SUCCESS FOR LA NATIVIDAD IN PALERMO
131st HSBC Argentine Open
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS IN ST. MORITZ
e Birthplace of Snow Polo
EL OVERO Z7 UAE DEFEND TITLE
VIII Women’s Argentine Open
PLUS: Equine Nutrition: Doing e Simple ings Well & Matt Perry’s Passions
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TELEGRAPH VERDICT
Editor
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As our final issue of the year simultaneously shepherds out 2024 and welcomes in the New Year, I am optimistic the bumper amount of polo content will keep you entertained over the festive season with a mince pie and small tot of your favourite tipple in hand, whilst hopefully warming your cockles fireside.
Naturally, this issue leads with La Natividad’s win in The 131st HSBC Argentine Open, which undoubtedly thrilled spectators who had gathered to watch the world’s best players and their ponies in action. El Overo Z7 UAE’s win against La Dolfina in The VIII Women’s Argentine Open also saw the best of the best lady players showcase their talent. Testament to the success of British female players on polo’s global stage is that this year’s Women’s Open final had three home-grown lady players: with Hazel Jackson and Milly Hine both on the winning side for El Overo Z7 UAE, whilst Nina Clarkin played for La Dolfina.
The Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz celebrates its 40th anniversary in January 2025, so it feels only right that this issue of Polo Times not only looks back at the birthplace of snow polo, but salutes Reto Gaudenzi for his skill, determination and expertise in delivering what has become the hottest snow polo ticket in the world – as well as arguably the most unique equine and social spectator event all rolled into one.
Polo action in this issue continues with reports from The Copa Cámara de Diputados, The 11th Thai Polo Cup and Pink Polo Cup, The 84th Tortugas Open, The Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships, The Julio Novillo Astrada Catamarca Cup, The Townsend Cup and the Victor Ludorum Round-Up – all told, 2024 has definitely been a busy year.
Closer to home, Youth polo continues to go from strength to strength in the arena, with not one, but two reports from SUPA’s latest action at Oxford Polo. The English arena season 2024/25 is well underway, with a special Club Spotlight focus on the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club – which has recently hosted the HPA National Club Championships.
The Knowledge pages are full of helpful tips, including a Nutrition Focus on winter feeding, India Parker-Smith offers an antidote to all those mince pies and pigs in blanket with her 2025 Time to Get Fit Tips, Paul Stalker provides insights into the Psychology of Team Dynamics in Polo – whilst Polodoc focuses on the importance of your grip for reducing wrist injury and improving your ballhitting technique.
On behalf of the Polo Times team, many thanks for your support this year and into 2025.
We wish you the very best wishes for a fun-filled and relaxing festive season with friends and family, whilst sparing a thought for those less fortunate.
As always, keep well and play safe
Nick Hine
by AAP
On Tuesday 22 October, Sol de Agosto beat La Natividad 11 to 10 in an extra chukka, with a golden goal from Paco de Narváez from a 40 yard penalty to win The Copa Municipalidad del Pilar. Santiago Toccalino was named the MVP of the Final and Dolfina Matea, played by Jesse Bray, was the Best Playing Pony. El Overo Alpachina, played by Félix Esaín, was chosen as the Best Registered Player Product of the Argentine Polo Breed by the AACCP. The Copa Municipalidad del Pilar Final Teams: Sol de Agosto (26): Raúl Colombres (7), Jesse Bray (6), Paco de Narváez (6) & Santiago Toccalino (7)
La Natividad (24): José Riglos (6), Ricardo Garrós (6), Félix Esaín (6) & Javier Guerrero (6)
The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) meets annually with the Home Office to review the criteria for migrant endorsements (work permits) for polo players, grooms, coaches and horse trainers via the International Sportsperson visa. The HPA Endorsement criteria is reviewed annually by the Home Office. The HPA has stated, “Despite clear evidence of the groom cap proving effective, there is ongoing and increasing pressure from the Home Office that their expectation is for the numbers of migrant grooms to be managed year on year. We know and understand the challenges in relation to groom employment: the seasonal nature of the work, the high number of grooms needed for the relatively short English season, patrons and players having their own grooms that travel with them, and the highly skilled nature of the work, particularly in the High Goal where grooms are often polo pony trainers as well as grooms. Nevertheless, it is considered by the Home Office that the HPA must continue to develop British grooms.”
Therefore, after agreement from the HPA Stewards in November 2024, “the HPA will support a pilot apprenticeship scheme in 2024/2025 which will allow a small number of polo schools to host apprentices for a 12-month period, during which time they will undertake their Level 2 Equine Groom Apprenticeship course, which is a nationally recognised qualification. At the end of the 12 months, they will be able to be employed in the wider polo community, and new apprenticeship students will take up the positions… The aim of this scheme is to develop grooms with experience of polo who will be suitably qualified to work for teams and players in the UK, providing high standards of care and the right skills to stay and progress in the polo industry, eventually reducing the need for migrant grooms.” The polo schools included in the apprenticeship scheme will be eligible to receive HPA funding for the development of the apprentices and it is hoped that the first apprentices will begin over this winter.
New Zealand has five international matches proposed for 2024/25, two of which include matches against English teams. On 31 January there will be a 14 goal international match at Mystery Creek between England and New Zealand as well as another 14 goal match between the two teams on 6 February.
Paul Sweeney Memorial Final; Ash Farm Polo Club; Sunday 20 February
The Paul Sweeney Memorial was founded by Lesley, Charlotte and Georgia Sweeney in memory of Paul Sweeney after his unexpected death in 2009 at just 48-years-old in order to keep his spirit and legacy alive. Each year, the tournament attracts a number of players and spectators, gathering at Ash Farm Polo Club to cheer on the finalists. This year saw a record number of teams and after a two-year postponement due to Covid-19, the grandstands were packed. Twelve Oaks managed to stave off a last-minute attempt by Rosina to claim the title and took a 14-12 victory.
La Esperanza (L-R: Juan Zubiaurre, Kevin Korst, Santiago Laborde & Pablo Llorente), winners of La Hache Cup
On Wednesday 6 November, La Esperanze secured the 2024 La Hache Cup with a 7-6 win in a tight Final against Cría Marmen. By half-time Cría Marmen were ahead by five goals, 6-1, but La Esperanza came back fighting in the second half and managed to hold their opponents entirely scoreless in the last three chukkas. Kevin Korst scored the decisive, winning goal to give La Esperanza their victory by just one goal.
Korst was chosen as the Most Valuable player, Luigi Cosenza received the Fair Play Award and Ocurrent, played by Korst, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.
La Hache Cup Final Teams:
La Esperanza (20): Kevin Korst (2), Pablo Llorente (6), Juan Zubiaurre (6) & Santiago Laborde (6) Cría Marmen (20): Marcelo Mendonça (3), Justo Calafell (4), Alexandre Junqueira (5) & Pedro Zacharias (8)
On Sunday 17 November, Beach Club secured The World Polo League Beach Polo World Cup in Miami with a narrow one goal victory in the final minute against Blackfin, 7-6. Alejandro Novillo Astrada played solidly in defence throughout the three day tournament and received the Most Valuable Player Award, he commented on his team’s performance, “I thought we had a good game. Nic [Roldan] is a very good player and Melissa [Ganzi] and I have been playing together a lot. Of course, I saw the other teams and thought they were all very difficult teams, but I knew we had a chance.”
The World Polo League Beach Polo World Cup Final Teams:
Beach Club (16): Melissa Ganzi (0), Nic Roldan (9) & Alejandro Novillo Astrada (7)
Blackfin (15): Grant Ganzi (3), Pierre Henri Ngoumou (7) & Mariano Gracida (5)
Bellamar Pampa Norte comeback, but by the fifth and sixth chukkas, it was Lavinia who were controlling the action with Carlos María Ulloa and Manuel Giménez Villamil commanding the team from the back and combining well with their forwards, Ramon Cassino and Jack Whitman to secure Lavinia their first Thai Polo Cup title, 10½-4.
The United States Polo Association (USPA) has announced the dates and teams for the 2025 Gauntlet of Polo series which will see 11 teams up to 22 goals competing from 7 February – 20 April. The series will kick off with The C.V. Whitney Cup on 7 – 23 February, followed by The USPA Gold Cup (24 February – 23 March) and The U.S. Open Championship on 24 March – 20 April. Any team who wins all three tournaments will be crowned the Gauntlet of Polo champion. Scott Devon’s Catamount and Kelly Beal’s BTA will be returning to the series with Tomás Panelo (newly rated 10 goals in the US) playing for BTA – six 10 goalers will be competing in this year’s competition. La Dolfina, who made their debut in 2024 and won The U.S. Open won’t be returning for 2025 but Poroto and Adolfo Cambiaso will be playing for Catamount and Tamera respectively.
The 2025 Gauntlet of Polo Teams:
The Hipwood and Rocksavage, which have previously been Junior HPA tournaments, will now be merged into the Pony Club from this season onwards, while the Buckmaster section will be discontinued. The format of Hipwood and Rocksavage will remain unchanged, with three and four chukka matches on private grounds over 4 – 17 July, which will allow players to also compete in other Pony Club tournaments. Hipwood and Rocksavage players will be required to be members of both the HPA
Argentine Association of Horse Breeders’ Best Playing Pony: Future Lituania, played by Carlos María Ulloa
BTA (22): Ignacio Viana (7), Kelly Beal (0), Steve Kruger (5) & Tomás Panelo (10)
and Pony Club; all Pony Club members less than 3 goals will play a flat rate of £50 for their HPA membership. Andrew Barlow, Chairman of the HPA Development and Coaching Committee, commented, “A vital HPA role is to promote grassroots polo and the development of young polo players. In combining the previous Junior HPA with Pony Club tournaments, this allows us to enhance our long-term objectives of promoting talent for the benefit of all players and the sport in the future. With generous
Brookshire (22): Camilo Castagnola (10), Toly Ulloa (7), Scott Wood (0) & Carlos Saravi (5)
Catamount (22): Jesse Bray (7), Poroto Cambiaso (10), Rufino Merlos (5) & Scott Devon (0) Clearwater (22): Chip Campbell (1) (will play The USPA Gold Cup and The U.S. Open)/ Camp Campbell (2) (will play The C.V. Whitney Cup), Gerónimo Obregón (5) (will play The C.V. Whitney Cup)/ Joaquín Panelo (6) (will play The USPA Gold Cup and The U.S. Open), Paquito de Narvaez (7) & Raúl Colombres (7)
Coca Cola (22): Gillian Johnston (0), Julián de Lusarreta (7), Lorenzo Chavanne (6) & Polito Pieres (9)
Global Port (22): Barto Castagnola (10), Beltrán Laulhé (6), Lucas Díaz Alberdi (6) & Michael Romero (0)
La Fe (21): Francisco Elizalde (9), Kristos Magrini (6), Louis Devaleix (1) & Robi Bilbao (5) Park Place (22): Andrey Borodin (0), Hilario Ulloa (10), Peke Gonzalez (7) & Rufino Laulhé (5) Pilot (22): Cody Ellis (5), Curtis Pilot (0), Facundo Pieres (9) & Matías Torres Zavaleta (8)
Tamera (22): Adolfo Cambiaso (10), Alejandro Poma (1), Diego Cavanagh (7) & TBA (4)
The Dutta Corp (22): Iñaki Laprida (7), Nicolás Díaz Alberdi (4), Timmy Dutta (4) & Tomás García del Río (7)
Best Playing Pony of
financial support from Park Place this new partnership enables us to focus on our structured development pathway whilst wholeheartedly supporting and promoting Pony Club Polo”. For more information on Pony Club polo please contact Charles Whittington, or for Hipwood and Rocksavage specifically contact Jilly Emerson.
Often dubbed the ‘Sport of Kings’, polo is dynamic and exhilarating.
Combining high levels of athleticism, strategy, and a unique bond between player and horse it demands that players be in peak physical and mental condition to face the rigorous challenges of the sport. As with any high-intensity sport, game preparation starts far beyond the field of play.
Much like the care and maintenance that goes into practice and working as a team during a game, a discreet and fully comprehensive full-body MoT, helps prioritise your health and guarantees you can continue to savour the game’s finest moments with the same vigour and grace.
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Echelon Health is unique in that not only do they look under the ‘bonnet’ to see inside the body in incredible detail, but they also recognise that no ‘one size fits all’ scanner that can be used to detect all disease. Utilising a combination of the most advanced MRI, CT and Ultrasound technology,
alongside comprehensive blood tests, every client receives a highly comprehensive set of results with onwards advice that allows them to continue thriving.
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Clients undergoing a Platinum or Gold health assessment benefit from the use of their own private suite throughout the day. Offering a private and tranquil base to be used in-between tests and scans, the suite ensures the day of assessment is as stress free as it is efficient.
Dr David Wilson, Past President of the British Institute of Radiology said of Echelon Health –“The service they are providing at present is, in my opinion, the best that can be achieved in current practice with existing knowledge.”
Staying game ready extends beyond regular training sessions and practice matches. By prioritising health, athletes can not only improve their performance but also enjoy a longer, healthier career in this thrilling sport. So, before you saddle up and head out to play your next chukka, ask yourself: Are you truly game ready?
Held each year on the last weekend in January, The Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz is an event unlike any other – truly unique, extraordinary and exhilarating. From its inception in 1985 to its 40th anniversary in 2025, it has become a world-class polo tournament and a must-see polo spectacle. Played on the frozen lake in St. Moritz, the tournament involves months of typically efficient Swiss planning to instal the infrastructure which weighs in at a staggering 3,900 tonnes. Nestled in the stunning Engadin Valley, the ultrachic resort of St. Moritz plays host to some of the top polo players in the world and attracts the most glamorous spectators year upon year.
But just how did polo come to be played upon a frozen lake, high up in the Swiss Alps?
Polo began in St. Moritz when the British Cavalry built the first polo field in 1899. However, it wasn’t until 1959 that St. Moritz Polo Club was founded by Dr. Peter Robert Bray. The Club hosted international polo tournaments from 1960 to 1964 before the original field was converted into a highaltitude training camp for athletes preparing for the Mexico City Summer Olympics.
The ‘Godfather of Snow Polo’ Reto Gaudenzi was born and bred in the Engadin with the spirit of the Swiss Alps running through his veins – and was part of the St. Moritz polo team which won a tournament in Munich in 1983. When Director of Tourism in St. Moritz, Hans Peter Danuser was looking for a new event with a British connection to celebrate the centenary of the world-famous Cresta Club, Gaudenzi suggested something that had never been done before: a polo tournament on snow on the frozen lake in St. Moritz.
Two years later, in January 1985, what many considered to be impossible became possible. The then unconventional playing surface of snow threw up a whole host of obstacles to overcome, from the
balls they used to the horses’ shoes and the players’ handicaps, the inaugural Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz was truly ground-breaking. Gaudenzi looked back on the initial challenges they had to overcome, “We had made great progress. We had the right ball, the horses were secure thanks to the right grips and the pitch boss Dorizzi had assured us that he would sort the pitch with a small army of caterpillars. The very same day, the date was set for the world première of Polo on Snow 25 – 26 January 1985”. Sponsors, teams and funding also required creative thinking, but with his characteristic style Gaudenzi remedied all of these, sourcing players, sponsorship including Champagne from Bruno Roncoroni, Switzerland’s Monsieur Pommery and most novel of all – selling the St. Moritz lake, which was sold off at a share price of CHF 100 per square metre of ice; the share would become worthless when the snow melted but would retain its intrinsic value.
