Issuu

PTAugust 2010 p44-47 Home MB YC GM JM

23/7/10

17:28

Page 5

Home & abroad in brief

Binfield Heath

◗ VERE HARMSWORTH’S Ferne Park side was

Lucky ladies benefit from dry spell FOUR WOMEN’S teams had the privilege of playing on the hallowed turf at Black Bears, Shiplake, after a long spell of dry weather meant a switch of location for Binfield Heath's annual ladies’ tournament, sponsored by Sexy Kaftans. Fierce competition in the first day’s games led to Charlotte Sweeney's Park Lane Polo and Sophie Heaton-Ellis's Team Phoenix meeting each other in finals on a Sunday. In a gripping contest, Park Lane Polo held onto the lead by a whisker until a last-minute goal by Phoenix saw them run out as tournament winners in the final seconds of the match. Outstanding plays by Charlotte Sweeney on her late father’s Gato led to him being chosen as the best playing pony.

the winner of the 12-goal Victor Ludorum Cup at Beaufort Polo Club last month, finishing top of the 10 sides that entered, having narrowly beaten Max and Stephen Hutchinson’s Tayto side in the final, 9-8. There was consolation for Tom de Bruin on the Tayto side, as his South African eight-yearold mare Enchanced (above) – a Thoroughbred ex-racehorse – was judged by Claire Tomlinson to be worthy of the best playing pony prize.

Final Teams Phoenix (1): Jeanette Jones 0; Suzie Boyd 0; Lisa Spiers 0; Sophie Heaton-Ellis 1 Park Lane Polo (1): Ellie Hoogewerf –1; Katrina Thomas 0; Charlotte Sweeney 1; Holly McCulloch –1

Knepp Castle

South African player Tom de Bruin of Tayto with Enchanced, Polo Times best playing pony

Burrell and Clarke are kings of the castle THE FIRST LADIES’ tournament to take place at Knepp Castle Polo Club in 10 years was played in June. Four teams entered and, after strong group games, Sunday’s final saw Hoes Farm take on Uber Polo. Hoes Farm were hot favourites but a couple of quick goals from Uber appeared to indicate an upset. Hoes Farm were quickly back on their tails and at the start of the last chukka the scores were tied. In the tense final minutes Hoes Farm team captain Sophie Burrell scored to secure victory 8-7. In the subsidiary final Jendens had a convincing win over Burton Park 6-1. Jendens was a name at the forefront of the action in July, when four teams fought it out in the Jendens Securities 0-40 Goal, Knepp’s biggest tournament of the season. The final, between Salkeld and ROK Energy, was watched by more than 300 people, many of whom had feasted at the club’s lunch beforehand. ROK received half a goal on handicap, and held their advantage as the sides matched each

◗ THE 20-GOAL season got underway last month

other goal for goal until the third chukka, when Jose Donoso gave Salkeld a narrow lead after finally converting a penalty at his fourth attempt. The previous three had been saved by plucky young Englishman, Jack Nick Clarke shoots at goal Richardson. However, thereafter Nick Clarke’s Salkeld slowly crept away with the game to lift the trophy, 7-51/2. Jose Donoso’s Chilean mare Pulga was awarded the Falcon Feeds best playing pony prize.

on the US’s west coast with the Mayor’s Cup at Santa Barbara Polo Club. Tom Barrack’s Piocho Ranch side beat Mansour 20-12 to win the tournament. As Polo Times went to press, teams were competing in the Robert Skene Trophy, due to finish at the end of July. Next up will be the America’s Cup, when Cambiaso is expected to join the fray after his superb season in the UK, and then, finally, the Pacific Coast Open, with the final on 29 August. ◗ LAST YEAR’S WINNERS of the Assam Cup at

Jendens 0-40 Goal finalists Salkeld (11): Nick Clarke 0; Alec White 1; Jamie Peel 3; Jose Donoso 7 ROK Energy (11): Ralph Richardson 0; Jack Richardson 3; Lanto Sheridan 3; Richard Le Poer 4

Rutland were narrowly beaten in this year’s final last month by a Team Bob Music side with fourgoaler Michael Henderson at the helm, 51/2-4. The 6-goal tournament drew eight competitive entres, all keen to win the impressive trophy, which dates back to Victorian times in Assam, a region of India. A further 12 teams played in the lower-goal Findlay Trophy and Findlay Plate.

Sussex

Square peg, round ball Photograph by Christopher G Photography

AS USUAL, the last weekend in June at Sussex Polo Club was given over to the club’s everpopular low-goal tournament, the Square Peg Polo Challenge. Sunday’s final was between Square Peg and the defending champions Aquila. It was neck-and-neck in the first half, but Aquila then played spectacular polo in the final few chukkas to propel themselves to victory, 1912. The trophy is a work of art in itself, so to retain it was doubly satisfying for MVP patron Kwan Lo. Jimmy Mulligan won MVP pro and Telmo Maidana’s mare Mi Loca (“my crazy one”) took best playing pony. Sussex Polo’s new “boutique champagne” sponsor Soutiran ensured players had quality fizz with which to celebrate.

Winners Aquila accept the unusual Square Peg trophy

Finalists: Aquila (2): Kwan Lo -1; Duane Lent 0; Telmo Maidana 1; Jimmy Mulligan 2; Square Peg (1): Jamie Murray -1; Richard Buckfield -1; Freddie Instone 1; Nick Clague 2

Three-goal Australian Jonny Coddington at Rutland Polo Club with his best playing pony, MC

◗ SHANDUR POLO Festival in the Himalayas

went ahead last month, contrary to a news piece we published on our website and in our weekly email newsletter. However, due to political wranglings no teams from Gilgit took part, meaning the polo did suffer and wasn’t up to its usual high standard.