tournament Kirtlington Gibbs Cup RCBPC 0 4 Goal Trophy Knepp Club Tournament Vaux Park Sponsors Match

3 July - 4 July 3 July - 4 July 3 July - 4 July 3 July - 4 July 3 July - 4 July 3 July - 4 July 3 July - 4 July 3 July - 24 July 8 July - 11 July 9 July - 11 July 9 July - 11 July 10 July - 11 July 10 July - 11 July 10 July - 11 July 10 July - 11 July 10 July - 11 July 12 July - 17 July 17 July - 18 July 17 July - 18 July 20 July - 24 July 20 July - 24 July 22 July - 24 July 24 July - 24 July

PTJuly 2010 p84-85 Whats on YC

Ham Summer Tournament Dundee Summer Cup Kirtlington August Chukka Cup Longdole Kaimira Wine Challenge Rugby The Miller Cup Beverley John Nuttall & Lincolnshire Lynt Ruth Parker Equine Dentist Cheshire Demetriadi Cup Druids Lodge Aspiga Trophy

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24 July - 1 Aug 24 July - 25 July 29 July - 1 Aug 31 July - 1 Aug 31 July - 1 Aug 31 July - 1 Aug 31 July - 1 Aug 31 July - 1 Aug 31 July - 1 Aug

Low 2 Goal Kirtlington Omi Garner 29 June - 4 July Beaufort The Novices Cup 19 June - 4 July Burningfold Plaistow Plate 1 July - 4 July Edgeworth Polo Magazine Cup 3 July - 4 July Knepp Club Tournament 3 July - 4 July RLS The julyy Cup 2 July - 4 July Rugby La Casa Loco Cup 3 July - 4 July Tidworth Douglas Nugent Cup 3 July - 4 July Ham Godbold Intra Club Challenge 6 July - 11 July RLS The Gentlemens Tournament 9 July - 11 July Sussex The Champagne Jaquart 10 July Barcombe Estancia el Colibri Trophy 10 July - 11 July Haggis Farm Granchester Cup 10 July - 11 July Lacey Green Sponsor Cup 10 July - 11 July St. Albans The MorrCo Cup 10 July - 11 July Vaux Park Men's Tournament 10 July - 11 July Kirtlington Colqhoun Cup 13 July - 18 July RLS The Dallas Burston Cup 16 July - 18 July New Forest Clitherow Cup 17 July Vaux Park Charity Match 17 July Ascot Mattinson Memorial Trophy 17 July - 18 July Edgeworth Midsummer Plate 17 July - 18 July Lacey Green Club Tournament 17 July - 18 July Suffolk Feedmark Tournament 17 July - 18 July Druids Lodge Druids Polo Week 17 July - 24 July Burningfold Uber Polo Cup 21 July - 24 July RLS The Jordan Trophy 23 July - 24 July Rutland The Bronze Horse 23 July - 24 July Dundee Summer Cup 24 July - 25 July Moyne Patrons Trophy 24 July - 25 July RCBPC Polo Festival 26 July - 8 Aug Hurtwood El Milagro Holiday Challenge 27 July - 1 Aug Dedham Vale Othello of Brodie Trophy 31 July - 1 Aug Lacey Green The Scottish Tournament 31 July - 1 Aug RLS The Champagne Trophy 31 July - 1 Aug Taunton Vale The Dubai Trophy 31 July - 1 Aug Waterford Eduardo Albaraccine Trophy 31 July - 2 Aug

Low 1 Goal Knepp Under 25 Cup

11 July

Low Below 0 Goal Cambridge Countryside Alliance Lacey Green The Bucks Shield New Forest Rudkin Cup Rugby The Ranksborough Cup Taunton Vale The Pollard Cup Waterford Jurys Cup & Dawnay Cup Kirtlington Blenheim Trophy Rutland Findlay Trophy Ascot Becky James Memorial Cup Lacey Green Sponsor Cup New Forest Ellisdawe Cup Offchurch Bury The Cargo Cup Silver Leys John Matthies Memorial St. Albans The MorrCo Cup Tidworth Manlein Cup Hurtwood Ewhurst Plate Longdole Emerging Tournament RLS The Lord Oxendon Challenge Binfield Heath BHPC 0 Goal

3 July - 4 July 3 July - 4 July 3 July - 4 July 3 July - 4 July 3 July - 4 July 3 July - 4 July 6 July - 11 July 8 July - 11 July 10 July - 11 July 10 July - 11 July 10 July - 11 July 10 July - 11 July 10 July - 11 July 10 July - 11 July 11 July 16 July - 17 July 16 July - 17 July 16 July - 18 July 17 July - 18 July