As polo players from Munich, Paris and Geneva arrived with their entourages to compete in two teams, the weather was the only thing out of their control and incessant snowfall covered the immaculately prepared pitch on the frozen lake. With the cancellation of the event out of the question, the whole
community pulled together to clear an area as 140 journalists and 2,500 spectators arrived. Gaudenzi remembers the moment 40 years of history began, “The atmosphere was superb – visibility and pitch were lousy! However, our decision was plain and clear – we would play, our world première would go ahead! I got up onto the table and announced “St. Moritz always delivers! We promised you polo on snow, and polo on snow is what you get!” The first polo on snow and, with it, The Dr Berry Memorial Cup, was won by the German team. Everybody was over the moon.
“The next day, our polo on snow was on the front pages of all the Sunday papers in Germany and Switzerland. Polo on snow had been born!
“The weather on 26 January was fantastic, and more than made up for the day before. Thanks to the fire brigade working during the night, our pitch was in perfect condition, so that proper polo could be played. The stand was full. An exciting match ensued, with Cartier St. Moritz beating Germany 6-5. The start had been successful. The first chapter of a typical St. Moritz success story had been written”.
Beginning as a bold experiment, the snow polo in St. Moritz quickly became a highly anticipated fixture on the international polo calendar, attracting the cream of professional players
over the years. From Alfonso Pieres, Pablo Mac Donough, David ‘Pelon’ Stirling and Alejandro ‘Piki’ Diaz-Alberdi, Oliver Hipwood, the Heguys and Nic Roldan to Juan-Martin Nero, Chris Hyde, Guillermo ‘Sapo’ Caset and Nacho Figueras.
While remaining true to its roots, the tournament has reinvented itself time and again to meet the high expectations of both its players and spectators. “This 40th anniversary is an incredibly important milestone for all of us”, says founding father Gaudenzi. “It is a very special opportunity to look back on the impressive development of the tournament and at the same time to celebrate the future of snow polo”.
What began in St. Moritz in 1985 has since spread worldwide, with snow polo tournaments in locations such as Aspen (US), Cortina (Italy) and Kitzbühel (Austria). However, St. Moritz remains the most prestigious, birthplace of snow polo and the tournament attracts six teams each year to compete on the iconic frozen lake.
The Florida based Museum of Polo contains the Hall of Fame which honours the heroes of the sport. Every year since its inception in 1990 equine and human icons of the past and present day are added to this prestigious list. The 2025 inductees have been announced as Joe Henderson, Jimmy Bachman, Jorie Butler Kent, Susan Stovall, and legendary horses Flash and Beatrice. The 36th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Awards Dinner will take place on Friday 14 February 2025 at the Museum of Polo.
Beatrice was a warrior both on and off the polo field and is the Horses to Remember honoree of the early pre-Hartman era. The small, dark bay mare distinguished herself in three international series representing the U.S., ridden by Hall of Famers Dev Milburn in the 1924 Westchester Cup and Winston Guest in both the 1928 Cup of the Americas and the 1930 Westchester Cup. Notably, she also competed in the 1921 Westchester Cup as part of the British team.
Beatrice was more than an exceptional polo pony; she was a true war hero. At 16 years old, she served as an artillery horse in the British Army and was awarded a gold medal for her service. She proudly wore this medal pinned to her saddle pad while playing for the U.S. international team.
Posthumous Hall of Fame inductee Jimmy Bachman experienced significant success at various levels of the sport. He won the 20 goal Monty Waterbury Cup in 1983 and reached the Final of the 26 goal Sunshine League in 1985 and the 20 goal East Coast Open. Bachman also secured numerous medium goal tournament victories, including back-to-back wins in The Copper Cup (1987 and 1988), The Bronze Trophy (1988 and 1989), The 1990 Heritage Cup, and The 1991 Chairman’s Cup. He became particularly renowned for his dominance in low goal polo, notably at Gulfstream during the 1980s.
Bachman achieved a 7 goal handicap in 1986 and maintained that level until his untimely passing in 1991.
The Iglehart Award was established in 2011 and is given to recognise exceptional lifetime contributions to polo on ether a regional or national level.
Joe Henderson, who attained an 8 goal handicap outdoors and a 10 goal rating in the arena, has won a multitude of significant high goal grass tournaments. His victories include the 1987 C.V. Whitney Cup, two America Cup titles, and four North American Cup wins. He also excelled in the 1987 Pacific Coast Open, capturing the title while being named Most Valuable Player (MVP) and receiving the Best Playing Pony (BPP) award.
In 1993, Henderson and his team, Fish Creek, reached The U.S. Open Final, narrowly losing 11-10 to Gehache, with Henderson earning the MVP title. Henderson was also an exceptional arena player, claiming numerous titles on his path to a 10 goal arena handicap. He was honoured as Arena Player of the Year in 1988 and 1992 and recognised as the Arena Player of the Centennial Era in 1990.
Susan Stovall is the 2025 posthumous Iglehart Award honouree having left an indelible mark on the world of polo as a pioneer of women’s polo as well as the sport more broadly. Stovall’s contributions to polo were extensive, ranging from riding early morning sets and competing on the field to organising tournaments and hosting royalty and celebrities at charity events. She was a highly respected and well-loved Manager of Eldorado Polo Club for 26 years, all while continuing to play and assist in managing her family’s White Swan Polo Club in Washington.
During her tenure, Eldorado grew to become the largest Polo Club on the West Coast, regularly hosting dozens of teams. This growth was driven by her no-nonsense approach, strong organisational skills, enthusiasm, and a genuine love for people that made everyone feel welcome.
Jorie Butler Kent is a distinguished figure in U.S. polo, having been immersed in the sport from birth. Her father, Paul Butler, was synonymous with Oak Brook Polo, and Butler Kent followed in his footsteps, managing the Club from 1967 to 1979 – the first woman to do so.
Butler Kent maintained her dedication to polo and, alongside Sue Sally Hale and others, was among the first women to receive official handicaps from the USPA in 1972. She also played a key role in organising the USPA Polo Pony Championship and contributed to the establishment of its rules and registry. Her pioneering spirit was evident when she secured the sport’s first international corporate sponsorship with Rolex Watch.
Beyond these achievements, Butler Kent was instrumental in the early success of numerous polo clubs, including Palm Beach Polo, Greenwich, and Windsor Polo in Vero Beach, as well as in the development of the Museum of Polo.
Flash, a chestnut Thoroughbred gelding, was actually named Rockey Kid and will receive the Horses to Remember, post-Hartman Award Era. John Oxley purchased Flash, along with the Linfoot string, in 1973 and throughout the 1970s Flash helped numerous top players achieve victories. Flash earned three Best Playing Pony awards in the same year while being played by Billy Linfoot, Roy Barry, and Corky Linfoot. Flash also competed in The Coronation Cup and The Queen’s Cup in England as well as being named Horse of the Year for April 1976 – April 1977.
On Sunday 8 December, La Natividad won their second Argentine Triple Crown title of 2024 with a 13-11 win against La Dolfina in The 131st HSBC Argentine Open Final on Field 1 in Palermo. The 80 goal Final was a replay of this year’s Hurlingham Open Final between the two sides, which was also won by La Natividad and only the second time in The Argentine Open’s history that the Final was between two 40 goal teams (also in 2009). La Dolfina have been the team to beat for many years having reached 24 Argentine Open Finals in 25 years since the Club’s creation in 2000 – 2004 was the only year they were not in the Final – but La Natividad are creating similarly impressive statistics with this their fourth consecutive Final, in which they have faced La Dolfina every time, and their third victory with previous wins in 2021 and 2023.
After rain delayed the originally scheduled Final date on Saturday 7 December, sunshine bathed the ‘cathedral of polo’ for the highly anticipated battle between these two Titans of Argentine polo. La Dolfina Saudi saw the fatherson combination of Adolfo and Poroto Cambiaso combine with Juan Martin Nero and David ‘Pelón’ Stirling (who between them have won an impressive 41 Argentine Opens); pitted against the Castagnola brothers (nephews and cousins to Adolfo and Poroto Cambiaso respectively), playing alongside Pablo Mac Donough who amongst 17 Finals won three back-to-back Triple Crowns with La Dolfina in 2013, 2014 and 2015 as well the mighty Facundo Pieres who was competing in his 15th Argentine Open Final. This was an avidly awaited Final with the grandstands in Palermo packed to the rafters and viewers from across the globe livestreaming the match online.
Jeta Castagnola opened the scoring for La Natividad with a powerful, lofted shot in the first chukka, much to the delight of the green clad supporters in the packed grandstands, but La Dolfina replied less than a minute later with a goal of their own to level the scores ending the first chukka 1-1. La Dolfina pulled ahead in the second chukka with a lovely combination goal from father-son Cambiaso duo, outscoring La Natividad four goals to one. By half-time, La Dolfina were still ahead but only by a narrow margin of two goals and it proved to be short-lived as La Natividad flew into the second half with renewed vigour to level the scores, 6-6, and then pull ahead to take the lead at the end of the fifth chukka, 8-6, including a skilful under the neck shot from Facundo Pieres.
The 131st HSBC Argentine Open Final Teams
La
Facundo Pieres
Camilo ‘Jeta’ Castagnola (10)
Pablo Mac Donough (10)
Barto Castagnola (10)
Locked down by La Natividad, La Dolfina found themselves unable to score in the fourth, fifth nor sixth chukkas while the green shirts combined together to add to the scoreboard again and again. Barto Castagnola sent a huge shot downfield in the sixth chukka to a waiting Jeta Castagnola, who charged forward, with La Dolfina in hot pursuit, to score La Natividad’s tenth goal of the day. Followed just a minute later by another huge shot from Jeta Castagnola which Barto Castagnola shepherded into goal but the ball had enough energy to roll over the lines and the crowd went wild as La Natividad extended their lead to 11 goals to 6 with two chukkas left to play. Adolfo Cambiaso kicked off the seventh chukka with a goal for La Dolfina, their only goal in this chukka, but it was followed immediately by a storming run to goal by Pablo Mac Donough,
with Adolfo Cambiaso in hot pursuit but not quite able to make the hook. So, with the scores reading 12-7 in favour of La Natividad going into the eighth and final chukka, would La Dolfina be able to close the gap? La Natividad began the final chukka with a converted penalty, 13-7, and the remaining six and a half minutes were painted blue as La Dolfina scored goal after goal. Despite a final goal from Poroto Cambiaso in the last two seconds of play, it was not enough to recover from their goalless chukkas earlier in the match and La Natividad ran out the winners, 13-11.
For La Natividad players, the Castagnola brothers won their third Argentine Open title from four Finals, while for Mac Donough it was his 13th title from 17 Finals and for Pieres it was his fifth Argentine Open title in 15 Finals. Certainly a memorable match for the history books.
Most Valuable Player (Gonzalo Heguy Trophy): Camilo ‘Jeta’ Castagnola
Tournament Top Scorer (Javier Novillo Astrada Award):
Sapo Caset (38 goals)
Rubén Sola Breakthrough Trophy: Antonio Heguy
Best Mounted Player in the Final (Equine Development Cup): Barto Castagnola
Best Mounted Player in the Tournament (Gonzalo Tanoira Award):
Adolfo Cambiaso
Juan Carlos Harriott Fair Play Award: Barto Castagnola
The Copa Cámara de Diputados celebrated its 100th anniversary this year and 16 teams between 24 and 31 goals competed – the six that did not qualify for The 131st HSBC Argentine Open and the top ten from The Copa Municipalidad del Pilar. La Ensenada II and La Dolfina made it to the Final with unbeaten records and faced each other on Thursday 28 November at the Alfredo Lalor Headquarters in Pilar.
After a challenging first chukka, La Dolfina bounced back and with eight goals from Lucas Criado Jr, they continued to widen their advantage in the last three chukkas to beat La Ensenada II 15-11.
15-11 win against La Ensenada II in Final
Where: Alfredo Lalor Headquarters, Pilar 28 NOV FINAL 29 OCT
Gete Davidson,
AACCP
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Rufino Laulhé
Kazak Polo Team (14)
Sebastien Aguettant (0)
Pedro Chavanne (3)
Beltrán Laulhé (6)
Rufino Laulhé (5)
Power Infrastructure (15)
Miguel Mendoza (0)
Artemio Figueras (2)
Rosendo Torreguitar (5)
Alejandro Muzzio (8)
Chukka scores: 3½-2, 4½-5, 7½-6, 9½-7, 9½-8 to Kazak Polo Team
Spectators flocked to Thai Polo Club Argentina for a packed day of polo & sidelines entertainment
30 NOV FINAL 18 NOV
In November, The Thai Polo Cup celebrated its 11th edition with 16 teams up to 14 goals competed at Thai Polo Club Argentina in General Rodríguez. The Final was played between Power Infrastructure and Frenchman Sebastien Aguettant’s Kazak Polo Team featuring the impressive, young Laulhé brothers. With tradestands, food trucks and shops as well as two Finals (please turn to the Women’s Polo pages for The Thai Pink Polo Final coverage), over 700 spectators enjoyed the thrilling and very close Final. Kazak began with a half goal handicap advantage which they swiftly built upon and jumped ahead 3½-2 in the first chukka; however Power Infrastructure put up a tough fight and the outcome went right down to the wire and in the end was decided by a very tight margin, 9½-8 in favour of Kazak Polo Team. Ably backed up by his team, Rufino Laulhé worked persistently throughout the Final and secured eight of his team’s overall nine goals, which deservedly secured him the title of Most Valuable Player.
The Tortugas Open was originally played under as The Emilio de Anchorena Cup until 1929 and officially became known as The Tortugas Open in 1930 and is now played as the second tournament in the prestigious Argentine Triple Crown.
This year’s Final was played between La Hache Polo Team and Ellerstina UAE Yellow Rose. La Hache had come close to a Triple Crown title before, reaching the Finals of The Hurlingham and Tortugas Opens in 2023, while Ellerstina has more Tortugas Open titles than any other team having previously won the tournament 13 times (1992, 1994, 1995, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2019, 2020 and 2021).
The two evenly matched sides put on a great show of polo to the delight of the crowds at Tortugas Country Club, in a Final which went right down to the wire. La Hache narrowly led the first half but Ellerstina were hot on their heels
Stats at a Glance Match
throughout with just one goal separating the two teams in the first three chukkas and a goalless third chukka showed just how close these two teams were. By half-time, La Hache held a 7-5 advantage, but Ellerstina fought back, outscoring La Hache 3-1 in the fifth chukka to momentarily take an 8-7 lead. The game saw numerous ties, including a 10-10 draw in the sixth chukka.
Entering the eighth and final chukka, La Hache held a 13-10 lead, bolstered by goals from Hilario Ulloa, Panelo, and Fran Elizalde. However, Ellerstina rallied with two goals from Sapo Caset and one from Lukin Monteverde to level the score at 13-13. Caset, the match’s top scorer with nine goals, also finished the tournament as the leading scorer with 37 goals. It seemed certain that the Final would move into an extra chukka, but Tomás Panelo scored just 18 seconds into the additional time, with his historic goal securing La Hache their first ever Argentine triple Crown title.
The 84th Tortugas
The 84th Tortugas Open Final Teams
Chukka scores: 3-2, 5-4, 5-4, 7-5, 8-8, 10-10, 12-10, 14-13
Tomás Panelo scores winning goal
The Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships celebrated their 13th annual event this year, with 10,378 spectators descending upon WestWorld of Scottsdale in Arizona for a full day and night of polo and partying in the longest day of Scottsdale polo in the event’s history.
Five matches were played over the course of the day with New Orleans beating Cave Creek 6-4; Wales Polo Team led by Pete Webb beating Arizona Polo Club by a staggering score of 14 goals to nil and Nashville beating World Pride Polo Team 8-6.
