Youth
All Aspects of Youth Polo
Cambridge Christmas Cuppers Photography courtesy of Cambridge University Polo Club
Cambridge University fully entered into the festive spirit
The first week of December was a time of transformation for Cambridge University Polo Club: from horses to reindeer and from players to snowmen and elves. It was the Cambridge University Inter-Collegiate Arena Polo Tournament, between teams representing the 31 Colleges that make up the University. A fiercely fought battle, where in the Semi Finals the ‘Rein-ponies’ used their speed and agility to outwit the strength
The festive frivolity was a fiercely fought battle
CUPC ‘Rein-people’ planning their strategy
and coolness of the Snow-people, and the Santas took on the poets of the Geebung Polo Team only to find that gifting goals, whilst Christmassy, was not constructive in winning polo matches. Triumphant at the end of the tournament were Francesca Spencer, Toby Call and Caitlin Whitby of the Geebungs combined Homerton and Girton College team who, celebrated with delicious Champagne Gratiot Pilliare, and prizes from
La Martina and c1209. The Club went on to a hearty Club Christmas dinner complete with polo-themed Christmas carols. The event was a resounding celebration of the Club’s focus to extend the accessibility of polo throughout the university through development programmes and lesson subsidisation, resulting in CUPC becoming one of the largest sport clubs at the University in 2016.
Young Fun Photograph by Gillian Hughes
As part of their pre-Christmas, three day Festival of Polo, Westcroft Park Polo Club hosted Young Berkshire and Young Surrey as the warm-up game to the International Arena Test Match between England and The Rest of the World on Saturday 17 December. In the youth match, six youngsters demonstrated the grassroots talent of the UK much to the delight of the crowd. Despite the best efforts of all the players, especially Max Sponer who scored the final goal of the game from the halfway line, the game ended in an amicable 12-12 score. Young Berkshire (-1): Alana Horswell (-1), Chloe Horswell (-1) & James Crossley (1) Young Surrey (1): Max Sponer (-1), Harry Hutchins (1) & Eric Appen (1) Most Valuable Player: Max Sponer
Most Valuable Player Max Sponer with his Polo Times prizes
Newcastle Knees-Up ON THE 25 February Newcastle University Polo Club are holding their Guns and Horses Ball. Tickets cost £55 for a three-course meal and an after party in the city is part of the plan. The theme is black tie with a hint of feathers. To find out more or to contact the Club via their Facebook page; facebook.com/ groups/Newcastlepolo 46
Polo Times, February 2017
Polo Scholarship
Regent’s University London has launched the first university polo scholarship in the UK, with the aim to support student excellence and increase the global reputation of polo. The university is offering two undergraduate scholarships worth 15% of the total fees, which will be offered annually to applicants who demonstrate potential and excellence in polo. Canditates for the scholarship must already hold an offer from Regent’s and then submit a 500 word statement on what polo means to them, a reference from a registered Polo Club and video footage of them playing. Neil Herrington, Regent’s Head of Student Recruitment explained the reasons for the scholarship, “Polo is hugely popular with audiences around the world and given the highly international makeup of our student body this is a perfect way to support their ambitions to play and become ambassadors for the sport. The Polo Club is an essential part of many of our students’ social lives and we are expecting interest from countries including Pakistan, Latin America, Brazil, USA, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Iran, India, Pakistan, Hong Kong and Dubai.” If you are interested in applying for the scholarship then email your statement, video footage and reference to scholarships@regents.ac.uk www.polotimes.co.uk