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As I sit down to write my last foreword of 2022, I cannot help but reflect on the past 12 months, which once again have passed all too swiftly. With more than a sprinkling of snow on the ground here in the English countryside, it feels like only yesterday we were struggling with the summer heatwave which saw a record of 40.3°C, yet in the blink of an eye another year is drawing to a close.
This issue of Polo Times is simultaneously our last for 2022 and first for 2023, and is packed with a bumper number of eight reports covering polo from across the globe including the arenas here in the UK, action from Manipur in India and of course Argentina, where The Triple Crown has culminated in an historic win for La Dolfina Saudi; not only did the Cambiaso father-son duo win The Argentine Open for the first time together, but Adolfo ‘Poroto’ Cambiaso Jnr entered the record books as the youngest player in history to win the title, at the age of 17 years and 6 days. His achievement was rightly recognised with a handicap raise to 10 goals, an impressive feat for someone so young. However, it is also worth highlighting the successes of our young, British players, whose talents have been recognised by their handicaps also being raised in Argentina, with Hugo Taylor and Louis Hine going from 4 to 5 goals, Ned Hine rising from 5 to 6 goals and Milly Hine increasing from 7 to 8 goals.
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Our dedicated Youth, Women’s and Club Focus pages are all over-flowing with news from the UK and abroad, while the ever-popular Knowledge pages include advice and insight on everything from dislocated shoulders to looking after your ageing pony’s dietary needs and the importance of banishing blame from your game, plus the importance of using your lower legs when riding and rider recovery stretches.
So, sit back, relax and enjoy reading all about it (preferably with a hot mince pie in hand) and from myself and all of the team here at Polo Times, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Keep well and play safe. Nick Hine, Publisher
News 38th Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz 2023
Photograph by SWPC/ Kathrin Gralla
Max Charlton is once again returning to St. Moritz The organisers of the Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz are delighted to welcome The Kusnacht Practice and Flexjet as new team sponsors of the world’s only high goal tournament on snow. They are joining the ranks of the existing teams Azerbaijan Land of Fire, World Polo League, Clinique La Prairie, and St. Moritz and Casablanca returns as the official outfitter. The event will take place on the frozen lake of St. Moritz over 27 – 29 January 2023 and there is already record demand for VIP and Chukker Club tickets, but there are still some available at www.snowpolo-stmoritz.com so don’t miss out! The 2023 event is expected to draw crowds of over 20,000!
Founder and organiser Reto Gaudenzi is very much looking forward to another fantastic event, “Every year, we see our guests delighted anew by the unique setting on a frozen lake against one of the world’s most stunning mountain backdrops; St. Moritz is second to none in making such a perfect match of genuine hospitality, luxury and authentic Alpine lifestyle. It is an exhilarating mix of locals, visitors, polo fans, winter sports enthusiasts, and foodies. We are also thrilled to see the demand from sponsors, players, and guests growing every year. It is, above all, a compliment to St. Moritz and the outstanding effort of all partners involved.”
Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz 2023 Teams:
Azerbaijan Land of Fire (18): Elcin Jamalli (2), Adrian Laplacette Jr. (6), Raul Laplacette Jr. (6) & Tito Gaudenzi (2) The Kusnacht Practice (16): Eduardo Greghi (0), Nico San Roman (4), Alejo Taranco (8) & Charlie Hanbury (4) Clinique La Prairie (TBC): Marc Ganzi (1), Nic Roldan (8), Fred Mannix (6) & TBC St. Moritz (14): Spencer McCarthy (2), James McCarthy (2), Max Charlton (6) & Nacho Gonzalez (4) World Polo League (TBC): Melissa Ganzi (0), Grant Ganzi (3), Alejandro Novillo Astrada (7) & TBC Perrier-Jouët (15): Daniel Deistler (0), Patrick Maleitzke (5), Clemente Delfosse (5) & Patrick Paillol (5)
Sandpolo Announces 2023 Artists
2023 will see the event celebrate their 16th anniversary on 7 – 8 July in Sandbanks and to celebrate they have announced that Mica Paris will perform at Boogie on the Beach 2023 and Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp will feature at Sandpolo’s Weekend Closing Party. To find out more visit www.sandpolo.com
News Poroto Becomes Youngest 10 Goal Player
After a formidable Argentine season which saw La Dolfina Saudi win both The Argentine and Hurlingham Opens, Adolfo ‘Poroto’ Cambiaso has been raised to 10 goals in Argentina, making him the youngest player to reach this handicap at just 17 years and 11 days old. Poroto joins his father, Adolfo Cambiaso, who also holds a 10 goal handicap.