The main match of the day was played between Wine Country Polo Club and Aspen Valley Polo Team, with Nic Roldan leading Aspen Valley to a 4-3 win and defending their title from last year.
The polo action continued with
Garland Polo Club to victory against the Sonoma Polo Club by just one goal, 8-7.
Alongside the polo, spectators enjoyed events such as the 11th Annual Canine Couture with cash prizes for the best dressed pets, luxury car displays and the World’s Longest Catwalk Fashion Show. After the fourth match, DJ Jai Wolf cranked up the atmosphere with the event’s first sunset concert under the lights. Bentley Scottsdale’s Beli Merdovi commented, “There were some incredibly special moments and firsts in American polo. Between ASU’s leading Running Back dropping the ball to the Rock Opera performance to seeing the lights come on the field for the first time, it was another extraordinary day at the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships. We are excited to come back next year.” The event will return for its 14th anniversary on 8 November 2025.
FIVE Polo Matches
10,378 spectators
Where:
Polo aplenty plus fashion, music & much more
The Julio Novillo Astrada Catamarca Cup was established in 2004 as a tribute to the founder of La Aguada, Julio Novillo Astrada. Over the last 20 years the competition has grown in popularity and is a key fixture in the Argentine spring calendar. This year four teams up to 20 goals took part (Clearwater, Forbes Plunkett, Copperline Farm and La Marquesa).
In the Final on Sunday 24 November Clearwater narrowly secured the win by one goal against Forbes Plunkett, 10-9 and The Catamara Cup Subsidiary Final was won by La Marquesa who beat Copperline Farm 11-10 in another tight match.
After the matches, the Novillo Astrada family hosted an asado for the players, patrons and guests set in the Argentine countryside.
Where: La
Argentina 24 NOV FINAL 13 NOV
Miguel Novillo Astrada
Paco
Raúl
Joaquín
the world’s number one classic ferrari dealer
The first Edition of Dealing in Dreams, published in 2017, was a never-before-seen insight into the dealings of Talacrest and a record of the worlds most sought-after Ferraris and other incredible marques that passed through the Talacrest stable.The book sold out with incredible feedback and has afforded the opportunity for 10 charities to receive a share of a total of £175,000 raised by the book and donated by Talacrest. Talacrest have remained at the forefront of Classic Ferrari dealing with over $1 billion of sales. This updated and redesigned edition includes an additional 100 pages, with never-before-published photos and the inclusion of an even wider range of road and race Ferraris. In this special edition, John allows the reader a chance to see his personal collection includingtwo specially commissioned Ferraris. The book has a limited print run with all proceeds going to charity.
“We just look at each other and know what’s going on” Tommy Biddle Jr
The Townsend Cup Teams
England (19)
Toby Bradshaw (5)
Eden Ormerod (6)
Jack Hyde (8)
USA (20)
Andrew Scott (4)
Pelon Escapite (8)
Tommy Biddle Jr (8)
Chukka scores: 2-2, 9-7, 13-11, 15-11 to USA
Over 100 years old, The Townsend Cup international arena tournament was created by the Indoor Polo Association and first played in 1923. The tenth edition of the Townsend Cup was played on Saturday 26 October at New Bridge Polo & Country Club (New Bridge) in Aiken, South Carolina. The USA have won the title eight times already to just one win for England, so there was all to play for in this transatlantic battle. With six Townsend Cup titles between Pelon Escapite (2019 and 2021) and Tommy Biddle Jr (2011, 2015, 2017 and 2019), the USA Team seemed to be very strong opponents with Biddle Jr commenting on their chemistry, “Sometimes we don’t have to say anything to each other, we just look at each other and know what’s going on”; however it was England’s Captain Jack Hyde who kicked off the scoring which combined with their one goal handicap advantage saw the visiting team jump to a 2-0 lead. USA replied with back-to-back goals from Andrew Scott and Escapite to end the first chukka 2-2. The second chukka saw all six players add their names to the scoreboard in a high scoring flurry of action, but USA broke ahead with a two pointer in the closing minutes of the chukka to send them two points ahead going into half-time, 9-7. England’s Eden Ormerod began the second half with a goal, followed by a successful penalty 4 conversion from Hyde to nudge England into the lead again once more, 10-9. However, a swift two pointer from Biddle Jr took the host team back into the lead once again and by the end of the third chukka USA were ahead 13-11.
USA continued to capitalise on every opportunity and shut down any English attempts on goal, as the last chukka began Scott held Toby Bradshaw off the goal line. Escapite further extended USA’s advantage, 14-11, and as England’s chances at victory slipped away Biddle Jr scored a decisive penalty 2 to secure the win 15-11 and with it his fifth Townsend Cup title. Biddle reflected on his team’s victory and his part, “I just bring the experience now. I’m not as quick, I’m older. I was the oldest guy in the match. But I think the experience and having captained the team in The Townsend Cup numerous times brought everybody together.”
The 2024/25 Arena Victor Ludorum is well progressed across England, with the 15, 12 and 6 goal all well underway. Unfortunately, the stormy weather has played havoc with arena polo schedules and at the time of gong to print The Beaufort Super League Final, which was meant to be played on Sunday 24 November, was still awaiting a new playing date after being blown off schedule by Storm Bert.
Oxford Polo – The Kemsley Stone Final – Saturday 30 November
Number of teams: Three
Winners: Red Star
Points: 15
On Saturday 30 November, The Kemsley Stone Final sponsored by Blackhound Sports, set off a busy day of matches at Oxford Polo and the fast-paced action of Red Star vs Salty Polo gave the perfect start. The match was closely fought by the two 15 goal teams with the scores tied at 6-6 at half-time. However, after the break the dynamic duo of Mikey Henderson and Matias Amaya came out on top with Amaya scoring four unanswered goals. Red Star managed to hold onto their lead in the final chukka and secured the win, 15-11.
The Kemsley Stone Final Teams: Salty Polo
David
Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club – The HPA National Club Championships – Sunday 1 December
Number of teams: Four
Winners: Tchogan Points: 15
On Sunday 1 December, the Club hosted three HPA National Club Championship Finals including the 12 Goal Final and Subsidiary Final plus the 4 Goal Final – for the 4 Goal results please turn to Club News. With free admission and grandstand seating, crowds enjoyed the winter sunshine. The 12 Goal Subsidiary Final was won by Four Quarters (Simon Arber (1), Mariano Darritchon (4) & Tom Morley (7)). The 12 Goal Final saw a narrow 16-14 win for Tchogan in an extra chukka against Red Star. Max Voelker cleaned up in the post-match presentations receiving both the Most Valuable Player Award as well as the Best Playing Pony prize for Batigoal, owned by Diego Giagante and played by Voelker.
The HPA National Club Championships 12 Goal Final Teams:
Tchogan (11): Heiko Voelker (1), Max Voelker
& Will
Longdole Polo Academy – The Longdole Super League Final – Sunday 3 November
Number of teams: Two
Winners: Longdole Polo Academy Points: 30
The Victor Ludorum 6 Goal Arena Super League is a new series for the arena and follows the same format as the 4 Goal VL Super League played in the summer season. The Arena Super League runs at 3-6 goal level using a regional league structure, with four zones. In each zone, three clubs host tournaments, and points are awarded to competing teams based on their results. The 2024/25 Victor Ludorum 6 Goal Arena Super League began over the first weekend in November at Longdole with an opening win for home team Longdole Polo Academy who beat Senzaltro 11 goals to 9.
Oxford Polo – The 2022 Cup Final – Sunday 10 November
Number of teams: Four
Winners: Senzaltro Points: 30
The 2022 Cup was the second tournament in the Central Group of the new 6 goal Victor Ludorum Super League and four teams battled it out to take home the trophy. After the closely fought Semi Finals, Senzaltro and Vipers emerged victorious to play the Final on Sunday 10 November. Senzaltro had a strong start to the match and the score was 8-5 at half-time. Vipers however did not let the flurry of goals go unanswered and in the last 30 seconds had the opportunity of a penalty for two points to level the game. The penalty was not converted and Senzaltro went on to win 13-11.
The 2022 Cup Final Teams: Vipers
The USPA Keleen & Carlton Beal Cup Final saw BTA/Tonkawa face CW Petroleum/Old Pueblo. BTA/Tonkawa’s Mason Wroe scored twice early, giving his team a 2½ to 0 lead. CW Petroleum/Old Pueblo’s Steve Krueger responded, but Jeff Hildebrand extended BTA/ Tonkawa’s lead to 4½ to 1. Krueger and Jeff Hall closed the gap to 4½ to 3 by the second chukka. Hildebrand and Jack Kiely maintained the lead, ending the half at 6½ to 5. In the fourth chukka, Hildebrand and Wroe added goals, while Krueger and Hall scored for CW Petroleum/Old Pueblo. BTA/Tonkawa held a 9½ to 7 lead. Kiely sealed the victory in the final chukka, with a final score of 10½ to 7.
On Thursday 24 October, Guards Polo Club held their annual Macmillan Coffee Morning which raised £7,000 for the charity. Members and friends of the Club baked cakes, donated to the raffle and bid in the auction to raise funds for the cancer support charity. For social pictures from the day, please turn to the Sidelines pages.
The HPA National Club Championships 4 Goal Final was won by Hipwood Polo on Sunday 1 December. Mariano Darritchon masterminded his team of young players in an exciting and close match which they won 16-12. Charlie Hipwood played excellently and deservingly was chosen as Most Valuable Player. At 13-years-old, his teammate Ed Pakenham made his debut outside of junior matches and improved with every chukka. Isleña, owned and played by Darritchon, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony. Hipwood Polo, winners
The HPA National Club Championships 4 Goal Final Teams: Hipwood Polo (4): Edward Pakenham (-1), Charlie Hipwood (1) & Mariano Darritchon (4) Hedonism (4): Imogen Blake Thomas (-1), Evgeny Chichvarkin (2) & Royston Prisk (3)
The Club had an action packed weekend over 9 – 10 November with Club Chukkas, Junior Chukkas as well as The Richmond Trophy. Hedonism secured The Richmond Trophy, beating Rosina in the Final.
The Richmond Trophy Final Teams: Hedonism (4): Imogen Blake Thomas (-1), Evgeny Chichvarkin (2) & Roy Prisk (3) Rosina (4): Orlagh Kelly (0), Nell Jacob (2) & William Newman (2)
On Saturday 16 November, the Club hosted a 12 goal TopSpec Tournament exhibition match to celebrate the opening of their new arena surface. Bagber House Farm beat Seriously Cool Events 25-20 in a close match after maintaining an exciting five goal lead for three chukkas! The Club also had a
lower goal section running at the same time which Huckles Brook (Steve Wells/ Helen Gredington (-1), Deborah Beese (0) & Stevie McCraith (4)) won, plus an excellent turnout of spectators and a pizza van on site to keep everyone warm and fed.
The Al Habtoor Polo Club November League saw a round robin Final between AM Polo, Cerberus & Mehran and Wolves on Friday 15 November. Match 1 saw Cerberus & Mehran beat AM Polo 5 goals to 4, followed by a 5-2 win for AM Polo against Wolves and Cerberus & Mehran secured their second win with a 4-1 score against Wolves. These results meant that Cerberus & Mehran (Danny Hashmi, Karim Drif, JJ Diaz Alberdi, Tomy Iriarte) claimed The AHPC November League.
On Saturday 9 November, The Patron Cup concluded at Al Habtoor Polo Club. The day began with the Subsidiary Final which saw CERABUS-KMK beat PBS-AM 9 goals to 7. The Final between Habtoor Polo and Mehran MOR Polo saw Mehran MOR Polo begin with a half goal handicap advantage, but Habtoor Polo soon pushed ahead and ended the match with a 7-4½ win to secure The Patron Cup.
On Saturday 30 November, the week-long UAE National Day Cup culminated in the Final between AM Polo and Habtoor Polo. AM Polo’s Pablo Urquiza opened the scoring, but JJ Diaz Alberdi swiftly levelled the scores of Habtoor Polo. Urquiza capitalised on the penalty opportunities that went AM Polo’s way and they secured a 12-6 win. Ciro Urturi was named Most Valuable Player and Cascabel, owned by Sheika Alya Maktoum and played by Urquiza, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.
D&E narrowly beat Seriously Cool Events 13 goals to 12 in a fast and competitive Poppy Sunday Trophy on Sunday 10 November.
The Club has announced their 2025 Cowdray Gold Cup dates for next season:
Midhurst Town Cup: Sunday 29 June
Quarter Finals: Saturday
12 and Sunday 13 July
Semi Finals: Wednesday 16 July
Final: Sunday 20 July
Social Events: Showtime (Friday 18 July) & Ibiza Night (Saturday 19 July)
The 2024/25 Arena Season is underway and The Starting Cup kicked things off at Emsworth Polo Grounds. The 6-8 goal tournament saw four teams take part. Infinox secured the title and Harry Earnshaw received the Most Valuable Player Award. The Subsidiary Final was won by Nolando. The action continues this week with The Emsworth Cup.
Tchogan secured the 8 goal Emsworth Cup over the weekend 2 – 3 November with a 17-10 win to secure their second trophy of the season so far. Los Quirones won the Subsidiary Final.
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Secure o -road, level parking for 6+ cars
Swallow Barn and Cottage is a stylish home-from-home where family, friends and pets can relax, enjoy the local produce and explore the stunning Pembrokeshire coastline, surf beaches and historic sites. e property is spacious and full of character sitting amidst landscaped grounds surrounded by pastures with a secure garden for the dogs. It is close enough to walk into the nearby village of Fishguard. e property is equipped to cater for big groups with plenty of space to unwind. It comes with wi- , so is also well suited for working.
15 miles – St.David’s, 57 miles – Aberystwyth, 113 miles – Cardi For all enquiries please text or call: 07889 916777 (Polo enthusiasts)
Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club was founded by Bryan Morrison, a businessman and music mogul in the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s, who had a hand in the careers of Pink Floyd, The Jam, The Bee Gees, George Michael and many more. In 1985 he purchased a rundown former racing yard, by the name of Windsor Forest Stud. 1986, just one year after he purchased the land, Morrison succeeded in transforming the 220acre estate into a fully functioning Polo Club
with His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales (now HRH King Charles III) opening the Club as its first official Member. Since its opening in 1986, the Berkshire, as it’s fondly called, has hosted a multitude of Finals, events, music festivals. Welcoming thousands of guests, players, patrons and members of the Royal Family, we draw from our experience of the last 40 years to run a welcoming and friendly Polo Club just minutes from Windsor town centre.
Club Address & Contact: Jamie Morrison (Chairman)
Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club, North Street, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 4TH www.rcbpc.com Tel: 01344 890060
Polo Manager Name & Contact: Simon McDonald (polo@rcbpc.com)
Polo School and Pony Hire Contact: Genevieve Meadows at Cool Hooves Polo (genevieve@coolhoovespolo.co.uk)
Club Stats Facilities Answer
Clubhouse Yes
Pony Hire Yes
Wooden Horse Yes
Coaches/Instructors Yes
Livery Yes
Exercise Track Yes
Indoor School No
Stables to Hire Yes
Turn out Fields Yes
Arena Yes
Size of Arena (in metres) 92 x 37
Grooms’ Accommodation Yes
Number of Members Approximately 50
Number of Grounds Five playing grounds with another field under construction and two stick & ball/ lesson fields
What are the Club’s grass season highlights?
