General Manager’s Insight Mark Hayden-Kellard

Photography courtesy of Cirencester Park Polo Club

Mark has been involved in polo for over 30 years General Manager’s Insight

Mark Hayden-Kellard’s views on Cirencester Park Polo Club

Mark Hayden-Kellard joined Cirencester Park Polo Club at the beginning of April 2022 as General Manager and Chief Financial Officer. Having spent three months now at the helm, we talk to Mark about his first impressions and what it is like to run one of the oldest polo clubs in the UK.

What’s your background in polo?

I have been involved in polo for over 30 years including being on the management teams of Guards, Ham and Royal Berkshire Polo Clubs, as well as running the largest polo school in the country for nine years. I played as a professional polo player at Guards Polo Club, managing a portfolio of High Net Worth private clients. I also spent time serving in the British Army for six years and then went on to run a property development business.

I am lucky to have travelled all over the world for work and pleasure, visiting many international polo clubs. In my spare time I enjoy flying helicopters and naturally, playing polo!

What were your initial first impressions of Cirencester?

I must admit that prior to coming to starting work at Cirencester, I thought that it was a small country Club, albeit charming. How wrong I was. Having been to polo clubs all over the world, and managed other clubs in the UK, Cirencester is the friendliest and most beautiful Club by far. But that is just the start… I was amazed at both the professionalism of the team and the huge investment the Club puts into the fields and facilities. We have new irrigation equipment and invest heavily in sand for the fields. Given the outstanding condition of grounds we can offer, we are seeing more and more teams entering our prestigious highgoal tournaments. Most recently we welcomed Poroto Cambiaso, Jeta Castagnola, Bartolomé Castagnola and Ned Hine who played in the 18 and 22 goal for team Semper Anticus, owned by patron Clarinda Tija-Dharmadi. We also welcomed Isidro Strada, who plays for our Chairman Chris Fagan’s team, Noon Giraffe and was also playing in Cowdray’s Gold Cup.

For Armed Forces Day, also the Final of our 18 goal Apsley Cup, I was lucky enough to experience the excellent quality of our fields and I took part in the UK Armed Forces Polo Association v Cirencester exhibition match, playing on the hallowed ground, Meadow. It was a joy to play on.

The Clubhouse has also undergone significant refurbishment, to include a brand new commercial kitchen, new decking for diners and new offices for the CPPC team – quite a change since the last time I was playing at Cirencester a few years ago! Set in the heart the stunning Grade I listed Cirencester Park, there really is no better place to sit and eat gastronomic food and watch polo. Our Head

Mark took part in the UK Armed Forces Polo Association v Cirencester exhibition match Chef Ethan Rodgers is back for his second year and has become well known in the locality.

All in all I have learnt my first impressions were rather off – Cirencester is a thriving, energetic international-level Polo Club, also the most historic in the UK and clearly has a very exciting future ahead.

What are some of the highlights still to come this season?

We still have the famous 15 goal County Cup to play this season, with the Final being played on Saturday 13 August. This is going to be a huge day as we will be putting on our popular Olympic dressage demo with our social member Anne Marie Bork-Eppers performing her glorious freestyle to music. This will be followed by a retraining of racehorses demo to include flatwork and show jumping, by Anne Marie’s husband Andy Farmer. The day will be raising funds for RoR. We are honoured to have Desi Dillingham MBE, ex chair of British Dressage President of the BHS compering the demos.

The Ivy Lodge Restaurant will be hosting various social events, details of which can be found on the website. Polo is played every weekend and everyone is welcome – again full details are on the website.

What are your future plans for the Club?

My plan for the Club and its Members is to grow the sponsorship and hospitality side of the business, at the same time as continuing to invest in our grounds and infrastructure so that we can continue to host high level polo. We are also encouraging new Social Members to join our club, to come and watch polo all season long and enjoy the many Member benefits they receive. We have been especially welcoming new Social Members post-Covid as we are lucky enough to be based in such a glorious expanse of open parkland, where families can enjoy a day out safely.