Other raises in handicaps include: Tomas Panelo, Jejo Taranco and Juan Martin Zubia from 8 to 9 goals, Joaquin Pittaluga and Pedro Zacharias from 7 to 8 goals, Cruz Heguy, Teodoro Lacau, Lukin Monteverde, Benjamin Panelo, Toly Ulloa and Jared Zenni (6 to 7 goals). Young Brits also had their handicaps raised including Hugo Taylor and Louis Hine (4 to 5 goals) and Ned Hine (5 to 6 goals).
s Poroto Cambiaso joins his father on a 10 goal handicap
Photograph by Matías Callejo / AAP Pres
2023 Polo Rider Cup
The Polo Rider Cup has confirmed their return for 2023 Araucaria Polo Club (ARG) has confirmed their return to the 2023 Polo Rider Cup which will be held over 14 – 24 June at Polo Club Saint Tropez. This is the third edition of the tournament and 2023 will see a break away from their usual venue of Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly. Araucaria Polo Club will be repeating their line-up of Fabio Meier, Luca Meier, Fabian Bolanteiro with the fourth spot yet to be confirmed, Fabio Meier commented, “We are happy to be part of The Polo Rider Cup for the second time. Next year it will be in St. Tropez and we know the Club very well as we have played here every year since my brother Luca and I started playing polo. Last year we were very pleased with the organization of the tournament and all the special events around it. We hope we can improve our result and we are very much looking forward to participating in another chapter of The Polo Rider Cup.”
Photograph by RoR
Late HM The Queen’s horse Quadrille with rider Louise Robson, the 2019 The Jockey Club RoR Horse of the Year The search is now live for The Jockey Club RoR Horse of the Year as Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) has opened nominations via www.ror-events.org.uk. This is the first year that owners of former racehorses can nominate their horse and that there will be a public vote to determine the top three finalists. A shortlist of horses for this year’s award featured online at www.ror-events.org.uk to allow the public to vote from Thursday 1 December to Sunday 11 December with the award being presented at the RoR Awards Ceremony on 21 January 2023.
2023 Stabling Available
Pangbourne Polo Club offers a complete stabling solution for teams, patrons, or pros for the 2023 season.
Facilities include: Two polo fields, stick & ball area, two exercise tracks, all weather arena, round yard, wooden horse, serviced offices, gym, club room, ample turnout, and grooms’ accommodation.
Situated on the Englefield Estate, Pangbourne Polo Club is 30 minutes from Guards and RCBPC, and 45 minutes from Cirencester and Kirtlington.
Prices are competitive and can be negotiated for larger strings.
Please get in touch for more information: + 44 7984 499097 (Sophie) or + 44 7831 611196 (Andrew).
Photograph by Pangbourne Polo Club
News Home Office Approve Migrant Criteria for 2022/2023 Season
The HPA has announced that they have been working closely with the Home Office regarding migrant endorsement as the HPA criteria is reviewed every 12 months: “Part of the review is to provide evidence on the need for the number of migrant endorsements and categories of endorsements that the HPA has issued. In 2022, we issued more migrant endorsements than ever before. On looking at these numbers, the Home Office particularly focused on the high number of migrant grooms which make up part of the overall endorsements.
“As part of this review, we therefore provided extensive briefings about the nature of polo and the importance of the right number of grooms with the key skills and experience to support our sport at the highest level.