Any day spent at the Berkshire is a highlight, however the ‘Big 5’ are the highlights of our polo calendar – The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales (22 goal), The John Prestwich Challenge Trophy (12 goal), The Justerini & Brooks Eduardo Moore (15 goal), The Julian & Howard Hipwood Trophy (8 goal) and The Polo Festival (4 goal and Ladies 16 goal). Hosting the annual Polo Party for all those in the polo community is fast becoming a staple in the modern-day polo enthusiast’s diary.
What are the Club’s recent improvements?
We are very grateful to have retained our title sponsors Justerini & Brooks wine merchants for four years and look forward to working with them again for the 2025 season. We are also supported by a host of sponsors such at Arbuthnot Latham, Aston Marton and Berry’s Jewellers whose support is invaluable for the summer season year on year. At the end of the 2024 season major investment was made into our Ground 1.
A specialised team fraze-mowed (which removes the thatch and organic matter buildup so the grass can regenerate), shock-waved, overseeded and fertilised the ground as soon as the summer ended in September. It is now looking fantastic and we are excited to welcome the high goal teams to kick off the UK season with Justerini & Brooks The Prince of Wales Trophy 2025.
Grounds 1, 2 and 3 will also be available to hire for private practices from May giving teams the opportunity to practice on a hugely improved ground ahead of the season.
We have also resurfaced the arena and it is playing amazingly.
If you can’t wait for the summer to come round again, the newly resurfaced arena is now available for private practices.
We have a very full Arena Season with many tournaments available for all levels.
What are the Club’s plans for the future?
The major works to Ground 1 is the start of a series of upgrades taking place around the Club ensuring that the Berkshire remains one of the clubs to watch in the UK.
After the sellout Arena Gold Cup Finals Day in February we have the fantastic J&B Prince of Wales Finals Day in May and the hugely popular Polo Festival in August which we hope to double our attendance by moving it from a one day event to a whole weekend event.
Following the recent investment to Ground 1 and the ongoing investment to the wider Club, our focus is ensuring the grounds are always top quality throughout the year. We’ve got a really experienced team who are looking at lots of new ways of not only enhancing what
we’ve been doing, but also looking at how we can continue to try to new things to continue to evolve the sport and experience as a whole. We are also focusing on spectator attendees, encouraging people far and wider to come to see our stunning Club and experience a day at the Polo. We are striving to create an inclusive Club for an exclusive sport.
Does the Club have any successful alumni?
We must mention Michael Amoore, who retired this year having been with the Club since the very beginning in 1985. Michael started as the Polo Manager and later became the General Manager. We cannot thank him enough for all he did over the years and we miss him greatly. Luckily for us, he still visits and can be found enjoying a well-deserved beer in the Clubhouse!
Does the Club specialise in a certain area of polo?
At the Berkshire we play everything from 4 goal to 22 goal in the summer and 4 goal up to the Arena Gold Cup (15 goal) during the winter season. This winter we have started a new Junior Membership encouraging kids to play against each other and really get a taste of the sport.
We are also introducing ‘Private Practice Packages’ for next summer, enabling teams to practice on their choice of ground, including Ground 1, followed by an asado at the Clubhouse. Packages and prices are available via the Polo Office.
Please contact the Polo Office on polo@rcbpc.com for membership details (both summer and winter), we’d love to hear from you!
Gill Glimmerveen reports
The SUPA Senior and Junior Friendlies Intermediate and Open Divisions had a fantastic day at the beautiful Oxford Polo Club Arena on Sunday 17 November. The weather was kind for most of the day, with sunshine and clear skies. However, a light drizzle made its appearance right at the end of an incredible 33 action-packed chukkas.
Organising an event with 96 players across 24 teams is no small feat, especially when unexpected challenges happen – like a last-minute lorry breakdown affecting two teams’ ponies!
The Senior Schools competition was a highlight, with strong participation in both the Upper and Lower Intermediate Divisions and an amazing six teams competed in the Open Division. While many experienced players showed off their skills, it was exciting to see plenty of new, up-and-coming talent playing in their very first SUPA Seniors.
It is inspiring to see so many young players competing in the arena and showing promise for the future of British polo. Events like this are a brilliant opportunity for school players to enjoy friendly yet competitive matches against others who share their passion.
SUPA works tirelessly to make these events accessible to all. Even players or schools without full teams are welcome, as they’re matched with others to form combined teams – a fantastic way to meet new teammates and enjoy the sport together.
A huge thank you goes out to the schools, players, parents, and everyone who makes these events possible. A special shout out to our amazing partners –Times, RJ Polo and the Oxford Polo team –for helping make the day such a big success! Clarinda from Semper Aticus generously donated Oakley goggles to two Most Valuable Players: S Rehman (Rugby School) in the Upper Intermediates and H Dhillon (Cheltenham College) in the Open Division. We can’t wait to see more of these young players grow and shine in the seasons ahead.
The SUPA Senior and Junior Friendlies Intermediate and Open Division Results
Junior Schools Intermediate
1st – Amport/Warwick
2nd – Hertfordshire Polo Academy B
3rd – Farleigh
4th – SUPA
5th – Dragon
Senior Schools Open
1st – Cheltenham College
2nd – Stowe A
3rd – Neogem
4th – Wellington
5th – Harrow
6th – Minninnooka
Senior Schools Upper Intermediates
1st – Radley A
2nd – Rugby
3rd – Harrow B
4th – Cheltenham B
5th – Felsted 1st 6th – Stowe B
Senior Schools Lower Intermediates
1st – Bryanston/Seaford
2nd – St Mary’s Ascot
3rd – Kings/Lord Wandsworth
4th – Cheltenham C
Gill Glimmerveen reports
After just one weekend off, the SUPA Committee were back in action at the Oxford Polo arena on Sunday 1 December, this time hosting the Beginners and Novice Divisions for the Senior and Junior schools’ friendlies. It was the perfect opportunity for players totally new to polo to enjoy some competition with other beginners. The Novice players, playing for at least a year, came in looking super confident and ready to shine. With plenty of action and awesome teamwork, everyone –from players to spectators – had a chilly but memorable day.
The day ran smoothly, and thanks to the Play Polo app, hirers, players, and parents could easily keep up with the chukkas and results as they happened.
A total of 22 teams played across 33 chukkas, with plenty of fresh faces and schools making their SUPA debut. We look forward to 2025 and the next SUPA tournaments.
The Senior & Junior Schools’ Friendly Tournament Results
Senior Schools Upper Novice Red
1st – Shrewsbury Samurais
2nd – Radley B
3rd – Stowe Blue
4th – Bradfield
Senior Schools Upper Novice Blue
1st – Heathfield Sapphires
2nd – Felsted 2nd
3rd – Cheltenham College
Senior Schools Lower Novice
1st – Shrewsbury Scorpions
2nd – Stowe Yellow
3rd – Heathfield Emeralds
4th – Radley C
Senior Schools Beginners
1st – Clayesmore
2nd – Shrewsbury Spartans
Junior Schools Novice Green
1st – Luckley House
2nd – Seaford Prep
3rd – Stowe Prep Schools
Junior Schools Novice Yellow
1st – Bruern Novice
2nd – St George’s Weybridge
3rd – Minninnooka Juniors
4th – Cool Hooves
Junior Schools Beginners
1st – Hall Grove
2nd – Felsted Prep
3rd – Bruern Blues
4th – Bruern Golds
The Druids Halloween Trophy was a wonderful opportunity for some of the Club’s younger players to get some match experience. Three well matched teams played two two chukka matches each on Sunday 27 October. All the matches were competitive and played in great spirit, and The Bats squeaked to victory.
Nick Eckenstein received the Most Valuable Player Award and Jess Kastner received the Horsemanship Award.
The Druids Halloween Trophy Teams: The Bats: Rosaleen Cunningham-Day, Nicolas Eckenstein & Anthony Leong
The Ghosts: Molly Ormerod, Maddie Emmel & Hugo Ormerod
The Ghouls: Jayden Tao, Jess Kastner & Lottie Harper
On Wednesday 13 November, over 30 students from Exeter University, and many of whom have only taken up polo this term, competed in 12 teams. With a variety of riding experiences the tournament was split into two divisions. Division 1 saw a 2-2 draw between Exe-pelliarmus (Liam Pfohe, Lisa Janssen and Marc Pfohe) and Exe-Caliber (Lottie Harper, Erin Price and Aisha Usman). Division 2 was won 4-0 by Extrachukkas (Lara Chapple, Izzy Stefanutto and Lauren Keetley) against
The Copa Santa Paula was donated in 1951 by the Reynal brothers in honour of their mother. Seven teams between 1 and 14 goals competed in two zones in this year’s competition. The intercollegiate tournament Finals were played on Thursday 10 October at the AAP Alfredo Lalor Headquarters in Pilar. New Zealand Red defeated Newman A by 11 goals to 8½ despite giving away 4½ goals in handicap advantage and secured their third win in a row. The Subsidiary Finals saw New Zealand White secure The Zeus Cup and Los Robles Azul won The Bronze Cup.
The Copa Santa Paula Final Teams:
New Zealand Red (14): Artemio Figueras (2), Pedro Chavanne (3), León Donoso (4) & Rufino Laulhé (5) Cardinal Newman A (9): Jerome Llavallol (1), Ricardo Mihanovich (2), Martin Di Paola (3) & Beltran Di Paola (3)
Exe-ceptionals (Rowan Graham, Annabelle Hayes and Amber van der Woude). Sienna de Gale received the Horsemanship Award and Lisa Josse was chosen as the Most Promising Player.
The event was the idea of Exeter Uni Polo President Lottie Harper and was managed by the team at Druids Lodge, with Giles Ormerod umpiring all the matches. The students enjoyed an afternoon of camaraderie in the afternoon autumnal sunshine.
The Schools and Universities Polo Association (SUPA) arena tournaments will continue throughout February and March 2025. The Junior Schools National Arena Championships 2025 will be played at Oxford Polo on 2 February, The Universities National Arena Championships will be held at Rugby Polo Club over 7 – 9 February. The last SUPA arena tournament will be The Ladies & Senior Schools Arena Championships at Rugby Polo Club on Sunday 2 March.
Where: Field 2 Campo Argentino de Polo, Palermo FINAL 7 DEC 20 NOV
The 2024 Women’s Argentine Open celebrated its eighth edition in 2024, with four teams between 27 and 36 goals made up of the best players from Argentina, the United States, France and England competing for a place in the Final of the prestigious tournament.
With two teams, El Overo Z7 UAE and La Dolfina, having won all seven previous titles between them and with all eight players ranked between eight and 10 goals, the Final between these two sides was set to be a thrilling clash of the Titans and a rematch of the 2023 Final which saw El Overo Z7 UAE take the win – would they be able to defend their title or would La Dolfina take their fifth Women’s Argentine Open win?
El Overo Z7 UAE (36)
Hope Arellano (10)
Hazel Jackson (9)
Candelaria Fernández Araujo (9)
Milly Hine (8)
La Dolfina (34)
Mía Cambiaso (8)
Catalina Lavinia (8)
Nina Clarkin (9)
Lía Salvo (9)
Chukka scores: 1-1, 1-1, 4-1, 6-2, 7-5, 10-7 to El Overo Z7 UAE
La Dolfina, who are the only team to have taken part in every Women’s Argentine Open Final to date, returned for 2024 with 50 percent of their 2023 winning line-up (Mia Cambiaso and Nina Clarkin) with their 2023 teammate Candelaria Fernández Araujo on the opposing team for this year’s Final. Meanwhile El Overo Z7 UAE returned with 75 percent of their 2023 winning team, with 10 goaler Hope Arellano and leading British ladies, Milly Hine and Hazel Jackson.
The first two chukkas on Field 2 of the Campo Argentino de Polo in Palermo saw both teams fiercely battling to get ahead, but the scores
remained stubbornly tied at the end of the second chukka. However, El Overo Z7 UAE began to pull ahead in the third chukka with Candelaria Fernández Araujo and top scorer in the Final, Hazel Jackson combining together to secure a three goal lead, 4-1. La Dolfina finally managed to get another goal on the scoreboard in the fourth chukka, but were outscored by El Overo Z7 UAE who added two of their own, 6-2. However, the 2023 finalists La Dolfina, found their feet in the fifth chukka thanks to excellent penalty taking by Lía Salvo and the tenacity of Mía Cambiaso, later named Most Valuable Player, and the gap closed to 7 goals to 5.
“The game was incredible, with the eight best female polo players in the world on Palermo Field 2 – the stands were full so, the atmosphere was amazing”
Hazel Jackson
“I couldn’t ask for three better team mates. Not only are they such incredible people away from the field, but super talented players on the field”
Milly Hine
El Overo Z7 UAE continued to push ahead in the sixth and final chukka, outscoring their opponents 3 goals to 2 to secure the win 10-7 and defend their 2023 title for another year.
The win marked the fifth for Fernández Araujo (her other four victories with La Dolfina), the fourth win for Brits Hazel Jackson and Milly Hine and Hope Arellano’s second Women’s Argentine Open title. Hazel Jackson, the Final Top Scorer commented on her win, “The game was incredible, with the eight best female polo players in the world on Palermo Field 2 – the stands were full so, the atmosphere was amazing. La Dolfina were incredible, they were so well mounted as always, but we had a great team with a lot of faith in each other, a lot of discipline and luckily it was our day. I think we went into the Final knowing that whichever team played better on the day would win because it could have gone either way, but I feel like we did dominate in the end. Many thanks to HH Sheika Maitha, Lucas Monteverde and Jacinto Crotto for the organisation.”
Milly Hine, who scored 24 goals for El Overo Z7 UAE over the course of the tournament commented, “I am so happy and proud of our whole team to have been able to defend the title this year. We had a new member in Cande who played instead of Izzy Parsons this year, but she moulded really well and super quickly into the team.
We only had time to play a few practices before the tournament started, so we began a little bit behind the curve, but luckily every practice and every game we gelled super well together and managed to form more and more of a system each time. We really worked together as a team, which I think one of the most important things about the victory. To be part of a team that wants it for each and every one of the organisation rather than for themselves is a really crucial part of doing well. I think that result really shone through on Saturday.
Also, of course, I don’t want to miss out anyone, but a huge thank you to HH Sheikha Maitha, to Lucas Monteverde, to Jacinto Crotto, to the whole UAE organisation, to all the team that are behind my organisation in the horses, my parents who have always supported me and encouraged me and done everything they can to help me grow and improve as fast as possible, to Toia Urite, who’s my right hand lady, and of course, most importantly to my three team members.
In Hope, Cande and Hazel, I couldn’t ask for three better team mates. Not only are they such incredible people away from the field, but super talented players on the field and just work hard for the team and hard for each other. It’s an absolute pleasure to be part of that team”.
Tournament Top Scorer: Milly Hine (24 goals)
Final Top Scorer: Hazel Jackson goals
Fair Play Award:
AACCP
10teams up to 22 goals competed in the fifth edition of The Thai Pink Polo Cup which took place at Thai Polo Club Argentina in General Rodríguez; the tournament ran alongside 11th edition of The Thai Polo Cup which you can read more about in the Reports pages.
On Saturday 30 November, over 700 spectators descended upon the Club to watch the two Finals and also enjoy the food trucks, shops and Roda Polo classes. 90210 Polo Team and Indias Polo Team went head-to-head in the Final and 90210 Polo Team built upon their half goal handicap advantage in the first chukka; by half-time Indias Polo Team had bounced back to within just half a goal, 3½-3. Both sides produced goals in the third chukka which kept the scores stubbornly tight at 4½-4 and leaving the outcome down to the final seven minutes of play. 90210 Polo Team managed to score a goal to edge ahead whilst simultaneously holding their opponents goal less to secure the win, 5½-4.