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Frolic Fendown Dustup Tournament Lacey Green Club Tournament Rugby The BB Challenge Taunton Vale The Wychanger Barton Silver Leys Colorado Cup New Forest Parkinson Cup & Junior Moyne Patrons Trophy Offchurch Bury The Offa Rex Trophy Kirtlington Mid Summer Cup Lacey Green The Scottish Tournament New Forest Celebration Cup Sussex Mid Summer Cup Waterford Coolfin Cup Beverley Hederson Tournament Tidworth Douglas Nugent Cup Asthall Farm Tessa Trophy Sussex Summer Shield Vale of York York Against Cancer Cup Silver Leys John Matthies Memorial Sussex The Champagne Jaquart Vale of York Burton Constable Fair Sussex 3 A Side Novices Beverley BPC Summer Cup Rutland Horsefeeds Cup Silver Leys Colorado Cup Sussex 3 A Side Novices Vale of York Institute for Blind Dundee Summer Cup FHM Hispa Merchants Tournament Vale of York Crown Hotel Mid Week Beverley John Nuttall & Lincolnshire Rugby The Kangaroo Challenge Vale of York Conservative Trophy

17 July - 18 July 17 July - 18 July 17 July - 18 July 17 July - 18 July 23 July - 24 July 24 July 24 July - 25 July 24 July - 25 July 29 July - 1 Aug 31 July - 1 Aug 31 July - 1 Aug 31 July - 1 Aug 31 July - 2 Aug 3 July - 4 July 3 July - 4 July 3 July - 4 July 6 July - 24 July 3 July - 4 July 2 July - 11 July 2 July - 11 July 2 July - 11 July 17 July - 31 July 17 July - 18 July 23 July - 24 July 23 July - 24 July 24 July - 29 Dec 24 July 24 July - 25 July 24 July 28 July 31 July - 1 Aug 31 July - 1 Aug 31 July - 1 Aug

Young England Cowdray John Cowdray Trophy

18 July

Combined Services Ascot Cornwell Affiliates Cup Tidworth Rundle Cup (RN v ARMY) Guards Finals Inter Regimental Tidworth Mabway Captains RMAS Leadership & Excellence Cup Tidworth Duke of York Cup (RN v RAF) Tidworth Sassoon Cup (Army v RAF)

3 July 10 July 11 July 17 July - 18 July 22 July - 22 July 24 July - 24 July 31 July

Schools & Universities Edinburgh SUPA Scotland Schools July RCBPC RCBPC v SUPA Britain 3 July Kirtlington KPPC v Young Britain 4 July Guards/Cirencester Pidgley Foundation 6 July - 11 July Guards Test Match SUPA 7 July Guards Test Match SUPA 7 July Cirencester Test Match SUPA 10 July Cirencester Test Match SUPA 10 July Cirencester England Universities 10 July Cirencester Roxton Ladies 10 July Cirencester Colts: British Schools 10 July Dundee SUPA National Scottish July

Pony Club Epsom Pony Club Tournament Vaux Park Pony Club Tournament Taunton Pony Club Tournament Knepp Pony Club Tournament Rutland Pony Club Tournament Kirtlington Pony Club Tournament Hurtwood Pony Club Tournament Cambridge Pony Club Tournament Frampton Pony Club Tournament Cirencester Qualifying Pony Club Hurtwood Qualifying Pony Club

11 July 13 July 14 July 17 July 17 July 20 July 20 July 22 July 22 July 26 July - 27 July 28 July - 29 July

Club

contacts (UK and Ireland)

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 Barcombe – 07872 058095 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 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 Lynt – 07957 468220 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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Out and about

Page 2

In association with Aprés Polo

Gold Cup draw, Cowdray Park – 8 June

Tasty fixtures in store as 20 teams go for Gold This year’s draw was eagerly anticipated after it was revealed in the Polo Times weekly email newsletter that there would be 20 sides vying to get their hands on the prestigious Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup this July. This is three teams more than in 2009 and six more than were expected just weeks before the closing date.

Among last-minute entries were Nick Britten-Long’s Cirencester Park, Nigel Warr’s Combe, Ed/Philip Magor’s Panthers, Fabian Pictet’s Emerging and Hernesto Gutierrez’s La Dolfina Polo Ranch.

Pros on these teams include Brits such as Tom Morley, Satnam Dhillon and Mark Tomlinson, and foreigners such as Hilario Ulloa.

More than 80 players and patrons gathered at Ambersham Pavilion for the draw on 8 June. Polo manager Chris Bethell separated the 20 into four leagues of five, with the winners and runners-up in the Queen’s Cup quarter-finals seeded. With each team playing four league games, there’s polo almost every day from 22 June to 8 July, quarter-finals on 10 and 11 July, semi-finals on Thursday 15 July and the final on 18 July. For teams and the schedule, visit the Tournaments section at www.polotimes.co.uk.