“In 2022, there was a higher requirement for grooms, and this required full justification. We made it clear we had more teams playing than ever before in 2022, especially in the high goal and without necessary endorsements of grooms with sufficient skills there are risks not only to the development of the sport in the UK but also to pony welfare and player safety. We also provided evidence and state the case in relation the lack of resident grooms, primarily due to the seasonal nature of the work.
“The Home Office have confirmed with us that they understand the need for migrant grooms to enable our sport at the highest level and for the development of the sport. However, they have been clear that they wish to see less reliance on migrant grooms for polo over time.
“The result of their review was to confirm that there will be no changes to the criteria for players, manager, polo pony trainer, coach, umpire and coach/umpire for next year but did include increasing the requirements on experience of grooms as well as some restriction on numbers. HPA are adamant that any restriction on numbers must not impact on
the overall ability of polo to grow in this country, and so must not apply to the sport as a whole. Rhett Wooldridge “What has therefore been agreed is an increase in the number of years’ experience Paul Sweeney Memorial Final; Ash Farm Polo Club; Sunday 20 February a groom needs from two to four, and a cap on the number of grooms per sponsor organisation, whether that organisation Record Breaking represents a team or professional player. This cap is based on the lower of the number of Final’s Day migrant groom endorsements granted in 2022, or the number listed in the Home Office criteria available here. The Paul Sweeney Memorial was founded by Lesley, “As an example, based on 2022, some Charlotte and Georgia Sweeney in memory of Paul 80% of sponsors will not be affected by this Sweeney after his unexpected death in 2009 at just change, and will continue to be able to bring 48-years-old in order to keep his spirit and legacy alive. in the same number of grooms as they had Each year, the tournament attracts a number of players in 2022. Only 12% will have a reduction of 1 Pete & George Woodward and spectators, gathering at Ash Farm Polo Club to cheer on the finalists. This year saw a record number of teams groom and just under 8% will have a reduction of more than 1 groom. and after a two-year postponement due to Covid-19, “We appreciate this is a change for us in 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. polo, but we need to be aware that we have more migrant endorsements than any other sport, and we need to protect this special Photography by Antonia Bullrich arrangement to ensure we are able to continue to positively benefit our sport from this route for migrant players, umpires, coaches, managers as well as grooms into the future.”
Sandy & Mike Warren, Ross Byrne Bridie Courtney Morgan Charlie Simpson & Jade Louise Wheeler Georgia Sweeney & Gemma Byrne
The 129th RUS Hurlingham Open Final
On Saturday 29 October, after a two year drought of Triple Crown trophies, La Dolfina Saudi tasted success once again after defeating La Irenita Grand Champions 13-12 to lift the 129th RUS Hurlingham Open. This was La Dolfina Saudi’s 31st Triple Crown trophy and their 11th Hurlingham Open trophy – levelling with Ellerstina – and a significant moment for the Cambiaso family as father-son duo achieved their first Triple Crown trophy together. Olivia Whittle & Lisa KnightFrankie & Alex Antony After the match Juan Martin Nero received both the Most Valuable Player Award and Fair Play Award, Dolfina Roxy, played by Adolfo Cambiaso received The Daniel Kearney Cup for the Best Playing Pony and the AACCP Award for the Best Argentine Bred Pony was awarded to Dolfina B06 Cuartetera Clone, played by Adolfo Cambiaso.
The 129th RUS Hurlingham Open Final Teams:
La Dolfina Saudi (39): Adolfo Cambiaso (10), David Stirling (10), Poroto Cambiaso (9) & Juan Martin Nero (10) La Irenita Grand Champions (36): Juan Britos (9), Francisco Elizalde (9), Pablo Mac Donough (10) & Juan Martin Zubía (8)
Issy Litvak & Libby Connaughton
La Dolfina Saudi, winners of The Hurlingham Open
Photograph by Matías Callejo / Prensa AAP
Harry Applegate, Anton Nymans, Charlie Graham, Issy Litvak & Issy Langrish Jemima Wilson & Graham Wooldridge Mary Kelly Sophie Morrison
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