At the awards presentation, Krit Tankanarat, Thailand’s ambassador to Argentina, presented a special award to Harald Link, Founder of Thai Polo Club, in recognition of his contribution to Argentina and the ties between Thailand and Argentina. Afterwards, Juan Martín Nero, 12 time winner of The Argentine Open, also presented Harald Link with a special Trenque Lauquen Polo Club shirt, in gratitude for all the contributions he has made to the Club over the years.
Where: Thai Polo Club Argentina, General Rodríguez
90210 Polo Team
Myla Cambiaso (0)
Sierra Dunbar (3)
Nina Clarkin (9)
Mia Cambiaso (8)
Izzy
On Tuesday 15 October, Aurora Polo beat 90210 Polo Team 14-10 in The XV La Aguada Ladies Cup at La Aguada Polo Club in Open Door, Argentina.
The tournament kicked off the 2024 Spring Season at the Novillo Astrada family Club and saw six ladies teams up to 30 goals take part in two leagues. The XV La Aguada Ladies Cup is the first stage of the ladies polo circuit, Ladies Grand Series, hosted by the Argentine Association of Polo (AAP).
Both finalists had already met in the qualifying stages of the tournament, 90210 Polo Team received four goals on handicap, but Aurora Polo managed to gain momentum and by half-time 90210 Polo were ahead 8 goals to 4. Aurora Polo bounced back in the fourth chukka and tied the scores at 9-9, with a significant contribution from Hope Arellano who was later named Most Valuable Player.
Hope went on to produce enough goals for Aurora Polo to take their first lead in the fifth chukka, 11-10 and went on to dominate the remainder of the match as they settled into their stride and claimed the title with a convincing 14-10 win.
The XV La Aguada Ladies Cup Final Teams: Aurora Polo (30): Izzy Brockett (2), Hazel Jackson (9), Hope Arellano (10) & Candelaria Fernández Araujo (9) 90210 Polo Team (26): Sarah Siegel-Magness (1), Cata Lavinia (8), Lia Salvo (9) & Mia Cambiaso (8)
The sixth edition of The Ladies Charity Cup was held on Saturday 26 October in partnership with the Al Jalila Foundation to support breast cancer awareness. AM-PBS triumphed over Orbis to claim the title with a narrow score of 5 goals to 4. Three teams (Pink Soldiers, Pink Warriors and Pink Fighters) competed in a round robin in the Subsidiary Final with Pink Fighters the winning team. As well as the polo, the afternoon included lots of activities including clinical breast consultations, market stalls, food vendors, children’s activities and pony rides.
The Ladies Charity Cup Final Teams: AM-PBS (4): Petra Spanko (0), Sandra Schneider (0), Sheikha Alya Al Maktoum (0) & Pali Urquiza (4) Orbis (4): Kim Roche (0), Karim Drif (-1), Sarkis Gabrelian (0) & Tommy Iriarte (4)
This year’s Guards Ladies Charity Polo Final raised an impressive £31,000 for Mary’s Meals – the equivalent to 310,000 meals for some of the world’s poorest children who will now receive a nutritious school meal at their place of education for an entire school year. The founder of the charity, Magnus MacFarlaneBarrow, attended the tournament final, talking to members about the charity’s work. He also presented the prizes to the tournament’s players, including the Lord Patrick Beresford Trophy to the winning team, TTR Sotheby’s. The Club raised this money through team entries, live and silent auction bidding, retail village donations, tombola and raffle fundraising plus some individual Member donations.
Over 16 – 25 January, polo history will be made at Port Mayaca Polo Club in Okeechobee, Florida when the inaugural USPA Women’s Gold Cup will be held. The 18 to 22 goal tournament will be played ahead of the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship.
Congratulations to Buena Vibra (Clara Cassino, Giuliana Tarazona, Azucena Uranga & Milly Hine), winners of the 4th edition of The Gold Cup at La Ensenada Polo Club on Thursday 14 November. They beat Uspolo ASSN/ La Fe Eastern Hay 13 goals to 12 in the Final to secure the title.
On Sunday 17 November, The U.S. Open Women’s Handicap was played at Houston Polo Club with QR Jets and Lugano vying for the title in the Final. QR Jets led 2-1 at half-time, with KC Krueger scoring twice to counter Lugano captain Dayelle Fargey’s goal. In the third chukka, Lugano’s Tiamo Hudspeth capitalised on QR Jets’ fouls, converting two penalties to take the lead. Erica GandomcarSachs responded, tying the game 3-3. The final chukka saw Hudspeth score again, putting Lugano ahead 4-3. QR Jets struggled to equalise, with Krueger missing a critical penalty in the last 20 seconds. Lugano held on for a hard-fought 4-3 victory and retained the title for the second consecutive year. Hudspeth was named Most Valuable Player and commented on her team’s win, “I think we were really fortunate to get to play together as a team. I love all of my teammates; on and off the field we’re really close. It just solidified we are a strong team, that we have good chemistry and we really support each other and work hard for each other. There’s nothing like playing with the people you love!”. Best Playing Pony was awarded to Bonnie, Malia Bryan’s mare played in the fourth chukka.
The U.S. Open Women’s Handicap Final Teams:
QR Jets (20): Lily Lequerica (4), KC Krueger (6), Erica Gandomcar-Sachs (5) & Malia Bryan (5) Lugano (20): Audry Persano (5), Tiamo Hudspeth (5), Dayelle Fargey (7) & Kendall Plank (3)
The first USPA endorsed Women’s Arena Open was played in 1991, but after three years it became dormant and it wasn’t until 2016 that the title was played for at Virginia Polo. This year’s competition saw six teams competing with 2022 and 2023 winners OC Poo reaching the Final where they faced Wild Dogs Polo seeking their first win. On Sunday 20 October at Orange County Polo Club in Silverado, California, OC Polo’s took an early lead with a 4-1 lead by the end of the first chukka. However Wild Dog Polo fought back in the second chukka with all three team mates adding to the scoreboard and secured a one goal lead going into half-time, 6-5. Tiamo Hudspeth explained her team’s trategy going into the Final, “We knew going into this game that Marissa [Wells] was going to be a beast out there and give it all she had. We knew we were going to have to be disciplined
about going to her and really staying with her if we found ourselves next to her, and then allowing the other two to handle the ball. Whoever found themselves with Marissa was supposed to stay with Marissa and allow the other two to work with the ball.”
Wells kicked off the third chukka with an equalising goal, but Wild Dog Polo followed their game plan and were soon back on the attack. Kasey Morris ended the chukka with a goal to narrow the deficit to just two goals going into the final chukka, 9-7. The fourth chukka saw both teams turn up the heat, but in the end Wild Dogs Polo’s earlier two goal lead proved vital and they secured their first USPA Women’s Arena Open title with a score of 12 goals to 10.
Having scored seven goals in the Final Stephanie Colburn was named Most Valuable Player and commented on their team
dynamic as crucial to their success, “This is a huge accomplishment. We’ve been working so hard. This is a team that we put together and have all made sacrifices to make this happen and work well together. Tiamo and I have been playing together and against each other for years, and first time playing together in the arena, we’re really excited.”
OC Polo’s Mila Slutzky received the Sportsmanship Award and Best Playing Pony was chosen as Stevens, a six-year-old mare owned by Colburn after being recently purchased from her team mate Hudspeth.
The USPA Women’s Arena Open Final Teams: Wild Dog Polo (14): Jade Hiltbrand (3), Stephanie Colburn (5) & Tiamo Hudspeth (6) OC Polo (15): Kasey Morris (3), Mila Slutzky (3) & Marissa Wells (9)
CLUB PHONE EMAIL
All Ireland Polo Club 00353 01 6896732 dstone@indigo.ie
All England Polo Club Hickstead* 01273 834 315 polo@hickstead.co.uk
polo@hickstead.co.uk
Apsley End Polo Club* 01462 712444 tobiana.scott@gmail.com
tobiana.scott@gmail.com
Ash Farm Polo Club* 07799 812739 ashfarmpolo@hotmail.com
ashfarmpolo@hotmail.com
Barfold Polo Club 07778 808853 mborwick@gmail.com
Bawtry
mborwick@gmail.com Bawtry
info@bawtrypoloclub.co.uk
info@bawtrypoloclub.co.uk
CLUB
PHONE EMAIL
PHONE EMAIL
Home Farm Polo Grounds 07807672120 rachaelkearnet@hotmail.co.uk
Home Farm Polo Grounds 07807672120 rachaelkearnet@hotmail.co.uk
Hurtwood Polo Club 01483 272828 polo@hurtwoodparkpolo.co.uk
Hurtwood Polo Club 01483 272828 polo@hurtwoodparkpolo.co.uk
Kirtlington Park Polo Club 01869 350138 info@kirtlingtonparkpolo.co.uk
Kirtlington Park Polo Club 01869 350138 info@kirtlingtonparkpolo.co.uk
Knepp Castle Polo Club 07920 023639 info@aspectpolo.co.uk
Knepp Castle Polo Club 07920 023639 info@aspectpolo.co.uk
Leadenham Polo Club 07429 299026 office@leadenhampoloclub.com
Leadenham Polo Club 07429 299026 office@leadenhampoloclub.com
Longdole Polo Club* 01452 864544 info@longdolepolo.com
Longdole Polo Club* 01452 864544 info@longdolepolo.com
shop@moorfarmshop.co.uk
enquiries@beaufortpoloclub.co.uk
enquiries@beaufortpoloclub.co.uk Beverley Polo
01964 544877 info@beverleypoloclub.co.uk
info@beverleypoloclub.co.uk
Binfield Heath 01491 411969 bhpcmanager@gmail.com
Heath 01491 411969 bhpcmanager@gmail.com
Blueys Polo Club* 07930 323263 polomanager@blueyspolo.co.uk
Bramham Polo Academy 07811 993316 emmadvh@btinternet.com
Bramham Polo Academy 07811 993316 emmadvh@btinternet.com
Bunclody Polo Club 00353 87 6605917 info@poloclubbunclody.com
Moor Farm Polo Club 07494 114190 shop@moorfarmshop.co.uk
Moor Hall Farm Polo Club* 01279 450637 alecbeve@btinternet.com
Moor Hall Farm Polo Club* 01279 450637 alecbeve@btinternet.com
New Forest Polo Club 07977 224404 annabelparryjoyner@yahoo.co.uk
Forest Polo Club 07977 224404 annabelparryjoyner@yahoo.co.uk
Norfolk Polo Club 01508 480400 office@norfolkpolo.co.uk
Blueys Polo Club* 07930 323263 polomanager@blueyspolo.co.uk
Bunclody Polo Club 00353 87 6605917 info@poloclubbunclody.com
Burningfold Polo Club 01483 200722 derrek@burningfold.com
Burningfold Polo Club 01483 200722 derrek@burningfold.com
Cambridge Polo Club* 07711 217004 cambridgepoloclub@icloud.com
Cambridge Polo Club* 07711 217004 cambridgepoloclub@icloud.com
Cambridge County Polo Club* 01223 812922 info@cambridgecountypoloclub.co.uk
Cambridge County Polo Club* 01223 812922 info@cambridgecountypoloclub.co.uk
Carlton House 07901 561113 harrietservaes@hotmail.com
Carlton House 07901 561113 harrietservaes@hotmail.com
Chester Racecourse Polo Club 01244 304602 amorris@chester-races.com
Chester Racecourse Polo Club 01244 304602 amorris@chester-races.com
Cheshire Polo Club 01948 861020 info@cheshirepoloclub.co.uk
Cheshire Polo Club 01948 861020 info@cheshirepoloclub.co.uk
Chiltern Polo Club 07973 174542 info@chilternpoloclub.com
Chiltern Polo Club 07973 174542 info@chilternpoloclub.com
Cirencester Park Polo Club 01285 653225 info@cirencesterpolo.co.uk
Cirencester Park Polo Club 01285 653225 info@cirencesterpolo.co.uk
Cowdray Polo Club 01730 813257 enquiries@cowdraypolo.co.uk
Curraghmore Polo Club 00353 51 387102 mkennedy@cssgroup.ie
Cowdray Polo Club 01730 813257 enquiries@cowdraypolo.co.uk
Curraghmore Polo Club 00353 51 387102 mkennedy@cssgroup.ie
Dallas Burston Polo Club* 01926 811 111 enquiries@ixlevents.com
Dorset Polo Club 01202 623985 office@dorsetpolo.co.uk
Dallas Burston Polo Club* 01926 811 111 enquiries@ixlevents.com
Dorset Polo Club 01202 623985 office@dorsetpolo.co.uk
Northern Ireland Polo Club 07803 020577 info@northernirelandpoloclub.co.uk
Norfolk Polo Club 01508 480400 office@norfolkpolo.co.uk Northern Ireland Polo Club 07803 020577 info@northernirelandpoloclub.co.uk
Offchurch Bury Polo Club* 07816 830887 info@offchurchburypoloclub.co.uk
Offchurch Bury Polo Club* 07816 830887 info@offchurchburypoloclub.co.uk
Pangbourne Polo Club 07708 906810 aprice@polofix.com
Pangbourne Polo Club 07708 906810 aprice@polofix.com
Peover Polo Club 07766 016 833 polomanager@peoverpoloclub.co.uk
Peover Polo Club 07766 016 833 polomanager@peoverpoloclub.co.uk
Polo Wicklow* 00353 404 67164 siobhan@polowicklow.com
Polo Wicklow* 00353 404 67164 siobhan@polowicklow.com
RAF Cranwell 07739 569491 rafcranwellpoloclub@yahoo.co.uk
RAF Cranwell 07739 569491 rafcranwellpoloclub@yahoo.co.uk
Ranelagh Polo Club* 01344 885697 ranelagh@labravapolo.com
Ranelagh Polo Club* 01344 885697 ranelagh@labravapolo.com
RCBPC* 01344 890060 polo@rcbpc.com
RCBPC* 01344 890060 polo@rcbpc.com
RMAS Polo Club 07973 174542 rmas-nc-aci-projinters@mod.uk
RMAS Polo Club 07973 174542 rmas-nc-aci-projinters@mod.uk
Rugby Polo Club* 01788 817724 info@rugbypoloclub.com
Rugby Polo Club* 01788 817724 info@rugbypoloclub.com
Rutland Polo Club 07772 040668 secretary@rutlandpoloclub.co.uk
Rutland Polo Club 07772 040668 secretary@rutlandpoloclub.co.uk
Silver Leys Polo Club 07730 060200 silverleyspoloclub@gmail.com
Silver Leys Polo Club 07730 060200 silverleyspoloclub@gmail.com
St. Albans Polo Club 07956 017090 info@stalbanspoloclub.co.uk
Recognised for her decisive performance, Bryan was named Most Valuable Player. Her 12-year-old Thoroughbred mare, Tiare, who excelled in the critical fourth chukka, received Best Playing Pony honours.
St. Albans Polo Club 07956 017090 info@stalbanspoloclub.co.uk
Stewarton Polo Club 07974 706045 info@stewartonpolo.co.uk
Stewarton Polo Club 07974 706045 info@stewartonpolo.co.uk
Suffolk Polo Club 07990 576974 aes3@cam.ac.uk
Druids Lodge Polo Club* 01722 782597 abi@druidspolo.co.uk
Druids Lodge Polo Club* 01722 782597 abi@druidspolo.co.uk
from Jenna Davis and Kylie Sheehan. LBL’s Sophie Grant responded from the penalty line, converting two penalties to tie the match 2–2. A Penalty 2 from Cecelia Cochran restored Mint Eco’s lead, but a long-distance goal by LBL’s Maddie Grant levelled the score 3-3 at half-time.