Veuve Clicquot’s Melanie Boury with the Gold Cup and returning winner, Jean-François Decaux

England captain Luke Tomlinson and Charlie McCowen

Ciren Park’s Richard Britten-Long

Sam Hopkinson, Lauren Carter and fiance James Beim

Photographs by Clive Bennett

Julian Hipwood

Above: Nigel and Katie Warr Left: Enigma’s Malcolm Borwick

Above: Ruki Baillieu, Nacho Gonzalez and James McLeavy Chris Bethell introduces the draw 86 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Left: Vanessa Perkins and Loro Piana manager Santi Ganly

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Out and about Polo In The Park – London Fulham’s Hurlingham Park, 4-6 June

Back with a bang The whole Polo In The Park concept, and the new rules that were introduced last year, stayed largely the same for the 2010 event. However, logistically, there were a number of changes. Organisers turned the main competition into a knock-out format and stretched it over three days rather than two – and there was a clear strategy to make better use of the site and to provide something for everyone throughout the whole weekend.

Helped by some lovely weather, the attendance records suggest it worked.

“To click 29,069 ticket sales through the gates in your second year is nothing short of outstanding,” said a very happy Alex Rayner, Polo in the Park’s marketing and communications director, after the event.

“Additional promotional tickets put the total for the weekend at around 32,000 spectators, which clearly demonstrates that city-centre polo is a genuinely workable concept." ◗ For some, the jury is still out, but Polo In The Park certainly looks set to stay.

Read the full Polo Times report of the action on page 38

The Hurlingham Club was the venue for the VIP lunch

Six of the eight sides (minus Buenos Aires and Durban) line up with the trophy before the tournament

Andrea Vianini with girlfriend Jodie Kidd, who had a tricky decison to make when Vianini played her brother

Photographs by Polo In The Park

Visitors of all ages were in the mood to party and it certainly showed!

Durban’s Derreck Bratley 88 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Boy band Blake appear in PT for the second consecutive month

The weekend also saw the launch of Holland Cooper Brett clothing, a new initiative involving player Henry Brett

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PTJuly 2010 p90-91 Out and A Ivan YC PJ

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Out and about Ivan the Terrible Twilight Polo Challenge Trophy Guards Polo Club, Saturday 29 May

Revenge a dish best served cold A Guards side recaptured the Ivan the Terrible Twilight Polo Challenge Trophy on a grey and rather chilly evening this May, beating Moscow Polo Club 9-5. Guards lost 5-4 in a higher-handicapped encounter in 2009. This year spectators in the hospitality areas followed the action as they sipped champagne and vodka cocktails, witnessing a quick start to the game as first the Russians led, then Guards fought their way back into the lead.

Dimitri Cherbotarev, the brains behind Ivan the Terrible’s UK operations, was on the Moscow side. They led 3-2 in the first chukka, but that was to be as good as it got for the visitors, who trailed 6-4 at half-time and 9-4 at the end of the third, though they scored one final goal in the last.

Russia’s own Princess Olga presented the prizes, which included an award for Adrian Kirby’s best playing pony, Evie, a 10-year-old Australian mare.

Michael Barrymore, Eugene Chichvarkin and Dimitri Cherbotarev

Guards Polo Club (5): Sophie Kyriazi –1; Maurice Salem 0; Ryan Pemble 5; Adrian Kirby 1 Moscow Polo Club (4): Hernan Traverso 4; Dmitry Vozianov 0; Misha Rodzianko 1; Dimitri Cherbotarev -1

MVP Misha Rodzianko

Rostislav Romanoff and Anna Cherniy enjoy the VIP dinner

Jill and Andrew Belopolsky

Photographs by Tony Ramirez & Neil Egerton/www.imagesofpolo.com

Umpires Gaston Devrient and Christian Langaard

Dimitri Chebotarev and Sophie Kyriazi ride off for the ball as Misha Rodzianko follows up behind

90 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Blake singer Jules Knight and Katusha Fletcher

Playboy model Shira Jones

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HH Princess Olga of Russia, Rostislav Romanoff and the teams

Above: Guards’ Sophie Kyriazi Left: Eugenia Maklin

Tall man Dmitry Pavlov clambers out of a tiny looking car

Misha Rodzianko winds up for a shot during the match

Archpriest Vadim

High-goal patron Adrian Kirby

David Geovanis

Adrian Kirby’s best playing pony, Evie, picks up her award

www.polotimes.co.uk July 2010 91

PTJuly 2010 p92-93 Classifieds

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Club information 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

July Tournaments 26 June-27 3-4 17-18 24

Phillimore Trophy Ladies Open BHPC 0 Goal Summer Festival

4-6 goal -4-0 goal 8 goal

LOCO 'inner seam free' horse riding jeans and whites

Bridget Hancock on 0797 624 2877 www.binfieldheathpoloclub.co.uk

ART

92 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

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Classifieds DESTINATIONS

DESIGNER GOODS

GROUNDS EQUIPMENT

www.polotimes.co.uk July 2010 93

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Classifieds GROUND MAINTENANCE

TRANSPORT

Polo Lorries Made to Order Contact Cris Matthews on 07885 734 282 Polo Lorries built by qualified engineer and polo player who understands your requirements.