Dundee and Perth Polo Club* 07831 365 194 jamesscrawford@aol.com
Dundee and Perth Polo Club* 07831 365 194 jamesscrawford@aol.com
Eastwood Polo Club 07875 743475 frankums@googlemail.com
Eastwood Polo Club 07875 743475 frankums@googlemail.com
Edgeworth Polo Club 01285 821695 edgeworthpolo@gmail.com
Edgeworth Polo Club 01285 821695 edgeworthpolo@gmail.com
Edinburgh Polo Club* 07971 072336 james.dgls@gmail.com
Edinburgh Polo Club* 07971 072336 james.dgls@gmail.com
Special occasion polo cards for birthdays, anniversaries, get well soon, weddings, & baby congratulations; from £2.99 plus p&p
Suffolk Polo Club 07990 576974 aes3@cam.ac.uk
Sussex Polo Club* 01342 714920 info@sussexpolo.co.uk
Emsworth Polo Grounds* 01344 883112 info@fourquarterspolo.co.uk
Special occasion polo cards for birthdays, anniversaries, get well soon, weddings, & baby congratulations; from £2.99 plus p&p
Emsworth Polo Grounds* 01344 883112 info@fourquarterspolo.co.uk
Epsom Polo Club* 07961 232106 epsompoloclub@hotmail.com
Epsom Polo Club* 07961 232106 epsompoloclub@hotmail.com
FHM Polo Club* 07778 436468 frances@fhmpolo.co.uk
FHM Polo Club* 07778 436468 frances@fhmpolo.co.uk
The Women’s East Coast Open was established in 2019 but 2024 was the first year it received national status and five teams competed in the 14-18 goal tournament. On Sunday 20 October Mint Eco Car Wash and LBL faced each other in the Final at New Bridge Polo & Country Club in Aiken, South Carolina; both teams had met earlier in the tournament with Mint Eco Car Wash narrowly winning, so there was all to play for when the two sides met again the Final which went right down to the wire.
Sussex Polo Club* 01342 714920 info@sussexpolo.co.uk
Taunton Vale Polo Club 01823 480460 nhs.wheelers@gmail.com
The Women’s East Coast Open Final Teams:
Taunton Vale Polo Club 01823 480460 nhs.wheelers@gmail.com
Tidworth Polo Club* 01980 846705 info@tidworthpolo.com
Tidworth Polo Club* 01980 846705 info@tidworthpolo.com
Toulston Polo Club 07776 234638 info@toulstonpoloclub.com
Toulston Polo Club 07776 234638 info@toulstonpoloclub.com
Triskelion Polo Club* 07624 272547 polo@triskelionpolo.club
Triskelion Polo Club* 07624 272547 polo@triskelionpolo.club
Vale of York Polo Club* 07788 426968 info@valeofyorkpoloclub.co.uk
Vale of York Polo Club* 07788 426968 info@valeofyorkpoloclub.co.uk
Mint Eco Car Wash (18): Jenna Davis (4), Cecelia Cochran (4), Kylie Sheehan (5) & Malia Bryan (5)
Vaux Park Park Polo Club* 07703 524613 vppc@btconnect.com
Vaux Park Park Polo Club* 07703 524613 vppc@btconnect.com
Fifield Polo Club* 01628 620061 fifieldpoloclub@live.co.uk
Fifield Polo Club* 01628 620061 fifieldpoloclub@live.co.uk
Great Trippetts Polo Club 01428 741916 charles@trippetts.com
Great Trippetts Polo Club 01428 741916 charles@trippetts.com
Guards Polo Club* 01784 434212 polo@guardspoloclub.com
Mint Eco Car Wash wasted no time and established an early 2-0 lead with field goals
Guards Polo Club* 01784 434212 polo@guardspoloclub.com
In the third chukka, the teams exchanged penalty goals, entering the fourth chukka tied at 4-4. Breaking through in the final chukka, Malia Bryan scored twice from the field to reclaim Mint Eco’s lead. Despite Sophie Grant’s fourth penalty conversion, Mint Eco held firm to secure a 6-5 victory.
Ham Polo Club 020 8334 0000 office@hampoloclub.com
Ham Polo Club 020 8334 0000 office@hampoloclub.com
Hertfordshire Polo Club* 01707 256023 polo@hertspolo.co.uk
Hertfordshire Polo Club* 01707 256023 polo@hertspolo.co.uk
Visit www.Katesart.com or txt/tel 07887 678421 or email: enquiries@Katesart.com image copyright protected by Katesart.com 2007
Visit www.Katesart.com or txt/tel 07887 678421 or email: enquiries@Katesart.com image copyright protected by Katesart.com 2007
West Wycombe Park Polo Club* 07787 560729 secretary@westwycombepolo.co.uk
Westcroft Park Polo Club* 01276 858545 info@westcroftparkpolo.co.uk
Westcroft Park Polo Club* 01276 858545 info@westcroftparkpolo.co.uk
White Rose Polo Club* 01430 875767 info@whiterosepolo.co.uk
LBL (18): Alison Patricelli (2), Summer Kneece (5), Sophie Grant (5) & Maddie Grant (6)
West Wycombe Park Polo Club* 07787 560729 secretary@westwycombepolo.co.uk
White Rose Polo Club* 01430 875767 info@whiterosepolo.co.uk
White Waltham Polo Club 07748 670587 kim@playpolo.co.uk
White Waltham Polo Club 07748 670587 kim@playpolo.co.uk
* Also open for arena polo in the UK winter
* Also open for arena polo in the UK winter
Tedworth Park Polo Club hosted their first Military Tournament of the 2024/25 Arena Season on Sunday 3 November with The Winchester Cup. The Royal Signals started off well with eight goals to the Royal Logistic Corps’ two in the first chukka, but they were held goal less through the remaining three chukkas whilst Royal Logistic Corps pulled ahead to secure the win 13-8. The Club expressed their thanks to the teams for entering and also to Druids Lodge Polo Club for their support with the pony hire.
The Winchester Trophy Final Teams:
The Royal Logistic Corps (1): Capt Nikki Hemsworth (0), Maj Nigel Prescott (0) & Lt Col Lucy Anderson MBE (1) The Royal Signals (-2): Lt Imi Stilwell (-1), Cpl Elly Robb (-1) & LCpl Felicity Townend/Helen Greddington (0)
The Rundle Cup Day at Tedworth Park Polo Club is always a highlight of the Military Polo calendar, with over 5,000 spectators descending upon the Club for a day filled with polo, trade stands, military bands and displays. The date for the 2025 Rundle Cup Polo Day has been confirmed as Saturday 12 July.
Height: 15.2hh
Age: 16-years-old
Colour: Chestnut
Sex: Mare
Owned and played by: Owned by Grassfields Polo and played by Nic Roldan Tournament: The 1st Arena Singureni Manor Polo Cup at Singureni Manor, Romania
Where is she from/breeding? She comes from Argentina, but doesn’t have any particularly notable breeding.
How long have you had her? I have had Traviesa for five years now.
What are her strengths? She is really agile, very easy to play and also superbly handy which was a real strength for her in the arena at Singureni Manor.
How has she gone this season? She has gone really well, although she is not the fastest mare she has a lot of heart which more than makes up for it.
Has she won any other Best Playing Pony Awards? No, this is her first Best Playing Pony Awards.
Describe her in three words? Constant, generous, lovely.
What are your plans for her in the future? I might retire her at the end of 2024 and create embryos. I already have three of her sons playing and they are all doing pretty well, so I think embryos could be an exciting move.
Dr.med. Andreas Krüger is a Swiss board orthopaedic and trauma surgeon in Zurich, who specialises in knee and shoulder surgery. Andi is a second generation of tournament doctors for equine sports, known as Polodoc since 2013
The fast-paced action in polo combined with the constant need for precise stick handling is a massive stress for the upper extremity. However, for many players of any level, the physical demands of the game often manifest as soreness or pain in the hands, arms, and shoulders. Understanding the causes and solutions for these issues is vital for maintaining performance and enjoying the sport to its fullest.
The repetitive swinging motion in polo places considerable stress on the upper extremities. Holding and manoeuvering the mallet requires strength and coordination, while the dynamic nature of the sport demands rapid, often forceful movements. Improper swing mechanics, overuse, or inadequate equipment can lead to problems such as tendonitis ligament injury or shoulder impingements.
These injuries can impact not only a player’s game but also their overall quality of life. It is crucial to address these issues holistically, considering factors such as technique, equipment, on-field therapy, and conditioning off the field.
At the heart of injury prevention lies proper technique. The way a mallet is swung directly influences the amount of strain placed on the joints and muscles. A stiff or forced swing can lead to overcompensation in the shoulder, elbow, or wrist, creating a cascade of physical issues. This is why working with a qualified polo trainer is essential to smoothen and perfect the swing. An experienced coach can analyse your movements, refine your swing mechanics, and provide personalised feedback. Proper posture, grip, and follow-through can significantly reduce the stress placed on the upper extremities. A trainer can also emphasise warm-up exercises that prepare the body for the game’s demands. Stretching routines focusing on the shoulders, forearms, and wrists can improve flexibility and reduce the likelihood of strains.
Not only does this improve performance, but it also minimises the risk of injury.
The mallet is an extension of the player’s arm, and its design can either alleviate or exacerbate physical strain. A poorly balanced mallet or one that is too heavy can lead to unnecessary fatigue and produce
discomfort while playing. Choosing a mallet that suits your strength, grip, and playing style is crucial. Players should also consider the grip material and thickness. A wellfitted grip prevents excessive squeezing, which can lead to forearm and hand fatigue. Additionally, the use of gloves is highly recommended. High-quality gloves provide better grip, reduce slippage, and offer cushioning, all of which help minimise stress on the hands. They also protect against blisters and abrasions, ensuring greater comfort during prolonged play.
Experimenting with different mallet configurations and grip designs under the guidance of a trainer or equipment specialist can help find the perfect fit.
When acute pain is present during the game, players can benefit from immediate interventions such as cryogun or massage gun treatment for inflammation or compression wraps for mild strains. These simple measures can help control acute discomfort and allow players to recover faster. Off the field, more structured therapy options come into play. Physiotherapy is an excellent choice for addressing repetitive strain injuries. Strengthening exercises tailored to the shoulder girdle, forearms, and grip can build resilience and stability. Techniques such as massage therapy or dry needling can also relieve muscle tension and improve recovery. Beyond professional therapy, incorporating daily stretching and mobility exercises into your routine is highly beneficial. Rider movement trainings or exercises from Polo Times co-contributor India Parker-Smith offer examples of excellent workouts to improve flexibility, posture, and core stability. All of these movement pattern exercises contribute to better swing mechanics and reduced strain. Physical therapy plays a pivotal role in addressing and preventing soreness in polo players.
Strengthening exercises focusing on the rotator cuff, forearms and grip, enhance endurance and reduce the risk of injury. Core stability exercises are particularly important, as they provide a strong foundation for dynamic movements on horseback.
Designed by a leading orthopedic hand specialist, Bionic technology is totally unique in the marketplace. There is nothing like it. The difference is found in the design based on the anatomy of the hand and the science of ergonomics.
Medical Treatment for Persistent Issues
Despite the best preventative measures, some injuries may still occur. Persistent pain or limited mobility should never be ignored. Consulting a medical professional early can prevent minor issues from becoming chronic problems. Treatment options range from physiotherapy to more advanced interventions, such as injections with regenerative therapies like platelet-rich plasma (PRP/Exosomes). These treatments
1. What is the optimal size and weight of a polo mallet?
A mallet with good consistency and resistance for the average player should weigh between 500 and 525 grams, of which the cane is three fifths of the weight and the head is two fifths. Mallet length typically ranges from 50 to 53 inches (127 to 134 cm) and the length depends on the size of the horse the player is riding. Mallets should be lighter for kids or women players.
2. What materials are used? Manau cane has been used for over 2,000 years and is still used by the majority of polo players in the world today. The heads are typically made of Argentine Tipa wood.
3. What may be the future/evolution of the mallet?
Although there are composite options for canes, these have not caught on due to their inability to absorb vibration.
4. How can a custom-made stick with a personalised grip be useful to optimise hit performance?
The grip size should be adapted to the player’s hand. Additionally, it can be customised with a rugged rubber strip to adjust the thickness of the grip, providing greater comfort and control in handling the mallet. A grip that fits the size and shape of the hand is crucial for preventing unnecessary strain and improving the execution of shots.
5. What can help to alleviate arm, wrist, and hand problems? The equipment you use in polo –especially the mallet and gloves – can
can address inflammation and promote healing, helping players return to the game more quickly. However, they should always be combined with a focus on correcting the underlying causes, such as technique or equipment issues.
Sore hands, arms, and shoulders are common challenges in polo, but they do not have to be an inevitable part of the game. By focusing on proper technique, working closely with a trainer, customising equipment – including mallets and gloves –and incorporating therapy both on and off the field, players can significantly reduce their risk of injury.
truly make or break your ability to perform without pain or injury. The mallet will suit each player differently, depending on their level of play. The length depends on the size of the horse the player is riding. The grip size is critical; it should be light, not tight. It needs to be a perfect fit so that you can hold it with a relaxed hand during the game. When used correctly, the sling will keep the mallet in position by securing it, allowing the player to let go of the grip and let the mallet lean against the hand. This helps save strength in the hand, wrist, and arm for when it’s needed – such as when striking the ball or executing a hook.
The gloves are also crucial for protecting the hands and wrists. The right pair of polo gloves offer support, reduce strain, and minimise the risk of abrasions or blisters that can develop during long games. They provide padding that helps absorb the impact and assist in maintaining a secure, comfortable grip on the mallet, preventing excessive tension, and improving overall control. I see many patrons suffer from tennis elbow because of this constant pressure.
Only when you’re preparing to strike the ball should you tighten your grip. This avoids unnecessary tension in your forearm and wrist, helping to prevent issues like tennis elbow and shoulder strain. Similarly, the weight of the mallet’s head must be just right. Too heavy or too light, it can throw off your swing, leading to fatigue and discomfort. A well-fitting grip, the proper weight, and quality gloves allow for a smoother, more controlled game with less risk of injury.
Prevention is always better than cure, and a proactive approach ensures that players can enjoy the sport they love with minimal discomfort and maximum performance. Polo is not just a sport; it’s a passion, and taking care of your body ensures that you can continue to ride, swing, and thrive on the field for years to come.
For more information on Polodoc contact Andreas Krüger at drmedkrueger@gmail.com or www.polodoc.ch
Understanding what it takes to overcome fear and self-doubt has been at the root of Paul ‘Stalkie’ Stalker’s personal transformation. He has proven experience of working with Polo Teams, Patrons and individual players for the past 3 years achieving outstanding results. With individual clients, Stalkie’s aim is to untap, nurture and focus their passion and potential on becoming the best versions of themselves in all aspects of their lives, whatever their starting point
Polo is not just a game of skill and strategy; it’s also a profound exercise in team dynamics and psychology. The interplay between individual players can significantly impact performance, and understanding the mental aspect of these relationships is crucial. So how does mindset affect teamwork in polo and offer insights into fostering a cohesive unit that excels on the field?
The Importance of Team Dynamics
In polo, players must not only master their horses and mallets but also develop a profound understanding of their teammates. The sport requires synchronised movements, strategic positioning, and a shared vision. Effective team dynamics can often be the difference between winning and losing. A cohesive team that understands each other’s
strengths and weaknesses can execute plays that may seem impossible to an outsider.
Communication: The Cornerstone of Teamwork
Effective communication is essential in any team sport, but in polo it takes on an unique form. Players must be able to convey their intentions quickly and clearly, often in the heat of the moment. Non-verbal communication, such as body language and positioning, plays a critical role.
1. Verbal signals: Establishing clear verbal signals for plays or formations can streamline communication. Teams can develop a lexicon that includes specific terms for manoeuvres, ensuring that every player is on the same page.
2. Non-verbal cues: Understanding body language is equally important. A subtle shift in a player’s posture or a glance can signal intentions or strategies. Training sessions should focus on recognising and interpreting these cues to enhance synergy.
3. Regular check-ins: Incorporating regular team meetings to discuss strategies, feelings, and concerns can build trust. Players who feel heard are more likely to express themselves during matches, leading to better performance.
Trust: The Foundation of Collaboration
Trust among teammates is vital in building effective dynamics. In polo, where players rely heavily on one another during fastpaced situations, a lack of trust can lead to hesitation and mistakes. Building trust involves several key components:
1. Consistency: Players must consistently demonstrate reliability in their performance and behaviour. When teammates know they can count on each other, confidence flourishes.
2. Vulnerability: Encouraging players to share their weaknesses and fears fosters a supportive environment. This openness can strengthen bonds and create a culture where team members help each other improve.
3. Celebrating successes:
Acknowledging both individual and team achievements boosts morale and reinforces trust. Celebrating even small victories creates a positive atmosphere and encourages continued effort.
The collective mindset of a polo team can significantly influence its dynamics. A growthoriented mindset fosters resilience and a willingness to learn, while a fixed mindset can stifle development and lead to frustration.
1. Cultivating a Growth Mindset: Coaches and leaders should promote
a culture where mistakes are viewed as opportunities for learning rather than failures. This perspective encourages players to take risks and push their limits.
2. Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation: Understanding what motivates each player can enhance team dynamics. While some may thrive on external rewards, others may be driven by personal goals or the love of the game. Tailoring motivational strategies to individual players can enhance overall team cohesion.
3. Visualisation and Mental Rehearsal: Encouraging players to visualise successful plays and outcomes can enhance their confidence and preparedness. Mental rehearsal can improve not just individual performance but also how players interact with one another during a match.
Disagreements are inevitable in any team environment. How conflicts are handled can significantly affect team dynamics.
1. Open Dialogue: Creating an environment where players feel safe to express their concerns is essential. Conflict should be addressed constructively, focusing on solutions rather than blame.
2. Mediation: Sometimes, a neutral party, such as a coach, may be needed to facilitate discussions and ensure all voices are heard. This can prevent misunderstandings from escalating.
3. Learning from Conflict: Viewing conflicts as learning opportunities can strengthen the team. After resolving issues, teams should reflect on what led to the disagreement and how similar situations can be handled in the future.
Strong leadership is critical in shaping team dynamics. Coaches and team captains set the tone for the group’s mindset and behaviour.
1. Leading by Example: Leaders must exemplify the values and behaviours they wish to instil in their team. Their attitude, work ethic, and communication style will influence the entire group.
2. Empowerment: Good leaders empower players to take ownership of their roles. Allowing players to make decisions during matches fosters a sense of responsibility and investment in the team’s success.
3. Feedback and Development: Providing constructive feedback is essential for growth. Leaders should focus on both positive reinforcement and areas for improvement, fostering an environment where players feel supported.
The Psychological Impact of Team Success and Failure
The mental state of a team can fluctuate dramatically based on success or failure. Understanding this psychology is key to maintaining a positive dynamic.
1. Handling Victory: Celebrating victories is essential, but it’s equally important to remain humble and focused on continuous improvement. Teams that become complacent after a win may struggle in future matches.
2. Resilience in Defeat: A team that can bounce back from losses is often more successful in the long run. Developing a resilient mindset involves analysing what went wrong, learning from mistakes, and setting new goals.
3. Mental Health Awareness:
Recognising the pressures of competition and addressing mental health issues within the team is crucial. Creating a supportive environment where players can discuss their mental well-being fosters a healthier team dynamic. The psychology of team dynamics in polo is a complex interplay of communication, trust, mindset, conflict resolution, and leadership. By focusing on these elements, teams can cultivate a winning mindset that enhances performance on the field. Understanding and nurturing these psychological aspects will not only lead to better results but also create a positive and supportive environment for all players involved. As the sport continues to evolve, embracing the mental side of teamwork will be essential for those aiming to reach the pinnacle of polo excellence.
Want to know more about how RAISE Polo can help with your polo play? Email dawn@rygp.co.uk
India Parker-Smith is the founder and owner of IPS Equestrian Performance which provides the leading training and movement methodology designed for the equestrian athlete to enhance suppleness, stability and strength in the saddle. India is a Personal Trainer who offers online and offline fitness training designed to elevate the well-being of the equestrian athlete. Using her knowledge of seven years she has created a series of masterclasses, a virtual membership hub and online training programmes all designed to complement the equestrian’s health and wellness both in and out of the saddle. You will find more information on India’s services on her website www.indiaparkersmith.com and Instagram page @ips_equestrian_performance
If your New Year’s resolution is to feel better in your body, improve your polo swing or reduce your risk of injury then it’s time to kickstart your rider fitness now! Throw out the last of your mince pies and let’s go!
If you are tired of waking up with the same aches and pains, reoccurring back issues and want to get the best out of your ponies then it’s time to address your rider fitness.
1. Set your goals and intentions for the upcoming months and seasons
Some of you may overlook this one but I believe this is the most important bullet point of them all. If you don’t take time to set micro goals and long-term goals then you can’t put a process in place to achieve them. Revisiting them each month gives you clarity on your focus and intentions and keeps motivation levels high. Keeping yourself accountable and responsible for your actions maintains self-discipline and you are more likely to achieve those goals and see a difference in your life and polo. I like to break my goals down in to:
Fitness
Performance
Nutrition
Career
Self-Development
From here, I then create monthly goals and take time to reflect on them regularly. Polo is a constantly evolving sport and each season is completely different from the last, so sometimes I find myself adapting the micro goals.
2.Eat correctly for energy and recovery
This is a huge topic, so I am going to keep it simple. Start by downloading a macro tracking app – I use My Net Diary. Using this tool will guide you into a balanced nutrition plan and may highlight if you are undereating or overeating. From here write out a skeleton meal plan each week and order your weekly shop on a Sunday evening. Stick to simple and easy-to-make meals so the thought of cooking doesn’t seem so daunting. Nutrient dense meals such as salmon, quinoa and veggies are a go-to meal for me, as is tuna mayo with baked potato and a side salad. Casserole dishes can be put in a slow cooker and left all day; leftovers are also a good
option. Eating for recovery should include a combination of lean proteins, healthy fats such as avocado and nuts, a rainbow of vegetables and low GI carbohydrates like sweet potato. If you’re on the go, then finding a protein bar that doesn’t cause any gut issues is also a helpful choice.
3. Exercise correctly for your body type and individual goals
One size does not fit all in the world of fitness; listen to your body and be aware of any weaknesses in your biomechanics. For instance, everyone needs a slightly different squat technique dependent upon the way their body naturally moves i.e. the hip capsule. I always put any new client through a series of movements and tests so I can see how their body moves, from here I can identify tight areas, weak areas and over-worked areas. If you’re starting any new workout regime spend time mobilising, then stabilising then strengthening – in that order. My online programmes (which anyone can access via my App) are created so that anyone can adapt the workouts to suit their bodies.
4. Mobilise correctly for your individual injuries and tight areas
Following on from the last point – I recommend mobilising your whole body and then spend more time targeting the tighter areas. Mobility isn’t just holding a stretch
for 20 seconds; it involves loading the joints through different angles with an external resistance stimulus such as a band or light weight. This helps to strengthen the body in lengthened positions such as a Jefferson Curl – this involves stretching the hamstrings using a weight.
I encourage riders to curate and complete a 15 minute mobility routine that can be performed when they wake up, just before they ride and before any form of exercise. This improves blood flow to the muscles reducing the risk of injury and preparing not only the body but the mind for action.
5. Take time to rest and recover for optimal performance
Something we all seem to forget (myself included) is to rest!
During a busy polo season many riders are playing multiple times a week.
Plus potential hours of travel time to and from games, skipping meals, not hydrating throughout the day, early mornings and late nights, greasy takeaways…
• Begin by delegating certain times of the day to rest
• Prioritise sleep as much as you can
• Deep breathing is a great strategy for calming the nervous system and requires 10 minutes of your time
• Lying on your back with your legs in the air also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system.
• Organise your meals and use leftovers to take to game days to ensure you are refuelling and not letting your blood sugar levels get too low.
• Keep electrolytes in your car or polo bag and sip on them throughout the day regardless of whether you are playing or not! We cannot reach optimal hydration without some form of electrolyte in the water.
India has also designed an array of 6-8 week polo-fitness programs that riders can access via her App and complete each week. Suitable for all levels and fitness abilities, each workout can be tailored to the individual and has been designed to improve your polo fitness. Check out more info at indiaparkersmith.com.
Lorna Edgar – specialist equine nutritionist
I often feel that feeding is made overcomplicated, seeing feed rooms which are full of supplements and products that can contradict each other, with ‘a bit of this’ and ‘a bit of that’ mixed together to ‘cook’ up a meal fit for human taste buds! Said feed room is not always clean, and feed bowls haven’t been scrubbed since the beginning of the season, so I thought a bit of a re-visit to keeping feeding and feed rooms simple, to enhance general nutrition, might be of benefit. Keeping things simple and following the basic rules of feeding which most of us will be familiar with from Pony Club days, will ensure that our equine athletes are receiving the very best diet that is balanced to support the workload being asked of them.
• Keep it clean – sweep up every day to deter vermin, they carry diseases that affect horses.
• Keep it dry – if the feed gets damp it will damage it, mouldy feed cannot be fed.
• Using secure storage bins – again to keep vermin out, keeping the feed in a dark dry place is ideal.
• If your feed room is small, don’t over order from your supplier – negotiate small frequent deliveries instead.
• Get scrubbing – a pet hate of mine is dirty feed bowls, scoops, measuring mugs etc. They must be kept clean to ensure what we are serving the feed in or
from is CLEAN – bacteria and mould will not enhance your horse’s performance, nor will it help fussy individuals eat up!
• Medication must be stored away to avoid cross contamination – although not such an issue in polo for dope testing etc, but it is still good practice.
• Supplements need to be kept dry; keep the lids on correctly and binning them if out of date.
• Finally – the wheelbarrow! I totally understand the ease of using a wheelbarrow to take the feed to the stables rather than making up feeds in the feed room, but I often see wheelbarrows left uncovered when full of feed – birds will be defecating in it, as will vermin. Lock it away and cover it up!
• Use a Feed Board – whilst not quite related to a clean or hygienic feed room, it is great for organisation, recording feed changes and if for any reason the ‘designated feeder’ is not there, anyone can pick up the scoops and know what is going on!
As with every human, every horse is different and should be fed according to their individual needs rather than using one feed to suit all – something I call ‘blanket feeding’. The majority of yards in polo will have a base feed and then you introduce other feeds to account for individual needs and requirements, thus enhancing performance and health.
Factors that must be considered:
• Workload
• Body fat/condition/muscle
• Temperament
• Quality of forage
• Clincial issues – tying up, gastric ulcers, laminitis, EMS – these horses cannot and must not be fed the same as the majority that are fed, a mix and oats for example, as their health and performance will definitely be hindered.
Something you are all familiar with me talking about! Allowing the horse to trickle feed, as they have evolved to be, is perfect for their digestive tract and their psyche too as they are not designed to be ‘meal eaters’ like us!
Remember:
• In relation to their size horses have a small stomach – a rugby ball size for the average 15hh horse’s stomach
• The stomach does not stretch, unlike ours!
• The stomach works most effectively when ¾ full
• Do not feed more than 1½ round bowl Stubbs scoops per feed – including mix, cubes, chaff and beet
• Feeding three or four times per day is ideal where you are trying to put condition on an individual
• When the stomach is over filled, it does not stretch, so the feed is pushed through the small intestine too quickly, reducing time for effective absorption of the feed and increasing the risk of concentrate feed reaching the hind gut –increasing the risk of colic and digestive upsets.
• Overfeeding is also wasting your money!
• Don’t forget – less is more!
We don’t pay enough attention to this, especially at the beginning or end of the season. Making changes to the diet gradually, over 10 to 14 days, is what we recommend. This allows the specialised gut flora in the hind gut time to adapt to changes in the diet as sudden changes in concentrate feed or forage (hay, haylage and grass) can cause disturbances of the hindgut bacteria/microbes leading to loose droppings and colic. Rapid changes to the diet can also have a negative impact on temperament – a sudden increase in energy content of the
ration or moving from an unbalanced ration to a balanced ration one can increase energy – just from the horse receiving a balance of vitamins and minerals. The feed gets the blame, but actually, it is how the feed is introduced to the individual that is usually the cause for unwanted behaviour!
My absolute obsession, horses and fibre are a match made in heaven, and we humans do not always do our best to utilise the efficiency at which horses digest and utilise forage. We really must, as much for the equine athlete as those that have an easier way of life without the demands and pressures the athlete has! Fibre should absolutely be the greatest consideration of the diet, and the concentrate feed is there to complement it. Allow them to be trickle feeders or grazers and let them eat for 18 hours per day – let’s not feed hay twice per day which is gone in an hour!
Fibre helps towards:
• Reducing the risk of colic
• Reducing the risk of ulcers
• Reducing the risk of boredom/ stereotypical behaviour
Fibre needs to knows:
• An adult horse can produce up to 30 litres of acid in their stomach a day
• Feeding 1.5 percent of bodyweight of forage per day is the minimal forage intake – any less will compromise the digestive tract. A 500kg horse requires a minimum of 7.5kgs per day
• If forage is restricted to the minimal daily requirement, divide it over several feeds per day – not just two
• Get rid of the muzzles
When I talk about quality I mean two things: quality from a well-known brand that is
UFAS accredited (Universal Feed Assurance Scheme), and NOPS (Naturally Occurring Prohibited Substances) approved which is ensuring quality ingredients and products from a mill that is following EU and UK legislation.
Secondly, consider the hygiene quality of the feed – does it appear dusty or mouldy? If so, do not feed it! It could increase the risk of respiratory or gastro-intestinal problems, so you must avoid giving it to your horses.
Check the best before date on the back of the bag or the tag, ideally when it is delivered. Feeding out of date feed is not going to contain guaranteed nutrients, as they begin to deplete over time, hence why manufacturers have a BBE date.
Feed to the manufacturer’s recommendations – these are there for you to ensure the best balanced diet from the feed. If you are having to feed a lot more than recommended, I would suggest you contact a nutritionist to ensure you are using the correct product.
Water is absolutely the most important nutrient and is used by every cell in the body. Even at rest, a 500kg horse will drink around 25 litres of water each day, so taking into consideration when they are working and travelling this amount will increase significantly.
The horse’s water intake can vary enormously – for example, a horse grazing lush pasture, which may contain up to 80 percent water, will generally drink less than a horse fed hay which can contain just 15 to 20 percent water.
Ensuring your horses are always provided with water will reduce the risks of dehydration which can lead to an increased risk of tying up, colic and poor performance.
Or, more importantly, know how much your scoop holds! Cubes and mixes weigh differently, and with mixes varying in type, from cereal dense to those containing alfalfa, they also weigh different amounts. So, swapping a horse from a cube to a mix needs to be thought through as more mix is likely to be required to ensure the weight being fed per day is the same and the volume has been taken into consideration!
Knowing how much your scoop holds will help ensure your horses are receiving a balanced diet to support the work they are doing.
As a guide, a round bowl Stubbs scoop holds roughly 1.8kgs of cubes and 1.3kgs of a mix – this will vary depending on the type or mix and brand of feed you are using.