• Can adapt to your specifications.

• Any repairs to partitions, ramps, floors, welding of cabs, resprays and M.O.T preparation.

• Or keep your container and we can swap your chassis/cab for a newer one.

• Pick up and delivery service.

email: crispmatthews@hotmail.co.uk

P010 COW Great plate! Available now!

Currently held on retention certificate.

Offers over £3,500 Tel: 07921 85 93 30 The example is a accurate representation of how the plate must be displayed and it can be allocated to any new vehicle registered in the UK from 1st March 2010 onwards.

Once purchased the registration number can be held on retention, for a small administration fee, until the perfect nearly new or used vehicle is found in future years.

EQUIPMENT

94 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

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Classifieds EQUIPMENT

www.willowpolo.co.uk Tizzie Craggs • • • •

Tack repairs Bespoke leather work Saddle re-flocking Stick repairs

Tel: 01986 893 161 Mob: 07774 272 476 Email: tcraggs.t21@btinternet.com

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Classifieds PONIES HORSES FOR SALE Tsunami: Bay mare 15.2hh, 9yrs old, nice easy mare very fast with good mouth has played all low goal with Andrew B-T £6,500.

Orro: dark bay gelding 15.3hh15yrs old, very easy gentle horse good top speed easy to hit off and good mouth. £3,500. Batata: little bay mare 14hh 13 yrs old, very easy does everything really well lovely mouth, will make excellent kids pony or lady player. £5,500. Bart: 15.3hh black gelding 13yrs old has played high goal with good top speed very strong soft mouth he does it all. £5,500. Sundance: bay gelding 15.3hh 7 yrs old compact strong horse that is handy with good power he has a good mouth is ready to play. £11,500. MLP: beautiful bay mare 15.1hh turning 6 she is a fast, handy horse and lots of power, and will be good prospect for patron or young pros. £13,000. Simba: grey gelding 15.2hh 8yrs old very fast strong horse with good mouth ideal patron or pro horse for all levels. £14,000.

Beautie: light bay mare 15.2hh, 13 years nice easy mare good patron pony £3,950. Please contact Andrew Blake Thomas for more information. Phone (UK Mobile) +44 7813 694 336 or e-mail andybtpolo@yahoo.co.uk 15.1HH 6 YEAR OLD WELL-BUILT GELDING Completed 8 weeks of professional schooling, stick and balls well, played farm chukkas, showing natural ability, this lad is pretty low mileage due to late start in his career. Weatherby passported, unraced.

Ready to go and further his polo knowledge. £3750.

Tel 07737 008072 PONIES TO RENT 3 excellent, low goal ponies to rent from 11th July. Ideal for the Pony Club tournaments or club matches. Ring 01271 373466 or 07766 700904. Or email carolinewrey@hotmail.com OWNER GIVEN UP - TWO PONIES FOR SALE 15.1hh Argentine chestnut mare. 13 years. Very quick, light and easy in every way. Played Gannon and up to 8 goal. Sound, clean legs. £6,500 inc tack. 15.1hh Irish TB bay mare. 15 years. Very easy platform. Played PC Surtees, Hipwood, Rendell and low goal. Clean legs and sound. £3,500. Glos. Tel 01249 782317 STUNNING 15.1HH DARK BAY AUSTRALIAN MARE 17 years. Ex high goal. Played last four seasons with zero goal lady. Suit lady/pony club home. Easy to do.

Tel 07985 500118, £2,700 (Hertfordshire) COMPOTA 15.1hh Thoroughbred Mare. Stunning in every way. Played up to 22 goals. 14 years. £8,500.

Glos. Contact Damian on 07900 240500 TEN PLAYING PONIES A Mixture of Argentine, Uruguayan ponies, and English Thoroughbreds between 5 and 12 years old. All currently playing from 0 to 12 goal polo at Cirencester, Royal Berkshire and Edgeworth. Easy and honest ponies.

Prices from £2,500 to £12,000. Tel. 01488 670484 STALLION Lisa Llewellen Palmer has two stallions available for nominations. Video – www.colgatefarm.co.uk and 07549 297996 SCHOOLMASTERS WANTED Looking for schoolmaster ponies. Flexible on age, height and ability.

Lovely home awaits at friendly safe yard. Contact Claire on 07890 328197

96 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

SUPERB ALL ROUNDER 15.1hh grey mare 12yrs.

Much loved and ideal all round polo pony. Played pony club polo two seasons, Loriner and Ledner, before that medium goal at Guards. Super to hack out and hunts too. Easy to do load shoe good manners. Very sad sale due to Higher Education. Fit and ready for season £7000 inc two lots of tack and all rugs. Contact 01438 833638/07976 690501 TWO QUALITY PONIES FOR SALE - OWNER GIVING UP 15.2hh NZ Thoroughbred chestnut mare very fast £6,500. 15.2hh Argentinean Bay mare very agile. £4500. Both 10yrs, strong, easy, good brakes, wealth of experience, professionally schooled, fit genuine ponies. Tel 07802 434787 TWO PRETTY 15HH 9 YEAR OLD ARGENTINE MARES Picassita: Dark bay competitive pony quick with easy handling. Playing up to 4 goal £6200.

Dynistia: lightly built liver-chestnut. Beautiful movement, breathtaking pace with easy handling. Played by 1 goal lady professional. Lovely pony to handle. £7000. Both ponies fit and ready to play. Pregnancy forces sale. Phone 07515 942604 THREE POLO PONIES (0-8 GOAL) IN SOMERSET Three fantastic Argentine ponies, 10-11 years old.

Played English polo for 4 years. Match fit.

Somerset/Dorset borders. £6-8k each, deal for all three. Tel Simon 07818 833993.

PERFECT PATRON PONIES Four wonderful ponies for sale as owner giving up. All easy, quick, good brakes. Ages 6 to 10, all low mileage. Priced to sell, fit and ready to play up to 6 goal. All recently vetted with current certificates. Can be tried near Hurtwood Polo Club. Phone Linda on (01306)627255 or 07526 500923 OWNER GIVING UP HAS FOLLOWING FOR SALE 15.2hh 11 year old Argentine bay mare, £5000.

15.2hh 10 year old TB type chestnut mare, £5500.

15.2hh 11 year old Irish TB grey mare, £5000. All playing low goal with good conformation. Volvo F16 12 tonne 1996 horsebox, carries 9-10 ponies. Full years MOT. £7000. To as a whole, price negotiable.

Tel 07974 603019 (Essex) PONY CLUB/LADIES BLACK POLO MARE Same home for 7 years - always sound. Done PC, Schools and University polo. Quick and agile - easy to play.

13 years old £3000.00. 01730 812388 (Midhurst) 15.3HH 8 YEAR OLD ARGENTINE MARE - £4000 15.3hh, 8 year old well built argentine mare. Playing 8, 6, and 2 goal with 3 goal professional. Very fast and agile but can be strong hence price. Fit and playing. Always sound. Would suit confident patron or professional. For sale to make room for young horses. £4,000. Herts. Call Dean Lines on 07500 927249 or email deanlines@gmail.com.

POLO PONIES FOR SALE Selection of polo ponies for sale at Cowdray, Midhurst. Easy beginner to confident pro, all sensible prices. Please call 07710 483225 for more information or email: highstandingpolo@gmail.com BEAUTIFUL 15HH 8 YEAR OLD CHESTNUT ARGENTINE MARE Easy to do in every way. Played in UK last 3 seasons. Suit beginner. £3,500. FOR LOAN: experienced home only, lovely 14.3hh ex-polo for light hacking only. Charlotte 07917 684675 Yorkshire

15.2HH POLO MARE Excellent pony still playing superb low goal polo at 19. Never lame in 6 years.

Looks and plays like she's 12. Ideal low cost option polo. A great horse. £1000 Tel 07545 501763 15.2HH GELDING FOR SALE 12 YEAR OLD ARGENTINE 15.2 Gelding for Sale 12 year old, Argentine.

Strong, fast and agile with a wealth of polo both arena and field experience. Ex-Trippets. Any trial. £7,000. Tel: 07545 501763 0-12 GOAL 8 YEAR OLD GELDING 15.2hh Chestnut.

Fit and ready to play. Easy to care for. Fast and manoeuvrable. Declared free of vices. £7500. Tel 07775 626486 FANTASTIC STRAWBERRY ROAN MARE 15.1hh 8 years, good handy pony, played Langford 2008, £6950. 15.3hh bay Thoroughbred mare, schoolmistress, played Rendell 2009, low mileage, £4000. 15.2hh dark bay gelding, 15 years, played Rendell 2009. £2500. Tel 01420 472986 TWO PONIES FOR SALE THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN Paquita: 9 year old, 15hh, dun mare.

Played everything from Pony Club up to 6 goal, excellent in arena. Easy to stick and ball, fast, agile, no vices. Would suit lady or Pony Club player £6000.

Toro: 9 year old 15.2hh chestnut gelding, Argentine TB, good temperament, very fast, would suit competent patron or budding pro £5000. Both match fit. Contact: 07890 567458 (Berkshire) SELECTION OF QUALITY PONIES FOR SALE We are based in Guildford surrey. Several polo ponies for sale, to suit beginners to medium goal players.