Paying attention to these very simple rules of feeding will absolutely help you to keep the feeding of your polo ponies simple yet effective – and economical too!
See you in 2025!
Gonzalito Pieres has now competed in 26 consecutive Argentine Opens with the same team (Ellerstina), which brings him level with Juancarlitos Harriott who also played in the same amount of Opens with team Coronel Suarez.
Congratulations to Charlie and Yoanna Hanbury on the birth of their fourth daughter, Ciela, who was born on Saturday 16 November weighing 6lb 3oz
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Congratulations to Glen Gilmore who commented The 131st HSBC Argentine Open Semi Finals, Final and The VIII Women’s Argentine Open Final in Palermo. Gilmore commented, “What an honour and a privilege. I did the work, researched a lot and now I get the reward”.
Macmillan Coffee Morning; Thursday 24 October; Guards Polo Club, Windsor
Over the course of just a few hours, Guards Polo Club Members and friends raised an impressive £7,000 for Macmillan at their annual Macmillan Coffee Morning. Members and friends of the Club baked cakes, donated to the raffle and bid in the auction to raise funds for the cancer support charity. Jamie Hayward encouraged everyone in the auction which included lots such as an AC MVP Series 2 Freedom Foam 19” Saddle and Nick Hebditch created the iconic cake for this year’s event.
Photography by ©www.imagesofpolo.com
Central Coast, USA Pacific Coast Circuit Women’s Challenge
USA
Mayaca, USA USPA Women’s Gold Cup
Yaloak Yaloak Tournament 0 to 2, 4 & 8-10
Xmas Polo 2024 11/12/24 12/12/24
Mingela Mingela Tournament 0 to 2, 4 & 8-10 14/12/24 15/12/24
Melbourne Melbourne Polo Fields Cup 0 to 2 & 4 21/12/24 22/12/24
Melbourne Melbourne Polo Fields New Year Cup 0 to 2 & 4 04/01/25
Yarra Valley Flowerfield Cup
Hexham Urquhart Cup 0, 2, 6 & Open 18/01/25 27/01/25
14/12/24 15/12/24
RCBPC Winter Solstice Tournament 2 to 4 21/12/24 22/12/24
Druids Lodge Christmas Eve Trophy 22/12/24 22/12/24
Emsworth New Year Cup 28/12/24 31/12/24
Emsworth Ocean Born Trophy 02/01/25 05/01/25
Oxford Polo Resolutions Casket 8 03/01/25 12/01/25
Druids Lodge Autumn League FinalsPig Trophy Weekend 04/01/25 05/01/25
Emsworth Mid-Winter Cup 07/01/25 12/01/25
Druids Lodge Watersfield Trophy 8 11/01/25 11/01/25
Druids Lodge Druids Winter League (Chattanooga Salver) 12/01/25 08/03/25
RCBPC The FCT Trophy 10 to 12 14/01/25 19/01/25
Hickstead Bryan Morrision Trophy 18/01/25 18/01/25
RCBPC Jim McEnteggart Trophy 4 to 8 21/01/25 26/01/25
Emsworth January Bowl 21/01/25 26/01/25
Beaufort Silverwood Cup 10 25/01/25 26/01/25
Druids Lodge Data-IS Lismore Trophy 26/01/25 26/01/25
Chantilly Coupe de Noël des Familles 08/12/24 08/12/24
Chantilly SC Polo Winter Cup 15/12/24 15/12/24
Hawkes Bay Wine Country Cup 06/12/24 08/12/24
Hololio Guy Kirkpatrick Memorial 07/12/24 08/12/24
Cambridge Hannon Trophy 14/12/24 15/12/24
Rangitikei Skene Trophy 20/12/24 22/12/24
Wanstead Barrett/Dearden Memorial 03/01/25 05/01/25
Auckland Ardmore Tournament 04/01/25 05/01/25
Christchurch Christchurch Tournament 0,2 & 6 04/01/25 05/01/25
Rangitikei Russell Cup
Waimai Waimai Tournament
12/01/25 Gisbourne Poverty Bay Open
19/01/25
Keyte Watson 18/01/25 19/01/25 Hawkes Bay Dewar Cup 24/01/25 26/01/25 Mystery Creek Polo Week 28/01/25 02/02/25
AlUla Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo 15/01/25 18/01/25
AHPC Sir Winston Churchill Cup 8 to 10 10/12/24 14/12/24
Ghantoot Sultan bin Zayed Polo Cup 6 to 8 11/12/24 21/12/24
Ghantoot British Polo Day 14/12/24 14/12/24
AHPC AHPC Festive League 4 to 6 16/12/24 21/12/24
Ghantoot New Year Polo Cup 4 to 6 26/12/24 30/12/24
AHPC AHPC January League 4 to 6 04/01/25 11/01/25
Ghantoot Red Crescent Charity Polo Exhibition Match 11/01/25 11/01/25
Ghantoot Gold Medal Polo Championship 4 to 6 13/01/25 18/01/25
Silver Cup 20 16/01/25 01/02/25 Ghantoot Emirate Polo Championship International 10 to 12 27/01/25
Brookshire U.S. Open Arena Polo Championship 0 to 2 & 4 09/12/24 15/12/24
NPC George Miller Memorial 12 to 16 29/12/24 29/12/24
NPC Heritage Cup 12 to 16 01/01/25 05/01/25
NPC Joe Barry Memorial 12 to 16 03/01/25 26/01/25
Port Mayaca Regional President’s Cup 4 to 8 03/01/25 26/01/25
Port Mayaca The Live Oak 10 to 12 15/01/25 08/02/25
NPC Ylvisaker Cup 12 to 16 23/01/25 16/02/25
Legends USPA National Arena Bronze Cup 0 to 6 24/01/25 16/01/25
Brookshire National Arena Delegate’s Cup 6 to 9 24/01/25 16/01/25
Oak Bend Southwestern Circuit General George S. Patton Jr. 0 to 3 24/02/25 16/03/25
All Ireland Polo Club 00353 01 6896732 dstone@indigo.ie
All England Polo Club Hickstead* 01273 834 315 polo@hickstead.co.uk
Apsley End Polo Club* 01462 712444 tobiana.scott@gmail.com
Ash Farm Polo Club* 07799 812739 ashfarmpolo@hotmail.com
Barfold Polo Club 07778 808853 mborwick@gmail.com
Bawtry Polo Club 01302 773282 info@bawtrypoloclub.co.uk
Beaufort Polo Club 01666 880510 enquiries@beaufortpoloclub.co.uk
Beverley Polo Club* 01964 544877 info@beverleypoloclub.co.uk
Binfield Heath 01491 411969 bhpcmanager@gmail.com
Blueys Polo Club* 07930 323263 polomanager@blueyspolo.co.uk
Bramham Polo Academy 07811 993316 emmadvh@btinternet.com
Bunclody Polo Club 00353 87 6605917 info@poloclubbunclody.com
Burningfold Polo Club 01483 200722 derrek@burningfold.com
Cambridge Polo Club* 07711 217004 cambridgepoloclub@icloud.com
Cambridge County Polo Club* 01223 812922 info@cambridgecountypoloclub.co.uk
Carlton House 07901 561113 harrietservaes@hotmail.com
Chester Racecourse Polo Club 01244 304602 amorris@chester-races.com
Cheshire Polo Club 01948 861020 info@cheshirepoloclub.co.uk
Chiltern Polo Club 07973 174542 info@chilternpoloclub.com
Cirencester Park Polo Club 01285 653225 info@cirencesterpolo.co.uk
Cowdray Polo Club 01730 813257 enquiries@cowdraypolo.co.uk
Curraghmore Polo Club 00353 51 387102 mkennedy@cssgroup.ie
Dallas Burston Polo Club* 01926 811 111 enquiries@ixlevents.com
Dorset Polo Club 01202 623985 office@dorsetpolo.co.uk
Druids Lodge Polo Club* 01722 782597 abi@druidspolo.co.uk
Dundee and Perth Polo Club* 07831 365 194 jamesscrawford@aol.com
Eastwood Polo Club 07968 300063 frankums@googlemail.com
Edgeworth Polo Club 01285 821695 edgeworthpolo@gmail.com
Edinburgh Polo Club* 07971 072336 james.dgls@gmail.com
Emsworth Polo Grounds* 01344 883112 info@fourquarterspolo.co.uk
Epsom Polo Club* 07961 232106 epsompoloclub@hotmail.com
FHM Polo Club* 07778 436468 frances@fhmpolo.co.uk
Fifield Polo Club* 01628 620061 fifieldpoloclub@live.co.uk
Great Trippetts Polo Club 01428 741916 charles@trippetts.com
Guards Polo Club* 01784 434212 polo@guardspoloclub.com
Ham Polo Club 020 8334 0000 office@hampoloclub.com
Hertfordshire Polo Club* 01707 256023 polo@hertspolo.co.uk
Home Farm Polo Grounds 07807672120 rachaelkearnet@hotmail.co.uk
Hurtwood Polo Club 01483 272828 polo@hurtwoodparkpolo.co.uk
Kirtlington Park Polo Club 01869 350138 info@kirtlingtonparkpolo.co.uk
Knepp Castle Polo Club 07920 023639 info@aspectpolo.co.uk
Leadenham Polo Club 07429 299026 office@leadenhampoloclub.com
Longdole Polo Club* 01452 864544 info@longdolepolo.com
Moor Farm Polo Club 07494 114190 shop@moorfarmshop.co.uk
Moor Hall Farm Polo Club* 01279 450637 alecbeve@btinternet.com
New Forest Polo Club 07977 224404 annabelparryjoyner@yahoo.co.uk
Norfolk Polo Club 01508 480400 office@norfolkpolo.co.uk
Northern Ireland Polo Club 07803 020577 info@northernirelandpoloclub.co.uk
Offchurch Bury Polo Club* 07816 830887 info@offchurchburypoloclub.co.uk
Pangbourne Polo Club 07708 906810 aprice@polofix.com
Peover Polo Club 07766 016 833 polomanager@peoverpoloclub.co.uk
Polo Wicklow* 00353 404 67164 siobhan@polowicklow.com
RAF Cranwell 07739 569491 rafcranwellpoloclub@yahoo.co.uk
Ranelagh Polo Club* 01344 885697 ranelagh@labravapolo.com
RCBPC* 01344 890060 polo@rcbpc.com
RMAS Polo Club 07973 174542 rmas-nc-aci-projinters@mod.uk
Rugby Polo Club* 01788 817724 info@rugbypoloclub.com
Rutland Polo Club 07772 040668 secretary@rutlandpoloclub.co.uk
Silver Leys Polo Club 07730 060200 silverleyspoloclub@gmail.com
St. Albans Polo Club 07956 017090 info@stalbanspoloclub.co.uk
Stewarton Polo Club 07974 706045 info@stewartonpolo.co.uk
Suffolk Polo Club 07990 576974 aes3@cam.ac.uk
Sussex Polo Club* 01342 714920 info@sussexpolo.co.uk
Taunton Vale Polo Club 07771 931541 Chairman_tcvpc@btinternet.com
Tedworth Park Polo Club* 01980 846705 info@tedworthparkpolo.com
Toulston Polo Club 07776 234638 info@toulstonpoloclub.com
Triskelion Polo Club* 07624 272547 polo@triskelionpolo.club
Vale of York Polo Club* 07788 426968 info@valeofyorkpoloclub.co.uk
Vaux Park Park Polo Club* 07703 524613 vppc@btconnect.com
vO Polo Club 01536 639018 membership@vopoloclub.com
West Wycombe Park Polo Club* 07787 560729 secretary@westwycombepolo.co.uk
Westcroft Park Polo Club* 01276 858545 info@westcroftparkpolo.co.uk
White Rose Polo Club* 01430 875767 info@whiterosepolo.co.uk
White
9 Yr Old ROR TB Bay Mare Easy going, very striking, great conformation with large chest, no vices, 16hh, racing name Sandkissed. Schools beautifully, lives out all year with mixed group of polo ponies, good doer. Had full polo training (neck reins, used to stick etc) and been played up to 2 goal, but current owner not had the time to take her up a gear due to work commitments. She is a pleasure to school and has very responsive sides and a very soft mouth. She is very relaxed and does not get hot/ over excited. Sound and never had any issues with lameness. A great mini project for polo or would be well suited to a change of discipline in dressage, eventing etc as she is so easy to school and a quick learner. £1,450 ono (Gloucestershire). Tel: 07969 456214
Polo Saddle 18 inch Berney Polo saddle, £300 (offers accepted) (Downpatrick). Tel: 07784 731929
51 Lightweight Arena Mallet Light weight arena mallet. 51 stick. Collection Midhurst or pp. £90. Tel: 07880 588539
Small Bale Hay Small bale hay from small holding, cut August 2023. No chemicals, pesticides etc used, unsprayed and thistle free pasture. Produced for our picky Thoroughbreds but selling some off as we have too much! Up to 50 bales available for collection from GL2 9LN. Minimum order of five bales for collection. Will deliver locally for orders of x50 bales (with a fuel cost). £5/bale. Tel: 07969 456214
Hancox Stable Doors X3 Hancox stable doors. Fully galvanised, African hardwood infills, spring loaded catches. 140cm in height and 112cm wide. Excellent condition, £400 each or £1,000 for all 3 (Southampton). Delivery available. Tel: 07846 067901
Stable Doors With Frames Corton Dutch import stable doors with frames. African hardwood, spring loaded, galvanised kick plates. x4 double doors. Each comes with both top & bottom doors as well as frames, they are £600 each or £2,000 for all 4. (Southampton). Delivery available. Tel: 07846 067901
SCOREBOARDS AND CLOCKS 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
6 goaler, British professional Matt Perry has won some of the top titles in the world including The Cartier Queen’s Cup not once but twice, The British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup, The Justerini & Brooks Prince of Wales Trophy, the competitive Cámara de Diputados in Argentina and both The Copa de Plata and Copa de Oro in Sotogrande. Polo Times caught up with Matt to find out what he is passionate about
What is your all-time best polo memory?
My all-time best polo memory would be winning The Cartier Queen’s Cup for the second time. The first year I was quite new to polo and didn’t really understand how important and hard it is to win!
Hardest opponent?
Hardest opponent would have to be [Adolfo] Cambiaso or Juanma [Juan Martín Nero]. I always struggled to mark Cambiaso and found he was always two plays ahead. I don’t think I have ever won a ride off to date against Juanma and that’s what I’m good at!
Which sports do you like outside of polo?
Favourite film and why?
I like lots of different films, so it is hard to choose. Superbad through to Lord of the Rings – as long as it’s not a horror, I’m pretty open.
Favourite hobby outside of polo?
I love all sports! Growing up I played every sport possible. After polo, football would be my favourite sport and I have been a huge West Ham fan all my life (hence the hat).
My favourite hobby would just be chilling with my family or playing sport. I’m not the best at sitting down, so I like to try and keep busy.
Favourite food/dish?
Sushi would definitely be my favourite meal, followed by Spaghetti Bolognese or lasagne.
Best pony and why?
My favourite pony would be Biscuit, she has been retired now for two years. She is a Retrained Racehorse who I got as a two year old when I was 14 and she took me from -2 to 6 goal so she was a very special mare.
Are you passionately superstitious?
I used to be more superstitious and eat a lasagne the night before every high goal game and play in the same clothes etc. Now I am a lot more relaxed and don’t have many superstitions.
Best holiday destination and activity?
Favourite holiday destination to date would be my honeymoon to the Maldives.
One thing which would surprise us about you? Fun, hardworking, short.