Some young ones available on request. All lovely types. Price range 4k-9k. Contact Claire on 07799 475113 or email clar1234@hotmail.com SELECTION OF HORSES FOR SALE All played medium-goal. Three older ex high goal ponies suitable for pony clubber or lighter rider. Various heights and ages. All good to do, need to reduce string. Tel 07786 985034 PROPERTY TO RENT IN AUGUST AND/OR SEPTEMBER IN SOTOGRANDE Well furnished luxury apartment.

Three double bedrooms. Sea and river views. Tel Angela on 07831 283647 or 01285 851391 or email andrewsashhouse@aol.com.

TRANSPORT AND MACHINERY FORD CARGO 0813 E reg 7.5tonne. Carries 4/5 horses. Good size tack carrying area. New tyres, brakes, floor and ramp in the 5 years I've owned it.

It has been a very reliable cheap to run lorry. Has MOT, but no tax at present. Tel 07950 147699 HAULING HORSE PONY TRANSPORT - WE CAN HELP! Up to 18 ponies in our purpose built trailer Short or long distance. CCTV and grooms access to all ponies. Contact Adrian Cooper on 07860 218330.

Email sales@haulinghorse.co.uk MERCEDES 814 DIESEL 1994 Luton cab, resprayed, aluminium box, electric ramp, new partitions with 9 saddle/bridle racks. Immaculate, £6995.

Tel 07973 727699 (Epping)

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NON HGV 6 HORSE Mercedes 1989. 11 months MOT and Licence. Brand new floor and ramp. Tilt cab. Very reliable. £5500 ONO. Please call Caroline 07775 626 486 TRISTAR 6 HORSE LORRY & IFOR WILLIAMS 4 HORSE TRAILER 1996 Eurocargo Tristar lorry partitioned for six. Plated to December 2010. VGC £12,250 ono. Two year old top of range Ifor Williams 610XL four horse trailer. £6250 ono. 01794 323195 or 07786 475123 PROFESSIONAL HORSE TRANSPORT DEFRA approved. Hants/Wilts based. 20+ years horse and transport experience in UK and Europe. Also freelance drivers/grooms. 01794 323195 or 07786 475123/07786 255538 SITUATIONS HEAD GROUNDSMAN - GUARDS POLO CLUB Guards Polo Club, based in the grounds of Windsor Great Park, is now seeking to appoint a new Head Groundsman to take up this position. The job entails, maintaining top class polo fields, associated clubhouse grounds and gardens, horse exercise areas and grazing paddocks. Applicants will need to be experienced in all areas of turf management, garden and lawn care, tractor and machinery maintenance, health and safety requirements and have basic carpentry skills. You will be required to report to the Polo Manager, work within a specified budget, manage and organise a team of permanent and part

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time staff and work flexible hours during the polo season (April to September). The remuneration package, details of which will be available upon application, includes an accommodation allowance.

Please apply in writing with full C.V. to The Polo Office, Guards Polo Club, Smiths Lawn, Windsor Great Park, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0HP, Or Email: polo.manager@guardspoloclub.com For further details please contact the Polo Manager on 01784 470009.

GROOM WANTED For busy and friendly yard. Three family players need third groom to join their team.

To start as soon as possible, based near Hertford.

No polo experience necessary. Tel 07775 511555 ARGENTINE PLAYING GROOM 2 GOAL English speaking, 22 Years old, searching for a job for the winter season and 2011 season. Can train and play young horses. Very good references. Phone 07598 976438 or e-mail nicopololeal@hotmail.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

Advertisers in July 2010 Abercrombie & Kent 0845 618 2200 www.abercrombiekent.co.uk Arena Mate 01427 728700 www.arenamate.co.uk Asprey 01344 890960 www.aspreypolo.com Audi www.audi.com Bailey’s Horse Feeds 01371 850247 www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk Belvoir Bed 01772 877897 www.belvoirbed.co.uk Binfield Heath Polo Club 01491 411969 www.binfieldheathpoloclub.co.uk Blake Lapthorn 023 8090 8090 www.bllaw.co.uk Bleyer 0800 0588 100 bleyer.co.uk Brett Polo 01344 885911 www.brettpolo.com Bulthaup www.bulthaup.co.uk Cartier www.cartier.com Cris Matthews 07885 734282 crispmatthews@hotmail.co.uk Druids Lodge Polo Club 01722 782597 www.druidspolo.co.uk Duke of Essex Polo www.dukeofessexpolocup.com Eastwood Stud 07970 697593 www.eastwoodstud.com EFG Private Bank www.efginternational.com Equibuild 01367 820960 enquiries@equibuild.com Equine Grass Sickness Fund 0131 445 6257 www.grasssickness.org.uk Equine Logistics Company 01264 810782 www.equine-logistics-company.com Fine Fettle Feeds 01600 712496 www.finefettlefeed.com Galaxico Internationale +92 523 555 791 www.galaxicopolo.com

Gladiator Sports 020 3371 8428 www.gladiator-sports.com Guards Polo Club 01784 437797 www.guardspoloclub.com Images of Polo 01273 834159 www.imagesofpolo.com Ivan the Terrible Vodka www.ivantheterriblepolo.co.uk Ivycast www.ivycast.com Jeremy Curling Fencing 01483 894888 www.jcfc.co.uk Kate’s Art 07887 678421 www.katesart.com Kestrel Ltd 01256 880488 www.kestrelcontractors.co.uk Knepp Castle Polo Club 01403 741007 www.kneppcastlepoloclub.co.uk La Mariposa +54 911 5180 1759 www.lamariposa.com.ar La Martina www.lamartina.com Laundry Machine Ltd 0121 4863566 www.laundry-machine.com Longdole Polo Club 01452 864544 Lycetts 01672 512512 www.lycetts.co.uk OJ Polo www.ojpolo.co.uk Pampeano 0871 2001272 www.pampeano.co.uk Patey Hats 01285 841250 www.pateyhats.com Piaget www.piagetpolo.com PJ’s Bar and Grill 020 7581 0025 www.pjsbarandgrill.co.uk Polo Permits 01798 869496 www.polopermits.co.uk Poloreg.com www.poloreg.com Polo Splice 01730 814991 www.polosplice.co.uk Quality Shoe Repairs 01892 670228 www.qualityshoerepairs.com Ranksboro’ Polo 01572 720046 www.ranksboropolo.co.uk

Sandriver Trading www.melvillandmoon.com SATS (South American Trade Services) 01285 841542 www.satsfaction.com Sebastian Ucha +54-11 4780 1816 www.sebastianucha.com Seven Fish 01730 716280 www.sevenfish.co.uk Shahira Industries +92 524 597 606 www.shahiraind.com Snobs of Amersham 01494 431848 Steppes Travel 01285 880980 www.steppestravel.co.uk Sussex Polo Club 01342 714920 www.sussexpolo.co.uk T & S Harker 01325 332649 www.tandsharkerhorseboxes.co.uk Tally Ho Farm 01344 885373 www.tallyhofarm.co.uk Tattersalls 01638 665931 www.tattersalls.com The Mileage Company www.themileagecompany.com Tuffa International 01953 880914 www.tuffaboots.com UberPolo 01428 643534 www.uberpolo.com Vanilla Hill jamesanna65@yahoo.co.uk 01730814204 Viagen www.viagen.com Waterhall Polo (Apes Hill) +1 246 4329550 www.apeshillclub.com White Horse Contractors 01865 736272 www.whitehorsecontractors.co.uk Wildman Design 01993 842582 www.wildmandesign.co.uk Willow Polo 07774 272476 tcraggs.121@btinternet.com Wood Mallets +64 6856 8119 www.woodmallets.com

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The last word

A Week

in the life of. .

BRUCE URQUHART, WHO knows both polo and Thoroughbreds, helped us judge the prize. After presenting the award to Will Lucas’s Chanel, I talked to Emma Tomlinson about providing prospective foal insurance that would give buyers a guarantee at her embryo sale at Guards. The next day I went to a lovely racing community lunch, organised by James Stanford, one of the original organisers of the Countryside Alliance. Monday and Tuesday I spent in the office in Marlborough, mainly finalising paperwork for the embryo sale. I usually spend three days a week in the office, and nearly every Saturday or Sunday I have a polo or racing engagement.

ON MONDAY I HAD lunch with Hugh Daly from Equibuild at the Outside Chance, a good racing pub co-owned by the Sangster family, to talk surfaces. In racing, all-weather surfaces have reduced catastrophic breakdown in horses by more than 55 per cent. Hugh is an expert and has developed a hot and cold wax surface that doesn’t freeze in winter or melt in summer. It’s vital I keep up with developments because it affects my negotiations with underwriters over mortality and liability insurance.

Will Lucas, winning ex-racehorse Chanel at the Arthur Lucas at Beaufort, and Piers Plunket

Photograph by Charles Sainsbury Plaice

ON SATURDAY 5 JUNE I went to the Arthur Lucas final to present the Retraining of Racehorses/Lycetts best playing ex-racehorse prize. Much of our business is in the Thoroughbred world, as well as in polo, so it’s great to support the horses having a second career and to encourage trainers to send them into polo rather than to French dinner tables. I was once a stable lad and assistant trainer, before being given advice to get a strong commercial background. In 1981 I went to the City, fell into insurance, found myself managing a book of business at Equiscope, a company I co-founded with Charles Hamilton. Equiscope then became Bradstock Hamilton, then Hamilton & Partners, which took over the HPA business in 2005 and merged with Lycetts two years ago.

MY FIRST CONTACT with polo was in Goulburn, New South Wales, where I broke racehorses and polo ponies after leaving school. I’ve knocked a ball around but never played “properly”. I look at polo as I do golf: it’s an exercise in frustration, because I could never be good enough. I live just outside Wilton, near Salisbury, with my wife Niki, who’s a genius with horses. Between us we have six children: mine are Oliver and Simon (16 and 19), hers are Mimi, Tara and Perdy (13 to 16) and we have a two-year-old son, Ben. We have two ex-racers that event and hunt.

98 July 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk

Piers Plunket

Polo’s insurance authority talks to Yolanda Carslaw about judging exracers, devising cover for embryos and keeping abreast of arena surface news THAT DAY THE GIRLS were off to an event, so we mucked in to get everything ready and I headed to the Beaufort at noon. There I met Di [Arbuthnot, from RoR] and we grabbed a sandwich before going to the pony lines to talk to players before the game and find out more about the horses eligible for the RoR prize.

Without fail players love talking about their horses, but it’s a shame they don’t pay more attention to performance pedigree. In racing, people know what brothers and sisters have won and who trained them. One client of ours tracked down a full-sister to a winning filly on a farm in Turkey and bought her for £28,000; when the sister won a Group 1 race they sold her for £250,000: that could happen in polo.

ON WEDNESDAY I SAW the Queen’s Cup semis before the embryo sale. It’s fantastic to watch sportsmen such as Cambiaso. He reminds me of Wayne Gretzky [ice-hockey star], an incredible playmaker who didn’t have to look up to know exactly where everyone was on the ice. It was nice to see the stallions’ parade, keeping pedigree at the forefront, but a shame the sale wasn’t better supported. I think it’ll take time for people to get used to the concept of buying something in utero. I drove from the sale to Newmarket, where my brother-in-law, Luca Cumani, is a trainer. I stayed with my mother and watched the horses on the gallops in the morning before some meetings at our Newmarket office. That evening I went to a fund-raising quiz for Camilla Millbank, who worked in racing and had an accident that left her in a wheelchair. Like the polo world, racing is a very benevolent family to its own.

ON FRIDAY I SAW high-goal clients near Windsor. For some teams, we take care of everything they need in this country, such as public and employers’ liability, vehicles and possibly a few horses, such as those rented from other players. We insure three highgoal patrons’ strings – and they get a great deal! Losses are infrequent, and usually not on the polo field, but from colic or accidents loading or unloading. Insurance never “replaces” the animal but it mitigates the pain and allows them to buy another. I also deal with the commercial side: helping people who work in polo ensure they comply with the law and can look after themselves if they’re injured and can’t work. F

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WWW.EQUIBUILD.COM

“Complete equine construction worldwide” Polo arenas indoor and outdoor, canter tracks, stabling – traditional and American barn, full design-and-build package

Indoor arena, Polo del Sol, Jerez

100m x 50 metre floodlit arena

Hugh Daly, MD of Equibuild, has been constructing equestrian facilities for some 20 years and has been involved with many prestigious projects.

Working throughout Europe, recent polo projects have included the resurfacing of the Emsworth Polo Club arena at Barton Lodge Farm with “Softrack Wax Polo” and resurfacing the canter track. Currently Jean-François Deceaux’s La Bamba team are training on the facilities and are extremely impressed; Hugh Daly also built “La Arena” at La Baille in France for Monsieur Decaux some 10 years ago.

Equibuild is also behind the new canter track at Anningsley Park for Christopher Hanbury’s El Remanso team and the canter track and arena at Todham stables for Jerome Wirth’s Enigma team. Both installations are considered first class by the owners and players.

Gallop/canter track in Deauville

Other achievements include a full-size outdoor floodlit polo arena at the Sowiniec Polo Club, Poznan, Poland, and the 100x50m covered polo arena at Polo del Sol, near Jerez, Spain, one of the largest covered arenas in Europe.

Further projects are shortly to be underway as far afield as Sri Lanka and Oman. Construction is also underway of the Mellon Stud Complex, near Oxford, for some £2.5 million.

Hugh Daly, as director of Softrack Surfaces UK Ltd, is well placed to provide the perfect balance of ingredients to make the waxed polo surface required for the demands of polo. Owners and riders alike all comment on its unique ride and recommend us whenever possible.

Hugh now splits his time between construction of worldclass equestrian facilities and promoting the Softrack throughout the world for all equestrian disciplines.

Visit www.equibuild.com & www.softracksurfaces.com

PT Cover 5.5mm

17/6/10

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Polo Times July 2010